by Honor James
Harker fell from the woods and was gasping for air. She was so close, but so far from Janos who was standing at the patio. Her hand reached out with a sob only a moment before the hand closed around her ankle and jerked her back into the woods with a shriek of pain from the underbrush biting into her naked form.
The shot rang out, true and clear. The exit exploded the nasal cavity of the man holding Harker’s ankle and he collapsed onto the woman before the sound echoing through the forest stopped.
Desmonda moved quickly, panting but gun level as she pushed the man from Harker with a mighty shove of her foot. “Fucker,” she growled in a more animalistic growl than she had ever shown before. Turning on her knee, gun leveled, she swung to the man coming through rapidly into the forest. “Stop,” she called even as wolves surrounded her and Harker, hair raised and growling. Desmonda had seen Janos at The Edge before but never had met him so she said, “Are you Janos Farkas?” She was a cop. She wasn’t going to go with halfways, not with her friend writhing in pain.
Racing across the grass Janos skidded to a halt and whistled low, the wolves dropping to their haunches. He moved slowly and dropped to his knees at Harker’s side as he stared at Desmonda. “I’m Janos,” he said, reaching out to gently roll Harker over. “Harker, honey,” he said, his eyes on her until the gun in her hand dipped, then his eyes drifted down. “Oh shit,” he breathed out harshly. “Mina!” he bellowed at the top of his lungs.
Her gun once more holstered, Desmonda stripped off her coat and wrapped it around Harker’s naked front and stepped back as Harker started to convulse and scream.
“Janos? Sorry, the damned beasts wouldn’t let me leave until you yelled.” She turned to look at Desmonda for a moment before looking to the dead body. “I’m Mina,” she lifted a hand before dropping to her knees next to the guy, Janos. “Oh god, Janos, is she?”
Desmonda frowned and asked, “She’s changing isn’t she?” She wasn’t a stupid woman, by any stretch of imagination. “What do we do?” She couldn’t go through this in the middle of the fucking forest.
“Yeah she’s changing,” he said, putting his hands on Harker’s shoulders. “Harker, look at me,” he said and the shifting of her eyes told him just how far along she was.
Harker’s body bowed in the middle. Screams poured from her lips even as saliva and blood came from her lips. Panting, she turned with tear-filled eyes. “Miklos, please, Janos, I really need Mik.” She stopped midword and screamed in pain.
Wincing at the decibel level Janos scooped her up into his arms. “Mina, go and start the fire in the living room and grab the old comforters from the hall closet.” Moving for the house fast he kicked the door open as he headed for the bathroom. “You, sorry didn’t get your name.” He winced looking to the other woman.
“Desmonda,” she gave quickly and stood with and expectant expression on her face.
“In the kitchen, boil some water, Mina will get you some towels. We need one pot of hot but not scalding water in the living room. The other you need to boil the towels in and then hang them to dry. Don’t worry about a mess. By the time we’re done we’re going to need a cleaning crew.” Stepping into the bathroom he laid Harker down and stripped the jacket off her fast before turning on the water. “Mina, love, I need a big towel in here for her and a robe. Grab my spare one from the closet,” he called as he dumped his shoes, socks, shirt, and emptied his pockets.
Mina gave him a nod and moved off with purpose in her stride. Thankfully, Janos realized their adopted daughter was away at a field trip so that she didn’t have to bear witness to this.
Picking Harker up as gently as he could he went into the shower with her and washed her up as best as he could, the scent of the pack already in his nose. Mik didn’t need to smell that scent on her when he got here. Family was going to be bad enough. “Shh, honey,” he breathed gently washing out the wound as impersonally as he could. “I’m not going to hurt you, Harker,” he assured her as he let the soap rinse away.
Harker sobbed and shook her head. “I can’t change yet, Janos. I promised Miklos that we would wait until her back was healed and it’s not yet. I’m going to puke.” She said only a moment before she threw up in the shower, her body heaving as it pushed everything out.
