Heart of the Wolf: A Wolfguard Protectors Novel

by Kimber White

  It was only the beginning. I knew it in the depths of my heart. And yet, I couldn’t say it out loud. I couldn’t fully admit it to myself.

  Then, Erik came. He went rock hard and leaned forward. Laying his cheek against my shoulder, he whispered my name over and over again as he filled me.

  More. I wanted so much more.

  Lightning cracked, hitting a skinny birch tree a hundred yards out. It lit up the night sky in purple and gold. It was almost as if the wilderness itself had awoken to acknowledge what just happened.

  Erik slipped out of me. He pulled me against him. All his primal rage and dissolved. I nestled into his chest, reveling in his strength and warmth. For a moment, it was easy to believe we were the only souls on earth.

  I liked it that way. The rain started again, washing over us.

  “Erik,” I said.

  “Shh,” he answered. “Not now. There will be enough time for all of that later.”

  I knew what he meant. I felt much more settled too. Good. Maybe now that we’d gotten this out of the way, we could concentrate on working together instead of against each other. Never underestimate the power of an epic hate fuck.

  Except, as Erik held me and the rain came down, I knew this was so much more.

  Chapter Eleven

  Erik

  I woke just before dawn. The rain stopped just after midnight. Nova lay stretched out beside me, one arm resting above her head.

  I could not stop looking at her. Her flawless, tanned skin looked carved from stone. She had ample, round breasts with caramel-colored nipples. I had relished sucking on them last night. Heat tore through me as I recalled how she arched her back, spurring me on.

  The dark tangle of her hair spread out beneath her, dried leaves and small twigs hopelessly embedded in it. I could still feel a little of the delicious burn of her claws down my back.

  I’d never been with a woman like her before. Though it felt like a betrayal, my thoughts drifted to Irina. She had been so small, so pale. Nothing like this powerful, wild woman beside me. Irina’s hair used to slip through my fingers, soft and fine like a spider’s web. Nova’s jaguar DNA made hers lustrous, thick, coarse.

  I’d always had to be so gentle with Irina. She was human, after all. With Nova...for the first time I’d let the darker, more primal part of me take the lead. And she matched me thrust for thrust, feeding off my animal lust and letting her own rise.

  If I closed my eyes, I could hear Nova’s heartbeat. It seemed to lace with mine and I could not let myself accept what that could mean.

  Was it even possible?

  Could Nova, a jaguar shifter, actually be my fated mate?

  Once again, Irina’s soft laughter haunted my thoughts. I’d foolishly promised her everything a lifetime ago. I had been so young, brash, stupid, barely eighteen. One by one, I’d broken every one of my promises, including the most important one. I had failed to keep her safe. Irina died because of me.

  “No,” I said to myself. I would not let myself go down this path again. I could not betray another woman. I had to root out the pack hunting Nova. Then I had to walk away.

  She stirred, turning to her side. Nova smiled in her sleep and gave off a sinful purr. She was dreaming. God. I didn’t have to read her mind to know the substance. Her lips parted and she let out a little gasp. Without touching her, I knew she grew wet with desire.

  I dug my fingers into the earth. A tremor wet through me.

  Want. Need. Mine!

  I grew bold, leaning in close so I could drink in Nova’s scent. She was so different. My wildcat. Not fragile or even sweet. She could give as good as she got. Maybe better. The memory of Irina’s lilting laughter seemed to carry on the wind. I loved her still. That would never change. But this...this stirring I felt around Nova. It hadn’t been that with Irina. My love for her had grown over time. We grew up together. She knew my moods like no one else. She could always settle me when my rage took hold. This? Nova? It hit me like a tidal wave. I was all dark passion and protective fury.

  It made me take chances. As much as it pained me, Edward and Roy had been right. I never should have gone into that club last night. My wild streak had put Nova in unnecessary danger.

  Still, I knew I’d do the same thing all over again. The thought of any man, let alone a roomful of shifters, touching her, lusting after her.

