Winter of the Wolf

by Cherise Sinclair

  “They’d been in town a week when Angie dragged the female here. She was human, so I couldn’t heal her, but I bandaged what I could. She had uneven bones, old scars as wel as new, but refused to talk about it.” Donal dropped gauze onto a tray. “The sheriff and Cosantir would have found out soon enough, but I dropped a hint. Not much, but Alec’s quick on the uptake.” He added tape as wel. “He assigned his mate—she’s a deputy—to check things out. I don’t know what Vicki saw, but she lost her temper and beat the crap out of the guy.”

  Zeb gave an amused snort. The sheriff’s werecat mate was a good match for the cahir. “She get in trouble?”

  “Alec stood there and watched.” Donal grinned. “And laughed.”

  Zeb shifted Bree and nuzzled her hair. The scents of vanila and the haunting wild fragrance of a shifter female were buried under that of blood and pain. He needed someone to punch. “Is the asshole stil in town?”

  “Nah. He left that day. Alec found a local human to take the woman to her relatives.” Donal set the tray filed with gauze, saline, and antibiotic ointment on the coffee table.

  Down on one knee, he tugged on the blanket around Bree.

  Zeb felt Bree rouse.

  Zeb felt Bree rouse.

  “No.” Bree shoved the stranger’s hand away, her heart starting to speed. Pain reverberated through her body, blurring everything together—Klaus hitting her, men surrounding her, the helhound’s teeth, the monster-man pushing her down and…

  Panic flooded her veins, drowning her ability to think.

  “Don’t touch me.” She tried to hide, burying her head against Zeb’s hard chest. He was safe. He and Shay had saved her.

  “Please, no.”

  “Little female,” Zeb’s rumbling voice filed the air. “Some of those marks wil leave scars. Might affect your mobility.

  Let Donal work.”

  The blanket shook with her trembling. She knew she was acting like a whipped dog, only her mind couldn’t seem to get in front of the fear.

  Shay sat down, his hip next to her outstretched legs. He took her hands in his big ones. “Lass, do you think we’d let Donal hurt you?” His eyes were a grave blue-gray. “Can you not trust us?”

  She turned to stare at Donal, her thoughts splintering into fragments. Her chest heaved as she tried to get her breath.

  “Donal, start with something less…intimate.” Shay paused and then ordered, “Heal her back first.”

  Despite her protests, Zeb firmly puled the blanket down Despite her protests, Zeb firmly puled the blanket down and repositioned her so her face was in the holow of his shoulder, her breasts against his chest. His hair was long enough to hide part of her face, and he smeled of forests and safety. Shay stil held her hands, his fingers warm, an anchor as much as a restraint.

  The stranger touched her.

  “Noooo.” Pain burst through her when his fingers entered an open area on her shoulder. A hot tingling swamped her senses. She whimpered.

  “Shhh.” Zeb’s arms tightened around her. “You’re safe, Bree. Shhh.”

  The man’s hands moved. A burn. Tingling. She struggled, trying to get away.

  He puled the blanket lower, and she whined like a hurt dog. “Sorry, girl, but this one’s bleeding. Looks like you hit a rock.”

  She’d falen because Klaus had backhanded her.

  Knocked her down. She opened her mouth, then remembered he’d said he’d kil her if she told.

  Shay and Zeb won’t let him.

  But he’d said Gerhard would exile them. Could the alpha do that? The healer’s palm flattened over her side and what felt like a cracked rib. She winced as he pressed as if to push the prickly tingles deeper.

  “I’ve wondered why you don’t take over the pack, Shay.

  “I’ve wondered why you don’t take over the pack, Shay.

  You’re dominant,” the healer said, as if he was chatting instead of touching her. His hand settled on her arm, his finger tracing a painful gash.

  “I’m oathbound.” Shay squeezed her fingers, diverting her.

  “I don’t stay anywhere long—Herne sends me where the helhounds are.”

  “Rough life,” Donal said. “Turn her, Zeb. I need to do the front.”

  She tried to pul her hands free to cling to Zeb, but Shay held tight and Zeb ruthlessly turned her around. As Shay knelt to hold her arms to her sides, the healer pushed the blanket down to her waist, exposing her breasts.

