Secret Seduction: BBW Werewolf Romance (Wolf Pack Protectors Book 1) (8 page)

Within minutes, he’d crested a shallow overhang. He gingerly stepped along the edge, then approached the well-hidden entrance to a cave. He lowered himself to the floor so she could slide down his back.

She edged closer to the precipice and looked into the void. A break in the clouds revealed the waxing moon. It cast a ghostly glow on the winding black snake of the river below.

She realized Ryker had brought her to the place where he’d watched her bathe the first time she’d been to the river with Leah.

Behind her, Ryker shifted to his human form. He rushed toward her and pulled her quaking body into his arms. “I thought I’d lost you.”

She tried to hold back tears, but they trickled down her face. “They came and I tried to chase them and Trent was gone and—”

“Wait. Slow down. Come over here. Let me dry you off and get you warmed up.” He motioned for her to sit on a small raised dais.

She sat still as he wrapped a large fur blanket around her. He grabbed a few pieces of wood and a box of matches. He started a fire in a small pit in the center of the cave. As soon as the fire could sustain itself, he returned to her side.

He cradled her in his arms. She snuggled against him, trying to capture some of his warmth. If he hadn’t found her, she could have died from hypothermia. A shiver of anxiety snaked down her spine.

As Ryker spoke, an undertone of disapproval infused his voice. “Now, tell me what happened. All I know is that Trent ran into the den barking like a maniac. He said you went into the woods to relieve yourself and then all hell broke loose.”

She quickly relayed the story.

He shook his head. “I swear I can’t leave you alone for a second. If what you’re saying is true, we’re in even deeper trouble than I first thought. We’ll stay the night and when the storm breaks we’ll go see Stryde. With any luck he’ll have already scented us and will meet us here.”

“We’re that close to his territory?”

He chuckled. “We’re in his territory. Welcome to Howling Mountain, home to the Dark Moon Pack. At least you got lost in a useful place.”

“How can you laugh about this?”

His expression turned serious. “If I don’t laugh, I’m going to lose my mind. The hunters know where we live. Trent said they had cameras and now they have proof we exist. They’re probably planning to massacre the pack. I don’t know how this situation can get any worse. If we can’t convince Stryde to help us, we won’t be strong enough to fight them off.”

Chapter 10

Zane held a stack of fliers high above the crowd inside Drake’s. “I have proof. Werewolves live in our woods and we’re going to hunt them down and take back our land.”

The men gathered around Zane. He’d been surprised by the turnout. About a hundred men stood shoulder to shoulder in the bar. Almost every able-bodied man in Full Moon Bay was present. Most of them were hunters, but a few businessmen were from the city council and mayor’s office.

Good. He’d be able to get the news out quickly. “Take one and pass it back. Bill, Hank, and I went into the woods last night. Bill took these with his camera.”

One of the younger Patterson boys yelled from the back. “How do we know these aren’t Photoshopped?”

Bill stepped forward. “I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

Hank joined them in the center. “The wolf stood about five feet high. Taller than any wolf I’ve ever seen in the woods.”

Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.

An older man standing near Zane asked, “Who’s the woman in the picture? Is she a wolf too?”

Zane cleared his throat. “That’s Diana Baxter. She was with me when the wolves captured her. She’s their prisoner and we must free her before they kill her. Who knows what they’ve done to her already.”

Several men shouted their rage and vowed to rescue her. Zane let them speak their minds. He didn’t need to get them riled up. They were good, God-fearing men who would help him rid the woods of the demonic creatures.

As the anger reached a boiling point, Zane held up his hands to silence the men. “We can’t leave tonight. We can’t risk a failed rescue attempt. If we wait until the full moon, we’ll have more light and a better chance of capturing them.”

“Why don’t we just go during the day?”

Bill responded. “Not enough cover. They could be up the mountain tracking our movement toward their den. If we go at night, we can use the darkness to our advantage. Zane has a few pairs of night vision goggles. Does anyone else have any?”

A few men confirmed they had at least a pair.

Zane said, “The full moon is five days away. Bill, Hank, and I will be the team leaders. We want to break into a few groups so if the wolves plan an ambush, they only attack one group. The other two groups can circle around and come in from other angles.”

