by Sam Crescent
“Maybe you could introduce us,” Becca said.
Tori pushed her way through the trio wishing they’d just disappear. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. He’s older, and he doesn’t go here.”
“Where’s he from?”
“Nowhere you know.” The pack wouldn’t want just anyone rushing to town to visit.
“Well I think it’s fair that you introduce us,” Lauren said.
“What?” Tori asked looking from one girl to the next. They were all smiling, but it didn’t reach their eyes.
“We want you to introduce us to your friend. We can make you one of the most popular girls in school,” Lauren said.
Tori held her hands up. “I’ll introduce you, but I can’t guarantee he’ll want to date any of you.”
“Please, all guys want to be with us.” This came from Doris.
Tori really hoped Jack wasn’t the kind of guy who wanted girls like this. “Sure, I’ll introduce you. I don’t expect anything back in return.” Hiking her bag onto her shoulder, she blew out a breath as she made her way outside. Jack was leaning against the truck with his arms folded. He looked like a wet dream come true. His muscles were large and bulging. The sun beat down, only adding to his appearance.
Come on, Tori, you can do this.
“Hey,” he said, glancing behind her with a frown.
“Hey.”
“What’s going on?” He nodded toward the three behind her.
“Oh, Becca, Doris, and Lauren really wanted to say hi to you. This is Jack,” she said, glancing between the two. Jack was on one side of her with the girls on the other.
“Hello, Jack, it’s so nice to see you,” Lauren said, purring.
Tori had never been so embarrassed in her life.
“Yeah, great. You’re friends of Tori’s?”
“We are. Great friends.”
“Right, yeah, you’re not. Come on, Tori, let’s go home.”
Tori looked up at Jack to see the laughter in his eyes as he looked at her.
“Wait, don’t you want to take our numbers? We’re happy to do anything you want,” Lauren said, stepping forward.
“No. Don’t waste your time.” He opened the passenger door for her. Sliding inside, Tori held her hands up to the three girls. She was so pleased it was the weekend. She hoped someone would give the girls some attention by Monday so they were not looking for a way to kill her.
“They accost you at the end of the school?”
“Yep. I was grabbing my books from the locker.”
“Wow, high school really doesn’t change.”
“You’re telling me you weren’t tempted?”
“I’m telling you that I know the kind of girls that proposition men and think they’ve got the right to have whoever they want. I went to school with girls exactly like that.”
“And you didn’t take them up on their offer?” Tori asked.
“When I was in school I took them up on their offer. In case you didn’t notice, I’m older. I’m not interested in schoolgirls.”
Tori was impressed. “You should have heard them. They were so confident that you were going to be falling all over yourself for a chance with them.”
“Not likely.”
“How are you, erm, handling those needs?” she asked. Her cheeks heated as she quickly looked out of the window.
“My, my, Tori, are you trying to ask me how I’m handling my manly needs?”
She was going to catch on fire if she continued.
“Well, if you’re used to it I mean, how are you? Crap, you know what? Forget about it. I don’t want to talk about this. It’s the wrong thing to think about.”
He started laughing. “You don’t need to worry about my needs. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
“Yeah, training a runt how not to die.”
Jack swerved the truck to a stop. “What have I told you about using that fucking name?”
“It’s what I am.”
“Don’t, Tori, or I swear to God I will spank your fucking ass in this car. You’re not a runt. Do not let anyone make you feel small. Those girls, they’re everywhere. Any boy could have them, and when they’re older, they’ll be easy to every single man. Guess what, not all men like a woman who’s fucking easy. We like to have a challenge, to have someone we know we can trust with the fucking mailman.”
“Wow, Jack. You sound way older than nineteen.”
“Being a wolf, it changes you, Tori. We’re older and wiser. The pain, you don’t have a choice but to grow up. Marshall and I, we grew up the summer we transitioned. Wolves mature a lot faster than others.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’ve got a long way to go, but in the last few months you’ve really shown a side of yourself that is worth being here, baby. I’m going to get you through it and so is Paul.”
“Baby?”
“Shut up and stop with your whining. Don’t think to send girls out to try to date me. I don’t like it.”
Tori smiled. “You weren’t tempted?”
“No.”
“Not even a little?”
“Not even a little, Tori. There’s someone out there for me, and I’m waiting for her.” He started driving again, and Tori was curious about his girl.
“Do I know her?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
She couldn’t look away from him.
“Why are you staring at me?” he asked.
“You’re pretty hot.”
He snorted. “Whatever.”
“I’m being serious. You’re pretty hot.”
Jack looked toward her, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Stop teasing me.”
“I will, Jack, I promise.” She turned to look out of the window. They pulled up outside of the ranch where Uncle Paul was talking with several men.
“They’re dealing with ranch work. Come on, dinner’s already inside.”
She grabbed her bag as she jumped out of the truck. Giving the men a wave, she walked into the kitchen behind Jack.
“Did you make this?” she asked.
“Yes. I was on the phone with Scarlett, and she told me how to make the chicken casserole.”
Taking a seat at the counter she watched him pull the casserole out of the oven. The scent of garlic, chicken, and cheese was heavenly.
“I’m starving.”
Dropping her bag beneath her feet, she watched as he started to serve. When he’d gotten their portions, he placed the casserole back in the oven.
“Paul can come and serve himself when he’s ready.” Jack sat opposite her, putting another plate on the counter in front of her.
“How’s the pack?”
“They’re doing well. Marshall and Scarlett are looking at moving in together now. They’re house hunting and trying to find a place close to the pack.”
“Do you think it’ll work?”
“Of course. His dad’s not happy with him moving out, but everyone knew it had to happen soon.”
“They’re a newly married couple. I doubt they enjoy his parents listening to them make out.”
“No.” She twirled her fork in her dinner.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“I was just wondering if I’ll ever know what it’s like to be mated, you know? Apparently I’ll know who I’m mated to when I become a wolf.”
“Marshall knew the moment he saw Scarlett again.”
“Was he happy?” Tori asked.
“He was happy to find his mate, but he wasn’t happy that it was the one he’d bullied.”
“I still can’t believe you were a bully.” She smiled at him. “You’ve always been nice to me.”
“I like you, Tori.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
****
Jack watched as Tori meditated. They’d been training for four months straight, and they weren’t any closer to reaching her wolf.
“We’re running out of time.”
“Yes, in a couple of months she’ll be seventeen.”
“Yet we’re no closer to understanding what’s going on. This is fucking cruel. I can’t believe she’s just here for eighteen years.”
“Jack, over thirty years ago Tori wouldn’t have survived the birth. It’s only because medicine has the advances it does.”
“She would already be dead?”
“Yes. Premature wolves are not well known. Runts of the litter don’t survive.”
“And some packs may have just killed them to save the emotional strain,” Jack said. Marshall had told him everything that his father had learned. Years ago, before their time, packs would have sacrificed wolves that were too weak. Some were sacrificed because of the savagery of the pack while others were killed because they couldn’t handle the stress of becoming attached to someone who’d die.
They were no closer to finding the truth.
“We can’t lose hope.”
“I’m not going to lose hope.” Jack couldn’t accept anything that involved Tori dying.
“We need to start trying to bring out her wolf.”
“How do we do that?” Jack asked.
“I’m going to need your wolf to call to hers,” Paul said.
“I can’t. You know how out of control my wolf is when we’re around her.”
“We need to know what we’re up against. Tori’s ready, and we’re wasting time. I didn’t want to wait until next year to try this. She’s as strong as she’s going to get.”
Jack looked toward Tori. She couldn’t hear them as she had headphones in her ears. “What’s the risk?”
“It’s a high risk. This has never been done before.”
“I fucking hate this,” Jack said.
“She’s your mate?”
“Yes.”
“Are you willing to risk everything to help her?”
“You know I am.”
“Then I guess we’re going to have to try.” Paul slapped him on the back walking into the barn.
Jack didn’t have a choice. He closed and locked the door. “Is everyone gone?”
“Yes. We’re alone. No one is going to interrupt us.”
Removing his shirt, Jack grabbed the chains from the center of the room while Paul touched Tori.
“Sorry, I was in the zone,” Tori said, removing the earbuds. “What’s going on?”
“We’re going to try to call on your wolf,” Paul said.
He didn’t want to use these chains on her, but he didn’t see a choice. Calling a sleeping wolf was dangerous, and they didn’t know how she was going to respond to the call.
“Why the chains?”
“For your protection as much as ours. If you try to attack I don’t want to hurt you. Chaining you is the best solution. Paul’s a human. We can’t risk him getting hurt. He doesn’t have our blood.”
“How do we know I’ll be able to heal?” Tori asked, stepping close to him.
“We don’t, but we’re going to find out.”
“I’m scared.”
He cupped her cheek. “I’m here. If you don’t want to do this, we won’t.”
“I’ve got to do it. You’ll be there, right?”
“I’m going to be the one to call on your wolf.”
She let out a breath. “Man, this seems so scary now.” He watched her, and she presented her wrists to him. “Chain me up.” She released a little laugh.
Jack didn’t laugh. Securing the cuffs around her hands, he made sure she couldn’t get out of them.
“You’re not going to pull them tight.”
“I’m not going to torture you, Tori.” He stared into her blue eyes, and his wolf came to the surface. Standing still in the recess of his mind his wolf charged toward him, trying to get out.
Mate.
Mine.
Protect.
Love.
“Jack? What’s happening?”
She started to pant, taking deep breaths. Her chest rose and fell.
“Jack?” Paul asked.
“Stay back, Paul. I don’t want you coming close. I’ve only got so much control.” They were bending a shitload of pack laws by doing this. “Tell me when to stop, Tori.”
“I can feel you, Jack.”
Closing his eyes, he allowed all of his senses to open. When he opened his eyes he was looking through the eyes of his wolf, and he saw her wolf. It was the strangest feeling in the world. He saw her wolf caged within her, locked tight.
