“I was—I was trying to help.” Tears welled up in her eyes because she knew they’d never let her save Evan now. She didn’t want to be the cause of more suffering, and she wanted to have all five of her men by her side. Was a happily ever after really so hard to attain?
“You’re being naughty,” Patrick said. “Always testing our limits.”
She had no fear of her men, whether as human or wolves. “I want Evan back,” she said. “I heard what Corbin said, and I had to do something.”
Travis shook his head. “You’re not helping if you get yourself killed.” He looked over at the two men. They’d stopped fighting, now paying full attention to Travis. “Or leave yourself vulnerable to every little scavenger in the forest.”
“She’s rightfully mine! I knew her long before she came to Climax,” shouted Peter. Scott shoved him back.
Patrick growled, standing to join Travis. The air around them seemed to spark with power, raw testosterone that promised action rather than words. “This is interesting. Go on, little wolf. Try and take my woman.” He was all muscle and defiance. Desire welled up inside her when she should be thinking of anything but sex.
“She’s—she’s a city girl. She doesn’t belong in this gods-forsaken land. If you cared for her, you’d give her to me so I could take her home.”
Patrick chuckled. “She belongs wherever I am.” He walked purposely toward Peter until they were chest to chest. Not all shifters were created equal because Patrick towered over him. “You’ve had your fun playing wolf, but we both know you’re a sorry excuse for one. Return to your desk, human, or I promise the woods will eat you alive.” By the tone of his voice, she knew in an instant that he wouldn’t hesitate to kill for her. It flattered and terrified her. She wished Peter would just leave, just forget his unfounded obsession.
Travis flanked him on the other side. “Foolish city boy. You don’t even have a pack to back you up. Do you know what wolves do to rivals on their territory?” He stepped forward, forcing Peter to stumble back. “Let’s just say you’re lucky we have our humanity or you’d be nothing more than scraps for the coyotes.”
“Leave. Now!” Patrick’s chest was rising and falling heavily. He was close to shifting, which wouldn’t be good for Peter.
“I’m going…” He got to his feet, still backing away from the two hulking males. Their backs and shoulders were massive, straining with muscle. “Keep her.”
“If you return again, you’ll be shown no mercy. This is our land. Our woman. Don’t test our patience.” Travis stayed in place until Peter was out of sight, disappearing into the brushwood that led to the main road.
“And you,” said Patrick. “Are you another shifter with a death wish?”
Cassidy stood up from her hiding place, not wanting her mystery wolf to get hurt in case he really was her brother. But she wasn’t foolish enough to put her whole heart into the possibility. Her trust had already been shattered once.
“Cassidy!” She knew that voice. It was a beacon in a stormy sea, one she’d dreamt of finding for days.
“Evan?” He came into view along with Matthew and Garret. All five of her men were finally together. It was too good to be true…and of course it was. Corbin came out of the forest just behind her with Ryder and the two other Rockford shifters. She rushed into Evan’s waiting arms, not wanting to give Corbin a chance to try anything unexpected.
Time stood still for the moment. She concentrated on Evan’s strong body, the scent of his skin, and the warmth of his arms around her. She’d been so worried, so afraid she may never see him again. Now she didn’t have to trade herself to get him back.
“Take your pup and get off our land, Corbin,” said Garret. “We know he’s one of yours.”
“Ah, yes, our rogue wolf. Not all pack members lean toward obedience.” Corbin continually stared at her like a prize he planned on winning. It was unnerving. He had a graceful confidence, always had, but she wanted no part of him.
“Bullshit,” said Evan. “You were never searching for a rogue wolf. You sent him after Cassidy with the intent to mark her.”
Scott interrupted, “I’m not trying to mark her.”
Everyone in the area stopped speaking and turned to the usually unheard voice.
“Then why are you on Gregor land?” asked Corbin. “I don’t remember telling you to leave Rockford territory.”
“Protecting what’s mine.”
