by V. Vaughn
We’re so outnumbered I don’t have time to think as I bare my teeth and bite and swat at anything that comes near me. This is insane on more than one level, because besides sending this many werewolves after a group of five, our kind don’t attack where humans can see. Something is very wrong here. To my relief, gunshots ring out, and the attacking wolves begin to run away as humans approach. I’m moving to hide behind the RV so I can shift back and help deal with the gunman when suddenly, Roman slams into me.
Air whooshes from my lungs as we fly as one through the air, and my bones crack when I hit the ground with the weight of Roman on top of me. He lifts up onto his feet and sways as if he’s drunk. But he’s still trying to block me from something, and dread is a lump in my stomach as I scramble up. Something is wrong with Roman! I don’t have time to find out, though, because the female wolf I recognized opens her jaw wide to come at us. As Roman sways in front of me, I notice she has odd silver caps on her teeth as she lunges toward my neck. I’m ready for her, but before she can reach me, Roman manages to push his way between us, and her jaw lands on his shoulder. She stares at me as she bites into his flesh hard with the attack that was meant for me. Blood spurts as she loosens her grip. No! I lash out with force, and her flesh tears under my claws before she manages to get away. I’m ready to go after her, when Roman thuds to the ground. Roman!
She runs off as I fall to the earth to see what’s wrong with Roman. He has a gash in his side in addition to the bite on his shoulder. I frown in confusion, because that shouldn’t have stopped him. Blood gushes out of his wounds and hisses when bubbles form on the surface. Oh my God, is that acid? I need water. I shift as I run over to the bucket we have in case the fire gets out of control. I’m human by the time I reach it, and I rush back to douse Roman with the liquid as the human forms of Dean, Alex, and Byron come to my aid.
I say, “She had silver teeth.”
Byron says, “We have to get him out of here. Now!” He hoists up Roman’s wolf form as Dean runs to the RV to open the door just as men with guns come rushing into our clearing.
Alisha bursts out of the camper and yells to the men. “They went that way!” She and Jayden move toward the gunmen in an effort to block from view the naked forms of the guys and me as we rush into the RV.
Chelsea is backed up against the wall and pale as a ghost, but she kicks into action once she takes a look at us and says, “I’ll get the first-aid kit.”
Byron lays Roman on the bed in the back. His wound is still bleeding, which is concerning since werewolves begin to heal immediately. I don’t know what the female wolf did to Roman, but I’m afraid he’s going to die. I sit next to my mate as my throat tightens with the urge to cry. I can’t lose you, Roman. His fur is soft under my fingers as I stroke his snout gently and lean in close to touch his nose to mine.
Dean is all business as he inspects his alpha’s wound, and as he reaches for the medical kit Byron hands him he says, “Something isn’t right here.”
I sit back up as Byron asks, “You said Regina had silver teeth?”
I nod. “And whatever she put in him was bubbling like acid before I washed it off with water.”
“Poison,” says Dean. “We need an antidote!”
He glances around the RV as if one will magically appear, and the gypsy’s words come back to me as I recall her handing me a tiny bottle. “It will save him.”
“The potion!” I leave Roman’s side to race over to my backpack, and items clatter on the floor as I yank them out to get to the inner pocket where I stored the amber liquid. The small bottle is hard in my hand as I clutch it and go to Roman.
Alisha says to the group. “The fortune-teller we saw gave Juliet a bottle and said she’d need it to save her Romeo.”
Dean opens Roman’s jaw for me as I fumble with the bottle. The tiny cork pops, and I pour the syrupy-like contents on the back of Roman’s tongue. He swallows by reflex before Dean gently lowers the alpha’s head to the pillow again. I stroke my mate’s fur as I inspect his wound. The bleeding has slowed, but the torn skin is swollen, and the edges are black as if they’ve been burned. My heart is in my throat as I croak out, “Why would she do this?”
Alex says, “Regina’s from the Chestnut Ridge pack. They’ve been trying to form an alliance with the Smokey Falls pack for years.”