Turning her so she didn’t choke, he let her empty her stomach as he scrunched his nose up. “You need to stop drinking Mik’s coffee, honey, that stuff will kill you,” he teased as he stroked her hair back. “And I hate to say it, Harker, but we really don’t have a choice in you changing. We’re at the point of no return.”
Desi had the water boiling and moved to the living room to help Mina. “I will get the fire. Do we need to call a doctor?”
“No, Janos will take care of her.” Mina eyed her up and down and then shot her a confused and slightly suspicious look. “How did you know she was in trouble?”
“I came early because I found that Miklos’s lead was false. I found out by a snitch that Harker was the target so I came, saw the house and the open doors and didn’t hesitate. I simply chased toward the smells and sounds.”
Mina cocked her head. “Are you a Wolf?”
“No, not at all,” Desi said and then, “Got to get back to the water.” The scream that poured through the house made the hair on Desmonda’s arms rise in fear.
Wincing at the decibel level Janos shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. Wrapping Harker in a towel he dried her as best he could before heading for the living room. “Mina, love, you got that robe?” he called as he stepped into the large main room. Seeing Desmonda there he moved toward the pallet already laid out on the floor. Gently he eased Harker down and quickly wrapped the robe around her before laying her out comfortably with the towel rolled up under her neck.
“Watch her, if she says she’s going to be sick again get her on her side fast as you can. Don’t worry about hurting her. Right now the biggest danger is the threat of her choking,” he said to the woman as he stood. “I’ll be back in five.” And down the hall he went to change into dry clothing.
Desmonda took a seat at Harker’s side and let a shaky hand move over her hair. “Oh god, Harker, I’m sorry. I should have been there earlier.” She had tears in her eyes as she watched Harker shuddering again and then coughing. Her eyes were bloodshot and she didn’t seem to have any clue what or who anyone was.
Chapter 26
“Miklos, please, Miklos,” Harker cried out, her voice a plea pure and simple.
Jogging back to the room Janos settled on the floor at Harker’s side picking up her hand to lace his fingers with hers. “Mina, give Mik a call will you?” he asked quietly looking to his mate. He hated that she had to witness this. It would only make her more wary toward the change.
Mina was watching what was happening and she looked ready to burst into tears. She nodded and turned to leave the room. “I will call Mik and then Ben. I will have Ben get Katherine so that she doesn’t come home to this,” she whispered.
Nodding to her Janos reached out and took her hand in his. Leading it to his lips he kissed her skin softly. “I’m sorry, baby,” he breathed for her ears alone looking up into her eyes.
Harker screamed again, her body arching up. Her eyes went wide just as a familiar snapping sound broke the air. Fur began to sprout, her body changing shape and her screams beginning to take on hints of a wolf’s howl.
“Shit,” Janos yelped letting Harker’s hand go and shaking his own. Her claws had sprung out and gouged into his flesh. “Desmonda, you need to move back, other side of the room preferably with a really big piece of furniture between you and us.” Turning back he put his hands onto Harker’s shoulders keeping his arms out of range of her teeth as she tried to bite him. “Harker, honey, you bite me and I’m going to have to bite you back which will just piss Mik off,” he told her conversationally even though the words were false.
She let out a scream that was married with a sob as she felt her body fighting the change as well. “Jan
os, I want Miklos.” She sobbed even as Desmonda moved from the room. Mina was moving for the front door, not having been able to reach Miklos as she moved. She heard Harker scream again and was crying as she opened the door.
Looking up Janos caught sight of Mina stepping out of the house and his heart clenched, knowing he’d lost her. She’d never do the change now and she’d die when her human lifespan was over. Swallowing he forced his attention to Harker. “I know, baby, he’s coming, you know he is. He wouldn’t want to miss out on seeing his mate as a Wolf, not for anything in the world.”
Harker nodded and her nails turned into claws once more as the change began again to try to take her over. She screamed, a scream that turned into a howl as her face fully elongated. Pain rolled off of her in waves as she felt the fur again sprouting and her toes growing claws as well.
“That’s it, honey,” Janos murmured to her as he kept his eyes locked with hers. “I know this is scary, honey, just remember I’m here with you and won’t let anything bad happen to you. I’m going to get you through this and then you can hold it over Mik for the rest of time.” Reaching up a hand as she returned to her human form and lay panting he stroked her forehead lightly, his hands gentle.
“Just let me die, Janos,” she whispered with her eyes closed and the feeling of being torn apart riding her hard. “Oh god,” she sobbed and felt the change trying to happen once more, stopping just before again and again.
Nearly two hours later she had no voice. She was weak, exhausted, and sweating blood. This change wasn’t stopping as she whispered in a croak, “Please, Mik, I need you.” Janos had been wonderful, holding her even when she threw up on him, bathing her and keeping her calm, but she needed Miklos. She needed his smell wrapping around her body, needed his arms around her and holding her.
Reaching the house Miklos changed and ran through the scents assailing him creating a permanent, low-level growl in his throat. Seeing the mess of the bedroom he inhaled and tracked Harker’s scent out of doors. Finding several of his wolves drugged and lying complacent he felt his anger rising as he ran toward his brother’s property. Slipping through the hole in the wall he raced through Janos’s property, alerting the wolves there that he was coming through. Slamming through the door he inhaled blood, his mate’s blood, and let out a threatening growl.
Janos’s head snapped up and he stilled. “Miklos, she’s in here, brother,” he called softly as he eased back. Touching Harker’s forehead lightly he shook his head. “Stay still, he’s coming,” he murmured, moving as far from her as he could but staying in a low crouch if he needed to intervene.
Miklos came into the living room and froze, his breath leaving his lungs as he saw his mate lying with blood beading on her skin. “Harker.” He croaked out a whisper as he raced to her side. Crouching he touched her skin, shaking as he realized what was happening. “How?” he bit out to his brother not looking from his mate.
“She was attacked and bitten. She’s almost through the change, but she seems to have a will of iron and decided to hold off until you came, Mik.” Janos stood slowly. “I’m going to go and find my mate. Take care of her, Miklos,” he said as he quietly left them alone.
Easing down at her side Miklos pulled the robe open and, turning her, put them skin to skin, the robe draping over him enough to keep anyone from shrieking if they caught sight of his naked self. Seeing the bite Miklos felt tears well up in his eyes. He hadn’t wanted this for her, not like this. “I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispered against her cheek as he wrapped his arms around her.
“You’re here, Miklos.” She breathed as soon as she smelled him. He calmed her more than anything could have and she felt herself aching even more. “I love you, Miklos, I love you so very much.” She had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I wanted you to be the one to do this to me. I needed it to be you.” She cried out again. “It hurts,” she cried before screaming. “I can’t fight it again, too tired.” She screamed as she felt her face elongating and the fur spreading over her body. Her legs shifted and changed as she moved. The next sound from her mouth was a full-fledged howl.
Rolling away from her Miklos crouched before her as he watched her eyes filled with pain slowly clear. “Harker, honey,” he said softly, holding his hand out to her. She’d have to come to him. If he approached he wasn’t sure if she would react violently or not. “Come here, baby,” he told her, letting his eyes drift over her body. It was perfection, sleek, trim, and definitely female.
She was whining, the sound low in her throat as she tried her first steps forward and fell onto her nose. Crying in the Wolf tone and whine she shimmied forward toward him on her belly until she reached him and licked the hand he had out for her. Her eyes were wild, fear clear in them, and whined even more as she inched slowly closer to him.
Breathing out softly Miklos picked her up and went to the couch with her in his arms. Sitting he laid her in his lap and stroked her fur gently. “You are beautiful, love, so very beautiful,” he whispered softly. Hearing her whine again and seeing the panic in her eyes he scratched her cheek gently. “Just breathe, love, let yourself relax and feel the Wolf. Then, when you want to change back focus on your human self, picture it in your mind and let it take over, pushing the Wolf into the back where she will be when you want her or need her again.”
