Five Weeks (Seven Series #3)

by Dannika Dark

  At first, Wheeler thought Shane might go for the gun. Maybe his animal was a deer and he just talked a good game. Wheeler tensed, ready to jump out of the car if that dumb shit decided to do something stupid. Instead, he shifted, and Wheeler spat out a curse.

  Shane was a black bear.

  Had he been a grizzly, this would have quickly escalated into a pack fight. Luckily, the bear wasn’t as big as some that Wheeler had seen in his time. That didn’t make his sharp claws and teeth any less capable of tearing through flesh and cutting bone, though.

  They circled each other beneath a canopy of moonlight, the fierce bear swiping his massive paw as Jericho’s wolf bowed his head, seeking an angle of attack. He pounced a few times, snarling and growling, testing the bear’s reflexes.

  Once a Shifter lost control to his animal, his mind would sleep. Only some of the alphas had retained the ability to remember the shift and maintain some level of control. The rest were at the mercy of their animal.

  Wheeler anxiously watched Jericho’s wolf snapping at the bear’s legs. He must have gotten a good bite because the bear suddenly roared, stretching out his neck and silencing every living creature within earshot.

  Bingo. The wolf lunged, shaking and thrashing his head in violent motions after locking on to the animal’s neck. The bear swiped his paw and the wolf yelped, leaping back with a limp.

  “Jesus, Jericho. Come on. You got this,” Wheeler whispered to himself.

  The circling and quick attacks continued for several exhausting minutes. Wheeler almost pulled a cigarette out, except he didn’t smoke. His phone suddenly went off, playing “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.

  “Dammit, Reno, not now,” he murmured, turning off his phone.

  When the wolf charged from the opposite side, the bear whipped his head around and took a nasty bite out of the canine’s shoulder. The wolf scurried around him, and Wheeler could see blood matted in his fur. Probably a combination of both of theirs, but he couldn’t tell since the bear’s fur looked like black satin in the moonlight.

  Each animal moved with merciless grace, seeking a bite on an artery that would draw blood and weaken his opponent. It splattered on the concrete driveway like black rain. Wheeler didn’t know if Jericho’s wolf had ever faced a bear, but he sure as hell gained some mad respect for his brother. He’d never seen Jericho so calculated, so bloodthirsty, so vicious.

  When Jericho’s wolf went for the jugular, the bear suddenly twisted around and grabbed him with both paws. Wheeler could no longer see his brother—only a mass of fur and muscle.

  His heart raced, damn near cracking a rib as hard as it was pounding against his chest. Wheeler flung the door open and stood immobile, holding on to the frame of the window, trying to decide what action to take. Instinct dictated he should fight with his pack, but Jericho would never forgive him for stripping away his honor. Sometimes that’s all a man had. That idiot was about to die for a woman who wasn’t even his mate.

  Within seconds, the struggle ended. All Wheeler could see was a tangle of the wolf’s legs protruding from beneath the bear.

  Wheeler stalked toward the shotgun and picked it up off the ground. Honor or not, that bear was about to get a bullet in the head.

  He approached the limp mass of bodies and paused, hearing a low grunt. The bear’s jaw hung lax, and blood poured from an open wound on his neck. Jericho’s wolf had torn out his throat.

  And now he was suffocating underneath three hundred pounds of bear.

  “Jesus!” Wheeler shoved the bear as hard as he could until it flopped over on its back.

  “Jericho, shift,” Wheeler said harshly. He tossed the gun aside and lifted the wolf’s muzzle. “Shift, goddammit.”

  In a fluid movement, the wolf changed over to a man. Jericho lay naked on his side, still suffering nasty wounds to his body. Bite marks were on the front and back of his left shoulder, and a long gash separated the skin on his thigh. It was hard to tell how many wounds he’d sustained because he was bathed in blood.

  Wheeler lifted his eyelid to see how responsive he was. “Shift!” The healing magic was effective only when you were able to shift soon after an injury, and multiple times if necessary.

  Jericho groaned, shifting back into his wolf. It looked better. Good enough that Wheeler picked him up and carried him back to the car.

