“Issac!” Chloe scrambled to her feet. She’d deal with all of this later, if there was a later.
A high-pitched howl ripped through the cabin, and her heart pounded loud in her ears. Was it Issac or the rogue?
What could she do? She searched for any kind of a weapon. The cabin’s front porch lay buried under a six-inch pile of snow. If there was a weapon nearby, it was well hidden.
Damn it all to hell. She pressed her hands to her temples, her frantic pulse pounding in her veins.
Let me out. We can help him together. Clo’s frantic words rang loud and clear.
“All right. All right.” Chloe tried to shift, straining with the effort. A few hairs lengthened on her hand, but nothing else. The low hum of frustration vibrated along her nerves.
Help me, Clo.
Relax. I’ll take over.
Yeah, right. She glanced into the room. The two males tussled together, fangs flashing, fur flying. Chloe’s legs trembled as a wave of dizziness threatened to take her down.
Relax…
Chloe closed her eyes and forced herself to take a slow breath.
A thud reverberated from inside the cabin and interrupted her concentration. She opened her eyes and focused on the two males fighting at the doorstep. Wood splinters flew, a few pinging off her coat.
One of the wolves howled as if in pain. The rogue burst from the cabin. As his gaze landed on her, determination burned in his milky white eye.
A scream bottled in her throat. Visions of claws and sharp teeth ripping into her flesh flashed in her mind.
He launched himself at her. She raised her arms, a last-ditch effort to protect herself.
A whoosh of air passed by her along with the brush of a wolf’s tail, and she lowered her arms.
Issac tackled Hiram. Both males, marred by red cuts and welts, tumbled down the few steps and rolled into the snow. The fight continued, claws and teeth ripping and shredding into fur.
Issac fought with a fierceness and determination she’d never dreamed possible, and he did it to protect her. Fear for him lanced through her chest, piercing her heart. She must help him.
Resolve swelled from her soul, and she relaxed, opening herself up to her wolf.
A moment later, she stood on all fours, fur covering her body. She leapt into the fray, teeth barred, claws extended, and landed on the rogue’s back. Clo sank her claws into his side. The jerk of his body and his howl sent a thrill of satisfaction along her nerves.
Quicker than she anticipated, he rolled onto his back and pinned her beneath him.
Air whooshed from her lungs, and her grip loosened.
Issac attacked the rogue, sinking his teeth into the male’s shoulder. Blood gushed from the wound, painting the white snow crimson.
Hiram kicked with his legs, launching Issac from him.
Issac landed a few feet away, the snow cushioning his fall.
The rogue flipped over and focused his attention on her.
Chloe staggered to her feet and tried to take in a breath, but her lungs didn’t seem to work.
A gleam of triumph flared in the rogue’s one good eye. He opened his mouth, and drool dripped from his long canines.
Chloe drew in a ragged breath, her muscles tensing in preparation to meet him head on. Out of the corner of her eye, movement caught her attention.
The rogue leapt at her. She jumped toward him, claws extended.
Issac reached him first. He landed on the male, taking him down, and clamped his jaw around the rogue’s throat.
Chloe adjusted her leap mid-air, descended on the rogue, and ripped her claws down Hiram’s belly. His intestines burst from his shredded skin and slipped onto the snow. The stink of impending death wafted into the air, and a rattled breath eased from his throat.
Issac held onto Hiram until the last wheeze escaped his lips.
The rogue slid to the snow and shifted into his human form, his one good eye dilated and empty of life.
Chloe’s stomach lurched. She backed away, staring at her claws. Blood and bits of flesh clung to the tips. She’d just helped kill another wolf who was also a man. Although she’d done so in self-defense, she’d never killed before.
Issac’s breath heaved from him, causing plumes of fog with each exhale. Cuts marred his face, his side, his legs, but thankfulness gleamed in his eyes.
Her chest swelled. They were both alive, and they’d defeated the rogue together.
Issac brushed his muzzle in the snow, wiping away the blood from his mouth.
