Jenna’s heart was in her throat. She’d stayed at work until five, long enough to make sure that Carl wouldn’t wander in looking for her, then she’d snuck out the back door and made her way down side streets and alleys until she’d spotted the Rover.
She didn’t immediately climb into the vehicle. Instead, Jenna watched the car and the streets for ten minutes before deciding it was clear enough to make a run for it. She jumped inside and sped off.
Her gaze flicked repeatedly to the rearview mirror, as she drove toward Aidan’s estate. Twice she’d thought someone was following her, only to have them turn off on one of the streets leading out of town. Somewhere in Breakbend, Carl was searching for her.
I thought I’d have more time. Damn it, Ethan!
Jenna’s sweaty palms slid across the steering wheel. It wasn’t until she caught sight of the massive gates blocking the entrance to the estate that some of the tension eased in her shoulders.
She pressed a button and those imposing gates opened. Jenna glanced one last time at the barren road, then hit the gas, sending gravel spraying behind her as she barreled down the driveway. Shadows filled the woods as the sun sank below the horizon. Jenna kept seeing movement where there was none.
“Keep it together,” she muttered, glancing once more in her rearview, even though she was safely behind the tall walls.
A black mass darted in front of her. Jenna screamed and jerked the wheel to the left to avoid hitting it. Something large thumped the bumper and sent her skidding out of control. The Rover fishtailed toward the trees.
Brush scraped the paint as she wrestled with the wheel. The front tires dipped, throwing Jenna sideways. Her head hit the driver’s side window, stunning her. The seatbelt tightened, yanking her back against the seat.
She hit the breaks, but it was too late. The front of the SUV collided with the trunk of a pine tree. Glass shattered. Metal crunched. Then the airbag exploded in her face.
Dazed, Jenna glanced in the rearview mirror. A naked man lay on the other side of the driveway. That couldn’t be right. She shook her head and squinted. His dark hair and muscular body came into focus and looked...familiar.
For a second, Jenna couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, then adrenalin hit. “Aidan!” she cried.
Jenna struggled out of her seatbelt. What if he was hurt? What if he was... She couldn’t even bring herself to think it. He had to be okay.
“Hang on, Aidan. I’m coming.” Jenna threw the door open in a panic and fell onto the ground, her legs trembling too bad to support her. She pulled herself up, using the Rover for leverage. She had to get to Aidan.
Jenna scrambled up the short embankment and out of the woods. From here she should be able to see if he was breathing. She glanced across the road.
Aidan’s body was gone.
It wasn’t possible. She’d seen him. Did that mean he wasn’t hurt? Jenna glanced down the driveway, hoping to see him walking toward the house. There was no sign of Aidan.
Where did he go? Had he wandered into the woods?
Blood roared in her ears. Fear enveloped her. If Aidan had stumbled into the woods, then he was definitely hurt. She had to find him before the wolves did.
Jenna crossed the road, her gaze scanning the ground, searching for clues that might indicate which way he’d went.
“Aidan, where are you?” She turned in a circle, the trees blurring before her eyes. “Aidan!” Jenna couldn’t lose him. Not like this. Not yet.
The shadows hid him at first. His black fur blended so well that she’d nearly stumbled over him. Her wolf. Lying next to the trees not far from where Aidan had been.
Or had he?
Had she really seen him?
Jenna wasn’t sure.
Just how hard had she hit her head? She thought she’d only been momentarily stunned. Jenna felt the wound on her forehead, but other than being a little sore from the airbag, it didn’t feel too bad.
Had she imagined the whole thing? Aidan had looked so real in the rearview mirror. She glanced across the driveway at the tilted SUV. The angle out the back wasn’t perfect. It wouldn’t give her the clearest view.
Jenna shook her head and looked down at the ground. Maybe she’d just wanted to see Aidan again. So much so that her brain had conjured him up for her. She didn’t want to examine why too closely.
It dawned on her that he hadn’t been wearing any clothes. Jenna groaned.