I understand clan rivalry, but this is beyond anything I’m used to. I say, “She tried to attack me in the woods the other day, but Roman ran her off. I thought it was simple jealousy.”
“Not for a wolf like Regina. She wants to be Roman’s mate and run a pack, and now you stand in her way,” says Dean.
Jayden’s eyes are big, and her voice trembles as she asks, “You guys kill each other over stuff like that?”
Alex places a hand on her shoulder. “Not usually, honey.”
I shake my head as I imagine the lengths some packs will go to in order to get what they want. Tears fill my eyes as I place my fingers on my mate’s neck to make sure there is still a pulse. It’s erratic but strong.
Alisha asks, “Can we clean his wound?” She glances at it and grimaces.
Dean says, “No. That would only work the poison in farther. Werewolf bodies are good at expelling things. We have to let it happen.”
“What can we do?” asks Chelsea as she wrings her hands. She may still be a bit skeptical about the werewolf world, but I know not having a clear plan and being able to order us around to execute it is hard for her to take.
Alisha repeats her earlier statement. “The gypsy told Juliet that the potion would save her Romeo, so we have to wait.”
Chelsea huffs. “You’re not going to trust that woman’s advice, are you?”
Byron reaches out to touch Chelsea’s arm as he says, “We haven’t got a choice.” He looks at me.
“A lot of fortune-tellers are fake, Chelsea. But I recognized this one right away as a witch. She was the real deal,” I say. “Besides, he’s right. This is our only hope.” I climb on the bed as fear settles deep in me. The mattress sinks around me as I curl up around Roman and let my tears escape. “All we can do is wait.”
Twelve
A low rumble comes from Roman, and I jerk myself awake from a semi-alert state. But when I glance down at him, I see he’s still unconscious. Dean’s nails click as he comes over to the bed to sniff at his alpha. He, Byron, and Alex shifted into wolf form to stand guard in the RV. Alex is by the door, and Byron is in the front cab as Alisha, Jayden, and Chelsea sleep huddled together on the pull-out bed. I suspect they’re holding on to each other wondering how they got dragged into a dangerous world they didn’t know existed until this trip.
I say to Dean, “He’s still out, but the wounds are finally healing.”
Dean steps back, and his bones thud as he lies down on the floor.
The RV park floodlights are bright as they shine in the rooftop window, and I tug the flannel shirt Alisha gave me to wear tighter around my body. I hear the soft cough of a security guard. A team of armed men are perusing the park in case the wolves come back. I suspect the jamboree has been cut short and most clans are deep into the woods right now to stay away from human danger.
Roman’s fur is soft under my fingers as I stroke his face, and I replay the attack in my mind. This is all my fault. My mate tried to get me to go in the RV because he knew the wolves were after me, but I had to be my own form of alpha and deny his order. I grimace as my mind’s eye watches the memory of Roman jumping in front of me to keep me safe from Regina. He was already hurt, and the way he was swaying makes me think she managed to get poison in the gash on his side before she came after me. Roman knew she’d kill me.
My throat thickens, and I blink back tears. Roman sacrificed himself to save me. Oh God. How could I have been so stupid? If I had just trusted my mate and gone in the RV, this wouldn’t have happened. I whisper, “Roman, I’m so sorry.”
I don’t have a lot of experience with poison in werewolves, but I recall a wolf I met
who had been the victim of a vicious attack. He had a scar that took up half his back, and it was an ugly red patch that looked as if it still hurt. It was the worst thing I’d ever seen on our kind. We have incredible healing abilities and can withstand almost anything with only a bit of shiny skin to show for it. My beautiful mate is going to bear nasty scars on his body because of me.
I stretch out my legs to adhere myself more fully to my mate, and I touch my nose to Roman’s. His snout is wet and cold on my skin, and I let it comfort me while the heat of my shame rolls down my face as I cry myself to sleep.
I wake to something hard pressed against my bottom as soothing warmth envelops me, and I sigh as a hand strokes my hair before reality slaps me in the face. I try to bolt up in bed, but a strong arm holds me back. Roman slides a hand up to cup my breast. “Don’t leave me.”