  Unable to look at him, she scrunched her eyes shut. Her tears burned her cheeks, and Zeb made a sound as if she’d kicked him.

  “Easy, girl. It’s not that bad,” the Healer muttered.

  Bree felt a touch on her breast. Like a downpour, panic sheeted over her. “No!” She fought the hands restraining her, touching her. The monster was everywhere; she couldn’t escape.

  Forever…it seemed forever until she could hear over the screaming in her head and the roar of her pulse. Zeb’s rough voice had mixed together with Shay’s resonant deep one:

  “We’ve got you. You’re safe. No one wil hurt you.” As their words registered, she went limp, exhausted. Panting.

  “Damn, she realy doesn’t want this,” Donal said. “I’d say leave her front, but there’s a couple that would make ugly scars, and at least another busted rib. Breanne, I’m sorry, I’l be as fast as I can.”

  Shay took her wrists, holding them in one hand. He set his palm on her cheek and turned her face to his. His voice deepened, demanding her attention. “Look at me.” Her gaze met his intense one, and he kept her eyes pinned to his. “It’l be over soon, a leannan.”

  “Move this out of my way,” Donal muttered. Someone’s hand cupped her left breast and lifted it. She whimpered.

  Zeb whispered, “It’s me, little female, my hand.” Shay’s eyes were ful of pain, and she tried to get control of herself. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I can’t…” She shuddered, her hands trapped, her body trapped, hands on her body, the feeling too much like—

  “I’ve seen this a couple times before,” the healer said, his anger obvious. “With human females who’d been assaulted.”

  “Raped,” Zeb growled.

  “Yes,” Donal’s voice was almost the same snarl. “One more and we’re done. Only one more, Breanne.” Fingers touching her again, pain and burning across the top of one breast.

  “Were you raped, Bree?” Zeb asked.

  When she gulped, her stomach twisting, Shay snarled,

  “Dammit, Zeb.”

  “Dammit, Zeb.”

  But the healer knew anyway. A shudder ran through her as she managed a nod.

  She realized the sound in her ear was Zeb growling, low and deep. A matching rumble came from Shay. Why the sounds didn’t terrify her seemed to make no sense.

  “There—done.” Donal sighed. “Give me a second to get out of punching range and let her up.”

  Shay gave a weak laugh and released her hands. A second later, he had the blanket closed around her.

  Zeb shifted her to a more comfortable position on his lap.

  “Let me go,” she whispered.

  “In a second. You were…” He laid his cheek on top of her head, his arms very gentle around her. “I need to feel you’re al right.”

  Under his words, she heard such fury and sorrow that her eyes filed. She let him cradle her against his chest. Why did it help to have him so upset?

  Shay rejoined them on the couch, stroking her hair as if she were a puppy. “If we’d stayed with the pack, this wouldn’t have happened. I could have talked Gerhard around. She wouldn’t have run away and falen.” Zeb’s arms tightened as if he agreed, but he said instead,

  “Not your fault, brawd. You were going to send me with her, remember? And I’ve probably have punched Gerhard just for fun.”

  for fun.”

  Shay snorted. “Too true.”

  At the armoire, Donal was putting his supplies away. He glanced over his shoulder. “Doesn’t interfering with an alpha’s j
udgment get you driven from the territory? You guys lone wolves now?”

  Bree struggled to sit up, panic mingling with shame. “He won’t make you leave, wil he?”

  Shay tugged her hair lightly, a smile lightening his eyes.

  “You weren’t folowing the last part of that, were you?”

  “It’s blurry.”

  “We’re not exiled, Breanne.

  I can’t tell them about Klaus. If they attacked the alpha’s brother—and they would—then Gerhard would kick them out. She couldn’t do that to them.

  “Why’d she run from the pack?” Donal dropped into a chair.

  “He ordered her to live in the pack house. After that—

  seems like she had a problem with the alpha’s brother. What happened, Breanne?” Shay asked.

  Can’t tel the truth. Can’t get them exiled. “He tried to keep me from leaving again,” she said. “I didn’t like it.” Zeb snorted. “You busted the scat-head’s nose. Nice job.”

