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Copyright© 2022 N.J. Walters

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0570-5

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Jessica Ruth

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.  No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

Thank you to all my readers who have embraced the Salvation Pack and continue to ask for more. This next generation of the wolf pack continue to surprise and delight me. I hope they do the same for you.

Thank you to all my friends in the writing community for your continued support and encouragement. It means so much.

The release of any book takes a lot of work. Thank you to my editor, Jessica Ruth, and the incredible team at Evernight Publishing for giving me the opportunity to bring this spin-off series to life.

WOLF CLAIMS HIS PACK

Salvation Pack: The Next Generation, 3

N.J. Walters

Copyright © 2022

Chapter One

“We’re losing our son.”

Nicholas LaForge flinched at his mother’s anguish. That he was the cause pierced him all the way to his core, but he couldn’t change his mind. Not unless he wanted to abandon any hope for happiness in his life.

He needed to do this.

Hovering in the hallway, he hesitated, not wanting to intrude on his parents’ conversation. He’d dropped a bombshell on them last night. Everyone had been so happy at the mating of Etienne Rollins and Amy Blanchard, two of his childhood friends. That they’d found love together had only increased the restlessness that had been brewing inside him for quite some time.

“You might as well join us.”

It wasn’t surprising his father knew he was there. Nothing got by Jacque LaForge. Being alpha of the Salvation Pack, a wolf pack filled with other alpha males, was no mean feat. This was, and would always be, his father’s pack. That was never going to change. Jacque LaForge’s shoes were too big to fill.

Not that he wanted to. He wanted to stamp his own mark on the world. That meant he had to leave.

Taking a centering breath, he joined his parents at the kitchen table. His gut clenched at the sight of his mother’s tear-stained cheeks. She brushed hastily at them, but there was no hiding her distress.

He dropped to his knees beside her chair and took her hands in his. “I don’t want to hurt you, ma mère.” He stared up into her beloved face. She was almost sixty, but you’d never know by looking at her. Her face was unlined, her hair still a short, sassy blonde, her blue eyes clear. She could easily be mistaken for his older sister. The werewolf genetics that gave them twice the lifespan of humans also kept them looking young until after they hit the century mark.

Gwen LaForge was a force of nature. As alpha female she’d ruled not with fear, but guided with love and generosity. She’d stood by his father’s side, supporting him, even fighting alongside him when necessary. He’d heard the stories from before he was born.

She was also a successful author, specializing in paranormal romance, primarily werewolf and shifter. The irony always made him shake his head. She was living what she wrote. Her real identity was hidden beneath a pen name and layers of protection to keep her and the pack safe. Turning down public appearances and promotional tours had likely hurt her career, but she’d never once voiced any regrets.

To him, she was his mother—the woman who loved him unconditionally, encouraged and taught him, and showed him that there was strength in softness.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” she scolded. “You always did have a habit of eavesdropping.” She brushed a lock of hair off his face and patted his cheek like he was five years old instead of almost thirty. “Most women send their kids off to college when they’re teenagers.” Her attempt at a smile faltered. “I never thought it would happen.”

She waved her hand in front of her as if wiping a slate clean. “Forget I said that. You’re a grown man. You should explore the world. I’ll just miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.

Standing, he faced his father. Jacque LaForge might be well into his sixties, but he was tall and strong and one of the most dangerous men alive. He’d taught his sons the meaning of pack and honor and the importance of protecting both.

Nicholas owed the man that he was to his parents.

“You’ll stay in contact.”

A huge weight fell from his shoulders. His father wasn’t going to try to make him stay. As alpha, he could issue a decree, forcing Nicholas to choose between following his heart and losing his home.

As soon as he had the thought, he dismissed it, shamed that he’d believed for one second such a thing was possible. His parents would always welcome him home. Their love was unbreakable.

His mother pushed to her feet. “I’m going to say goodbye now. I can’t watch you leave or I’ll snot and bawl all over you. You know from experience that is not pretty.” She hugged him so tight it hurt—in the best way possible. “Call us,” she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head. “I promise. I’m not running away from home,” he reminded her, joking to try to lighten the mood. “I want to travel the country and explore.” And maybe find the place where he belonged. He kept that tidbit to himself.

She released her death grip on his shirt and smoothed her hand over the wrinkled fabric before spinning around and practically bolting out the door. The screen door slammed behind her with the force of a shotgun blast.

“I’ll take care of her,” his father promised. “It’s difficult for her, but she understands.”

“Do you?” He respected his father more than anyone. His stomach knotted, even as his resolve hardened.

Jacque dragged his fingers through his hair, exposing a hint of silver at the temples. That was new. He hated to think of his parents as aging, but time marched on.

“More than you think. I was a bit younger than you when I left Louisiana and came here.”

“That’s different. This pack isn’t like the one you left behind.” His grandfather had been alpha. A crueler wolf had never lived. He was long dead, along with his legacy of fear and violence.

“You’re a strong wolf, Nicholas. Stronger than even you realize. You need to discover that, and the only way to do that is to get out into the world. We held you too close. I see that now.”

“No, you loved and protected all of us.” That was the true heart of an alpha.

“We’ve bought land over the years, here and in other states.” His father crossed his arms over his massive chest and leaned back in his chair. “It might be time to relocate soon. We don’t age like humans do. There are already whispers in town and people speculating. Nothing serious, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Like a blow to the gut, his father’s announcement left him lightheaded. He dropped into his mother’s abandoned seat. “You’re moving?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. We need to talk about it.” We meant the five original members of the pack. “If we do,” he continued, “there are houses here that you and the younger members of the pack could take over.”

His father was offering him a chance to have his own pack. “That’s a hell of an incentive not to leave.”

Jacque shook his head. “The opposite. You need to test your inner strength. Just because you’re physically strong doesn’t mean you’re an alpha. It’s not an easy job. It’s rewarding as hell, but everything ultimately lands on your shoulders. And most leaders have to fight off challengers at some point or another. You have to be ready to do what’s necessary for the sake of the pack. It can get messy.”

He wasn’t wrong. Nicholas pushed out of the chair. “Thank you for understanding.” He’d already said his goodbyes to the others, making his rounds this morning. The afternoon was waning, and he was procrastinating.

Jacque rose and put his hands on Nicholas’s shoulders, his golden-brown eyes almost glowing. His wolf was close to the surface. “If you need me, call and I’ll come. You’re my son, and I love you.” The hug was hard but brief.

“I will.” Emotion practically choking him, Nicholas left his childhood home behind and hurried down the path toward the pack parking lot where his truck waited, his belongings already stowed.

A familiar figure leaned against the hood of the truck. He wasn’t the least bit surprised to find his brother waiting for him. Aaron might be three years younger, but they were as close as twins. Nicholas had a couple of inches in height on him, but his brother was a bit stockier and had their mother’s blue eyes while he had their father’s. It was all superficial. Beneath the exterior, they were alike in most ways.

Right now, those eyes were glassy with unshed tears. It was the first time he’d be without his brother by his side. “I’ll take care of them,” Aaron promised.

The two of them had talked extensively and decided they both couldn’t leave at the same time. It would kill their parents. But damn, it was like ripping off a limb and leaving it behind.

Without a word, he dragged his brother into his arms, breathing in his familiar earthy scent. A low growl echoed in his ear as Aaron stepped back. “Keep in contact. If you need me, I’m there.” Releasing Nicholas, he disappeared into the woods.

Alone with nothing but the whoosh of the wind in the trees and the caw of a lone crow, Nicholas LaForge climbed into his truck, took a deep breath, and left the only home he’d ever known.

****

“Where’s Waya?” Bailey Smith turned in a circle, doing her best not to panic. There was no sign of the fifteen-year-old. He’d wandered off—again. He had a habit of doing that.

Emmett—her seventeen-year-old brother—shrugged, no help at all.

“He’s supposed to stay with us,” she muttered. In dangerous situations, she wanted her brothers where she could see them. And there was nowhere more dangerous than the local Foodland on a Friday evening.

Normally, she shopped first thing Wednesday morning, but she’d been swamped with orders to fill this past week. As the sole support for herself and four younger kids, she couldn’t afford to slack off. Running a blacksmith forge meant long, physical hours. She loved it, but that extra work meant she had to grocery shop now.

No way could the teens survive the weekend on what was in the house. Not the way they went through food.

Emmett insisted he was old enough to do the shopping on his own, but she wasn’t willing to take that risk. Not when they were being hunted.

The fine hairs on the back of her neck rose. “Find him. Now.”

Emmett rolled his eyes. Tucking his hands in his pockets, he sauntered off.

“And come right back.”

When he caught the edge of fear in her voice, his perpetual expression of boredom was replaced with worry. She hated seeing it, but it didn’t pay to get careless. He gave her a chin lift and hurried off.

Her stomach in knots, she hurried up and down the grocery store aisles, tossing things into the cart. Fortunately, she was almost finished. She left the snack aisle for last and that was easy. Her kids would eat practically anything. She tossed in four large bags of potato chips—two plain, one salt and vinegar, and one cheddar. They might eat anything, but they each had their favorite. There was a lot they couldn’t have, so she tried to make up for it where she could. She cut a lot of coupons, which helped.

Maneuvering the loaded down cart wasn’t easy, but she got to the checkout without incident. As she placed the items onto the conveyor belt, she watched the exit. No sign of the boys. Where are they?

The cashier was scanning efficiently. Too slow. Bailey’s stomach was in knots and not because she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime. To speed things along, she started packing her groceries as soon as the cart was empty. The boys usually helped with this part.

Why had she agreed to bring both of them? Usually, one of the older kids stayed home with the two youngest. Henry and Eliza—at fourteen and ten—were mature beyond their years and trustworthy, but she hated leaving them on their own.

But the two oldest had pleaded. They both had money they’d earned and saved and wanted to buy a video game. That was supposed to be a quick stop on the way home—after they’d helped her with the groceries.

“One hundred and twenty-five dollars and sixty cents,” the cashier told her. Even with coupons, it was hard to keep the cost down.

Bailey scanned her card, grateful there was enough money in the account to cover it. In short order, she’d tossed everything into bags and wheeled the cart toward the entrance. She was sweating even in the air-conditioned store, her T-shirt stuck to her torso. If the boys weren’t dead, she was going to kill them for worrying her.

She always parked in the far corner of the lot—less chance of getting blocked in and easier to make a quick escape if they had to. Both boys were by the truck. Her relief was momentary. They weren’t alone. Two men were with them. Not teenagers, but full, grown-ass men.

Kicking it into gear, she shoved the cart toward them. “Emmett. Waya. Put the groceries in the back.” It was always best to take control of any situation. The boys started to obey her, but one of the men put out his arm, blocking Waya. He glared at the man. Emmett shuffled from one foot to another, looking uncertain.

Abandoning the cart, Bailey strode toward the man and shoved his arm out of the way. “Go on, Waya.” The boy hesitated but put his head down and obeyed. One hurdle behind her. At fifteen, he was a mass of hormones. Bad enough for a human male. Twice as deadly for a werewolf.

“What kind of a name is Waya anyway?” the first man demanded, deliberately pronouncing it wrong. She looked him straight in the eye, which meant he was six foot. He’d indulged in too much food and drink by the look of his stomach. His buddy was the same height but leaner. Both had dark hair buzzed tight to their scalp.

“It’s pronounced WAH-yah. And it’s his name. Why are you bothering my boys?”

The slightly overweight one hitched up his jeans and sneered. “See, my buddy and I were talking.”

“I’m sure that was exhausting.” She inwardly cursed herself for her quick tongue. It didn’t help in situations like this. She knew better, but honestly, he’d made it too easy.

The man frowned. His buddy straightened from his slouch and glared. Okay, that one wasn’t as stupid as he looked.

“What do you want?” Best to get on with whatever this was. She was aware of the boys loading the truck while keeping an eye on the situation. The tension was making her skin prickle.

“Heard about you,” beer-gut continued. “You’re that blacksmith lady with all those kids. They’re not yours. You’re not old enough. Especially not that one.” He pointed his fingers like a gun at Waya. The threat brought a growl to her throat that she managed to swallow back. “That one’s got some Indian in him.”

“That’s Native American and they’re my siblings.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. And she had fake ID for the three younger ones that would hold up to scrutiny.

“Maybe social services would be interested,” he continued.

“And maybe the police would be interested in two grown men accosting two teenage boys.” Not that she’d bring the police into their business, but they didn’t know that.

The slimmer one frowned. “No need to be nasty. We figured a woman in your situation might need a man’s help.”

God save her from imbeciles. “And I bet you’re volunteering.”

Beer-gut grinned and grabbed the crotch of his pants. “I’m always ready to be of service.”

Was this guy for real? Did he really think any woman would find that attractive? Before she could voice a comeback, a chill rolled down her spine, leaving her cold all the way to the core of her being. Both boys went still.

These men were a nuisance, but there was something else out there far more dangerous. Oh, God, had they been found?

She tossed the keys to Emmett. “Get in the truck.” The boys scrambled to obey, and the engine roared to life.

She needed to see who or what was out there, but she couldn’t turn her back on the predators in front of her. They might only be human, but they’d sense fear and jump on it. “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t need you or any man telling me what to do. I can handle things on my own.”

Beer-gut spit on the ground by her feet. “Maybe you’re one of those unnatural ones that prefer your own kind.”

Took her a second to realize he wasn’t talking about wolves. No, he was your garden-variety homophobic idiot. “While I admire a good-looking woman as much as the next person, I’m attracted to men. Just not to you. Now move.”

Eyes narrowed and lips thinned, he went to step forward when a wave of pure menace rolled across the parking lot like a tsunami. Both men stumbled back a step and looked around, likely wondering why they were suddenly uneasy.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Emmett popped the door open, and she jumped into the driver’s seat. Giving silent thanks that she always backed into the parking spot, she put the vehicle in gear and wheeled toward the road.

“What the hell was that?” Emmett demanded.

“I don’t know.” And that terrified her.

As she turned onto the main road, she saw him standing by a large black pickup. His shaggy brown hair fell to his shoulders. His jaw could have been chiseled from solid rock. The high cheekbones and prominent nose gave the impression of a strong face, rather than a classically handsome one. There was something magnetic about him that drew a second look. And then a third. His eyes were a golden brown. They caught the light for the briefest second and seemed to glow. This was a man who missed nothing.

Peeling out of the lot, she stepped on the gas. In the split-second she’d had to study him, she’d cataloged his features. His was a face she’d never forget. But it wasn’t his face that would keep her awake at night.

“He’s a wolf,” she whispered. One she didn’t recognize. Both boys fell silent. Neither made a sound when she blew past the gaming store on the way back to their farm.

Chapter Two

Nicholas’s heart raced, not from fear but attraction. Who was she? He memorized the license plate on the older model blue Chevy before it disappeared from sight. If he needed to find her, that would help. Taking out his phone, he made a note of it.

It was too bad the window was rolled up tight. He’d have loved to have caught a whiff of her scent, even for a moment. He’d been too far away from her in the lot, and the wind had been blowing in the wrong direction.

She was tall for a woman. Only a few inches shorter than him. Her red hair swung in a high ponytail, exposing the slender column of her neck. Made him want to nibble on it. He’d immediately noticed her wheeling the cart out from the store. There was a presence about her that had stopped him in his tracks. He’d never had that kind of visceral reaction to any woman before.

The pile of grocery bags meant she likely wasn’t single. That had been confirmed when she’d told the boys to put the bags in the truck. He was more disappointed than he should have been—she was a stranger, after all. He should have minded his own business, but his preternatural hearing couldn’t block out the conversation between her and the two men.

When it became apparent she didn’t know them and that they were harassing her, his hackles rose. Bullying a woman and kids was something he couldn’t stand by and watch—human or not.

Before he could step in to help, she handled them all on her own. If he’d been attracted to her before, her sharp tongue sealed it. The way she dealt with the harassers was nothing less than inspiring.

She’d sensed his presence. Not surprising since he’d purposely sent out a blast of anger designed to unsettle humans. They may lack his preternatural skills, but their basic instincts worked well enough when it came to fight or flight. And bullies always ran when faced with someone stronger.

But it had been more. She’d homed right in on him as she’d sped by, wasting no time getting out of the parking lot. Their eyes had connected for a moment. They were the greenest eyes he’d ever seen.

The fear in them had gutted him.

Was she afraid of him or her harassers? The men in question were still there, muttering to themselves. Putting the woman out of his mind for now, he focused on the men.

“She’s got a mouth on her,” the leaner of the two said.

“I know what she can do with it.” The other one laughed and grabbed his crotch again, something he seemed fond of doing.

Nicholas studied them intently. They wouldn’t be bad-looking men if they shaved and put on some clean clothes, but nothing could disguise the meanness in their eyes. Men like these two were everywhere, living among good, hardworking folks, always looking for the easy way to get by and blaming others for their failures.

They reeked of trouble.

“I think we should pay her a little visit later.”

Shit, that’s what he’d been afraid of. She’d slighted the heftier one. That kind wouldn’t shrug and walk away.

His buddy slapped him on the shoulder. “There are more women, easier ones over at Dunn’s. What do you say we go get us a beer and take a look?” He steered his pal toward a rusty red truck that didn’t look any cleaner than the men climbing into it.

Nicholas abandoned his plans to grab some groceries and got back in his vehicle. He followed the men to a tidy-looking bar near the outskirts of town and waited until they’d gone inside.

Not my business.

No matter how many times he told himself that, he was no more convinced. Whether she knew it or not, that woman needed his help. The thought of those two sneaking up on her and the boys turned his blood cold. And the men had said she had kids, more than the ones with her. More siblings or were some of them hers? Maybe she had a man at home, a husband or boyfriend, even a father who’d protect her.

She’d likely deny needing any help. She had independent stamped all over her. The way she’d stood up to those men, automatically protecting the boys, spoke volumes. But everyone needed help sometimes, especially when outnumbered.

When they went inside, he put his truck in gear and went back to the grocery store. They’d be in there a while, and he was starving. He’d been camping for most of the month he’d been on the road, but when he’d rolled into West Virginia from Maryland, he’d decided to splurge on a motel room for the night. He wanted a hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a hearty meal. While he enjoyed sleeping under the stars and cooking over a campfire, he was ready for a change.

It didn’t take him long to hit the deli counter and snack aisle. He’d planned to take the haul back to his room and indulge in some television, but that plan had gone out the window.

Back in his truck, he returned to the bar and parked where he had a good view of the men’s vehicle. One of them seemed ready to let this go. He didn’t trust the other. And a few beers might destroy the few functioning brain cells they had between them.

Better safe than sorry.

He dug out a chilled bottle of water and four deli sandwiches—two ham and cheese and two roast beef—and began to munch. Holding a sandwich in one hand, he rested his phone on his thigh and Googled blacksmiths in the area. One of the men had called her the blacksmith lady.

