Rae, Beverly - Chasing Cally [Night Runner Werewolves 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Special Edition)

by Beverly Rae

  She scanned the yard, her pulse racing. Thankfully, no one else was around. Her stomach rolled over as she pulled the curtains wider to get a better look. “Hell’s bells. Where did they come from?”

  At that moment, a large black wolf lifted his head and stared straight at her. His amber eyes narrowed and he swished his tail.

  “Max! Wake up, Max. Hurry!”

  Max mumbled under his breath, then fell back asleep and started snoring again. She spun away from the window, launching herself on top of the slumbering man.

  “Max, get up!”

  “Hey! What the hell?” He squinted at her, his eyes dazed with sleep.

  She threw off the bed covers, her mind registering his erect and ready shaft, then tugged on his arm. “You have to see this. A pack of wolves is right outside in the yard. Come on. We have to warn everyone. Especially Lena and Brittany.”

  He narrowed his eyes, reminding her of the way the black wolf had looked at her. “Slow down and keep your head. You say a pack of wolves is outside?”

  “Yes. Move it.” She hopped off the bed, pulling on his arm and taking him along with her.

  “Hang on, hang on.”

  “We have to hurry.” She made it to the window and flung the curtains wider.

  The yard was empty.

  Pressing her nose to the windowpane, she searched as far as she could see but saw nothing.

  “Baby, are you sure you weren’t dreaming?”

  She glared at him. “I was wide awake.”

  He slipped an arm around her and leaned his chin on her shoulder. “I don’t see anything. Much less a pack of wolves.”

  “They were out there, I swear it. A black one, a golden one, and a red one.”

  “A red wolf? They aren’t usually in these parts since they were almost wiped out. There’s some in North Carolina, but here?” He held up his hands, palms out. “Okay, okay. Don’t get your dander up. I’m just saying.”

  “And I’m just saying I know what I saw and I saw a pack of wolves. Whether you believe me or not, we have to warn the others.”

  Max released her and stood gazing out at the yard. “Well, they’re gone now. I don’t see any reason to get everyone stirred up, but I’ll mention it when I head downstairs.”

  She let him turn her around and pull her into his arms. She was sure what she’d seen wasn’t a dream, but since the animals were gone, she’d go along with his suggestion.

  “Unless, of course, you’d rather I join you in a shower.” His eyes sparkled with a lustful gleam, one she found hard to resist. “Wait until you get a load of what that showerhead can do.”

  “Any other time, I would. But could you please go and tell everyone? I’ll get cleaned up and come down as fast as I can.” She shot him a pointed look. “You know. In case they don’t believe you.”

  He ran a hand over his face. “I’m going to pay for not believing you right away, aren’t I?”

  Although still irritated, she couldn’t stay angry at him for long. “Not if you go and warn them for me.”

  He skimmed his lips over hers, the kiss soon growing harder, more urgent. He nibbled on her lower lip, sending flashes of desire blazing through her. Uttering a groan, he broke away. “I’d better leave now or I’ll keep you in this room for the rest of the day.”

  She didn’t have to say anything. He caught the agreement in her eyes.

  “Yeah, I know. Sounds good and I promise we’ll do that one day. But today, I have to take care of work.” He kissed her again, this time breaking apart sooner. With a low growl, he turned and strode toward the door.

  * * * *

  “Did you see them?”

  Sara turned away from the kitchen window, and for a moment, Cally thought she saw her expression change, closing up as though hiding her thoughts.

  “See who?” Sara ran a wet cloth over the counter, her gaze dropping.

  “The wolves.”

  Sara sighed and leaned against the counter. “Max told us you’d seen a pack outside.”

  She had to ask, had to know where she stood. “You believe me, don’t you?”

  Sara’s expression morphed again to a look of understanding. “Of course I do. Why would you make it up?” She started cleaning again. “I’ve seen a wolf or two at times, mainly at night. But never a pack and never in the morning. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”

  “Where are Max and the other men?” Cally’s gaze drifted to the empty yard. “Did they go outside to check the area?”

