Bridged by Love

by Nancy Corrigan

  Follow his head, he breaks her heart. Follow his heart…he breaks his pack.

  From the moment he was born, Nic Kagan’s future was sealed. He’ll accept a mate, have kids, and eventually take over his father’s role as pack alpha. There’s just one problem.

  Long ago, his heart settled on Riley, the pack’s human doctor and honorary member. Except only half of him can have her. The other half—his wolf—won’t give a weak non-shifter female a second sniff.

  No one—human or shifter—has left a mark on Riley’s soul like Nic. But with his father hospitalized, any hope things could work out between them is slipping away. Yet Riley understands something else about pack life. Power isn’t always a physical gift; love is just as strong. What she and Nic have is worth fighting for.

  With rival threats mounting, Nic realizes he can’t simply turn his back on Riley. Though his wolf could tear his heart out for it, he must fight for what he wants before he loses his mate. His pack. Maybe even his sanity.

  Warning: Contains a reluctant alpha with only one roadblock between his heart and the woman he loves—biology. And a woman who isn’t giving up on him, even if it means risking her life to fool Mother Nature.

  Bridged by Love

  Nancy Corrigan

  Dedication

  To my readers, thank you for stepping into my world. Enjoy your stay among the Kagan wolves.

  Chapter One

  Nic strode across the packed bar, hands clenching and releasing at his sides. Shifters and humans alike moved out of his way. He couldn’t blame them. No doubt he looked as pissed off as he felt. Returning to West Virginia hadn’t been on his agenda, at least not until a certain female died of old age or moved. Yeah, moving worked. Too bad it hadn’t happened. She remained in Hollow’s Grove like a damn forbidden fruit and a reminder of a life he could never have.

  The two male wolf shifters at his old table grabbed their beers and scattered, leaving his sister to deal with his wrath.

  He yanked a chair out and straddled it. “Who did it?”

  Hannah lifted a slender brow. Four years separated them, but she could’ve been his twin. They both had their mother’s black hair and blue eyes. They both shifted into black wolves too, a rarity among their kind. Neither of them cared about the awe many felt in their presence. Him and Hannah? They cared about the strength the revered wolf gave them. Power was everything in their world.

  “Did what? Put Dad in the hospital, or almost hit your ex-girlfriend’s car?”

  He gritted his teeth. “Riley is not my ex-girlfriend.”

  “What do you call your first lover and the female you warned every available male in a fifty-mile radius away from, then?”

  Had Riley been a shifter, he’d call her his mate. As it was, she was a temptation, one he had to stay away from. Human-shifter matings were sterile, and he had to produce an heir. The future of his pack depended on it. “She’s an honorary member of the pack. It’s my duty to ensure she’s protected.”

  “So that’s why you left her?”

  He leaned across the table and allowed a snarl to slip free, just loud enough for her to hear. “You know why I left. Let it go.”

  She matched his pose so inches separated them. Her eyes took on a faint glow, the first sign of her deteriorating control. “I can’t. Riley’s my friend, and you don’t know everything. She needs someone in her life to protect her. She needs you.”

  “Protect her from what?”

  Hannah shrugged.

  “You can’t drop something like that and not tell me the rest.” He narrowed his eyes. “Protect her from what?”

  “Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.” She took a sip of her beer before focusing on him over the rim. “Riley wasn’t just in an accident. The other driver purposely swerved into her lane and forced her off the road.”

  That wasn’t what he’d been told. The details he’d gotten had made it sound like a fender-bender. He sat back and studied his younger sister but couldn’t decipher anything from her blank expression. “Why wasn’t I told?”

  She shrugged. “Riley didn’t want you to know.”

  The sense of betrayal hit him square in the chest. He turned and scanned the room, seeking out her blue eyes but not finding them. She was close, though. Her sweet scent hung in the air. She couldn’t hide from him. He’d find her, and she’d tell him everything. He wouldn’t settle for anything less.

