by J. D. Tyler
Studying this man who’d been through such hell, she felt ashamed. “How did you deal with it? When you were turned, how did you cope?”
“I just did. I had no other choice. I woke up in a military hospital and I was changed. I had known for some time that I was a Dreamwalker, but now I was more than I’d ever been, with a wolf living inside me. I wanted to crawl out of my skin, or rip it to shreds with my claws, trying to get at the new beast that wouldn’t let me rest.”
“That’s how I feel, too. She wants to run, to hunt.” Daria gazed at her new friend, and saw complete understanding. “She wants to be free, and it’s so hard to rein her in. It’s weird and scary to have all of that wildness inside me. Not to mention ironic, considering my job.”
His brown eyes were sad. “As difficult as it is, remember you have a mate who’s a fine man to help you. We didn’t, and learning all of that alone was tough. I mean, we’re like brothers and we’re there for each other, but it’s not the same as having someone special to comfort you at the end of the day.”
Her heart went out to him. “I am grateful for Ryon. He’s been nothing but wonderful to me and I care about him very much.” She paused. “You’re going to have someone, too, one day.”
“Who’s going to want me?” he questioned, gesturing to the ruined side of his face.
“That’s not who—”
“Who I am? Is that what you were going to say?” He laughed, the sound hollow. Aching. “Even if my mate could get past how I look, it’s what’s on the inside that’s really fucked up. I don’t remember much about my time in that shithole with Bowman, but from what the doctors tell me, that could change anytime. The point is, I’m more messed up inside than out. No mate deserves to be stuck with me.”
“I won’t believe that for one second,” she said firmly. “You’re going to meet your special someone, and then you’ll eat those gloomy words of yours.”
“Wanna bet?”
Before she could respond, Ryon came jogging over, looking sexy as sin in his tight athletic shorts and sweaty tank top. She almost swallowed her tongue as he beamed at her.
“Hey, good lookin’! Some of the guys suggested going out to the Crosseyed Grizzly in a bit. Want to go hang out?”
“Sure, sounds like fun. Anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”
“Aww, how sweet.” Leaning over, he gave her a big, sloppy kiss as Micah made a choking noise. Ryon pulled back and winked at his friend. “Jealous?”
“Not on your life.”
But Daria knew the truth. Ryon missed the flash of pain on his friend’s face, but she didn’t. “Micah, are you feeling up to coming?”
Nick’s voice broke into their conversation. “That’s not a good idea. Micah needs to stay here and finish healing.”
Micah frowned at the approaching commander. “Don’t I get a say in the matter? I’m not ten years old, for cryin’ out loud.”
“Of course you do.” Moving to stand by the lounger, Nick laid a hand on the other man’s shoulder and gave him a kind smile. “But I have to discourage you.”
“Why?”
“Because it isn’t time.”
“I won’t drink if that’s what you’re worried about, boss. I know better than to do that when I’m still on meds.”
“That’s not it.” The commander sighed. “You know I don’t interfere with free will, but I’m suggesting you to stay here, just this once. You’re not supposed to be at the Grizzly tonight.”
Those cryptic words gave everyone pause. Nick was creepy like that sometimes, making statements that gave the hint that he knew much more than he was saying.
Micah stared at the older man for a couple of seconds. “Fine, I’ll stay here,” he said slowly. “Want to tell me what will happen if I go?”
“No. It doesn’t matter now. And since we’re both staying in, how about I trounce your ass on the Wii?”
“You’re on, old man.”
“Who’re you calling old, pup?”
“It’s true, isn’t it?”
The commander smiled, the tips of his canines showing. “More than you know.” He gave Micah a hand up, then turned to Daria and Ryon. “Have a good time.”
“We will,” she said. “See you later, Micah.”
“Later.”
As the two men headed back to the building, Ryon gave her a predatory look. “I’m all sweaty, and we’re going out.”
“So?”
“So, I need a shower first. Want to wash my back?”