Garret lashed out and grabbed Scott by the arm, giving him a violent shake. “Yours? Listen to me—”
“That’s not what I mean. I was protecting my family, my sister.”
“Again with the brother game?” asked Patrick. “You’re a Rockford wolf, not her brother. Don’t play us for fools.”
Cassidy stepped into the center of the commotion. “What if he is?” She’d been wrong before but didn’t want to dismiss any possibility of finding a blood relative. If her mates cared about her as much as they claimed, they should give him the benefit of the doubt. Finding Scott continued to be a high priority for her.
“I came to Climax several years ago, drawn to it as all wolves are drawn to their place of birth. Rockford is my rightful place, the same as my father’s and grandfather’s before their deaths. But since I was already used to living alone, I chose to stay feral rather than try to familiarize myself with pack life.”
The details began to make sense in her head. She sorted through memories and facts so fast it was making her dizzy. “You knew your father?” she asked. She’d never met him herself. And although she’d come close to meeting her grandfather, he, too, remained a mystery.
“Only what Corbin told me of him.”
There was a murmur of conversation from both packs.
“She can’t be your sister,” said Corbin. “That would mean…”
“Exactly,” said Evan with a chuckle. “It would mean you couldn’t mark her for your pack. She’s a direct relative to one of your own.”
* * * *
Garret didn’t believe Scott’s story about being Cassidy’s long-lost half brother, but he also wanted to keep her off Corbin’s radar. Now he wanted the strange wolf intruding on his land to be the man Cassidy hoped he was. It would mean certain peace from his greatest rival. In their world, a pack mated to one woman. Blood relatives as mates would harm the gene pool. It was expressly forbidden for shifters to inbreed, just as it was illegal in human society. Corbin was too obsessed with superiority to risk weakening his pack.
Garret wanted his mate to be happy, but also couldn’t stand the thought of her being disappointed again. He was very protective of Cassidy and refused to allow another male to deceive her, toying with her fragile emotions. She’d already been through far too much.
“You’re sure she’s your sister?” asked Corbin. He appeared genuinely shocked, not knowing whether he was going or coming. Garret half expected him to disown Scott rather than give up on Cassidy.
“I knew the moment I saw her. She brought out my humanity when I hadn’t been able to escape my wolf for ages.”
Cassidy moved closer to Scott, reaching out to touch his cheek. Garret cringed, still not ready to put all his faith into a stranger’s story.
“I’ve been looking for you. Forever.” There was such genuine emotion in Cassidy’s voice. If Scott broke her heart, Garret would break him in two.
“Looks like you need to get your house in order, Rockford. Get off our land, and stay away from our mate.” Garret set a possessive hand on Cassidy’s lower back. “You’ve caused enough damage trying to claim a female with Rockford blood.”
Corbin exhaled in a growl, nodding to his pack mates to leave the area. They shifted, one by one, running into the darkness of the forest.
“And what of you? Will you continue to be a headache?” Corbin asked Scott.
“I want to try pack life. I’ll give it a chance so I can be close to my sister.”
“Lovely.” Corbin grumbled and turned, seamlessly morphing into his wol
f. Within seconds, he was gone.
They all stood alone in the clearing. His pack. His woman. And a male he had to be certain was Cassidy’s brother. For now even a lie had proved beneficial, but he needed to know the whole truth.
Garret grabbed Scott’s hand, bringing his wrist to his mouth. After an initial hesitation, he bit down on his wrist. The other man struggled to pull back at first, but Garret secured him with his free arm. It was the only way to know one hundred percent. He had to taste the blood, feel the DNA flow over his tongue. Just as he knew Cassidy was a wolf because he had special abilities as alpha, he’d know if Scott was her true brother.
“Nasty,” said Patrick. He ignored Red and focused on discerning the complex blood signature.
He finally pulled away, wiping his mouth clean with the back of his hand. Everyone watched him expectantly. “You haven’t just found your sister, but you’ve managed to stop a pack war. Welcome to the family.”