  No. I would not allow it.

  Nova arched her back, her dream reaching a climax. Her skin flushed and her nipples peaked.

  God. She undid me. I could not control myself.

  I slid a hand around her waist and pulled her to me. I’d been rock hard since the moment I looked at her. Nova’s eyes snapped open. She lingered in that dream space. I dipped a finger between her thighs and found her wet and wanting.

  I rose up on my palms, hovering over her. Our eyes locked and Nova spread her legs for me.

  Want. Need. Mine!

  I slipped inside, reveling in her silky, wet warmth. I wanted to claim her. Her pulse raced. I knew how good she would taste. How readily she would submit if I marked her as my own.

  For now, there was this. I spilled my seed inside of her as Nova cried out my name. She dug her fingers into my ass and pulled me in deeper. I pressed into her, holding myself still so she could find the friction she needed.

  She came around me, soaking us both. She was so good. Irresistible. She let out a little sigh, then settled back to the ground. I kissed her forehead and went up on my side. I trailed a finger down her ribcage, over her hips, then rested my hand between her thighs.

  “Sleep well?” I asked.

  She gave me a wicked smile. Then, it disappeared just as quickly.

  “The rain stopped,” she said. Just a moment ago, we’d been easy with each other. Now, as the sun rose high overhead, the rest of the world seemed to seep in with it.

  “We shouldn’t stay out here too much longer,” Nova said. “With everything that...er...happened...we aren’t exactly inconspicuous right now to other shifters.”

  She was right. We’d likely given off a pheromone trail two miles wide.

  Damn. It was careless of me.

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s get back to the car.”

  She rose, picking the twigs and leaves out of her hair. I helped her. I couldn’t keep my gaze from settling on her breasts, her ass, just...all of her. She noticed, and blushed. Even that sent heat racing through me. Hell, if we didn’t leave now, I couldn’t trust myself not to find a way to tie her down and deliver delicious torture to every beautiful inch of her.

  Nova turned her back on me and shifted. I followed suit. Her jaguar ran ahead of me through the woods then back across the field until we came to the SUV, parked along the road but partially hidden by brush.

  Nova shifted back. I came to her side and opened the hatch. We each had a change of clothes in the back. Nova quickly dressed in a simple tee-shirt and jeans. I did the same. She slipped on a pair of black combat boots then climbed into the passenger seat.

  I laced my own boots and grabbed my cell from a hidden compartment near the spare tire.

  I had seven missed calls, all from Edward. I closed the hatch and called him back.

  “It’s me,” I said.

  “About time,” my brother answered. “Look, I’ll spare you the lecture. Everybody knows there’s something going on between you and that girl. I just need you to promise me you haven’t done anything stupid.”

  I resisted the urge to ask him to define stupid. I had a pretty good guess he meant running off with her in a lust-filled rage then fucking her brains out in the middle of an unsecured location.

  “What happened after we left?” I asked. “Any big fish bite?”

  “Not yet,” Edward said. “But it’s still early. We made four shifters in that club with at least an indirect connection to the Ring. They know Nova’s close. We’re waiting on word from our informant. She did great last night, your girl.”

  My girl. I bristled at it. Nova h
ad her back to me. She stared through the windshield, waiting for me.

  “Just...don’t,” I said to my brother.

  “Look,” he said. “No judgment, all right? But this is serious. Nova might be the best chance we have to get some actionable intel on the Ring’s next move.”

  “I am not going to serve her up to them,’ I barked.

  “No one’s asking you to. In fact, just the opposite. Payne wants you to bring her in. If she’ll come. He’s flying into Salt Lake City. Listen, Erik, he’s got some information he thinks she’ll want. About her family.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” Edward said. “Payne wouldn’t give me the particulars. But, he wants you to bring her in for a meeting, if she’ll come.”