  “They had their business to attend to, but I’m sure they gave the yard a once-over. Your wolves are probably long gone by now.”

  My wolves?

  “Did the boys make you feel welcomed last night?”

  Cally hesitated, thrown by the abrupt change in the conversation. “The bed was very…comfortable.”

  “I’m glad.” Sara motioned for Cally to take a chair at the large round kitchen table and poured her a cup of coffee. “Sugar or milk?”

  “No, thanks. Black is good.” Nerves still rattled, she glanced out the window one last time just to make sure.

  “So you slept well?”

  Had Sara put more emphasis on the word slept? Or was her imagination making her hear what wasn’t really there? “Yes, thanks.”

  Change the subject.

  “Are Lena and Brittany awake yet?”

  “Not yet. I don’t expect to see them up and around until noon. I’m surprised you’re already up. What with the night you had.”

  Cally inhaled a sharp breath. Did she know what had taken place?

  Sara moved with the ease of a woman in command of her kitchen. She set the cup in front of Cally and gave her a quick smile. “The boys usually fend for themselves for breakfast, but I’d be happy to whip up some eggs and toast, if you’re hungry.”

  She longed to ask Sara how she came into a house of men, but didn’t want to overstep. Still, after last night, she couldn’t resist. “I hope you don’t think I’m sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong, but can I ask? How did you come to live here? Are you a relative?”

  Sara sat in the chair across from her and warmed her hands on her mug. “You want to know how I ended up living in a house full of men, right?”

  She was perceptive as well as beautiful. Her chestnut hair glistened under the morning sunlight streaming through the window and her brown eyes sparkled with a happy gleam.

  “I’m not very subtle, am I?”

  Sara’s light laugh fit the sunny room. “You might say I’m related to all the men. But Michael and I have a special relationship.”

  Cally almost choked on her coffee. Michael and Sara? But he hadn’t said anything to her last night. If she’d known…She paused and reflected, keeping her focus on her mug. “I didn’t know about you and Michael.”

  “How could you have known? It was late when you arrived and we didn’t have time to talk.” She tipped her head, catching Cally’s attention. “Whatever happened is okay. Trust me.”

  “Then you know?”

  “Of course I know. Michael told me. There aren’t any secrets between us.”

  She knows and she’s fine with what happened. Wow. Relieved, Cally still couldn’t help but feel a little sheepish. “It all just seems so…”

  “Sinful?” Sara took a sip of her coffee.

  “Decadent is more like it.” Should she tell the truth? “And exciting.”

  “Girl, you have no idea how exciting it can get around here.” She reached for one of the sugar packets sitting in a bowl, tore it open, and poured it into her coffee. “Tell me. What do you think about Max?”

  Cally couldn’t look at her, not before she sorted out the right words. “I like him.”

  “You like him?”

  Would Sara believe she had stronger feelings for him after what had taken place last night? “Yeah, I do.”

  “A lot?”

  She squirmed in her seat. But then she couldn’t think of any way to avoid the question. Instea
d, she met Sara’s gaze straight on and told her the truth. “I like Max more than I’ve ever liked any man. I like him a lot. You could say I more than like him.”

  “I’m glad. He’s a good man. They all are. But he’s the best man for you. Just like Michael’s the best one for me.”

  Her gut clenched and she had to ask. She’d never gotten involved with another woman’s man, and if Max hadn’t allowed it, she wouldn’t have let Michael in her bed. “God, Sara, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I know you said it’s okay, but…”

  Sara reached out to cover her hand. “Don’t worry. Michael in your bed…Well, if I was with any other man, I’d say he cheated on me. But these men are different, special. A woman has to make the decision to accept things the way they are, the way they’ve always been with their kind. Besides, he only came to your bed because he needed to.” She stood and poured herself another cup. “Has Max talked to you about us?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ah, I guess he hasn’t. Then I don’t want to say anything more. It’s Max’s place to tell you. But know this. If you can accept him for who and what he is, then you’ll gain more than you can ever imagine.”

