Claiming Clara

by Cherie Nicholls

  No one threatened her family.

  No one.

  Chapter 5

  Clara held her breath as she moved slowly out from under Wall’s arm. She had taken a risk, but it was a calculated one all the same.

  Wall took a deep breath and Clara froze. He just snuggled closer into his pillow.

  She slipped on black jeans and a black sweater, caught her auburn hair up into a high ponytail, opened her bedroom window, and climbed out. She dropped her boots down first and then followed them.

  She moved quickly, heading for the woods. If her guess was right, the four sleeping pills she had slipped in Wall’s drink would keep him sleeping for about another hour. Shifter systems were able to process and dispose of medicines far quicker than full humans. She had to give him double the normal dose just to keep him asleep for that small amount of time.

  Once clear of the tree line, she kept low and upwind of the house. She made it to a road about a mile from the main track. Coming through the trees, she stopped and smiled. With a shake of her head, she headed toward the vehicle waiting for her.

  “I thought I said inconspicuous. This is anything but that,” Clara said, opening the door to the bright yellow Beetle car.

  “Err hello, this car perfectly matched my outfit; what else was I meant to do?” Karina asked in shocked disappointment.

  Clara laughed. Karina Lovett was part fashionista and part fox. She had the ability to turn a tatty T-shirt and worn pair of jeans into an outfit that could grace the covers of high-end style magazines. She could also shoot a fly off the end of your nose at 500 yards without it feeling a thing.

  Of course, she would look fabulous while doing it.

  The sound of a howl cut through the air.

  “That’s Wall; we need to move.” Clara slammed the car door shut as Karina started the engine and threw it into gear. The effects of the pills hadn’t lasted as long as she had hoped.

  They sped out of the area, both knowing that Wall and the rest of Clara’s pack would be hot on their tails.

  “You sure this is the best idea?” Karina asked when they had left the town behind.

  “I don’t really have a choice. I asked Laney’s brother, Duke, to do some checking around. I will give him a call when we get farther away.”

  “I still think this is a dangerous move.”

  “It is, but I can’t afford someone in the pack getting hurt. When he took that pot shot at me, he could have killed Duke. I don’t know if I could have lived with myself if that had happened.”

  Silence filled the car until Karina suddenly reached out and punched Clara in the arm.

  “Ow!” Clara moaned, rubbing the sore spot. “What the hell was that for?”

  “It’s not okay to risk some random grease monkey, but you can put my life in danger? Rude!” Karina growled.

  “Hey! It’s not as if I wanted you to be here. You, with your little network of spies and thieves, heard about the shooting. From the second I got your text—what did it say? Oh yeah ‘I always said your reflexes were slow.’ Thanks for that by the way—I knew you would stick your fat nose where it didn’t belong.”

  “It’s true. You were never as quick as me.” Karina sniffed.

  “He shot me from behind and through glass for crying out loud!”

  God! Why she ever thought this overgrown rat catcher could help her out, she would never know.

  “Well, just before we remove his bowels and carve his heart out of his chest, we will ask him if he thought you could have moved quicker, shall we?” the fox snapped back.

  Ah, that was why she brought her along.

  They drove for several hours until Clara was confident it would be nearly impossible for the pack and Wall to track them down before she had time to fix this.

  Karina pulled in to a non-descript motel that looked like it had seen better days.

  “I’ll go check in. You give the grease monkey a call, and see if he’s found anything yet,” she threw over her shoulder as she climbed out of the car.

  Clara nodded and pulled out her phone.

  “Where the hell are you?” Duke greeted her when he answered.

  “Out of town,” Clara told him honestly. She wouldn’t tell him where; no doubt the pack had already checked to see if she had gone back to him.

  “Where exactly?” Duke snapped. “Do you know your rabid boyfriend has already been here, and if your dumbass brother hadn’t come with him, one of us would be dead by now?”

  Clara closed her eyes and sighed. Nothing was ever simple or easy. She didn’t know why she ever expected that to change.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, like I said, Heath was here. Now, where the hell are you? It’s not safe out on your own,” Duke insisted.

  “Is Wall okay?” She had to ask. Those two lunkheads would beat each other to death if someone didn’t keep them apart.

  “Just about, although I think you’re running out on him again has probably pushed him closer to the edge than he’s been in a long time,” Duke admitted.

  Clara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Although it hurt putting Wall through this, she knew it was the right thing. He may not understand, may never forgive her, but if he was alive and safe, even if he didn’t want to be with her anymore, then she would be happy he was okay. She would be alone and miserable but happy for him.

  “Did you find anything out?” Clara asked, changing the subject.

  “Yeah, Alberto is more cautious than his brother, but they do have one thing in common, their self-importance. He started talking about the shot he took at us. Apparently he wants people to know that not only did he nearly take you out but, he did it under the nose of the Alpha. Christophe’s brother seems to be looking to take on that role too.”

  Clara felt the deep growl as it rumbled low in her chest.

  “Where is he?” she demanded through clenched teeth.

  “In a town east of here called Marshland. Assuming you haven’t run in the wrong direction,” Duke’s sarcastic tone had Clara raising an eyebrow, “you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting there.”

