“Can you walk?” the angel shouted.
Gena gaped at him and pointed at Alex.
Using just one hand, the angle lifted the beam and pulled Alex out. “Come on!” he yelled. “Move!”
Gena staggered and tripped. Swiftly, the angel grabbed her and supported her with one powerful arm. He threw Alex over his broad shoulder and kicked the burning furniture out of the way.
Gena could no longer see. Everything was hazy, and she heard nothing but the roar of the fire.
The angel kept moving, his long-legged strides propelling them swiftly, determinedly out of the burning house. Gena tried to move her legs to keep pace with their rescuer but in reality, she was simply being dragged along.
Unable to hold her breath any longer, Gena finally gasped and take a long, deep breath. Her eyes widened when she realized that she was no longer choking on the dirty, dense smoke.
Gena blinked repeatedly and almost wept with relief. They had made it out of the fire. They were alive. The angel had saved them.
Dazedly, she lifted her head to take a good look at their savior. He still had his arm around her waist, and was holding her firmly to his side.
She felt his hot, hard body against hers, and heard his harsh, ragged breathing. Tentatively, she touched his shoulder and felt his muscles throb and tense under her fingers.
He wasn’t a celestial being. He was a man. A solid, breathing, real man.
But she had never seen him before. Thunder Creek was a tiny town, and she recognized most of the residents even though she hardly spoke to them.
She was pretty sure she would have remembered his face if she had seen him around town. A man like him was hard to miss.
He was very tall, broad and muscular. He was in jeans and a t-shirt, and every inch of him looked tanned and toned. His short blond hair was messy, and his strong jaw was tightly clenched. She saw a cut across his arm, and blood was oozing from the wound.
He truly was flesh and blood.
The man might not be an angel, but he was a hero. Her hero.
“I...you...” she stuttered incoherently.
The man glanced at her and slowed his pace. He had rushed them away from the fire and taken them into the woods behind her house.
The man slid Alex off his shoulder and propped her against a tree. Alex sat on the ground beside her, panting and mumbling.
Gena stared at the man in front of them for a moment. “Wow.”
She clamped her mouth shut in mortification. She hadn't meant to say that. What was wrong with her?
Alex snapped his eyes to her and his rounded eyes darted between her and their hunky rescuer. Hiding a smirk, Alex elbowed Gena and whispered, “Gena, stop drooling. The guy just saved us. Thank him first. Ogle him later.”
“No, that's not...” Gena sputtered. “That's not what it sounds like. I was...”
“You said wow,” Alex whispered. “I heard you.”
Gena scowled at her friend and turned to their savior. “Thank you. Thank you, you...you saved our lives.”
“That fire,” the man said grimly. “It was deliberate. Someone wanted to hurt you.”
Gena gulped. “The Lightning wolves.”
“Who?”
“You don't know…?” Gena canted her head at him. “You're not from Thunder Creek, are you?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“No. I'm not from around here,” the man said.
Of course not. She would have noticed him. The guy looked like a cover model.
“So where are you from?” Alex asked curiously.
“I came from Redrock Valley. My name is Kieron Steel.”
“Redrock Valley?” Gena and Alex exclaimed together.
“That's a long way from Thunder Creek,” Alex said. “Thunder Creek doesn't see many visitors. It's a pretty secluded town and the residents are not very...welcoming.”
Kieron glanced over his shoulder. “I figured as much. The people are scared. They're too scared to help you.”
“They're afraid of incurring the wrath of the Lightning wolves,” Gena answered, grimacing.
“Yeah, those wolves are real vicious and vindictive,” Alex spat.
“Why are the wolves after you? What did you do?” Kieron asked, his blue eyes boring into Gena.
“She didn't do anything!” Alex said angrily. “Gena is innocent. She never did anything to them. It's me they want. Gena...” His voice cracked as he turned to her. “Gena, I'm so sorry. I got you into this. It's all my fault. First Joe, now you. Joe is dead because of me, and you...you could have died!”