Not surprisingly, there were a few around. With the coal mines closing, many people had turned to traditional crafts as a way to make a living. “No.” He clicked off the first listing and went to the next. “Not that one.” They all featured pictures of the blacksmiths in question.

He went through every local blacksmith within a one-hundred mile radius. She wasn’t going far if the two idiots in the bar planned on paying her a visit. Then there was the load of groceries she’d bought. All signs pointed to her being local.

He found only one with no picture, no address inviting people to drop by. Only a box number at the local post office. “Smith’s Smith. Catchy.” While he couldn’t be a hundred percent certain, the odds were with him.

The gallery of work was impressive. It highlighted an array of products that weren’t too expensive, from decorative hooks for the walls to candleholders. He gave a low whistle as he took a closer look at an elaborate chandelier and several intricate pieces of jewelry. The woman had talent. Assuming it was her.

He had her license plate. It would be easy to call home and get Armand—his father’s cousin—to check. The man was a whiz with computers.

No, that was too stalkerish. He’d leave it to fate. If the men went to bother her, he’d intervene. If not, he’d enjoy his motel room for a day or two, eat some meals cooked by someone that wasn’t him, and then be on his way.

There was no room in his life for a human.

The ache in his chest caught him by surprise. He rubbed it and frowned. “Must be heartburn from the sandwiches.”

Pulling up his contacts on his phone, he hit the first name. It was answered on the second ring. “Where are you?”

Grinning, he took a swig of his water. “Good evening to you, too, brother.”

“Don’t fuck with me,” Aaron growled.

“West Virginia. Decided I was tired of bathing in streams and eating my own cooking. Gonna stay in a motel for a couple of days.” He took a mouthful of the ham sandwich, savoring the smoked meat and thick slab of Swiss cheese.

“Why West Virginia?”

“It’s where I was when I made the decision. How are things at home?” He texted his parents daily, but his brother would tell him the truth.

“The folks are doing okay. Mom has finally stopped staring at the trail toward the parking lot every day.”

His stomach cramped, and he shoved the sandwich aside, no longer hungry. “Fuck.”

“Shit, I shouldn’t have said anything.” Aaron huffed out a breath. “I just miss you, bro. I get why you’re gone, but that doesn’t change things.”

“Miss you, too.” A dozen times a day he turned to tell his brother something, only to remember he was alone.

“Anything interesting on your trip so far?” In other words, had he found what he was searching for?

“Nothing. Maybe. I don’t know.”

Silence filled the line until finally his brother spoke. “You want to talk about it?”

He shook his head, even as he responded, “Not yet. It’s probably nothing. Listen, I have to go. I’ll keep you posted.”

“You do that. Call me tomorrow. If you don’t, I’ll get Armand to trace your cell and come after you.”

He would, too. “You take care of yourself and the others.”

“You know I will.”

The line went dead. Nicholas tucked his phone away, feeling more alone than ever. Maybe he should just pack up his stuff and go home. But he reached for his sandwich instead of the keys to the ignition. He’d watch and wait a bit longer.

****

Bailey kissed the top of Eliza’s head, the only thing sticking out from beneath the covers. Winter or summer, the girl slept curled up in a ball, hiding from a world that hadn’t been kind to her.

It would take time and love to make her feel safe again. Things were improving. At least the girl slept in her bed now and not on the floor in the corner of the closet.

After checking on the others—Emmett was snoring, and Waya and Henry were talking quietly in their room—she headed out onto the front porch. Settling on the top step, she breathed in the slightly cooler night air and cocked her head to one side, listening to the buzz of the insects. An owl hooted in the distance. Some small animal, likely a raccoon or opossum, scurried through the nearby underbrush.

She loved it here. The isolation suited her. It was dark away from streetlights and other houses. They’d been lucky to find this place. Even more fortunate to have had parents who’d left her the means to purchase it outright.

They’d always been keenly aware of the targets on their children’s backs and had planned accordingly. It wasn’t fair that they were gone and their murderers roamed free. They’d been the best parents. They’d have loved Waya, Henry, and Eliza as their own. They definitely would have approved of her taking them in and caring for them.

All the kids were jumpy tonight. Emmett and Waya had been eager to tell their younger siblings about what had happened at the grocery store, barely waiting until they were out of the truck. Henry and Eliza were both scared, and she’d spent most of the evening reassuring them. No one was going to harm them on her watch.

She wouldn’t admit it to any of them, but she was afraid. Any attention could prove costly, in more ways than one. She’d worked hard at staying beneath the radar of public officials.

Of course, the locals all knew where she lived. She’d been the talk of the town when she’d arrived—an outsider and a woman running a forge. No way to keep that quiet. But most folks had a “live and let live” philosophy, staying out of her business. She kept her nose down and out of trouble, eventually becoming part of the fabric of their lives—ordinary and uninteresting.

No way would she let anyone take her kids from her. They’d run if they had to. But that would create a huge problem. She had a business here, a way of making a living. They didn’t need much cash. They had two cows and several chickens, which gave them milk, butter, and eggs. They also grew vegetables to supplement their food. It wasn’t an easy way to live, but they all pitched in and worked at it. Eliza had taken on the care of the chickens. Henry was in charge of the cows—keeping the animals fed and healthy and milking them. The older two tended the garden and helped where needed. She worked in the forge seven days a week, crafting items to sell in local shops and online.

Staying off the grid as much as possible was imperative. She couldn’t forget for one second her parents’ murderers were still out there, likely searching for her and Emmett. They’d barely gotten away with their lives the last time. Now she had three more kids to worry about.

If they had to flee their home, it would be difficult—if not impossible—to sell the property. They’d bought it for a song five years ago, dirt cheap because no one around here was buying property so far outside of town.

“Don’t borrow trouble.” She scrubbed her hand over her face and soaked in the silence. It was likely the two men would forget about her. And there’d been no other sign of trouble in years.

Still, her stomach knotted.

“Think about something else.” A picture of the good-looking stranger popped into her head. “Not him,” she muttered. She had no idea who he was, if he was local or just passing through. Not surprising since she didn’t socialize and kept her contact with anyone in town at a minimum.

It was most likely he was passing through or they would have run into each other before now. Having a fully-grown male wolf around would cause problems. Assuming he was a wolf. Now that she was away from the situation, she was having second thoughts about her earlier assessment. Had she really seen his eyes reflect the light, or had her fear conjured it, a memory from the past?

Some nights, she woke in a cold sweat, the faint scent of her parents’ attackers lingering on the wind, her father’s yells, her mother’s screams echoing in her ears.

She rubbed her hands over her bare arms.

Whoever the stranger was, there was something about him that heated her from the inside out. “It’s been too long since you’ve had sex,” she muttered.

It had been over six years, since before their family had been destroyed. Being a young woman responsible for four kids left no time for dating. Not to mention it required trust, something she was short on.

“Forget about him, Bailey.” Having no one to talk to, to ask for advice, she’d fallen into the habit of talking to herself late at night. The chances of their paths crossing again were pretty much zero. She’d go back to her early morning grocery store and post office runs, and life would return to predictably boring.

Why that depressed her, she wasn’t quite sure. Once the kids were raised, she could think about having a life of her own.

Hours passed, but she couldn’t make herself go inside, too on edge to sleep. It was well past midnight. The sun would be coming up in a few hours. As it was, she’d be working tired. Ah well, that’s why coffee had been invented. Wouldn’t be the first time she put in a day’s work on little or no sleep.

She was about to push up off the step when the back of her neck began to tingle. Someone was out there. Slipping into the shadows, she pressed her back against the side of the house. She tilted her head to one side, listening intently. The nocturnal animals and insects had gone quiet.

Shit! Were they about to be attacked?

“Keep it down. It’s just ahead,” a man muttered.

“We shoulda driven the truck closer,” another familiar voice complained. It was the two winners from the parking lot. She’d been right to wait for them.

Bailey rolled her eyes as twigs snapped beneath their feet. They were stumbling around like amateurs, announcing their presence to anyone around.

Knowing she had enough time, she covered the short distance to her forge. Unlike them, she was silent. Her eyes were accustomed to the dark, and her workshop was always left in pristine order, everything in its place. Finding a weapon was easy. She hefted one of her hammers, letting the wooden handle and familiar weight settle in her hand.

If they thought they could hurt her family, they were in for a rude surprise. She made her way back to the front of the house, legs spread slightly apart, and waited.

“What the hell,” one of them yelled. There was some kind of scuffle. Had they stumbled over a bear? The creatures usually stayed in the high country, but it could happen.

The unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh was followed by a pained grunt. What the hell was going on out there? Branches snapped. Heavy boots thudded against the ground.

“Fuck. Run,” yelled the one she’d dubbed beer-gut.

A low growl raised all the fine hairs on her arms. That was no bear.

“Bailey.” Emmett’s whisper sounded more like a yell in the silence that descended as the sound of the retreating men lessened to nothing.

“Take the kids out the back. Make your way to the hideout.” They’d drilled for this. There were a series of small interconnected caves nearby. She’d stocked basic camping supplies in case of emergency. This more than qualified.

“Not without you,” he protested.

She tightened her grip on the hammer. “You have to protect them.” If something happened to her, he was their only hope.

A man walked up the center of their drive, his hands aloft to show he was unarmed. Her jaw dropped and the hammer dipped toward the ground. “I mean you no harm.” His deep voice seeped into her very bones and made her want to sigh.

It was one of the men from the parking lot. Not either of the two who’d given her trouble, but the good-looking one she’d glimpsed on the way out.

She raised her hammer. “Who the hell are you?”

Chapter Three

Nicholas’s blood was running hot. His wolf was quivering for release, wanting to hunt down those two fuckers who’d come here to hurt this woman and her family. He yanked his wolf back under control, focusing on the woman before him.

Like a flaming-haired Valkyrie, she stood tall and proud, a substantial hammer grasped in her hand, ready to defend those inside the house.

He’d lectured himself a dozen times outside the bar but hadn’t been able to make himself leave. Not even the promise of his first real bed in weeks and a hot shower had been enough to pry him away.

His instincts had been spot on.

He’d tailed the two locals right to her door. Like all bullies, they’d retreated when faced with someone bigger and stronger. It had been easy enough to frighten them and send them running. Now he faced an even bigger challenge—the woman.

“I’m Nicholas LaForge.”

Her lips firmed and the hammer rose a bit higher.

“I saw what happened in the parking lot earlier today.” He nodded at the teenager standing behind her, recognizing him. “I couldn’t help but overhear.” He’d been too far away to hear much if he was human, but he was hoping she wouldn’t realize that.

“That doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.” She was a tough nut to crack. He liked that. “How do I know you’re not with them?” She tilted her head toward the woods.

His jaw tightened at the insult. “I don’t attack women or children.” A sense of satisfaction settled over him. “Only bullies.” They were at a standoff that wasn’t going to end anytime soon if he didn’t do something. She wasn’t giving an inch. He didn’t blame her. She was protecting kids, and there was nothing more dangerous than a female with her pups. It didn’t matter if the female was human or animal or a combination.

“I worried they’d cause problems, so I followed them. They went to a bar for a few hours. I stayed on them when they left. Having a few drinks drained what small amount of sense they possessed.”

The hammer lowered, resting against her thigh. He couldn’t help but notice how her biceps rippled, the short-sleeved T-shirt showing them off to perfection. A strong woman was sexy as hell.

“Why?” She dragged her free hand through her hair.

“Why would I follow them?”

“You don’t know us. What’s your angle?”

Anger blasted through him. “No angle. It was the right thing to do. If I’d walked away and heard something had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself.”

Her eyes widened and she blinked several times. “Are you for real?”

Frustrated, he huffed out a breath. “Yes.”

She gave a decisive nod. “Thanks.” She waved at the dirt road behind him. “You can go now.”

He grinned in spite of his annoyance. His first impression of her being hard-headed and independent had been right on target. “You’re welcome. They might come back.” He doubted it, but there was no telling what they might do once they got away from here and started thinking. That kind acted on impulse, not intellect.

“If they come back, that’s my problem.” Her chin went up. Damned if he didn’t want to kiss her. She’d probably hit him in the side of the head with that hammer of hers. Might be worth the risk.

He rubbed his jaw and shifted his weight to one leg. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I have a vested interest now.”

A low growl rolled across the yard. Nicholas slowly straightened and took several steps toward her. A light breeze whipped past them, blowing her scent toward him. The sweet and spicy scent of woman with a hint of lavender filled his senses, along with something wilder and more primal. It was faint, but it was there.

Stunned, all he could do was stare.

She backed up, pushing the teenager toward the door. The hammer in her hand shook. “Leave us alone.”

That wasn’t going to happen. Not now or anytime in the future. “You’re a wolf.” What was an unattached female doing on her own with a bunch of kids? His sensitive ears had picked up whispers from inside, and none of them were from an older male.

The familiar sound of a shotgun being pumped had her spinning around. The other teenager from the parking lot walked out of the house, the weapon held with familiar ease. “She told you to leave.”

Two more kids stumbled along behind him. The young girl’s face was pale, her features pinched with fear. The boy looked determined.

He could easily disarm the young teen, but he didn’t want to scare any of them. “Let’s all stay calm.” If that gun discharged, one of them might accidentally get hurt.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, mister.” She stepped in front of the kids.

He inhaled again, his heart pounding. They were all wolves. “How is this possible? How are you on your own?”

“You’re one of them, aren’t you?” Her voice vibrated with anger.

“One of what?” What was she talking about? He was having a difficult time concentrating with this bombshell of a revelation exploding before him.

“A pure-blood.” She spat on the ground in front of him. There was a history there and it wasn’t pleasant.

“Are you a half-breed?” That would explain a lot. He looked past her to the kids and sniffed again. “Not all of you are?” The little girl’s whimper was a shot to the heart. “I won’t hurt you, sweetheart,” he told her. “I won’t let anyone harm you.”

Bitterness tinged the woman’s laugh. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you. You expect me to believe it’s nothing more than coincidence that you’re here? No one protects strangers out of the goodness of their hearts.”

Probably not in the world she lived in. “I do.” Best she understood he was different from the beginning. “Don’t shoot me,” he told the teenager. “It won’t kill me and will only piss me off.”

This was a huge risk. He was lying when he said the bullets wouldn’t kill him. A well-placed shot to the brain would do just that. He yanked off his shirt and tossed it onto the ground.

“What are you doing? Stop that!” the woman protested even as her eyes devoured his bare chest.

“I’m like you.” He removed his boots and socks, shucked his jeans, and threw himself into the shift. Eager to be among his own kind, the wolf burst forward. His head changed shape, his jaw elongating. He fell forward, hands and feet becoming paws. He shook, settling into his fur. A sense of freedom, of well-being, embraced him.

It took every ounce of control he possessed to stay where he was.

“Holy shit.” The woman swallowed heavily, her face pale. “You’re huge.”

The LaForge men were always large wolves. They healed quicker than most and were damn hard to kill. It gave them an edge. Made them dangerous.

Nicholas plunked his ass down on the ground. The sound he made wasn’t quite a whine, nor was it a growl.

The boys were all watching with varying degrees of suspicion. The one with the shotgun took a step forward. Nicholas kept an eye on him, ready to lunge to the side if necessary.

The little girl raced down the steps and by the others before they could stop her. “Eliza,” the woman yelled, reaching for her but missing. The girl threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his fur. He nuzzled her face. When she lifted it, he licked her cheek, making her laugh.

The other four had been rendered speechless. Eliza looked at them, her smile brightening her entire face. “See, he’s a nice wolf. Not all full-blooded wolves are bad.” She looked at the ground on the last few words, scuffing her toe in the dirt.

“Oh, sweetie, I know that.” The woman crept closer, keeping a wary eye on him. Honestly, if he was going to hurt the child, he would have done it already. He swallowed back his annoyance and pulled a blanket of calm over himself.

“I love you and Henry and Waya. Heck, I even love Emmett.” The older teen snorted. Nicholas now had names for all of them but the woman. “Not all wolves are mean, but we have to be careful. There are some who’d want to harm us, at least me and Emmett.”

Like a bolt of lightning, it hit him. She and at least some of the kids were half-breeds. How had they come together to form this ragtag family? Having more questions than answers, Nicholas stepped away and shifted back to human. He grabbed his jeans and yanked them on and stuffed his feet in his boots, shoving his socks in his back pocket.

“We need to talk,” he told her.

She shook her head. “You need to leave. Maybe you don’t intend us any harm, but you’re still a stranger. You’re not welcome here.”

It hurt, damn it, more than it should. He glanced down, but there wasn’t actually a physical hole in his chest. Just felt like there was. The defiant, fearful look in her eyes almost brought him to his knees. If he insisted, she’d retreat even more, maybe even run.

He rattled off his phone number. “If you have questions or need help, call and I’ll come.” He’d leave for now, but he’d be back. Now that he understood their situation, there was no way he could stay away. “Tell me your name.” The last name was Smith, if the name of her business was accurate.

“It’s Bailey,” Eliza piped up. “Bailey Smith. I’m Eliza, and that’s Henry, Waya, and Emmett.” She pointed at each in turn.

“Thank you, Miss Eliza.” He gave her a nod and she giggled. “Call me,” he repeated. There was nothing more he could do. She was already on edge, ready to believe the worst about him.

When he reached the woods, he looked back. The four kids were clustered around Bailey. They were a family. Feeling cold and more on the outside than he ever had in his life, he slipped silently away. Inside, his wolf howled, protesting every step he took away from her, from them.

“Fuck.” He rubbed his hand over his heart, finding his chest bare. He’d left his shirt behind. No going back for it now. He picked up speed, loping toward the road. He’d make sure the two jokers from earlier had left, then head back to his motel. Looked like he wasn’t going to get a prolonged stay there like he’d planned. He’d shower and shave, pack his gear, and be back to set up camp before sunrise.

****

Joe Higgins raced to his truck as if the devil himself was after him. And maybe he was. The huge man had come out of nowhere, his fists like mallets. His nose was likely broken.

His cousin was ten feet ahead of him, the gap widening. The extra weight he carried was slowing him down. He didn’t waste breath yelling at him to wait up. He was sweating out every drop of beer he’d had earlier. What should have been a fun night had turned into a nightmare.

It was all her fault. That blacksmith lady thought herself too good for the likes of him. She might have a protector, but there was more than one way to make trouble.

By the time they made it to the truck, Joe’s shirt was stuck to him. He’d run farther and faster than he had since he was a kid. He’d never admit it aloud, but he’d been afraid. Something else for the woman to pay for.

His conscience whispered it wasn’t her fault. He ignored that fact, like he had many others over the course of his life. Hands shaking, he dug out his keys, dropping them twice before unlocking his vehicle. He thought about driving off and leaving his cousin behind, but he didn’t have that many friends. Besides, Gary would only jump in the truck bed before he pulled away. Then he’d be pissed.