Chloe took his lead and pawed at the snow, eager to rid herself of the rogue’s presence.
She finished and glanced at Issac. He shifted into his human form and stumbled, momentarily losing his balance. His ashen face was taught with strain.
A scream ripped from her throat and turned into a howl. She returned to human form and rushed to his side, grasping his shoulder. Her palm contacted something sticky, and her fingers came away wet with blood. “Issac! You’re losing too much blood.”
“Just a flesh wound. Nothing to worry about. Are you all right?” He cupped her cheeks in his palms, even as he wobbled.
“Yes,” she choked back a sob. “That rogue. I was so worried he’d…”
She couldn’t finish her words. That would make them real somehow. Instead, she peered at the dead male. His milky white eye seemed to taunt her. A chilling shiver swept down her spine.
“What do we do with him?” she whispered.
Issac exhaled and glanced at the rogue. “When we return to town, I’ll alert Levi. He and the pack hunters will deal with the body.”
A shudder rippled over her shoulders, raising the hair along her arms even under her coat sleeves. What had she gotten herself involved in?
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Issac’s concerned gaze traveled from her feet to her shoulders before returning to her face. A wince crossed his features, and a sadness she hadn’t seen before flared in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Chloe. About the marking. It will fade.”
She stiffened and drew away. The lack of contact left her cold, but the memory of what she’d learned reared its ugly head.
“When you bit me, you claimed me.” A headache flared behind her eyes fueled by her anger. “You didn’t even give me a choice. How could you?”
He held up his hands. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I just…”
Tears swelled in her eyes. “Don’t. Don’t even bother. I need to think about what happened between us, and I’m not sure I can forgive you.”
Before the tears fell and betrayed how much he’d hurt her, she bolted into the cabin, grabbed her backpack, and then returned.
He stared at her, his brown eyes solemn. “The part for your car should be in late today. I’ll work on it all night, if that’s what it takes, so it will be ready for you first thing in the morning.”
“Good. I’ll stop by to pick it up then. I need to return to Seattle as soon as possible.” Heart heavy with grief, she turned and headed down the trail. If only things could’ve turned out differently.
Chapter Sixteen
Chloe adjusted her position on the motel room’s squeaky bed and ran the compact brush through her hair for what seemed like the thousandth time. At least she’d had the foresight to include a small brush, toothpaste, and travel toothbrush in her backpack.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she stared at the ceiling, blinking them away. After the gusher she’d unleashed last night, she’d thought the well dry, but apparently, she had an endless supply.
Not wanting to risk the chance of running into Issac at Delight’s Diner, she’d trudged through the dusting of snow the town had received to the Hot Joy Café where she’d snagged a boxed meal and returned to her motel room. After nibbling at the pastrami sandwich, she’d replayed the day’s events over and over. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she’d curled up on the bedspread. Thankfully, exhaustion and mental anguish had lulled her into the sleep of the dead until the sun’s morning rays had roused he
r.
“Issac, why did you do it? Why did you claim me without my permission?” The painful words echoed in the enclosed space.
During one of her less teary moments, she’d googled “wolf mate bites” on her phone and had received results despite the intermittent connection. She’d learned that although he’d claimed her through his bite, she didn’t have to stay or honor the commitment. If he suffered by not having her around, that was on him.
Yet, at the thought of leaving Dark Moon Falls, an ache built in her chest to rival the weight of an elephant. Her gaze drifted to the clock on the bedside table. The numbers on the digital display read 8:15 a.m. Sooner or later, she’d have to face Issac to retrieve her car.
No time like the present.
She tossed the brush onto the comforter and pushed to her feet.
On the table next to the clock, her phone vibrated as if jumping beans lived inside. She grabbed the device and glanced at the unfamiliar number. Probably a scammer, but you never knew.
With a quick swipe of her fingertip across the screen, she answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Chloe Bishop?” A deep, male voice asked.
Her pulse skyrocketed. “Yes, that’s me.”
