by D. M. Turner
“Jeremy, I love you.” Annie’s weak voice cut through his heart more effectively than any knife.
He crept closer and buried his nose in her neck and hair.
A yelp ripped through the room then silence fell.
Jeremy didn’t care who’d won. His Annie was dying.
Brett crouched beside him, back in human form and naked as the day he was born. “How is she?”
“Not good.” Kelly’s soft words carried the heavy weight of grief. “She’s been severely wounded. Claws only, so she hasn’t been Turned.”
The big man put a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “Jeremy, you can help her.”
He lifted his head to glance into Brett’s face.
“If we do nothing, she dies. If you Turn her, she has a chance.”
He shuddered. Turn Annie? No. He lowered his gaze to hers.
Kelly squeezed Annie’s shoulder. “Annie, Jeremy can Turn you. It might save your life. It might not. If we do nothing, you’ll die.”
Annie nodded. “I understand.” Her gaze met Jeremy’s. “Do it.”
He whimpered. How could he curse his Annie? Did she truly fathom what she was asking him to do?
“Please. I don’t want to lose you, Jeremy.” Tears flooded her eyes.
Before he could second guess the decision, he steeled himself and buried his teeth in the open wounds around her ribs.
She whimpered, too weak to scream or not wanting him to know how badly he hurt her. He wasn’t sure which. With the taste of her blood filling his mouth and churning his stomach, he crawled closer and curled his body against the contours of hers.
Brett turned to his mate. “We need to get both of them back to the Preserve. You should drive. You’re the only one not covered in blood. If we get stopped, we don’t want to freak out a cop.”
Kelly nodded. “O’Neil should be here anytime to take care of the mess. Let’s get Jeremy and Annie out of here.” Her hand settled on Jeremy’s shoulder. “Jeremy, can you walk yet?”
He lifted his head then labored to his feet. His legs wobbled like those of a newborn foal, but they stayed under him and held him up. A doozy headache laced his skull, but his vision had cleared.
Brett reached down, gathered Annie close to his chest, and got to his feet. He quickly carried her through the warehouse and to a waiting SUV. Kelly opened the back. He eased Annie onto the floorboard. She whimpered softly but otherwise remained silent.
Jeremy hopped into the back and lay against her again.
The brakes of a truck squealed as it stopped nearby, followed by another SUV. O’Neil and his help had arrived to clean up the scene. He got out of the truck and whistled when he saw Brett. “You look like you were in quite a row.”
“There’s a body in the far back room and lots of blood about.”
“We’ll take care of it.” He peered into the back of Brett and Kelly’s SUV. “Will they be okay?”
“Don’t know yet. We’re on our way to the Preserve.”
Brett shut the back door, leaving Jeremy alone with an unconscious Annie. He nuzzled her, but she neither moved nor made a sound. He rested his nose on her shoulder and heaved a sigh. What if the pain he’d inflicted had been the final straw? What if ultimately he’d been the one to kill her?
Moments later, two of the vehicle’s doors opened then slammed. Brett peered over the backseat then moved around. When he poked his head over the seat again minutes later, he was dressed and wiping blood from his face.
Jeremy tuned out the motion and rumble of the SUV and closed his eyes.
The distant ring of a phone perked his ear. Brett making a phone call.
His ears flattened to his head, he tried to shut out the coming conversation, not wanting to hear what Ian had to say, fairly certain that’s who Brett had called.
“Hello?”
“Ian, it’s Brett. We’re on our way to the Preserve with Jeremy and Annie.”
“How’d it go?”
Even with his ears pinned, Jeremy couldn’t shut off the wolf’s sensitive hearing.
“The invading she-wolf is dead, but she did a number on both of them. Jeremy’s injured but appears to be healing. Annie’s in a bad way and may not make it. The she-wolf tore her up.” He cleared his throat. “We encouraged Jeremy to attempt Turning her.”
“I understand. Does she appear to be healing?”