  He faced Hannah. “Tell me about Dad, then.”

  “What’s to tell? He’s old, and the dominants sense it. They’ve been picking fights with him every month for the past year.”

  “Any challenges?” For an alpha, it meant death—either theirs or their opponent’s.

  Hannah carefully set her beer down. She ran her finger down the side. “Not yet.”

  The knowledge didn’t comfort him. He leaned forward. “Who landed him in the hospital?”

  “Derek from the Tanner pack.”

  “Shit.”

  With their territories sharing a border, he’d met the other male many times. Strong and ruthless, Derek wouldn’t think twice about forcing his rule over the Kagan pack, even if it took a few of the weaker members dying to earn it. Michael, his dad, did the same thing nearly thirty years before. The Tanner pack had suffered ever since.

  “Yeah, shit. And he’s made it clear he’ll try again next month. Rumor has it Michael wants his family to control all of West Virginia, and Derek was ordered to claim ours any way he can.” She covered his hand, a rare sign of affection. “You need to take Dad’s place. He won’t survive another fight.”

  He yanked his hand free. “I know. It’s why I came back.”

  “I’m sorry, Nic. If I was a few months older, I could take a mate and save you from this fate.”

  “You’re going to tell me you suddenly stopped lusting over Alex?” Not that Riley’s brother shared her attraction. Alex preferred male lovers. The knowledge didn’t kill Hannah’s interest. Nic had tried to talk her out of her pursuit, but she’d made her desires crystal clear. She wanted Alex as her eternal mate, even if she had to share him with a human lover for a few decades.

  She shifted her gaze to the bar. Nic turned to look at Riley’s brother too. Alex pulled a draft of beer. He placed the mug on a tray and gazed over his shoulder as if he felt them watching him. Probably did. For a human, he was intensely aware of his surroundings. Of course, growing up with shifters had honed his skills. Alex’s gaze skimmed over him before locking onto Hannah. She glanced away.

  “No, but I wasn’t foolish enough to date him.” She narrowed her eyes. A challenge showed in them. “Or almost mate him.”

  For years, he’d denied how far his relationship with Riley had gone. Few knew he’d even fucked her. It was better that way. At the moment, he couldn’t force the lie out, not after learning she could’ve died. “We were young.”

  She sighed. “What are you going to do?”

  “What do you think?” A deep breath calmed the rage brewing within him. He met Hannah’s sympathetic gaze. “I’m going to take a shifter mate and assume control of the pack.”

  She picked at the label on her beer. Silence stretched. He waited, knowing she’d eventually say what was on her mind. Finally, she pushed the bottle away. “Three months, Nic. That’s all we have to wait until I mature. As soon as my wolf emerges, I’ll take a mate.” She leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “You can transfer the pack’s spirit to him. I know your wolf won’t want to give up the power, but convince it that’s the only way you’ll be able to keep Riley.”

  That would’ve been a great plan if his wolf act
ually wanted Riley. It didn’t. He squeezed Hannah’s hand. “This is my fate, little sister. I’ll deal with it.”

  “If you change—”

  “I won’t.”

  She shook her head. “Still stubborn as ever, huh?”

  “Yep.” He stood. “Have you seen Riley?”

  “Damn, you’re a glutton for punishment.”

  “I want to know what’s happened to her. She’s a member of the pack.”

  “You don’t need to see her. I can tell—”

  “I want her to tell me. She promised she’d let me know if she ever needed me. She obviously didn’t. I want to know why.”

  Hannah opened her mouth but shut it without saying a word. She pointed to the hallway. “It’s pool night. She likes to hustle the humans.”

  He’d taught Riley how to play. Hell, he’d taught her a lot of things, including how to break through his control. He hated her for it too. She was the only damn woman who could make him beg.

  “Spread word to our neighboring packs that I’m shopping for a mate.” His gut churned at the very thought of binding himself to another female. He ignored the reaction and stood. “And make it clear, it’ll be for sex only. I’m not marrying the girl or living with her.” Or talking to her, for that matter.

