by Lori King
“I wanted to show how useless you were at protecting your own town. The town needs to be taken care of. You’ve allowed humans to basically take it over. They own the shops that we used to fund the pack.”
“If the pack needs money, they work for it.” Luke walked backward, trying to draw Shepard toward him. He heard the other two wolves growling at him as they approached him from each side. He was being cornered but didn’t worry; his enforcers were close by and would act at a moment’s notice.
“You have dragged the pack and my town down, and it’s time I fix things.”
“How are you going to fix things? By killing people until there’s no one left?” Luke saw Shepard fighting to control his wolf. He was more animal than man now, and his wolf was about to break free of those chains.
“I’m going to kill you slowly. Then, when you’re near death, I’ll hold back so that I can fuck and then kill your mate in front of you. She’ll die while you’re helpless and you’ll beg me to end you.”
Luke didn’t have time to respond verbally. Shepard launched himself at him, shifting fully to his wolf form in midair. The other two wolves were on him as well, knocking him to his knees. He took several bites before he was able to shove them off so he could shift.
His enforcers were there in a heartbeat, pulling the other wolves off him. He glanced over at Rita and was grateful to see his beta there protecting her. If anything happened to him, at least his mate would be protected and kept safe.
Luke jerked when Shepard bit into his hind leg. He shoved him out of the way, growling and baring his teeth in a snarl.
“Luke!” He glanced over at his mate. She was trying to get past Riker, who had shifted to human form to hold her back. Mindy shifted to help hold her friend as well.
He shifted back to human form and held up his hand. “No, Rita! Go with Riker!”
“Watch out!” Rita pointed at something behind him.
He was struck from behind and knocked to the ground by Shepard’s wolf. He heard Rita screaming but he couldn’t look at her again. He trusted that Riker would take her to safety.
He shifted back to wolf form and snarled at the silver-streaked wolf. He saw the killer in the other wolf’s eyes. His first thoughts were to capture the crazed werewolf and give him over to the werewolf council to mete out justice. But this creature was clearly too dangerous. He had to be stopped now.
He rolled over before jumping back up on all fours. He circled the other wolf and could tell there was now an understanding between them. Only one would live through this fight. He had too much to lose; he would fight for his life, the pack, the town, and most importantly, for Rita.
Shepard bit him on his shoulder and it took all his strength to shake him off. Shepard went down and Luke took immediate advantage. He jumped on top and sank his teeth into Shepard’s neck.
He didn’t let go until he felt the life draining from the wolf. He released him, and Shepard automatically shifted back to human form. It didn’t take long before Shepard’s eyes dulled over and the last of his breath left his body.
Luke hated that it had come to this. He looked around and was relieved to see his enforcers had taken care of the other two werewolves. Sheriff Hank had arrived and shook his head, trying to reassure him.
“You had no choice, son, he was plumb crazy.”
Luke nodded his head and turned his back on the gruesome scene. Death—he hated it. He stumbled before regaining his balance.
“Alpha, are you okay?” one of his enforcers asked, coming up to him.
“I’m fine, a few hours, and I’ll be healed.”
“Go on ahead to your mate; we’ll take care of the bodies.”
Luke nodded his appreciation. He turned to Sheriff Hank. “Could you drive Rita home? She’s probably horrified by what she saw today.”
“Yeah, it’s tough when you first find out shifters exist. She’ll adjust, though.”
“I hope so. She may not ever want to see me again.” What would he do if his mate refused to have anything to do with him? Few shifters mated with humans because they had a hard time adjusting, but she was his true mate, he had felt their souls connect when they mated. Once her shock from today started to fade, he would have to show her that she didn’t have to be afraid of him.
“Luke!”
He looked up to see Rita sprinting past an agitated Riker, heading his way. She had tears running down her cheeks, and he opened his arms just in time to catch her as she threw herself at him.
22
Rita panicked when she saw that man Shepard attack Luke. It hit her that she could lose him, the only man she had ever loved. It had happened so quickly, she really hadn’t been prepared to have her heart and soul swept away by anyone, but Luke had done it with such sneaky ease.
The naked man and Mindy were trying to take her away from Luke, and she fought them, struggling to get to her man. She caught glimpses of the fight and thought her heart would stop out of fear.
She could still hear the fight even when she could no longer see it, and that was so much worse. She couldn’t take not knowing what was happening. Then everything went quiet. Too quiet. Only when she spotted Luke could she finally breathe again.
“Luke!” She called out his name as she swung her elbow back, accidently hitting Mindy in the mouth. Mindy let her go and she shoved past the naked man. She ran to her man and didn’t stop for anything or anyone, not until she threw herself into his arms.
“Rita, are you hurt?” His hands were touching her everywhere, checking for injuries.
She shook her head. “No, but you are.” She pushed away so that she could run her hands over his cuts on his chest. “Oh, dear Lord, you need a doctor.”
He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. “I heal fast.”
She looked into his beautiful dark eyes. “You heal fast because you’re a shifter? A werewolf?”
“Yes, I—”
She punched him in the stomach and then yelped. “Ouch!”