  The carcass of the bear would remain in animal form. Wheeler’s ass was going to be toast when Austin found out what went down, but for now, he needed to focus on getting Jericho back to health.

  Chapter 27

  It took five days before my heat cycle finally subsided, but not without a strange set of occurrences having taken place. Two days after Jericho had left, police sirens woke me up in the middle of the night. I drew back the heavy curtains and peered out the window, observing a group of curious men surrounding a dead bear in the parking lot. I didn’t know if bears lived in Texas, but being so far in the city, it led me to believe it must have been a Shifter.

  But the peculiar part was that the animal was lying on the hood of my blue car. I wanted to throw on my robe and dash outside to make sure my vehicle wasn’t damaged, but it would have been too risky in my condition. Animal control finally showed up and dragged its heavy carcass away.

  I returned to work and had a candid discussion with Jake. If all he wanted me for was to keep Jericho’s band around, then I would be turning in my resignation. He sat back in his chair, patting his stomach, and laughed heartily. He confessed that in the beginning, that was his intention. But after hearing good things about me and seeing an increase in profits, there was no way in hell he was going to let me go, regardless if Jericho stuck around or not.

  “Your red hair draws them in, and your personality keeps them coming back,” he said. “Maybe I should fire you for the stunt you pulled in announcing to the whole bar you’re a wolf, but you know what? No one’s complaining. In fact, we got a few new customers when rumors began circulating about our sassy waitress.”

  God bless men like Jake. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be doing the waitress gig, but Howlers felt like home. Jake even gave me an advance so I could put a deposit down on an apartment.

  I hadn’t spoken to Jericho since the night we polished the dresser, so perhaps he wasn’t as serious about us as he had led me to believe. I couldn’t blame him. The poor guy had been under the powerful influence of all those pheromones flying out of my pores. I’m sure it made men say things they didn’t mean. I’d returned to work a week ago; the man could have at least called.

  I kept the Pink Floyd T-shirt neatly folded on my coffee table. The table Rosie had given me because she’s awesome like that. She took off work over the weekend to help me furnish my apartment with some things she didn’t want or need anymore.

  The marks on my wrists were mostly gone. Mostly. I’d have a permanent scar on my left wrist. I saw Denver each night when his shift began, and we’d mended the weirdness between us. In fact, he turned out to be one of the funniest people I’d ever met. I didn’t bring up Jericho’s absence, and neither did he. I needed to stop holding on to something I could never have and just accept the man Jericho was and will always be—a man with a good heart, but not someone willing to give it to just one girl. I couldn’t hate him; I just wish he hadn’t made all those promises to me.

  I was wiping down a table when I heard a little girl scream. I stood up, eyes alert, and saw little Maizy bounding through the room with a smile on her face. Denver came around and lifted her up, setting her on the bar. He pinched her nose and she giggled, fishing her hand in a bowl of pretzels.

  Lexi strutted through the front door with Austin two steps behind her. He grabbed her hips and pulled her back, whispering sexily against her neck. I couldn’t help but notice the guys sitting nearby looking her over, and maybe that’s why Austin tucked her a little tighter against him. You could feel her strong personality, and combined with her lovely legs showcased in her jean shorts, every tongue was wagging. She wasn’t s
howy; her shirt was an oversized cotton tee, and she preferred sneakers over pumps. But some girls just had that thing about them and never realized it.

  They relaxed on a couple of barstools, and I approached with a smile. “It’s good to see you two. Can I get you something to eat?”

  Lexi smiled wide. “I’m starving, but I’m kind of getting tired of hamburgers.”

  “How about I bring out a steak? Maybe some fresh green beans on the side.”

  Austin’s brow arched. “Make that two.”

  My eyes were downcast, and I took a breath. “I hope you don’t hate me for everything. I feel like I’m constantly apologizing, but I don’t know how to make it right. Just know that I’m grateful for all the help you’ve given me. I did what I could to protect April; I just didn’t know it would come to that, and he left me with no option.”

  Lexi patted Austin’s arm and cleared her throat.