They were both silent as they drove away.

“I’m done with that woman, Joe.” Gary rubbed his hand over his face and worked his jaw. “She’s nothing but trouble.”

He didn’t disagree, but it stuck in his craw to do nothing.

“I hear you thinking over there. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Mind your own business.”

“I ain’t going out there again. I didn’t know she had a man out there.” He rubbed his ribs. “I’m gonna be sore for a week. And I got the feeling he wasn’t even trying. Hell, I didn’t even get a good look at him. He was like a ghost.”

A shiver ran down Joe’s spine. He wasn’t stupid enough to go out there again, not alone. And when Gary made up his mind about something, there was no changing it. But his earlier idea had merit. An anonymous phone call to social services and a few accusations would make the lady’s life hell. It was nothing less than she deserved.

****

She’d been right. The hot guy from the parking lot was a wolf. And what a wolf. He was huge and deadly and dangerous, no matter how tame he tried to appear. Yeah, that wasn’t something he’d ever be able to pull off. It was like a police-trained German shepherd trying to pretend to be a teacup poodle. Or a tiger attempting to masquerade as a kitten. Not going to happen.

When he’d stripped out of his shirt, she’d almost swallowed her tongue. He was about six-four. All of it tanned skin and ripped muscle. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. He didn’t have six-pack abs. He had an eight-pack.

Her cheeks were flushed. Her skin was overly sensitized to the point the light breeze felt more like sandpaper against it.

Nicholas LaForge. The name was slightly exotic and suited him. His eyes were a deep golden brown that reminded her of a piece of precious amber she’d seen once in a museum. They were sharp and missed nothing. His shaggy brown hair fell to his shoulders, adding to his wild, untamed appearance. The multi-hued browns in his hair were reflected in his fur, with the addition of a few patches of black.

“You okay?” Emmett asked, concern deepening his voice.

“I’m fine.” Or she would be, as soon as she put Mr. Hot and Dangerous out of her mind. “We should go inside.” Standing outside, they were vulnerable. And their visitor was long gone.

As if to confirm it, the nocturnal creatures began to go about their business, rustling through the trees in search of food or shelter. An owl screeched in the distance as it hunted its prey. The ominous sound sent a shiver of dread down her spine.

She knew far too well what it was like to be the hunted.

“Come on.” Giving one final glance over her shoulder, she herded them toward the door. “We need to talk.” They bypassed the living area and headed for the kitchen, the place they held most family conferences.

Her lungs constricted when she thought about what might have happened, threatening to choke her. Dropping to her knees, she took Eliza’s thin shoulders in her hands, careful not to squeeze too hard. At ten, the girl was smaller than she should be, considering she was a full-blooded wolf. She’d been underfed until they’d found her. While there was plenty of food now, the girl burned off a lot of calories with nervous energy.

“Never approach a stranger like that again. Especially not a wolf.” A bead of sweat rolled down her spine. Her stomach was in knots.

Eliza’s lower lip quivered. “Don’t be mad. I’ll be good.”

“Oh, sweetie, you’re the best.” Even after almost two years with them, the girl worried about being sent away if she did anything wrong. It wasn’t healthy, and nothing Bailey had done seemed to help. Love and time and patience were all she had to offer. “I worry about you because I love you.”

She looked up at the boys who stood behind Eliza in a protective semi-circle. “I love all of you.” It was fierce, the emotion all-encompassing. They were hers to protect.

“Do you think he’ll be back?” Emmett went to the refrigerator, pulled out a jug of milk, and began to pour up five glasses. She usually left it for the kids, but tonight she needed something. Bourbon or a straight shot of whiskey would be better, but she didn’t keep alcohol in the house.

“I don’t think so. Why would he?” Even to her ears it didn’t sound believable.

“He’ll be back.” Waya had placed the shotgun on top of the hutch in the kitchen. There was no separate dining room in the small home. The cabinet didn’t hold dishes, but inventory for her store, along with business papers and supplies.

Nodding her thanks at Emmett as he handed out the glasses, she rubbed her forehead, wishing she didn’t believe him. “Why do you say that?” He might only be fifteen, but Waya was more perceptive than most.

“He’s curious.” He tilted his head to one side, as he often did when he was thinking something through. “I don’t believe he knew what we were before tonight. His shock was real. He won’t be able to leave it alone.” He frowned, fear reflected in his dark eyes. “He may call others.”

That was her biggest fear, the one that made her stomach burn and kept her awake at night.

“What will we do?” Henry had been quiet up until now. At fourteen, he was already five-eight, having shot up several inches this past year. He’d been a runaway, living on the streets when their paths had crossed five years ago. He said little but noticed everything. His survival had depended on it.

“Whatever we have to.” The sun would be coming up in less than an hour. “In the meantime, you all need to get some sleep. He won’t be back tonight. Emmett, tomorrow you and Waya check the supplies in the caves. Make sure we have everything we need.” It was better to be safe than sorry.

They’d mapped out a course through the labyrinth of old caves shortly after they’d moved here. They could blow the entrance so no one could follow them, and then make their way to freedom. “Check the truck in the secondary location.” Having an escape route was priority, so she’d spent precious money on an old truck, which they hid near the exit of the caves. If they had to flee, they wouldn’t be doing it on foot. “Make sure your go-bags are packed. One each.”

The worry and strain reflected in the eyes of her kids made her want to howl. All they wanted was to live simply and be left alone. Was that too much to ask? None of them had asked to be born as what they were. If the shit hit the fan, Waya and Eliza would be fine. They were both full-blooded. It was Emmett and Henry and herself who were in danger of being killed for being who they were.

Abomination.

She shoved the memory back into the vault in her mind and slammed the door shut. “Stay alert. We’ll take watches up in the tower.” They’d built the equivalent of a hunter’s blind in one of the tallest trees near the house. With their enhanced vision, it gave them a good view of the surrounding area. If trouble came, it would give them time to get out. At least, that was the hope. “That’s it, everyone to bed.”

Emmett nodded and herded the boys down the hall. He’d make sure they were settled.

“Can I sleep with you?” Eliza tugged on her hand.

“Of course, you can.” The girl’s world had been rocked tonight. All of them were dealing with their fears, but Bailey couldn’t admit to hers. She was the adult, the head of their little family. It was up to her to project calm and confidence, even if her legs felt more like jelly. “You go ahead. I’ll be a few minutes.”

After Eliza scampered off, she cleared the table, putting the glasses in the sink. As she’d expected, Emmett showed up five minutes later. “I’m going up into the blind.” It would do no good to argue, and honestly, she’d rest better if he was on watch.

“I’m going to try to catch a few hours. You can sleep when I’m up.” She hugged her brother, who was the same height as her and still growing. “Thank you.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “We’re in this together.” What they’d been through had bonded them in ways most people couldn’t begin to comprehend. She depended on him for so much, wished things could have been different for both of them, but was so glad to have him by her side.

She followed him outside, watching as he silently shimmied up the nearby tree and settled in. Unless you were searching and had keen vision, you’d never know he was there.

The sky was already growing lighter, the night animals shuffling back to their dens or hideaways, giving way to those who preferred the daytime. Something caught her eye. She hurried over and plucked it off the ground. It was Nicholas’s shirt. Clutching the soft fabric in her hands, she carried it inside, striding straight to the kitchen. She opened the lid of the garbage, holding the garment aloft.

“Damn it,” she muttered. The lid gave a thunk as it closed.

Eliza was already under the covers and curled into a tiny ball when Bailey entered the bedroom. She brought the shirt to her face and swallowed back a moan at the delicious scent of male and woods. Her nipples perked up, standing at attention. “Not happening.” She really should throw it out. It would serve him right for leaving it behind.

Swearing again, she opened the bottom drawer of her dresser, tossed it in, and closed it tight. She had enough to worry about without adding an attraction to a male wolf into the mix. It was nothing more than hormones. With four kids to look after, her social life was nil. That’s all it was, all it could be.

Ignoring the longings welling up inside her, she crawled into bed beside Eliza, closed her eyes, and tried to sleep, but a pair of golden eyes kept her awake a long time.

Chapter Four

The mistrust, the set-up of the business, and the location of her home all made sense now. Nicholas stood under the hot spray of the shower, hands pressed against the cool tile, head bent. Water pummeled the muscles in his back and shoulders, but they remained knotted and tense.

Bailey Smith was a half-breed werewolf, which meant the taller teen—who looked like her—probably was, too. The little girl was full-blooded. He’d been close enough to smell her wolf, even though she was too young to shift yet. The child’s boldness had shocked everyone. Bailey had gone pale, her fear palpable. As if he’d hurt a child.

He raised his head, grabbed the soap, and began to scrub.

Eliza’s need to be comforted by an older male wolf was understandable. They were a tactile species, like their wild counterparts. They needed one another, and touch was a part of daily life. Children, most especially, needed the reassurance of their acceptance. It was something every adult provided, at least in his pack.

The Salvation Pack was different than most. Any of the older males could be alphas in their own right. It was a wonder fights didn’t break out on a daily basis, but his father had never had to face a challenge—not from within. No, they all worked together to protect the family they’d built. His father often sought the opinions of his brother and friends, even if his final word was law.

He missed them, could have used some reassurance himself right about now—a hug from his mother, a pat on the back or shoulder squeeze from his father, the steadfast presence of his brother. The girl’s touch had calmed his wolf, grounding the beast. The last thing either of them had wanted to do was scare her.

Clean, he cranked off the water, grabbed one of the thin towels provided, and wrapped it around his waist after using it to dry off. Since he had no idea the next time he’d have the opportunity, he shaved. As he angled the razor over his chin, he noted his hair was long enough to hit his shoulders. It could use a trim.

When he was done, he rubbed a facecloth over his skin, wiping away the excess shaving cream. Humor lurked in his eyes as he tossed the cloth down and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His brother would never let him hear the end of it if he ever found out he was primping for a woman. Because that’s what he was doing.

“Suck it up, LaForge.” He dragged a brush through his hair and then dug around his shaving kit and came up with a thin piece of leather, using it to tie his hair away from his face. No time for a haircut. He’d already been away longer than he’d planned.

A short time later, dressed and packed, he sent the bed a longing glance before closing the door to the room behind him. He’d barely sat on the thing, let alone slept on it.

With his gear stowed and the bill settled, he swung by the grocery store long enough to add to his supplies before heading back toward Bailey and her small pack. The closer he got, the lighter he felt. Even better, there was no sign of the two idiots from last night. They likely weren’t out of bed yet, no doubt sleeping off last night’s adventure.

Whistling along to the old Garth Brooks song on the radio, he enjoyed the scenery. He’d been too focused last night to give it more than a cursory glance. It really was pretty country. The air blowing through the window was warm and fresh. There was little traffic out this way, so he could smell the surrounding trees and wildflowers in full bloom. A fat rabbit hopped along the side of the road before disappearing into the underbrush. Further on, a deer stood five feet back and munched on some leaves.

She’d picked a good place to settle. Close enough to a town that provided what she needed, but isolated from prying eyes.

The song ended and a new one began. He had several playlists on his phone, but he sometimes preferred to listen to the radio and catch the local news.

He turned off a ways from her driveway. No need to antagonize her further. With no way of knowing her property boundary, he might well be trespassing. “A risk I’ll have to take.”

The spot he’d found to park was far enough off the road that his truck wouldn’t be noticeable by passing traffic. After shutting off the radio, he killed the engine. It pinged as it cooled and everything inside him settled.

After locking up behind him and grabbing his knapsack, he began to hike toward a likely camping spot. While following the men last night, he’d noticed a narrow river not too far from the Smith homestead. It would do nicely for a home base.

Providing Bailey didn’t run him off with a rifle. He wouldn’t put it past her.

Smiling, he stopped near the edge of the water. It wasn’t deep. Would likely only come to his thighs. But that was deep enough for him to cool off in later. Desperate to see her again, he stashed his gear under some thick bushes, pulling some downed branches around it until it was hidden from view.

He wasn’t worried about any furry animals bothering it, not with his wolf scent on everything. No, it was the two-legged animals that concerned him.

Satisfied it was as secure as he could make it, he wiped his hands on the legs of his jeans and headed toward the farmhouse. After following the men in from the road last night, he had a fair idea where he was.

The shade from the tall oaks filtered the sun, allowing only small patches to break through here and there. He recognized maples, elms, chestnuts, birch, and walnut trees. He eyed several downed ones, wondering if Bailey would be open to selling them if this was her land. His pack would love to get their hands on it. Their custom furniture business was booming, the demand far outstripping what they produced.

He shoved aside the guilt that niggled. Him being gone was putting extra pressure on those left behind. Maybe he could make a small piece while he was here. He bet there were tools in Bailey’s forge, possibly even woodworking ones.

He’d missed working with his hands since he’d been on the road, the satisfaction that came from creating something. He and Bailey had that in common.

What was her story? How did a young woman become responsible for four kids? He doubted she was even his age. That was a hell of a lot of responsibility to shoulder.

He slowed as the roof of the house became visible through the trees. Leaning against a sturdy elm, he surveyed the area. Everything looked different in the light of day. The clang of metal against metal rang out from inside the forge. He’d love to watch her work, could easily imagine her sweat-soaked shirt sticking to her torso, molded to her breasts, her biceps flexing with each strike of the hammer on the heated metal, her red hair gleaming brighter than the fire in the forge.

Oh, yeah. Even better would be to help her clean up after a long day, washing every inch of her in the shower. His cock flexed in agreement. His wolf all but purred.

He’d have to win her trust first. That would not be easy. Being a full-blooded wolf was a strike against him.

Someone hurt her.

A low growl rolled out of his throat before he could stop it. The idea of someone harming her in any way angered him. He’d gladly hunt them down and eliminate them if that’s what she wanted. Any wolf that would harm women and children was in need of killing in his book.

Bailey and her family were genuinely afraid. That kind of terror couldn’t be faked. It was learned … the hard way.

A cow grazed in a fenced pasture not far from a small barn. A second one drank from a nearby trough. Chickens ran around inside an enclosed area with a nice-size coop. Voices carried from inside the house, filtering through the screened windows. That accounted for Bailey and the two youngest. Where were the older teens?

They were a suspicious and careful bunch, which meant at least one of them was likely on guard duty. But where?

Nicholas crouched low and began to scan, starting at ground level and moving steadily upward. They wouldn’t be far from the house.

Ten minutes later, his admiration for them grew when he spotted the hunting blind near the top of a tree. Cleverly hidden, it was big enough to contain one person.

His ears twitched as a slight sound caught his attention. Taking his time, he circled back, wishing he was in his wolf form, but that was too dangerous this time of day. The last thing any of them needed was some lone hunter shooting at him or maybe a tourist reporting a wolf sighting. Most experienced hunters wouldn’t bother with a lone wolf, knowing it would rather avoid people, but there were always idiots who thought shooting anything that moved was “fun.”

In the end, it didn’t matter. He’d grown up being hunted by and stalking some of the deadliest wolves alive. They’d trained him well. The boy was good, was more skilled than Nicholas had expected, but he was better.

He stepped out from behind a small outcrop of rocks and waited. Two seconds later, the boy whirled around, black eyes narrowed and a scowl on his face. “I told her you’d be back.”

“Good morning, Waya.” The teen was closing in on six feet, his bronzed skin, chiseled facial features, and straight black hair proudly proclaiming his ancestry. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but his feet were bare.

There was no sign of the rifle. That was a good thing … unless Emmett was waiting for him to step into range. Nicholas cast his senses outward, but he didn’t hear or smell anyone else nearby. He’d assumed Emmett was watching from the perch near the house, but he could be wrong.

“Why are you here? You aren’t welcome.”

“I’m camping.”

“You’re trespassing,” the boy shot back.

“Where’s your land boundary?”

The question threw the teen off, deepened his frown. “None of your business.”

“I can always check the land deeds at the town hall. I’ll set up camp beyond your borders.” He was goading Waya, but it was a way of testing the boy’s control. It would be tenuous at his age.

The muscles in the boy’s shoulders bunched, and he bent his knees, ready to attack. He issued a threatening growl, a challenge. His wolf was close to the surface, rippling under his skin.

Nicholas leaned against a nearby tree and hooked his thumbs in his front pockets, trying to be less of a threat. Fighting with the kid wasn’t on the agenda.

Footsteps, not as light as Waya’s, hurried toward them. A hint of lavender whispered on the breeze. Every cell in his body went on alert. His dick twitched, leaving no doubt who it was.

****

Bailey tossed a mangled piece of metal into the scrapheap and dropped her hammer onto the anvil. Tilting her head down, she huffed out a breath.

Damn the man. She’d spent the morning doing her best to forget about Nicholas LaForge, hammering her frustrations out on a piece of metal that should have become a decorative hook. That it was a design she’d done hundreds of times only added salt to the wound.

It was the second one she’d ruined in the last hour.

He was taking up way too much real estate in her brain, and that was after stealing her sleep. She had more important things to worry about than a man she’d never see again.

Emmett’s whistle filtered into the forge. He had a way of mimicking birdsong, but she recognized the signal. Someone was in the woods.

Heart pounding, she grabbed the rifle she’d propped up against her workbench and raced outside. Already halfway down the tree, he pointed off to his left.

“Stay here,” she whispered, knowing he’d hear her. They might be half-breeds, but they both had preternatural hearing and sight and were stronger than the average human.

“It’s him,” Emmett mouthed.

Giving him a curt nod, she slipped into the surrounding woods. Stealthily as possible, she made her way through the woods, but her prey wasn’t trying to hide. No, he was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, like he didn’t have a care in the world.

He looked even better in the full light of day than he had last night. Clean-shaven, dressed in another black T-shirt—like the one stashed in her dresser drawer—wearing a clean pair of jeans that clung to his muscled legs, he looked good enough to eat.

If she was attracted to him. Which she wasn’t.

And if her entire body hummed with appreciation at the sight of him, she’d simply ignore it.

He tilted his head slightly to his right.

The sight of Waya standing about thirty feet away made her breath seize in her lungs. Slipping the rifle over her shoulder, she strode toward him. “You’re supposed to be watching the kids. Go back to the house.”

Waya met her gaze in challenge. “I am watching out for them. I told you he’d be back. You should have been out here patrolling.”

Nicholas pushed away from the tree, his lips turned down in a frown.

Great, she didn’t need him to witness this. And having an audience would only make Waya dig in harder. The boy had been challenging her authority more and more lately, testing his limits and hers. Drawing herself up to her full height, she stared him down, letting her wolf rise up inside her. Half-breed she might be, but this was her pack. She said nothing, using silence to assert her authority.