A thrill went through her. “You don’t have to ask twice.”
Grabbing her hand, he took off, dragging her behind him as she laughed in pure happiness.
Nine
Ryon decided there was a lot to recommend slippery, soapy shower sex.
Pressing his mate into the tiles, buried balls deep in her while hot water streamed over their bodies, was just about the best feeling in the entire universe. Any way he could have her was fine by him. How had he ever lived without this? Without Daria?
Groaning, he emptied his seed inside her as she shuddered under him, squeezing every last drop from his length. Then he kissed the nape of her neck and nuzzled the soft, wet skin there.
“Am I forgiven?” She tensed, and he instantly regretted bringing up a tender subject. Too late now. He eased out of her and backed off some, allowing her to turn and face him.
“It’s not about forgiving you,” she said evenly. “In fact, what I’m going through is not about you at all.”
Hurt stabbed his chest. “I disagree. We’re in this together. You’re my mate, and what causes you to be unhappy does the same to me.”
Her expression softened and she touched his cheek. “I get that. And I don’t blame you for what happened to me because you would’ve given me the option to be turned if you could have.”
“That’s true.” He kissed her forehead.
“What I’m saying is you can’t magically make me happy with being part wolf.” Pausing, she searched his face. “Think back to when you were turned. Was there anything anyone said that made you accept it? Or did you just need time to get used to having your life turned upside down?”
“I needed time,” he admitted. “But I hope that getting me as part of the deal isn’t what’s making you unhappy.”
“Oh, Ryon,” she breathed. Softly, she took his mouth in a lingering kiss, twining her arms around his neck. “I am not unhappy with you. On the contrary, I feel pretty darned good about us. Can’t you tell?”
In truth, he’d been shutting off his awareness of their connection, afraid of being inundated with her scorn. Her anger. But her words encouraged him. Opening his senses tentatively, he found the golden bond stretched between them, thrumming with life. Some anxiety threaded through her emotions as she struggled with her wolf.
But much stronger was her affection for him, growing steadily into a richer connection. Every minute, she was falling deeper for him, and it both surprised him and took his breath away.
“Yes,” he whispered. “I can tell. I feel the same way.”
“Give me time to accept my wolf?”
“Anything you need.” Quickly he rinsed away the evidence of their loving. Stepping out of the shower, he grabbed two towels and handed her one. As they dried off, an idea occurred to him and he grew excited. “How about we go for a run tomorrow, in our wolf forms?”
“I don’t know . . .” Her brown eyes were worried.
Through their bond, he sensed her fear of the physical pain and hurried to reassure her. “The first shift hurts like a bitch, but it’s never like that again, I promise. The more practiced you get, it’s like breathing. And when you let your wolf out to run, the rush is like nothing you’ve ever experienced.”
“Really?” She began to show some genuine interest.
Letting his towel fall to the floor, he pulled her to him. “Yes. We’ll be together, too. It’ll be fun, you’ll see.”
She bit her lip. “All right, you’ve talked me int
o it.”
He gave her a sound kiss. “You won’t be sorry.”
“What about the creature that’s out there, and the white wolf?”
“We’ll keep an eye out and be cautious.” He thought about the other wolf. “I don’t think the white wolf meant to harm you when she pushed you.”
“She did a good job of it anyway, even if it was an accident.”
“She led me to you, after you shifted and were in pain,” he said thoughtfully. “I think maybe she was trying to protect you the other day.”
“From the creature?”
“It makes sense.”
“But what’s she doing here in the first place? If she’s a shifter, why doesn’t she simply approach the compound and request entry?”
“I don’t know. But I have a feeling we’ll find out, sooner or later.”
“You’re probably right.”
Padding around Ryon’s place, they took their time getting dressed. Daria enjoyed picking out his clothes, which consisted of a pair of soft, worn jeans, shitkickers, and a snug black T-shirt with a swirly gold pattern embossed on it that she claimed set off his blond hair. He rolled his eyes, but let her have her way. Whatever turned her on was fine by him.