“What if they stay in their den? Can we just smoke them out?”

“No, we can’t risk hurting Diana.” Zane’s jaw twitched. He’d have to find her before the others did. The Jezebel would tell everyone he’d tried to kill her and ruin his credibility. “We’ll meet back here the night before the attack to review the plan.”

As the crowd dispersed, Zane retreated to the rear of the bar with Bill and Hank.

Bill slapped him on the back. “Hell of a turnout. Too bad your father died in ‘Nam. He’d be proud if he saw you now.”

Zane gritted his teeth. He’d lied to Bill years ago because he couldn’t stand the truth. He never knew who his father was thanks to his whore of a mother. He doubted she even knew who’d knocked her up.

“Thanks, Bill.”

Hank stepped behind the bar. “What can I get you? It’s on the house.”

“I’ll take your best cognac.”

Hank’s mouth twisted into a smile. “You got it, boss.”

Zane swirled the glass and watched the play of light as it filtered through the amber liquid. As he sipped the drink, he crafted a secret strategy. He’d take a select group of men aside and let them in on the plan to use Luna to bait a trap. He’d have to kidnap the woman and tie her to a tree to lure the wolves out. She’d probably become a casualty in the holy war. But if it was God’s will, He’d save her during the battle, and maybe even save her from him.

***

As dawn broke over the valley, Ryker paced on the edge of the cliff outside his hideaway. Drops of water trickled down from trees, carrying a fresh pine scent throughout the forest.

A stone tumbled down the mountain. It careened over the precipice and fell hundreds of feet before splashing in the river. When another stone followed, he knew Stryde was coming down the mountain to meet him.

Ryker focused on his sleeping mate. It was so easy to forget she was human and not part of the pack. In a few days, the full moon would be upon them. If everything went well, Diana would walk back into her life and leave him without a backward glance.

But what if she wanted to stay? Maybe she liked being with the wolves. Maybe she enjoyed the open space and clean air. Maybe she…he let the thought go. This was all just wishful thinking. Why would she give up her entire life to be with him, a werewolf?

She’d never be able to lead a normal human life living with the pack. Hell, most of the other wolves would be happy to see her go. And after Trista, he should know better.

He sat on the edge of the dais and fingered a lock of her silky black hair. She was so beautiful and sexy. Unbelievably sexy. Could he ever be happy again knowing that she was out in the world, living a life without him?

Before he could fall deeper into despair, steps sounded in the dirt just outside the cave. He looked up. Stryde’s imposing wolf form blocked the light. At almost six feet tall, Stryde towered over most wolves. A lethal hunter, his huge jaw could snap a deer’s neck in seconds.

As Stryde shifted to his human form, his red-brown coat receded to reveal coppery skin. His piercing gray eyes surveyed Ryker. “It’s a few weeks too early for the next council meeting.”

Ryker stood tall. “I’ve come to ask for help.”

“You want my help?” Stryde smiled as if amused by the idea.

“Yes.” He related the events of the past few days, starting with Diana’s attack and ending with the previous night’s storm. As he spoke, Stryde’s expression changed from skeptical to one of concern.

“You saw the bullets? You’re sure they’re silver?” he asked.

Ryker nodded. “Yes. I had Akila and Leah check the bodies to make sure the bullets were silver.”

As soon as Leah’s name flew out of his mouth, he regretted it. Stryde’s entire demeanor shifted. His previously casual stance changed. Instead of leaning against the cave wall, he’d moved forward into a subtle fighter’s stance. His fists contracted at his sides.

As if noticing the sleeping woman for the first time, Stryde asked, “Is that Leah?”

Diana’s back was to them so Stryde couldn’t see her face. But even from across the room, he should have been able to recognize the difference. Where Diana was rounded and soft, Leah was firm and muscular. Their body types were totally different.

“No. That’s Diana. I told you, I followed her scent trail to the mountain. We took shelter from the storm in here.”

Stryde crossed his arms over his chest. “Why should I help you when you’ve taken everything from me? I only tolerate the council meetings because it benefits my pack.”

