by T. S. Joyce
Every muscle in Marissa’s body tensed and she clutched the arms of the chair until her knuckles shone white. “Grey didn’t tell you?”
“He said it wasn’t his story to tell. If you don’t want to tell me, I understand. I don’t like to talk about what happened to my sister, either.”
“We were kidnapped by a man named Raul. He liked little girls, so Mom wasn’t his type. He toted her around for a while, but—” She swallowed and closed her eyes. “He would touch me and call me his mate, and Mom went after him one night.” She shrugged the admission away. “He killed her and kept me.”
“Oh, my God, Marissa.” Morgan blinked hard. “You didn’t see him kill her, did you?” A nod and Morgan’s heart broke into pieces. “Was he a werewolf?”
Another nod.
“How did you get away?”
“He kept me caged until we had to move locations. Raul killed little girls so we couldn’t stay in one place too long or he would get caught.” Marissa’s voice trembled. “I didn’t have any control, but during one of our relocations, I just let it go. I left the wolf have me. Let her protect me. My wolf had been begging for me to set her free for a long time. She convinced me she could protect us but I knew how submissive she was. Raul was as dominant and psychotic as they came so I thought she wouldn’t stand a chance. I knew…knew…when I let her have my body, it would be one of the last things I ever did. I knew I would be killed, but I didn’t care.” A tear slid from under her sunglasses and hung from her jaw. “Turns out she did know how to protect me. She ripped him apart. I didn’t even bury him, just left him on the side of the road for the buzzards to get him like he deserved. I grabbed a change of clothes from Raul’s car and ran until my legs gave out. I hitched a ride from some trucker on a highway, and he dropped me off in this tiny town called Wylie. Didn’t have any family left and I couldn’t go back to my old school, not like I was. I still didn’t have much control so I found an old hunting cabin away from town and tried to live there by myself. I didn’t know how to hunt very well though because Raul wasn’t exactly a great teacher. I was starving when Rachel showed up at that old shack. Her eyes were glowing gray and I knew she was like me. Dean was there too. He stood near the truck with his arms crossed, but Rachel hugged me up tight the second she saw me, and I fell apart. I hadn’t felt affection since my mom was killed. I mean…good affection. I didn’t even know Rachel and Dean yet, but I told them everything on the way back to their house. And they kept me.”
No words could take away the pain that Marissa, at such a young age, had been through. That monster’s actions would resonate through the rest of her life. God, that girl was so much stronger than Morgan had ever realized. Reaching across the space that separated their chairs, she grabbed Marissa’s hand and squeezed. “I’m glad you ripped him apart. I wished I could do the same thing to my sister’s killer. Grey killed him, but sometimes I think I would’ve had better closure if I did it.”
She wished she could tell her she was safe and didn’t have to worry about violence for as long as she lived. But the cold, hard fact was, she was a werewolf, and female to boot. There wasn’t any way to avoid danger. All they could do was survive it.
Marissa wiped the tear off her jaw and gave a smile. “Grey really got the short end of the stick with us, huh? Two broken werewolves to fill out his pack.”
“Nah,” Morgan said thoughtfully, staring at the woodshop. “Grey has been through hell and back, too. We got lucky to all find each other.”
Now it made sense that Marissa didn’t like being around other dominant males. How she could stomach spending time with Grey, who filled every molecule of space around him with raw power, Morgan hadn’t a guess. But it was a very good thing she did. Strong little werewolf. Marissa was burrowing deeper in Morgan’s heart by the moment.
Lana’s giggles drew her out of her sadness and she stood to see what the little girl had found. A shiny green beetle plowed through the weeds and Lana tried to poke it with a thin stick. She was missing every time but tickled at her own effort. Fine, dark hair had come from the bright pink hair band at the nape of Lana’s neck. Morgan stepped off the porch, and pulled the band loose, freeing Lana’s waves. Her hair was getting longer. She’d begged to grow it out so she could look like Rapunzel.
“Do you hear that?” Marissa asked. When Morgan turned around, the girl stood frozen at the top of the porch stairs and looked out into the woods.
At her look of fear, Morgan stood straight and strained her ears. There, just below the music of birds and cicadas, was a low humming sound. “What is that?”