Finally, he flinched and lowered his gaze. The silent battle won, she went to him and dragged him into her arms for a quick hug. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you,” she murmured in his ear. Like the others, he needed constant reminders that he was important and valued.

“I want us to be safe.” The tortured whisper almost broke her heart.

“We will be.” She shouldn’t promise something she might not be able to deliver, but she’d do everything in her power to make it happen. “You know what to do if necessary.” It was a reminder she was depending on him to take the younger ones and run in the event they were attacked. As a full-blooded wolf, he would be able to protect them better than Emmett could. “Take the rifle and go on back to the house. I’m going to talk to our visitor.” She slipped the weapon off her shoulder and made sure the safety was on before handing it to him. Her instincts were damn good, and she wasn’t getting a threatening vibe off him.

Waya glared at Nicholas one final time and stalked off.

Sighing, she smoothed her fingers over her hair, several strands of which had escaped the ponytail she’d fashioned this morning. “Why did you come back?”

His gaze flicked from Waya’s retreating back to her. The golden eyes had a feral glow. “He challenged you.”

She waved away his concern. “He’s a fifteen-year-old boy. Of course he challenged me.”

He rubbed his hand over his jaw—his smooth, square jaw. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“My family is my business.” The corners of his lips tightened, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Didn’t like that, did he? Too bad. Legs spread, she crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’ll be camping here for the foreseeable future.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Down by the river.”

“What? Why?” This wouldn’t do. “Mr. LaForge.”

“Nicholas.”

Getting familiar was dangerous. Bad enough the woodsy scent of his skin made her want to rub against it. Her wolf was attracted to his and wasn’t trying to hide it. When he raised a brow in challenge, she cursed herself even as she muttered, “Nicholas.”

“Not so hard, was it?”

He had no idea, and it had to stay that way. If he thought for one second she was weakening, he’d pounce. It was his nature. A predatory instinct. “I don’t know you. I don’t know why you’re trying to insinuate yourself into our lives, but the last thing I need is some male taking over and trying to tell me what to do. The two idiots in the parking lot yesterday suggested I needed a man. I don’t.”

Her wolf whined, but she ignored the shameless hussy. So what if she was attracted to him. So what if he’d invaded her dreams when she’d finally drifted off to sleep, leaving her hot and bothered. He was male and he was a wolf. The combination meant one thing—he’d want to be in charge. That was not going to happen.

“From what I’ve seen, you’ve built a damn good life for you and your small pack.”

The compliment shocked her speechless.

“But you’re the only adult with four kids depending on you. That can’t be easy.”

It wasn’t, but that wasn’t his problem. “We manage.”

He nodded and ambled closer. The fine hairs on her arms rose. Danger! Danger! The warning flashed in the back of her mind, but she stood her ground, refusing to retreat. “You’re a tight unit. Anyone can see that.” He stopped right in front of her and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

Goose bumps raced down her neck. She swallowed heavily. “Your point?” The quicker she got him out of here, the better. Her resolve diminished the longer he was around.

She was tired. Not because of the lack of sleep last night. It went far deeper. The constant worry about money and the kids’ health and safety had worn her to the bone. She smiled and put on a brave face. What else could she do? If at night she sometimes lay awake in bed and fantasized about having someone she could lean on, talk to, depend on to shoulder some of the load … well, that was only normal. She could forgive herself for that.

But reality was a far distance from thinking about it. This man talked a good talk, but he was a stranger. And a wolf. Both strikes against him.

“My point is that we all need help.”

“And what’s the price for this help?” Bitterness tinged her words. “In my experience, there’s always a cost. I’m not willing to pay.” Even though it smacked of cowardice, she took a step back. It wasn’t a retreat, not exactly. More like a better strategic position. Having him so close was playing havoc with her senses.

His woodsy scent was fresher, more potent. It was likely his soap, which meant he’d showered. She almost groaned and bit her bottom lip to keep the sound from escaping. Imagining him naked with hot water running over his broad chest and ripped abs was not good for her peace of mind.

She took another step away.

His large hand snaked out and cupped the back of her neck. The heat from his skin sank into hers, branding it. “You captivated me from the second I watched you stand up to those two yahoos. Nothing sexier than a strong woman.” He rubbed his thumb over her neck, teasing the sensitive skin below her ear. “There’s no price for my help. It’s the right thing to do.” He leaned down, his lips so close the puff of his warm breath feathered over hers. On a low curse, he pressed his lips to hers.

Her reality exploded.

Chapter Five

Control hanging by a thread, he pressed his mouth against hers, not pressuring, more an exploration. She had full lips, the bottom one slightly darker from where she’d bitten it.

She was surprisingly sweet for one so prickly. The spice was there, but underneath it all was a sweetness that tempted him to take more.

Let her lead.

This was a woman used to being in charge, one who wouldn’t willingly cede control. He brushed his lips over hers, teasing the corner of her mouth with his tongue, coaxing her to deepen the kiss.

Their only other point of contact was his hand on her nape. One tiny step would bring their bodies flush so her breasts pressed against his chest. She might not admit to being attracted to him, but her body told another story. He’d have to be blind to miss the way her nipples were pebbled beneath her shirt. Even wearing a bra they were visible.

Not to mention the scent of her arousal was blooming and deepening by the second.

He eased back and sucked air into his lungs. Her lips were slightly parted, her eyes unfocused, her face flushed. His cock was jammed against the zipper of his jeans, demanding release.

Ignoring the rather insistent request, he brushed his hand over her hair. The strands glinted like fire in the beam of light that peeked through the branches overhead. It was thick and lush, and he wanted to bury his fingers in it.

She was tall for a woman—about six feet—all of it long, lean strength and roped muscles. From what he’d seen, she didn’t wear makeup at all. Hadn’t when she’d been in town last night and wasn’t wearing any today. She didn’t need it. Her skin was like porcelain, fine and delicate. Her cheeks were flushed the lightest pink, making the green of her eyes pop. There were calluses on her hands, built up from long hours of physical labor.

It wasn’t only her physical appearance that appealed to him. A light burned inside her, strong and bright. She was protective and smart and confident. Her love for those kids, protecting them, was her purpose in life.

He envied her that.

He’d been coasting these past couple of years, not rocking the boat of his existence, until a short time ago, when he’d been unable to silence the restlessness any longer. That restlessness was no longer anywhere in sight.

He wanted to kiss her again, take her down onto the soft mossy ground, strip her naked, and love her until she screamed in pleasure. But trust was a fragile thing. He needed to win hers if he had a hope in hell of getting her into bed. Push too soon and he’d lose any chance of ever having her.

He’d had his share of lovers, but there had never been a woman who’d captivated him more. Was it because she was a wolf? Or at least a half-breed. He didn’t think so. She’d caught his attention when he’d believed her human.

He wasn’t looking for a quick score or a one-night stand. He was in this for the long haul.

When she licked her lips, he barely bit back a groan. “That was—” She swallowed and took a breath. “That shouldn’t have happened.”

“Why not?” He wanted to howl in protest but swallowed it back.

“You’re passing through and I … I have responsibilities.”

“Just because you have the kids doesn’t mean you can’t have a life.” Although, being a wolf complicated matters even more.

“Yeah, it does. Everything I do affects them.”

“How long have you been taking care of them?”

She shook her head, her gaze sharpening. “That’s none of your business.”

He growled in frustration. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

“What do you think I need your help with?” There was no bite to her words. No, they were calm, almost quizzical. As far as she was concerned, he had nothing to offer her.

And wasn’t that a kick in the balls.

“I support us,” she continued. “I would have handled things last night. We have contingency plans for any kind of threat.”

Of course, they did. She wouldn’t leave anything to chance. Not when it came to her kids. And they were hers. Maybe not by blood, but by the bonds of love.

“Your presence will only attract attention. I might have been able to talk those two men down last night, get them to leave peacefully. They’re not the first to show up here looking for an easy mark.”

The thought of her having to deal with that type alone knotted his stomach and made him want to hit something.

“But they got their asses handed to them. They won’t forget that. Next time they come out here, they’ll likely be armed. And there will be a next time. They might be scared for a bit, but that will fade over time. Some night they’ll be drinking, you’ll be long gone, and I’ll be left to handle the fallout.” Her smile was sad. “You meant well, but you only made things worse.”

“Well, hell, tell me how you really feel.” He scrubbed his hands over his face as a hole opened up deep in the pit of his stomach. Worst part? She wasn’t wrong. That type would have a short memory, would stew over things, and they’d blame her for his actions.

“I appreciate you wanted to help, but I’ve got this.” She touched her fingers to her lips, opened her mouth to say something else, but closed it and shook her head. “Goodbye, Nicholas LaForge.”

She walked away without a backward glance, her shoulders straight and proud, her head unbowed. He wanted to go after her but didn’t have the right. The emptiness growing inside him threatened to swallow him whole. He glanced down, expecting to find his ribs split open and his heart on the ground.

The taste of her lingered on his lips. The thought of never touching her again, never hearing her voice, was unbearable.

Spinning around, he stalked back to his campsite, hauled his gear from its hiding spot, and headed toward his truck. She didn’t want him here. Had made her position abundantly clear. He wasn’t about to stay where he wasn’t wanted. He had his pride.

About halfway to his truck, he stopped. “What the hell am I doing?” He dropped his knapsack at his feet and tilted his head back, letting the sun warm his face. She was good. He’d give her that. Maybe she might have been able to convince those two men to leave last night. Look how easy it had been for her to manage him.

He replayed the kiss they’d shared. It had been almost chaste, but she’d shivered when his lips had touched hers. With his hand on her neck, he’d felt it. Goose bumps had risen on her arms. Not to mention how her nipples had peaked.

He’d been so damn turned on he’d almost forgotten he hadn’t been in it alone. Threatened by the attraction simmering between them, she hadn’t retreated. No, she’d used her intellect and her clever tongue, subtly manipulating him.

He’d almost fallen for it.

“Oh, you’re good, chère.” His lips quirked upward as he leaned down and retrieved his gear. “Point for you, but I’m no quitter.” Beyond that, he couldn’t shake the instinct that he was meant to be here, meant to be a part of her life, of their lives.

He wasn’t a believer in coincidence. Their paths had crossed for a reason.

Whistling, he returned to his campsite and rolled out his sleeping bag in an indentation in front of a downed tree. Sitting, he removed his boots, socks, and shirt, letting the light breeze wick the sweat from his skin. The little darling was going to be in for quite the surprise when she discovered he was still here.

Anticipation flooded him. He had no doubt one of the two older teens would cross his path and report back. She wouldn’t be able to resist confronting him.

He couldn’t wait.

Lying back, he closed his eyes and let the familiar sounds of the forest soothe him. This was the right thing to do. Bailey might not want to admit it, but she needed protection. The two men from town were the least of her worries.

His low growl sent a squirrel scurrying away, even as it chittered wildly, scolding Nicholas for disturbing him.

She’d feared him when they’d met. Not him particularly but what he was. Most packs were notorious for killing off half-breeds, claiming it diluted the bloodlines. He couldn’t understand that kind of mindless hate. How could you blame a child for being born? And how could you condemn the love that had created it?

There was no way he was going anywhere. Not while there was any chance they were in danger.

****

“I’m hungry.”

Bailey pressed the glass of water against her forehead, letting the condensation cool her. Two minutes. Was that really too much to ask? It had taken everything in her to face down Nicholas, especially after that panty-melting kiss.

She set the drink down and counted to ten before she spoke. It wasn’t fair to take her foul mood out on Henry. “Eat an apple.”

He grumbled but went to the bowl on the counter, grabbed one, and bit down hard. Juice dribbled down his chin, and he swiped it away with the back of his hand. She let it go rather than remind him to use a napkin.

“Did you milk Belle and Elsa?” The boys had graciously allowed Eliza to name the cows after two of her favorite Disney characters.

“Yes. There’s fresh butter in the refrigerator, too.”

Of course, there was. The boy was nothing if not responsible. He was in charge of the dairy side of their operation and took pride in contributing to the pack. He spent hours online, researching the best ways to do things and then implementing changes. At his age, he should be off with friends playing baseball, shooting hoops, swimming in the creek, or discovering girls, but none of them had a normal life.  “Henry?”

“Yeah?” He tilted his head to the side in question.

“What would you like for supper? Your choice.” There was so much she couldn’t give him, but this was doable.

“Really?” He rocked back on his heels and studied her face. That was Henry, always searching for the reason behind an action.

“Yes, really. We could all use something a little special tonight.” She tried to include them in all decisions as much as possible, but often meals were whatever they could pull together quickly and easily.

A sly look entered his eyes. “Lasagna.”

She laughed and put her arm around him in a headlock, scrubbing her hand over his hair. It was thick and almost hit his shoulders. It would soon be time for another haircut. “I’m not sure why I bothered to ask. I might have guessed,” she teased. It was his favorite. It was also time-consuming, but she’d asked. “I think we have everything I need.” She kissed the top of his head and released him.

He tossed his hair out of his eyes, which were solemn once more. “Is everything okay?”

She never lied to the kids or withheld information. They were young, but they’d already lived through more crap than most adults would ever experience. And ignorance wouldn’t keep them safe.

“The man who showed up last night, he came back. I talked to him and he left.” No need for him to know about the kiss they’d shared, or the fact that her entire body was still vibrating from it, that she’d swear she could still taste him.

“Okay. I’m going to help Emmett in the garden.” The screen door slammed behind him.

“Okay,” she repeated. If only it was as easy for her to put it out of her mind. Needing a minute to herself, she went into her bedroom and closed her door. Eliza was tending her chickens, and Waya was up in the blind keeping an eye on things.

Sitting on the side of the bed, she took a deep breath, then another. She rubbed the back of her neck, trying and failing to remove Nicholas’s touch.

“I did the right thing.” Sending him away was the only thing she could do. She wasn’t in a position to have an affair, and that’s all it could be. A permanent relationship between a full-blood and a half-breed wasn’t possible. She’d seen how packs reacted to those kinds of pairings. Her parents had been slaughtered by her mother’s pack. Bailey’s own grandfather had tried to kill her.

She scrubbed her hands over her face, surprised to find tears on her cheeks. She missed her parents. Would give anything to have them back for even one more day. The end had come without warning, the violence swift and final. It was only their diligence and paranoia that had allowed their children to escape. She and Emmett owed them their lives.

For one brief second, her past, her problems, all of it had vanished beneath the onslaught of passion. It had hit with the force of a bulldozer. She laughed in spite of her tears. That described Nicholas perfectly.

Except he hadn’t grabbed her or pushed things, not like some men in the past. No, their lips had barely skimmed against each other. She touched her fingers to her mouth, still able to feel his warmth.

Leaning forward, she pulled open the bottom drawer of her dresser and retrieved his shirt. Clutching it in her hand, she brought it to her face and inhaled. Beneath the woodsy scent of soap lay something musky. It was richer than that of a human, wild and primal, hinting at the wolf beneath the man.

She rubbed the back of her neck again.

The temptation to throw herself into his arms, tackle him to the ground, and take what she wanted had been almost too much to fight.

She was tired of always fighting.

“Suck it up.” She tossed the shirt back into the drawer and slammed it shut. It was stupid to hang onto the garment, but she wasn’t ready to toss it.

She strode into the Jack-and-Jill bathroom she shared with Eliza. It was small with only one sink and a shower stall, but she was grateful not to have to share with the boys. They used the main bathroom.

Her skin was pale. Otherwise, she appeared perfectly normal. There was no external wound, only a pain in the vicinity of her heart. Not specifically for Nicholas. She really didn’t know him. Taken at face value, he was handsome and kind, if stubborn and overbearing. It was more the idea of him, the opportunity to discover if there might be more, that she was grieving.

“It’s for the best.”

Splashing some cold water on her face made her feel marginally better. Straightening, she looked at her reflection. “There’s work to be done. It won’t do itself.” And she had lasagna to cook. She’d made a promise.

In the kitchen, she dug around the freezer and came up with a package of ground beef. As she pulled her cast-iron skillet out of the cupboard, she wondered what Nicholas was doing, where he’d go next.

Unlike her, he was free to do whatever he chose. She had kids depending on her. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chapter Six

Bailey dipped the hot piece of metal into the oil to cool. Life was slowly returning to normal. It was Tuesday morning. Friday night’s debacle seemed a lifetime ago. The kids were back at their normal tasks, the older ones no longer taking turns in the blind. Although, Waya had taken to patrolling more often, off in the woods for hours. He was restless. She suspected he was close to making his first shift.

And she’d finally stopped expecting to see Nicholas every time she turned around.

Ignoring the heaviness in her chest, she held the finished hook up and nodded. The order for two-dozen of the heart-shaped decorative but functional item would be ready for delivery to the shop in town tomorrow morning. She’d already finished a custom order for kitchen door pulls. It was boxed and waiting with the rest of her mail-order items. She went to the post office on Wednesday mornings—her normal grocery day.

Pleased, she set the hook on the workbench next to the others and rolled her shoulders, stretching the muscles in her back. She glanced at her watch, surprised to discover it was already two in the afternoon. She’d been working since dawn. Emmett or Waya would have fed the others, but she preferred they eat together. It was a bonding experience, a time to come together and share. It helped make them a family.

Hating that she’d missed it, she went to the sink and scrubbed her hands. Her stomach growled in protest. “Yeah, I get it.” Her appetite had dwindled, but she couldn’t afford not to eat. Her metabolism ran fast, not to mention the calories she burned through hours of working metal at the forge.

After checking to make sure the forge was shut down and things were where they should be, she stepped out, squinting at the sun. The sound of an approaching vehicle sent a bolt of fear through her. “Emmett!”

Her brother poked his head out through the front door. “Yeah?”

“Someone is coming.”

He vanished back inside. Seconds later, the back door closed. He’d have the younger ones with him or he’d find them. Bailey stood in the yard and waited. It might be nothing. Sometimes locals directed someone to her forge, even though she discouraged it. They weren’t expecting any deliveries. As much as possible, they diverted packages to their post box. When it couldn’t be avoided, everyone was aware that a stranger would be around and made themselves scarce.

A dusty blue car, an older model, pulled to a stop. She didn’t recognize the middle-aged woman who stepped out, but she recognized the type. Her stomach felt like she’d dropped eighty feet on a rollercoaster ride. Wearing a suit and low heels and carrying a briefcase, she looked official.

“Can I help you?” Bailey let the woman come to her. Maybe she was lost. And maybe there was a winning lottery ticket hidden in her dresser drawer. This woman was trouble with a capital “T”.

“I’m Mary Burns. I’m with Child Protective Services.” She stopped a few feet away. Her brown hair was cut in a no-nonsense style that accentuated her good bone structure. Her hazel eyes were keen. Her makeup was minimal. A stylish woman, an unassuming woman, and one who had the power to tear the heart out of the life they’d built here.