Daria had brought over a pair of snug jeans and a button-up plaid shirt with a brown pattern that went well with her coloring. She looked like a yummy piece of chocolate, and shook her head, grinning, when he told her that she would make a tasty dessert.
Once he and Daria were dressed, they met the others at the hangar where they would take three SUVs to the Grizzly. Everyone was going except for Nick and Micah, and of course Zan and Phoenix, who were still on vacation.
As usual, Ryon took the wheel and motioned for Daria to ride shotgun. Jax, Kira, Aric, and Rowan climbed into the back.
“Do you have your own car?” Daria asked as he pulled out, leading the caravan.
He glanced at her. “I’ve got a new Challenger, red with black stripes.”
“Nice,” she said. “I prefer the old ones, though.”
“Me, too, but old muscle cars are for people who have a lot of time to tinker with maintenance, and I’m not that handy in the garage.”
“You’ll have to show it to me sometime.”
“I will.”
The six of them chattered all the way to the Grizzly, Ryon’s friends asking Daria about herself. They were especially curious about her job, and thought it was cool that she studied real-life wolves. They stayed away from the subject of her being turned into a shifter, however, and for that he was grateful. He was working on getting her to embrace that side of herself, and didn’t need them stressing her out.
The bar was hopping when they arrived, but not too crowded. Ryon and the other guys found an unoccupied corner and pushed several tables together to give them plenty of room, then seated their ladies and elbowed in. Ryon sat beside his mate and put an arm around her, pleased when she leaned into him comfortably. After watching three of his friends pair off and being nagged by envy for months, it was awesome to have his own woman at his side.
After ordering a round of drinks, they settled in, laughing and talking to those in their immediate vicinity. Ryon couldn’t keep the smile off his face. His friends seemed to genuinely like Daria, and were very welcoming, making sure she was included in the conversation. She, in turn, got along well with them. Especially Blue and Noah, both of whom she seemed to be a bit sweet on. He wasn’t bothered, though. He and his wolf knew Daria belonged to them.
They had a great time, eating, drinking, and making merry as one hour became two, then three. The evening out was a hit—until two seedy-looking men approached their table. The newcomers zeroed in on Kalen, eyes narrowed. Not everyone noticed them at first. But Ryon did, and he set the nacho he’d been munching on down on his plate, wiping his hands. Then he scooted his chair back a little, ready to spring into action if he needed to.
Jax and Hammer noticed the men, and did the same. One by one, the Pack became aware of the tension, and the lighthearted talk stopped. By now, Kalen was leaning back in his chair, sneering at the two rough, dirty men. Clearly, they’d met.
“Hello,” Kalen said with deceptive pleasantness. “You guys didn’t learn your lesson before? Back for more?”
Well, crap. Just what they needed, Kalen’s hillbilly tormentors of a few weeks ago coming around to spoil their evening.
One of them spoke up, showing an unfortunate set of bad teeth. “Our friend Billy seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. We been lookin’ for ya for a while now, figured you might shed some light on where he’s at.” For emphasis, he spit out of the side of his mouth—and the wad landed in the middle of Mac’s salad.
Kalen’s poor mate stared at the food, paling. Kalen’s chair scraped on the floor, and he stood.
The Sorcerer was an imposing sight in his black leather duster, raven hair falling around the green kohl-rimmed eyes glittering with cool anger. Only an idiot would’ve messed with a man like him, and Ryon knew these two more than qualified.
“Why would I know anything about Billy?”
The two assholes had no clue that their stupid buddy had ended up as demon food, literally—Malik ate him. Kalen knew damned well what fate had befallen the town’s most unsavory character, and he wasn’t sorry.
“’Cause you fought with him right here in this bar. You had reason to want him gone,” the man said in a nasty tone.
“From what I hear, so did half the county.” Kalen cocked his head. “Billy was a thief, a liar, a bully, and he physically abused his family. I don’t know anybody else who’s all that concerned about him.”
