“This isn’t over,” he growled. “Not by a long shot.”
“James?”
He dropped a quick, hard kiss on her lips and motioned to the door. With his hand on the small of her back, she stepped outside. Isaiah and Meredith were waiting. So were her brothers and Alex.
This was much harder than she’d expected it to be. In seven short days, she’d come to know these men. They were no longer strangers. They’d welcomed her with open arms even when she’d held herself back from fear of being hurt.
Joshua pulled her into his arms. “Don’t stay away too long, Shelley.” He kissed her forehead and handed her off to Levi.
“I’ll miss you.” His voice was gruff as he hugged her.
Then Micah had her, his arms so tight around her she could barely breathe. “Come back.”
Finally, it was Simon’s turn. “I’m coming to Chicago in a few weeks,” he promised. She smiled, her heart lightening slightly. She would be glad to see him.
Isaiah waited patiently beside his mate. The look of understanding in his gaze was almost her undoing. She wanted to run back inside James’s house and stay. It was only the fact she knew she was doing the right thing that enabled her to turn and face him.
His face was fierce, the harsh angles and planes even more austere and forbidding than usual. His golden eyes were hard as he stared at her.
His gaze flicked to Isaiah’s. “Take good care of her.”
Her brother inclined his head. “You have my word.”
James nodded and then turned and walked away. She watched until he disappeared from view.
“Come, little sister. It’s time to go.” Isaiah urged her toward the gate and beyond. She turned at the last second and saw her family standing there, watching her. Only James was missing.
She stumbled slightly. Only quick action by Isaiah kept her from falling. She murmured her thanks and kept walking. The world had changed so much in such a short time. The snow had finally melted and tiny flowers were poking their heads up through the moist ground. Buds covered the trees. Soon leaves would appear and change the entire face of the forest.
And she wouldn’t be here to see it.
She heard a wolf howl in the distance and her heart stuttered. The mournful sound made her soul ache. It was the sound of a creature in pain.
It was James.
All the beatings she’d endured. The rapes. The pain. The long, lonely years with no hope. Nothing hurt her as badly as the thought of James in pain.
She came to a halt, her feet refusing to take another step forward. Her wolf howled and fought for release. She knew James was her mate. Wanted him with her entire being.
What was she doing?
She loved James.
It was as simple and as complicated as that. A little more than a week ago, she would have said it was impossible for her to ever love a man. Then James had walked into the diner where she’d worked and changed her life forever.
Had changed her.
In a few short days, she’d found her family, come to understand her heritage and taken the first real steps toward healing the wounds of the past.
James had risked his life for her. He had never offered any recriminations for bringing the wrath of the hunters down on his pack. All he’d ever done was offer her support.
He was letting her go because he knew it was what she wanted.
“Shelley?” Isaiah peered down at her, concern etched on his face.
“I can’t do this.” She took a step away. Her back hit a tree and she stared wildly around, her belongings clutched tight in her arms.
“Do what?” His voice was gentle. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
There was so much love. So much understanding. All of them had given her so much and she’d all but thrown it back in their faces with her need to stand on her own two feet.
But that was wrong.
Wolves were pack animals. She’d been alone far too long, cut off from her kind and her family. If she ever wanted to fully heal, she’d have to embrace who and what she truly was.
She licked her dry lips. Her heart beat so hard and wild she knew her brother could probably hear it.
Isaiah hooked his arm around Meredith and smiled. “Don’t be afraid to go after what you want. We’re all here for you. If things don’t work out here, you’re always welcome in Chicago.”
“And we want you to come for a visit, even if you don’t stay,” Meredith added. “I want you to meet my pack, my family.”
Their continued generosity astounded her.
As though he could read her mind, Isaiah cupped her face in his hands and leaned down. “We’re family. It doesn’t matter if your name is Rachel or Shelley. You’re my sister and I want you to be happy.”
A low sob was torn from somewhere deep within her and she flung herself into his arms. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, brokenly. “Sorry I disobeyed you that day and got caught.”
The guilt had been eating at her. She’d disobeyed the rules about going out alone and had caused nothing but grief and hardship for her family.
His arms tightened around her. Then she felt Meredith’s arms enclose her as well.
“It wasn’t your fault.” His voice was fierce. “Do you understand me? It was those fucking hunters.” Isaiah pulled back and glared at her. “We all broke rules as pups. That’s part of growing. Learning. But none of us paid. Not like you did.” He brushed away the tears from her face as another howl echoed across the air.
“Go.” He pushed her away. “Go to him. Tell him how you feel.”
She gave a watery laugh. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to those of us who love you both.” Meredith’s words comforted her. They loved her.
Shelley knew what she had to do.
She thrust her two bags of belongings at her brother. “Can you take this back for me?”
He smiled. “Yeah, I’ll make sure your things are safe.”
Shelley knew he understood what a big deal it was for her to leave her few belongings with him. Ducking behind a bush, she began to yank at her sweater and jeans. Meredith was beside her a few seconds later, gathering and folding clothing. “I’ll make sure you’re clothing gets back to James’s house.” Leaning forward, she kissed Shelley’s cheek. “Go for it, honey.”
Naked, Shelley stood and took a deep breath. She barely felt the chill of the spring air or the damp ground beneath her feet. She hadn’t willingly changed in decades. It happened around the time she went into heat, but that was involuntary and she’d fought it with all her might.
This was different. For the first time in her life she wanted to shift into her wolf.
Closing her eyes, she embraced the wilder part of herself. Primal. Instinctual. She reached for it. Welcomed it. Her wolf howled. The sheer happiness and acceptance of that part of herself rushed through her. The wolf held no grudge against being imprisoned all these years. It understood survival.
But now it was time to live. Freely. As she was meant to.
Her bones cracked and reformed as she fell to her hands and knees. The moss was soft against her skin as she threw back her head and let it happen. Fur covered her skin. Her facial features shifted, her jaw elongating.
When it was done, the world appeared different. Sharper. More detailed. Her hearing was always good, but this was even better. She lifted her nose and sniffed the air. The earthy smell of the ground mixed with the tangy pine needles. She scented a squirrel in the tree to her left and the perfume of an early flower off to her right. The wind ruffled her fur as she watched a beetle climb up a tree trunk.
It was incredible.
“You’re beautiful.” Isaiah dropped to his knees beside her and held out his hand. She trotted forward and nuzzled his palm. His fingers rubbed through her thick fur. “I’m so proud of you.”
A howl sounded in the distance and she swung her head around. James was out there. Alone.
“Go,” her brother urge
d her.
Giving no further thought to her belongings, she darted off into the underbrush. She trusted her family. She trusted James.
Shelley savored that feeling as she jumped over a fallen log and under yet another. A creek trickled off to her right, but she ignored it. Exploring could wait for another time. She had to find James.
As urgent as her mission was, she couldn’t help but experience the exhilaration coursing through her veins. She felt more alive than she ever had. Whole.
She finally understood that she and the wolf were one. Not separate.
Her paws made little sound as she raced over the soft ground. Moss, pine needles and dead leaves carpeted the forest floor, cushioning her steps. The sun came through the trees, painting the world with dark and light.
Shelley paused, raised her head and sniffed the air. He was close.
Instinct made her lift her head and open her mouth. What emerged was a long, baleful howl. She needed James with her. Now.
The air around her thickened. She sensed him before she saw him. Like a silvery ghost, the gray wolf emerged from behind a thick clump of trees.
Her entire body quivered. She bent her back legs, ready for action.
James erupted with no warning. Turning on her hind legs, Shelley darted off. Some instinct told her to run. To make him catch her.
It wasn’t fear making her heart beat faster, filling her veins with pure exhilaration. It was desire. Love. Need.
He was gaining on her. She pushed hard, but was no match for the large male wolf chasing her.
He pounced, taking her down easily. They rolled across the mossy ground, a tangle of limbs and fur. He stood over her, his hackles raised, a snarl on his face.
Shelley lay beneath him, panting hard, totally submissive.
She loved him. She’d hurt him. This was her way of telling him without words.
He leaned down and caught the slack skin of her neck between his teeth. She didn’t flinch away. Instead, she arched her neck, offering him her complete trust.
He stilled and his grip changed. James began to nuzzle and lick her neck, her ears, her muzzle. She returned the wolf caress, nipping playfully at his ears.
He pounced and rolled with her. Like two children, they nipped and played and frolicked. For the first time in her life, Shelley felt totally free.
She hadn’t needed to leave him to find herself. All she’d had to do was embrace every part of her. There would be problems in the future, but she was confident she could handle them with James at her side.
They started running. It only took her a few minutes to realize he was leading her back toward the compound. The tall fence came into view. Her brothers were all standing near one of the houses talking. They paused to watch as the two of them raced into the yard and up to James’s front door.
Shelley stayed in wolf form as James shifted and opened the door. She wasn’t quite ready to be naked in front of a crowd. Given her years of captivity, she might never be comfortable with it. But that was okay. She could deal with it.
“Shelley.” There was so much emotion in her name. James closed the door behind him. Naked, he was tall and broad and strong. Human or wolf, he was a fierce predator, one who would protect what was his.
Closing her eyes, she let the change wash over her. Her wolf went easily, understanding that she would be allowed to run free from now on. Her wolf also trusted what was about to happen.
Her eyes popped open as muscled arms lifted and carried her up the stairs toward the bedrooms. This time, he bypassed her room and took her to his.
Large and masculine, like the man himself, his room was filled with heavy wood furniture. The green comforter folded at the foot of his bed was the only splash of color in an otherwise austere space.
Yet, she didn’t feel out of place or unwelcome.
He set her down on the bed and followed her down. “You’re mine. Now and forever.”
She knew what he wanted and nodded. She wanted it too. “Now and forever.”
Chapter Eighteen
James was having a hard time believing Shelley was here with him. One minute, he’d been running in the forest, trying to escape the ache in his heart, the utter loneliness her leaving had brought. The next, he’d heard Shelley howl. Somehow, he’d known it was her. He’d smelled her. The rich, musky scent of female wolf. His wolf had stalked her, claiming her, dominating her in that form.