Ryker wanted to grab him and shake him. “I didn’t take anything from you. The council meetings on hunting restrictions and pack politics mean nothing compared to this. We’re in a life-or-death situation. Can’t you get past your ego to see that?”

“My ego? Are you kidding me? I should have become pack alpha, but you lied, cheated, and stole your way into that position. If I had told everyone that you were engaged, you wouldn’t have even been in the running. But I tried to be a good friend and kept your secret from the others.”

Stryde’s voice rose with each word. A vein in his neck bulged as his venomous words filled the den. On the dais, Diana stirred but didn’t move to get up.

Ryker glared at the other man. “They never would have chosen you because you can’t handle your temper. An alpha should be able to control himself, but you’ve never been able to do that. Why do you think Leah left you?”

Stryde lunged forward. His fist smashed into the side of Ryker’s jaw. Pain radiated down his face. Ryker returned the blow then shoved Stryde against the wall. Blood pounded in Ryker’s ears. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. Sick of listening to Stryde blame him for the past, Ryker roared and charged him.

Quick on his feet, Stryde dashed to one side and Ryker flew past him. He skidded to a halt on the ledge. Before he could move back into the cave, Stryde rushed forward and tackled him.

They rolled to the edge of the ledge. Dirt and rocks careened to crash down the mountain. Stryde’s fist smashed into Ryker’s stomach.

“Stop it!” Diana screamed.

Momentarily dazed, Ryker turned while gasping for air. Stryde straddled him. His fist hung in the air, coiled and ready to strike.

She continued. “Why are you still fighting about the past? What difference does any of that make if hunters are coming into the forest with silver bullets to kill all of you? They won’t care about who belongs to which pack or who became alpha over someone else. They’ll shoot to kill any wolf.”

She put her hands on her hips and glared at both men. “You’re acting like children. It’s a wonder either of you are allowed to be leader of anything.”

Stryde’s eyes went wide. Ryker almost wanted to laugh at his reaction, but she had a point. He shoved Stryde off of him and scrambled to his feet.

Ryker reached down to offer a hand to Stryde but he ignored it. Ryker dropped his hand. “If you won’t help us, fine. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Stryde stood and wiped dirt off his torso. He jabbed a finger in their direction. “I want you off of my mountain. Any alliance we had is finished.”

Chapter 11

Diana paced Ryker’s room. After returning to the main den, he’d left to find Trent to update him on the disastrous meeting with Stryde. The trip back from the mountain had been filled with tension. The muscles in her neck knotted hard enough to give her a headache.

She needed to find Akila and see if she had any medicine which would help with the pain. As she traversed the dark tunnel to Akila’s healing room, she worried about the fate of the pack. Without Stryde’s help, they wouldn’t be able to defend against an invasion.

She pushed the terrifying thought to the back of her mind. The thought of losing any other members of the pack made her stomach churn.

As she rounded the last corner, she heard Akila talking with someone in the healing room. Diana slowly pushed back the curtain.

Akila noticed her standing at the door and motioned for her to enter. Gwen sat on one of the daises. The scars on her back had faded slightly, but evidence of the attack still marred her skin. Diana’s heart went out to the woman. She knew the terror involved in being attacked and wished she could do something to ease the other woman’s fear.

Akila smiled. “I was just checking up on Gwen. How are you doing, sweetie?”

Gwen cringed as Akila applied a salve to her back. “Better. Your medicine is healing me faster than I expected.”

“I used my special blend. How are the nightmares?”

Gwen glanced at Diana. “I still have them.”

Diana tried to fade into the background. She didn’t want to make Gwen uncomfortable.

Akila held the young woman’s hand. “I expect you might still have them for a while. But now that we know who attacked you, Ryker’s going to catch him and bring him to justice.”

“I just…I wish he was dead. Zane.” Gwen whispered her attacker’s name.

Diana inched closer. “I know how you feel. He attacked me too and I want to see him behind bars for what he did to us.”

“I shouldn’t have wandered off so far. I just wanted to find some strawberries…” Gwen choked back a sob.

Akila rubbed her back. “You didn’t do anything wrong. This man, Zane, is pure evil. He would have attacked any woman who crossed his path.”