  Cally studied Sara, not as a competitor, but as a possible friend. Perhaps even a sister. Questions buzzed in her head and she struggled to put them into words. But it was the pounding on the front door that broke the silence between them.

  “Lena Horton, this is your husband. I ain’t gonna stand by no more and let you stay in a house with a bunch of men. Especially not with these fuckin’ animals.”

  Cally jumped to her feet. “Hell’s bells. It’s Carl.”

  Chapter Six

  Sara rushed through the living room to a window and peeked through the blinds. “Looks like Carl’s managed to find a few friends to help him out.”

  Cally hurried to her side and saw Carl holding a shotgun. Four men stood behind him carrying weapons ranging from axes to rifles. “I’ll call the sheriff.”

  Sara clamped onto her arm. “No. He’ll never get here in time anyway. Besides, Michael and the men can handle them.”

  “But they have guns.”

  “This is my fault.”

  The women turned to find Lena standing at the foot of the stairs. Her wide, gray eyes brimmed with tears, and she tugged on her stringy hair.

  “No. You can’t blame yourself for whatever Carl does. You and Brittany don’t deserve to be mistreated.” Cally glanced behind the terrified woman at the empty stairs. “Where’s Brittany?”

  “She’s still in bed and sleeping soundly. I turned up the volume of the radio on the nightstand to cover the sounds of Carl’s shouts. Thank God it takes a lot to wake her.”

  “Good.” Sara moved to take Lena by the shoulders. “The only thing you need to do is take care of your little girl. We’ll handle Carl and his thugs. I want you to go back upstairs, close the curtains, and not look outside. No matter what you hear. Will you do that for me?”

  Lena nodded, her mouth working but no sounds came out.

  “Good. Now get back up there. If Brittany wakes up, get her dressed, then turn up the radio as loud as it will go and pretend you’re having a dance party.”

  Goose bumps covered Cally’s arms. Sara’s harsh tone left no doubt. Bad things were about to happen.

  Once Lena was gone, Sara strode over and opened the front door. She stopped when she noticed Cally following her and blocked the way outside. “Maybe you should go upstairs with Lena. She might need your help.”

  A glance over Sara’s shoulder told Cally where her help was needed the most. Carl and his buddies stood, feet planted apart, scowling at Max and his friends. “This is where I need to be and this is where I’m staying. Don’t try to stop me.”

  Admiration filled Sara’s face. “Good.” She turned and stepped out onto the porch. “Is there a problem, Carl Horton?”

  Max’s dark gaze skimmed from Sara to Cally. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth before he turned back to Carl.

  “You know damn well what the problem is. You people are holdin’ my wife and kid hostage.” Carl’s slurred words were filled with hatred. The men around him seemed as unsteady on their feet as he did.

  Michael chuckled then winked at Sara. “We aren’t holding anyone hostage. If anyone has ever held Lena hostage, it’s you. Maybe if you weren’t drunk all the time, you’d realize as much.”

  Max took a step forward. “She’s finally fed up with you and she wants out. She needed a place to stay and we gave it to her. Now back off and go home to sleep it off before someone gets hurt.”

  Carl’s scowl deepened. “You got no right keepin’ me from her. Send her out now and we won’t have no trouble.” His friends grumbled their agreement.

  “Let me put this in a way you can understand.” Max took another step closer. “It ain’t fuckin’ happenin’.”

  Carl lifted his shotgun and his friends raised their weapons. “Are you ready to die, motherfucker?”

  “Aw, man, you know shooting us won’t do any good.” Ranlon crossed his arms, glanced at Max who gave him a nod. “Unless, of course, you have silver bullets in those guns. Do you have silver bullets, Carl?”

  Silver bullets? Had she heard him right? Why would the men need silver bullets? Any kind of bullet would kill them.

  “Yeah, Carl, do you? Because you know those other weapons aren’t going to hurt us much, either. In fact, it’ll just piss us off.” Nick slid his hand through his red hair, his voice deepening to a growl. “Trust me, bro. You don’t want to piss us off.”