“Mine.” He growled the word out, reaching out for the chains that held her. Wrapping his fingers around the metal he was about to pull her free.
No! We’ve got to pull her out. Call to her wolf. Draw her out.
Jack fought with himself to do the right thing.
Slowly, his wolf calmed down, realizing they couldn’t mate with her or help her yet. They were helping her by doing this.
“Jack? What’s happening?” Tori asked.
He was about to answer when she released a scream. It was filled with pain and tearing apart every one of his senses. She dropped to the floor with her head looking up screaming in agony.
Her wolf was scouring her claws along the cage, trying to break free. Each time her claw struck the metal, Tori howled in pain.
“I can’t,” she said, gasping, crying out.
Jack’s wolf called to his mate, demanding she attack. For so long Tori’s wolf had been locked in a cage, dormant with nothing to fight for. They were making her fight, and in the process Tori’s body was breaking apart, shattering.
He watched as she grabbed her head, dropping to the floor.
Minutes passed—he didn’t know how much time until she finally screamed for it to stop. The moment he heard those words, his wolf retreated, curling up into a ball within his mind to tend his own shattered soul. Each time he heard Tori scream in pain and knew he was the cause, was like taking fifty lashes of the whip.
Dropping to the mat, he pulled Tori into his body, holding her close. “I’ve got you. We don’t need to do that again.” He stroked her soaking wet hair as she sobbed.
“I’ll go and run the bath,” Paul said.
He didn’t answer Paul. The man’s misery was easy to sense in the air.
“I’ve got you.”
“It hurt, Jack. It hurt so much.”
“I know.”
“Did you see her? She’s never tried to do that before.”
“It’s not a good thing.”
She turned to look at him. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared back at him. “We need to do this.”
“We may need to do this, but I don’t agree to it.” He dropped a kiss to her head.
Getting to his feet, he lifted her up in his arms. Jack couldn’t let her go. He needed to hold her tight against him and never let her go.
“Do you think it’ll work?” she asked.
He carried her out of the barn, holding her close.
Take care of her.
Mate.
Love.
Protect.
“I don’t know.”
It better work. He didn’t know how he was going to carry on with his life if it didn’t work.
Paul was waiting for them.
“Leave us,” Jack said. “She’s safe with me.”
“Okay.” He hesitated for several seconds before Jack glared at him.
“I’m not going to do anything. Stop treating me like a monster.” He’d never abuse Tori’s trust. Being mates meant far more than mere sex.
“I’m sorry.”
He waited for Paul to leave before walking into the bathroom.
“He’s trying to help me, Jack.”
“I know, but I can’t stand this. You’re white as a sheet, and it looks like you’ve lost fucking weight you didn’t need to lose.”
“I feel like I’m going to be sick.” He had just enough time to get her to the toilet.
Holding her hair back, he listened as she threw up the casserole he’d made especially for her. This was killing him inside.
She heaved, and he rubbed her back. When she finished she was shaking with the heaves.
“Crap, I feel like crap.”
He handed her some tissues to wipe her mouth.
“Don’t leave me, Jack.”
“I’m not going to leave you.” He kissed her head again wishing he could take this pain away from her. Never had he felt so fucking helpless. Tori was his, and he couldn’t make anything better for her. What kind of mate was he?
“Don’t leave the bathroom either.”
“I can’t be here, Tori.”
“I’ve got underwear on, and it covers everything, Jack. I trust you. Please, just hold me. Everything feels right when you hold me.”
He should tell her no.
Just hold her. Nothing is going to happen.
Jack wasn’t even aroused. He didn’t get off on his mate’s pain.
Stripping down to his boxer briefs, he helped Tori to her underwear. Lifting her in the water, he settled down behind her, holding her close, holding her, comforting her.
“This is nice,” she said.
“You’ve got vomit breath.” He reached for her toothbrush, handing it to her along with a cup. “Brush your teeth.”
“When you find your mate, Jack, she’s going to be so damned lucky to have you in her life.”
“Don’t talk about mates, Tori.”
“I hope I live long enough to know mine. I’m going to love him with all my heart and soul.”
“I hope you live long enough as well.”
“Why?” she asked, brushing her teeth.
“Because I know he’s going to love you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He’s going to love you and know he’s the luckiest son of a bitch in the pack. Those girls you were with in school, they pale in comparison to your beauty.”
“You say the nicest things, Jack.”
“I mean them.” He grabbed the soap and started washing her hair. “You’re going to make him so happy.”
You make me so happy, Tori. I love you so damned much, and I’m afraid. I’m so fucking afraid that I’m going to lose you before you even know the goddamned truth. I’m in pain here, baby. I’m in pain that you’re hurting and I can’t do anything to stop it.
He didn’t say anything that he was thinking. Tori fell asleep as he washed her. Jack didn’t touch her other than to wash her hair. He picked her up, wrapping her in a towel, and he opened the door.