  “I think the pack was shocked at how fast everything blew up,” Shay said. “We got Gerhard to back off, and she’l be up,” Shay said. “We got Gerhard to back off, and she’l be living with us.”

  “Good plan,” Donal said. “She doesn’t need any more grief.”

  Bree managed to look at the healer, seeing the long, lean body, the honesty in his stern silvery-gray eyes. He had a scar over his cheekbone, like Shay and Zeb, only his was a crescent, like a new moon. She met his gaze. “Thank you.” Donal’s eyes softened. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was stil in town.” He glanced at Zeb and Shay. “Take her home, cahirs. She’s had a bad day.”

  * * *

  In the lodge, they settled the little female into an upstairs bedroom. She snuggled under the covers like a pup, and her whispered thank you made Zeb’s chest ache. So little and so hurt. And he hadn’t protected her.

  As Zeb entered the living room, Shay handed over a beer.

  Zeb unscrewed the top, took a big swalow, and sank down in the chair closest to the fireplace. “Fuck.”

  “No shit.” Shay took the couch and put his feet on the coffee table.

  “You find out who raped her, so we can kil him.”

  “Better stalk that carefuly and not right away.” Shay’s mouth flattened into a line. “But, we’l get the information mouth flattened into a line. “But, we’l get the information from her sooner or later.”

  Zeb tipped his beer in a salute. “We’re on the same trail, brawd.”

  “You ready for another problem?”

  Fuck no. “What?”

  “Her reaction to being touched. She’s afraid of men. Been raped. How’s she going to deal with a Gathering? She didn’t grow up a shifter, and she hasn’t a clue what’s going to happen.”

  “Oh, fuck. Like Calum’s mate.” This was past bad, going into nightmare time. “Last fal was her first Gather. It overwhelmed her, and she’s a tough female.” He ran his fingers through his hair, remembering how he’d stepped back, let her settle.

  “So’s our little wolf.” A slow smile grew on Shay’s face.

  “She did a great job on reshaping Klaus’s nose.” Zeb felt a glow at the memory. Bree had a wicked punch.

  “Yeah.”

  “Guts or not, she’s liable to panic at the Gathering. We need to do something.”

  “Us?” Zeb felt his own panic rise.

  “She trusts us. We can touch her. Maybe we can get her past some of that fear.”

  “I’ve been trying to keep my distance.” Except for this morning. Her breasts had rubbed against his chest; her mouth had been soft, sweet. Giving.

  Even as Zeb’s cock hardened, his gut clenched. He wasn’t sure he’d survive if she returned to being afraid of him.

  “We have, what?” Shay paused, calculating. “Only a week to get her past this.”

  “Fuck.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  A knock on the door woke Bree, and with a groan, she sat up in bed and stared around. Not my room. As the memory of the previous evening returned, she chiled. Klaus hitting her, pain, falling down the hill, the men around her…

  But Zeb had held her and carried her. Shay had stroked her hair, talked her out of the panic. Funny how his gaze and firm voice had held her as securely as Zeb’s arms had.

  Another louder knock made her jump.

  “Come in.”

  Shay opened the door. “Breanne, Calum has…” His eyes warmed.

  What? “I—jeez.” She yanked the covers up to her chin and glared at him.

  “A leannan, I’ve seen you without clothes before.” The sun lines at the corners of his eyes deepened. “But it’s always enjoyable.”

  Heat crept up her face. “You knocked for a reason?”

  “’Fraid so. Calum ordered our presence. Al three of us.

  Preferably soon.”

  Would she have time for a shower? Wait. Just why was she jumping out of bed because Calum said to anyway?

  “Shay?”

  He came in and sat on her bed, crowding into her space, which wasn’t like him at al. The blankets stymied her attempt to edge away.

  The laughter in his eyes showed he knew exactly how nervous he made her. “Did you have a question?”

  “Um.” Question? Oh, right. “Who is Calum? Everybody jumps when he says anything, and you guys cal him a Cosan-something. Why did he have to be the one to make me shift instead of you or Zeb?”

  “I forget sometimes how little you know. Zeb and I aren’t very good teachers.”

  She shrugged. “I keep forgetting to ask.” Because she’d been so entranced with turning into a wolfy.

  “The mountain ranges are divided into territories. Each one has a guardian over it. A Cosantir.”

  Cosantir.“So Calum is kinda in charge. But—” Shay put his hand on her knee to stop her. Even through Shay put his hand on her knee to stop her. Even through the blanket, she felt the heat of his palm. Why did her skin seem to beg for more? More touch, more heat.

  “Not kinda.” His thumb stroked back and forth. “A Cosantir is appointed by Herne—the God—and he gets powers to go with the job.”

  Her mouth twisted. “Like Gerhard?”

  “More. Gerhard’s power comes from the pack. A Cosantir’s powers come from Herne.” His eyes narrowed as he thought. “A Cosantir always knows what shifters are in his territory and where they are. He’s the only one who can force a trawsfur.”

  Her skepticism took a step back. She’d definitely experienced that I’ll-make-you-shift talent.

  “In his territory, he’s…what did my grandsir cal it? High, low, and middle justice? He can banish a shifter or kil one with a touch.

  “Get real.” The Cosantir was starting to sound like a TV

  evangelist. Miracles performed every night at seven o’clock.

  Riiight. “And God’s-gift to the earth spends his days tending bar?”

  Shay grinned. “Actualy, he was a lawyer before Herne made him Cosantir, and from what Alec says, Calum was pretty pissed-off about being drafted.”

  A lawyer? “I don’t think I’l ever understand this place.”

  “You wil, Breanne, you wil.” He ran a finger over her

  “You wil, Breanne, you wil.” He ran a finger over her bare shoulder, sending a shiver through her. “Go easy today.

  Healers don’t fix minor damages. You’l be sore for a couple of days.”

  No kidding. She felt like she’d falen off a mountain and hit every stone on the way down. Oh wait. She had. “I’l take it easy.”

  “Good answer, little wolf. I enjoy being obeyed.” Shay leaned over and teasingly kissed her. Before she could pul away, he nibbled her lower lip and sent heat rushing through her. His firm lips demanded more, and hers softened under the swift assault.

  He puled back and was off the bed before she could punch him. And she might have if her brain hadn’t turned to mush. “Shay,” she warned, tasting peppermint on her lips.

  “Breanne.” His blue-gra
y eyes were as level as his voice.

  “I enjoyed that—” He inhaled through his nose and gave her a wicked grin. “And so did you, lass.”

  She stared as the door closed behind him. A week ago, she’d been exhilarated because she’d felt like a woman, because she’d responded to him and Zeb. But I don’t want any more changes. Not now.

  This heat and the need streaming through her body was definitely a change.

  After a minute, she shook her head. Meeting. Must move.

  Lacking clothes, she wrapped a quilt around herself and Lacking clothes, she wrapped a quilt around herself and headed for the bathroom at the end of the hal.

  In front of the mirror, she dropped the blanket and got a glimpse of the cuts and bruises covering her body. Nausea churned her stomach, and she hastily stepped into the shower. As hot water poured over her, she washed, trying to erase the memory of being naked. Being touched. Klaus’s grip had felt like that of the monster. I’m dirty. Ugly. She could smel the helhound’s stench on her, and she scrubbed harder.

  When the water turned pink, she realized what she was doing. Blood trickled from her cuts and scratches. Stop, Bree. Stop. Tears burned her eyes as despair filed her.

  She’d thought she was getting better. Despite the heat of the shower, she felt cold inside.

  After forcing herself to shut off the water, she got out. The mirror displayed how many scrapes she’d reopened. What a mess. A colorful mess too. Although the healed cuts were a tender pink-red, dark red and purple bruises had blossomed over her arms and shoulders, ribs, back, and legs. She fingered her puffy cheek and winced at the soreness.

  I don’t like this place. Or any place with people like Klaus in it. He’d made a pleased sound when he’d hit her.

  Sick jerk.

  When the pack had been running and singing, she’d felt as if she belonged. But not any more. How soon could she if she belonged. But not any more. How soon could she leave?

  She gingerly patted herself dry. Gerhard had said the Cosantir decided that. So today, she’d make Calum understand she’d be here another week at the most. She’d learn whatever she needed and avoid Klaus.