No Remorse

by MaryLynn Bast

  Head resting on the support, Blake closed his eyes. The motion of the truck made him dizzy and the pain medication was wearing off fast. Clamping his jaw shut to keep the groan from escaping, Blake sat stiffly in the seat.

  Werewolves can heal serious injuries, but they can’t regrow a severed limb. Looking down at the brace on the arm, he felt lucky that everything was still in place. After seeing the sheriff’s photos, Blake was fortunate he wasn’t dead from blood loss. He hurt like hell, but knew he would heal quicker than most, so he wasn’t too worried about it.

  “Seriana, then the cabin,” Blake instructed, not waiting to see Adam nod his head in agreement. Blake kept his eyes closed.

  “Sheriff Downs had the wrecker tow the truck to impound, Marcello is picking it up.” Adam didn't look at Blake and wasn’t expecting a response. He knew that Blake had heard him.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Amber paced the room, feeling like a caged, well, wolf. Her instincts were telling her to get the hell out of there. “I did the right thing,” she kept mumbling to herself with every step. Never doubting any of her past decisions, Amber was conflicted about getting involved with Blake. She had risked a lot by helping, and was risking more by staying.

  Amber stopped pacing and stared from the door to the window. Her sensitive ears picked up the sound of the truck’s engine stopping at the edge of the driveway. Two doors closed softly. The scent of two male werewolves drifted in the breeze towards the cabin. Her hand went to the doorknob a moment before the knock sounded. Amber stared in indecision at the back of the door. Did she dare answer it? She could fit through the bathroom window and escape into the trees; she had made sure of that before taking the cabin.

  “Amber, I know you’re in there, I can hear your heartbeat.” Blake’s deep voice resonated through the door.

  “Dammit!” Amber mouthed with a panicked look around the small room. He would break the door in if she didn’t open it. Could she take him? Did she want to take him? After all, he was already hurt. The second wolf scent was strong. Blake had not come alone.

  Closed eyes, forehead leaning against the door, Amber tried to control her pounding heart by taking a deep breath. Releasing it slowly, she opened the door. Amber stared into the familiar light brown eyes she had known from what felt like a lifetime ago.

  Taller than he had been at school, Blake looked down into Amber’s upturned face. Smiling while she stood grasping the door, not inviting them in. “You are a hard one to find,” Blake told her, looking over her shoulder to peer into the cabin, confirming that she was alone.

  “Apparently, not hard enough,” she mumbled grumpily, her nose flaring at the smell of the wolf standing in front of her and the one hovering past his shoulder. Not smelling anyone else with them, she relaxed somewhat, but kept a wary eye on Blake.

  “Amber, you remember Adam?” Blake asked stepping aside and swayed. Amber automatically reached out to steady him.

  “Come in.” Instructing Adam to close the door behind him, Amber pulled Blake farther into the cabin, leading him towards the bed at the far side of the room.

  “Honey, didn’t know you were in such a hurry to get me into bed,” Blake chided, gladly taking a seat on the soft mattress.

  Amber refrained from slugging him. “Oh, be quiet. You haven’t changed a bit.” Biting her lip to keep from smiling, Blake had always been able to make her smile.

  Adam stood by the closed door. His face lit with a smile and exclaimed, “I saw your name in the police report! So it is you!”

  From the bed, Blake stared at her. As a woman, Amber was even more beautiful. Long black hair held by a clip at the base of her neck showed off the gentle curve of her face and slender neck. Staring into her chocolate brown eyes, his eyes traveled down to the soft full lips, remembering how they had tasted.

  Amber saw the look that crossed his face, stepped back and got straight to the point. “Blake, what are you doing here?”

  “I had to see you, to know that it was really you, and to thank you. You saved my life.” Blake made himself at home on her bed. Turning, he threw his legs up on top of her quilted comforter, leaning his back cautiously against the headboard.