“The bleeding has stopped, but we need to get her healed up before she tries the first Shift. Right now, it would certainly kill her.”
“Pick up food on the way. I’ll have something ready when you get here, but they need to eat in the meantime. Protein’s best, of course, but even carbs will do if that’s all you can get.”
“Did you hear that, Kelly?”
“Sure did. There’s a place a couple of blocks from here. I’ll use the drive-thru.”
“Good,” Ian said. “I’ll see all of you as soon as you get here. I’ll get Tanya over here as well. We may need her help with Annie.”
Jeremy sighed. Tanya, Colin’s mate, had joined the pack two years before. He’d delivered her and Colin’s first child in March. She’d brought a unique perspective to their lives, fed dissatisfaction with the status-quo that was the life of a werewolf. Because of her, he’d changed a few things, including keeping records of fertility, live births, stillbirths, and such for wolves.
Ian hadn’t been happy with the idea at first, but Jeremy had given him a solid argument about being better able to help their species if he at least knew what was going on. The alpha had conceded the point and simply cautioned him to keep the records safe and secure.
Part of the changes Tanya had made personally to the pack had ensured the survival of two newer pack members through their first Shift. If anyone could help Annie, it’d be Tanya. Annie’s injuries would heal, or they wouldn’t. Jeremy couldn’t change the outcome of that. It was in God’s hands.
Lord, I know there’s nothing we can do to stop Annie from dying, if that’s in Your plans. But, please, Lord, don’t take her from me. Not yet. I’ve only just found her.
True to her word, Kelly stopped at a drive-thru and ordered a bunch of food. Jeremy ignored her conversation with the garbled speaker.
“Here, Jeremy.” Brett laid the driver’s side bucket-style backseat forward as far as it would go, so he could reach behind to where Jeremy and Annie were. He offered Jeremy a hamburger, bun and all.
Jeremy turned away. That thing smelled vile. Overcooked. And beef? Really? Not hardly. If it contained any beef, there wasn’t much amongst the fillers.
“I know, they’re not great, but they do in a pinch. You need to eat something to help your wounds heal.” Brett growled. “Why am I explaining this to you? You know this. I shouldn’t have to tell you, of all people, to eat.”
“Easy, Brett.” Kelly’s gentle voice carried back. “Remember what Ian said? How would you feel if that was me instead of Annie?”
A long silence followed before he said more softly, “He needs to eat.”
“I know. So does he. He’s worried about her, so his appetite is probably nil right now. Mine sure would be if it was you lying there. I know that for a fact.”
Brett fell silent. The man had almost died after he and Kelly first met, torn up badly by a mountain lion while protecting her. Even Ian hadn’t known for sure if he’d live. Kelly had stayed with him through the night, feeding him anytime he stirred, watching over him
Jeremy hadn’t been there for that one, but he’d certainly heard about it. Kelly had earned the respect of the entire pack that night.
“Can you get her to eat anything?”
“I’ll try, but I think she’s unconscious.” Brett turned in the seat to lean over Annie. He frowned then crawled over the seat to kneel on the floor with Annie between him and Jeremy. After easing her into a semi-upright position, he pinched off a small piece of so-called-meat and eased it into her mouth.
Jeremy watched closely, as concerned about how she responded as he was
about Brett hurting her inadvertently.
After a few moments, her breathing changed, and she chewed.
Chapter 12
By the time Kelly shut off the engine in front of Ian’s house, Brett had gotten Annie to eat almost an entire burger, including the bun, and a bit of milk shake. Not enough to keep her energy up for healing, but at least her wounds had begun to heal.
Jeremy laid his muzzle on Brett’s knee and sighed.
Even if she healed before the rise of the full moon, death remained a danger. The first Shift was so traumatic, many new Turns died attempting it, with women dying more often than men. Tanya had helped two others through it. She might be Annie’s only hope. If there was any hope at all.