“My name is Jake Prescott. I’m a manager with the Associated Property Management Group, calling about your recent application. Do you have a minute?”
Chloe’s knees gave out, and she sat on the bed. “Absolutely.”
“Great.” Jake’s soft exhale carried over the line. “I wanted to let you know we’ve selected your business for one of the vacant spots in the mall. Would you be ready to open by January 1st?”
As she absorbed his words, Chloe’s mind raced. “You picked us?”
The man chuckled. “Caught you a bit off guard, didn’t I? Sorry about that. I tend to get to the point rather quickly instead of easing into it. So, did you want the lease?”
Don’t do it. Stay here with Issac, our mate. Clo’s whispered words echoed in her mind.
A strange mixture of elation, sadness, and confusion swirled through Chloe, blending into something she couldn’t handle. Obtaining this locale had meant the world to her, to prove to herself and the memory of her mother that she was worthy. This was proof that she could succeed, but she wavered on giving Jake an answer.
The choice wasn’t just about her, she had to think of Brooklyn, too.
Yet, her heart weighed heavy in her chest.
A choice…
Jake was giving her one, unlike Issac. Her anger at him resurfaced, and she curled her hand into a fist. “My partner and I want this very much. We’ll be moved in and ready to go by January 1st. Thank you, so much.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. There was quite a bit of competition, but the samples you sent to us sealed the deal for you. Very creative idea. Well done.” The creak of a chair echoed over Jake’s voice. “We’ll send the final papers for signature and look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you, again.”
Chloe hit “end” and glanced at her phone. Numerous times she’d imagined receiving this call and had seen herself jumping for joy, screaming at the top of her lungs. Now, however, a cold sense of loneliness crept into her soul.
Would she miss Issac?
Yes.
Did she forgive him?
No.
You need to. Clo harrumphed. He’s our mate. Give him a chance to explain. You owe him that much at least.
Chloe wasn’t in the mood to deal with her inner wolf. “I need to call Brooklyn.”
She selected her roommate in her contacts and hit dial. The familiar ring buzzed in her ear, once, twice, three times. “C’mon Brooklyn. Answer.”
After the fourth ring, voice mail picked up. “Hi. You’ve reached Brooklyn, but I can’t take your call right now. Leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
Chloe tapped her fingernail against the back of her phone in rapid succession. She didn’t want to share the news over voice mail. “Brook, call me. It’s important.”
Chloe ended the call and leaned back on the bed, bunching her brows together. Brooklyn was probably getting the products ready for tomorrow. The weekends at the craft fairs would become busier now that Christmas approached. A new urgency spurned her on. She couldn’t afford to get caught up in Issac. Not with the new lease and all that came with it.
She rose from her seat, put on her coat, shoved her phone and her brush into her backpack, then headed for the door.
After Issac’s deception, she was better off without him anyway.
If only she could convince her wolf and her heart that was true.
Chapter Seventeen
As Issac breathed, the familiar, calming scent of motor oil and gasoline that permeated his garage filtered into his senses. He rose from his rolling stool and rubbed the spot on his chest, his fingers delving into the pectoral muscles. Assuaged by the movement, the ache in the tissue lessened, but the pang underneath, the one in his heart throbbed relentlessly.
He’d really screwed everything up with Chloe. Funny what a single bite could do. Not that her choosing to leave had come as any big surprise. He’d known from the beginning that she’d flee, but having it happen so fast had knocked him on his proverbial ass.
Sorrow ate at his heart. Letting out a heavy sigh, he tossed the rag he’d used to wipe the oil from the dip stick onto his workbench. The cloth landed on top of his flashlight, the tip drooping like his wolf’s ears.
Gods, had it really come to this? He’d met his mate, only to lose her before they’d even had a chance to get to know each other. A part of him hated the mating bond.
She’ll come around. I know she will.
A self-deprecating laugh he couldn’t stop burst from his lips. His wolf’s optimism never ceased to amaze him.