  “Let’s call it even.” Amber responded then groused, “Just make yourself comfortable,” she wasn’t used to having a man on her bed, let alone two men in her small cabin.

  Her one room cabin was a good size. There was just enough space for a small living and kitchen area and her full size bed. The two men engulfed the space she had previously thought to be perfect.

  Adam was as big as Blake, but his hair was a lighter shade of brown. His eyes were a startling blue, whereas Blake's were a soft caramel. And at the moment, both sets of eyes were staring at her. She motioned towards Adam, “You may as well have a seat instead of hovering by the door,” she told him reluctantly indicating the old wooden chair she had picked up at the local thrift store.

  Adam moved gracefully, silently, to the chair sitting in front of the kitchen window. The wood creaked from the strain of his muscular build. His well-defined arm rested casually on the small well-worn table. He looked slightly uncomfortable in the small chair.

  “Thank you,” he said, looking from Amber to Blake with a slight frown. “Why don’t I smell you?”

  “Well, let's see, maybe it’s because I took a shower today?” Amber shot him an agitated glare, moving to the other side of the room to stand by the doorway.

  It was obvious to both men that Amber was uncomfortable with them being there. Blake and Adam watched her inch closer to the door that led into the bathroom. It would serve as an escape route in case she felt the need to make a getaway. She could easily lock herself in the bathroom and slip out the window if necessary.

  Blake tried to alleviate her anxiety. “Adam! You’re always sticking your foot in your mouth. That’s no way to talk to Amber.”

  Adam had the decency to look a little embarrassed, “I’m sorry, but you know what I mean. You’re wolf, but you have no distinct smell.”

  Amber thought quickly to explain the reason her wolf did not give off a scent. “I don’t have a pack,” she stated and realized it was probably the wrong thing to say.

  At the rise of Adam's eyebrows, she bristled at what was coming next. “Women belong to a pack for protection and should not be out wandering around.”

  “And here we go.” Amber put her hands on her hips. “Welcome to the real world, mister, where women are fully capable of taking care of themselves. I don’t need or want a pack. So unless you,” she looked at Adam, then Blake, “have anything else to say, then you both have a great day, now leave.” She pointed to the door.

  “Come on Amber, he’s just being stupid. We come from the same background remember? I would never force anything on you.” Blake pleaded with her.

  “It’s been years since we talked, I don’t know you any more than you know me now.” She informed him.

  Adam, you’re not helping things. You know her aversion to being in a pack, tread lightly here. Blake sent the message along the telepathic line he had with his friend, hoping he would understand.

  What's going on? Adam responded to the mental connection, keeping his facial expressions clear.

  I’ll explain later. I need to ensure her safety first.

  Amber knew they were communicating telepathically because she could feel the tug on her senses. Her mother had mentioned that other pack members were able to interact this way, but for some reason, she had never had that ability. The sensations fluttering against her senses sent a frown spreading across her face. She didn’t like not being able to hear their conversation.

  “Amber please, come, sit.” Blake patted the bed beside him. “I promise neither Adam nor I intend to hurt you.” He held up his injured arm, pointing towards the cast with a pitiful look on his face. “I don’t think I am much good for anything right now.”

  Amber rolled her eyes, sighing she gave him a reluctant smile but moved forward and sat on the ver
y edge of the bed, keeping a wary eye on Adam. She knew very well a broken arm wouldn’t stop a werewolf from hurting someone if they wanted to. Surprisingly she still trusted Blake. After all, he had helped her to escape. She was not so sure of Adam. He had showed up at the school only weeks before her escape. Not getting to know him then and didn’t know if she wanted to now.

  Adam tried to break the tense silence. “A feather could blow him over right now, me, I wouldn't hurt a fly.”

  Amber didn’t respond, just continued to stare at him with a straight face. Blake effectively pulled her attention away from Adam by mentioning the council.

  “After you left the school, the Council sent a pack looking for you. Telling the shelter that you were a runaway and they wanted you back where you belonged.”

  Amber knew better. The Council wanted her dead, not back with the pack. Even though it had been years ago, her heart still skipped a beat at the memory of them taking her mother. Just the thought alone made her want to flee. Before she could react to the impulse Blake’s hand wrapped gently around her arm. Amber looked up into his face and saw the soft look he always had when he looked at her.

  Back in school, she had known Blake had liked her. She had liked him too, but never thought of allowing the relationship to go past friendship. He always joked around that she was his girlfriend, but had not officially asked and never pushed for anything beyond friendship. That is until that last day when he had kissed her and turned her world upside down. Her eyes softened as she looked up into his at the shared memory.

  Adam saw the look that passed between the two of them and cleared his throat, “I think I need to head on out. Holler if you need a ride.” He could feel the sexual tension in the room and his wolf reacted. So he slipped quietly through the door, closing it softly behind him.

  Out of habit, Amber jumped from the bed, rushing to the door, locking her and Blake inside the room that now felt way too small. Amber was nervous, so she continued the conversation, trying to look busy straightening the one book she had laying on the coffee table.

  “They are always looking for me, Blake. You know I have been on the run all my life,” she reminded him.

  Blake patted the bed beside him. With a deep sigh Amber walked nervously back to the bed again. Sitting down beside him, she leaned against the headboard and closed her eyes.

  “I’m tired of running,” she mumbled mostly to herself, she felt Blake’s hand slide under her hair to rest lightly across her shoulders. Tensing for a moment before relaxing she allowed him to pull her close to his warm body.

  Amber had spent years alone, refusing to allow anyone to get close. Not getting to know anyone well enough to want them to hold her, to touch her like Blake was now. It felt good to be held by him again and she wanted to stay there forever. But Amber knew it would only put Blake and his pack in danger if she stayed. He was the only friend she had ever had and would not let him get hurt because of her.

  Blake felt her relax slightly into him briefly before tensing again and pulling away. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promised kissing the top of her head before he released her.

  “Blake, there’s nothing you can do to help. I have to leave now.” she said with a resigned grimace. She liked being here in his arms, in her cabin. She felt comfortable. That should have told her right there that it was time to move one.

  “Amber you don’t have to run or be alone any more, you don't have to do this alone. I have friends; you can too. Please, stay with me, I can protect you,” Blake pleaded with her.

  “Blake, please don’t.” Sadly shaking her head to emphasize her wish, “I didn’t let you come before because, well, I just couldn’t and I can’t now. This is my life and how I have to live it.”

  “Damn it Amber! Wasn’t it you who told your mother that being on the run all the time is no way to live a life? You know that’s true!” Blake exclaimed. What he didn't tell her was that he had lived most of his life on the move. Not on the run like she did, but always on the move, looking for her. “You need to be with others of your kind!” He let his frustration show and immediately regretted it when she jumped from the bed, putting distance between them.

  Not believing he had brought her mother into the conversation she exploded. “Blake, my mother has nothing to do with this. I told you then I don’t want to be part of a pack. And nothing has changed!” She kept her back to him, hiding the effect he was having on her emotions. She wanted to belong, but not at the cost of his life.

  Blake could hear the pounding of her heart; the sadness in her voice when she spoke. He knew he was upsetting her, but damn it, he refused to lose her again. He leaned forward, twisted, and quickly put his feet to the floor to stand. His intention was to go to her and wrap his arms around her, to make her feel secure. Instead, everything went black.

  CHAPTER TEN

  At the sound of the loud thud, Amber jerked around, gasping when she saw that Blake had fallen. Rushing to his side, she knelt and brushed the stray strands of hair from his face. Her fingers slid across the cut that was almost healed at his hairline. He appeared to be out cold. There was no way she could lift him from the floor, so she sat down beside him. “Oh, Blake, what am I going to do with you?”

  “Hopefully stay with me,” he murmured, opening his eyes to look up into her face.