Gwen’s eyes glazed. “I just hope…I just hope that he didn’t…that nothing took hold.”

Diana shot a glance at Akila. The older woman wrapped an arm around the trembling girl.

In a soft tone, Akila said, “I gave you special medicine. I didn’t know if he…I didn’t know exactly what he did, but I suspected. So I gave you a dose of a special herb which prevents pregnancy.”

Gwen sobbed. “Thank you.”

Akila gently laid the crying woman on the dais. “I’ll fix you up something to help you sleep.”

Diana sat next to Gwen. She didn’t know what to do or say to make the other woman feel better, so she simply held her hand.

Akila returned with a glass of milky liquid. “You’ll have to drink this fast because, honestly, it tastes terrible.”

Gwen’s lips twitched into a slight smile. She took the drink then sniffed it. Her nose scrunched up as she tipped back the glass. When she was finished, she handed the glass to Akila.

“Stay here as long as you like, sweetie. You’re safe here.” Akila said.

Diana asked, “Do you happen to have anything to treat a headache?”

Akila smiled. “White willow bark tincture will fix you right up.”

After placing a few drops under her tongue, Diana handed the bottle back to Akila. “I’m surprised you don’t have aspirin since Leah makes runs to the hospital for supplies.”

“I try to use natural remedies whenever possible. It’s much better for your body.”

“That makes sense.”

Akila said, “Humans probably wouldn’t even need hospitals if they’d stop putting all kinds of synthetic chemicals in and on their bodies. We only use hospital supplies for serious injuries like gunshot wounds. Which reminds me, I need to find Ryker. We need to send Leah on a run before the attack on Zane. I’ll need supplies for any injuries.”

Diana followed Akila into the passageway outside the room. “Do you think Gwen will be all right?”

Akila nodded. “Yes. Time will heal her wounds, both the physical ones and the mental ones.”

***

Wolves milled about in the central room in the den. Ryker turned as if sensing her presence.

Akila addressed him. “We need to stock up on supplies before the hunt for Zane. We should send Leah tonight.”

Ryker shook his head. “Not Leah. I can send Trent and some other men to town.”

Leah stepped out from behind a group of wolves. “They won’t know what supplies we need or where they are, and I can’t exactly write them a list.”

“True. I just need you to be extra careful. I’m still sending Trent with you for extra protection.”

Leah shrugged. “Works for me.”

Trent walked up to Leah. “I’m ready whenever you are, but it might be safer if we wait until sundown. Let’s meet back at the entrance to the den in an hour. Ouch!”

Trent cradled his jaw in his hand.

“Tooth acting up again?” Ryker asked.

“Damned thing will be the death of me.” Trent looked up at Ryker. “Sorry, bad word choice.”

Diana approached him. “Why don’t you let me have a look? I’m studying to be a dentist. I might be able to help.”

Akila said, “Feel free to use my room if you need it.”

Diana waved Trent over. “Let’s go.”

Trent and Ryker followed her down the passage back to Akila’s healing room. Gwen softly snored on the dais. The sleeping potion worked fast.

“I’m going to need some light. Do you have any candles?” Diana went to the pot of freshly boiled water. It was still extremely hot, but she poured it over her hands anyway.

Ryker rummaged through the shelves and found a beeswax candle. “Got one.”

“Light it and come here. Hold it close to his mouth.”

“Try not to light me on fire,” Trent joked.

“Open wide and hold still.” Diana pulled back the edge of his gum.

Good God, no wonder his mouth hurt. One tooth pushed up from underneath another at a weird angle. The pressure must be excruciating. She’d need to pull the top tooth to make room for the bottom tooth.

“How long has it been like this?” she asked.

“A couple of months.”

“I can fix it, but it’s going to hurt a little bit.” It was going to hurt like hell, but she didn’t want to frighten him.

Akila walked into the room. “How’s the patient? I’m surprised he let you near him. I’ve been trying to get him in here for months.”

“His tooth needs to be pulled. I’m going to need something to grip his tooth with. You don’t happen to have any pliers, do you?”

