by Lia Slater
Her mouth curled up into tiny smile. “I guess I don’t mind the change of scenery. There’s something almost, um, poetic about running off and starting over.”
He chuckled. “Agreed.”
The horses noticed their company before Worth did. The two mares and his stallion stopped short and whinnied, jolting the carriage to a halt. About fifty yards up the trail, Worth noticed the reason for their anxiety. Three large wolves prowled toward them slowly.
“Oh boy,” Kerene whispered. “This doesn’t look promising.”
“Stay here and whatever you do, don’t provoke them.” Worth jumped to the ground and stood in front of the horses, hoping these wolves were the Weres he’d met at his home. Not that they were particularly fond of him but at least they knew Blanca. “Hello there,” he shouted. “I’m Worth Sinclaire and this is my niece, Kerene Sinclaire. We’re here in peace and mean no harm to you or your land.”
They continued to prowl forward, teeth snarling, fur standing up on their backs.
Shit. “I’m a friend of Blanca’s. Do you know her?”
They drew closer. No, this didn’t look promising at all. He braced for an attack, knowing he couldn’t fight back if he wanted to let them believe he was harmless. Defend himself, yes. Tear them to pieces, no.
Hell. This was going to hurt.
* * * * *
Blanca heard the calling howl, telling the rest of the Weres that the enemy had crossed the border into Paqualette and a battle was imminent. She’d waited for this moment since leaving Okantalor and had thrown herself into preparing for war. Each waking second, she’d trained until her body could no longer stand.
It was all she could do to keep her thoughts from straying to Worth and how much she desperately missed him.
And now instead of adrenaline pumping through her body at the possibility of a fight, a weighty feeling of dread plummeted in her belly.
Worth was near. She could feel him. Somehow in the days they’d shared together, she’d learned to sense his presence, with or without a blood bond. Maybe it had something to do with him claiming her as his One. Or maybe it was the intense love they shared.
Either way, she knew for certain that the intruder prompting the call for battle was none other than her Worth.
Oh no.
Her breath gushed from her lungs making it difficult to jump to a running start. She had to get there before it was too late. Damn it. If she’d have known he’d come, she’d have warned her fellow Weres. Like her, they were all primed and ready to kick some Vamp ass.
She ran through the forest as fast as her wolf legs could take her, cutting through the tall grass and dodging trees.
Go. Go. Go.
Her limbs stretched. Her paws barely touched the ground as she glided in the direction of the call.
Finally, finally, she saw the carriage in the distance. Kerene stood in front of the bench, yelling out, “Stop it. Get away from him!”
Then she saw them. Kaige, Ever and Gambel, in their wolf form, were snarling and snapping at Worth, slowly backing him up against a tree.
Their large bodies mostly blocked her view of Worth, but a short glimpse allowed her to see that his fangs were bared in a threatening manner. He wasn’t fighting back. Not yet.
“Leave him be,” Blanca yelled, shifting quickly into human. “Kaige, call them back. Call them back now.”
They must’ve heard the panic in her voice. Each of the Weres halted their steps. Ever snarled one last time while the rest of them transformed to human.
“We weren’t going to hurt him,” Gambel said.
Kaige growled. “He deserved at least a scare for making you suffer.”
“And you thought that would help me?” She was furious. And at the same time, she was anxious to see Worth.
“To hell with this,” Worth said and pushed past Ever, making the wolf grunt as he was shoved to the side. “Blanca.” He bypassed the others and rushed toward her.
The sight of him made her body tremble with relief, but she took a second to make sure her pack mates hadn’t harmed him. His shirt was torn and a bloody cut was healing on his torso—which the Weres were going to pay for later—but other than that, he looked healthy…and here.
“Worth. How? Why?”
He drew her into his arms, strong and encompassing and Blanca molded to him, realizing just how much she’d missed him. She inhaled his woodsy scent as her heart pounded quickly, unable to catch up with the reality that he was really here.
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” She kissed his neck, his cheek, his lips.
He released her only briefly to grab his coat from the back of the carriage and wrapped it around her shoulders. “I couldn’t stay away,” he said and embraced her again, taking a moment to check on his niece. “Kerene, are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She sat back on the bench and let out a sigh. “Go about your sickening reunion. Honestly,” she looked to Blanca, “he hasn’t been the same since you left. I don’t see that we had any other choice than to move here.”
“Move here?” Blanca asked, a surge of warm excitement rushed through her at the possibility. “Really?” she asked Worth. “You’re moving to Paqualette?”
“Yes, if you’ll have me.”
“Wait a minute,” Kaige said and walked toward them. Ever followed behind while Gambel helped Kerene from the carriage, whispering his apologies to the human and, no doubt, using his charming personality to his full extent.
“I’ll help with the war against Okantalor,” Worth said before Kaige could go on. “I realize I’m a Vampire by species but I’m willing to fight with you to help free the Were blood slaves.”
“Why would we believe you?” Kaige narrowed his eyes. “I’m about to start a family. Why would I allow any of your kind near my home, near my mate?”
“Because I’m his One,” Blanca blurted out and stood protectively in front of Worth. “He loves me and I love him too. That has to mean something to you, Kaige. You and I were blood slaves together. We suffered together. And now I’m telling you that this Vamp is different from the rest.”
“Being his One means nothing in our society.” Kaige stubbornly fisted his hands at his sides.
“Fine.” Determination fueled Blanca as she whirled around to face the man she loved. She wouldn’t give him up over a minor issue. “Worth, I’m yours and you’re mine,” she stated boldly, starting the simple Were mating ceremony.
Worth grinned cutely and kissed her lips. “Is this your ritual?” he whispered. “I’m not familiar with it. What should I do?”
Damn, the man’s smile could melt her insides. Even his ignorance of her culture couldn’t stop her from loving him. They had a lot to learn of each other in the years ahead.
She returned the smile with a timid one of her own. “If you wish to be my mate, just say the words back.”
“Of course I do. I’ll marry you in every way possible. Never doubt my love for you.” He caressed her face and stared at her with his devouring midnight eyes. “Blanca,” he said, loud and clear for all to hear. “I’m yours and you’re mine.”
Faint growls rumbled from one Were to the next. No, her pack mates weren’t happy about her choice of mate but they’d have to deal with it. She loved this man, fangs or not. Her stomach did a little twirl when it dawned on her that he’d be hers forever.
“Good,” she said. “Are you going to take me home now? I’d like to make this official.”
He chuckled and kissed her lips. “That sounds like an excellent idea, wildflower. And tomorrow,” he looked over her shoulder at her pack mates, “tomorrow I’ll share a few secrets of mine that might help you in winning this approaching war. If that’s all right with all of you.”
Blanca couldn’t help but glance back to see her pack mates’ response. Kaige lifted his brows, Gambel grinned and Ever nodded. None said a word but each of their eyes glimmered with what could only be a twinkle of hope.
“Who
would have thought? A bloodsucker on our side,” Blanca said and squeezed Worth’s hand.
“And as your mate,” Worth added.
Kerene burst out laughing and Blanca looked to see Gambel winking at the young woman. “Oh boy,” Kerene said. “This is going to be quite an adventure, all right.”
About the Author
Lia Slater thinks the world would be a better place if everyone read romance novels. There’s so much to learn from the storylines. Love. Loyalty. Confidence. Passion. Desire. Conflicts would be resolved with happy endings. And, of course, the sex would be mind-boggling.
Lia is well on her way to helping the world become a better place by writing steamy romance with heart-pounding emotion.
Lia welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Lia Slater
Were Legends 1: Were Slave
Were Legends 2: Were Seduction
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