“It’s a car.”
She was right. The louder it got, the more it sounded like a car engine. Narrowing her eyes, Morgan peered as far as she could see to where the dirt road met the forest. Dread filled every vein in her body.
They weren’t expecting anyone today and Dallas pack members always called first to give Grey a chance to prepare Wolf for others in his territory.
Frowning, Morgan lifted Lana into her arms and watched the gravel drive. Grey barreled out of the woodshop, eyes blazing as the door blasted against the wall. He jogged over and plucked Lana from Morgan’s grasp, then took her up the porch stairs. She clung to his neck with a curious smile, and he kissed her gently on the forehead.
“Marissa, take Lana to the safe room. Call Dean and give him a heads-up there may be trouble. Don’t come out until we come get you, okay?”
Eyes wide, she pulled Lana from his arms. The front door shut with a hurried bang as she disappeared inside.
Grey rubbed a small circle on her lower back, but it wasn’t enough to settle her down. Not when terror was filling her like water in a sinking ship. Desperate to keep her fear under control, she stretched up and kissed his lips. A warm calm spread through her body at his touch. Grey dragged her closer and opened her mouth with his. He brushed his tongue against hers, and that blissful numbing sensation washed through her.
Easing back, his lupine eyes searched hers, his brow furrowed with worry. His attention returned to the road. “Posture,” he said gruffly, soothing her into a porch chair. “Don’t show them your fear.”
He sank comfortably into the chair beside her and waited for the car to arrive. He looked every bit like he didn’t have a concern in the world. For Wolf, posturing was instinctive, but it didn’t come so naturally to her.
When the dark gray SUV pulled up in front of the house, Grey rested his hand on her tensed thigh. Stay seated, he seemed to say. The doors creaked as they opened, and two men got out and came to the bottom of the porch steps. She sniffed the air. Werewolves. Fear snaked down her spine and settled somewhere in her gut. Her eyes were definitely purple right now.
The men were a study in opposites. One had olive skin and dark hair, while the shorter one was fair-skinned with blond hair cropped close to his head.
“What do you want?” Grey asked.
“My name is Rodrigo Valderez,” the first man said with a Spanish accent to his deep voice. “This is my Second, Brian Mercer. I am alpha to the southern New Mexico pack,” he said formally.
“I’m Greyson. This is my mate, Morgan.”
“Is she the Silver Wolf?” Rodrigo asked directly.
Seconds ticked by as Grey stared through eyes as cold as ice. Slowly, he nodded. What would be the point in him trying to lie about what she was? Her damning purple eyes only existed in a Silver Wolf. She wished she’d brought her sunglasses out here!
The alpha said, “I have come to issue a formal challenge. I wish to challenge you for her.”
A challenge? She looked between Grey and Rodrigo. “Seriously?”
“Morgan,” Grey warned.
“You’re going to what? Fight? And then the winner gets me? I’ll bite your whole dick off, so it’s probably best you don’t win. Get in your motherfuckin’ car, and leave.”
Grey snorted, and then cleared his throat to cover it. Standing to his full height, he looked down his nose at this man who came
onto his territory to pull this archaic bullshit. Grey smelled of straight fur. “Accepted,” Grey said easily. “But since you brought your witness, I have the right to call in mine.”
“What?” Morgan squawked. “Not accepted. Not accepted. You!” She pointed to Roderigo. “Can piss off!” Throwing an opened can of Sunkist at his face was too much, right?
The alpha’s eyes brightened to a light gray and he and his second snarled.
“That’s not the way you talk to a respected alpha,” the second, Brian who-gave-a-shit-what-his-last-name-was enlightened her.
“Who respects you?” Morgan demanded. “Not me.”
“Morgan, it’s all right,” Grey murmured as he pulled his phone out of his back pocket. He connected a call, and when Dean answered, Grey asked, “Where are you? I need a witness.”
“Shit,” Dean bit out across the cell. “Marissa just called and we’re already on the road. We’re a few minutes out. Don’t start until we’re there.”
Grey hung up and tossed the phone onto the table.
Morgan set her blazing glare on the stranger. “Why do you want me? You don’t even know me.”