  She snorted. “That’ll entice a lot of women.”

  “And you think it’ll stop them?”

  “No, but—”

  “Then that’s your answer. I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” He pivoted on his heel and headed toward the hallway.

  Riley’s scent grew stronger with each step he took. His body responded to it, a reaction he couldn’t stop. He’d spent too many nights in her arms not to crave her. She was his addiction, one he still hungered for even after four years of trying to replace her.

  Her laughter carried over the din of the bar. It swept through him, fueling his desire. He pushed aside the longing and opened the door.

  Riley’s ass in the air greeted him. It would’ve been a welcome sight if she hadn’t been draped over a human male’s body. She adjusted his grip on the cue and whispered something in his ear. He laughed and took the shot. The balls clanked. Two found their way home. The human dropped the stick and kissed Riley’s cheek.

  Nic lost it.

  He yanked the pathetic male away from her and pointed to the door. “Out.”

  “But I was—”

  Nic planted his palms on the kid’s chest and shoved. He stumbled into the hallway, cursing. Nic slammed the door, cutting off the whining, and glanced over his shoulder. Riley stood by the pool table, one hand planted on a cocked hip. He let his gaze roam over her and greedily committed every nuance of the older Riley to memory.

  Still curvy in all the right places and slim everywhere else, she had a body men drooled over. Her thigh-high heeled boots, clingy top and short flaring skirt added to the image. The only change she’d made was her hairstyle. Her golden locks caressed her jaw in some choppy cut he was sure had a name. No matter, it looked good on her and would’ve showed off her delicate neck, but the turtleneck she wore hid her creamy skin. It also covered up the partial mate bite he’d left on her shoulder the last night they were together, the night of his first shift.

  The night he’d almost damned his pack.

  He shoved the memory away and focused on the facts. She might not have called him when she needed him, but she’d honored his wishes. He’d always assumed as much since he’d never gotten any shit from his dad. Still, it was nice to see.

  He went to her and tipped up her chin. She could lie with the best of them. Her scent never changed nor did her body language give her away. Only her eyes told the truth. “What happened?”

  She raised a blonde brow. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking. It’s nice to see you too.”

  “I’m not here on a social call.”

  She snorted. “Of course you aren’t. Why would I think you cared? I’m only the pack’s obligation, right?”

  The jab stung. He let it go. The things he’d said to her before he left sickened him. “Tell me about the accident.”

  She turned her head, breaking his grip, and walked to the end of the pool table. “I told your father everything. If you want to know, ask him.”

  He had. His dad had said not to worry. It’d been handled. Nic had been left with no recourse. He’d never told him about Riley and had no right to demand more information. “You promised to call me if you needed me.”

  “Yes, but I didn’t.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I still don’t.”

  “Really? So you’re going to handle the person trying to kill you all by yourself?”

  She leaned against the pool table, arms crossed under her breasts. “Nobody is trying to kill me. If you’re referring to the accident, that’s all it was—an accident. Even if there was someone out to get me, I can take care of myself. I’m not naive or weak.”

  “You’re human. That’s—”

  “The reason you dumped me and never told anyone about us.” She curled her hands into fists and took two steps toward him. “Did you really think I wouldn’t figure it out?”

  “The unmated pack females would’ve—”

  “Enough.” She closed the distance between them. “Save your bullshit for someone who cares. I don’t any longer. I’ve moved on.”

  A surge of possessiveness he had no right to feel gripped him. He took deep breaths, but the calming exercise didn’t ease the anger. The memory of the human kissing her from moments ago added to it. It offered a visual for what Riley had done while he’d been traveling across the country in a band. It didn’t matter if he’d fucked women in every city he’d toured. None of those girls had meant anything. They didn’t belong to him.

  Then again, neither did Riley.

  A growl crawled up his throat. He stood there, vibrating with rage. He’d invited the situation on himself, practically tossed the woman he loved into the arms of another man, and he couldn’t do a fucking thing about it.