Bailey held out her hand. “Bailey Smith. I’m still not sure why you’re here.” Best to play dumb.

The handshake was brisk. “A call came into the tip line.” She paused and measured her words. “It suggested there were children here being neglected.” Ms. Burns glanced at her hand. “Are you married?”

She bit back the urge to tell the woman it was none of her damn business. Polite cooperation was the only way to get through this. “No, I’m not. It’s a hot afternoon. Why don’t we sit on the porch in the shade? Would you like some sweet tea or lemonade?”

Looking mildly relieved, the woman nodded. “Tea, please. And I asked about a husband not because I’m nosy, but because I’d want to speak with him as well, if you had one.”

“I understand. I’ll be a minute.” She kept the smile on her face until the screen door closed behind her. Hands fisted at her sides, she stalked to the kitchen. One of those idiots from Friday night had called in the tip. She was as sure of it as she was her own name.

Waya had the refrigerator open and glasses on a tray. “Why are you here?” she whispered. “Where are Emmett and the kids?”

“They’re waiting to see if they need to show themselves. If she asks, we can’t hide. It would be worse if you tell her you don’t know where we are.”

He was right. Didn’t mean she didn’t hate it. She opened the pantry and shoved aside several boxes of rice. “Gotcha.” The box of thin wafer cookies was still there.

“Hiding cookies?”

“It’s self-defense. The rest of you are like vacuums.” Waya’s grin didn’t reach his eyes. “Go, I’ll take care of this. But stay close in case you’re needed.” She wished she felt as sure as she sounded. He nodded, glanced toward the woods, and silently slipped out back.

Cookies plated, she loaded them onto the tray and carried it out front. “Here we go.” She set it on the small table between two Adirondack chairs Emmett had built. Her brother was handy with tools. “You’ll have to forgive my appearance, Ms. Burns, but I’ve been working.”

“You’re a blacksmith. That sounds like a fascinating career. I don’t know much about it, other than watching episodes of Forged in Fire on television.” Smiling, she reached into her briefcase and pulled out a file. “I did some checking around after the complaint came in. I understand this must seem invasive, but we take the welfare of children very seriously.”

“Yes, I’m a blacksmith. Unlike the television show, I rarely make blades. I do more decorative pieces—candleholders, hooks, door handles, things like that. I have an online store and supply several local high-end craft shops. There’s a gallery in Morgantown that has carried some of my larger sculptural pieces in the past.”

“That’s a lot of work for one woman. And you have the farm, too.”

Bailey shrugged, not fooled in the least by the woman’s easy conversation and relaxed manner. “I enjoy it. And it’s not a working farm. We have two cows and some chickens. It supplements my earnings, and the boys help.” She silently apologized to Eliza and Henry, but there was no way she was bringing them into this unless it was unavoidable.

“Tell me about the children.” Oh, she was good. It wasn’t really a question. More easy conversation.

“They’re not biologically mine.” There was no way to pull off that lie. Even Eliza was too old to be hers, unless she’d had a child at fourteen. Ms. Burns remained silent, merely waiting. Bailey’s respect for her adversary grew. So did her fear. “Emmett is my brother. He’s seventeen.”

When Bailey remained silent, the caseworker sat forward in her chair. “I understand this visit has blindsided you. It’s not my intention to upset you. I’m on your side, Ms. Smith. We’re both concerned about the same thing—the health and well-being of the two boys. Can I ask how old are you?”

“Bailey, please. I’m twenty-four.”

“That’s young to be taking care of your brother on your own.” It was a statement, but the question was implied.

“Our parents were murdered when I was eighteen and he was eleven.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She nodded and took a long sip of sweet tea. “So am I. Not a day goes by I don’t miss them.”

“It had to have been devastating. It couldn’t have been easy to take on the raising of your brother.” The voice was gentle, filled with sympathy.

Bailey hardened her heart. Social workers couldn’t begin to understand their situation. They weren’t human. There was no way the system could understand them. Nor could they protect these kids from what was hunting them. “We managed and quite well.”

“The call suggested there was at least one more boy, maybe more children here.”

Damn it! If she had hold of the man who’d called this in, she’d throttle him. “Waya is fifteen. He’s a cousin on my daddy’s side. When he was orphaned, he came to live with us.” That was the story they’d all agreed on.

“I see.” Bailey did not like the way Ms. Burns was making notes in her file. “Are the boys around? I’d like to speak with them, if possible. It’s always best to hear directly from the children involved.”

She’d barely finished speaking when Emmett strolled around the corner, whistling a jaunty tune. “Oh, hey. I didn’t know we had company.” He smiled and held out his hand to the social worker. “I’m Emmett.” He was tall and broad and handsome. That and manners went a long way.

A genuine smile warmed the woman’s face. Her brother did have a way of charming the ladies. “Mary Burns. I’m with CPS. Child Protective Services?”

Emmett gave her a quizzical look, as if he had no idea why she was here. “Am I missing something?”

“Apparently, someone made an anonymous tip suggesting you were being neglected.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “That’s crazy.” He held out his arms by his sides. “Do I look neglected?”

Ms. Burns sipped her tea and shook her head. “You seem healthy enough and you’re almost eighteen?”

“In September,” he told her. He rubbed his hand over his chin and then snapped his fingers. “Bailey, I bet it was that idiot you turned down for a date. The one that accosted us in the parking lot of the grocery store Friday night.”

The caseworker’s eyes sharpened. “You’ve had trouble?”

Bailey waved her hand in front of her. “Some men don’t like taking no for an answer.”

She nodded sagely, seeming friendlier than moments before. “We get calls like that sometimes. Retaliation for some slight, but we have to check them all out. We can’t take a chance. Not with a child’s safety in question.”

“Of course,” Bailey agreed.

“I’d like to meet Waya before this goes any further.”

Crap! She looked at Emmett. “Have you seen him around?”

“Not since lunch.” Some of the cockiness had faded from his eyes. Waya obviously hadn’t joined him and the kids.

Bailey forced a smile. “He’s fifteen. After his chores are done, he likes to explore, spend some time on his own.” And she was going to kill him if he didn’t show his face in the next few seconds.

****

It had been days since he’d gotten rid of Bailey’s intruders and sent them packing, and she hadn’t sought him out. He really had no excuse to stay but couldn’t make himself leave. Every time he started to pack his gear, something stopped him.

Bailey is mine.

He could only imagine how well that would go over if he told her that. Might be worth it to see her get all fired up. Anything was better than not seeing her. He’d purposely stayed away from the house during the day, not wanting to fall into stalker territory, roaming near only at night to ensure they were safe.

As far as he could tell, she’d kept close, going from the house to the forge, when she wasn’t taking a shift up in the blind. Things had changed this morning. For the first time, no one had taken the lookout position. He didn’t blame them. It was impossible to maintain that kind of vigilance, especially with only one adult and three teens old enough to take a shift. Eliza was far too young. Even Henry’s turns were short and always in the daytime.

Closing his eyes, he scrubbed his face over his freshly shaven jaw. He hadn’t done a half-bad job considering he was using cold water. He’d only shaved because he was bored. He wasn’t used to sitting around doing nothing. He could hike but didn’t want to venture too far away.

His wolf growled, alerting him to an intruder.

The boy was back. Waya had returned daily, sometimes shadowing him at night. Nicholas hadn’t let on he’d known the boy was there. Best to let him announce himself when he was ready.

He doubted Bailey was aware of the kid’s adventures. Otherwise, she’d have marched right up to the campsite and demanded to know why he was still here.

He rose from where he crouched by the edge of the water and gathered his gear. The boy wasn’t even attempting to be stealthy. Something was wrong.

Nicholas was already yanking on his shirt and stuffing his feet into his boots when Waya stumbled into view. “What’s happened?”

The terror in the boy’s eyes had his heart pounding. “Is it Bailey? The others?”

“Child Protective Services.”

“Fuck!” This could turn into a clusterfuck of epic proportions. Getting the human authorities involved in their business was the biggest concern of every werewolf. “Come on.” He loped toward the house with Waya beside him. “Has this ever happened before?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“What’s the story we’re telling?” They would have a plan in place for something like this.

“Henry has Eliza. They’re hiding.” The boy kept pace with him. “Emmett is ready to step in if needed. Bailey is feeling the woman out, trying to figure out what she knows or suspects.”

“Do you have papers?” His mind was already working. His family would be able to provide him with documents, if it became necessary. But that would take time.

“We have birth certificates, all with the last name Smith. We decided we’d be orphaned family members that Bailey took in out of the goodness of her heart. It’s the truth, as far as that goes.”

Nicholas wanted to know their stories, how they’d all come to be with her, but that was for another day. “Wait,” he whispered to the boy. When Waya ignored him, he grabbed his arm. The boy spun around and growled, his eyes flashing. “Never go into battle half-cocked or angry. It’s a sure way to lose. Get the lay of the land first, if possible. This isn’t life or death, so we need to be smart about it.”

After some hesitation, he nodded and they hunkered down, using their preternatural hearing to listen. The conversation drifted toward them just in time for them to hear Emmett join them.

“You’re the only relative who was willing to take in your cousin? You’re young to have the responsibility for two boys.”

Nicholas sized up the women on the deck. The caseworker looked to be in her early to mid-forties. Had probably been doing this job for a long time and heard every story possible. Bailey appeared calm, but the tightening of the corners of her mouth and the way she rubbed her hands over her jeans told another story.

“I love Waya and wanted him with us. He and Emmett are close in age. They’re more like brothers.”

“Be that as it may, you’re a single female with the care of two younger males.”

“Only one really,” Emmett interrupted. “I’ll be considered an adult in a couple of months. Then it will be the two of us taking care of him.”

Beside him, Waya gave a low growl. “I can take care of myself.” Before he could stop him, the boy had jumped to his feet and stalked off. Swearing under his breath, Nicholas hurried after him.

Slinging his arm around Waya’s shoulders as they exited the woods, he murmured, “Control yourself or you’ll make this worse.”

Bailey’s mouth dropped and the caseworker swung around to see who was approaching. Emmett gave his sister a worried look.

Taking the initiative, he walked up the two steps to the porch and stuck out his hand. “Nicholas LaForge.”

The handshake was firm and brisk. “Mary Burns. I’m with CPS. Is this Waya?”

The teen nodded but didn’t hold out his hand. He went to stand beside Bailey, making his allegiance plain.

Not knocked off her stride at all, Ms. Burns pinned him with a stare. “May I ask your relationship to the family?”

“I’m Bailey’s fiancé.” He mentally crossed his fingers and prayed she didn’t do or say anything to stir doubts.

“Really?” Looking skeptical, Mary glanced from him to Bailey and back again. “Strange she never mentioned you.”

Chuckling, he perched on the railing. “We haven’t told anyone yet. We were waiting for the right time to tell the boys.” She might kill him once the caseworker left, but she needed to roll with this to make it work.

Bailey cleared her throat. “I didn’t want the boys to believe for one second they weren’t my first priority.”

“And I’ve assured her that the boys are my priority as well. Family is everything.” She might resent him—she might hate the system—but there was no doubt CPS would look more favorably on a married couple than a young single woman.

“And what do you do, Mr. LaForge, is it?”

“Nicholas.” He reached into his pocket, drew out his wallet, and pulled out a card. “My family makes custom furniture out of North Carolina. Been in business almost thirty years.”

She pocketed the card. “You’re relocating to North Carolina?” she asked Bailey.

“No,” he interrupted. “At least not right away. Bailey’s business is here, and we don’t want to disrupt the boys’ lives. I can make furniture anywhere. Being with them is the most important thing.”

“Well, this has been interesting. I’m inclined to believe the call was made out of spite, but I still have to investigate.”

The boy started to speak, but Bailey grabbed his hand and squeezed hard.

“I’ll be checking back again soon. If you’re already planning on getting married, I suggest you move up the wedding date, if possible. If there is any question of legal guardianship and the matter does end up in court, you’ll be in a stronger position. I’ll need a copy of both their birth certificates and guardianship papers. If things check out, there should be no problem.”

“I’ll be right back.” Bailey hurried into the house and returned with several documents. “Here are the birth certificates and the formal adoption papers for Waya.”

Waya hadn’t mentioned those. He hoped they were good enough to hold up under scrutiny from CPS. Ms. Burns made notes in her files and took photos of the papers with her cell phone. “I’ll be in touch.” With that promise, she stood. “Thank you for the tea.” She pulled a card out of her pocket and offered it to Bailey. “If you have any further questions, you can reach me at this number.” The plain white card had the CPS logo along with her name, title, and a phone number.

Leaving the others on the porch, Nicholas followed the woman to her car. “I’ll take care of them. You have my word on it.”

“That’s all well and good.” She opened the door and tossed her briefcase inside. “But I don’t know you. I’ll be checking on you as well.” With that, she closed her door.

Standing in the dirt driveway, he watched her leave. As soon as the car was out of view, Bailey erupted. “What the hell was that about?” She stormed toward him, the two boys hot on her heels. The younger kids came tearing around the side of the house. Henry went to Bailey for a hug, but Eliza ran straight to him with her arms raised.

He lifted her into his arms, where she wrapped her arms and legs around him, her slight body trembling. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Bailey snapped. “And why are you still here?”

“First off, I never make a promise I can’t keep. You told me to leave, but I never said I would. And I’m here specifically because Waya came and got me.”

“He what?” Shocked, she whirled around and confronted the boy.

He met her gaze defiantly. “I’ve been watching him. I thought he could help. I’ve been in the system. You’re not my birth mother. We have adoption papers, but CPS might still try to take me since you’re young and single. It’s not right, but it’s how it works. And if they find out about Henry or Eliza, what do you think will happen?”

Bailey winced. The kid didn’t pull any punches. Sad thing, he wasn’t wrong.

“I’m tired of running. I like it here.” He lowered his head. “I want a home.” The tortured whisper about broke Nicholas’s heart. Eliza whimpered, burying her face against his neck.

“Oh, sweetie, you’ll always have a home.” She pulled the boy into her arms. He was nearly as tall as her and wider, but she was the stronger one. “You belong to me.” Her fierce words sent a shudder through Waya. Henry leaned against Bailey. She freed one arm and wrapped it around him. Emmett put his hand on Henry’s shoulder and leaned against his sister.

Feeling slightly left out and aching to be a part of the love they shared, Nicholas put his arms around them, sandwiching Eliza between them. For the briefest second, Bailey rested her forehead against his shoulder before pushing him away. She reached out and took Eliza from him.

“What are we going to do?” Emmett asked. They all looked to Bailey for answers.

She dragged her fingers through her hair and glared at him. “You complicated the situation. Any suggestions?”

“We get married.”

Chapter Seven

“You can’t be serious.” Bailey’s life had been tossed upside down in the past hour, and the man standing calmly in front of her had played a huge role in it. A part of her had wondered if she’d built him up in her imagination, remembering him as better than he was in real life. If anything, she’d downplayed his appearance.

Magnetic. There was no other word for it. It was like he was a huge magnet, pulling her closer without doing a damn thing. It was annoying. The man looked better than he had a right to in scuffed boots, jeans, and a plain T-shirt.

“Deadly serious.” Hands on his hips, he didn’t appear to be joking. Her heart had broken into a gallop when he’d stepped into the clearing beside Waya, and it hadn’t slowed since. Her first thought had been one of joy. He didn’t leave. Suspicion had followed. Why is he still here?

She handed Eliza off to Emmett, knowing he’d take care of her. The way she’d run to Nicholas, confident of her welcome, had shocked Bailey. The girl generally avoided strangers, but she’d taken to him like a duck to water. The way he’d immediately sought to comfort her and had run his hand over her back had slightly thawed Bailey’s frozen heart.

She couldn’t afford to open herself up any more than she already had. Losing people hurt. She’d had no choice but to love the kids. Nicholas wasn’t a lost or unloved kid. He didn’t need her. And she couldn’t afford to need him.

Waya seemed angry and resigned. Henry’s expression was blank, which meant he was worried. Eliza chewed on her bottom lip, but she appeared hopeful. It was the speculation on her brother’s face that gave her pause. Was he really in favor of this? Her marrying a stranger?

“I understand we need to talk, but give me a second.” He turned to Waya. “I need your papers.”

“Why?” she asked. It bothered her that Waya gathered them from the table and handed them over without question.

“Thanks.” Nicholas held up one finger as he pulled out his phone. “Two minutes.”

Was steam coming out the top of her head? The anger that had been simmering was close to exploding into a full boil. How dare he put her off? This was her life he was messing with. “Nicho—” She broke off when his call was answered.

“It’s about damn time,” the male voice growled. “I was hours away from coming after you so I could beat your ass.”

Whoever he was, he didn’t sound friendly. The call wasn’t on speaker, but they all had preternatural hearing, which Nicholas would know or suspect. It calmed her, but only slightly, that he wasn’t trying to keep her out of the loop.

“I need your help.” He didn’t give any greeting, but jumped right to his request. “You’ll need to take notes.” He rattled off their names and the numbers on the documents.

“What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?” the unknown male demanded, even as she heard the faint sound of scratching, like he was writing it down.

How dare he give out their information without her permission? Her mind raced, figuring logistics. They had alternative identification and could buy more, if it came down to it. She had a contact from the last time and could tap it. It would drain their resources, but it would be worth it.

“Can you make sure these are solid? And keep it on the down-low. I don’t want any outside third parties getting a whiff of this.”

“Are you in danger?”

“No. Just get Armand on this now. I’ll get back to you. I need to call Dad.”

“Call me back later or I’ll track you down.”

“Promise. Bye.” He hung up. “That was my brother. One more second.”

She reached out, ready to rip the phone from his hand when it was answered. “Talk to me.” The voice was male and deep and commanding. Was it her imagination or were Nicholas’s shoulders straighter? Both Emmett and Waya were standing taller. Henry and Eliza were both staring at the phone as if they expected something, or someone, to jump out of it at any second.

“I’m in a bit of a situation. I gave Aaron some information. It needs to be solid. CPS has been called on a female half-breed and the four kids she’s taking care of. They’re a mix of full and half-breed.”

All the blood drained from her face. “What have you done?” His father was a male wolf. So was his brother. They would have contacts. Word would get back to her mother’s family and then they’d come. The only saving grace was it would take time for them to get here.

There was no time to lose.

“Evacuation in thirty minutes.” Waya looked so pale his golden skin was almost white. She grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him into a crushing hug. “This is not your fault.”

He clung to her, still a child in a man’s body. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“It’s okay, sweetie. We’ll get through this. Smith Pack forever.”

“Smith Pack forever,” he whispered.

“Emmett, help Henry and Eliza.”

Nicholas tucked his phone away. She cursed herself for not paying attention to the rest of the conversation. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, her entire body primed for action.

“There’s no need to run,” he began, but she was past listening.

