by V. A. Dold
He remained very still, afraid if he moved the pain would come slamming back. He watched Rose moving through the party speaking first to Emma and then Cade. As she moved further from him the pain began to build, if she moved closer it subsided. This was interesting; her soothing balm seemed to have a distance restriction.
She neared Marcus, and instantly his wolf went on alert. He’d never been a jealous man and yet, feeling the astonishing flood of jealousy shocked him. No, not just jealousy, but that plus protectiveness and ownership. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he’d never experienced this emotion, and he didn’t like it, not at all.
You could have knocked him over with a feather. He sat for what felt like five minutes with his mouth hanging open before the realization sunk in. He may not be able to walk away from her like he had intended.
His pain was receding and he was having no problem maintaining his form, thanks to Rose. Did she feel this attraction between them too? He hoped so. He sensed she desired him but did she have affection for him? He prayed he wasn’t alone in his need of her. I should give this another day or two. I can’t have my abilities fail me when Rose is involved.
As their eyes locked again and soft emotions filled her gaze he received his answer.
He could almost feel the softness of her skin, taste her lips. She was his beacon in the night. He was trapped in a web of sensual and emotional need. It took enormous effort to hold small talk with the family when his wolf wanted to carry her off where they could be alone.
He found, over and over through the night, regardless of his good intentions, all he could do was stare. He was spellbound by this woman, his woman. He focused on the soft strands of her golden blond hair begging to be touched. It was so great to have his wolf senses working correctly again. Her skin gleamed, impossibly soft and inviting. Her neck begged for his kisses and his mark. It was tan and a long expanse of skin was bared whenever she turned her head. It was screaming for his attentions and driving him to the brink of insanity. All he could think about was pressing his mouth there and wandering, exploring, losing himself in the lushness of her body.
Dinner had long ago been eaten yet the party wore on as he struggled to control his wolf’s demands in front of his friends and family. His jeans were so tight, he was afraid he’d burst, his aching, throbbing body had hardened to the point that the denim had him in a strangle hold. This party had better end early or he would have blue balls for a week. Think Simon, think. How can you get her alone? STOP THAT! You can’t do that to her unless you can control your shift. Grimacing at himself, just call me Sybil with these multiple personalities.
Rose sucked in her breath, what the heck was going on? She would swear she just heard Simon speaking in her head. Trying to be nonchalant, she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Simon was fixated on her in an almost animalistic way. It was a bit scary and exciting at the same time.
“Hello, I’m Tony,” pulled her from her thoughts, Rose looked into a pair of eyes so dark they were almost black as she accepted his outstretched hand.
“Hello, I’m Anna’s friend, Rose.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Anna’s friend Rose. If I had known such a beautiful single woman would be here, I would have arrived much earlier.”
She felt the heat rise to her face at his comment. Before she could recover another man reached for her hand.
“Hello, beauty. I’m Sam.” He playfully pushed Tony to the side before he bent to kiss her hand. His lips never had a chance of making contact.
An animalistic snarl emanated behind her. Startled she looked over her shoulder as both men backed away, Simon stood casually leaning on the railing with his legs stretched out in front of him. What the heck? She search again but there wasn’t a dog in sight.
When she turned back to speak to Tony and Sam, they were both across the deck. Okay…?
Watching unmated males touch his mate had been too much, his wolf hung at the surface and he knew, this time, his wolf would win out. Knowing his pain would return, he had no choice but to leave before he shifted in front of Rose. The moment she looked away he stole down the stairs and into the night. He would take a run while he gathered his control. This reaction and complete lack of control answered the question he had struggled with all night. He wasn’t fit to be her mate.
Two hours later, he entered his home and caught the scent of his father. He had wondered if he would get a visit after leaving suddenly.
“Hello, Father,” he said as he entered the living room.
“Are you all right, Simon?” Concern laced his father’s voice. His eyes followed him as he crossed the room.
“I’m better now, the run helped,” he said as he flopped onto the couch like a teenager.
“What happened? One minute you were there and the next you disappeared.”
He scrubbed his face, sighed, and sat a little straighter before he met his father’s gaze. “I’ve met my mate, it’s Rose.”
“That’s wonderful!” His face lit up before it crashed into a scowl. “But why is that a problem?”
“Come on, Dad, be real. I’m damaged. Tonight when the males touched her I almost shifted right there on the deck. I can’t be a proper mate to her. It’s enough to ask a human female to accept a shifter, but it’s too much to ask her to tie herself to a broken one.”
Isaac moved to sit next to Simon. “I don’t have answers for you or your problem. I’ve never dealt with this before. Life would be so easy if we had all the answers, wouldn’t it? Will you ever have complete control over your wolf again? Will Rose agree to be your mate? Will you ever be the man you were?”
Simon went cold at his words. “I don’t need to be reminded of my issues, Dad. I know them better than anyone… intimately. So, what do you suggest I do?”