He took her aching fist in his hands and kissed it. “What was that for?”
“You didn’t tell me you were a werewolf. My hand feels like it’s swelling.”
He bent to lift her in his arms. “Don’t hit werewolves; we’re much sturdier than humans.”
“No shit. Where are you taking me?”
“To the hospital to have your hand x-rayed. You might have broken bones.”
“Um—Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re naked.” She peeked down at his naked torso. “Really, really naked.”
He chuckled as he stopped to yell, “Hank! Do you have any spare clothes in your truck?”
Hank was walking their way. “Sure do! There’s a backup uniform in the back. It might be a bit small on ya.”
“Anything will do for now. Can you give us a ride to the hospital?”
“Yep.”
Rita remembered her friend. “Oh, Mindy might need to come to the hospital, too, I kind of hit her in the mouth by accident.”
“No need, I’m already healing. I wouldn’t mind a ride back into town, though.” Mindy was walking up behind, having put her clothes back on.
“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” Rita had never hit anyone before today, but now she’d hit not just one but two people that she loved.
Mindy waved her hand. “I’m fine, just grateful we found you in time.”
Rita motioned for Luke to put her down and rushed over to hug her friend. “Why didn’t you tell me years ago?”
“I was scared. Most shifters keep their abilities secret from humans for fear humans will retaliate against them. I knew you wouldn’t hurt me, but I didn’t want you to be afraid of me. Our friendship was too important to me.”
She hugged her friend tighter. “Never would I fear my best friend. I love you, you idiot.” Both of them giggled.
“Let’s get Rita to the hospital, and then I’ll drive Mindy home.”
A growl from the
naked man who had protected her and Mindy had them both turning to stare at him curiously. She watched as her friend, who was normally very shy around men, rolled her eyes at the man and told him, “Get over it, wolfy. Hank’s like an uncle to me.”
Rita was lifted once more by Luke and carried over to Hank’s SUV. He opened the door to the back seat and set her inside. She watched as he went to the back and opened it up. He pulled on a pair of Hank’s khaki pants but left the shirt off. Then he came back to her side. She slid over and waited for him to get in, then climbed up into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I have a lot to make up for.”
She nibbled his chin. “I’ll think of something you can do to make amends.”
“Anything.”
Rita looked into his eyes, and she felt a feeling of peace settle inside of her, like she had just gotten home from a long trip. “I’m your mate?”
“Yes.”
“Is that like being married?”
“Better – it’s for life.”
“I still want a ring and a wedding.”
“I’ll give you the biggest wedding this town has ever seen.”
Mindy opened the driver’s side door and got inside. She’d evidently heard them from outside and had a huge smile on her face when she turned to look at them. “Oh, Chrissy is going to be so pissed when she finds out. Can I be the one to tell her?”
“Absolutely.” Rita gave her a wink and laid her head on Luke’s shoulder. She sighed contently when he cupped her head gently in his hand.
“Rita, I love you.”
“I love you, too, Luke, forever.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later
“Thank you for shopping with us, and Happy Hallow’s Eve!” Rita waved goodbye to Mrs. Griffin, her last customer of the day.
“Thank God today is finally over, I need to get out of this thing. I think my balls have sweated so much they’re sticking to my boxers,” Luke growled, coming up to the register from the back and pulling off the head of his wolf costume.
She giggled every time she saw him in it. She’d made him dress up in the werewolf costume every day the week of Halloween to make up for not telling her he was a werewolf. Almost his entire pack, including his family, had made a trip to her store just to see the spectacle that was their precious alpha in costume. His mischievous sister took pictures on her cell phone and told him he could see it all on social media.
Despite some token grumbling, Luke had been a good sport about it. She had worn her bunny ears and a very sexy bunny costume that had Luke taking her to the stockroom a couple of times a day.
“Can we close up now?”
She smiled at him. “Yes. I can’t wait until tonight.” The pack would do their yearly Hallow’s Eve run and she would get to be the first human in years to witness it, since she was the alpha’s mate.
“Me either. My wolf is itching to break free. He hates being confined for so long.” Luke locked the door and turned the Open sign over to Closed.
“Let’s go eat at Mindy’s diner. Mom is there working on the wedding plans with your mother and Mindy.”
Luke groaned. “Can we go somewhere else? I can’t take any more questions about whether to serve steak or fish, white cake or different flavored layers. I still don’t know the difference between heather and periwinkle.”
She giggled wrapping her arms around his neck. “Tell you what, since my mom’s house is empty right now, we should go there to get out of these outfits.”
His eyebrow lifted. “Can we take a shower?”
“Yes.”
“Together?”
She leaned up on her toes and whispered in his ear. “You can fuck me anywhere you want, baby.” She gasped when he threw her over his shoulder and carried her to the back storeroom.
“Where are we going?”
“I can’t wait long enough to get to your house, and I think there’s one more place in the back where we haven’t celebrated our engagement yet.”
She giggled. “Can you put the wolf ears on while wearing nothing else? They make me hot.”