A worried frown creasing his brow, Brett ran fingers through the thick fur of Jeremy’s ruff.
Kelly opened the back door and stepped away.
Brett climbed out and picked up Annie to carry her into the house.
Jeremy hopped to the ground and stumbled a couple of steps to avoid a face-plant. His equilibrium was still off-kilter. He shook then followed Brett into the house.
Concern wreathing his face, Ian stood across the foyer then stepped to one side.
Brett passed him, headed for the guestroom, where the injured were always taken.
“Jeremy, stay with me.”
He halted and looked up at his alpha. What? His gaze shifted to follow Brett into the hallway to the guestroom. Annie hung limp in his arms. Kelly was right behind him.
Tanya emerged from the kitchen and followed them.
Jeremy took a step in that direction.
“No, Jeremy.” Ian’s fingers grazed his ruff. “Stay out here with me.”
He whined softly, torn between defiance and obedience.
“Come on.” The alpha pointed to the living room.
Jeremy lowered his head and turned to comply, standing in the middle of the floor until Ian settled in a chair. Then he lay next to the chair and rested his head on one of Ian’s feet, finding comfort in having his alpha so close.
Ian lowered his hand to caress the base of Jeremy’s ears. “I know this is hard. No matter what happens now, you made the right decision. You’ve given Annie a fighting chance.”
Then why did it feel like he’d killed her personally? I didn’t want any of this for her.
“How is she?”
Jeremy lifted his head to see who Ian had spoken to.
Brett dropped heavily onto the couch and sighed. “Kelly’s tending her wounds, and Tanya’s feeding her. Her injuries are healing nicely.” He glanced at his watch. “We have several hours to moonrise. Annie has time to heal before she has to attempt the first Shift.”
“That’s in her favor.”
Jeremy lowered his head to his paws again and closed his eyes.
“It might be a good idea for Jeremy to take a shower. Kelly and Tanya suggested it. He’s covered in blood, and they think that could add to the trauma Annie’s already been through.” Brett shrugged. “I don’t know if they’re right or not, but they’d know the female psyche better than I do.”
“What do you think, Jeremy?” Ian leaned over the arm of the chair to quirk a brow at him. “Are you strong enough to get cleaned up?”
He sighed and climbed to his feet.
“Use my bathroom. There are extra clothes in the linen closet behind the door. Top shelf.”
Head down, tail tucked, Jeremy moved slower than he could ever recall. His toenails dragged on the tile floor as he made his way to the master bathroom. He nosed the bathroom door closed then Shifted.
Hot water stung remaining wounds, but he ignored it, allowing the water to cascade over his head and body. He scrubbed his mouth out with a spare toothbrush he’d found in the vanity cabinet, trying to eradicate the taste of Annie’s blood. If she survived, she’d be cursed like him. He’d done that. She’d consented to it, sure, but how could she have known what she was submitting to? He hadn’t explained much over the past week. He’d foolishly believed there’d be more time to share everything with her, to prepare her for life with a werewolf at her side.
Now, if she survives tonight’s moon, she’ll be one of us, and it’s my fault. How could I curse the woman I claim to love? Am I really any different than my maker? I Turned Annie for reasons that are just as selfish as that whackjob gave for Turning me.
Jeremy forced himself to scrub down, scouring blood out of his hair and off his skin. He finally shut off the water, dried off, and dressed in a pair of sweatpants. He didn’t bother with a shirt. He’d only strip again in a few hours when the full moon rose, and the air was warm. He tossed the damp towel over the shower bar, padded back to the living room, and dropped heavily onto the couch.
Ian’s gaze followed and studied him. “You’ve healed well.”
He nodded without looking at the fading red welts that remained from the injuries he’d sustained. Leaning his head against the back of the couch, he closed his eyes. Annie still lived, but grief hung heavy on him. Two possibilities remained. The first Shift would kill her, and be excruciating in the process, or she’d survive and be cursed with the instability of the wolf lurking on the edges of her life every day.
