by Kasey Belle
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Mating Mal
Copper Creek Pack Series
Book 5
Kasey Belle
Copyright ©2017
Thank you for not sharing your copy of this book. Your purchase allows you one legal copy for your own personal reading pleasure on your personal computer or other electronic device. All rights reserved. With exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without permission from the author. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner of the book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to any file sharing peer-to-peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this-e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden.
If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer or electronic device.
If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting my work.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
If you find an e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let me know at [email protected].
Mating Mal: Copper Creek Pack Series, Book 5
Text Copyright © 2017 Kasey Belle Romance
First E-book Publication: December 2017 Kasey Belle Romance
Cover and art copyright © 2017 Sin City Book Art
Digital Formatting by Kasey Belle Romance
ALL RIGHT RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Sharee Ellis and Kandi Candelas. I couldn’t do this without your extremely perceptive eyes. You both mean the world to me.
Copyright/Trademarks (Do not belong to this author and are their own entities):
Beyonce, Google, Twilight & Stephanie Meyer, Yiruma, Kung Fu Panda & Disney Trademarks
Book cover graphics and cover art from publicdomainpictures.net, Can Stock Photo, and Sin City Book Art.
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Thank You!
About The Author
Please Stalk Me
Other Works
Coming Soon!
Chapter 1
Nick ran into the nursery and quietly shut the door. He engaged the lock then pressed his forehead to the cold wood. He blinked back tears and willed himself not to cry as his heart tore from his chest. He had to leave his sister and brother-in-law behind. It wasn’t as if they could go with him anyway. Summer and Daniel were dead. Murdered. They sacrificed themselves to save their son. Nick said a quick silent prayer to the Fates asking them to watch over their souls. It was up to him now to protect Leo. He would not fail. “I’ll keep him safe, Sis,” Nick whispered to the heavens. “I swear it.”
Nick pushed away from the door. He had to get Leo out of here before his uncle’s men made it upstairs. Summer’s baby sling hung over the railing of the crib. Nick put it on then reached into the crib and scooped Leo up in his arms. He wrapped a blanket around the infant then tucked him into the sling Nick wore across his chest, praying the entire time his nephew wouldn’t wake. If he did, they were both dead. He breathed a sigh of relief when Leo didn’t stir, but instead snuggled into Nick’s chest. He grabbed the baby go-bag out of the closet and slung it over his shoulder. Then took the lockbox that contained a .45 caliber pistol, two clips, and an extra box of silver bullets from the top shelf. His brother-in-law had thought of everything in the event either one of them or all of them needed to bug out quickly with Leo. The thought of shooting another shifter didn’t sit well with Nick, but he would do it if he had to. He tucked the box under one arm and held Leo tight to his chest with the other. He veered to the dresser at the last minute and grabbed the framed photo of Summer and Daniel with Leo, Nick took the day his nephew was born and shoved it into the side pocket of the baby bag.
Footsteps ascending the stairs alerted him they were coming. Nick ran to the window, threw it up, and climbed out onto the first story roof that covered the back deck. He clutched Leo to his chest and jumped landing softly on the balls of his feet. Seconds later he heard the door to the nursery slam against the wall and then the shouts of angry voices. He spared a glance at the open window above him then ran through the yard to the woods behind the house. He stopped just inside the tree line and placed Leo on the ground. He opened the lock box and pulled out the pistol and slid the clip home. He knew Brody’s minions would track his scent and there was no way he’d outrun them all. So, he waited.
Most people underestimated Nick because of the way he looked and acted. He was smaller than average with, what he’d been told, were delicate features. Nick was what people considered a twink. He fucking hated that word. Growing up, he’d been accused more than once of having too much flair. Sue him. He liked color. Lots of color. Because, he shone a bit brighter than most, Nick was often judged as nonthreatening or weak, but he didn’t mind it so much. The misconception lulled the assholes and bullies into a false sense of security. Nick may not be the strongest, fastest, or the biggest s
hifter around, but he was deadly with a gun. He could shoot the wings off a fly.
He raised his nose in the air and sniffed. They were coming. In the next moment, two wolves came into view running full speed through the yard towards the trees. Nick took aim and fired once then twice. Both wolves dropped the instant the bullets made contact, and they wouldn’t be getting back up from the expertly placed silver bullets. The loud noises startled Leo, and he began to cry. Nick retrieved the pacifier from the baby bag and gently pushed it into Leo’s mouth. He tossed the gun into the bag along with the remaining contents of the lock box. He scooped Leo into his arms and tucked him back in the sling then took off running. He mentally ran through the carefully plotted plan as he made his way to the exit point.