  “Salt Lake City,” I said. Two weeks ago, it would have seemed like the most normal thing in the world. Hell, I would have rejoiced. Drop her off at our satellite office there. I could punch out. Head off to my next assignment. My guts twisted knowing that’s exactly what Payne expected.

  “What if she won’t come?” I asked.

  “You can be pretty convincing, brother. Besides, she jumped at the chance to work the club last night. She trusts Wolfguard. She said she wanted to talk to Payne. It’ll be okay.”

  Except I wanted her to myself. Even though the men of Wolfguard were family, I wasn’t exactly ready to let other shifters around her after what happened last night.

  “How soon can you be here?” Edward asked.

  I scanned the horizon. Hell, I didn’t even know for sure where we were.

  “I’ll talk to her,” I said. “If need be, I can get her to the office by the end of the day. She’s been through a lot. I just want to give her a chance to decompress.”

  “She’s not some fragile flower, Erik. And she’s not…”

  His voice trailed off. He was my twin. Though we weren’t connected by pack telepathy, he could still guess at my thoughts well enough.

  She’s not Irina.

  I couldn’t hold in the growl that ripped from me.

  “Just come in,” Edward said. “Then we’ll all figure out our next move.”

  I hung up the phone without saying goodbye or confirming. Every instinct in me told me to take Nova far away from here. I didn’t want the Ring or even Wolfguard near her. And I knew those thoughts were dangerous. It had been the same with Irina. Only...this was as different as night and day.

  I slipped behind the wheel.

  “What did they say?” Nova asked. Of course she’d seen me on the phone.

  It was in me to lie. I could have just disappeared with her. Buy some time to explain...what? But, I knew that wasn’t fair.

  “That was my brother,” I said. “No new developments from our informant. Yet. But, my boss wants to talk to you. If you’re willing, I’ll take you to our offices just outside of Salt Lake City.”

  “He knows something,” she said, her tone darkening. “You know something. What is it?”

  I turned to her. “I don’t know what he wants. That’s the truth. I swear it. And you don’t have to go. I can take you anywhere else. I can…”

  “No,” she said. “I think maybe it’s time to stop running, Erik.”

  There was an undercurrent to her words. It wasn’t just time to stop running. It was time for me to let her go for both of our sakes.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nova

  Driving through downtown Salt Lake City felt like another planet. I’d never lived in a big city. Always some backwoods mining town. And for the last four years, I’d spent most of my time in the wilderness. Now, the street noises and press of the crowd as we crossed the intersection assaulted my senses.

  “Calm down,” Erik said beside me. He held my hand and I became aware that my claws were out.

  “Whatever you do,” he said, “Do not shift here.”

  Swallowing hard, I gave him a nod and retracted my claws. As much as Erik stirred my cat, he could also settle me. I had the strong sense I might not have been able to keep from shifting without his touch.

  He led me into the tallest high rise on the block. I felt so out of place in my faded t-shirt, jeans, and combat boots amid the bustle of men and women in business suits. A tall, blonde woman stepped on the elevator with us. She almost backed out when she let her eyes settle on Erik. He was a formidable sight, topping six foot four at least. He filled the space around him and whether he meant to or not, he gave off a feral vibe.

  So, she wasn’t accustomed to shifters. Whatever this woman’s business was in this building, it wasn’t Wolfguard. I looked her up and down. She was reed-thin wearing a fitted blue suit and blouse with a high collar. Her expertly applied makeup made her skin look more like fine china. She teetered on three-inch heels and I realized I’d never even owned a pair. The stiletto boots I wore for the club caper were the closest thing I’d ever come.

  She got off first. Erik gave her a polite smile as she exited. I wondered if this was even her floor. She seemed eager to put distance between us.

  The doors closed. We rose another fifteen floors, all the way to the top of the building.

  Erik led me out into a large lobby with glass walls overlooking the entire downtown area.

  “This way,” he said. “Payne’s meeting us in the conference room.”

  “You work here?” I asked. Erik seemed as out of place as I was. I knew him well enough to guess he hated the city as much as I did.

