Wolf on a Mission: Salvation Pack, Book 6

by N. J. Walters

  “It’s nothing illegal.” He didn’t want her thinking he was a criminal.

  Her gentle smile just about brought him to his knees. “I know. Anny wouldn’t be a part of something like that. And you wouldn’t risk Sage.”

  His wolf calmed a little but not much. At least she didn’t think the worst of him.

  “But since I’m not a part of whatever is going on, I need to separate myself from it.” Elias knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say next. “And that includes you too.”

  He did growl then. It was loud enough that both his nephews swiveled their heads and stared at him. However, Sue was either so preoccupied she didn’t hear or she wasn’t the least bit afraid.

  “Billy is already too attached to Sage and Reece.” She wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. Elias wanted to drag her into his arms and promise her everything would be okay, but he couldn’t. At that moment, he hated what he was for the first time in his life. When his wolf whined, he shook off the thought. He loved his wolf. Wouldn’t want to live without it.

  But he didn’t want to live without Sue either.

  “Time to go.” She left him standing there and went to her son. She thanked Sage and hugged him. Then she patted Reece and kissed his furry head. Billy started to fret and cry, but Sage hoisted the youngster onto his hip and carried him to Sue’s car. Whatever the boy said to him, it had Billy smiling again in no time. Sue, however, didn’t look happy.

  Elias waited by the driver’s side of the car while Sue double-checked to make sure Billy was safely strapped in. She hesitated when she saw him but squared her shoulders and kept coming.

  Her courage and resilience drew him to her. That and her innate kindness. Okay, and her smoking-hot body. He loved the way her skirt emphasized her curves. The way her full breasts filled out the thin cotton blouse she wore.

  His cock sprang to life. It had taken iron control to keep from sporting a massive hard-on in front of the rest of the pack. Now that he was virtually alone with Sue, it was impossible to contain. He knew what she looked like naked. How she felt under his hand.

  Sue’s nostrils flared. She was as aware of him as he was of her. He opened the door and waited. She slipped by him but paused. “We can’t see each other again.” With that pronouncement, she slid into the driver’s seat and closed the door.

  Elias watched as she drove away. “We’ll see about that,” he muttered. It would be wise to do as she’d asked. But he’d always acted more on his instincts. And he knew now he could never let Sue go. Even if that meant walking away from the Salvation Pack. Whether his nephews came with him or not was up to them. He wanted them to be with him, but he also wanted them to have the protection of a pack.

  He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. The tension thrumming through him had made his shoulder muscles rock solid.

  “Don’t worry, Uncle Elias. Everything will work itself out.” He wished he had Sage’s optimism.

  “Let’s get back to the house. Reece should be resting.” Still in wolf form, the boy snorted and trotted ahead of them. Elias peered down the road but Sue was long gone.

  Sue kept her eyes on the road ahead of her and refused to think about anything but the drive home. If she let anything else intrude, she’d probably break down in tears. All this time, Anny had been a short drive away.

  She didn’t want to think of the nights they’d talked on the phone and Anny had told her she wished she could be there to help. Her friend could have easily been there when Sue’s mother got sick, when she’d died and then when her father had passed. Not to mention when Sue had sold off things and settled her parents’ estate. Her friend had simply chosen not to be there.

  Why?

  That was the big question. Did Anny feel too afraid to leave her home?

  Sue’s heart ached for her friend in spite of everything. She had no way of knowing what was going on in Anny’s head. Maybe her friend was too ashamed to admit she had a problem. She could understand and forgive that. But she was also realistic. As much as she wished it were different, Anny wouldn’t be a part of her life in a real way ever again.

  And that hurt.

  But nothing made her ache as much as the thought of never seeing Elias again. She had to stay firm. Letting him walk in and out of her life would only lead to more heartbreak. Not to mention what it would do to Billy. He’d already had enough people leave him.