A wildness grew inside her, a need to make him pay for destroying her kids’ peace of mind, for putting their lives in danger. She kicked off her shoes and ripped at her shirt.

“Bailey?” He held his hands out in front of him, his eyes wary. Good, he should be afraid. She might have been able to talk her way out of the situation with the caseworker if not for him. She would have handled the two men in the first place—talked them down or cajoled them out of their anger—and today’s visit would never have happened.

The life they’d worked so hard to build was about to implode. Because of him. Then he’d dared to share their names and personal information with unknown male wolves.

Since the death of her parents, she’d been living on nerves and desperation. She’d almost begun to believe in hope again, to see brighter days again. Now there was a storm brewing that might destroy them.

She embraced her wolf, and the creature leaped forward, ready to fight, to defend. Her pups were in danger. Didn’t matter that some of them were almost grown. They were hers.

Her limbs reformed, her hands becoming paws as she fell forward. The process was slow but steady. Her jaw lengthened and her forehead flattened. It no longer hurt, as it had the first few times. Now it was as much a part of her as her wolf.

Sharp teeth bared, she growled at the male wolf who’d threatened her pack. Gathering her back feet under her, she leaped, aiming for his throat.

****

Holy shit! Bailey can shift!

It wasn’t unheard of. His own pack had a half-breed who could shift, but it was so rare as to be the stuff of legends. This was a mama wolf defending her pups. There wasn’t a deadlier creature alive.

Her fur was reddish brown. Her green eyes snapped with fury. There would be no reasoning with her.

“Bailey! No!” her brother yelled.

Shoulder muscles bunched for impact, he lunged to the side and caught her midair, keeping his face away from her powerful jaws. She thrashed, struggling to get loose, trying to dig her claws into any part of him she could reach. Her strength was enormous, but his was greater.

“Stop it.” He shook her lightly, his biceps bulging as he fought to hold her. “I’ll protect you and your pack. Hell, my entire pack will protect yours.” It was the truth. If he could get her to calm down, maybe she’d listen to reason.

She threw her head back, slamming it against his. He swore as blood trickled from his nose. Small blessing that it wasn’t broken. An angry howl echoed across the land. Shit! She was out of control.

There was no way this could end without her getting harmed. He couldn’t hold her indefinitely. He glanced toward the kids, caught the edge of their fear.

There was only one force in the world powerful enough to stop this train wreck. “You’re scaring the children.”

Like flipping a switch, all the fight drained out of her. Taking the chance she wouldn’t turn on him and rip out his throat, he gently set her down on the ground and took a step away, his hands held up in front of him to show her he meant no harm.

“My pack won’t harm yours.” He doubted she’d heard his earlier reassurance. And it wasn’t only her who needed that guarantee. “They’re different from most. We have half-breeds and one full-blooded wolf who can’t shift.”

Bailey growled, as if to call him a liar.

“It’s the truth.” Emmett and Waya seemed as skeptical. Henry’s expression was unreadable. Eliza looked both scared and excited.

Nicholas dragged his fingers through his hair. “Okay, quick history.” Before she ran out of patience. “My father and four others broke from their pack decades ago. Their pack was old-school. My grandfather was alpha, and a meaner son of a bitch never lived.”

Bailey grabbed her T-shirt from the ground and trotted around the side of the house. Emmett grabbed her jeans and tossed them to her when she stuck her arm out. Nicholas did his best not to notice the plain white cotton bra and panties lying in the dirt.

Barefoot, her hair tumbling around her shoulders, she stomped toward him. Her green eyes flashed, the fury only slightly tempered. “I seriously doubt that. Our grandfather killed our parents.”

He briefly closed his eyes, hating that his suspicions had been right. “I’m sorry for that. My grandfather tried to kill my father. When he failed, he attacked the human woman he’d fallen in love with.”

“I’m sorry.” Some of her anger bled away, her shoulders slumping.

“I am, too, but it turned out in the end. They mated and had me and my brother.”

Her jaw dropped. The others were in various stages of shock. “You’re a half-breed, too?”

He shook his head. “My mother was one of the rare ones to be converted instead of dying from a wolf bite. And my uncle eventually killed his father. My point is, I come from a small pack, but a diverse one.”

Bailey crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “I get that you were trying to help.”

“Armand is my father’s cousin. He’s one hell of a hacker. He’ll make sure your identities are secure without leaving a trail back for anyone to trace.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, wavering in her decision.

“If you want to run, I’ll help, but that might make things worse. Ms. Burns strikes me as a thorough woman. She’ll be checking up on you. If you run, you’ll have cops everywhere looking for you.”

He wanted to comfort her, to wrap his arms around her, but she’d shrug it off, not ready to trust. “We get married. It’s a piece of paper. It keeps Emmett and Waya safe. We keep the younger two off her radar, if possible. Once we’re in the clear, if you still want to leave, I’ll help.”

The fate of his future rested in her strong, callused hands. Heart pounding, he kept his expression as neutral as possible. His wolf was silent and watchful. Her courage, her heart, her pure spirit had sealed the deal. Bailey was his mate. That she could shift was the icing on the cake. It didn’t matter to him one way or another, but he wouldn’t lie and say it wasn’t a huge turn-on.

“Give me a chance. Give us a chance.” It seemed the entire world held its breath.

She turned her back on him and looked at the kids. Of course, she wouldn’t make a decision without including them. Their small pack worked much like his. The alpha would discuss things, but in the end, the decision would be hers.

“Well?” she asked Emmett.

Ignoring her question, he addressed Nicholas. “If you’re lying, I’ll kill you.”

“I’d expect you to.” It pleased him that the teen was protecting his sister.

“You won’t have to.” Waya’s eyes were fathomless and determined. Emmett might be older, but Waya was the more dangerous of the two. There was a darkness inside him. Whatever life the older two had lived, this boy’s had been harder.

“Have you shifted yet?” It always happened in the teenage years but varied from wolf to wolf. He’d made his first shift at thirteen. His brother at fifteen. Waya’s wolf was very close to the surface.

The boy frowned. “That doesn’t matter. I don’t need to shift to kill you.”

“No one is killing anyone.” Bailey huffed out a breath. “Unless it’s me. Let’s go inside.” Without waiting for an answer, she scooped Eliza up and headed for the door.

He waited, letting the others go ahead of him. The coolness of the inside was a reprieve from the blistering sun and heat. Bailey was already in the kitchen, pouring glasses of lemonade. Eliza perched on the counter beside her.

“When do you want to take care of the paperwork?” He swallowed back his excitement. This wasn’t a true mating. Not yet. She might view it as the expedient thing to do. He saw it as a stepping stone to his goal—mate with Bailey and protect her and the kids.

This was what had been missing in his life. Every priority had shifted the second he’d known they were in danger. This was different from chasing off the two humans who’d come to harass her. The lives of her and her family were at stake.

The emptiness inside him was gone. The restlessness had vanished, replaced with purpose. It surged through his blood, sank into his very bones—protect, care for, and cherish.

If she’d let him.

If she truly understood how much this meant to him, she’d likely run in the opposite direction. He’d have to be sneaky and get her used to having him around.

She handed out the drinks. He took his gratefully. Tilting her head back, she drained the glass and refilled it. “If we’re going to do this, and I can’t figure a way around it that doesn’t involve disappearing, we might as well get it done.”

Giving a nod, he drank deeply to keep from throwing back his head and howling out his triumph.

Her gaze narrowed. “This isn’t a true mating. This is paperwork to satisfy CPS.”

“I understand.” He set the glass on the counter. “I should probably move in. I can bunk with the boys or sleep on the couch,” he added before she could object. “We have no idea when Ms. Burns will be back—or the two humans. I can also keep you updated on what my family uncovers.”

He was counting on her need to protect the kids to override her wariness about him.

“Fine.” She checked her watch. “The afternoon is almost gone. Get your things. Supper is in an hour.”

“If you have things to get done in your forge, I can get something together for supper and get my things after.” His mother had insisted both her boys learn their way around a kitchen. He wanted to be a fully integrated part of the pack. That meant pulling his weight.

And the idea of feeding her soothed a primal need.

“I may take you up on that another time. Go get your things.”

It was impossible to read her expression. Leaving was a gamble. They might run while he was gone. At the very least, she wanted to talk to the others without him. He wasn’t a part of their unit. Not yet.

“I won’t be long.” He drained his glass and set it down. All eyes were on him as he walked away. The door closed behind him, the finality of it making him flinch. Silence followed.

Taking a deep breath, he walked down the steps and ambled to the woods. As soon as he was out of sight, he took off running. Best not to tempt fate. Right now, she was convinced marrying him was the best course of action. If they discussed it without him to add weight to it, they might come up with another option that didn’t include him.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed his brother.

“What in the hell is going on down there?”

“Congratulate me. I’m getting married.”

****

Bailey went to the window and peeked out the curtain. “He’s gone.” She hadn’t been sure he’d actually leave. It kind of shocked her, but then he was full of surprises.

Married! The man wants to marry me.

It wasn’t as though it would be a real marriage. Not like her parents had. Their relationship was one of love and sacrifice.

Nicholas was making a huge sacrifice and taking on a family, even if it was temporary.

What would it be like to mate him in truth? The idea of having someone who cared about her, who shared the load of responsibility, was tempting, but she needed to keep things real. As much as she was drawn to him, she had to keep her heart out of it.

Taking a breath, she faced her family. “Why did you go to him, Waya?” It was so unlike the suspicious boy to reach out to anyone for help.

He met her gaze and rubbed his hands over his arms. “It was instinctual.” He shifted from one foot to the other, the physical restlessness unusual. Waya was always stealthy and calm. The way he’d threatened Nicholas if he betrayed them had sent a chill down her spine.

“Good enough.” She understood all about a wolf’s instincts. It had led her to go after Waya when their paths had crossed, recognizing him for what he was—a young wolf alone in the world. “Emmett?”

Her brother slumped down in a living room chair and scrubbed his hands over his face. “It’s a mess. It might be the easiest and fastest way to handle this.” He lowered his hands. “You’re worried about us going into the system.”

She perched on the arm of the couch, not surprised when Henry and Eliza sat close enough for her to put her arm around the both of them. They needed touch and reassurance.

“If it happens, we’ll deal with it. Smith Pack forever.” It was their motto, the code they lived by.

She put out her hand. Emmett sat forward and placed his hand on top of hers. “Smith Pack forever.”

Then Waya, Henry, and Eliza followed, each repeating the vow. They not only lived for one another, they’d die for one another. They were a pack.

Her wolf’s heart whispered there was always room for one more.

Chapter Eight

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The county judge smiled. “You may kiss the bride.”

Satisfaction flooded him as he turned to the silent woman beside him. No smiles or blushes for her. Her voice had been calm during the vows, wavering only when she’d said, “I do.”

No white dress for his bride. No dress at all. Clean jeans, a green blouse instead of a T-shirt, and sneakers instead of work boots. It was her subtle way of reminding him she didn’t consider this a real wedding. Didn’t matter what she wore. There was no way to hide her natural beauty.

And it would have looked strange if she’d dressed up as he wore jeans and a clean shirt. His wardrobe was limited. When he’d left home, he’d packed a single dress shirt, never expecting to actually need it. Today, he’d been glad to have it.

The only trappings of a regular wedding were the gold rings on their fingers. He’d stopped at a jewelry store long enough to run in and purchase two plain bands. A simple but visual symbol of their joining.

Nicholas cupped the back of Bailey’s head. He wanted to devour her, to howl and let the entire world know she belonged to him. That would probably get him a knee to the balls. Not an auspicious way to start their married life.

She licked her lips, her gaze wary. But there was a hint of expectation. Keeping the pressure light and undemanding, he pressed his mouth to hers. Ropes of heat, of desire, wrapped around him. Physical and emotional bonds snapped into place. She might view this as a means to an end, but for him, this was as real as it got.

This was his mate, his woman.

A breathy sigh escaped her. The soft sound slid through him, tempting him to take it further. The woman packed a punch without even trying.

“Congratulations.” Emmett slapped him on the back, a little too heartily. Eyes narrowing, his new brother-in-law stuck out his hand, forcing Nicholas to take it. The others in the pack had agreed to the wedding, but none of them thought it was for anything but show. It was up to him to convince them.

Waya was next. Henry hung back and watched. Eliza skipped forward and threw one arm around Bailey and the other around him. They’d discussed leaving the two younger kids at home, but they didn’t want to leave them on their own—not with everything going on. If they weren’t included, it would hurt them deeply, make them doubt their place in the pack.

Everything had happened quickly. They’d been at the county clerk’s office first thing this morning to get their marriage license. Fortunately, there was no waiting period in West Virginia—nor did he have to be a permanent resident. As long as they were married in the state, it was all legally binding. It hadn’t taken long to hunt up a county judge willing and able to fit the ceremony into his schedule early afternoon. Like the license, pay the fee and it was done.

“Let’s get out of here.” Best not to tempt fate. He went to take her hand, but she nimbly grabbed Eliza’s. Her other hand rested on Henry’s shoulder. His lips quirked. She was doing her best to keep her distance. It would be interesting to see how long she could keep it up.

“Would you like me to take a picture?” the judge asked. His name was Quigley, and he was a tall man with a barrel chest and a white mustache.

“That would be great.” Nicholas unlocked his phone, turned on the camera app, and handed it to the man. “If it’s not too much trouble.” It would seem suspicious if they didn’t take him up on his offer. Besides, he’d love a picture of them together. His family and pack were dying of curiosity. This would give him something to send them.

Bailey scowled, but she sidled over to his side.

“Everyone in the picture.” Quigley motioned the kids toward them.

Standing tall and proud, Nicholas put his arm around her shoulder. Eliza stood in front of him, Waya on his free side. Emmett and Henry were on Bailey’s other side. Quigley took a few shots, then insisted on several of the bride and groom alone.

“You think you might not need them, but someday you’ll be glad I took them. Trust me. I’ve married a lot of couples over the past three decades. I’ve got a good feeling about you two.”

Nicholas thanked him again and pocketed his phone, hurrying after Bailey and the others, who were halfway to the parking lot. “Do we need to stop for anything?” He was an extra mouth to feed. “If you’d rather get on home, I can stop at the grocery store.” As much as it pained him to let her out of his sight, they’d had to drive two vehicles to get them all here.

She rubbed her hand over her face. “We probably need things, but I can’t think right now.” The exhaustion in her voice and the dark circles under her eyes were sure signs she hadn’t slept any better than he had last night. He hated that this was so hard on her, hated that she saw their marriage as a necessary evil, while to him it was everything.

He waited while she unlocked her truck and the two younger ones hopped in the back. The afternoon sun beat down on them. Her skin was already getting a light sheen of sweat. He brushed the back of his fingers over her cheek. “This is a good thing,” he reminded her. “The kids are protected now. The marriage is only a part of it.” The others were avidly listening. “The full might of my pack is behind us. Whether you want it or not, my family sees you as mine, which means you belong to them as well.”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done, all you’re sacrificing. This won’t be forever. I don’t expect any more than you’ve already given.”

He clenched his jaw against the pain. There was no doubting how she viewed their marriage—a temporary sacrifice. One she’d release him from as soon as the kids were safe. Inside him, his wolf went still, a dangerous predator rising to the challenge.

“Your eyes.” She swallowed heavily and tried to take a step back, but the truck was behind her. There was nowhere to go. “They’re glowing.”

He closed them and took a deep breath. “Drive safely. I’m going to stop at the grocery store for some supplies. I won’t be far behind you.”

“Sure.” Her look of disbelief pissed him off. Waya crammed himself into the back with the kids, and Emmett took the passenger seat. Once again, they were shutting him out, letting him know he wasn’t a real part of their pack.

A hole opened up in his gut, getting larger as the truck pulled away. What had he done? He’d married a woman who didn’t really want him. No, that wasn’t true. She was more than a little attracted to him. He’d scented a burst of arousal when they’d kissed, but it had been overshadowed by fear.

He got into his truck, leaned his head back, and gripped the wheel. Every instinct he possessed screamed he’d done the right thing. Bailey was his woman, his mate.

But maybe he wasn’t hers. There were many male wolves who’d force the issue. He wasn’t one of them. He wanted her love. That had to be freely given or it was worthless.

It wasn’t easy to remain hopeful when she shut him down at every opportunity, but he was no quitter. He started the engine, cranking up the air conditioning to cool him down. There’d been no time for her to get to know him, but that was about to change. Whether she liked it or not, he was there to stay for the foreseeable future.

He started to put the truck in gear, but pulled out his phone instead. Not exactly normal wedding pictures. He and Eliza were the only two smiling. The rest glowered back at him. He rubbed his thumb over the curve of Bailey’s jaw. “I’ll protect you and our family.” She already had his heart. Hell, all of them had claimed a piece of him.

Sighing, he sent the picture off to his parents and brother along with a short message and tucked the phone away. Weddings needed to be celebrated. The grocery store had a decent bakery. They needed cake. And flowers. Should have thought of that before the ceremony.

Better late than never.

****

Bailey glanced in the rearview mirror. Nicholas looked so alone standing in the parking lot by himself. It had to be her imagination. He had a loving family and pack.

And a wife.

I’m married.

Her heart beat so hard, her chest hurt. It had been nothing like she’d imagined it would be. Not that she’d really thought about marriage since she was a girl. Even then, it had been more of a fantasy. But never in her life had she seen it unfolding as it had—in a judge’s office with both bride and groom wearing jeans. The girl she’d been mourned for the ceremony that would never be. Her father would never walk her down the aisle while she wore a pretty white dress. Her mother would never dab tears from her eyes and smile.

Yes, she was part wolf, but her father had been human. She embraced his customs more easily than her mother’s wolf side. Understandable, since her kin had hated them for being born and had killed her parents for the crime of loving each other.

But she was part wolf, and that primal part of her howled in confusion, wondering why she’d left her mate behind.

It’s not real.

She had to remember that. This wasn’t a true mating. She absently reached up and rubbed the curve of her neck where a mating mark would go. This was Nicholas helping her out of a difficult and confusing situation. Once things were safe, a quick and quiet divorce would set him free.

Her stomach churned and her heart clenched. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back.

“You okay?” Emmett asked.

“I’m fine. It’s been a crazy couple of days.” Her entire life had been turned inside out.

“Is Nicholas coming home?” Eliza asked.

“He’ll be there in a bit.” She prayed she wasn’t lying. Images of him flashed through her mind. The way his jaw had tightened, the bleak look in his eyes when they’d all piled into her truck, him standing alone, the breeze teasing the ends of his hair.

What had she done?

Yes, he’d burst into her life uninvited, had inadvertently added to her problems, but he’d been quick to step in to try to make things right. And how had she thanked him? She’d fought him at every turn, struggling to keep her independence, to remain alpha of her pack by putting him on the outside.

