Cold. That was his life. He could not ask that of her.
He followed her to and from the shelter, taking care of the new abandoned dogs and cats Dawn seemed to bring in by the vanful. The house was full of guests and security was ramped up to the highest degree. Carrick had wolves patrolling the grounds by foot and his gargoyle brothers’ eyes in the sky. Nothing would get past them. And if they tried, they would die.
But even as he scoured the countryside, staying as close to her as he could, he could not locate the source of the hybrid’s scent. And with his time drawing to a close, he ground his teeth in frustration. He had a job to do and he would do it, and he would find the hybrid and rip the beating heart from its chest.
***
The sound of Christmas music followed Jess as she trudged down the hall to her room. Another day at the shelter had her exhausted and ready for bed. She’d grabbed a cup of soup at Hot Whips on the way home, but sitting there without Thorne’s brooding eyes and stilted conversation had proved harder than she supposed it would. They’d spent nearly every day after their work at the shelter going through the menu practically line by line to try every one of Sage’s new dinner offerings. Until this morning. He hadn’t been at breakfast and she’d driven there alone, conscious of the silence. Her car felt empty.
The twinkling lights of the holiday tree and the raucous laughter of the pack hadn’t served to draw her in. In fact, it had done the opposite. All she wanted to do was retreat into the inner sanctum of her room and sink into the mattress and hopefully find oblivion for a few hours of sleep. The Yule Gathering would go on without her. Sage had everything well in hand and Carrick was in his glory as Alpha. Tomorrow night was the main event and she could hardly even get up enough energy to care.
She hated to admit it, but she missed him. He’d gone with her to the shelter the day after he broke her window, but since then he’d kept his distance. Oh, he’d gone with her as she went about her day, but no more did he mention the word mate. Her bed was lonely and she wanted him in it. One taste of him was not enough and to have him so close and yet so far was just maddening.
Tomorrow his two weeks would be up. Where had all the time gone? The house was full of people and she’d barely seen Thorne outside of her days with him. She felt his eyes on her and wondered if she had done something to offend him.
Probably. She did have that way with people.
Every time she’d looked up, she found him scrutinizing her like he was trying to work out something in his head.
Or maybe the only hybrid he’d scented that night was her. It was possible and not entirely unlikely. No one else had found any inkling of a hostile presence in the days since her supposed near attack and she’d started to wonder, coming up with the only conclusion she could.
Maybe her control was slipping. He had even said she was his mate and then, all of a sudden, stopped speaking to her. What else could it be?
A mate would know her scent. Intimately.
Was that it then? Had she totally repulsed him?
Heart heavy, she sat her things down and began getting ready for bed.
Jess started to remove her sweater and, from the corner of her eye, saw a flash of movement at the window. What the hell?
A shadow shifted in the darkness and she frowned as Thorne slid up the sash and slid through, naked from the shift, his black, stone-like feathery wings folded behind his back. He looked like a dark angel or a biker from hell and she wanted to melt in a puddle at his feet.
“You scared the crap out of me.”
“I scented something off. Forgive my intrusion.” His eyes darted around the room and he cocked his head as if trying to puzzle something out.
“What?” She whirled around, worried someone had gotten into her room. It wouldn’t have been difficult with the number of guests on site. “Is someone here?”
He didn’t answer, but instead held out his hand. “Do you trust me?”
“What are you asking?”
“Take my hand.”
Chapter Seven
Thorne gazed at the woman who was his mate, his senses reeling. He scented the hybrid nearby but he could not pinpoint its location. But then as he stepped closer, a bolt of reality struck him like a brick between the eyes.
The scent of burnt maple and spices was strong in this room, but so was another, more alien aroma.
Carrick and Reid had mentioned her captivity. He himself had heard of the horrors Justin had inflicted on the women in his perverse care. No doubt those were the demons that dwelled in her soul. He hated watching her in the grip of nightmares night after night. Could he help her?
God knew he’d had enough experience wrestling his own horrors. But what had Justin done to her? Only time would tell and she would reveal what she wanted. Right now, he had to be sure. If she was a hybrid, her wolf may not be silent, but only waiting for safety to emerge.
There was only one way to know. When he was airborne he could scent everything without distraction from the environs. If he was right, he may have been looking at the answer to his search without even realizing it.
Jess took a step forward. “Where are you taking me?”
“I want to show you something.”
“What?” She edged toward the window, her face pale in the moonlight. He could sense her fear, but the way she moved also indicated she wanted to trust him.
He had to think fast. Otherwise he would lose whatever faith she’d come to find in him, and that he wasn’t willing to risk.
“You enjoy Christmas lights, do you not?”
Her brow furrowed. “I do.”
“Then come with me.” He held out his hand again and she slipped hers inside of his taloned grasp.
Thorne led her out through the window and let his natural form take over. His wings unfurled and he enveloped her in his embrace. The touch of her body against his made him go hard almost instantly and he bit back a curse.
He wanted to push her against the side of the building and ease the almost permanent erection he had whenever she was around.