He didn’t answer immediately. “I know from personal experience, humans are amazing in their capacity to adapt and give love freely. Don’t sell Rose short because you’re afraid of what might or might not happen. Instead, maybe you should focus on recuperating as best you can. If you need a push to keep moving forward in your recovery and courtship, just think about what will happen if you don’t give your mating a chance.”
Quietly he whispered, “Would she be happy without me….with a human?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
Isaac shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. Life is a gamble, Simon. Who’s to say? Maybe there’s a human who could love her. But will he ever love her as much as you do?”
“What should I do?” His shoulders slumped a bit.
“I think you already know.”
Simon knew deep in his heart, she was a priceless gift. He had only one mate and would never get another. He sat in silence as he thought over what his father said.
Isaac stood to leave then paused. “All you can do is give it your best shot and trust that Rose is the woman I believe her to be. A free thinker, who ignores mainstream pressures and goes her own way. She’s stronger and more willing than you give her credit for. So what will you choose to do? Fight for your mate or give up and leave her to try to find happiness with a human? I’m sorry I don’t have an easy answer for you.” He clapped Simon on the shoulder and left the house.
Isaac’s question hung in Simon’s mind as he stewed over the conversation. He didn’t know what choice to make and his father hadn’t really helped. His lips pulled back in a silent snarl as the image of Rose naked in another man’s arms loomed in his mind. Claws emerged at the ends of his fingers and he knew without a shadow of a doubt, he would never be a strong enough man to let her go. Any male touching her in other than a respectful or brotherly manner would meet a bloody end.
Maybe his father helped more than he realized. That man knew just the right buttons to push to get the response he desired.
Both his wolf’s soul and the man thanked the goddess for this woman. She was a gift more precious than he deserved, and he was honored he’d been blessed with her as his mate. He vowed to work harder
than ever before to be the man he once was. The man who had joined the Marines four years prior to serve his country. The man who had been brave and strong, but also loving, tender, and filled with hope. She deserved that man and he was going to give him to her.
With renewed resolve and determination he decided to find Anna first thing in the morning, then he would locate Rose.
Chapter 6
Recovery for Rose
The next morning, he found Anna in her kitchen, blurry eyed, with the largest coffee mug he’d ever seen. “Should you be drinking coffee?” He was sure he’d heard somewhere that pregnant women shouldn’t have caffeine.
“It’s decaf. I’m pretending to drink the real stuff, hoping to trick my body into waking up.” She grinned. “What brings you over so bright and early?”
“I’d like to know if we could speed up the healing process. As you may have guessed, Rose is my mate. I can’t pursue her until I have control over my shifting.”
She sipped her coffee and studied him for a moment. “Why do you feel you need to be in more control in order to pursue her?”
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I almost lost control last night at the party and I would have shifted in front of her. I can’t have that happen until she’s ready to accept it.”
She quietly nodded and tapped the side of her cup, thinking through his request. “Your mother taught me a few new things we can try. We’ve been concentrating on ways to help you, I’m confident what I have in mind will work.”
“I’m ready for anything you want to try.” He leaned closer in his excitement. “When can we start?”
She snatched a lock of hair from his head.
“What the hell, Anna!”
“I need some of your hair for one of the items,” she said as if people pull out other people’s hair every day. Then she made a list of things she would need. “I need to go shopping in the Quarter. While I’m doing that, you can prepare your home with powerful healing colors. Your mother has many items to take care of that.”
He wasn’t sure where she was going with all this, but she was an extremely powerful healer and if she believed this would work, it would.
“Start by adding these colors throughout your house; red, which enhances power and strength. It will help you fight for control. And blue to bring tranquility to the soul and promote healing of the body and self. Plus, add in gold for strengthening the mind.”
“I have those colors in a few items. Do I need to put them anywhere special?”
“Put them in plain sight and in an arrangement to surround you. If you have clothing in those colors, wear them. I’ll gather the herbs, crystals, and candles. While we are busy doing our jobs, I’ll have your mother make aputsi pouch and a magical poppet.You’ll wear the putsi around your neck until I tell you to remove it.”
“Thank you, little sister, this means so much to me.”
She hugged him. “Believe me, I know exactly what this means to you.”
She waited for Simon to leave and then woke Rose. Anna knocked on her bedroom door. “Rose, are you awake? Would you like to go to the French Quarter with me this morning?”
She heard sheets rustling and Rose yawning. “Sure, give me a few minutes to get ready.”
Anna told Cade her plan to shop in the French Quarter for healing supplies. He had told her he didn’t want them to leave the plantation unprotected. Cade agreed to let them go without escort as long as he could notify Etienne and have him watch over them once they arrived.
Faster than Anna thought possible they were driving to town. Rose normally took forever to get ready. She had her nose buried in a cup of coffee, the real stuff, as she tried to shake off the cobwebs.
“I need to buy a few things at some specialty shops, is there anything you want to look for?”
“I heard there are interesting bargains at the French Market. I’d like to check that out and see what they have.”
The ride to New Orleans was quiet as Rose sipped her coffee and enjoyed the scenery. Before she knew it, they were parking.