He’d followed Chloe down the mountain, keeping enough distance to give her space but staying close enough to make sure she arrived in town safe. Every step along the way, he’d beaten himself up for his carelessness. He should’ve controlled his wolf. Instead, he’d relaxed around Chloe, her inner beauty warming him on the inside and lulling him into a peaceful state. Damn his wolf for taking advantage of the situation.
Clo accepts me. Chloe will accept you, too.
He placed his palms on the top of the Mustang’s raised hood and lowered the top until the soft click of the latch echoed through the garage. He lifted his gaze to the window over his workbench.
Morning sunlight streamed through the panes, bits of dust floating in the shafts like diamonds. The tiny pieces reminded him of Chloe and her adorable freckles. Beautiful and mesmerizing.
He clenched his fingers and brought his fist to his lips to stifle the howl that threatened to escape. How would he get by without her by his side? A vision of Samuel swept across his mind, vivid and all too real. The pain the male had lived with over the past quarter century was a precursor of sorts for Issac and was not something he relished.
After he’d followed Chloe into town, he’d found Levi in Delight’s Diner and filled him in. The pack hunter had rounded up his team, and they’d all set off to his cabin to take care of the rogue, or what was left of him.
When he’d returned to his garage, the part for Chloe’s Mustang lay waiting on his doorstep. He’d started work on her car right away, not stopping until it was done. Night had fallen by that time, but he couldn’t bring himself to seek out his bed. Not without Chloe.
“One thing I’ve learned in life is that change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s better to jump in feet first. The shock might be a bit rough, but in the long run you’re better off.”
Chloe’s words had filtered through his brain, and he’d done something he thought he never would, something he hadn’t been able to do in fifteen years. He’d worked on his brother’s Triumph. Jarik was dead, never to return. The rogue had made sure of that.
He focused on the half-finished motorcycle. Rather than a pile of parts, the old bike r
esembled a ghost of its former self. The urge to continue restoring the thing until it was done rippled through him.
His brother would’ve wanted him to finish that bike and doing so would provide some much-needed closure for Issac.
He marched across the floor, picked up the back wheel, knelt next to the bike, and slipped the axle bolt into the frame. With a quick flick of his fingers, he attached the nut and tightened it down. Instead of the tears he’d thought would come, a sense of peace wrapped around him, warm and comforting.
The knowledge of Jarik’s death had been both a curse and a blessing. He’d never see his brother again, but his sadness competed with the sense of freedom expanding in his chest. At least he knew what had happened to his brother. In his mind, Jarik had died a hero’s death, saving two humans, taking down a rogue, and scarring another in the process. Well done, bro.
“Issac?” Chloe’s soft voice echoed into the garage.
Issac’s pulse galloped like a herd of wild horses. The socket wrench slipped from his fingers and clattered on the cement floor. He rose from his crouch and wiped his sweaty hands on his coveralls.
There she was, standing in the garage’s doorway. The sun played off her hair, turning the strands into a kaleidoscope of golds and reds. Her face was silhouetted in darkness, and he couldn’t read her expression, but the tension in her shoulders indicated she was nervous, too.
“Chloe…” He strode toward her and had to fight the urge to drag her into his embrace and kiss her until she understood just how much she meant to him.
She stepped into the garage, met his gaze then beelined for her car. “It’s done?”
“Yeah. Part came in yesterday. All fixed.” He ran his hand through his hair, the shyness he’d come to loath coming out in full force once again. If only he had the balls to follow through on his urge, sweep her into his arms and—
Do it. His wolf’s inner command echoed in his mind.
No. I can’t—
Take a chance. That’s what Jarik would’ve done.
Tension held him rigid and in place. His wolf was right, but that’s how Jarik always ended up in trouble. Issac refused to do the same, but he wouldn’t let Chloe go without a fight. Instead, Issac would do this his own way. He’d push past his inner fears, the ones that held him back and made him shy. If he flamed out in the process, so be it.
Dark Moon Falls: Volume 2 Page 125
