Spark of a Wolf [Eyes of Darkness Series Book 2]

by Christy Poff

  "Somebody help me! She's dying!"

  Julian met them and gasped when he saw Rhiannon had changed to her wolf. Sean told him everything he could as they settled her on an exam table.

  Julian looked at Rhiannon, then back to Sean.

  "Sean, you've been hit."

  "I wasn't. I..."

  They looked down and discovered where the blood came from. Julian looked at her closer and found a bullet wound—clean entry, clean exit—but she'd lost a good amount of blood.

  "Sean, she's been shot."

  "What?” he asked in disbelief. “I don't remember getting hit."

  "She did."

  "I'll kill him for what he's done to her."

  While Sean stroked her fur, Julian went on.

  "Sean, if you change to go after the man who did this, don't taste blood."

  "Why?"

  "You're new to this. If you taste blood now, it could drive you crazy or make you mad."

  "If I lose her, I'll go mad. So either way, I'm destined to go crazy."

  "Don't taste blood, Sean,” Julian repeated. “I can't help you if you do. She's seen what it can do to a new wolf and it terrified her. Don't do it to her again."

  While they talked, Julian dressed the wounds as best he could.

  "I wish she had not changed. I need to see her other injuries."

  "When I found her,” Sean began before explaining in explicit detail what he'd seen. “She told me she couldn't walk because she could no longer feel anything."

  "I see,” Julian said as he checked her neck and paws. He found evidence of what Sean had told him about and went to get what he needed to begin her treatment.

  "How can I help?"

  "Hold her. Try to make contact with her and reassure her."

  Sean slipped his arm under her neck and lifted her head up. He buried his face in his mate's soft fur and kissed her.

  "Please, baby, don't leave. I'm here and I swear, I won't leave."

  Sean, I'm...

  "I know. Julian's trying to ease the pain. I won't leave you."

  What about the babies? I tried to...

  "We don't know yet. Julian's been trying to stop the bleeding."

  Bleeding? My wrists? My neck?

  "Baby, you took a slug in the shoulder."

  Shot in the shoulder? Is that why I went from hot to cold?

  "Yes, Rhi, and I swear I'll tear those people apart for doing this to you."

  Don't! Please, I'm begging you. You can't. They're ruthless. If they find out...

  "Trust me, they won't, and if they do, I'll take care of it."

  Please, don't. I'm begging you...

  Julian whispered something in Sean's ear. Sean nodded.

  "Baby, your father needs you to change back. It's vital."

  Too weak ... too tired...

  "Rhiannon, don't do this. Come on, you can do it. I know you can. I need you to change back."

  Because I'm a freak?

  "No, because I love you, and in order to prove it to you, you need to heal. You can't heal if Julian can't see what's he's doing."

  He watched her close her eyes. She didn't move, terrifying Sean. A few moments later, Rhiannon's change back had been completed. Julian quickly treated where the shackles had cut into her arms, legs and neck, then the corners of her mouth where the bit chafed her skin. Both men winced when they saw the burn marks from the different taser charges.

  "I'll kill whoever did this to you."

  He pulled her closer to him and kissed her gently, afraid of hurting her more. His hand brushed the material of the shirt she wore and rage coursed through him.

  "I want this off her. I don't care if you put her in one of those damned hospital gowns or if she's naked. Just get this damned shirt off her before I rip it off."

  Julian went to a closet and pulled out the silk robe he'd last seen her wearing. Sean removed the shirt and dressed her in the soft garment, every touch filled with tenderness.

  "I will spend my life earning your forgiveness,” he whispered to her. Rhiannon didn't say a word and it concerned him.

  "Julian, what's the prognosis?"

  "She'll make it but she needs a lot of rest if she expects to keep the babies. When she calms more, I'll do a sonogram to see what's going on with them."

  Julian and Sean made sure Rhiannon was comfortable, though her father decided on a different approach. Instead of her recovery taking place in the medical wing of the estate, he had her taken to her room on the Hawthornes’ private floor.

  Sean refused to let any one else touch her, and carried her into the suite of rooms Julian led them to. He placed her in the center of the huge king-sized bed and watched her sleep as he settled in for the long haul.

  Chapter 13

  Rhiannon slept for several hours, but restlessly. Sean watched her fight the demons emanating from the abduction. It made no difference to Sean if the monster and his assistant got life or the death penalty, it wouldn't be enough. He'd promised he'd protect his mate and he'd already failed at that. He'd promised to kill the men who'd hurt her and had yet to carry out his vow, her pleas for him not to weighing heavily in his thoughts.

  During one of Rhiannon's quieter moments, he called the office to find out the latest on the Gliickman case.

  "You wouldn't believe how many jurisdictions want this guy."

  "We get first crack, don't we?"

  "Us and the Feds."

  "Is it possible to keep Rhi out of this?"

  "You're kidding, right?"

  "No, she's gone through enough. You have the two properties, the syringe full of the drug along with his prints and the Asian's, the other victim's clothes and the chemist."

  "But she can..."

  "And his legal team can open a can of worms if they bring anything out about Rhi's background."

  "Shit, I hadn't thought of that."

