by Lisa Kessler
“Let him go, asshole,” Blake growled.
I gave Caldwell a little shove as I backed off. He chuckled, shaking his head, but his eyes were icy, calculating. “Don’t piss me off, Reynolds, or I’ll put her back in bed with the King brothers, and I’ll make you watch. Hell, we all will.”
My chest heaved with aggression, but I didn’t surrender to it. I was outnumbered here. But the tide was changing—the Alpha just didn’t know it yet.
It almost scared me how much I was looking forward to putting a bullet in him.
I called Raven when I got back to the stable. I didn’t tell her about Caldwell’s threat. Instead, we made a date for target practice. If Caldwell ever tried to make good on it, I was going to make damned sure Raven could protect herself just in case.
Hard work at the barn always helped me burn off some of the fire of rage inside me, and by the time I finished riding Sabrina, the ache to beat the shit out of Caldwell had dulled. I needed to be patient. The wheels were in motion.
It was getting dark, the temperature sinking fast as I pulled into the Wolf Pack Bar. The second I opened the door, Raven’s scent greeted me, calming the beast inside. The full moon was in two days. My wolf was close to the surface, and Caldwell was not his Alpha.
Raven came out from the back, her eyes met mine, and her smile erased all the frustrations of the day. I crossed the tavern to sit at the bar.
“What can I get you?”
I smiled. “God, it’s good to see you.”
She glanced around the bar and back to me. “Are you all right?”
“I am now.” I took a slow breath. For now, we were the only werewolves in the bar. “Any word from Asher?”
She shook her head. “I’m starting to worry.”
Her cell phone buzzed. She pulled it out from her apron pocket and smiled. “His ears must’ve been burning.” She read the text. “He thinks Bo broke his ankle.”
“Couldn’t happen to a better guy.” Relief washed through me. “I’ll take that beer now.”
Around closing time, Ryker came through the door. Most of the humans had left; only Alexandra and her boyfriend remained. He nodded to me and then focused on Raven. “Bo took a bad fall.”
“Good.” He didn’t seem surprised by my mate’s reaction. She met his gaze. “And Asher?”
“He’s fine. He tried to pull Bo up, but he lost his grip…” He shrugged his shoulder. “Asher’s strong, but Bo’s a brick.”
I leaned in. “Caldwell’s not blaming Asher, is he?”
“Nah.” Ryker almost smiled. “He knows Bo’s a meathead.” He sobered. “Caldwell sent me to get you. He needs to see you at the hospital right away.”
“Hospital? You’re shitting me.”
He shook his head slowly. “Compound fracture and Cole wanted them to set it.”
I glanced at Raven. “I don’t like leaving you here.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve got Alexandra and Mike here. I’ll be fine.”
I focused on Ryker again. “Is Blake at the hospital, too?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “He’s with his brother.”
That settled me a little, but I didn’t know Ryker. He’d been upset after the beating, but I wasn’t ready to trust him on that fact alone.
Raven reached across the bar and took my hand. “Luke, I’ll be fine. Ryker can help me lock up, and I’ll meet you back at your place.”
I stared into her eyes, her message clear. This was the opening we needed. I finally nodded and stood up, eyeing Ryker. “If anything happens to her…”
“Easy, dude.” He chuckled. “Raven and I are friends. I won’t let anyone near her.”
“Good.” I walked around the bar and pulled my mate into my arms, unsure of what her reaction to my public display of affection might be, but I needed to touch her, to know she was all right.
She slid her hands up around my neck, a smile warming her lips. “I’ll see you at home.”
Damn, I loved the sound of that. I bent to kiss her, her taste taming the wolf inside me. I whispered, “Be careful.”
“You, too.”
I forced myself to back away and turned for the door. Ryker straightened as I passed, but I stopped and held out my arm. He stared at it and reached for my hand. I shook my head, clasping his forearm. “Like this.” He took my lead and gripped my forearm, too. I started to smile. “This is how a real Wolf Pack does it.”