“How about we each do our shopping then meet back at the car to stow any purchases. Once we’re done I want to take you to meet my friend Richie and get lunch.”
“Sure, sounds like a plan,” she said as she pulled her purse onto her shoulder.
Rose meandered toward the market on the east end of French Market Place. After two hours of browsing she had found a few treasures to purchase and was heading back toward the car. She walked a block up Barracks Street and turned on Decatur to meet Anna where she had parked. She slowed as she felt the sensation of someone watching her, it was the same sensation she felt at the corner store. The crowd had thinned dramatically, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Checking her surroundings, she half-expected to find the man from the reflection, not that she’d seen him well enough to recognize him. She shook the chill off and was laughing at herself when rough hands grabbed her from behind. It happened so fast she couldn’t scream for help before she was pulled into an abandoned retail space.
The grip holding her eased as her assailant shut them in from prying eyes. Taking advantage of her one chance at survival, she broke loose and tried for the exit praying for a still open door. What she found was a second man blocking her escape. He was a scruffy-looking man and eyed her with manic interest. Fear assaulted her. His attention was too focused to be sane. Way too intense and threatening, as he advanced on her.
“What do you want?” her voice barely a squeak.
His silent sneer was his reply.
“You didn’t tell us she was a pretty little thing, Travis,” a voice said behind her.
She spun around, alarmed there was a third man, this one with dark hair she hadn’t known was there. She glanced about, frantic for a weapon, a pipe lay near her feet. It wasn’t her first choice but beggars couldn’t be choosers and she wouldn’t go without a fight.
Dark Hair lunged for her as she swung the pipe with wicked accuracy.
Snarling he held his busted arm for a moment before he punched her hard. “Don’t fight me, bitch!”
Her head snapped back and blood trickled from her nose, the impact sent her stumbling. She was so scared, she reacted totally on instinct. She righted herself and kneed him hard. “Bastard!”
Scruffy snarled at Dark Hair. “Don’t hit her asshole, she’s mine.”
“Since when?” Blondie barked.
Shit, there are too many of them.
As Dark Hair doubled over she dashed past him for the door. She rattled it in desperation, locked with a security grate over the glass. Her already hammering heart, raced faster, she was trapped. “HELP! Someone help me!”
Blondie grabbed her shoulder and spun her around, tearing her shirt in the process.
Lust filled his eyes. “No one is going to help you. We’d only planned to deliver you, but I don’t think they’ll mind if we play with you first.”
With an ear splitting screech, the metal grate ripped from its brackets and the door crashed open. Blondie was hurtled to the floor.
Her terrified gaze shot to the newcomer and she wanted to cry in relief until she saw his expression. He was scarier than Scruffy, Blondie, and Dark Hair combined. He was commanding. Intense. And good lord, he was really handsome. There was a savage gleam in his eyes that was alarming as he put himself between her and her attackers. He looked as if he could easily kill a person and not think twice.
She staggered back and watched in awe as her unknown McHottie fought with incredible skill.
“This ain’t your business, vampire,” Dark Hair growled and flashed something shiny. He came at her hero with a knife in his good hand.
Blondie grabbed McHottie’s right arm and Scruffy latched onto his left. Dark Hair got one good slash across McHottie’s chest before he smashed Dark Hair between Blondie and Scruffy like a sandwich.
All three stumbled back and then regrouped in a circle around her and McHottie.
“You are in my territory, mutts. Everything here is my business.” He caught Dark Hair's wrist and twisted until the knife fell from his hand. Then he backhanded him so hard, Dark Hair rebounded off the wall. A cloud of dust billowed around her.
Scruffy snatched her arms behind her so she could hardly move.
As she stood immobilized Blondie circled McHottie looking for an opening. With newfound bravado that only having a hero with you brings, her self-defense training kicked in and she drew forward as far as she could then slammed her head back into Scruffy. A loud crack sounded close to her ear. Yes! I must have cracked a rib. He released her and she spun, planted her feet shoulder width apart and swung her pipe at Scruffy’s head with all her might. With a loud crack she made a direct hit and watched as he collapsed, down for the count.
Blondie threw himself at McHottie. They went to the floor in a thick cloud of dust. Between the lack of light and the cloud in the air, Rose could hardly see the men only a few feet from her. Growling and hissing came from the ball of flying arms and legs. She didn’t dare smack one of them with her pipe because odds were good she would hit McHottie.
A dark dirt covered figure rose from the floor and snatched the other around the back of his neck, lifted the body over his head and slammed it to the floor.
Rose screamed and stumbled back until the wall ended her retreat.
“Are you okay?” A very bloody and dirty McHottie asked Rose. “Did he hurt you?”
Before she could answer, Dark Hair attacked McHottie again from behind. What is this guy, the terminator? Dark Hair hit her hero full force, but he didn't so much as teeter or flinch. Dark Hair had a length of silver chain and wrapped it around McHottie’s neck and shoulders.