“I don’t have to know you. You are Silver Wolf.” Rodrigo said it so matter of fact, as if the title was the only important thing about her. “You will bring honor to any wolf you choose.”
“Awesome, I choose Grey.”
Rodrigo studied her like she was a bug. “From what I hear, you aren’t claimed by him or anyone else. Until you are, formal challenges can be made.”
She looked in disbelief from Rodrigo to Grey to Brian and back to Rodrigo. “Okay. I’m claimed. He fucks me on the reg. Poof. Barbaric-ass-tradition squashed.”
Grey sat again with his hands behind his head and his long legs stretched out. A slow smile spread across his face as if he was enjoying the show.
“You have to register a claiming with the Old Ones, as well as have a formal ceremony.”
“Like marriage? Okay, do you have the Old Ones’ phone number? And are you ordained?” she asked Brian. “I’ll get this done right now.”
“Silver Wolf—” Rodrigo started.
“My name is Morgan, you ass hat.” This guy was really starting to piss her off.
“Morgan,” he amended with a frown tugging at his full lips. “This is no way for a Silver Wolf to act. Formal challenges are issued often. I understand you are a new wolf, but this is the way it has been with females for hundreds of years.”
Aw, hell no. He did not just tell her how she should act. “I’m sorry there was no fucking handbook on how to be a Silver Wolf, but since I’m the only one in existence, I’m pretty sure that earned me the right to set the precedent on how all Silver Wolves should act!” Okay, she was screaming, and gripping the chair beside her, debating on throwing it, but the sound of Dean’s truck coming up the road interrupted her building tantrum.
“You sure you want that one in your pack?” Grey asked. “She has a mouth on her.”
She would’ve laughed if she wasn’t so pissed off right now.
“Maybe don’t throw the chair,” Grey advised her. “It’s worth more than that alpha’s life.”
“We got it for $4.99 at Walmart,” she huffed out.
“Exactly.”
“Grey, I don’t like this,” she hissed out.
“Everything will be fine. Trust me.” Well, Grey seemed confident he would come out of this okay, but what if he was wrong?
Would she have to leave with this man? She would rather lick a port-a-potty than be a kidnap victim again. Her heartrate cranked up to panic mode, and it suddenly felt like a horse was sitting on her chest. She gasped for a breath.
Grey cocked his head and eyed her thoughtfully. “I need a word with my mate, if you don’t mind.”
He didn’t wait for Rodrigo’s answer. Instead, he stood immediately and took her by the elbow. His work boots made hollow sounds against the porch as he led her to a shaded area against the house. It wasn’t completely out of hearing range for a werewolf, but at least it felt more private.
“Is it to the death?” she asked, a new wave of panic threatening to overwhelm her.
“It can be, if no one gives up.”
“I don’t want to lose you.”
Grey snorted indelicately. “You don’t have to watch this. Go on and wait inside if you want, and I’ll come get you when we’re finished. I’m not going to let him take you, Morgan. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
She wasn’t convinced. He leaned down and kissed her, but it didn’t settle her any. Not this time. He was trying to distract her with his sexiness, and it almost worked. Almost.
“I’m staying,” she growled. “I’m cool with you killing him.” It would serve the idiot right for trying to take her away from everything she’d fought for.
Grey chuckled. “Look who’s turned into a bloodthirsty little werewolf.”
He squeezed her ass with a smirk and sauntered off to meet Dean, who was pulling up in front of the cabin. Some of the tension left her shoulders when Wade and Jason also stepped out of the truck. Grey had backup if something went wrong. Surely, Dean wouldn’t let this barbarian take her away from her new home.
Dean introduced himself and the others to Rodrigo and his second. Dean’s introductions were formal, but not friendly enough for a handshake or even a smile. In fact, Dean, Wade, and Jason looked pissed. Good, because if she had to bet on who the biggest, baddest wolves in town were, she’d bet on her boys any day.
Reaching back, Grey pulled his shirt off and Rodrigo excused himself to Change in the privacy of the trees. Grey pulled Wade to the side. Morgan strained her ears to hear what he said.
“If this goes south, throw a formal challenge at him right away. Don’t give him time to recover. Make sure Morgan is safe.”
Wade nodded and clapped Grey on the shoulder. “It won’t go south, but we got you.”