She’d spent all last night tossing and turning, trying to figure out the right thing to do for her kids, for herself, and for him. The kiss after the ceremony had rocked her world. She’d wanted to slide into it, take it deeper and see what happened.

They were married now. They could have sex.

She gripped the steering wheel harder. The gold band on her finger glinted in the sunlight. He’d shocked her by insisting on rings. It had made it seem genuine, the weight of the ceremony more binding.

Temporary or not, this was as real as it got. It might also be the only opportunity she might ever have to be with someone who knew what she was and accepted it. Straddling both worlds, being able to have a relationship was the last thing she’d ever expected.

This could be a good thing.

Now that it was a done deal, it was time to consider the possibilities. If she protected her heart, they could enjoy a physical relationship. It would be better for the kids to see them getting along. It would certainly reduce the tension between her and Nicholas.

Or would it? Maybe it would make it worse.

It was a huge relief to turn off the main road. Home beckoned. It was their haven, their safe place. Or it had been. She brought the truck to a halt, conscious of the silence. She’d been lost in her thoughts the entire way home, her tension seeping out to the others.

“Okay, Smith Pack. We’re in this together. Everything will be fine.” She’d see to it, one way or another. “Everyone out.”

They all piled out and looked expectantly at her. There were two hours until supper. “Get changed. See to any chores.” Animals didn’t care if it was her wedding day. They still needed to be fed and cared for. “Emmett, keep an eye on things. I’ll be in my forge.” She desperately needed a few minutes by herself.

After hurriedly changing her clothes, she took refuge in her workspace. There were a dozen projects that needed her attention, but she didn’t fire up her forge. With her thoughts scattered, the last thing she should do was work with hot steel.

Sitting on the floor, she leaned against the wall and stared at the ring on her finger. It was the first gift someone outside the family had ever given her. The first a man had ever given her.

It was plain and narrow, but the symbolic weight was huge.

“What should I do?” Tilting her head back, she stared at the ceiling, the wood gray from age. It was old but sturdy. Had withstood many a storm. They were alike in that way. She wasn’t old or gray, but some days she felt like it. God, she was tired. It was more than physical. Being the one who made all the decisions, who was responsible for the safety of others, was exhausting. She constantly questioned her choices.

Nicholas had a strong back. Not to mention a ripped body. The man could easily carry a heavy load. And not just physically. Power and responsibility sat easily on his shoulders.

“Stop it.” She lightly rapped her head against the wall. “It’s not real.” A part of her wished it were. Was it wrong to want someone to turn to in the middle of the night, someone to love her, to reassure her when doubt creeped in?

She rubbed her hands over her arms. Her skin was extra sensitive, had been since she’d met him. It wasn’t like having her fur rubbed the wrong way. It was an awareness of herself as more than a sister, an alpha. It was a reminder that, first and foremost, she was a woman. Not only human but wolf.

Her sex drive had been in cold storage for years, and now here was Mr. Hot and Sexy. It was natural to speculate what it would be like to have sex with him.

Explosive!

If the kisses they’d shared were any indication, they’d burn up the sheets if they ever made it to bed. When she sucked in a breath, her breasts rubbed against her shirt, sending a shiver of desire shooting to her core. Burying her head against her knees, she caught the scent of her arousal and groaned.

The more she thought about it, the more the idea appealed to her. If Nicholas was going to be around for a while, she might as well take advantage of the situation. It was no secret that he was attracted to her. Even if she didn’t have a keen sense of smell, the bulge in his jeans when they kissed was a dead giveaway.

She could protect her heart, take what she wanted, and send him off with a smile and a thanks when the time came.

Her heart squeezed in warning, but she ignored it. Just this once, she was going to do something for herself. His presence would protect the kids from the authorities. The ring on her finger would deter further advances from human males.

She’d keep wearing it even after he was gone. Not out of sentiment, but practicality.

And if the worst happened, she’d take her pack and flee. That would be a last resort. Otherwise, they’d be looking over their shoulders forever.

Decision made, a sense of peace settled over her. For better or worse, she was doing this.

Her ears perked up at the sound of a truck. He’s home! She jumped to her feet, the anxiety that had plagued her sliding away. He’d kept his word, hadn’t bailed on them.

Eliza raced out of the house and toward him. Nicholas scooped her into his arms and swung her around. Childish laughter spilled around them. The shield around Bailey’s heart cracked slightly, but she was too caught up in the moment to care.

Henry joined them, peeking into the back of the truck. “Is that cake?”

Nicholas’s gaze unerringly found her. “A wedding deserves cake. I didn’t know what you all liked, so I bought three of them—chocolate, vanilla, and lemon.”

The crack widened a bit more.

Ignoring it, she went to see what else he’d bought.

Chapter Nine

Bailey stacked the last plate in the dishwasher and turned on the machine. They’d feasted on grilled steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and two kinds of premade salads—potato and macaroni.

And that was before the cake.

He’d really bought three of them. Her favorite was the vanilla. The icing was creamy perfection. She had a weakness for sweets that she rarely indulged. The kids had devoured the chocolate and lemon cakes, leaving not a single crumb. She’d stuck the rest of the vanilla one in the back of the refrigerator, hoping at least a piece of it would be there later.

With teenagers in the house, that was iffy at best.

She cast a furtive glance at Nicholas. In the eyes of the world, this man was her husband, her partner in life. This must be what an arranged marriage felt like—awkward and strange with an underlying hum of expectation. Only she didn’t have the luxury of hoping for a happily ever after. It was enough for her family to be safe.

He’d wiped down the table and was finishing up the counter. With no hesitation, he’d pitched right in, taking charge of the meal, as though he’d been living here his entire life. Whether it was a one-time thing or simply the way he was, only time would tell.

There was something inherently sexy about a man who knew his way around the kitchen. Flowers and cake had their place, but a man who didn’t view housework as women’s work was worth his weight in gold.

The kids had scattered when the time for cleanup had come. Not that she blamed them. Conversation had been stilted. They’d all tried, but a current of tension had permeated the meal. Eliza had insisted on sitting alongside Nicholas, quietly watching him as if she expected him to disappear any second. He’d tossed out some conversational gambits, keeping the topics neutral, but she’d caught glimpses of both bleakness and determination in his expression. She doubted the others had noticed. She only had because she’d been watching him so closely.

What was he thinking?

“That’s it.” He rinsed the cloth and hung it over the edge of the sink to dry. Leaning against the counter, he crossed his arms over his wide chest, pulling the material of his shirt tighter around his massive biceps.

She cleared her throat. “Thank you.” She waved her hands toward the table, empty except for a vase of colorful wildflowers, flowers he’d bought for her. “For everything.” God, this was so awkward. She didn’t deal well with people at the best of times. Being nervous wasn’t helping.

He shrugged. “You’re welcome. In my pack, we celebrate everything. Hell, sometimes we celebrate because it’s Friday.”

She knew very little about his family. Oh, God, his family. “Do your parents know about the marriage?” They were aware he was helping her, but she had no idea how much he’d told them. What must they think of her if they did? Probably that she was opportunistic or that she’d somehow tricked him into it.

With everything put away and the dishwasher working, there was nothing to fidget with. Mimicking him, she crossed her arms over her chest. It was that or yank out her hair.

“I’d never keep something this important from them.” It was so matter-of-fact, another indication he was close to them.

“Does your alpha know?” That could be a much bigger problem. “You’ve put your place and your parents’ place in the pack in jeopardy.” Why hadn’t she thought of that earlier? Agitated, she wanted to pace, but dug her nails into her arms to help center herself.

A smile teased the corners of his mouth. “The alpha knows and is fine with it.”

It was the way he said it, the expression on his face that clued her in. The final piece clicked into place. “Your father is alpha.” It wasn’t a question, but a knowing.

He inclined his head.

“You expect me to believe the alpha of a wolf pack is okay with his son marrying a half-breed?” That was hard to swallow. It was one thing to help her out, another to legally tie them together.

He pushed away from the counter and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Yes. Furthermore, they can’t wait to meet you, all of you. My mom likes the look of you. And I quote, ‘She looks tough enough to handle you.’”

A rush of pleasure flowed through her. Then reality kicked in. “Wait, when did she see me?”

“I guarantee they’ve seen your online information. They wouldn’t have been able to resist. But I sent them the wedding pictures.”

Groaning, she wanted to melt into the floor. “You didn’t?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” He tilted his head to one side, genuinely perplexed.

Men were utterly clueless. “I was wearing jeans and a shirt.” She hadn’t even bothered with any makeup. Not that she owned any, but she could have bought at least a lipstick. And why did she care? The chance of them ever meeting was practically nonexistent. It had been her choice to not make a big deal about the wedding, to downplay it to keep it as a business deal rather than pretend it was something it wasn’t.

“And a frown.” He pulled her in for a hug. Giving into the inevitable, she leaned her forehead against his chest. “It’s a cute look.” His lips brushed the top of her head.

“Ha. Ha. Now you’re a comedian.” She fisted the back of his shirt to keep from throwing her arms around him and burying her nose against his throat.

“No, I’m a man who cares about you.” They were speaking softly, but it was likely some of the kids were close enough to hear. It was almost a given that Emmett and Waya had their ears to their doors.

“Let’s take this outside.” This was a discussion better had in private. “Emmett,” she called out. “You’re in charge until we get back. We won’t be far.”

“Take your time,” her brother shouted back. “I won’t let them run with scissors or play with matches.”

“Smartass,” she yelled. “Everyone is a comedian,” she muttered. Pushing away from Nicholas, she led the way out the back door to the yard. Moving away from the house, she headed to the one place she truly felt at home—her forge.

It was dark, but she didn’t need to turn on a light in order to see. Neither of them did. Yet another sign that theirs was not a normal situation. She didn’t hear him behind her—he moved like a ghost for such a big man—but she was attuned to his presence. Goose bumps raced down her arms and back. She resisted the urge to rub her arms. The air around them was charged, like it was before a lightning storm broke.

“It’s a big space.” He wandered around, running a finger down the handle of a hammer, skimming it over her anvil. “I’d love to watch you work sometime.”

Pleased by his interest and curious about his life, she asked, “Was it true what you told the CPS caseworker? Do you make custom furniture?” It was easy to picture him working with his hands. They were big and hard. Capable of wrestling large pieces of wood and raising shivers on her with barely a touch.

“Yup. It started out small, but there are more of us involved in the business these days. Which reminds me, there are some downed trees on your property I’d love to harvest. I came across them while I was exploring. We’d pay you for them. We source almost all our materials from deadfall on pack land. Occasionally, we’ll tear down an old barn or building and reclaim the wood.” While she was digesting that surprising tidbit and wondering how much the trees might be worth, he continued, “My father plays the stock market, growing the wealth of the pack, investing in land and other ventures. My mom is a writer.”

It all sounded so wonderfully normal. Except maybe the writer part. That was a pretty cool job.

He continued his exploration, pausing here and there to examine a machine or a finished piece of work. “We all play to our strengths. We have a couple of artists in the group. Some of the women quilt. Others make soap and cakes and jam and other things to sell at the market in town. They also have an online store that’s grown over the years.” His eyes twinkled in the gloom. “Heck, we even have a farmer in the mix. Everyone pitches in and does their part.”

That kind of network was priceless, but it wasn’t as Utopian as he described. “It sounds wonderful, but at the end of the day, the alpha’s word is law.”

Nicholas carefully set a candleholder she’d made back on a shelf and started in her direction. “It is.” He stopped in front of her, close enough that she had to tilt her chin up slightly to be able to watch his eyes. It was a novelty for a man to be taller than her. “What you have to understand is my father wants his family to be happy. And I wasn’t kidding when I said we were different. He consults his four oldest friends on every major decision.”

She bit her lip, but couldn’t stop herself from blurting, “He sounds weak.” In everything she’d learned and seen in her lifetime, no alpha willingly gave up power. It was all about getting it and holding it.

Nicholas threw back his head and laughed. The joyous sound rolled out of him in a great wave. His dark brown hair flowed around his shoulders. The thick column of his throat rippled. He’d been clean-shaven this morning, but a dark shadow now covered his jaw. A low hum began deep in her core, spreading to every corner of her body. The man appealed to her on too many levels to ignore.

Irritated with both him and herself, she huffed, further annoyed when her cheeks grew hot. “It’s not that funny,” she muttered.

“If you’d met him, you’d understand how absurd the very idea is. There’s not a tougher wolf alive. The only ones who come close are the other four who founded the pack with him. Any of them could be alphas.”

Her stomach dropped and her worries started up again. It was unimaginable that five strong wolves could live in harmony without friction and in-fighting. Her mother had often spoken of what it had been like growing up in her pack. Challenges were the norm, every strong wolf jockeying for position.

Nicholas might believe they were fine with the marriage, but what if they weren’t? Had his father already dispatched someone to “deal” with the problem? It was a terrifying thought.

A big hand cupped her face, the warmth from his palm seeping into her skin. “What is going through your mind right now? I can practically see the wheels turning.” He traced his thumb across her bottom lip in a sensual caress that left her breathless. “My pack is no threat to you and yours. If you don’t believe anything else, believe that. I’d never put you or the kids in harm’s way.”

Swallowing hard, she nodded. “It’s not easy.”

“To trust?”

She nodded. “My mother’s family turned on her and my father. On us.” Sighing, she motioned to the house. “The kids all have stories of being hurt and abandoned or escaping terrible situations.”

“They’re all lucky.” His thumb skimmed back and forth, mesmerizing her, making her yearn for deeper contact. “They found you.” He lowered his head until their lips were almost touching. “You’re a miracle, Bailey. Theirs and mine.”

His mouth covered hers, his tongue sliding inside. Unlike the obligatory kiss after their marriage ceremony, this one was hot and hard, a wolf claiming his woman. She should object, should lay out her terms before they went any further.

Going up on her toes, she plunged her fingers through his hair and kissed him back with every ounce of hunger burning inside her. All the years of loneliness fell away beneath the blistering onslaught of the storm of passion.

****

Nicholas wanted to take away her worries, or at least shoulder as many of them as she’d allow. She was so damn strong, but even the toughest could break when crushed with too much pressure over time.

And Bailey was nearing her breaking point.

She might not see it, but he did. How the hell had she taken care of and protected four kids on her own for so long? She wasn’t only their miracle but his. He wasn’t kidding about that. He thanked his lucky stars he’d been in the right place at the right time for their paths to cross.

It was a sign that she belonged to him and he to her. They were both strong in their own right. Together, they were unstoppable. All he had to do was convince her. That might be the hardest task of all. She was not a woman who trusted, yet she’d opened her heart to the kids. It gave him hope there might be a spot for him.

Her carnal hunger fed his. His wolf howled and pawed inside him. He ruthlessly controlled the beast. This wasn’t a claiming. She was nowhere near ready. Tricking her or forcing her wasn’t an option. All he could do was love her, show her what it could be like between them.

His dick flexed in agreement, even as the fabric of his jeans squeezed it to the point of pain. Swallowing a groan, he ran his hands down the supple length of her spine to her ass, cupping the mounds.

The frantic little sounds she made in the back of her throat made his balls clench. He slipped one hand beneath her shirt, finding bare skin. The spicy scent of her arousal teased his nostrils.

His conscience reared its head. “Fuck.” Poor choice of words as he pulled away. Bailey’s lips were moist and swollen, her eyes slightly unfocused. The fingers in his hair gripped harder, dragging him back. He closed his eyes and fought for control. “If we’re going to stop, it has to be now.”

He’d lost his damn mind. There was no other logical reason to be putting on the brakes when she was not only willing, but an active participant.

This was his wife, his future mate.

“What?” When she licked her lips, he had to grit his teeth against the throbbing of his cock. He was too damn close to losing it. “What are you talking about? Why are you talking?” The feminine demand made his wolf preen.

The irony and the humor of the situation lightened his mood, in spite of his aching arousal. “If you don’t want this, we need to stop now. I want you.” With one hand on the small of her back, he ground his pelvis against hers. “But you don’t owe me anything.” It would kill him if they made love for that reason.

A low growl indicated her change of mood. “You think I’d have sex with you because I think I owe you.”

“No, but I don’t want any misunderstandings.”

Hands on his chest, she pushed away from him. He reluctantly released her, his body roaring in protest. “You’re absolutely right. There should be no misunderstandings.” She gave a decisive nod as if she’d come to some internal decision.  “We’re married until this situation with CPS is straightened out.”

It grated on him that she viewed it as temporary, but all he could do was go with it. “At the very least.”

“We’re both healthy adults. I assume you’re single.” When she raised her eyebrows in question, he simply stared, refusing to respond to the insult. He prided himself on his control, was slow to anger, but she was pushing all his buttons.

She cleared her throat. “Right. As I said, we’re both healthy adults. There’s no denying we’re attracted to each other.”

He waited, wondering where she was going with this, positive he wasn’t going to like it. “Your point?”

“There’s no reason we can’t indulge the sexual sides of our nature. As you can imagine, a relationship of any kind has been out of the question. And I’m not a one-night stand kinda girl.” Her gaze slid away to the wall behind him. “It’s been a long drought for me.”

The idea of her with another male raised his hackles. Not that he could complain. He’d been with his fair share of women. But logic didn’t always override emotion. His fingers closed into fists at his sides. A muscle flexed in his jaw. Another fluttered under his eye. “So you’re saying you haven’t had sex in a long time and want to indulge.” Hell, it was a single man’s dream—a no-strings-attached affair with a time limit. Problem was, he wasn’t single. He had a wife. But in name only.

“I wouldn’t put it quite so bluntly.” She nibbled on her bottom lip and scuffed the toe of her shoe against the ground before raising her head.

“How would you put it?” His voice was lower, his wolf pushing at the surface, demanding he mate her, tie her to him in every way possible.

Bailey took a half step back before stopping and squaring her shoulders. The one thing she didn’t lack was courage. Given the deadly vibes he was throwing off right now, most men—hell, most wolves—would have turned tail and fled.

“There’s nothing wrong with two healthy individuals indulging in sex, as long as we both know going in it’s just that—sex. When this is over, you’ll be on your way and there will be no hard feelings.” Her smile faltered when he didn’t respond, and she threw her hands in the air. “You know what? Forget it. It’s not worth the hassle.”

Chin in the air, she started to storm past him. He reached out an arm, snagged her around the waist, and reeled her in. “Not so fast.”

“I’m done here,” she protested, shoving at his arm.

“I accept.” There was nothing else he could do. No way was he letting her walk away. If agreeing to her terms was what it took to get close to her, he’d do it in a heartbeat. It was a no-brainer.