Looking up at him with large Wolf eyes she found herself in the back of her mind. It was many, many long minutes later that she shifted back into her human form. Lying completely limp against him, eyes closed, she let her hand fall from his chest and shivered. “Thank you for coming for me, Miklos.” She whispered the sound even as she continued, “Love you.” She breathed and was soon sleeping in complete exhaustion.
Desmonda looked in from the kitchen. “I will have someone come and clean up your house, Miklos.” She smiled when he looked up at her. “The man who attacked her was your arsonist, and he’s gone now.” Her jacket god only knows where, she walked toward the door. “Take care of her, please?”
“Des,” he called to her. She turned and watched as he tugged a blanket to cover up Harker and hide his own nudity. “Thank you,” he said softly. “Are you okay?” he asked with real concern in his voice, his hand sliding up to tangle in Harker’s hair, but his eyes on Desmonda.
“I’m fine.” Des smiled at Miklos and Harker. “I doubt that Janos and Mina will be back tonight. They will likely stay at a hotel to give you their place since yours is trashed.” It was what she would do if roles were reversed. “I can’t file the report on the shooting. There is no body left.” She shrugged and touched the door once more. “I can see your love for her.” She turned and smiled. “I hope that maybe one day I will have that,” she whispered with more feeling and pain in her voice than she could hide and instead of remaining, left the house before she broke down and cried.
“Desmonda!” he called after her with a curse. Shifting Harker he grabbed up a robe and ran after her pulling it on. “Desmonda,” he said, catching up to her easily. Touching her shoulders he turned her around. “What’s wrong?” he asked staring into her eyes, stunned by the tears.
Shaking her head she looked up at Miklos and smiled. “Nothing, Miklos, I just didn’t realize how much you loved her. I’m glad that you do. She deserves it, Miklos. Just protect her, watch over her, and love her. Never be afraid to show and give her love, never.”
“I’m working on it, Des,” he said softly, his eyes moving over her face. “Do you need a ride someplace? I’ll steal some of Janos’s duds and give you a lift if you want.” He didn’t think she should be alone. She was upset over everything that happened and, asshole he might be normally, he was worried about her in that moment. She looked too damned fragile right at that moment.
“No, I have my car at your place. It’s not a long walk so I will just get over there and get my car and head home. I’m fine, Miklos, thank you though.” She nodded and touched his cheek before pulling back. “Go, I’m perfectly fine. Go and be with Harker. I will let
the bossman know that you are taking some personal time, all right?”
“Thanks, Des,” he said softly to her, catching her hand and kissing her fingers. “If you need to talk don’t hesitate to give us a call. You’re a pain in my ass but Harker seems to like you for whatever reason,” he teased letting her hand go. “Be careful going back over. The wolves were drugged and are likely a little goofy right now. Give them a nice wide berth,” he warned before he moved back to the house and his mate.
“Believe me, I plan on it.” She watched him as he left and moved to the path that led back to his house. At the fence where the lands seemed to converge she looked to the west and felt a pull toward there but ignored it and went on toward Harker and Miklos’s place, pulling her phone out as she did so.
After arranging for a cleaning crew for Mik and Harker’s place she grabbed her car and headed out once more.
Wrapping his arms around Harker, Miklos picked her up and carried her to the spare bedroom. Laying her down he covered her up and then went to clean up Janos’s house. He knew he didn’t have to, but just in case they brought the kid home he didn’t want her coming in to see this mess. Twenty minutes later he refolded the blanket and let it fall onto the back of the couch and headed for his mate.
Sliding into bed with her he pulled her close and held on as he felt tears welling up. He hadn’t wanted her to go through this yet. She had needed more time to heal. The fact that it had been forced on her, against all their wills was another sticking point. And, on top of it all, he was worried that he might lose her because of it, too. He couldn’t lose her. He loved her.
“I love you, Miklos,” she whispered, her voice slurred, she definitely wasn’t fully awake. “I hurt like crazy but you’re holding me now and that, that is all that matters.” She whispered softly, wiggling in closer to him, “God I love you.”