Nick didn’t sense they’d been followed, although it would be nothing for Brody to catch his scent. He didn’t understand why his uncle’s enforcer didn’t track them. Nick could only assume it was because he was armed and had killed two shifters already. Then again, maybe Brody already knew where he was headed and waited on them at the old cabin. He shook his head. Impossible, unless Summer or David divulged the plan to someone, which he knew they wouldn’t. No. The murdering bastard couldn’t know where he was going, but Nick would be careful approaching the area just in case.
Nick slowed his steps as he neared the abandoned cabin. He lifted his nose and sniffed. Nothing. Well, nothing that didn’t belong. A rabbit was somewhere to his right. A nest of black birds was in the tree above his head. A few insects were flying here and there. Other than that… nothing. No shifters. No humans. Nick still proceeded with caution. He moved quietly behind the rotting wood structure, listening and scenting for anything out of place. He made it to the detached garaged. The one he and Daniel had reinforced with new studs and beams after Daniel and Summer mated. He took the keys from his pocket and unlocked the padlock on the back door. Slowly opening the door, he peered inside. His enhanced vision didn’t pick up anything in the dark nor did his nose. He moved inside and shut the door.
He hit the button on the key fob for the SUV Daniel had stashed in the garage. The doors unlocked and the lights turned. He placed Leo in the car seat and tossed the baby bag on the floor behind the passenger seat. He went to the rear of vehicle and raised the rear door to check the supplies. Everything was where they had left it. There was a sleeping bag, tent, and four duffle bags. Two contained his and Leo’s clothes. The other two belonged to Summer and Daniel. Nick blinked back tears as he ran his hand over them. He didn’t need them, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave their clothes behind. He pulled two cardboard boxes to him and check the contents. There was plenty of powdered formula, a few boxes of rice cereal, various jars of baby food, MRE’s, and protein bars. Nothing appeared tampered with and the only lingering scents belonged to himself and his brother-in-law. There was a case of bottled water in one corner and two tool boxes in the other. The yellow one contained any tools he may need. The black―he popped the latch and opened the lid―contained several handguns and boxes of ammo. He grabbed a few extra clips and a box of ammo just in case he needed them before closing and latching the lid. He shoved the case back into the corner next to the yellow tool box. If for some reason he was pulled over, it would appear as if he were going camping… with a baby. Nick frowned. Hopefully he wouldn’t get pulled over.
He opened the driver’s side door before he opened the large barn doors of the garage. He wanted to be able to make a quick getaway if there was trouble. Holding his breath, he pushed open the wooden doors, breathing a sigh of relief when nobody awaited him on the other side. Nick jumped into the car and started the engine. He put the car in reverse and his tires squealed as he hauled ass out of the garage. He turned the SUV around in the yard and made his way down the overgrown rutted drive, which took him to a dirt road used by hunters. He and Daniel had mapped out the route utilizing as many of the fire and hunting roads as possible to keep them off the main road until they were near the interstate. Once on the interstate, he and Leo could remain undetected until they made it to their final destination, Copper Creek, Texas. Then Fates willing, Alpha Creed would help them disappear for good, but not before Nick found a way to make sure his uncle paid for what he’d done.
He made it to the turn off for the main road and pulled to a stop. He cut off the headlights, plunging the area surrounding them into darkness. He checked the road in both directions but didn’t see any lights indicating vehicles were heading his way. Nick opened the glove box and pulled out two disposable phones. He turned on one and set it in the cup holder then stashed the other in the console. He’d have service once he hit civilization. He waited five more minutes then turned his lights back on and pulled onto the road.
****
Brody pulled out his cell, dreading the call he was about to make, but procrastination would end his life in a slow and painful way.
“Tell me it’s done and you have the cub,” Alpha Speer snarled by way of greeting. The man had never been one for pleasantries.
“I’m afraid not, Alpha.” Brody winced and pulled the phone from his ear when his alpha bellowed his displeasure with some rather inventive and impressive expletives.
“Explain.”
