To Protect His Mate (12 page)

“I’ll keep a close eye on her, Abraham. You just make it quick. I know she’ll want to see you as soon as she wakes.”

After a short nod, he proceeded to take the quickest shower of his life, throw on some jeans and a T-shirt then hurry back to Stephanie’s side.

The sheriff’s office had arrived, and Ethan explained the attack, how the wolves had come to the women’s aid, and how the men had returned, but not in time to keep any of Stephanie’s attackers alive. Of course, the guy with the knife protruding from his chest was easily justified since he still held his gun in his stiff fingers.

Once the identity of the doctor had been confirmed, the deaths were seen as self-defense, and there was no risk of charges being filed.

Gus, the town’s sheriff, expressed his concern over Stephanie’s continued state of unconsciousness, and offered to escort them to the clinic.

“No, she’s all right. It’s just been a very stressful time for her.” Abraham was happy to note he could sense her again, what he wasn’t happy about was the fact it was fear he felt. “If she doesn’t come around soon, I’ll bring her in. Her color is improving, though, and I know she’d rather not go if possible.”

“All right then, you just call if you need anything, and we’ll be in touch to get her statement. There’s no rush. It’s not like they’re going anywhere. You two enjoy your holiday, and she can submit a written statement when she’s able.”

“Thank you.” Abraham shook his hand. “I appreciate that, Gus.”

Abraham settled on the couch and lifted Stephanie into his arms. He leaned back, resting her head on his chest and cradling her small frame to him.

“Stephanie, sweetheart, please come back to me. You’re safe now. I’ve got you, but I need you to come back to me,” he whispered, resting his cheek atop her head.

The fear that had been building inside her eased the more he spoke, until it finally faded away completely. Now, he only needed her to wake up.

Adam—in wolf form—came in through the door as his mother stepped out with clothes for Sarah. In his mouth was a small package that he set on the coffee table before shifting.

“This was in the driveway, so I grabbed it for her. And don’t give me that look. There’s nothing harmful inside. The delivery truck was legit. They found the driver sedated in the back. The police will make sure the last few deliveries get taken care of tonight.” He shifted on his feet a little before asking, “How is she?”

“She’s not hurt physically, but I don’t think she’s ever witnessed that sort of violence,” he replied. “Being in a medical setting, seeing blood and actually witnessing a person being shot or torn apart are two completely different things.”

“She handled herself well enough when Sarah was attacked.”

“Yeah, but those werewolves. They weren’t in human form, and she was in survival mode. Tonight, she was nearly strangled, then was shot at and saw the doctor put a bullet in a man’s chest, and saw us kill the other two men right in front of her.”

Adam winced. “Yeah, I can see where that would scare someone.”

“She’s doing better now than she was right after everything.”

Actually, Abraham got a feeling of curiosity from her then humor and finally mischief. “Stephanie?”

“Why are you standing naked in the living room?” she asked, her voice tinged with laughter.

“Son of a bitch,” Adam exclaimed, jumping behind the recliner.

“It’s all right, Adam. I’ve seen naked men before.”

Abraham growled.

“Oh, please,” she added. “I work in the medical field. I’ve probably seen more naked men than a two-dollar whore.” She pushed herself up a little and smiled. “Plus, I remember how cold it is outside, so I’ll withhold any judgment.”

Abraham barked out a laugh and hugged her close. If she was harassing Adam, she was just fine. “How about you quit eyeballing my brother and give me a kiss?” he suggested.

“Hmmm, that does sound nice.” Lifting up and scooting herself higher in his lap, Stephanie leaned down, brushing his lips with her own. “I love you, Abraham.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

“Oh, get a room!” Adam whined.

“Get some clothes!” Abraham barked back.

“Mine are outside in the snow, so excuse me for not wanting to put them back on,” he pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Then borrow some,” Abe growled. “Just leave.”

“Geez, I can take a hint.”

Abraham dismissed Adam then turned back to Stephanie, studying her closely. Her eyes appeared clear, her cheeks were rosy, and she was alert.