  Max shook his head and took another step closer, putting him within striking distance of the big man. “How about this? If Lena wants to come home, then we won’t stop her. But if she doesn’t, then we’re not going to let you drag her out of here against her will.”

  “I ain’t standin’ for no more of this crap.” Carl cocked the hammer back on his gun and aimed it directly at Max. “I know what you shits are, and ain’t no one goin’ to blame me for takin’ the devil’s spawn outta this world.”

  Cally’s heart leapt to her throat. Please, God. Don’t let him shoot.

  But what she saw before her drove her worries away. She froze, not believing what her eyes told her.

  Max’s shirt ripped apart, tearing down the middle of his back. His hair grew shorter, his body stockier as he and the other men tore their clothes from their changing bodies. Black hair grew in the place where skin once was, and the cracking of bones splintered the air.

  Cally couldn’t move or speak. Turning toward her, Max’s face was no longer the handsome face she’d caressed last night. His dark eyes were gone, replaced by amber ones. A muzzle formed, elongating the mouth. Sharp, dagger-like fangs erupted, and he pulled his lips back then fell to the ground on all fours.

  As though time lost meaning for her, the men she’d made love to the night before had disappeared, replaced by wolves. A strangled cry broke from her lips.

  These are the wolves I saw. And now Max is one of them.

  Sara’s hand on her arm jolted her out of her trance a second before the first shot rang out. The wolves charged the men, knocking them to the ground. Shouts mixed with growls as they struggled, but the men were no match for the large wolves.

  Max dug his claws into Carl’s arm and held on. Carl screamed, losing his grip on his gun. The other wolves easily subdued the drunken men, standing over them, their weapons out of reach or broken in two. The battle was over before it had barely begun.

  “Cally, look at me.”

  But she couldn’t take her eyes off Max to answer Sara’s call. Although she was frightened, stunned at what she’d seen, a part of her marveled at him. Even as a wolf he was gorgeous.

  Sara shook her arm. “Cally. Look at me.”

  She blinked then found Sara’s eyes, needing to find a hold on reality. “I don’t believe…But it’s true. I see them. They’re…”

  “Come inside.”

  She couldn’t think, could only f
ollow directions. Letting Sara seat her on the sofa, she stared at the front door, expecting the pack of wolves to charge into the house at any moment. Even in shock, she couldn’t hide another emotion sneaking into her consciousness. Her teeth chattered, not all from fear, but from excitement.

  “Tell me I didn’t see what I saw.”

  Sara sat next to her, an intent expression tightening her features. “But you did. Believe your eyes because what you saw was real. I’m sorry I lied earlier, but I couldn’t say anything until Max told you. The wolves you saw this morning were our men.”

  She shook her head. What else could she do? Believe in the unbelievable? “No. Men can’t turn into wolves.” She laughed, a sarcastic, mirthless sound. “I’m going crazy, aren’t I?”

  “No, you’re not.” Max, returned to his human form, stood in the doorway.

  She leapt up from the couch and dashed toward the stairs, but Max caught her on the first step. He clutched her arm, whirling her around to confront him. “This isn’t the way I wanted to tell you about us.”

  She yanked her arm away and took the stairs two at a time. But Max stayed on her heels, reaching her bedroom door a moment behind her.

  “Cally, give me a chance to explain.”

  His chest pushed against her back and, as always, his touch sent flames of heat whipping through her. But she couldn’t give in. Not after what she’d seen. “Stay away from me.”

  She burst inside, turned to slam the door in his face, but he pushed against it. Hurrying to the other side of the room, she put her back against the wall and tried to think.

  Max, the man she’d come to cherish, looked at her. His dark eyes held sadness, his hair was mussed. Written on his face, his love, his desire for her couldn’t be denied. “Please let me talk to you.”

  She didn’t know what to do. Her brain told her to run, to jump out the window, but her heart told her she had to stay, had to hear him out. Otherwise, she’d regret it for the rest of her life. “If I was smart, I’d get the hell out of here.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. But if you hadn’t felt the connection we have between each other, you wouldn’t have given me the time of day in the first place.” He took a step closer but stopped when she shivered.