Gena gripped Alex's shaking shoulders and shook him gently. “It's not your fault. Hey, look at me. Listen to me. You did nothing wrong. The Lightning wolves killed Joe, and they tried to kill me because they're fucking cowards! Don't apologize. Don't apologize for loving Joe. Those wolves don’t know the meaning of love and loyalty. They can turn on their Beta in a heartbeat!” She spat in disgust and disdain. “Shame on them! Don't you apologize, Alex. Don’t apologize for coming to me. You're my friend, and I'm glad that you came to me when you needed help. That’s what friends are for.”
She smiled encouragingly at him. “Don't let them win. Okay?”
Alex shook his head. “You lost your home because of me.”
“It's just a house.” Gena paused. “It's not really my home. It belonged to Aunt Anna, and she wanted me to have it, but...” She sighed sadly. “I came to Thunder Creek to take care of her, but I don't think I belong here.”
Gena looked up to see Kieron staring at her. Composing herself, she straightened up and said, “I'm Gena Martin, and this is my friend, Alex Bolden. Thank you, we...we can't thank you enough. We owe you our lives. But—you'd better leave Thunder Creek, Kieron. It's not safe here.”
Alex nodded. “Yeah. The Lightning pack will come after you now. They'll come after anyone who stands in their way. That's why the neighbors won't help us.”
Kieron smirked. “Those wolves can't do anything to me.”
“You saw what they did to Gena.” Alex gulped. “They'll do worse to you. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me. Please, leave while you can. And take Gena with you.”
“Alex!” Gena cried. “No! I...”
“I've done enough damage...to all of you.”
Gena was about to retort when she heard a blood-curdling howl. She froze, her eyes widening in terror. “The Lightning wolves,” she whispered. “They're coming.”
She scrambled to Alex and tried to help him up. “Quick, we have to run! We...” She turned to Kieron and hissed, “Run! Go, this is none of your business. Don't get involved. I...I hope we meet again. I'll never forget what you did for us. Thank you. Now go!”
Alex winced and panted. “My leg hurts. I don't think I can run very fast.” He twisted out of her grip and limped away. “Go with him, Gena.”
Alex looked at Kieron and said, “Keep her safe. Please.”
Kieron gave a barely perceptible nod. Gena tried to go to Alex but Kieron pushed her behind him.
“Don’t move,” he growled.
“But...”
“Trust me,” Kieron said in a low voice. “I won’t let anything happen to you and your friend.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kieron went up to Alex and led him back to Gena. “I deal with the wolves,” Kieron said quietly but firmly. “Stay with Gena.”
Gena and Alex stared at him and stammered a protest together. Kieron studied the two humans with interest. Gena said that they were friends, but they could easily be mistaken for siblings. Both of them had dark hair, and they were almost the same height and build. They were both petite, slender, quite tiny really.
It was clear that Gena was very protective of the younger man, but their relationship seemed purely platonic. There were no romantic or sexual overtones as far as Kieron could tell. They were truly just friends, with no benefits whatsoever.
Good. Kieron growled.
Otherwise, he might well have to le
ave Alex to the wolves.
He had no obligation to help a rival. All was fair in love and war.
Another growl rumbled out of Kieron. Love? What did he know about love? What was he really fighting for?
For her?
He stared at the pretty, petite little female. Her long, wavy dark hair was tangled and matted, and there were smudges and scratches down her face and arms. Even though she had to be exhausted, there was a steely glint in her violet eyes. This little human woman refused to be intimidated by a pack of deadly wolves. She’d stubbornly refused to turn her back on her friend. She could simply have abandoned Alex and saved her own skin, but she had bravely, staunchly stood by him.
There was only one word to describe her.
Wow.
Kieron didn't know why he should feel so proud and possessive of her, but he did. She was brave, loyal, caring and fearless. She was a much, much better person than him. Unlike him, Gena protected those she cared about. Kieron only caused pain and unhappiness to his loved ones.