She was his.
He’d barely restrained himself from mounting her in animal form. But he’d managed. He wanted, needed, to be in his human form to claim her as his mate.
He knew they should talk. He had no idea why she’d come back. And right now, he didn’t care. Maybe it was unfair of him, but quite frankly, he didn’t give a shit. She’d come back to him, was naked in his bed and ready to accept his claim.
He threw one thick, muscled thigh over her legs to keep her pinned to the bed as he leaned down and captured her lips. She was so damn sweet. And she’d put him through hell.
His urge to be gentle fought with his urge to punish.
He pulled back and bared his teeth at her. “Don’t you ever leave me again,” he growled.
She brushed a lock of his gray hair out of his eyes and offered him a solemn promise. “I won’t.”
His wolf howled, urging him to flip her onto her stomach and claim her before she changed her mind.
The male wanted to touch, to taste, to savor every second of what was to come.
He kissed her again, his tongue tracing her full lower lip before plunging inside. She was so responsive. Little whimpers of pleasure came from her throat, making him crazy with need.
Their tongues danced. Twined.
He covered one plump breast with his hand, loving the way her nipple puckered and stabbed his palm. She writhed beneath him, pushing her breast more fully into his hand.
He released her lips and peppered kisses along her forehead, down the slope of her nose and along her cheekbones. He nipped at her jaw and licked the curve of her neck.
Working lower, he traced the line of her collarbone, marveling at her courage. After everything she’d been through, she was able to give herself so completely. It was nothing less than a miracle considering they’d only known each other for a matter of days.
Guilt began to tickle his conscience and he pulled back. “Are you sure?” There was no going back once he’d claimed her in the way of their people.
She nodded, her gaze solemn. She looked lovely with her light brown hair spread across his white sheets. “I’m sure. Are you?” She nibbled her bottom lip. His cock jerked as he watched her tongue soothe the small sting. “I come with a lot of baggage. Some might not like your choice of mate.”
“Screw ’em.” Savage pleasure washed through him. “You’re mine. Anyone who doesn’t like it can get the hell out or fight me for leadership of the pack.”
Worry filtered into her gaze. She raised her arms and locked them around his neck. “I don’t want you to have to fight.”
He shrugged. “Nature of the species. When the time comes, I’ll step down. But that won’t be for quite a few years yet.”
He’d had enough talking and slid down her body until his mouth was level with her breasts. Capturing one perky nipple, he suckled gently. Her hands slid to his shoulders, clutching at them.
The feel of her nails scoring his skin made him crazy. Leaving her breast, he continued lower. He lapped at her flat stomach, tasting heat and salt from her skin. His teeth grazed her hipbones and she arched her hips and moaned.
He could smell her now. Heat and woman and a touch of floral that was uniquely Shelley. He made a space for himself between her legs and went to work. He wanted her crazy for him when he took her.
Her legs shifted restlessly as he ran his hands over her inner thighs, teasing the crease at the tops of her legs.
“James.”
His name was little more than a breathy gasp but his balls drew up tight to his body. He wasn’t go
ing to make it much longer. Not this time.
Opening her with his fingers, he blew on her slick folds. She quivered, tilting her hips toward him in silent offering. This was what he wanted. Shelley—willing and ready to accept him.
He ate at her delicate folds. Tasting, licking, nipping. He dipped his tongue into her slick channel. Damn, she tasted sweet. He couldn’t get enough of her.
She sobbed and writhed beneath him as he devoured her. He captured her clit between his lips and teased it with the tip of his tongue. Her long, tortured moan was music to his ears.
Pressing two thick fingers into her tight channel, he worked them deep. He wanted her ready for his claiming, which would be more intense than anything they’d done so far.
She gave a shattered cry and arched off the bed. Her inner muscles clutched at his fingers. Cream coated his hand. He kept working them until he sensed she’d had enough.
When she collapsed back onto the mattress with a smile playing on her lips, he knew she was ready.
Coming over her, he kissed her softly.
Then he sat back on his heels and rolled her onto her stomach. She tensed, but didn’t object.
“Come up onto your knees.” He’d explained to her about the claiming process, so she knew what was about to happen. Tucking his hands beneath her, he urged her upward. Shelley rose up, resting her weight on her hands as she pushed her butt up into the air.
The long length of her spine was delicate and very feminine. But it was marred by a crisscross of pale scars. Shelley had never mentioned them, so neither had he. She also had scars circling her slender ankles.
Just thinking about her being shackled made him want to kill someone. He hated that she’d had to save herself but was eternally grateful that she’d been able to.
He hated the scars. What they represented. He leaned down and kissed several of them.
Shelley stilled. “I know they’re ugly.”
“No.” He kissed another one. “They’re badges of courage. Of survival.”
“I don’t want to talk about them.”
He didn’t want to spoil their claiming with talk of her past. She’d tell him about them when she was ready. If that was tomorrow or ten years from now it didn’t matter to him. Only she mattered.
Legacy Found: Legacy, Book 3 Page 21