It also offered insight into the inner workings of her nimble mind. This proud she-wolf was attracted to him but wasn’t willing to risk her heart. This was her way of protecting herself while sating her physical needs. It infuriated him even as he understood. What she didn’t understand was it was doomed to fail. She’d said herself she wasn’t the type to have a one-night stand. No, Bailey kept a close lock on her heart, but when she opened it, she did it fully and gloriously. It was up to him to storm the gates and steal the keys to the castle.

“Maybe I changed my mind,” she muttered, making another half-hearted attempt to pull away.

He tightened his grip. “You want sex for as long as I’m here, right?”

She nodded, looking wary now, her earlier arousal banked. It wouldn’t take long to stoke the flames. The sparks between them were undeniable.

Nicholas lowered his head and brushed his lips over her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lush mouth. She was stiff in his arms, but the longer they kissed, the more she melted against him.

“Let me give you what you want.” He nipped at her jawline. “What you need.” Leaving a trail of kisses up her neck, he gently bit on her earlobe. Her moan was sweet music to his ears.

“Sex only.” Her stubborn insistence made him want to howl in frustration.

“Whatever you want.” She smiled, sure she’d won their battle of wills. It was up to him to change what she wanted, starting now. Scooping her into his arms, he carried her out of the forge.

“Where are we going?” She nibbled on his neck, distracting him from her question.

“Ah, away from the house.” If things got loud, he didn’t want to be interrupted by her family. The night closed around them like a welcoming hug. This was where he was most at home. The breeze was practically nonexistent. His skin burned with a fever of need.

He’d instinctually brought her to his campsite. The gurgle of gently flowing water greeted them. His camping gear was back in his truck, but the place where he’d made his bed was covered in soft moss.

Going down on his knees, he laid her on the ground and followed, capturing her lips. If she wanted sex, he’d give her a night she’d never forget.

Chapter Ten

I did it!

Heart racing, Bailey couldn’t believe her audacity. She’d proposed an affair and he’d accepted. It was everything she wanted. Why then was there a lingering sensation of being let down?

It was impossible to think with his tongue stroking hers. He tasted better than cake. That was sweet and light. He was more like dark chocolate—rich and decadent with a hint of bitterness to make it interesting.

The moss at her back was soft and welcoming. By contrast, Nicholas was hard and unyielding, his big body covering hers. He rested most of his weight on his forearms, but he let enough of it sit on her so she would be aware of him.

As if it was possible to forget.

He ground his hips against hers, the heavy bulge in his jeans rubbing against her core. Her panties were damp, the emptiness inside her longing to be filled.

He hadn’t spoken since they’d left the forge. Neither of them had. The time for words had passed.

She shoved her hands under his shirt, finding hard, hot skin. With a growl, he reared back and yanked the garment over his head. Instead of tossing it aside, he shoved it under her head as a makeshift pillow. His masculine scent rose around her. She wanted to turn her head into his shirt and rub her face all over it, but the bare chest he’d exposed was too tempting to ignore.

Releasing a rumbling growl, she ran her hands over the sculpted planes. There was the lightest dusting of hair in the center. When she grazed one of his flat nipples with her thumb, his biceps tightened and he hissed out a breath. She skimmed her palms down his abs, loving how they clenched beneath her touch.

His eyes were glowing; his face was carved from stone. Any other male wolf and she’d be afraid. Any other male wolf and she wouldn’t be in this situation. She’d never have trusted one enough to make herself this vulnerable.

The ring on her finger glinted in the moonlight. An owl hooted. A small animal scuttled in the nearby underbrush. There were no voices, no artificial light, and no signs of civilization. They were alone in the wilderness.

She’d never been more alive.

He sat back and drew her shirt over her head. Her bra was plain white, her breasts average. Groaning, he lowered his head and nuzzled the cotton fabric, dragging his tongue over the hard nubs trying to poke through.

Her nails dug into his biceps. Her legs moved restlessly. Bailey wanted to beg him to hurry, but she didn’t want to break the perfection of the silence.

He slipped his hand beneath her and found the hooks. The bra loosened and was pulled away. The expression on his face was one of awe, etched with a deep need that reached inside and plucked at her heartstrings.

“Nicholas.” His big body shuddered. His mouth slammed down on hers, swallowing whatever she might have said. Tongues tangled and passion rose. She clawed at his back, arching up and rubbing her breasts against his chest.

On a groan, he left a trail of hot kisses across her jaw and down her neck. Her nipples puckered even tighter when his hot breath fanned over them. It wasn’t enough. Grabbing a handful of his hair, she dragged him closer.

“Yes,” she groaned, as his teeth scraped over the sensitive flesh. The tip of his tongue flicked the sensitive bud. His hand covered her other breast, his fingers teasing and playing with the tip.

She bucked against him, releasing his hair and grabbing his perfect ass. Her breathing was frantic, her need for him out of control. She’d wanted men before, had made love to a boy in her hometown before her old life had fallen apart, but nothing had ever come close to this experience.

It was out of control, terrifying, and exhilarating. Greedily, she took, wanting more, wanting it all.

He dragged his tongue along the flat of her stomach, working his way down her body. When he didn’t move fast enough, she undid her jeans and began to wiggle out of them. His growl raised the fine hairs on her arms but didn’t slow her down.

He helped her, pulling off her shoes and socks, peeling her jeans and underwear off. Gloriously naked, she raised her hands over her head and arched her back. Her entire body glowed with perspiration, heat pumping off her skin. Alive and totally at home in her own skin, she embraced the sexual side of her nature.

Nicholas lowered his zipper and his cock popped out. It was thick and long and roped with dark veins. He went commando, no underwear to contain him. Humming with pleasure, she took him in hand. The heat and the throbbing of his shaft pulsed through her. His lungs expanded and contracted as he sucked in a huge breath.

A sense of power—of rightness—flowed through her as she pumped her hand up and down his shaft. On his knees before her, his head tilted back to expose the thick column of his neck, he looked like a pagan sacrifice, willingly offering himself.

A huge shudder wracked his body. With a low growl, he pounced. Burying his face between her legs, he feasted. No man had ever gone down on her before. It was a revelation. There was no part of her left unexplored. He used tongue and lips to taste and tease. Unerringly, he found the nub of nerves at the apex of her thighs and sucked on it.

She threw her forearm over her mouth to silence the scream. Balanced on the sharp edge of desire, she jerked her hips, needing something to push her over. Panting hard, she gripped his head, rolled her hips. Seeking. Searching.

A thick finger plunged into her core.

Her thighs trembled. Her heart was about to burst from her chest. Everything inside her stilled for a single second before exploding. Her lower body jerking, he continued to play with her clit, milking every last ounce of pleasure from the mind-blowing orgasm rocking her.

He added a second finger, stretching her, curling them inward as he withdrew, stroking the most wondrous spot that sent her off on another spasm.

Her pulse pounded in her ears, blocking all other sound. Every muscle went limp. She slumped against the ground, her lungs aching as she struggled to pull air into them.

Holy hell! She blinked, her vision coming back online after being temporarily blinded by passion. Big and unyielding, Nicholas knelt before her and licked his lips, the corners of his mouth turned up. He looked pleased with himself. And why wouldn’t he? He’d given her the best orgasm of her life.

Everything inside her clenched when he licked his fingers.

His cock jutted out from his groin. She might have come, but he was still hard. A deep yearning drowned the satisfaction of seconds before. Where there’d been contentment, now there was a throbbing emptiness.

He wrapped his hands around her thighs and pushed them open, making a place for himself between them. The broad head of his shaft pressed against her opening. The muscles in his arms trembled. The control he was exerting over himself was enormous.

“It’s okay,” she told him.

The snap was almost audible. He flexed his hips and plunged inside.

****

Sweet and spicy, her taste lingered on his lips. He wanted to eat her out again. Now that he’d tasted perfection, no other woman would ever do.

Go slow. Go slow.

He repeated the mantra, reminding himself it had been a long time for her. She was tight, two of his fingers stretching her.

With two simple words, she destroyed his good intentions. With “It’s okay” echoing in his head, his hips flexed, driving deep, compelled by primal need.

He gritted his teeth to keep from coming as her silky core closed around him, the inner muscles loosening and softening to accommodate him. He held still and prayed he wasn’t hurting her. She fit him like a tight glove. His balls were hard as rocks and desperately trying to climb into his body to find relief.

It was like coming home.

When she clamped her thighs around his hips and dug her heels into his ass, he lost it. On a roar, he pulled almost all the way out and plunged in again. The rhythm was almost punishing as he pushed himself, and her, to the brink. He clenched his teeth, wanting it to last, but lost it when she squeezed her sex around him.

Throwing back his head, he howled, proclaiming to the inhabitants of the woods he’d claimed his mate. His orgasm blasted from his balls and out the top of his shaft. Hands hard on her hips, he held on. He’d likely leave bruises but couldn’t make himself ease up.

The base of his cock swelled, locking him inside her. He fell forward and rolled, taking her with him so she was sprawled on top of him. She buried her face against the curve of his neck and went limp.

All the stars in the sky didn’t come close to the brilliance of the woman in his arms. He lightly trailed his fingers up and down her back, as much to soothe her as himself.

This had been more than sex. This had been a joining of two souls. The restlessness, the emptiness inside him was gone, banished by Bailey’s presence. He’d found his purpose in life. All he had to do was keep her.

“You tensed up. Are you okay?” She pushed herself upright, driving his dick deeper. Thanks to his werewolf genetics, he was still hard as a rock. He could go several times without needing a recovery period.

Her hair was damp, some of it stuck to her forehead. He smoothed it off her face. “Perfect. You?”

“Mmm.” She wiggled and then moaned. “I’m doing great.”

Her unrestrained pleasure dragged a chuckle out of him. “You’re better than great.” He took her left hand in his and twined their fingers together.

She bit her lower lip. “Ah, I should have mentioned I’m not on birth control. I mean, there wasn’t a reason for me to be on it. The chances of me getting pregnant are slim to none, but Emmett and I are proof it can happen. I mean, I’m part wolf and so are you. Full wolf, I mean. And I’m babbling.” She clamped her lips shut, seeming disgruntled with herself.

Wonder spread through him, carrying with it a gentle warmth. The idea of her growing large with his child filled him with joy.

“I know that’s the last thing you’d want.”

And the bubble burst. “I’d take care of you and any child.” He held her hips when she started to pull away, not ready to let her go.

Sighing, she settled back. “You’re not responsible for me.”

His jaw tightened. “The child would be mine, too.”

“It’s hypothetical. The odds are against me getting pregnant, but going forward we should be careful. I have enough on my hands now.”

His frustration cooled. She was right. If they decided to have children in the future, it would be when, or if, she was ready. “I’ll buy condoms.”

She nodded and walked her fingers up his chest. “I guess I should get off you now.”

He shook his head. “Damage is already done tonight. No point closing the barn door after the horse is gone.” Maybe he wasn’t being fair, but once wasn’t enough. Whether she admitted it or not, this was their wedding night. It wasn’t a mating, which was more binding than any human ceremony, but it meant the same to him.

Wife, mate, partner, lover—Bailey was all that and more.

“You’ve got a clever tongue on you, LaForge.”

“I could use it on you again,” he promised.

She shivered and clucked her tongue. “That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s what I meant.” An idea came to him, one that would appeal to her independent nature. “You be in charge this time. You’re already on top.” He eased her up slightly and then pulled her back down. She gasped and then groaned.

“You’re a bad influence,” she complained, even as she raised and lowered herself again. Her breasts swayed, the taut nipples an invitation.

“I only want what’s best for you.” There was no teasing this time, only the raw truth.

She stilled, sensing his seriousness. “I know. Thank you for all you’ve done.”

Gratitude had no place between them, especially not tonight. “Fuck me. Take me.” Keep me, he wanted to yell. Reaching between their bodies, he found her clit and rubbed his thumb over the nub. She moaned, totally natural about her sexuality. It was a huge turn-on and somewhat of a surprise. He’d half expected her to be uptight, but she was as open with her passion as any female wolf.

She might be a half-breed, but she was all wolf. That she could shift was a miracle, a rare feat, and a testament to her strength. He had no doubt it was sheer willpower that had brought on her first shift. She was an alpha to her core, and being able to access both human and wolf made her stronger.

Placing her hands on his chest, she began to rock. Letting go of his thoughts and worries, he drank in her natural beauty. She was a woodland goddess, taking what was rightfully hers.

He cupped her breasts, playing with the tips, rolling them between his fingers as she rode him. Her glorious red hair tumbled around her shoulders, a fiery halo. Her green eyes began to glow. Her skin rippled, her wolf close to the surface.

The wildness in her called to the same inside him.

“Nicholas,” she gasped, grinding her clit against his pelvis. The tiny flutters in her core were a sign of her impending orgasm. She kept going, becoming more frustrated with each second as she grabbed for something just out of reach.

On a growl, he rolled so she was on her back. Shoving her legs up and out, he fucked her hard and fast. Her yell echoed in his ears. Her core squeezed his cock, dragging him over the edge with her.

This time, he collapsed on top of her, moving enough of his upper body aside so he didn’t completely crush her. They were both gasping as though they’d run flat out for miles. The night slowly came alive again, the creatures moving around them, accepting them as a part of the landscape.

“So, I get to be in charge? Right.” She actually gave a small snort.

He gave a lazy shrug, too sated to worry. “Seemed like the thing to do at the time.”

She laughed and then groaned. “I’m going to be sore tomorrow.”

Frowning, he gritted his teeth and eased out of her, even though he was still swollen. He hated the separation. “You don’t heal quickly?” He’d never considered the differences between her and a full-blooded wolf. Just because she could shift didn’t mean she had all the same attributes.

“Faster than a human, but it’s not instantaneous or anything. And I don’t get sick. Considering the price of healthcare, that’s a huge plus.” She put her hands on the ground and pushed herself upright. “I used muscles I haven’t in a long time.” She shot him a lighthearted grin. “Not that I’m complaining.”

Neither was he, but he hated the idea of her hurting in any way, even if it was only minor muscle aches. “Let’s get you home.” He plucked her shirt off the ground and shook it before handing it to her. “You can soak in a hot bath.”

“Sounds like an excellent plan. Even better if the leftover piece of cake is still in the fridge.” She pulled her top on and then her jeans before stuffing her feet into her sneakers. She grabbed her socks, underwear, and bra and stuffed them in her back pockets. “Let’s go. The kids are likely wondering where we are.”

It wouldn’t be a secret what they’d done. They smelled of sex and each other. Even if the kids were in bed, the older ones would know.

Slinging an arm around her shoulders, he guided her toward the path to home.

Chapter Eleven

Bailey groaned as she stretched. Not because anything hurt—the hot bath and a night’s sleep had taken care of her aches—but because she had to face Nicholas this morning.

She opened her eyes and was momentarily blinded by the sunlight pouring through the window. Wow, she’d really overslept. The sunrise and she were on intimate terms. Most of her best work was done early.

Not today.

She dragged a pillow over her face, absently wondering if she could smother herself with it so she didn’t have to deal with the problems waiting outside her door.

On a frustrated growl, she shoved the pillow aside and sat up. She grabbed her phone, shocked to discover it was almost noon. This was way past sleeping in.

“Crap.” Jumping out of bed, she hurried toward her closet, tripping on a sneaker and almost going headfirst into the wall. Her clothing was strewn over the floor where she’d dropped it last night. That was so unlike her. She liked everything in its place.

“It’s his fault,” she grumbled, not caring that she was being unfair. The day was already warm, her sleep shorts and tank stuck to her skin, so she went with the daytime version, donning jean shorts and a green tank with a built-in bra.

She started toward the door but stopped, whirled around, and made the bed. That done, the dirty clothes went into the laundry basket. The room looked the same as it did every morning, but everything seemed different, as though it no longer fit.

Or maybe it was her that no longer fit the space.

Closing her eyes, she took a centering breath, then another. “I can do this.” But the pep talk fell flat. Wrapping her arms around her upper body, she hugged herself tight. She’d had sex before, but nothing had prepared her for the explosion of passion between her and Nicholas.

Sex in the moonlight on the bare ground had seemed natural and right. What that said about her, she wasn’t sure. Might be best not to examine it too closely. She’d always been self-conscious around men. Last night, something inside her had opened up and she’d embraced it. The wildness she kept under wraps had broken loose.

He understood her, accepted her. There was freedom in that. She hadn’t needed to maintain control or worry about giving herself away in some manner. For the first time in her life, she’d been with a man and truly been herself.

It was partially because he was a wolf, but mostly because he was Nicholas.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, ignoring the invisible weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders. All her talk of it being nothing more than sex between two healthy adults fell flat in the light of day. “You’re so stupid,” she muttered.

What had she done? She’d connected on an emotional level. Keeping things lighthearted had been harder than she’d anticipated. She’d done one hell of an acting job. Fortunately, he’d bought it.

She’d made the rules and he’d agreed to them. She couldn’t arbitrarily change them because she had feelings for him. Opening her eyes, she stared at the ring on her finger. Relief washed over her. It was totally understandable that last night was emotional. It wasn’t every day she got married. She’d had certain expectations, even subconsciously.

These softer emotions would dissipate over time. Proximity and daily interaction would expose all his flaws, which would cool things off.

Satisfied with her assessment of herself and the situation, she strode confidently from her room, a smile on her face, only to falter when there was no one around to greet her.

“Seriously?” After psyching herself up, it had all been for nothing. And where was Nicholas? Shouldn’t he be hanging around waiting for her?

Swallowing a groan, she headed for the coffeepot. “You need caffeine.” After all her self-talk about keeping things cool, she was acting like a jilted lover or a disgruntled newlywed.

While she waited for the coffee to brew, she stared out the kitchen window. It was unusually quiet. Where were the kids? She wasn’t really worried. Emmett would have taken charge, and Waya and Henry were independent souls. One or all of them would watch out for Eliza.

On bare feet, she padded to the door and out onto the porch. Chickens pecked the ground in their coop. The cows were in the pasture, soaking up the sun and flicking away flies with their tails. The air was heavy and still, thick with the heat and buzzing of insects.

Nicholas’s truck was gone.

She sat down hard on one of the deck chairs and swallowed heavily. Had he left for good? Adrenaline surged through her. Jumping to her feet, she yelled, “Emmett. Waya? Henry? Eliza?” Each call was met with silence. “No! No! No!” Panicked, she ran to the forge and then the barn. Both were empty.

Breathing heavily, she raced for the house and grabbed her keys. He’d taken the kids. Her wolf heartbrokenly howled inside her. She’d trusted him, let down her guard, and this was the result.

Heart pounding, she raced for her vehicle and stopped. She had no idea where to even begin looking for them. “Think, damn it.” Going off half-cocked wasn’t going to help anyone. What did she really know about him? Was any of it real? The furniture business? Where had he told the CPS worker it was located?

“North Carolina.” She’d start there. The coffeepot was on. The house was unlocked, and she was shoeless. Not to mention she needed her purse. