Feral Seduction (Feral Protectors 2) (6 page)

She pulled back the comforter on the bed and although she wanted to climb right in, she decided a quick shower was in order.

As she waited for the water to get hot, she undressed and hung the clothes on the hangers in the open closet. She didn’t mind the missing doors. It would give her stalker one less place to hide.

Not that he could have known she’d end up here. She hated the sense of dread that clung to her like a second skin. She wanted to wash away the evil she’d felt when she was being chased.

She tentatively checked the temperature in the shower. The tepid water wasn’t what she wanted, but it would have to do. She could have a long, hot bath when she got home. Maybe the phone call to Hugo would be enough to get him to stop harassing her.

As she showered, she couldn’t stop thinking about Stryde’s lips. That last kiss had almost made her melt into a puddle. She didn’t have much experience with guys. Most of them couldn’t get past her father’s drunken rages. It only took him one or two dates to run them off.

He’d been locked up for three months, but dating had been the last thing on her mind. She was a waitress at a diner with no prospects and no other skills. She wanted more from life but she didn’t know how to get it.

The cascade of water diminished and turned freezing cold. She yelped and quickly turned off the faucets. At least she was clean. She wrapped a thin white towel around her body and another around her hair. As she dried off, she glanced in the mirror. Dark circles rimmed her eyes. Her pale complexion and downtrodden gaze were unsettling. She’d always tried to see the positive in every situation, but the last three months had taken their toll.

The only good thing that had happened was her brief time with Stryde. She couldn’t stop picturing his coppery skin, or those piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right into her soul.

He’d been through hell in his life too. She understood his pain more than he could ever know. She just wished she could have spent more time with him.

She dried her hair and then slid into bed. Maybe she’d feel better after getting some rest. As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered what it would be like to make love to a man like Stryde. He could be tender as well as fierce. She had no doubt that he’d be an amazing lover.

Several hours later, she bolted upright. Her gaze darted around the room until it fell on the shadowy figure standing outside her window. It took a second to register the scraping sound. When she did, her body went rigid. He was trying to pry the front window open.

Chapter 6

Stryde strolled through the forest. A sense of loss cornered his heart. But there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Brandy was human, and completely off-limits. He hadn’t even entertained the idea of sex with another wolf during the past few months, but less than a day with her and he couldn’t keep his body in check.

The embarrassingly obvious erections should have sent her running for the hills, but she hadn’t run. She’d wanted him. He could see it in her eyes.

But it didn’t matter. She was gone, so he needed to go back to being alone. Once he apologized to Ryker and Diana for missing their life-mate ceremony, he could return to his solitary cave and spend the rest of his life in peace.

He approached Ryker’s den by making a wide sweep so he could avoid the river. He was just a few feet from the entrance to the cave when Diana waddled out.

“I thought I smelled you.”

Her very pregnant form prevented her from walking too fast, so he hurried to close the gap. “You look beautiful.”

“I look like a boulder.” She grinned and embraced him.

Her strong grip surprised him. She’d only been living with the Silver Creek Pack for the last few months. After Ryker had rescued her from Zane, she’d packed a few items from her home in Full Moon Bay and moved in with Ryker.

“You look stunning. Where’s your mate?” he asked.

A deep voice sounded from somewhere inside the cave. “Brother! I was about to send a search party out for you.”

Stryde kicked at the ground and hung his head slightly. “Something urgent came up and I couldn’t get here in time. I’m sorry. You know I would have been here if—”

Diana hooked her arm through Ryker’s. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you can tell us all about it later. Will you be staying the night?”

“No. I have to get back to the den.”

Ryker said, “So you moved back home?”

“Um…”

“Before you start lying, you should know that Nosh sent a few wolves into the forest to look for you. He expected you to mourn alone, but he didn’t expect you to abandon the Dark Moon Pack.”

Stryde didn’t like his accusatory tone. “Nosh is more than capable of running things while I’m gone. I just need a little more time.”

“How much more? It’s been six months.”

Diana stepped between them and held up her hands. “Now, now. If he needs more time, he needs more time. He lost someone very close to him and it’s his right to grieve as long as he needs to. Besides, now’s the time to celebrate, not the time to fight.”

Ryker gently took her hand and kissed it. “Alright, honey.”

Stryde relaxed. “So, tell me about the ceremony.”

Diana beamed. “Everyone from our pack attended. Nosh sent some people from Dark Moon Pack, but he wasn’t able to make it. Kyran and most of his pack from Phantom Lake attended. They brought me several new blankets and helped construct a bassinette.”