It would’ve been kinder to let her bleed to death.
* * *
A scream from the other end of the house sent Jeremy to his feet. “Annie!” He turned in the direction of the guestroom.
“Stay.” Ian’s stern order cemented his feet to the floor.
“But—“
“No buts. There’s nothing you can do. Leave it to Tanya and Kelly.”
He sat on the edge of the couch and glanced at the clock, blinking a couple of times to check it again. Nearly five? Had he fallen asleep? He must have. Hours had passed since he’d gotten out of the shower.
Long minutes passed as he barely dared breathe.
Kelly emerged from the hallway, soon followed by Tanya. Both of them looked tired.
Jeremy got to his feet. Fear knotted his throat, preventing the question he wanted to ask from finding voice. So he waited.
The two women stepped to each side and glanced back.
A red wolf tottered out, unsteady on her feet, or at least having some difficulty getting all four legs to work together properly.
He remembered that stage of awkwardness. It passed quickly with a bit of exercise.
Yellow eyes swept the room then stopped on him. She lifted her head and perked her ears. Then she cocked her head in a way that was so incredibly familiar, his heart clenched.
She’d survived. Relief and regret warred within him.
Jeremy rounded the couch and dropped to his knees in front of her. “I’m so sorry. All of this is my fault. I had no idea she’d go after you. It never crossed my mind….” He lowered his head, his chin almost touching his chest, to hide the tears blurring his vision, he whispered, “Now you’re cursed like the rest of us. I didn’t want this for you.”
Annie stepped closer and nuzzled his chest and throat.
He wrapped his arms around her neck and buried his face in her ruff.
After a few moments, she wiggled free then swung around and bumped him with one hip hard enough to throw him off-balance. She whipped back around, knocked him flat on the floor, straddled his torso, and proceeded to clean his face with her tongue.
Arms up to ward off the assault, he laughed. “Alright, alright. I get it. You’re not upset. Ugh. Stop drowning me!”
Chuckles rippled through the room, reminding him that they had an audience.
Annie stepped to one side to let him up.
Ian approached, studying her.
She glanced at him then lowered her gaze.
He knelt and ran a hand over her.
Other than tucking her tail and shifting her weight back a bit, she didn’t resist his perusal.
“You’ve healed well.” He looked up at Kelly and Tanya. “You two did a nice job.”
Tanya smiled and shrugged. “We just fed her and talked
her through it all. She did the rest.”
The alpha got to his feet then glanced down at Jeremy. “You need to eat something, then I’d like you to take Annie out for a run before the others get here. Familiarize her with some of the terrain and help her get the legs working right. That’ll help her feel more confident when she’s surrounded by the whole pack.”
Jeremy climbed to his feet and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“One thing, though. Do I tell the pack Annie is mated or not?”
Oh, boy. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to Annie about that. So much she needed to know…. “Uh….”
Annie moved to his side, bumped his leg with her shoulder, and lifted her head to meet Ian’s gaze.
“I’d say her choice is made.” The alpha grinned then quirked a brow at Jeremy. “What about you?”
He ran fingers through her ruff. “Is there really any question?”
Ian chuckled. “Just checking. I’ll be sure everyone’s aware that she’s spoken for.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now, let’s get food into both of you.”
Chapter 13
Residence of Ian Campbell, Pack Alpha
Campbell Wildlife Preserve
Saturday, June 10, 2017
What a night. In a good way. Jeremy smiled and stared out the windows of Ian’s office, sipping coffee. He and Annie had spent the night running and playing together. She’d met the whole pack and gotten along well with each of them. The women in the pack had rallied around her to act as buffers, a fact he appreciated. He’d been concerned about her being overwhelmed by rambunctious wolves. Needless worry.
Annie’s scent wrapped around him. He smiled and glanced to his right as she came alongside and leaned her shoulder lightly against his arm. He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side.