  Wiping a hand down her face, she leaned back in the seat. At least she knew where the man was, and luckily or not, they had headed east. Now they would be able to stop that wolf before he caused any further harm to her or her family.

  She had put Duke in the middle of this enough, but she couldn’t risk that Wall or Heath would come back to see if he had heard from her. So she lied like a cheap piano.

  “No, we headed north. It will take us a while to get back on track, but I will get there. Can you keep the pack off my trail for a few more hours?”

  “Yeah sure, but I don’t like it. Watch your six, little wolf girl.” Duke spoke softly, reminding her of the few times she had seen him and Laney together when they weren’t arguing. Typical big brother, always worried.

  “I will, don’t worry. Thanks, Duke, I owe you one.” Clara promised.

  “Just make sure you’re around so I can collect,” he said before ending the call.

  Clara took a deep breath. A day, maybe two, and this would be all over. Then she could go home and find out if Wall still wanted anything to do with her. God, she hoped he did.

  She didn’t know if she would be able to live without him.

  * * * *

  Duke dropped the phone back on the cradle and looked up at the other man in the room.

  “You get all that?” he asked as Wall hung up the other extension.

  “Yep.” He looked down at the mobile phone in his hand as it pinged. “And that says my boys have tracked her.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Duke moved around the desk. Wall stopped him with a hand on his chest.

  “I don’t think so, dude.” He was going after his woman, and he sure wasn’t bringing her new best friend with him.

  “I can help.” Duke stepped in front of him, barring him from leaving. The full human was a least six inches taller, but Wall wasn’t worried. Eve
n if he wasn’t a wolf shifter, Wall was trained to hurt, maim, and if needed, kill. This man was not going to stop him.

  “You need to move, or I’ll do it for you.” Wall took a step toward the other man.

  “You caught me twice before, little man, ’cause you blindsided me. This time I am facing you and ready. What will you do?”

  Wall growled deep letting his wolf shine through his eyes.

  “Do you really think they were lucky shots, dude?” Wall raised an eyebrow.

  “Let’s find out, puppy.”

  They both took another step forward, bringing them almost chest to chest.

  “Now, now, boys. This isn’t the time or place. Wall, you have a runaway to bring home, and Duke, we have a business to run.” Laney’s voice cut through the tension in the air.

  Neither man moved. They just stared at each other, waiting for the first to make a move.

  Laney sighed. “I really don’t want to have to get the hose, boys.”

  Still neither man moved.

  “Wall, Clara is out there all alone. Do you really think now is the time for this?” Finally, her voice got through to him. With a final snarl, Wall stepped away and looked to where Laney leaned against the doorframe of Duke’s office.

  “Next time, little puppy.”

  Wall heard the threat in the other man’s voice and snarled.

  He would wait, but as soon as Clara was back safe and sound, then he and Duke would be all over this.

  *

  Laney watched Wall head out before turning to glare at her big brother.

  “Was that really the right time for your chest puffing?”

  Duke smiled and winked at her.

  “Laney-girl, it’s always the right time for chest puffing!” he told her before picking up the phone again.

  “Did you track them?” he asked when the call connected. “Good. I want people there ASAP. Nothing is to happen to Marsterson.”

  Duke didn’t wait for an answer. He hung up and turned back to his sister.

  “We will bring her home.” He promised.

  “Good, I would really hate to have to tell the twins.” Laney rolled her eyes.

  Duke nodded. Yeah, that would really be bad.

  * * * *

  Wall was shaking he was so angry. When he got his hands on Clara, he was going to strangle her. He’d make sure she was okay first, but right after that, she was so dead.

  He drove like a bat out of hell, determined to get to Clara before she could do anything stupid, like say, drug a person.

  Yeah, he owed her for that one too. Once he had her back in his arms and marked her, right after that, she would be in so much trouble.

  The night had closed in as he left town. The sun was high in the sky when he pulled in to the parking lot of the motel they had tracked Clara to.

  Sitting in the car, Wall took a breath. His heart started to calm down some. He was close. All he had to do was cast for her scent so he could track her to the right room, kick the door in, throw her over his shoulder, and get the hell out of there.

  As plans went, he’d heard worse.

  With a hand on the handle, Wall started to push the door open. He was quite unaware when a short redhead shoved him back into the car and leaned her whole body on the door, attempting to keep him inside.

  “So you must be Wall,” she said, peering down to look through the window at him.

  Wall sniffed the air and caught the pungent scent of fox mixed with a little of Clara’s scent.

  “You must be the getaway driver.” Wall pushed at the door again, his great wolf strength moving it and the little fox with ease.

  “Maybe, maybe not. But I am her friend, and trust me when I say you really don’t want to get between Clara and her prey,” the woman told him matter-of-factly.

  “Her prey?” Wall smiled.

  “Yeah, prey. Do you think Clara ran away ’cause she was scared?” She shook her head at him. “Silly puppy.”

  Wall’s eyebrows climbed high. Who was this woman? He leaned back against the car.

  “Now listen here, puppy.” She leaned next to him.