“I wish I could have been here.”

She shook her finger at him as if to scold him. “Just don’t miss the baby-naming ceremony.”

“Any ideas on whether it’s a girl or a boy?”

Ryker slapped him on the back. “A boy, of course.”

Akila, the healer and midwife of Silver Creek Pack, stepped out of the shadow of the den. Her long gray hair billowed behind her wiry frame. “Stryde!”

He bent to kiss her soft cheek. “Are you ready to bring Ryker’s first child into this world?”

Akila said, “I can’t wait. Diana and I have been practicing breathing exercises and she’s planning on a water birth in the river.”

Diana chuckled. “The other wolves think it’s weird.”

“I have to agree with them. Aren’t you afraid the baby will float away?” Stryde asked.

“I have a good grip.” Akila grabbed his bicep to demonstrate. Boy, she wasn’t kidding.

Ryker said, “Why don’t you come inside and join us. Akila was making one of her famous herbal tea concoctions.”

“A secret recipe?” Stryde asked.

Akila nodded. “One I learned from my mother. She learned it from her mother and so on.”

Stryde turned to Diana. “You’re in good hands.”

“I know. I’m so happy I get to have my baby naturally instead of in a hospital.”

Akila held up a finger. “But I warned you, the second there’s even a hint of anything going wrong, we’re taking you to the hospital in Full Moon Bay. Years ago, I worked there. I’ve watched perfectly natural births turn into life-threatening emergencies, so we’re not taking any chances with this baby.”

Diana nodded. “I know.”

As Stryde followed Ryker deep into the den, he passed groups of wolves sleeping. Other wolves lounged in their human form, quietly talking amongst themselves. He nodded to those who looked his way. He got a few surprised looks, but no one said anything as he passed.

Ryker held the sheet that closed off his and Diana’s room to one side so everyone could pass. Stryde was almost through the door when a timid voice whispered his name. He squinted into the dark passage and spotted Gwen poking her head around the bend.

He turned to Ryker. “Give me a moment.”

Gwen retreated further into the tunnel and waited for him at the entrance to her room.

“Do you have a second?” she asked.

“Anytime.”

She turned to open the privacy sheet to her room and he sucked in a breath. He’d heard bits and pieces about what Zane had done to her, but he hadn’t seen the scars himself. A crisscrossed pattern of white lines burrowed into her skin—a map of torture so extreme, she’d barely survived.

She turned and with a sad smile said, “No matter what Akila puts on them, the scars won’t fully heal.”

As he brushed a lock of her golden hair to one side, she flinched. “You’re still beautiful. You know that, right?”

She sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the floor. “You’re just being nice.”

He leaned against the wall and waited, curious about why she’d called him back to her room. He’d known her for years but only as a member of the Silver Creek Pack. He hadn’t spent any time with her alone.

“I heard you’re hiding out, that you’re not alpha of the Dark Moon Pack anymore.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Some of the guys from Dark Moon Pack who attended the life-mate ceremony were talking. They didn’t know I was listening.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, I can assure you, it’s not true.”

She lowered her eyes. “Well, I just thought you should know that some of the men are claiming that you’ve abandoned them. They want to organize a choosing ceremony to pick a new alpha.”

“Are you sure that’s what you heard?” His jaw clenched.

“Positive.”

He’d have to deal with that later. At this point, if they wanted to overthrow him in a coup, let them. Running a den of wolves wasn’t easy. If they thought they were up to the challenge, so be it.

He crossed the room and sat by her feet. “I appreciate you letting me know about the rumors. Don’t worry, I’m still their alpha.”

“I’m glad,” she said.

“I’d love to have you visit Dark Moon Pack sometime. I know Nosh has been looking for a mate and I think you’d be great together.”

She laughed. “He’s beta of your pack, second in command. He wouldn’t look at me twice.”

“Not true. I think you’d enjoy getting to know each other.” He paused, unsure if he should bring up her terrible ordeal at the hands of Zane, the serial killer. He decided that he needed to tell her what was on his mind. “I know you went through hell with Zane.”

Her head whipped up. “You don’t know anything about what happened.”

He sat back on his heels. “You’re right, I’m sorry. If you need more time, take it. I don’t think anyone should be rushed when they’re still healing.”

She folded her hands in her lap. “Thanks.”

As he stood, Gwen put her small hand on his forearm. “Stryde, I hope you heal too. I don’t want you to end up like me.”