“Hold onto me.”
He pushed up off the roof and Jess squeaked, her arms snaking around him tight.
“Thorne!”
“I have you.”
He dipped down, cresting on a current of air, and let the chill Texas night take them up into the night. The soft glow of Christmas lights from the next town over came into view. Twinkling lights of red, green and white smattered through the darkness and, if he squinted, he could make out the kitschy shapes of plastic yard ornaments and reindeer.
“I see it,” she gasped, laughing.
The sound of holiday carolers wafted up through the darkness and he couldn’t help but smile at Jess’s delight.
Her excitement threw off scent and that’s when he caught it. The full range of senses that he had been experiencing, usually in her presence. He had been in her room, afraid the creature had infiltrated her space, but it had been here all along. His mate. She was the hybrid.
But did she even know?
Thorne looked at her smile and the lips and steered them back toward Westmore House. He had to know now. Everything about this mission, his life, depended on it.
Guiding her movements, he held her in his arms so she wouldn't fall as he landed.
“I've got you.”
“That was amazing,” she said, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “I’ve never seen Christmas lights quite that way.”
She shivered, carefully making her way toward the window.
“Come let me warm you.” He led her inside, the heat in his blood raging.
***
“Thank you for that. It was lovely.” Jess rubbed at her shoulders, the chill of the night air leaving her shivering. She turned to find him watching her, but what really caught her attention was the cock bobbing between his legs. He’d been erect most of their flight and it had taken everything she had not to touch him.
“Jess…”
She
swallowed, the prickle of tears threatening. “I know you’re leaving tomorrow. I get it. No ties. It totally makes sense.”
“Stop. Talking.”
He took her in his embrace, his hands running up and down her arms, warming her. With a snarl, he pulled her shirt over her head and cupped her breasts.
“Thorne…”
“No.” His voice was haggard. “You are the hybrid. I know that now.”
“What?” She backed away, trying to pull from his grasp. How had he known?
“Your scent. It confused me.” He frowned, catching her by the hand and leading her to the bed.
“Is that why you’re here? If it is, you can just go.” She tried to escape him, but he yanked her back so she fell against him.
“Not leaving.” He brought his lips down on hers with a crushing force that made her groan and the heat infusing her lady parts start to full-on boil. His hand cupped her breast and eased her down against the mattress. His touch branded her, every searing kiss a statement of ownership, and she reveled in it.
What had seemed like not enough clothes was now in the realm of way too much and she fumbled with the snap on her jeans. As she undid the zipper and he shucked the jeans off her legs, his words sunk in.
“What do you mean you’re not leaving?” In one twist of his fingers he undid the bra clasp and the contraption went flying across the room.
“You are my mate.”
“I thought we talked about this. Too many curves. Can’t shift. Hybrid freak girl.” Her voice was breathless.
“So you do know.”
“Yes. My nightmare is more real than you could imagine.”
“Try me,” he rasped.
Thorne knelt down over her, his cock running up the side of her thigh. He kissed her hard. Reaching beneath the elastic edge of her panties, he teased the secret places hidden beneath the thin cotton with his fingertips, almost making her crawl out of her skin for wanting to throw him down on the bed back first and explore the massive cock waving hello in her direction.
Then she glanced down as his fingers brushed against her clit.
“Thorne,” her breath hitched.
Granny panties.
Fuck.
She was wearing her oldest, thinnest pair of…
And then they were gone, ripped from her body in a moment of force.
“I happen to like freaky. And your curves are beautiful.”
“Oh…”
“Mine,” he growled, nestling between her legs, the soft head of his cock pressing at slick entrance.
“Yours.” She wiggled against him and he shot forward, impaling her on his length.
He moved inside of her, his body filling her in places she never knew were empty. When she opened her eyes, she found him gazing down at her, wonder in his eyes.
“Take me…” she moaned. “Please…”
A low growl bubbled up from his throat and he began to fuck her in earnest, not holding back. His muscles straining, his balls slapped against her with each thrust. He picked her up from the bed and let her slide down his body, her legs wrapping around him.
“God…” Jess threw back her head, a howl slipping from her lips. Startled, she whipped her head up to find him watching her with an amused expression on his lips.
Had she done that?
Well, damn.
Her wolf wriggled in happiness.
“Good. I wanted everyone to hear when I marked you as mine.” He brought her back to the bed, hips pumping as he brought her high, stars exploding behind her eyes. Her body convulsed around him as he found his own release, filling her with his seed.
With a snarl, he bit down on her shoulder, and she cried out a second time, the pleasure and pain joining to bring her to a whole new level of lovemaking.
Her hands ran over the marks on his arms and finally down to the sculpted perfection of his ass and she grabbed on and held him tight.
He drew back his head, wiping her blood from the corner of his mouth and gave her a wicked smile. “My mate.”
“Ummm.” She leaned forward and licked against the piercing at his nipple and tugged him down. Her teeth had sharpened and, with a smile, she sank them into the soft flesh of his shoulder, marking him in return.
Maybe she could use her abilities. Just a little.