  She started to shove him from her lap, until he winced in pain. “Are you messing with me? Or did you really fall?” she asked him with a stern look on her face.

  “Honestly? I got dizzy and fell. But if it makes you feel any better, I like you fussing over me.”

  “You’re terrible; you know that, don’t you?” Amber couldn’t help but smile. The old feelings for him were returning fast. At the thought of leaving him again, a lump formed in her throat.

  To make them both comfortable, Amber sat on the floor, scooting her back against the bed. Moving Blake’s head to rest on her lap, her fingers absently stroked his soft hair.

  Blake closed his eyes and almost moaned at the feel of her hands caressing him. He had to start talking or he was going to grab her and kiss her right then and there.

  “How long have you been living here?” Blake questioned her, watching her lips.

  “Almost a month now,” she responded softly.

  “Right under my nose and I never knew you were here,” He found himself relaxing under the gentle touch. The aches and pains in his body were ebbing under her touch.

  Blake’s body still felt weak and sore from the accident, but nothing would keep him from her side. After his visit with Seriana, his pack’s werewolf healer, the damage to his body had begun mending. The cut on his face was almost healed, and the bruises were almost gone. The bump on the head would take a couple days to mend, but the arm would take a bit more than Seriana was capable of. In a week, when the moon was full, he would change and his arm would be fully functional again. For now, he had to deal with the uncomfortable cast that prohibited any type of movement.

  “I didn’t know you lived around here,” Amber couldn’t stop herself from staring down into his handsome face. She was relaxed, sitting on the floor with his head on her lap, but she knew that he must be sore.

  “Let’s move up to the bed and get you more comfortable,” she proposed, almost rewarding him with a punch in his good arm for the leering look he gave at her suggestion.

  Blake laughed and with her assistance sat up, then stood. He reached out with his free hand and helped her stand, as well. Before she gained her balance, he pulled her into his tight embrace.

  He was definitely taller and had a lot more muscles than she remembered, but he smelled the same. The masculine scent of him filled her senses while she stood in his arms. It felt right to wrap her arms around him and lean her head against his broad chest. The sound of his heartbeat was strong, quickening when she melted into his strong arms.

  They moved in unison towards the bed where she hopped on first, scooting over as he slid his long frame in beside her
. Amber felt safe with Blake by her side.

  Even back at that awful school, she had always felt safe with him. They would sit for hours just talking. It seemed natural that he would slip his arm around her shoulders. As he had back then, Amber allowed her head to rest on his chest, while Blake wrapped her in his warm embrace.

  Snuggling into his warmth, the loneliness of the years seemed to melt away while she lay there with him.

  Blake allowed his injured left arm to rest across his stomach as he held onto her with his right. Smiling when he felt her pulse quicken at his touch, he heard the slight intake of breath as he ran his fingers lightly under her breast to rest on her side.

  He wanted to cup her breasts, feel their weight in his hand. Wanted to run his hands up and down her body, commit her form to memory. But he needed to close his eyes for a moment; his head was swimming. She soothed him as he lay there with her body pressed against him.

  Amber lifted her leg and laid it across his, nestling further into Blake’s hard body. She breathed his scent deeply into her lungs. Heat radiated from his skin through the t-shirt. Amber imagined running her hands under the thin material, across the muscles she felt there. The stirrings began deep in her stomach, radiating between her legs. Her wolf was pushing to be released, to roam free; it called for her to mate. Amber felt her skin ripple and the pressure begin in her jaw. She pushed hard for her wolf to remain calm. The short amount of time she had with Blake, she wanted to spend with him in human form.

  Blake was the only person that she had ever considered having sex with, and that had been years ago. Since then, she had never experienced that kind of attraction. Now that he was here, those feelings had returned, she felt the need all the way to her bones. She wondered if he felt the same way. When they had been at the school, he had told her that she was beautiful and that he really liked her, but had never pushed her beyond her comfort zone of friendship. Not until the last day. She wondered if he remembered the kiss.