I twist to face him—and break into a grin as I let out a whoosh of air in relief. “You’re awake.” And in human form, which means he’s well enough to shift.
He thrusts his hips toward me to press his erection into my belly. “I believe I am.”
Sun is streaming in through the top window, and it makes me think it must be close to noon. “What time is it?”
I try to sit up again, and Roman says, “Woman, would you please for once do as I say?”
“But—”
Roman silences me with a kiss, and it’s so delicious it would be easy to lose myself in him. But I pull away because I need answers. “Where is everyone?”
“I told them to get lost for a while.” He slides a hand between my legs and wiggles his fingers into my folds. “There’s something I need to do to keep both of us safe.”
My shame about what happened rises in me, and my cheeks burn. “Roman, I’m so sorry. I was stupid.”
“You were, but I get it, my stubborn mate.” He rubs my tender nub, and I let out a small sound of appreciation. “If I could have communicated with you telepathically, things would have been different.”
I’m having trouble focusing as desire drowns me, but I ask, “How are your wounds? Are you in a lot of pain?”
“Does it seem like I’m in pain?”
I reach for his cock and grip it. “Not really.”
He nips at my neck and lets out a low growl. “We’ll talk later.” He thrusts his fingers into me hard and says, “Right now I need to claim you once and for all.”
I arch my hips up to him as I say, “Yes.” I know I’m asking him to bite into my flesh and mark me as his.
He rises up over me, and I gaze at the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with. Tears fill my eyes as I think about how I almost lost him. “I love you so much, Roman.”
His cock is hard as he presses it against my entrance and slides in slowly to seat himself deep. “I love you, Juliet.” He pumps in and out of me with a steady purpose as I rock to meet him with each thrust. As my orgasm builds, I’m careful to hold onto his hips and arms to avoid his wounds, but he’s moving as if there isn’t a thing wrong.
I let out small cries when I’m about to come, and I tilt my head back to offer Roman my neck. He latches onto my shoulder, and the sharp sting of his teeth entering my flesh is swept away as my release takes me. The combination of his mark and my climax is an experience like no other, and I’m sure my scream of ecstasy can be heard throughout the park, but I don’t care. Roman clutches me tight to his chest as I quiver in the aftermath.
He begins to move again so he can come too, and this is where I should take over, because usually the female returns the bite. It’s not necessary for our bond, but it’s a way to exhibit that the male doesn’t have complete control over the female. One would think I’d be all for it, but I realize my need for control isn’t always a good thing. Alisha taught me how to trust a friend and show her the truth. And now I think I need to learn to trust my lover and mate for life. I whisper, “Roman, I can’t bite you.”
My mate pauses to ask, “Why not?”
“When I’ve proven I’m worthy of being your mate, I will.”
“Juliet, you’ve always been worthy.”
I smile as I place my hand on his cheek. “Let me be submissive for once and learn how to let you take control. Who knows? I might actually like it.”
Roman’s eyebrows rise up with mischief. “This might be fun.”
I dig my nails into his butt. “Weren’t you doing something?”
He chuckles as he rolls his hips to create friction on my sensitive flesh. I tremble beneath him as he says, “That’s right. I was going to make my mate scream my name this time.”
I arch up into him and let him do just that.
Thirteen
Keeping Roman in bed so he could heal was easier than I expected. We spent the day discovering each other’s bodies and napping in each other’s arms. But we couldn’t keep our friends from the RV forever, and by evening Roman and I were once again in the company of our respective crews. We spent a mellow evening together before the guys went to sleep in the woods near the camper to keep watch.
This morning the inside of the camper is cramped with all eight of us, and by the crinkling of Chelsea’s nose, I suspect the musk of adrenaline pumping through the werewolves’ veins as they stay alert is strong enough humans can detect it too.
Dean says, “News is that the Chestnut Ridge pack cut out right after the attack. But even so, the jamboree is over. As far as I can tell we’re the only pack still here.”