“I don’t have pliers, but I have surgical string. We could tie it around the tooth and yank it out.”

Trent paled and swayed.

Ryker rushed over and guided him to the nearest dais. “Here you go, buddy. You might want to sit down for this.”

“Are you sure it won’t just fall out on its own?” Trent’s voice went up an octave.

“It’s wedged in there at an angle where it can’t fall out. I’ll be fast.”

Diana took the surgical string from Akila and looped it around the tooth. Trent whimpered. His eyelids crushed closed and his face scrunched up in anticipation of the pain.

Diana checked to make sure the loop was secure. “I’m going to count to three.”

Trent hunched forward slightly.

“One, two…” She yanked with all her strength. The tooth popped loose and flew out of the string. It landed with a clang across the room.

Trent cracked one eye open. In a garbled voice he asked, “Is it out?”

Diana smiled. “Yep.”

“Why does it still hurt?”

“I’m guessing you have an infection. The other tooth should move into place now that it has some room. But when you go on the hospital run with Leah, you need to be sure to get antibiotics. If the infection spreads, it could become life-threatening.”

Akila approached with a bottle of white willow bark tincture. “Here, put a few drops of this under your tongue. It will help with the pain.”

After following her instructions, Trent turned to Diana. “Thank you for helping me. I didn’t think... well, because you’re human, that you’d want to help a wolf.”

Sadness swelled her chest. “These past few days of living with the pack have been amazing. At first, I was terrified. But the more I get to know the wolves in the pack, the more I want to…well, I wouldn’t be able to stay. The other wolves aren’t exactly happy about my presence.”

Trent tilted his head to one side. “What makes you say that?”

Ryker watched her intently.

She hesitated. “I know humans aren’t allowed in the den and Ryker broke the rules to bring me here. The other wolves resent me. I’m a daily reminder that pack rules are not being upheld by your leader. If the rules don’t apply to him, they why should they have to follow them?”

“Faulty logic. Anyone would have done what Ryker did. No one faults you for that.” The swelling in Trent’s jaw made it hard to understand him, but she was able to make out most of the words.

“Clyde hates me.”

Ryker spoke up. “Clyde hates everyone right now. His son was killed in the attack and you’re the easiest person to use as a scapegoat.”

“So the others don’t hate me?” Diana asked.

Akila answered. “While you and Ryker were on the mountain with Stryde, I talked to most of the pack. They understand why Ryker broke the law. You’ll be returning home soon, so they will tolerate having you stay with us for a few more days.”

Diana’s heart sank. The wolves still wanted her gone. Any hope she had of staying with Ryker evaporated. She sighed. She should have known nothing could change the pack’s minds. She needed to let go of her foolish hopes and dreams because she’d never be a member of Ryker’s family.

Ryker turned to Diana. “Are we all set here?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s get some rest.” Ryker slid his arm around her shoulders and walked her to the door.

“Thanks again.” Trent called.

Diana forced a smile. “Don’t forget to get antibiotics.”

Ryker led her to his room. Once inside, he added a log to the smoldering embers in the fire pit.

The air crackled with tension. She couldn’t read the emotions on his face.

“I’m sorry you can’t stay,” he said.

Hope bloomed in her heart, but she proceeded with caution. “Would you want me to stay?”

“Unfortunately, it’s not about what I want. I have to think of the pack.” He stared into the fire.

The next question tripped off her tongue before she could stop it. “But if I could stay, would you want me to?”

His voice was thick with emotion. “We shouldn’t speculate on the impossible.”

“You’ve broken the law once. Why not again?”

“That was different. You were injured. I couldn’t let you die. The pack understands why I did what I did. But Akila’s right, you can’t stay. It doesn’t matter what I want.”

“What about what I want?” she asked.

“How can you even know what you want? You hardly know me.”

Diana’s voice took on a sultry tone as she took a step toward him. “I know that you’d die to protect a stranger, that you are loyal and trustworthy, that you’re kind, and strong, and incredibly sexy. I know what I want, and it’s you.”

Ryker’s gaze turned to Diana. She read thinly veiled desire in his eyes and warmed as if he’d reached out and caressed her.