  “We’re home,” she announced. She forced some cheer into her voice. Not that Billy noticed. He’d fallen asleep on the drive. It was past mealtime, but he probably wasn’t very hungry. Mrs. Beecham had given him an afternoon snack when Sue’s shift had run over. And he had chocolate stains on his shirt from the cake he’d consumed not long ago.

  She shut off the engine and sat in the car for the longest time. She wasn’t sure if she had the energy to get out, gather Billy and his belongings and walk to the house. Sue was exhausted both physically and emotionally.

  “You can do this.” This situation with Anny and Elias was just one more in a long line of unpleasant things she’d had to deal with. She grabbed her purse and climbed out. It was only the work of a minute to get her son and his knapsack. Arms full, she staggered toward the house.

  It took some doing to get the door open. She dropped her purse but kept going with Billy. He should eat, brush his teeth and have a bath, but those things could wait until morning. She set him on the bed and deposited his knapsack beside it.

  His eyes were closed tight and his lips slightly parted on a soft snore. Billy was her life, her reason for getting up in the morning. The love she had for him was so immense it was frightening at times. She worried about him constantly but tried not to hover. She didn’t want him growing up afraid to test his wings, but at the same time she wanted to protect him from everything that might ever harm him.

  That was the plight of all parents.

  She slipped off his shoes, socks and jeans and tugged off his dirty shirt. Billy didn’t move. No one could ever accuse her son of not being a good sleeper. She left his underwear on and pulled the sheet over him. He’d live for one night without a bath and brushing his teeth. And if by some miracle he woke before it was time for her to go to bed, she could bath him then.

  She sat there for a long time simply watching her son. The room grew darker as evening closed in around them. She didn’t want to leave Billy, but the need to go to the bathroom finally drove her out.

  Sue brushed her hand over his baby-fine hair one final time and kissed his forehead before she left, closing the door behind her. She went to the bathroom and then decided to take a shower. She was still wearing her work clothes and felt grungy.

  The woman in the bathroom mirror looked tired and defeated. Sue turned her back on the image and stripped out of her clothes. She tossed everything in the hamper and turned on the shower.

  Her breasts felt heavy and she was ultra-aware of her body. She’d seen the way Elias had looked at her, his eyes skimming her curves. She swore and grabbed her bath puff and loaded it down with body wash. Ignoring the low-level arousal thrumming through her, she ran the sponge over her body, being careful not to linger on her breasts or between her thighs.

  She was panting slightly by the time she finished, every nerve ending in her body alive with sensation. She ignored it as best she could and washed her hair. She wouldn’t have bothered except the scent of the diner always clung to it after a long shift.

  When she was totally clean from head to foot, she turned off the shower and stepped out. Twinges in several of her muscles reminded her of Elias and what they’d done last night, and the night before that too.

  Sue grabbed a towel and rubbed her body dry, groaning when her nipples pebbled. Her breath quickened and heat built between her thighs.

  “No,” she muttered. “Not happening.” She didn’t want to be reminded she was a vital woman. Not tonight
. Not when she knew she’d never see Elias again. It was time to go back to being Billy’s mother and nothing more. And if she mourned the loss, so be it.

  She left her hair damp and went to her bedroom and yanked on a thin nightgown. It was much too early for her to go to bed in spite of the exhaustion weighing down on her. She poured herself a glass of water and carried it out onto the deck.

  She wasn’t waiting for Elias to show. At least that’s what she tried to convince herself.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Elias was in a foul mood as he made his way back to the house. He knew the pack would be waiting on them. “Be careful what you say,” he warned both his nephews. He didn’t want Sue in any more trouble than she already was. He thought he had Jacque’s measure, but an alpha wolf would do whatever he had to in order to protect his pack.

  Everyone was there when they walked back into the room, except for Cole’s father, who was still out patrolling. All eyes landed on him. “She’s gone.”

  “This is a hell of a mess.” Jacque prowled in front of the fireplace. “We’ve gone over a year without any trouble.” There was heat in both the man’s words and golden eyes. “I was enjoying the peace.”