Terrific! Even during an accident, she couldn’t escape thoughts of his naked body.
Jenna stared at the black wolf. The wolf stared back. She had hit something. Of that there was no doubt. Since Aidan wasn’t here, it stood to reason that she’d struck her wolf.
She needed to make sure he was okay. If he wasn’t, then somehow she’d coax him into a vehicle and get him to a vet. Jenna tried to imagine lifting over two hundred pounds of wolf into her car. No way could she do that without hurting him worse. He had to be okay.
“Easy, fella.” Jenna held her hands out and kept her voice soothing. “How’s my pretty boy?”
His ears perked up as he watched her approach. There didn’t appear to be any visible injuries, but she wouldn’t know for sure until she could examine him. Jenna kneeled as she neared the animal.
“Come here. I need to make sure that you’re okay.” She reached out and slowly felt his legs before making her way over his body, checking for tenderness.
There was no blood that she could see or feel. And nothing seemed to be swollen. Did that mean he was okay? Maybe she’d simply stunned him, too.
Please let him just be stunned.
“That’s a good boy.” Jenna carefully examined him again, making sure she hadn’t missed anything. The wolf didn’t whimper or flinch.
Relieved that he was unharmed and that it hadn’t been Aidan that she’d hit, Jenna’s composure shattered. She threw her arms around the wolf’s neck and buried her face in his fur. The tears she’d held back released in a flood. All the pain and frustration she’d suppressed came bubbling out.
“I’m so sorry.” Her shoulders shook as she cried. “I never wanted any of this to happen. I thought I’d have more time. But he’s here,” she said between hiccups. “I don’t want to betray his trust...But I can’t fight him without money.” She sobbed. “He’ll just keep coming...Won’t ever stop...Maybe someday Aidan will forgive me.”
The wolf licked the tears off her cheek, then swept his tongue over the wound on her forehead. Jenna could feel his muscles quiver beneath her hands, but he didn’t try to pull away or try to bite her. She rubbed his head and ran her hand over his muzzle. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He licked her hand.
She sniffed loudly and wiped her face with her sleeve. He couldn’t understand a word she was saying, but that was okay. She’d just needed someone to listen.
“Thank you for letting me hold you. I’m glad you’re all right.” Jenna stroked the wolf’s sides one last time, then slowly rose to her feet.
The wolf waited a moment, as if to make sure she was all right, then bounded into the woods.
Jenna watched him go, paying special attention to his strong legs. No limps. No favoring of sides. No whimpers of pain. She sighed. Thank goodness.
She walked back to the Rover and climbed behind the wheel. Jenna had no idea how she’d pay for the SUV’s repairs, when she couldn’t even cover the Bug’s, but she’d get the money together somehow.
“Please start,” she whispered.
The engine sputtered, then turned over. Jenna slipped the Rover into reverse. Twigs snapped and limbs creaked as she backed out of the woods and did a three point turn to get the SUV headed in the right direction. Jenna drove sedately down the rest of the way the driveway.
Aidan rushed outside, when she reached the house.
Despite her encounter with the wolf, Jenna’s gaze roamed over him, examining every inch. She needed to see for herself that he was unharmed. Her relief was palpable.
So much
for keeping her emotions in check.
Aidan opened the driver’s side door and pulled her into his arms.
Jenna allowed herself to sink into his warmth, feeling his strength beneath her fingertips. His chest rose and fell against her cheek. She could hear his powerful heartbeat, its steady cadence reassurance that he was in fact all right.
“Are you all right?” He brushed her hair away from her face, his gaze carefully examining her.
People from the household gathered outside to see what the commotion was. They watched her and Aidan’s exchange closely, their expressions registering various levels of surprise.
Uncomfortable with the growing audience, Jenna stiffened. “How did you--”
“Security cameras,” Aidan answered before she could finish her question. “They saw everything. We were just about to come out and get you, when someone spotted the headlights. Are you sure that you’re alright?” He moved her inside without waiting for an answer.