  He ran his fingers through his hair, his pensive glance swinging around the room. “I appreciate that. I think you know my position as a Packmaster. You’re an old friend of Jericho’s and I can’t sever that history between you two, but I also don’t want it severing my pack, if you get my meaning. Now that I know who was behind all your troubles, I don’t think we could have avoided the mess. Let’s just put it behind us and move on.”

  I quirked a smile. “A second chance sounds like a great idea. I’ve never had siblings who had love for me the way you do for Jericho. He’s a lucky guy.”

  Before I turned, he caught my arm and leaned in privately. “Just so you know, we’re the lucky ones. Look, I don’t know what exists between you two, but don’t confuse him. Just figure out what you two are to each other and make it loud and clear. That’s all I’m asking is that you be straight with him.”

  Austin was right. Since reuniting with Jericho, our relationship had been nothing but a whirlwind of emotions. We’d pushed, we’d pulled, and Jericho had made promises I didn’t know if he was ready to keep. His absence had made me doubt what he said in that motel room, and we needed to sit down and have an honest discussion that didn’t happen right after sex.

  I nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll settle it the next time we see each other. He has a show tomorrow night.”

  He smiled handsomely. “Good girl. And I like my steak rare.”

  I went in the kitchen and passed along the order, taking out a tray to one of my tables. They were setting up the stage for the next act. It hadn’t been announced on any flyers, so I wasn’t sure who was up. Maybe Jake had a surprise in store, or maybe he’d just decided to have an open mic and let anyone up there to karaoke. Oh God, please no.

  “Miss Izzy!” Maizy waved, and I walked up beside her.

  “Hi, sweetie. Is this too loud for you?”

  I worriedly looked to Lexi and she shook her head, confirming Maizy had no issues with all the excitement going on.

  “Look what Denny gave me,” she said, opening her hand.

  I laughed and watched her eat a piece of chocolate. Denver must have had a box of candy stashed behind the bar.

  Denver pulled Frank to the side, and they had a private conversation. Frank wasn’t supposed to be in that night, so I guessed Denver had called him up to swap out his shift.

  Maizy swung her legs excitedly, making silly shoulder movements to the music on the jukebox as she watched Austin twirl Lexi around in a dance.

  One of the waitresses, Nell, walked out with a tray full of sodas. I curled my finger for her to come over. “Which is the virgin?” I asked.

  “The one with the cherries, of course.”

  “Do you like cherries?” I asked Maizy.

  “Uh-huh!”

  I lifted the tall glass of soda and took a sip to make sure there wasn’t alcohol in it. “Sorry, Nell. Can I swipe this one?”

  “No problem,” she said, winking at Maizy. “Anything for the cutie-pie.”

  Maizy carefully held the glass and slurped on her soda.

  Reno and April were making their way inside, weaving through the crowded room. April’s blond hair looked so attractive on her with the edgy cut that made her hazel eyes shimmer. I smirked when I noticed some of her lipstick on Reno’s neck.

  “Hi, Izzy!” She gave me a quick hug and then got lost in Reno’s thick arms.

  “Are you two hungry?” I asked. “We’ve got steaks on the fire.”

  “No, we had Sonic on the way over.”

  Lexi snorted. “Reno couldn’t wait, huh?”

  He leaned forward. “When a man’s hungry, he eats.” His hands slipped around April’s waist, and she blushed wildly.

  “Oh, Lord. You two are going to set this place on fire,” I said with a grin.

  Denver returned and sat on the stool in front of Maizy. She grasped his head with her hands, forcing him to turn his head in different directions. It was good to see a wolf take over as a watchdog for a young girl, even if she was human. I’d heard it was a strong bond and that the male would fight to the death for the life he vowed to protect.

  Austin kissed Lexi on the cheek as their spontaneous dance ended. He turned his back to me to face Lexi, sipping his cold beer. Some of his tattoos peered out from the sleeve of his shirt, and her fingers smoothed over them. The way she looked at him told me she had eyes for no other man.

  “I like your hair shorter,” Lexi yelled out over the noise. “Looks good on you.”

  I pinched the ends of my hair, which fell below my shoulders—still long, but not as long as it once had been.

  “Ivy’s pretty handy with the scissors,” I replied.

  People moved toward the stage when a finger tapped on the microphone a few times.