“Jess…” He moaned against her and she felt him harden inside of her once again.
“Mine,” she whispered against his skin. Mine.
Epilogue
“I’m glad you’ve decided to remain.” Carrick nodded, his gaze turned inside to the pack. The Yule Ball was in full force and Thorne had been loath to leave Jess’s side. Even to speak to the Alpha.
“She is my mate.”
“And have you found the answers you were seeking?” Carrick’s eyes searched his.
“Some,” he acknowledged. “But I know there are more out there that would wish harm on you and yours.”
“Ours.”
“Yes.” Thorne gave Carrick a small smile. “And I would protect Jess to the death.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
He would not reveal his mate’s secret. That was for her alone.
There was no apology. Nor would he offer one. A small mewl from the shadows had him waving his finger at the youngster hiding in the shrubbery holding his mate’s Christmas gift.
Carrick cocked an eyebrow and smiled. “Ah. She’s going to love that.”
“I hope so.” He wanted to think so. In his flight earlier that day, he’d come across a small Chihuahua puppy that had gotten trapped in a thicket. Thorne could not leave the tiny beast to fend for itself and, as he pulled the mite from the bramble, he’d thought of the perfect solution. “She goes to so much trouble to bring happiness to others. I thought it only right that she have a little for herself.”
“She does,” the Alpha reluctantly acknowledged.
“I plan to spend the rest of my life doing just that.”
Jess lived to rescue those in need. For God’s truth, she had saved him from the darkness of his wanderings and his thirst for revenge. He would never forget what his brothers had done but his life was here. Now. With the woman who had claimed his heart.
What her hybrid status meant, they would explore together. “Warts and all,” he’d breathed into her hair before they’d gone out to face the pack. “You are my mate. And I will cherish you forever.” The rest didn’t matter.
“I’m glad. She needed someone to keep her in line.” Carrick’s gaze softened as Sage and Jess appeared on the balcony.
“There you are. You better get in here and help me give out the presents to the pups.” Sage grinned, giving Carrick a kiss. In a gown of burgundy red, she set the tone for the gala.
Jess approached, a sprig of something green in her hand. Dressed from head to toe in sparkling black, she made him want to take her into the shadows and finish what they had started the night before.
“I hear congratulations are in order for you two.” Carrick smiled, giving Jess a peck on the cheek. “I’m happy for you both. Blessed Yule, Jess. You deserve to be happy.”
“You do, girl. I’m so happy for you.” Sage hugged her, and then let her go so she could clasp Thorne’s hands. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For bringing the light back to her eyes.” Sage squeezed his hands and reached up to give Thorne a kiss on the cheek. She stepped back with a smile and glided toward Carrick, her red dress swirling around her shapely legs.
Jess smiled, her eyes suspiciously bright. “Go on, you two. Don’t you have some presents to give out?”
“That we do.” Carrick left them with a wink, drawing Sage against him as they walked arm and arm into the house.
“Finally,” she breathed as Thorne pulled her against him for a kiss. She was soft against him and all he wanted was to bury himself inside her once more.
“We’re going to miss the presents…” he murmured into her hair.
“Mmm. I ha
ve a present for you right here.” She drew back and held up the small green plant, holding it over his head.
“What is that?”
“Mistletoe, silly.” She laughed, pressing her lips to his.
He groaned and the sound of laughter snapped him back to reality.
“Is someone there?”
“Yes. Come out now, George.” Thorne held out his hand and the boy appeared, holding the freshly washed puppy in his arms.
Jess flushed a lovely shade of scarlet as the boy emerged from the shadows.
“Merry Christmas, Miss Jess.” He handed the pup to Thorne and he placed pup in her hands.
“Oh…” She grinned as she held the wriggling ginger-colored pup against her cheek, his little pink tongue showering her with kisses. “He’s wonderful.”
“He’s had a rough day.”
“Where did you find him?” Transferring the mistletoe to the hand holding the pup, Jess reached up to run her fingers along his back.
The tiny dog snuggled in against her breast and yawned.
“It’s not important. He’s here now.”
“Mmm.” She closed her eyes and rocked the little guy as he slept, content in her arms.
Thorne watched her, the contentment in her expression warming his heart. “What will you name him?”
She opened her eyes. “I was thinking Gingerbread.”
“Does that have anything to do with the pile of cookbooks on your night stand?”
Jess gave him a slow smile. “Something like that.” She moved toward him and reached up to plant a kiss on his cheek. “But he is much, much better.”
“May this be the first of many Christmases to come. If you’ll have me.”
This would be the start of his family, Thorne realized.
“And what is this?” Jess pointed to the bite mark on her shoulder and lifted her eyebrow, giving him a saucy grin.
“That, woman, is me being the boss of you.”
“Oh, we’ll see about that.” Jess smacked him with the mistletoe and they ambled back up toward the festivities, the pup softly snoring and, for the first time in a long time, Thorne felt like maybe he was home.
Westmore Wolves Series: Shapesifter Collection Bks 1-5 Page 33