Robert stood in the doorway, his wiry frame ramrod straight. He took one look at the Rover and scowled at her. His frown deepened, when he noticed how tightly Aidan held her.
Jenna slipped out of Aidan’s embrace. She felt guilty enough over having to betray him. She didn’t need or want him to take care of her. His concern for her well-being only added to the heaping pile of self-loathing, growing inside of her.
Aidan didn’t acknowledge the move. Instead, he countered it by wrapping his arm over her shoulder and maneuvering her up the stairs.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“My room. I’ve called for our staff physician to meet us there.”
His room. Warning bells went off in her head. Jenna didn’t think going to Aidan’s room was a good idea, stunned or not, but there was no deterring him. She had a feeling if she dug in her heels and refused, he’d pick her up and carry her.
Aidan threw open the double doors to what could only be described as a decadent master suite. Jenna took in the room in a glance.
It was no surprise that Aidan’s bed garnered center stage in the space. The massive sleigh frame carved from cherry wood appeared to be custom made. Jenna’s suspicions were confirmed when she caught sight of the extra large mattresses.
Soft cream sheets met a mountain of pillows. Two matching side tables flanked the bed. There were books stacked on top of both.
Aidan was a reader.
Jenna wasn’t sure why that surprised her or why it pleased her so much. She scanned the titles quickly, recognizing a few familiar names before her gaze was drawn to a set of dual French doors. The doors led out to what looked like a large balcony.
The perfect spot for the King to survey his kingdom, she thought. A soft knock interrupted her musings.
“Come in, Gabe.” Aidan didn’t look to see who was at the door.
A man with sandy blond hair and gold-rimmed glasses entered the room, carrying a brown leather bag. Jenna had never seen him before, but he seemed familiar with the space. He walked past them straight into Aidan’s bathroom and set the bag on the counter. “Bring her in here.”
Aidan guided Jenna into the bathroom.
“I can walk by myself you know?” she said.
Aidan’s amber gaze assessed her. “You’ve no doubt bumped your head and had an airbag explode in your face. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Several painful finger probes and a barrage of pointless questions later, Dr. Gabe declared that she didn’t have a concussion. Jenna could’ve told him that.
The doctor gave her a couple of aspirin.
Jenna dry swallowed them.
He removed his latex gloves and tossed them into the trash, then closed his bag. His gaze returned to the healing wound on her forehead. “You should’ve had someone take a look at this right after it happened. It might’ve prevented scarring.”
Scarring had been the least of her concerns. Jenna hadn’t had the money to see a doctor. Nor had there been time when she was running away from Carl. She didn’t have the money now either.
“I don’t have health insurance,” she said. Not an oddity in this day and time.
Dr. Gabe turned to Aidan. “She’ll be fine. It’s just a knock. Let me know if she gets sleepy or her speech slurs.”
Jenna glared at him. “She can hear you. She’s standing right here.”
Gabe didn’t spare her a glance as he waited for Aidan’s response. “Stay close.” He glanced at Jenna. “Never know when trouble might arrive.”
* * * * *
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Aidan’s heart continued to race in his chest. When he’d seen Jenna skid off the road into the woods, something inside him had shattered.
The bone deep sense of loss had struck him to the core and he could no longer ignore the growing connection between them or the need to find out where it would lead.
Terror was not a feeling Aidan was used to experiencing or one he cared to repeat. It didn’t sit well with his wolf.
Thank goodness she’d been driving the Rover and not her vehicle or the accident could’ve been a lot worse.
She’d been crying so uncontrollably. Each tear had battered his Lycan soul. In his wolf form, Aidan had had difficulty following her conversation. Though he doubted that it would’ve made sense in his human form either, since she’d had her face buried in his side.
He’d caught enough to know that Jenna intended to betray him, but he still didn’t understand why. The odd part was it didn’t make him angry.
By rights, he should be furious with her. Instead, all he could think about was who had arrived in town?