  “I wonder who’s playing,” I mumbled. Jericho’s band wasn’t scheduled to go on until tomorrow night, and the other two bands that played in the bar didn’t have a show scheduled this week.

  When Jake walked onstage, the jukebox cut off. “Ladies and gents, we have an unexpected surprise for you this evening.”

  “Free beer!” someone shouted, and laughter followed.

  “Hop on, Peanut.” Denver patted his shoulders and Maizy threw her legs over them, holding on to his head and sitting up tall. He walked toward the back edge of the crowd, and the main lights lowered a little.

  “No, not free beer, you jackass,” Jake said with a tight grin. “We have a familiar face with a new sound, and tonight you have the pleasure of hearing their debut album that will only be available to Breed. You can buy the songs online exclusively at our website, but this is Breed only. If this goes viral, I’m going to hunt your asses down.”

  I was impressed that one of our own was making an album, which was unheard of.

  “Put your hands together for Heat.”

  Denver whistled with his fingers, and the crowd gave them solid applause.

  “Oh my God,” I murmured.

  The men shuffled onto the stage and hooked in their equipment. Jericho stood with his back to the crowd, wearing the sexiest pair of jeans I’d ever seen on a man. They were cut up, revealing a peek of black underwear. A long chain hooked from the back pocket to his belt loop, and the lights overhead cast shadows on the ropes of muscle on his toned arms. Women screamed and threw up their hands, forcing me to lean to the left so I could get a better view.

  My heart raced as I watched the girls gyrate to the beat of Joker’s drums. Jericho kept his back to the crowd, strumming his guitar sexily, and it was then that I noticed April screaming for Trevor.

  “He looks so good up there!” she said excitedly.

  Trevor had on a pair of sunglasses, his hair gelled in different directions, and he was wearing a button-up shirt with a pair of oxford shoes. He looked like a rocker in disguise behind clean-cut clothes, and that had several women gravitating toward him.

  Jericho turned his head, peering over his shoulder and delivering his signature panty-dropping smile.

  He seduced with his wanton voice, singing into a microphone with his back to the crowd and a bl
ue light enveloping him like a cloak. No one rushed the stage, but a few were beginning to recognize him. Jericho tilted his body to keep his tattooed arm out of sight. He continued engaging with the microphone stand, making love to it with words that rolled out in a sound I could only describe as sexrock. A steady beat, slow and rhythmic, increased in tempo as it would during lovemaking. His lyrics melted like honey into the mic and sweetened the crowd.

  As fast as I could, I ran out of Howlers and sped away in my car.

  ***

  “Nervous?” Jericho asked, watching Trevor retie his shoes for the twentieth time. “It’s not like you haven’t done this before.”

  “Yeah, but that was a larger crowd,” Trevor said, leaning forward in the chair where they waited backstage at Howlers. They were going up in a few minutes to introduce their new sound as part of a “sneak peek” promo Jake had arranged.

  Jericho laughed. “Usually it’s the other way around.”

  “A smaller crowd is more intimate—I can see their faces up close, and I feel like they can tell I’m an imposter.”

  Jericho lightly tapped his palm on Trevor’s forehead and then collapsed on the crappy sofa next to him. “You’re not an imposter. It always feels like that at first, when fame is new. We’re regular guys, but they look at us as gods or something. Been there, done that, you get over it. Here,” he said, tossing Trevor a pair of black sunglasses. “Put these on. You’ll be surprised how easily you can become someone else hiding behind a pair of shades. Just pretend when you get up there that everyone wants to have sex with you. Funnel that energy into your instrument and make love to it.”

  “I’m not humping my bass.”

  Joker laughed from the other side of the room, tapping his drumsticks rhythmically on a footstool. “Dude, that might actually sell more tickets. Hump away.”

  Ren ignored everyone, strumming a melody on his guitar from an armless green chair.

  Jericho eyed Joker suspiciously. He had an impish smile on his face that meant he either just got laid, he was going to get laid, or he had a practical joke planned. Earlier, Jericho had searched the room and inspected the instruments for anything suspicious. It came up clean, but he knew Joker had something up his sleeve.