We released each other, and Ryker grinned. “You’re shaking things up around here.” He glanced at Raven and back to me. “Watch your back.”
“Thanks, man.”
I went to the door, glancing over my shoulder at Raven as I walked out.
Hospitals were hell for werewolves. I couldn’t figure out why Caldwell would risk allowing a Pack member to step into one. All it would take was a routine blood sample to expose our DNA to human science. It was a stupid mistake for an Alpha.
Cole was with Caldwell. They both stood up as I approached. I crossed my arms, keeping my voice down. “This is risky.”
Caldwell poked my chest. “Do you honestly think I don’t know that?”
Cole came between us, cool and collected. “Blake is with his brother. They’ve informed the hospital staff that their religious beliefs forbid them from any care beyond resetting the bone.”
I rolled my eyes. “If he starts coding, they’re going to have an IV in his arm and his body on the table, religious beliefs or not.”
Cole crossed his arms. “I already checked him out. He’s not going to code, but if he wants to keep that foot, we need to be sure he’s getting blood flow to the area.”
I tried to let it go. This wasn’t my Pack, not my place to say. But it risked exposing all of us. “How soon can we get him out of here?”
Speak of the devil—a tall human in blue scrubs was headed straight for Caldwell. “You’re Mr. King’s uncle?”
Caldwell nodded, his eyes taking on an uncharacteristic concern. “How’s my nephew?”
“It’s a nasty break, but we got it set and casted. I realize it’s not ideal with your beliefs, but he really should consider orthopedic surgery to repair the ankle.”
Caldwell shook his head. “We appreciate your concern, but we can care for him.”
The doctor did not look convinced, but he didn’t push the point any farther. “He wouldn’t allow me to give him any pain medication, so he’s going to be sore for a while.”
“Can we take him home?”
The doctor sighed. “That’s what I came to talk to you about. I would recommend he spend the night just so we can keep monitoring the pulse in his foot.”
“Won’t be necessary. Cole here has first aid training. Bo will be monitored closer by us than an overworked staff of nurses anyway.”
The doctor heaved a sigh and signed some papers on his clipboard. “I’ll get his discharge paperwork finished up. It’ll just be a few more minutes.”
As soon as the doctor was out of earshot, Caldwell cursed under his breath. “I’m not holding off the trip to Reno.”
Cole glanced at me and back to his Alpha. “Blake isn’t enough protection on his own. If you run into a fight half-cocked, this will be over before it starts.”
“I know that. Why do you think I sent Ryker to tell Luke to get his ass over here?” He glared at Cole and finally focused on me. “Reynolds, you’re going to shadow Blake this week.”
Cole’s jaw slackened slightly, but he covered the shock quickly. “You sure you don’t want Dex or Deacon? They know this Pack and…”
Caldwell shook his head. “You haven’t seen this kid shoot. And he took more of a beating than any of you ever have, and he’s still standing. He’s proved his worth.”
I took a slow intake of breath, willing my heart rate to stay even as I nodded. “I’ll need to work the horses at the stable first, but I can hook up with Blake afterward.”
He slapped my back. “Fair enough.” He glanced at Cole. “Bo may not have a job to come back to a
fter his leg heals up.”
More likely he wouldn’t have an Alpha to come back to, but I kept that to myself. For now, I was in.
Chapter Nineteen
Raven
I got back to Luke’s place and clicked on the television, hoping for a distraction from worrying. My cell chimed.
Hey, beautiful. I’m in. I start with Blake tomorrow. On my way home.
I quickly fired back.
See you soon.
I hit send, and my phone started ringing. I didn’t recognize the number. Frowning, I answered. “Hello?”
“Is this Raven?”
The voice sounded familiar. “Yeah, who is this?”
His tone warmed. “I’m Luke’s brother, Logan. Good to meet you.”