“We took care of your niece and her mate, as you ordered, but they didn’t just roll over. Summer and Daniel fought to the death, which delayed us and gave Nicholas a chance to escape. He was upstairs with the cub. We went to retrieve them and he jumped out the window and took to the woods. Straus and Denny went after him and Nicholas shot and killed them. We didn’t know he was armed, nor had a reason to even consider it as a factor. The little fucker used silver bullets.”
“Be that as it may, you’re still standing Brody. So what happened? You decided to be a pussy and let him escape?” Speer’s low tone sent a shiver through Brody. His alpha didn’t suffer fools. Good thing, Brody wasn’t a fool.
“No sir. However, without backup, I couldn’t take the chance he’d get lucky a third time. Allowing my pride to get in the way could have resulted in my death thus creating unnecessary delays for you, Alpha.” Brody wasn’t about to mention that Nicholas hadn’t actually gotten lucky. The kill shots were made by a skilled marksman. High level skill. They’d all been stupid to underestimate the little bastard.
“Remain where you are. I will send in a team to clean the house and remove the bodies. I don’t want a trace of the occupants left behind for anyone to find. When you are done with that, find my nephews. The little runt couldn’t have gotten far.”
Brody seriously doubted that his assumptions were true. Nicholas was following a plan. He knew it deep in his bones. Again, he kept his opinions to himself. No alpha liked to be told he was wrong. Alpha Speer more than most. “Straus and Denny?”
His alpha was silent for a moment then asked, “Did they shift back?”
Brody closed his eyes at the calculation and disregard in his alpha’s voice. He knew where this was going and he didn’t like it. “No, sir,” he responded reluctantly. “The silver did its job. They are still in wolf form.”
“Bury them in a shallow grave and be done with it. If anybody finds the remains they’ll just think someone killed a couple of wolves.”
“Yes, sir.” He kept his tone neutral, but he wanted to rage.
We don’t have time for sentimentalities, Enforcer.”
Sentimentality? Try fucking respect. His men deserved it. Their sacrifice earned them a warrior’s burial. Speer never saw a need for such things, time constraints had nothing to do with his decision. Brody shared many of the same beliefs and ideologies as his alpha, but not this one. Men who fought and died for the good of the pack should be honored by the pack. Straus and Denny would have to settle for just Brody’s gratitude and homage. Hopefully, that would be enough to allow their spirits to rest in peace.
“Problem, Enforcer?” Alpha Speer challenged, pulling Brody back into the conversation.
Brody cringed. He’d been silent for too long, lost in
his own thoughts. It was moments like this one that made Brody was thankful that he didn’t share a common link with his alpha. If the man could read his mind, Brody would be dead the second the ruthless alpha laid eyes on him.
“There’s no problem, Alpha.” He kept his tone light. “I’ll await the team and bury the men.”
“Good. I expect you to complete your mission. Do not disappoint me, Brody.”
“I won’t. I’ll be in touch soon. Good bye, Alpha.”
Craden Speer rung off without a word. Brody blew out a breath. He looked down at his men lying dead on the ground, their blood mixing with the dirt and leaves. He closed his eyes and thanked them for their service and prayed the Fates would welcome them and bestow blessings upon them. With one last glance, he turned and went in search of a shovel.
Chapter 2
Nick blew out a relieved breath when he spied the reflective sign indicating the interstate on-ramp was a mile and a half up the road. He watched his speed even though every part of him wanted to put the pedal to the floor. The last thing he needed was to be pulled over by some overzealous bored sheriff’s deputy. The tension in his shoulders eased some when he finally turned onto the on-ramp and merged into the traffic. There were enough cars that he wouldn’t stick out, but not too many to make it impossible to spot a tail.
Nick glanced in the rearview mirror his eyes connecting with Leo’s reflection in the adjustable backseat baby mirror that hung from the headrest. It was angled so that the driver could monitor Leo in the rear-facing car seat. His enhanced vision allowed him to see his nephew clearly in the dark interior of the car. His little nephew was still fast asleep. Nick’s heart melted the same as it did every time he looked at Leo. “I’ll keep him safe,” he whispered to his sister, who was no doubt watching over them from the heavens. “I won’t let him forget you. Either of you.”
Nick took the disposable cellphone from the cup holder and flipped it open. He pressed number one on speed dial and called the only number programmed into the phone. He held his breath as he waited for the one man he knew could help them to answer.