“I think you’re a liar! Why don’t you step outside so me and my buddy can kick your ass!”
At that, Ryon and his Pack friends stood. Ryon grinned. “Well, as long as you want to make it an unfair fight, you two can take on all of us. Sound good?”
The men stepped backward, not looking so eager in the face of those odds. Ryon knew how they must look, a wall of muscle against two scrawny dickheads.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
Ryon had never been so glad to see the sheriff. Deveraux stomped up to the group and took in the standoff. Waving a hand at the two miscreants, he boomed, “You two? You’re banned from the Grizzly, you idiots! Get the hell out of here before I haul you in for disturbing the peace, public intoxication, and anything else I can think of.”
“But, Sheriff—”
“Get out!”
Muttering, the pair shot Kalen a glare before shuffling for the door. Once they were gone, Deveraux shook his head and frowned at their group. “Once again, you people are in the middle of the shit. I’m going to have an ulcer the size of a fucking watermelon in no time flat. And you.” He pointed at Daria, then at a man across the bar before continuing.
“See that guy in the booth over there? He’s a reporter for the local paper, and he’d love to interview you about the body you found, not to mention who your friends are and what the hell you’re doing with them. You want my advice—and nobody fucking appears to—I’d get going before he notices you’re here and he gives us all a buttload of publicity nobody can afford.”
Immediately, Ryon felt stupid for bringing her out. “Sorry, Sheriff. I assumed their interest in Daria had died down enough that it wouldn’t be a problem.”
The older man looked exasperated. “It might have if mangled bodies would stop turning up. As it is, you might want to get lost. Because here the little buzzard comes.”
The buzzard being the reporter, with a nice camera in hand and a gleam in his eye.
“Shit.” Ryon held out his hand for his mate, and she took it. “Come on, baby. Anyone else leaving?”
“Me and Mac,” Kalen said. “If my mate is ready.”
Mac nodded and rose from her chair, giving her salad a glare of disgust. “I am.”
“You guys go on,” Jax told Ryon. “The rest of us will be back soon.”
Ryon pu
lled Daria toward the door, ignoring the reporter’s calls to wait. He wasn’t about to subject his mate to any publicity, especially when it could harm her or his team in the long run. On the way out, he saw a flash, and cursed. That’s all they needed, pictures of the Pack out there in circulation and perhaps ending up in the wrong hands. He hoped the sheriff or one of the guys confiscated them.
In less than a minute, they were on the road, heading back to the compound. Ryon threw his mate a look of apology. “I’m sorry, honey. I wanted you to get out and have fun.”
“I did,” she said, smiling at him. “It’s nobody’s fault that reporter was there, and we were going to leave soon anyway.”
“I’m sorry about the two assholes,” Kalen put in. “I had trouble with them and a friend of theirs before.”
Daria glanced back at him and Mac. “People like them live to cause trouble, and they never learn. It’s not a problem.”
They talked the rest of the way, Kalen sharing some of his experiences as a Necromancer while Daria listened in rapt fascination. When the Sorcerer offered to let her sit in on a session sometime, she declined with a laugh.
“Oh, I don’t think talking to dead people are my thing. I’d love to see some magic, though.”
“Anytime.”
At the compound, Ryon parked the SUV in the hangar and they said good night to the other couple, who walked off whispering quietly, Kalen’s arm securely around his mate. Ryon took Daria’s hand.
“Stay with me tonight?” His chest tightened as she weighed her answer. Then the band loosened when she smiled.
“I would love to.”
And so, he ended a near-perfect evening with his mate wrapped in his arms.
He couldn’t think of a damned thing that made him happier.
• • •
Daria awoke to two sharp points grazing her neck. Lips nibbling. As the fog lifted she squirmed and swatted at the minor irritation. A masculine chuckle rumbled in her ear, and the nibbling continued. More scraping. Awareness kicked in and she realized those were his canines, and little tendrils of pleasure began to spread through her body.