* * * *
Cassidy had found her half brother, bringing closure to a lifelong quest to find a blood relative. Her grandfather and father’s wolfen heritage lived on within Scott and apparently lay dormant within her since she wasn’t a male.
And since all pack mates shared a woman, claiming her as a group, Cassidy was officially off the Rockford menu. Even crazed wolf-shifters like Corbin apparently had standards, not willing to mix family within a mating bond.
“So, you’ll give up being a rogue?” asked Evan.
“I’ll try anything. This is where I belong, so I’ll give it my best effort,” said Scott.
“If you need help, let us know. You’re Cassidy’s brother, which means you can come to us for anything—Rockford or not.”
Scott smiled and nodded in agreement. He took both Cassidy’s hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “It’s been a long journey, but it’s finally over. I’ve found peace now that I have you.”
She gently tugged her hands away and reached up to hug him around the neck. A real brother. It was surreal. After so many years of loneliness she not only had five men to love her and a place to call home, she’d also found her only blood relative, giving her life deeper purpose.
“We may have just met, but I’ve loved you for a lifetime, Scott.”
She closed her eyes and drifted, endless possibilities running through her head. They had so much catching up to do. She wanted to know everything, especially since she suddenly became the bearer of wolf DNA. It was wondrous, new, and exciting.
“I’ll see you soon.” He kissed her forehead and then looked to her mates. “But I have a feeling we all need a little recovery time.”
Cassidy nodded before watching him return to the forest. She felt a moment of panic as he disappeared but had to remember he was no longer lost to her. Out of sight wasn’t permanent.
“Well…I don’t know what to say,” said Travis. “You’re a Rockford wolf, darlin’.”
“And?”
“That makes you our mortal enemy.”
She scowled. Cassidy was the same woman she’d always been, and if her lovers thought a bloodline defined her, they had another thing coming.
“Would you rather me be a Gregor wolf like you? Because that would mean you’d have to keep your big cowboy paws off me.”
He winked. “You’ll do just fine the way you are, sugar.”
Chapter Twelve
Once back at the mine, they packed up one of the pickup trucks and drove out to their remote cottage. It had been at Cassidy’s insistence. After everything she’d been through, she wanted to go home. She was tired of thinking, worrying, and running.
“What does all this mean?” she asked.
“What?” asked Patrick. He sat on one side of her, Matthew on the other. Her men were her security blanket, a promise of forever.
“Everything. Me, us, Peter, Corbin, Scott. What happens now?”
Her life was in upheaval. It was easier when she had nothing but dreams. Now she had so much to lose.
The truck slowed as they reached the end of the road. The rest of the journey had to be made on foot. After Garret cut the engine, silence settled in. Not an unnerving sound, but a calming energy she associated with Climax. Despite the bad times, it still captivated her.
Patrick brushed his red hair from his face as he leaned in close. She was forced back against Matthew. “I’m guessing this is where things start, little one.”
“It’s the happily ever after you wanted, isn’t it?” asked Travis.
She smiled, recalling their walk in the city. He’d joked about things then, but she knew deep down he wanted the same out of life as her, including a forever love.
“But—” Cassidy was so used to treading water, desperately trying to keep from drowning. She wasn’t sure she’d know what to do in a state of peace and stability. Was it even possible? Was another disaster just waiting to strike?
Garret exited the vehicle, opening the rear passenger door. “Come on, Cassie. Out.”
He was using his sexy, dominant voice. The one she couldn’t say no to. She slipped out of the truck after Patrick, only to be tugged along to the rear of the truck by the pack alpha. Garret unlatched the tailgate and hoisted her up to sit. The metal felt cool through her pants but couldn’t compare to the heat building inside her.
“I know things have been crazy at times since we hired you on at Gregor. But I want you to understand that Climax isn’t about death and destruction. It’s the opposite. It’s the end of the world, a sanctuary, a safe haven for shifters and wildlife.” He tilted her chin up. “Things will only get better. Do you believe that?”