  “Sue didn’t cause this problem.” Elias wasn’t going to let the alpha put the blame on her. All she’d done was come out here to warn them. Not everyone would have. Most folks would have minded their own business.

  “No, I did.” Reece had shifted and pulled on a pair of jeans. “I shifted when maybe I shouldn’t have.” The younger man dragged his fingers through his hair. “I had no idea they were so wary of wolves around here. I figured it was safe because I was on pack land.” Sage walked to his brother’s side and stood next to him, their arms touching.

  His nephew made a good point. “It was Anny’s attack that got them all so fired up about wolves, wasn’t it?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Anny licked her lips nervously. Her mate growled and took a menacing step toward Elias. She grabbed his arm and stopped him. “He’s right. Up until then, no one around here had even mentioned wolves in the area. All this goes back to me.”

  Jacque pointed a finger at Anny. “This is not your fault.”

  “It’s not anyone’s fault.” This came from Gwen, who went to stand next to her mate. “It simply happened, and we have to deal with it like we’ve dealt with every other problem that’s come our way. Fortunately, this problem is much simpler to handle.”

  “How?” Elias wanted to know.

  Jacque glared at him and growled. He knew the alpha was very protective of his mate, but he wasn’t backing down.

  “Call the sheriff’s department and report that hunters shot one of our dogs. We tell them we liked Gray’s dog so much we got some of our own, all wolf mixes.” Gwen rubbed her husband’s arm. “That should take care of Connor McLennan and his family, especially if we threaten to lay charges of trespassing as well. The men were hunting out of season too.”

  Jacque dropped a kiss on the top of Gwen’s head. “Think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?”

  “I know I am,” she retorted. “I got you, didn’t I?” The big man laughed and some of the tension bled from the room.

  “I want to tell Sue.” Anny’s quiet words brought everyone to a standstill.

  “You want to what?” Jacque demanded. “Are you out of your mind? No one knows about us but pack.” The alpha had spoken. The authority behind his decree was absolute. Anny cringed back against her mate. Armand wrapped his arms around her and glared at his cousin.

  Elias could feel Jacque’s frustration. “It’s too dangerous, for her and her son and for us.”

  “She’s mine.” Elias had no idea what possessed him to speak. When every eye in the room turned on him, he wished he’d kept his mouth shut.

  Reece and Sage flanked him in a show of family support.

  “What do you mean, she’s yours?” Jacque demanded.

  “My wolf wants to mate with her.” It was strangely liberating to say it out loud.

  “Fuck, this situation is way out of control. How does Sue feel about you?”

  Elias shrugged. “I’m not sure. I know she wants me.”

  “For Christ sake. You’ve already fucked her, haven’t you?”

  Elias leapt toward the alpha without thought. Cole stepped in front of Jacque while both his nephews pulled him back. Shit, what had he done? He’d almost attacked the alpha of the pack.

  He put his hands on his thighs, bent slightly at the waist and sucked in a huge lungful of air. “That was uncalled for. I apologize.” By his own actions, he’d put his nephews in danger. What was wrong with him?

  “I need some coffee,” Jacque muttered.

  “I’m on it.” Gator headed toward the kitchen.

  Not exactly the reaction Elias had expected. In most packs, he’d be facing pack discipline or be booted out for what he’d just done. “I think we should leave.” Better to get out now and protect his boys.

  Jacque shook his head. “It’s not safe for wolves on their own. You know that better than anyone.” The alpha stood in front of him, the two men eye to eye. “Wolves who haven’t claimed their mates do stupid things.”

  “Yeah?” The feeling of dread that threatened to overwhelm him began to slowly recede. His wolf felt in no danger from Jacque.

  The alpha snorted. “Yeah. We’re all guilty of that. But, Elias, she’s fully human.”

  Elias took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I know.”

  “I don’t envy you. She has a son too.”