So Grey was more worried than he was letting on. A fresh wave of panic sent the first tingles of the Change through her body. She stifled her wolf, eliciting a slow carnal growl from deep in her throat. Grey turned and set intense eyes upon her. Something glinted off his chest in the sunlight.
“Can you hold this for me?” He unhooked the leather necklace and held it out. As she approached him, she gasped. On the necklace was her engagement ring. Against her hand, he pressed the ring, a small and crucial symbol of his devotion. He’d offered so much more than a wedding the day he’d given it to her. He’d offered his life to protect her.
“My body was made to keep yours safe,” he breathed. “I’m telling you, don’t worry.”
She gripped the treasure he’d given to her for safekeeping, and he lifted that hand to his lips, kissed her knuckles.
Rodrigo’s wolf loped from the shadows of the woods. He was a large wolf, dark gray with a lighter belly and legs. Brown eyes stared steadily back at Grey as he cocked his head and studied his opponent.
Watching Grey was her guilty pleasure. He was unashamed of his Change and rightly so. When he Turned, it was like magic. His wasn’t like any other wolf she had ever seen. If he wanted, and if he pushed hard enough, his transition from man to beast could last just a moment. For other wolves, it dragged on for minutes.
She was terribly private about her own Changes. They took so long and were so painful, she always made anguished noises by the end. It was embarrassing. She didn’t even want to imagine what she looked like during her Changes.
Grey was different. He had been Turned by a beast. A monster among monsters had unleashed Grey’s inner Wolf onto the unsuspecting world. In contrast to his utter lack of control over his animal, his Change was absolute magic.
Grey stood upright, staring down Rodrigo, and then he was Wolf. His transformation blended so seamlessly, he blurred from human to animal. Rodrigo might have been big for a werewolf, but Grey was a titan. His fur was black as pitch, and his lips pulled back over razor-sharp teeth. His chest was broad and his legs powerful. Sharp
, black claws made for ripping protruded from his giant paws.
Grey was all weapons.
Dean and Wade scaled the stairs and stood on the porch beside her while Jason leaned on the railing at the bottom. Rodrigo’s second stayed on the opposite side near the trucks. Smart little idiot.
“You know the rules,” Dean clipped out. “One bark means one of you gives. No bark means you’ll fight to the death. Bark it loud and proud, boys. If we don’t hear it, no one yields. Understood?”
Both wolves nodded, circling each other slowly, eyes completely focused on each other.
Rodrigo lunged.
Snapping back, the gray wolf missed his mark and Grey struck with snake-like speed. Bowling him over before he could recover, Gray latched onto the fur of his neck as Rodrigo bit into his shoulder.
Ducking, dodging, spinning, and snarling, the dance of the frenzied wolves was so violent she wanted to look away, but so beautiful she didn’t dare. She’d seen wolves fight before, but not like this. Playing and wrestling were part of pack life, but this? This was savage. It was ripping skin and shaking their heads violently to rip through fur, and blood sprays.
Gnashing teeth clacked, echoing through the yard in near misses, and the scent of thick iron filled the air. Gray fur, black, gray, black—their coats mingled until she couldn’t tell them apart as they spun and battled. The smell of blood grew thicker by the moment.
We should Change, SW murmured in horror. We should protect him.
Dean, Wade, and Jason looked passively on as if there weren’t two wolves ripping each other to shreds in the yard. Like this was just another Tuesday.
Grey was lethal, like one of the knives in her collection. Sometimes it was obvious that he was meant to be what he was, like when he Changed so fluidly, or he hunted with exact pack logic, or his ability to kill with little remorse when her safety was concerned. Wolf dodged away from Rodrigo’s attack, only to return with the upper hand. More proof that fate didn’t make mistakes. He fought like he was born to, and an unsettling combination of pride, and realization, and fear welled up in her chest.
A single bark rang out. The flurry of motion slowed and she tried to decipher between the two snarling animals. The light was dimming and the battle had stopped as quickly as it had started. Grey was on top of Rodrigo, pinning him with his body weight. His sharp teeth lay against the tripping pulse of the smaller wolf’s neck. Dark crimson blood matted Rodrigo’s fur, and he let out another sharp yip before Grey could do more damage.