Logan Reynolds, lead singer of Logan and the Howlers, had called me. I shouldn’t have been starstruck. His twin brother was my mate. Someday we might even be family.
But still. Logan’s music had helped me survive since I’d been bitten. Hearing him wail about pain and regret saved me in a lot of ways.
“Raven?”
His voice popped me back into the moment. “Yeah, I’m here. Sorry. Just surprised to be talking to you.”
“Adam gave me your number.”
I finally placed the name. “Your Alpha.” I frowned. “Wait. How did he get it?”
“The only way Luke could keep Adam from getting involved down there was to give him as much information as he had. Like your number, in case he didn’t check in.”
A smile crept up on me. I hadn’t met Adam yet, but I liked him. “And how did you get it?”
“I checked in with my brother yesterday, and he spilled that he found his mate.”
I sat on the couch and tucked my legs up under me. “I thought you said Adam gave you the number.”
“Yeah. Luke wouldn’t give it to me because he knew I’d call you.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “So I shouldn’t tell him we’ve talked?”
His tone softened. “I didn’t call to ask you to keep secrets.”
“Then why did you call?”
He paused. “Because he’s my twin brother, I can sense Luke’s in trouble. He doesn’t want me to get involved, and I don’t want to blow his cover, but if he gets in over his head…” He cursed under his breath and started again. “Thing is, Adam’s responsibility is to the Pack first. He’s the Alpha. I get it, but my brother is my blood. I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
Now that I could relate to. “You’re a good brother.” I glanced at the door. “I’m worried, too, but Luke’s right, you can’t come down here. If Caldwell caught your scent, he’d turn on Luke.”
“What if he turns on him anyway and no one’s there to have his back?”
“I have his back.” I gulped at the admission. I hadn’t even hesitated.
He was quiet for a moment and finally chuckled softly. “Sounds like you do. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person. Do me a favor?”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Sure.”
“Keep this number in your phone. And call me if you need me. Any time, okay?”
“I will.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Luke’s already made a few allies here. He’s not alone in this.”
“Good to hear.” He sighed. “If you choose to tell him I called you, tell him I love him, and he better get his ass home soon.”
I smiled. “Will do.”
“Thanks for looking out for my brother.” He paused. “I’m glad he found you.”
“I am, too.”
“See ya, Raven.”
I ended the call and set my phone aside. The familiar purr of Luke’s Mustang rolled up outside, and my heart raced. I went over and opened the door. His lips fused to mine as he kicked the door closed behind him. He walked me farther inside, one hand sliding up my back and the other moving down to pull my thigh up.
Then I was weightless as he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Our tongues swirled slowly, teasing me until I ached for more. I tangled my fingers in his hair, enjoying the growl in his chest. He placed me on the kitchen counter and finally broke the kiss, his voice a deep, low rumble.
“I missed you.”
I smiled, staring into his eyes. “You’ve only been gone a couple hours.”
“I know, but…” He caressed my cheek. “Being with Caldwell…” He shook his head. “I’ve killed to protect my Pack. But this…”
He backed away, staring at the floor and shaking his head. When he met my eyes again, the strain was plain to see.
“I want to kill him.” He broke eye contact. “He’s hurt so many people. My father and his Pack, you, your sister, and the men and women he’s ordered to be bitten to increase this Pack’s numbers.”
Luke lifted his right hand. “I’m aching to pull the trigger. What the hell does that mean? Is he turning me into what I hate most?” His gaze raised to meet mine. “When I’m with you, I’m Luke Reynolds, horse trainer. But when I’m with him…”
I slid off the counter and crossed to him. Taking his hand in mine, our fingers entwined. “When you’re with him, you’re facing evil. You’re protecting me, your Pack, and the rest of this Pack.” My voice wobbled. “We can’t go to the police with this, and it won’t end until he’s dead.”