Roman nods with a serious expression on his face, and his voice is deep with his alpha tone when he says, “We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”
I’m surprised he wants to wait another day, but it occurs to me that Roman might not be well enough to travel back to Smokey Falls. I soon discover my reasoning is wrong.
“There’s a ritual I promised Alex if he still wants it to happen,” says Roman. He looks at Alex and Jayden who are pressed against each other on the couch. “Jayden, is this something you still want to do?”
“Yes,” she says as her eyes shine with joy. She turns to Alex. “I want to be mated to Alex. For life.” They gaze at each other with such adoration, oblivious to all around them, that my heart warms. Their bond is so powerful that even though Jayden got a taste of the danger that exists for my kind, she’s willing to risk her life to be with her true mate. My respect for Jayden’s strength grows and I smile, proud of my human friends and the kind of people they are.
“This afternoon we’ll make it happen.” Roman then speaks to me telepathically. “Would my mate like to help me show them how it’s done?”
I grin with my own giddy look. Even though Roman and I are already mated, a public display of our bond is the equivalent of a human engagement. An event I never expected to have. It hits me that he wants us to be official too, and I’m surprised by the tears that begin to fill my eyes. It’s easy for me to bow my head in submission and say, “I’d be honored.”
Chelsea says, “You’re still having a wedding though, right?”
I break my gaze from Roman’s. “Jayden will still have a wedding.”
“Good.” Chelsea scans Dean’s body with her gaze and smiles with mischief in her eyes. “Because I like the idea of walking down an aisle with a hot werewolf in a suit on my arm.”
Alisha exclaims. “Oh my god! When did you become me?”
Chelsea chuckles, “Since you decided to date that brainiac, Logan. One of us has to like them big and stupid.”
“Hey!” Dean says. “I’m more than just a pretty face.” He flexes his chest as he speaks just as the fabric of his straining T-shirt finally tears open, revealing his shaved chest.
“Of course you are, dear,” says Chelsea as she scans him with an appreciative gaze. “You’re a hot body too.”
We laugh before Roman tells the guys it’s time to leave us and go secure an area for the ceremony. The plan is that Roman will come back to get me and the girls when they’re ready.
Once the guys leave, we all head to the bath house for much-needed sh
owers and then return to the RV to eat a meal of leftovers. Chelsea tears off a piece of chicken from a bone with her fingers and says, “Explain how this ritual works.”
I smile as I recall Roman asking me if we could perform the ceremony first. “Roman and I are going to show you how it’s done.” I look at Jayden. “We’ll both be in wolf form, and it’ll look a bit like what dogs do when they first meet.”
Alisha says, “Your heightened senses are important. Do wolves ever find the scent of another wolf repulsive?” She pops a grape into her mouth.
“It’s one thing that can turn you off, for sure, but it’s usually along with other things. It’s just an exaggerated version of what humans do. You know when a guy smells really good to you and when they don’t.”
Jayden crinkles her nose. “Do you remember when I dated the guy who smelled kind of like bad curry?”
Chelsea says, “I do. He didn’t smell bad to me though.”
Alisha and I nod as we remember Jayden telling us she couldn’t date him because of his odor. She crosses her arms with satisfaction and says, “And you all thought I was weird.”
I chuckle. “Your mate’s scent draws you in so that you want to be near it at all times. And the ritual is kind of a dance that shows the witnesses of your pack how attracted to each other you are.” I crunch on a chip and savor the salt on my tongue.
“Like we don’t know how Alex and Jayden feel about each other,” says Chelsea. “They practically suck each other’s faces off.”
“So do Roman and Juliet,” retorts Jayden.
Alisha grins at us, and I say, “It’s about more than physical attraction. This is also telling your pack you intend to mate.”
“So today is like Alex getting down on one knee and asking Jayden to marry him,” says Alisha.
“Yes,” A smile covers my face, because that’s what Roman and I are doing too. For Chelsea’s benefit I add, “Just so you know, a female can initiate the ritual.”