At that moment, Kieron swore that he would do everything in his power to be worthy of this beautiful, perfect female. He would change. He would control his wayward, turbulent emotions and keep his beast in check. He had to stop being a bloody, fucking mess and pull himself together.
He wanted to keep her safe, always. And he wanted to prove to her that he wasn't a selfish, shallow bastard.
He stared into her large, violet eyes and frowned. Her eyes seemed strangely familiar. Where had he seen those startling violet eyes before?
A disturbing thought flashed through his mind, but he had no time to dwell on it.
Kieron saw movement between the trees and he stood in front of Alex and Gena to block them from the wolves. He allowed his dragon to rise to the surface, and his eyes glowed as a thin trail of smoke curled from his nostril. He wanted the wolves to scent his dragon, to know that they were facing a much larger, fiercer, more lethal opponent.
The Lightning pack stopped suddenly, and he heard their uneasy growls and snarls.
One of the wolves stepped forward and shifted to human form. A tall, imposing man with a mane of thick black and silver hair strode towards Kieron.
“I am Robson, Alpha of the Lightning pack. Who are you?” the man said, looking Kieron up and down. “What are you? Your scent is...different.”
“I am...” Kieron smiled. “Leaving.”
Robson laughed. “Go ahead. We won't stop you. We only want the humans.”
“I'm leaving with them,” Kieron answered.
“I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that.”
“I'm not asking for your permission.”
Robson narrowed his eyes at him. “Just walk away, stranger. You're not from this town. Don't stick your nose in where it's not wanted.”
“You set fire to the lady's house. You almost killed an innocent woman.”
“She's not innocent. The woman has made herself an enemy of the Lightning pack by her own choices and actions,” Robson answered. “Anyone who stands in the way of the Lightning wolves will be...destroyed.”
Kieron ignored the threat.
They stood facing each other, waiting for the other to back down. Robson smiled slowly and raised his hand to give a silent command to his pack. The wolves moved swiftly, spreading out to surround them. Silently, they moved in for the kill.
“I'm sorry to have to do this,” Robson said, his smile vanishing.
Kieron smirked. “So am I.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kieron took a step back as the Lightning wolves closed in on him. The wolves moved soundlessly, their glowing eyes fixed on their targets.
He knew that Robson had just given his pack the order to kill them all.
Big mistake.
Kieron heard Alex and Gena gulp behind him. They stood back to back, facing the savage, vengeful pack of wolves without flinching.
Robson kept his eyes on Kieron as he shifted to wolf form. The large black wolf prowled towards Kieron and crouched. With a snarl, Robson launched himself at Kieron, gunning for his throat.
Kieron let his claws slice out and swiped at Robson. The Lightning pack surged forward, and Gena screamed.
As Kieron fought Robson and a dozen other wolves off, he saw Alex throw himself over Gena to shield her. The wolves tore into him, shredding the skin off his back but Alex refused to move. He covered Gena with his body, screaming in anger and pain. “Cowards! You're not wolves! You're nothing but cowards!” Alex screamed at them.
When Gena's fist flew out to punch a wolf on the nose, another wolf clamped its jaws around her hand and bit down. Gena cried out, and the scent of her blood rose into the air.
Kieron roared. “Gena!”
Fire churned in his gut and exploded through his body. His dragon reared up, felling trees as its powerful tail lashed from side to side. Gena and Alex shrieked in shock when they saw his dragon form.
The wolves scrambled back at the sight of the ferocious, magnificent green dragon and turned to their Alpha for direction. Should they retreat?
Robson growled, his eyes narrowing. He had suspected what Kieron was.
Robson charged forward, and his pack followed his lead. They were to try and get past the dragon. The two humans were the targets. The dragon was just the obstacle.
Kieron breathed a stream of fire at the attacking wolves, burning some of them alive. A few of the wolves retreated in horror at the sight of their burning, writhing pack members, but most of the Lightning wolves didn't dare defy their Alpha's order. They had been ordered to kill the two humans and the punishment for insubordination was a painful, gruesome death.