  “No,” he said. “I’m based out of the Chicago office. But I don’t even stay there very often. My assignments have me traveling all over the country.”

  “A regular nomad,” I smiled.

  “That’s how I like it,” he answered. “Or did.”

  I didn’t have a chance to ask him what he meant by that before we came to a large conference room at the end of the hall. Another wolf shifter waited for us in the doorway. He was just as big as Erik but with red hair and green eyes that sparked as we approached.

  Payne Fallon. I knew him only by reputation. He’d founded Wolfguard Security several years ago. Before that, he’d been one of the leaders of a rebellion in Kentucky. They’d overthrown a powerful Tyrannous Alpha there and freed hundreds of wolf shifters under his control.

  “Ms. Grey?” he said, finding a smile.

  “Call me Nova,” I said, taking his offered hand. His was warm, and enormous, just like Erik’s. But, his touch didn’t stoke anything inside of me like Erik’s did. My breath caught just the same. I think some small part of me wondered if my feelings around Erik stemmed just from him being an Alpha. Payne was every bit as powerful a presence and it didn’t affect me at all. Neither had Edward’s.

  “Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Payne said. “I know it’s been a stressful few weeks for you.”

  I took a seat at the huge, round table. Erik sat beside me.

  “Erik said you had some news about my family,” I started. “I understand you think they somehow hired you to find me. Are they here?”

  Payne pursed his lips. He shot a look at Erik I didn’t like.

  “I’m afraid not,” Payne said. “Nova, I’m sorry about the secrecy we’ve had to keep. It’s part of what we do. What I’m about to tell you, even Erik doesn’t know. It had to come from me to you in person. You understand?”

  I braced myself for his next words. Erik sensed my unease and put his hand on my thigh beneath the table.

  “Nova,” Payne continued. “Your Uncle Simon Grey is who hired us. But, he didn’t contact us directly. Our contract was triggered by a provision in his will.”

  “His will?” Erik and I spoke in unison.

  “Yes,” Payne said. “Your uncle and aunt were killed six months ago. We have reason to believe assassins engaged by the Ring are responsible for it.”

  The air thickened in my lungs. I’d suspected they were gone. It had just been a feeling I had. But, now, hearing it in cold, stark words.

  “No,” I said. “He was...
my Aunt Ruby was sympathetic to the Ring. She cooperated with them. She was convinced I was the ruin of the family. She would have sold me out to them in a heartbeat. Nobody had any reason to kill them.”

  “I believe you’re right,” Payne said. “But, your uncle didn’t share her sympathies. I’m afraid that’s what got him killed. We’ve been able to piece together some of the events leading up to their murder. Your Aunt Ruby was taking meetings with a man we know to be affiliated with the Ring. Twice a month for the last two years. The last meeting took place six months ago at a hotel outside of Buenos Aires.”

  Payne had a small laptop on the table in front of him. He opened it, pressed a few keys, then turned it around so I could see the screen.

  “What is this?” I asked, though I could already guess.

  He had a video player pulled up. A grainy, freeze-framed image of a parking lot appeared. Payne pressed play.

  There was no sound, but after a few seconds, a green pick-up truck pulled into an empty space beneath a rusted streetlamp. A moment later, a black Town Car pulled in behind it.

  A figure emerged from the truck and I recognized my Uncle Simon instantly. He walked to the rear passenger side of the Town Car and got in. I couldn’t see inside the car. Payne fast-forwarded the video ten minutes.

  My uncle got out of the car and stood beside the truck. I watched the window roll down. My heart raced as I guessed what would happen. I put my hands flat on either side of the laptop. Part of me wished I could reach back through time and space and stop it. I knew I couldn’t.

  The front passenger window of the Town Car rolled down while my uncle’s back was turned. I saw the black barrel of a gun emerge. One quick flash of light. The shot went through the truck window.

  My uncle grabbed both sides of his head and dropped to his knees. I watched in horror, the moment my uncle’s fated mate died.