“How are you really?” he asked.

“I’m much better now that you’re holding me. I think everything happening so quickly just overwhelmed me. I remember it all, up until everyone lunged for the last man. I turned my head then I don’t remember anything past that.” Stephanie frowned and cocked her head to the side. “There was something else. It was just a flash of an image, but it nearly stopped my heart.”

Although he suspected what that image was, he still had to ask. “What did you see?”

“It was you,” she replied. “You were naked and covered in blood…and you looked murderous.” She shivered and huddled closer to him.

“Oh, I was murderous all right, but I should have thought before shifting in front of you. I never meant to scare you, but I couldn’t feel anything from you. It was almost as if you’d disappeared, and that terrified me. I had to be sure you hadn’t been hurt, but you sort of woke up then passed out.” He hugged her tight, let out a shuddering sigh, and breathed, “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“I’ll try my best,” Stephanie wrapped her slender arms around his shoulders. “Thank you for saving me, Abe.”

“I will always do my best to keep you safe. For the record, though, is there anyone else out to kill you?”

Her light laughter was a wonderful sound. “Not to my knowledge.”

“Good. Now, let’s get you out of those damp clothes and into bed.”

“I’m not really tired, Abe.”

“Neither am I.”

“Well, then, let’s get moving.”

Chapter Fifteen

It was Christmas Eve, and Stephanie had awoken to find Abraham had already risen. The sun was just coming up, so she wasn’t sure what he was doing, but she knew she needed coffee.
Bad
.

Slipping into her robe and heading down the hall, Stephanie followed the sweet smell of her favorite hazelnut blend and found a full pot with a coffeecake next to it. Bless the man! He knew just what she needed, but where was he?

She heard the rumble of an engine and peered out of the kitchen window. Abraham was driving his Land Rover with some sort of plow attached to the front. It might not have been strange considering the driveway probably needed to be cleared, but he was driving from the woods. What in the world was he doing out there?

Stephanie met him at the door with a smile and a kiss. “And where have you been?”

“Clearing the way to one of your gifts.”

“Really?” She couldn’t imagine what he’d possibly have for her out in the woods, but she was willing to go along.

“Go ahead and get dressed. It’s pretty cold outside, so bundle up. We’ll head out in just a few minutes.”

Stephanie was a little confused. Abraham seemed almost
nervous
. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. I’m just hoping that you like it.”

Stephanie just smiled. “I’m sure I will. Just give me a few minutes to throw on some clothes.”

* * * *

It was beautiful outside. A blanket of pristine white covered the ground and clumped in the branches overhead, creating a winter scene straight off of a postcard.

They traveled down a cleared path in his Rover with Christmas music playing softly. It was nice. The path ended near the bank of the creek. Stephanie gave Abraham a questioning look and felt his nervousness increase.

“Stephanie, I know you’ve been through a lot over the past year, and I was racking my brain trying to come up with a way I could help,” he began. “I also understand you still need to gain some closure from your loss.”

A little confused, Stephanie gave a small nod of agreement. “I’m working on it.”

“I know you are, honey, but I wanted to try to make it easier for you. Let’s get out so I can show you.” He reached into the backseat and picked up a blanket before getting out.

Stephanie patted the pocket of her coat where the jewelry box rested. She now understood how nervous men got when proposing. She understood she and Abraham were now mated for life, but she wanted him in every way possible. She wanted to share his name and someday have his children. She wanted to build a family with him and grow old by his side as his
wife
, as well as his mate.

When she climbed from the passenger side and trudged over to Abraham, he wrapped his free arm around her waist and led her toward a beautiful structure.

Sitting just at the edge of the tree line, the gazebo was just as white as the snow around it. The sides boasted a wraparound bench seat, with the exception of a section near the back where a small marble statue stood.

“This place is for you,” Abraham stated. “We can plant flowers in the spring to brighten it up and add whatever else you’d like.”