She nodded, her throat too clogged to speak. Cassidy wanted to believe it would be all smooth sailing, but she’d programmed herself for disappointment as a self-preservation tool from an early age. It kept her numb all those years alone in the city, but now she wanted to feel, to really live.
At least her men had stood by her since arriving in Climax. What started out as a fling turned out to be the love of a lifetime. One she was terrified of losing. Her men weren’t ordinary men at all. What if she woke up one morning and it was all a dream?
Evan stepped in to stand beside Garret. “You’re the one who taught me to enjoy today without looking to the past. I think it’s time to take your own advice.”
That was easier said than done. Even if they gave their all, it didn’t stop outside forces from ruining their happiness. “Will they leave us alone now?” she asked, hoping for reassurance.
“Peter’s not coming back,” said Patrick. “If he’s foolish enough to try it, he’ll meet up with two wolf packs protecting the borders.”
“Rockford?”
Garret began to unbutton her cardigan. “Corbin won’t pursue you now that he knows you’re Scott’s sister. But packs still protect their own. Trust me, if Peter shows up again, he’ll get an unwelcoming to remember.”
“Cassidy’s created a bonding agent between the packs. We haven’t managed to do that in over a decade.” Evan’s logic couldn’t be denied. The two biggest pack rivals had a common ground, blood that spanned both their lines. It may not bring complete peace, but it was a good first step.
How had she come to Climax at all? Was fate at work? Werewolves returned to their place of birth, a natural calling they were compelled to obey. Was the hint of wolf within her luring her to Climax and the miners she’d grown to love? She had come for a new start but managed to find not only her missing brother but five men who loved her unconditionally. It almost made all the pain growing up an afterthought.
“I think Cassie’s capable of just about anything,” said Garret. Was that a sexual connotation in his tone? Was there anything she hadn’t let them do to her body? Thinking about their sexual adventures made her increasingly wet with need. It could have been the stress of the day or perhaps the anticipation of having all five of her lovers alone again. Her stomach fluttered, her pussy throbbing in deep, distracting waves. Her desperation grew by the minute, like a college studen
t trying to finish a test with only minutes left on the clock. Everything increased her arousal—the darkness, the sense of urgency, the scent of musky cologne, and brief visions of muscles in the moonlight. The pressure built as her imagination ran rampant.
“And willing,” she added.
Evan, Garret, Travis, Matthew, and Patrick crowded her. They were all so tall and commanding, their muscles thick and powerful. There was a loud thud as one man leapt up into the cab of the truck with inhuman agility. She was surrounded. Rather than feel apprehensive, she was dizzy with need.
“It’s my turn to taste you, Cassidy Lyons. I’m just deciding where I should leave my mark on you,” said Evan. He cupped her mound, the pressure making her eyes loll back in her head. He managed to touch her exactly where her body craved it most.
“Do it,” she encouraged.
“Here?” He trailed a single finger down her neckline. “Or here?” He ran the backs of his fingers along the center of her chest where her sweater parted. “Maybe lower?”
The glint in his eyes told her he was just depraved enough to try what she was thinking. Was it possible to mark her pussy? Could she handle such raw torment?
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I know I want my face between your legs. The rest we can figure out as we go.” Evan tugged off her jeans with ease, leaving her sprawled out on the truck’s flat bed. She gasped from the cold jolt of metal against her bare skin.
Patrick’s rough hands began to explore her curves as Evan slipped off her panties. She could see the stars through the breaks in the forest canopy above. It was magical making love in the wilderness, no rules, no civilization. Her men were as close to nature as she could imagine, and she no longer feared the dark shadows because of them.
She’d been apprehensive about Evan getting close to her pussy with his razor-sharp fangs, but the moment his skilled tongue swiped up her folds, her body fractured into a thousand tiny pieces. Cassidy was pliant and eager within seconds, the promise of orgasm too close to ignore.
Climax for Six [Wolves of Climax 7] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever - Serialized) Page 10