Just the thought of Jenna around another male brought out some very uncomfortable feelings. On a normal day, it was hard to fight his nature. This close to the full moon made it damn near impossible.
Jenna was in danger. Of that there was no doubt. Aidan had suspected as much, but her disjointed, tear-soaked confession proved it.
Someone was after her. Someone she feared. That same fear drove her now to do things she wouldn’t normally do. His Alpha instincts quickly rose to the surface. The urge to protect what was his burned through his body. Aidan wanted to sink his claws into the threat and eviscerate it.
But he needed more information. He had to be able to identify the threat. Once he did that, Jenna wouldn’t have to worry anymore. Now the question was, how would he ferret out the truth?
Demanding that she tell him everything would only drive Jenna away. She was stubborn to a fault. There was only one way forward. Aidan had to let her go through with her ‘plan’. Whatever it may be. Convince her that he was falling for her ruse, then like any good wolf, he would pounce.
Aidan felt her gaze scroll over him. She’d been doing that ever since she had entered the house. He would’ve been flattered, if he didn’t think there was more behind the look than plain lust.
“What are you looking for?” he asked.
She jumped and her voice squeaked. “What?”
Aidan tilted his head. “You keep looking at me with a funny expression on your face. What is it you’re searching for?”
Jenna hesitated. “It’s ridiculous.”
He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Tell me anyway.”
She bit her lip, drawing his gaze to her mouth. “It’s going to sound crazy.”
Aidan smiled. “Promise I won’t laugh.”
She took a deep breath. “For a moment back in the woods, I thought I’d hit you.”
Aidan didn’t blink, didn’t show any emotion at all. “Why would you think that?”
Jenna shook her head. “When I looked in the rearview mirror after the accident, I could’ve sworn I saw you lying by the side of the road. Obviously, I didn’t. You’re here. Unhurt. The accident scrambled my mind and somehow I incorporated all those wild stories I heard in town.”
His brows rose.
She rubbed her arms, quelling the gooseflesh. “Told you it was crazy.”
Aidan closed the distance betw
een them. “There are a lot of things that cannot be easily explained away by logic. If you say that you saw me in the woods,” he shrugged, “then maybe you did.”
Jenna’s lips flattened. “Don’t patronize me. I know you weren’t in the woods. I hit a wolf.”
“Was he okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I checked.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “So you’re saying that I look like a wolf?”
Jenna grinned. “When you look at me like that.” She pointed at his face. “Yeah, you could do a passing impression.”
“I’m flattered.” Aidan held out his hand. Jenna hesitated, then slowly took it. Her fingers were so fragile beneath his. One squeeze would crush every bone in her hand to dust. Aidan closed his fingers around hers and led her out of the room.
“Sorry about the Rover,” she whispered. “I’ll pay for the repairs. In fact, I’ll do the work myself to make sure it’s done right.”
“It’s not important. The vehicle is insured.” Aidan led her down the stairs.
She pulled back. “Please stop being so nice.”
Aidan snorted. “No one has ever accused me of that.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then they don’t know you very well.”
Aidan’s chest filled with warmth. He liked that she thought he was nice. Liked doing nice things for her, if it got him a smile.
“I’m hungry.” And he was, just not for food. The taste of her sweet skin still lingered on Aidan’s tongue, burning its way through his body in a rush. He desperately wanted another taste, a far more intimate taste.
His wolf surfaced. Aidan felt his shaft stir behind his zipper. He waited, but it didn’t go down. If anything, he grew even harder.
Fine! Aidan growled at his wolf. You’ll get your way this one time, and one time only. He was desperate enough to make a deal with the devil, if it meant the end of his ‘affliction’. Tonight I’ll have sex with her and prove to you once and for all that she’s not the one.
His wolf yipped with excitement.
After we’ve had her, you’ll change your mind. You will see that there’s nothing remarkable about humans, then we can get back to the business of sorting through the Werewomen. Do we have a deal?
Moonlight Kin 2: Aidan's Mate (Mid-Length Novel) Page 9