  She smiled, humor glinting in her eyes. He knew her too well. His primitive response to her words no doubt pleased her. “Now that we’re clear on where I stand in your life, what’s the real reason you’re back in Hollow’s Grove?”

  He cracked his jaw and prepared to seal his fate. “I’m taking my rightful place as alpha. On the next full moon, I’ll accept the spirit of the pack and lead the Kagan wolves into the next generation.”

  She held his gaze. No reaction. No acknowledgment of what it meant to become alpha. No hurt over learning the real reason he’d returned. Nothing. The mask she wore held everything inside.

  He waited another moment for some kind of reaction. Not seeing one worried him. There was more to Riley than her looks. She was intelligent, cunning and brave. If she’d been a wolf, she would’ve made a perfect alpha.

  He brushed his thumb over her jaw. She didn’t move. Hell, she didn’t even blink. He cleared his throat. “Well? Nothing to say?”

  “I will visit your father tomorrow to offer him my vow of silence and recommendations for a new pack doctor. I’ll be gone before the week is out.”

  She turned and strode toward the door, her head held high.

  His chest tightened on a surge of emotions he wasn’t equipped to deal with. “Riley, you don’t have to do that. This is your pack too. I would never ask you to leave it.”

  She paused with her fingers wrapped around the doorknob. “And that’s why I am.”

  She slipped out the door before he could come up with anything to say. He stepped into the hallway and followed her retreating back with his gaze. He wanted to go after her and reclaim his lover.

  Too damn bad it wasn’t happening. He’d set his path tonight, and Riley had no place in it.

  Neither did love.

  Chapter Two

  Nic pulled into the parking of
Hollow Grove’s only veterinarian hospital, Riley’s Sanctuary. He’d heard she’d gone to vet school while he’d been traipsing across the country. A year ago, she’d taken over as pack doctor. Sure, she treated people’s pets and the local livestock, but her main responsibility was to care for injured shifters.

  His kind healed quicker than humans, but they weren’t immortal. Most lived a few hundred years, some more, some less. They also got sick like everyone else, except they needed a doctor who understood their rapid metabolism and unique physiology. Only a handful of humans were entrusted with their secrets. Riley had been the youngest.

  He’d been so damn proud when he’d heard she’d graduated. His pack had honored her with a huge celebration. He didn’t return for it. He chose to lose himself in booze and a hooker’s body instead.

  He was a goddamn fool. His dad had warned him to pick his first lover carefully, that sometimes addictions formed to a female’s scent. Nic had figured with Riley being human he’d be safe from the inborn drives to claim and possess. He hadn’t counted on falling in love with her or that the emotion would be as strong as the mating drive.

  Of course, love meant jack shit to his wolf.

  Actually, that wasn’t true. Love acted as a cohesive bond linking the pack, but it wasn’t romantic in any sense of the term. It could be described best as a communal affection and the need to protect all members. Ironically, that included Riley too.

  Her image flashed before him. He shoved it away before the annoying ache in his chest spread to his throat and choked him.

  On a growl, he flung the car door open and dragged in a deep breath. Scents assaulted him. In his human form, his senses were limited. Certain fragrances, however, were ingrained into him. He could pick them out from a crowd. All dominants possessed the trait, along with the ability to partially shift. They were survival tactics. He’d be able to seek out and fight for those individuals important to him if there was ever a threat.

  Only three people made his internal list—Riley, Hannah and Alex.

  All had been at the hospital recently. On top of their familiar signatures, Nic smelled disinfectant and death. A shifter had died in the hospital’s parking lot recently. Nic’s wolf growled. He mentally stroked the beast, the only way he could ease the animal since he couldn’t exactly talk to it. The animal’s tension lessened the longer he petted it, but Nic’s anxiety grew. Two questions repeated in his head. Who had died? And why hadn’t it been cleaned up properly?