He put his hand over hers. “We’ll both heal. I know we will. It just takes time.”

He gave her a light hug and as he turned to leave, he heard her sniff. Poor girl. She’d been brutalized by that monster. He only hoped she’d recover soon. She had so many years ahead of her. He hated to see her living in so much pain.

He returned to Ryder and Diana’s room. “Thanks for giving me a minute.”

Akila gave him a questioning look but didn’t ask about his conversation with Gwen. Diana and Ryker sat near Akila. All three faced him, which instantly made him suspicious.

“What?” he asked.

Ryker said, “It’s time you returned to Dark Moon Pack. I’m concerned about the rumors of a growing faction intent on overthrowing your reign.”

“He needs more time. I thought we agreed not to lay into him,” Diana said.

“I’m not laying into him. I just worry about a war within the den. You know how dangerous that can be.”

Stryde let Ryker’s statement hang in the air. Years ago they’d struggled for power over the Silver Creek Pack. Stryde had eventually splintered off to form the Dark Moon Pack. They’d patched up their friendship, but they’d spent years at each other’s throats.

Ryker had a point. Stryde couldn’t wait too much longer if he wanted to return to his pack. But did he want to return? He wasn’t sure yet. He needed more time.

Diana said, “We just want you to think about it. That’s all.”

Stryde nodded. “I understand.”

“Good.” Akila set a pot of water over a smoldering fire. She added two logs and pushed a stick around in the embers to stoke the flames.

Stryde turned to Diana. Hoping to break the palatable tension in the room, he said, “Tell me about the life-mate ceremony.”

Diana perked up. “I wish we’d had a camera for the ceremony. Akila and Gwen tied garlands of flowers around the meadow. They gave me a crown of violet wildflowers and I carried a bouquet of irises. I didn’t wear anything, of course. I really didn’t care about being naked all the time until I started showing.”

Ryker said, “She makes a fat joke at least twice a day. I don’t know how many times I have to tell her that she looks like a goddess.”

Stryde smiled. Diana was pretty, but Brandy, she was a goddess. As Diana continued telling him about the life-mate ceremony, his thoughts drifted to Brandy. He wondered how she’d fared. Had her uncle helped her stop her stalker?

He hoped she was okay. Part of him was tempted to scout her uncle’s house just to see how she was doing. But then he had to remind himself that her welfare wasn’t his concern.

“…and the party didn’t end until sunrise,” Diana finished.

Stryde smiled. “I bet you were a stunning bride. Ryker’s a very lucky man.”

“You better believe it. I’m just glad she finally sold her house. We had decided to wait until things were settled with the house before committing to the life-mate ceremony. She needed to wrap up her old life,” Ryker said.

Diana said, “I wanted the transition to be complete. I didn’t want to have one foot in the old world and one foot in new one.”

Stryde knew exactly what she was saying. He was stuck in a transitional state, not ready to let go of the past, and therefore unable to move on. He knew it; he just didn’t know how to change it, and he wasn’t sure that it would ever change.

As he watched Ryker embrace his mate, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Ryker deserved Diana. He was a strong protector and he’d shown that he could keep her safe.

Stryde didn’t deserve a mate. In another life, maybe he’d try to find Brandy. But in this one, he deserved to be alone.

Hours later, as the moon hung low on the horizon, he hugged Diana and Akila. He slapped Ryker on the back. “It’s been too long.”

“You can show your face here more than once a year,” Ryker admonished.

“I know. I will. I just need—”

“More time. I know, just don’t wait too long.”

Stryde chuckled. “I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”

Ryker grinned. “Maybe. Have a good trip home.”

“I will.”

Stryde gave them one last wave before he started into the woods. One he was out of their line of sight, he turned toward the cave on Howling Mountain. A few more days, then he’d go home.

***

Brandy jumped out of bed. She pulled on her clothes while running to the bathroom. She slammed and locked the bathroom door. Her shoes still lay on the tile where she’d left them earlier. She didn’t have time to put them on, so she grabbed them and slung them over one shoulder.

She eyed the narrow window above the sink. It would be a gamble, but she had to fit through it. If she didn’t, she was as good as dead.

She climbed onto the sink and pushed the window up. It didn’t budge. In her panicked state, she’d forgotten to unhinge the lock. She tore the lock open, ripping a nail in the process. She’d only fit if she went head first.

She’d just shoved her head through the opening when a loud bang sounded on the door. She screamed and struggled to pull herself through the window.