  “Wall, or Mr. Wallbanger, if you prefer.”

  “I prefer puppy. So where was I? Oh yeah, listen up; Clara knows exactly what she is doing. You just have to stay your…” She opened her eyes wide and shook her head at what she saw. “…broad pretty ass out of the way, and when the lady is done, she may come back to, you know, give you a doggy treat or something.”

  Wall looked down at her and wondered if there was a mental facility she’d escaped from.

  “Who are you?” he asked confused.

  “Oh sorry, my manners are terrible. Name is Karina Lovett.” She held her hand out. Wall took it, engulfing it with his own.

  “Nice to meet you, Karina. Now let me tell you something.” He bent down toward her. “My mate is in trouble, and there is no one and nothing in this world that will stop me from protecting her.” Wall stood tall again as the wind blew softly across the lot. He looked over his shoulder.

  “Nothing will stop me, not even sleeping pills, my own.” Clara stood off to the side, watching the play-by-play between the two.

  “You really do know how to get on my last nerve, Wall!” Clara growled before storming off toward one of the rooms.

  Wall watched her go with a smile. She was safe now, and, good Lord, did she look hot in those jeans.

  “Wow, you really do have a special skill. Not only do you make her want to lick butter off your chest, but you also make her want to strip your skin from your body while you are still alive. That is just, wow.” Karina said from next to him.

  Wall grinned. “She told you she wants to lick butter from my chest? Dude, that is hot!”

  Karina rolled her eyes. Walking away, she tossed her hair over her shoulder, said she had to see a man about a dog, and vanished around the corner of the building.

  Wall ran a hand over his hair, took a breath, and headed toward the room Clara had just walked into.

  He didn’t bother knocking, simply walked in and shoved the door closed.

  He turned. The smile on his face froze when he saw the sight before him. Clara had shifted, and he now faced a very angry wolf, an animal that looked about ready to bite his face off.

  Wall raised a hand a second before Clara pounced, fangs bared, claws out, and murder on her mind.

  Chapter 6

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Clara yelled, sitting on his chest while slapping him across the head.

  He was grateful she had shifted back to human form after knocking him to the floor. At least now, he was reasonably sure she wasn’t planning to kill him.

  “What? Darlin’, you knew I would come for you the second I woke up from, you know, being drugged!”

  Clara beat at him harder. He did his best to protect his face. Damn, she could be mean.

  “Catch a clue, doofus. I don’t need you here! I can take care of myself, but now I have to babysit your ass too.” Wall had enough of her hitting. With a shove, he had her off his chest and pinned below his body.

  “Are you done?” he asked, trapping her hands over her head.

  “No!” Clara spat at him.

  “Good.” Wall ignored her, flashing an overly bright smile down at the woman who was seething. “Because I am done with this lone wolf act you have going on, my own. No more running off into the night as if you’re the only one who can stop this psycho.”

  Clara tried to shove him off, but he barely budged.

  “Go home. I don’t need you here,” she said through gritted teeth. She tried again to move him off her, but he only shifted, trapping her legs beneath one of his own.

  “See, drugging me was just the final act, the straw that broke this wolf’s back.”

  Clara stilled. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She sniffed.

  Wall’s smile went from bright to predatory.

  “Are you lying to me, my own?” he asked. Leaning down,
he allowed a fang to grow, grazing the column of her neck.

  A moan rumbled from her chest as he licked a path back up her neck until he spoke directly into her ear.

  “You drugged me, could have killed me, and you high-tailed out of the one place you were safe to run off with a smart-mouthed tiny little fox girl.”

  “It was a calculated risk. There was only, like, maybe a 30 percent chance you would die.”

  Wall leaned away from the woman who owned his heart and glared.

  “Maybe a 30 percent chance? Oh my God, you can drive a man to drink!” He growled before diving to capture her mouth in a searing kiss.

  His anger was hot. She was eating away at what little control he had left, and the worse thing was she knew it. He had seen it seconds before he had kissed her. The little minx knew exactly what she was doing to him.

  She kissed him back with just as much aggression as he did her. Fighting for control, Wall still held her arms over her head and pinned to the floor, but that didn’t stop her. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she pulled him closer.

  It was his turn to groan. She was naked under him rubbing against him in ways that would have had him purring as if he was a cat.

  This was where she belonged, in his arms, close to him where he could keep her safe, make her happy, and kiss her until neither of them could take it anymore.

  Wall was so busy kissing his woman he didn’t notice the scent until it was too late. The barrel of the gun pressed close just behind his ear.

  “See, now I didn’t want to do this, but you really gave us no choice, puppy,” the woman said from behind him.

  Wall pulled away slightly and looked down at Clara who just shrugged and gave him a half smile.

  When this was over, he and Clara were going to have a long talk about what was acceptable and what wasn’t. Pushing his buttons so he would spank her, acceptable. Drugging him and having a friend hold a gun to his head, not so much.

  “Up ya get.” Karina took hold of the back of his T-shirt and tugged.

  Wall moved away from Clara slowly, never once looking away from her. He wanted her to read exactly what he intended for her when this was over.