“It’s beautiful, Abe.” Stephanie walked up the steps and made her way to the statue. The white marble was streaked with gray, the beautiful stone sculpted to show a pair of cupped hands cradling a sleeping infant in their palms.

She didn’t need to be told this was here for her daughter, Ava. The inscription on the base of the statue proclaimed her name…and another.

Ava Wolfe

She glanced quickly back at Abraham. “You gave her your name?”

“I would have given her my name, regardless. I want you to know I would have raised her as if she were my own.” The sincerity in his eyes touched her deeply.

Yes, he would have taken Ava in as his own. She never would have given a thought to the selfish man who’d fathered her. Stephanie knelt beside the statue and felt her first tears fall. Reaching out, she traced her fingers over the tiny infant’s head, amazed at the detail of the sculpture.

This was a special place—a private place—Abraham had provided for her, to help her gain the closure she needed to move past the pain she still felt. She continued to gaze at the sweet little face when Abraham moved up behind her to drape the blanket over her shoulders. He then reached out and placed a tiny teddy bear next to the babe.

“All little girls love teddy bears,” he whispered next to Stephanie’s ear. “You’ll make a wonderful mother, Stephanie. Little Ava will always be with us, and here, there’s a peaceful retreat and a nice area to come with our children in the future. We can watch them play on the banks and still have Ava right here with us.”

“She’ll always be with me,” Stephanie sobbed softly.

“As she should be.” Abraham shifted to kneel beside her. “I want you to know I gave her my name for a reason. I want her mother to accept it, as well. I want us to be a family from the start.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “Stephanie, you are my soul mate, my reason for living. Will you also become my wife and share my name? Will you allow me to love you and give you the family you crave?”

He was proposing? When she’d planned to do the same thing? Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh as she took her own velvet box from her coat pocket.

Abraham looked back and forth between the boxes and laughed himself. “I guess it’s true women nowadays go after what they want.”

“I’ve never wanted another man as I want you, so I decided just to go for it.”

“Well?” he asked, flipping open the lid to reveal a beautiful ring with a canary diamond solitaire nestled in the velvet interior. “Will you marry me?”

“Absolutely.” Stephanie reached out and pulled him to her for a sweet kiss before leaning back. “You’re a special man, Abraham. I’m not sure I deserve you, but I’m too selfish to give you up.”

“I wouldn’t let you, anyway. I’m a possessive bastard, honey, so I’ll go ahead and apologize now for my caveman tendencies.” He smiled at her before kissing her again. “How would you feel about a double ceremony with Sarah and Erik?”

“That would be great! We could plan it for the spring.”

“Whatever you want. If it makes you happy, it’s fine by me.”

“I do love an agreeable man.”

Epilogue

Three months later

Abraham stood with his brother, Erik, at the altar of the town’s small church, attempting to subtly loosen the bowtie at his neck. The tuxedos looked damn good but itched like the devil. In his opinion, whoever had thought up bowties should be dragged into the street and shot.

The women had done an excellent job of organizing the event. Everything was decorated in white and navy while gardenia blooms perfumed the air.

Stephanie and Sarah had insisted on keeping things simple. With no family of their own attending, the girls focused on the Wolfe family members. They insisted that everyone play a role. Storm and Lightning were given matching collars with little pillows attached. The honorary ring bearers were also stationed at the front, and each sitting next to the appropriate groom.

Abraham and Erik had been separated from their mates since the prior evening, the women having stated it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding…or some such nonsense. The girls had spent the night at Stephanie’s house, along with Angela, who’d insisted on being there. She knew her sons would no doubt try to sneak over during the night…and she’d been right.

Once she’d managed to chase them off, the pair had decided to shift and go on a hunt. The deer were plentiful and fun to chase, allowing them to release their excess energy in a way that wouldn’t get their ears boxed.

Now, they were here, standing before the priest, their parents, the town sheriff, Gus, and the clinic staff, awaiting the arrival of the brides. When the music finally began, Abraham watched as the doors to the sanctuary opened to reveal Stephanie standing within its archway.