Kieron turned around and spat another ball of fire at the wolves. He was about to unleash another stream of fire when he heard Gena's frantic shrieks. “Alex! Alex, oh God!”
He saw Gena cradling Alex in her arms, and waving a twig furiously at the circling wolves. “Get away! Get away from him!” she screamed.
Alex's eyes were closed, and his clothes were soaked with blood. His breathing was labored, and he was shivering violently. He had lost a lot of blood and was in pretty bad shape. Alex had fearlessly used his body to shield Gena from the wolves, and his entire body was now covered with vicious wounds and gashes.
Kieron knew he had to get the young man away quickly. He couldn’t let him die.
Kieron spread his wings and nudged Gena away with his foot. He curled his talon around Alex, and turned to stare at Gena.
He crouched and she immediately understood what he wanted her to do.
Clever Gena.
She ran to him and clambered onto his back.
Hurling a last ball of fire at the wolves, Kieron launched himself into the air and beat his wings hard. He needed to gain speed and altitude quickly. Alex was bleeding out. He had to fly Alex and Gena far away from Thunder Creek, away from the wolves.
He would fly them home. To Redrock Valley. They would be safe there.
Kieron heard the howl of the wolves as he flew away from Thunder Creek. But even as he flew away, he knew he had made a mistake.
He shouldn’t have left any wolf alive. He should have burned them all. He should have destroyed the Lightning pack utterly and completely. Massacring the entire pack would have been a brutal but necessary act.
He let out a roar and shot into the sky.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Gena clung on for dear life as the dragon soared towards the clouds. She didn't dare move or make a sound. If the dragon jerked or tilted, she might very well lose her grip and tumble to her death.
She bit the inside of her cheek hard to make sure that she wasn't dreaming. She was really riding a dragon, a magnificent, shimmering, emerald dragon.
She blinked rapidly and tried to remember what she had seen. She had been trying to hold the wolves off, screaming herself hoarse as she lashed out wildly and desperately. Kieron had been standing in front of them, taking on the whole Lightning pack. She’d heard a powerful, deafening roar,
and she'd blinked. In that one blink, Kieron had disappeared and in his place was a furious, roaring, fire-spitting dragon.
Gena reached out gingerly and touched one of the dragon’s glittering scales. The scales felt hard and cold, like armor. She craned her neck and peeked down at Alex.
Her friend was unconscious, being held securely in the dragon's talon. She could see the tips of the dragon's lethal, razor sharp claws. Those claws weren't for show. They could rip her wide open and spill all her innards.
Dragons were carnivores, right? They ate meat, any kind of meat.
Shit. Had she escaped from a pack of wolves only to end up as a dragon's dinner?
“Kieron?” she whispered desperately. “It's you, right? You...you're the dragon. You're a dragon shifter, aren’t you? You just changed your shape, but you're still you. Right?”
She winced and hoped that he was in there somewhere. This dragon wasn't a man-eating beast. It was Kieron, that fearless, handsome man who had swooped in like an angel to save them from the fire.
The dragon turned its massive head to look at her. She saw those brilliant blue eyes and exhaled a sigh of relief. Yes, those were Kieron's eyes. And he seemed to be smiling at her.
“Okay,” she said, managing a shaky smile. “Okay. It's you. You're the dragon. But...dragons aren't real...” she muttered to herself.
There were all kinds of shifters around, and she'd just had a very unpleasant close encounter with a pack of wolf shifters. But those shifters changed into animals which were...real. A dragon was a mythical beast, a creature of lore. Dragons existed only in stories, fairy tales, cartoons and movies. They weren't real. They were magical, imaginary creatures.
“Dragons aren’t real,” Gena repeated.
Kieron snorted and blew out a puff of smoke. He rolled his large blue eyes at her and chuffed. She could feel his huge, powerful body tense and flex beneath her as his muscles rippled. He was trying to make a point.
Despite herself, Gena managed to chuckle.
The Dragon's Match: Paranormal Shifter Romance (Hearts on Fire Book 3) Page 4