He nodded slowly. “I know.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
He tightened his hold on my hand. “Without my Pack, my Alpha, my brother…you’re my lifeline. If I cross the line between defender and murderer—”
“No.” I rested my hand flat over his heart. “Don’t you dare call yourself that.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You are the most decent man I’ve ever known, and you’re our best chance to save my sister. Caldwell is a sadistic madman. If you didn’t want to end his existence, then I’d be worried. You don’t want to kill him because of bloodlust or hunger for power. You want to protect everyone.”
He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. I embraced him, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart, and whispered, “The fact that this is bothering you is proof you’re nothing like Caldwell.”
He kissed my hair. “I love you, Raven.”
I moved back enough kiss him. It was tender and slow this time. Sharing the emotions I couldn’t quite put into words yet. I backed him up toward the sofa, my hands sliding under his shirt.
He growled into my mouth, “I need you.”
I tugged my top off and pulled him down onto the sofa. “I need you, too.”
His weight settled over me, and we escaped all of the danger and fear as the rest of the world faded away.
Chapter Twenty
Luke
I woke up before the sun came up. Raven was still sleeping on the sofa, and I tucked the blanket around her before heading for the bathroom to grab a shower. The horses had to be worked early today so I could meet Blake. Caldwell had sent me a text sometime last night with an address. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’d be watching for quiet places where I could take my shot without risking being seen or hitting innocent people.
Rooftops were best, but I’d take whatever I could get at this point.
I bent to kiss Raven’s cheek and quietly slipped out to the barn. The horses lifted their heads as I walked through the barn aisle between the stalls. The frigid air stung my cheeks. I took refuge in the tack room. Inside, the scent of leather mixed with the faint scent of sex. A smile curved my lips at the memory.
Grabbing a halter, I forced myself to get moving. The sooner I got done, the sooner I could find the optimal spot to fire my rifle and end all of this.
I dived into my work, allowing my apprehension and dread to fade into the dark corners of my mind. The cool air had a couple of the geldings amped up, snorting and spooking at their own shadows. Once I got them warmed up and sweaty, the excess energy faded and they settled in. By the time I pulled myself onto Sabrina’s back, Raven had come around the corner into the barn.
> She was bundled up in one of my jackets. “You snuck out this morning.”
I chuckled. “Nah, just wanted to let you get some sleep.”
“Thank you.” She stepped to the side as I rode the mare past her. “Mind if I watch?”
I shook my head. “As long as you don’t freeze.”
She followed us out to the arena. I tried to keep all my attention on the mare, but I couldn’t help glancing over at Raven.
She smiled. “She’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, cueing Sabrina to canter. Once her gait shifted to three beats, I glanced at Raven again, and called over. “She’s going to do some winning this season.”
Sabrina chose that moment to jump sideways, away from the rail. I kept myself square in the saddle. Barely.
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I may have spoken too soon.”
After her workout, I rode Sabrina back into the barn and left her in the groom’s capable hands. I walked toward the cottage with Raven at my side.
She looked up at me. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you Logan called me last night.”
I stopped in my tracks. “How did he get your number?”
“He said you gave it to Adam in case he didn’t hear from you.”
I shook my head. “He better not come down here. If Caldwell found out he was here…”
“That’s what I told him.” She paused. “He was glad to hear you’ve got some allies here.”
I met her eyes. “I wanted him to come down here. It was tough to turn him down.”
“You miss him.”
“I do, but it’s more than that. I’m used to us working together. With Logan at my side, we’re invincible—or at least it feels that way.” I struggled for words, my shoulders tight. “I’d give anything to feel that confidence again. This uncertainty is killing me.”
The honesty fanned the smoldering anger in my gut. This fear inside me…I fucking hated it. I reached for the door and held it open for Raven. She passed me by and sat on the sofa.
“Can I tell you something?”
I closed the door and took a seat beside her. “Sure.”
“If you weren’t afraid right now, I’d be worried about you.”