  “Believe me, I’m well aware of that.” He turned to Anny. “What do you know about her ex?”

  “Billy senior? He’s a good-looking jackass who abandoned Sue and his son not long after the boy was born. Why?” She left the comfort and safety of her mate’s arms and came closer. “What’s going on?”

  “He wants custody of Billy.”

  Anny’s hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened. “No. Oh, no. That would destroy Sue. I don’t understand. Unless something has changed in the past couple of years, he’s always ignored Billy.”

  “Well, William thinks there is money from her parents’ estate. If he pushes, he thinks she’ll hand it over in order to keep her son.” All around him, wolves began to growl. “What he doesn’t understand is that there is no money other than what is in trust for Billy. That can’t be touched by anyone. It’s for his education and only he can access it when he turns eighteen. Sue is out of her mind with worry.”

  Elias saw the various expressions on the faces of the people around him. They ranged from anger to disgust and worry. “Sue didn’t have to come out here to warn you about the hunters. You’re all strangers. She has enough problems of her own to deal with, yet she went out of her way to help you. That’s the kind of person she is.”

  “He’s right.” Anny leaned back against her mate and briefly closed her eyes. “I’d be dead without her. She saved my life. She had no idea if whatever animal had attacked me was still around, yet she didn’t hesitate to wait beside me and give what aid she could until the authorities arrived. She risked her life for me when she had a child depending on her.” Tears rolled down Anny’s cheeks. “And how did I repay her? I stayed away when she needed me most. I’m so ashamed.” She turned and buried her face against her mate’s chest.

  Armand ran his hand down her spine. “It’s not your fault, ma petite,” he crooned. “You did what you thought was best to protect them.” Armand wrapped Anny in his embrace. “We had other enemies at the time and didn’t want to bring attention to Sue and Billy.”

  “I understand. No one is faulting you, Anny.” Elias hated that he was unintentionally hurting her. It was obvious that she cared for Sue and her son.

  “None of this is anyone’s fault.” Jacque rolled his shoulders and accepted a mug of coffee from Gator. He took a sip of t
he hot brew. “This falls under the category of shit happens. We have to figure out how to minimize the damage.”

  “Call the sheriff’s office.” Gwen pulled out her phone and offered it to him. “It’s the best solution for now.”

  Jacque took it. “What’s the damn number?” Armand rattled it off and they all waited silently as Jacque made the call. It didn’t take the alpha long to report trespassing, illegal hunting and injury of a pet. The last was said with a teasing smile aimed at Reece. Elias’s nephew grinned and shrugged.

  Elias couldn’t shake it off quite that easily. Reece had been shot. Just because he’d recovered quickly and was almost back to normal didn’t mean Elias could forget how close he’d come to losing the boy. It took a lot to kill a werewolf, but Reece wasn’t full-blooded. There was no way of knowing how he would respond to a bullet.

  Reece was lucky he’d just been grazed. At least they knew his healing abilities were on par with a full-blooded werewolf’s. Except for the scar on his shoulder, Reece seemed to be back to his normal self.

  As if Reece knew where Elias’s thoughts had wandered, he squeezed Elias’s hand. “I’m okay,” he whispered.

  But it had been a close call. Too close. Elias was being pulled apart. He wanted to stay in Salvation, close to Sue and to the pack. But was it fair to his nephews if being here put them in danger?

  Jacque ended the call. “The deputy said he’d talk to them. I’m not expecting much, but it’s on record. We’re going to increase the patrols for a while. Stay in your human form unless you’re one hundred percent sure you’re alone. No one patrols alone. Go in pairs.”

  Cole nodded, kissed his mate and immediately left the room. His father was out there on his own. Elias knew Cole would find him.

  Jacque handed Gwen’s phone back to her. “And you—” he pointed at Elias, “—get a grip on your emotions and don’t do anything stupid. Sue isn’t going anywhere and the boys are as safe here as they’d be anywhere. Safer.”