  "Besides, testifying could hurt her pregnancy. I'm not sure how much more she can take."

  "Ok, I'll do my best to keep her out of this. Fortunately, her abduction is considered a separate crime from the others because of circumstances and, if you remember, she never fit the profile."

  "Good, keep everything with the profile. If you need me, call. I'll be staying with Rhi while she recovers."

  "I don't know if the brass will like it."

  "I'll take medical. Julian will help me with it."

  "How is she?"

  "Not good. We haven't a clue about the babies either."

  "Where are you? I'll come out."

  "Not this time, friend. They keep this place a secret for a lot of reasons."

  "Ok,” Hunt said, though Sean could hear the hurt in his voice. “Let me know if I can help."

  "Being my friend means more to me than anything. To know you don't intend to turn on our friendship helps a lot."

  "I admit it's hard getting used to the fact but..."

  "Tell me about it."

  "Yeah, never thought about it that way."

  "Hunt, what's up?"

  "What are you going to do? A secret like..."

  "You're the only one who knows. It's been under semi-control for years and if she will, I hope Rhiannon will help me learn."

  "And if she turns you away?"

  "I'm out of here. If she won't have me, I'm going where I've always dreamed of."

  "Where?"

  "Alberta."

  "To the cabin?"

  "Yep."

  "Wow, you've really thought this out, haven't you?"

  "Yep, I've had a lot to consider."

  * * * *

  Rhiannon ran, pursued by Gliickman and the Asian. She spied Sean and her mind raced. She had no idea whether he would help her or turn on her. She looked behind her and screamed at the sight of the syringe in Gliickman's hand. They caught up with her and held her down while the injection burned into her system. She looked for Sean but he'd disappeared.

  Rhiannon bolted up in bed, screaming.

  "Rhi, it's all right. You'
re safe."

  "Why didn't you stop him?"

  "Stop who?"

  "Gliickman! He and the Asian—they..."

  "Baby, you had a nightmare."

  "I ... What? Where am I?"

  "Your room at The Sanctuary."

  She looked at her wrists and felt the gauze wrapping her neck wounds. She checked her ankles.

  "I am? I'm actually free of that monster?"

  "Yeah, baby, you are."

  "How long have you been here?"

  "Since I got you out of that hellhole."

  "My God, you saw me?"

  "I wouldn't let any one else go in there. I saw how he held you. I couldn't let anyone..."

  "Thank you,” she whispered.

  Cautiously, he sat on the side of the bed. His heart ached to take her in his arms but he could see her confusion. He reached for her hand and held it in his, a light grasp in case she wanted to pull away. Inwardly, he felt a faint hint of the heat between them.

  "Rhiannon, I need to ask you an important question."

  "What?"

  "When I was in limbo between human and wolf, I said a lot of things I deeply regret with all my heart. I was confused, terrified, and angry, though I loved every moment we spent with each other outside right before it all hit me. I've finally found the one woman who can take me as I am and who I claimed. I love you and I will forever spend my life trying to make it all right again."

  Sean slid from the bed and knelt beside it.

  "I'm begging you to forgive me. I love my mate, my she-wolf, the love of my life. Please, Rhiannon, can you forgive me?"

  "And if I don't?"

  "I'll leave here and you'll never have to see me again."

  "But where would you go?"

  "I have a cabin up in Alberta. You can have the ranch and a permanent home for Andromeda."

  "I couldn't do that to you."

  "It's all right, really. I made peace with the way my life has gone. I'd rather be the one to leave. I have no family and you've just found yours. It's important you stay here. Besides, the ranch is a good place for our kids. It's self-sufficient and you'll be very well off. There's plenty of land when you want to run in peace."

  "But it's yours. I've been in that house. You've spent your life there."

  "A life that was nothing until I met a gorgeous spitfire who I love no matter what shape she's shifted into."

  "Sean, I..."

  "The question's on the table. I'll give you some time to think it over. I need to run."

  Sean stood up and kissed her hand. He turned to leave, praying she wouldn't allow him to walk out of the room. But she didn't stop him. He left his soul mate without another word said between them.

  Outside in the hallway, he leaned against the wall and cried.

  * * * *

  Rhiannon watched Sean leave her. He'd laid his heart out to her and she couldn't answer him. Panic he would reject her again overwhelmed her. A knock on the door startled her.

  "Yes?” she croaked.

  "May I come in?"

  "Mama, of course."

  "Sean didn't want you to be alone in case you needed something."

  "I think I drove him away for good. He begged me to forgive him and I couldn't answer him. I know what he did but the word freak keeps coming back to me."

  "My dear daughter, I always thought you were the one to give the benefit of the doubt to those you cared about."

  "And I tried but I can't forget how he threw me out and what he said."

  "I know it's hard, but he's been with you every second since he found you in that hellish place. He has not slept in case you woke needing something. He helped you to change back so your father could treat you."

  "Change back?"

  "Sean said you changed in the car. It's instinctive among us, because the wolf in us will heal quicker than the human. Julian said you told Sean you were too tired and weak, so he coached you back. Once they brought you here, he stayed awake while you slept. He has become very protective of you—his mate. He swore to kill the monster who did this, but he put your life ahead of that vow. Sean McMurray loves you."