“Baby, I don’t wear the wolf, I am the wolf.” His eyes glowed with the promise of pleasure for hours. She couldn’t wait.
About the Author
KD Jones has published over 40 books in five different series. She has been a huge fan of both romance novels and science fiction novels since she was 16 years old. Her favorite television shows growing up were Star Trek and Doctor Who. When not writing, she can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, working on her hobby of photography, or spending time with her family. As a single working mom, she wants to show her son that a person can follow their dreams no matter how old they are and where they are in life. Dreams can come true, if you work hard and believe in yourself.
KD Jones Book Series, Book List
Katieran Prime Series
Katieran Prime (Book 1)
Prime Commander (Book 2)
Prime Medic (Book 3)
Kiljorn Prime (Book 4)
Prime Deliverance (Book 5)
Prime Salvation (Book 6)
Colonial Prime (Book 7)
Katieran Prime Celebration (Book 7.5)
Kiljorn Commander (Book 8)
Katieran Prime Miracle (Book 9)
Colonial Commander (Book 10)
Infiltration (Book 11)
Galactic Cage Fighter Series
Rage (Book 1)
Talon (Book 2)
Taurus (Book 3)
Zara (Book 4)
Hammer (Book 5)
Zen (Book 6)
Torch (Book 7)
Maxim (Book 8)
Ronin (Book 9)
Nigel (Book 10)
Earth Evolution Series
Desolation (Book 1)
Resistance (Book 2)
Atonement (Book 3)
Strange Lake Falls Series
Strange Lake Falls Vampire (Book 1)
Strange Lake Falls Werewolf (Book 2)
Strange Lake Falls Vampire Mistress (Book 3)
Strange Lake Falls Panther (Book 4)
Strange Lake Falls Gypsy Wolf (Book 5)
Inter-Galactic Bounty Hunter Series
Inter-Galactic Bounty Hunter (Book 1)
Tempting Bounty (Book 2)
Rising Bounty (Book 3)
Polar Bear Express Series
Her Big Bad Polar Bear (Book 1)
Leaving Triad Series
Leaving Triad (LT Book 1)
Patrolling The Stars (LT Book 2)
The Wolf’s Ghost by Bethany Shaw
Jace has spent his long, werewolf life searching for his true mate. He never expected to run into her while on the run from a malicious pack. Now all he has to do is keep her safe, evade the bloodthirsty wolves, and convince her that they are fated mates.
Trapped inside her home for decades, Eva is determined to set herself free of her prison this All Hallows Eve. That is, until a wolf crashes into her library through the window. Eva feels compelled to help the handsome stranger, especially when she learns they share a common enemy, but will helping him cost her the one time a year she has to break the spell?
This story is dedicated to my husband and two kids. Thank you so much for all of your support.
1
They were all dead. Jace would be, too, if he didn’t move his ass faster. Traversing the dangerous slopes of the Colorado Rockies wasn’t easy, especially while injured and on the run from a malicious pack led by a madman. At least he was in his wolf form, making his mission slightly easier. Somehow he’d manage to make his way to more stable ground. He prayed he was getting closer to the town, but he was in too much pain to know for sure.
The terrain gave way beneath him, and he grunted as his body slid down a ravine. He toppled over, unable to keep his balance. Mud caked his fur as he rolled. I have to catch myself before I get hurt even worse.
He twisted and shove
d his back legs into the ground. His roll down the slope slowed, but not before he came to the bottom of the hill. Standing, he shook out his coat and began to run again, not even taking time to survey his injuries. He had to get away. The pack was gaining on him.
Jace gritted his teeth as he landed in the soggy mud on all four paws. His muscles screamed when his hind legs slid out from under him, tearing the gash along his flank wider.
He grimaced and tried to right himself. The action caused heat to charge over his side as blackness clouded his vision. He panted, fighting to stay alert.
I have to keep moving. The pack will be coming soon. Charlie sent a text just before he shifted. They know things were going south. I just have to hold on a little bit longer.
Howls rang out not too far behind him. He pulled himself upright and forced his broken, tired body to keep moving. His front leg was mangled, twisted awkwardly, and obviously broken in several places. Blood from his side coated his white and gray fur in crimson. Shifting to his alternate, human form would heal most the injuries, but there wasn’t time with an angry pack on his tail. It would be a miracle if he made it out of this alive. There was no way in hell he was going to give up.
He hobbled through the dense brush, cursing under his breath that he couldn’t move faster. It was his own fault he was in this mess. His gut had been telling him something wasn’t right all day, but he hadn’t followed it. He’d chosen instead to follow his alpha’s orders.
In Tom’s defense, everything had been going smoothly. Jace’s alpha couldn’t have known it was all an elaborate trap and that six members of his pack would be killed. Seven, if Jace didn’t get out of the woods.
A chorus of yowls tore him from his thoughts. The howls and barks got louder as his pursuers drew closer. Thunder rumbled overhead in steady intervals, almost as if it were cheering his adversaries on. His wounds slowed him down, but he refused to stop. There was no way he was going down without a fight. I’m not ready to die yet.