  "But..."

  "He has just gone through a major life-altering crisis in his life. First, he learns he's a werewolf and about his ability to change. Then he discovers why he claimed you as his mate and you, too, are the same. He's going to be a father. All this is a great deal to accept all at once. His reaction was from the gut, which he regrets, especially after your father and I, plus Gabriel, read him the riot act on his actions."

  "Gabriel?"

  "He told him off and tried to get him mad enough to go after him or change or do something, though I'm not sure what. Gabriel and Damon joined Sean and his partner in the search for you."

  "My God! I forget about Hunter Lockwood."

  "Don't be upset but, from what I understand, he knows your secrets."

  "Oh, no!"

  "Shh, he accepted it all and it helped him to understand what was happening to you both. He wanted to come here to help, but Sean refused to tell him where we are. He refused to break the trust of the pack."

  "I see."

  "Gabriel also called him prince and told him enough to pique his curiosity."

  "Does he know about me?"

  "We haven't told him yet."

  "When he finds out..."

  "He'll handle it like everything else, maybe easier."

  Rhiannon sank back against the pillows, overwhelmed by everything Elizabeth told her. Elizabeth brushed her hair from around her neck and saw the bandaging and bruising. Rage welled in her but she held it down. Her daughter needed her support, not her rage.

  "One other thing you need to know. Sean made sure your name would be left out of the judicial proceedings. It sounds like you will be referred to as unidentified victim. Your mate laid his career on the line to protect you, your children, and the rest of us from being outed, so to speak."

  "I guess he feels I've turned against him."

  "No, he's given you time to make the right decision. Remember, wolves mate for life. Neither of you will be able to find anyone else to satisfy your needs. Any other wolf will sense your marriage and steer clear, leaving you both lonely unless you find humans you cannot tell."

  "But if we stay together just because of what history states, wouldn't we be making matters worse?"

  "That's what you must consider before you give him your decision. You have to be honest with yourself, and with Sean."

  "He told me if I didn't forgive him, he'd leave his life here and head north to a cabin in Alberta while giving me his ranch and its protection for me and the children."

  "Your soul mate has done everything for you, disregarding himself and his life here. He swore to do everything in his power to gain your love again and your forgiveness, even if it means leaving here. No other man has ever offered his life for the pack's safety."

  "I want to believe him. I want our daughters to know their father but I can't get past that night."

  Elizabeth took Rhiannon's hand and squeezed it.

  "You better, child, or you'll lose a good man."

  "I'm afraid."

  "That's understandable. You've gone through a lot in the last several days. Both of you have, but I can't tell you what to do. It has to be your decision. You'll make the right one, I'm sure, but remember this—whatever you do decide—I love you."

  "Mama,” Rhiannon sobbed.

  "Sweetheart, the hardest thing I ever did was letting the Drakes raise you. So many times, I wanted to come to you and hold you in my arms. Now, I have so much I need to catch up on and make up for."

  She held Rhiannon until she cried herself to sleep. As much as she wanted to tell her daughter to forgive her mate, she knew she needed to remain silent on the subject. She held back from telling Rhiannon about separated alphas who literally died of broken hearts because they could not live without their mates. Rhiannon had to make the decision on her own—no one could make it for her.

/>   * * * *

  Sean went downstairs but instead of crossing the entry hall to the front door, he went to the back of the house and out onto the terrace. He decided to change into his wolf while not feeling the rage which drove him before.

  He knew he needed to accustom his body to the alterations he went through each time he shape shifted. He realized he had to learn how to control the urge. Changing definitely would not be the thing to do in public.

  Out of habit, he made sure he was alone, then removed his clothes and placed them on one of the chairs. Naked, he stood in the late afternoon sun and languished in its warmth. This wolf thing might not be so bad.

  He closed his eyes and willed his body to change. The odd sensations of his own structure altering became normal to him. Other changes such as his hands and feet becoming paws, his head changing to a wolf's muzzle while he found himself on all fours, seemed almost second nature.

  Sean waited a few minutes before he ran from the mansion. He enjoyed a new kind of freedom as he ran faster than he did as a man. As the awesomeness of his situation set in, Sean came to a stop when he heard a twig snap.

  He listened and heard the quiet padding of another wolf. Slow and easy, he turned to face the other presence.

  Gabriel?

  McMurray.

  What do I owe this to?

  I'll cut to the chase. Did Rhiannon take you back?

  That's none of your damned business.

  Oh, it definitely is.

  Why?

  Many reasons. Now, answer the question.

  We haven't discussed it.

  Ah, you're a good liar but remember, I'm better at this mind game stuff than you are.

  Sean looked at his adversary, one who reminded him of the many trial lawyers he always had to face in court. He knew deep down Gabriel was looking out for Rhi and while it made him jealous and angry, it relieved him to know she had close friends to look out for her if he had to leave.

  Holt, what goes on between my mate and me is between us. I appreciate your interest and concern but...

  You bloody well better tell me, Prince.

  If I am your prince as you keep insinuating, then show some respect.

  Not until I know you better, and know Rhiannon will be all right.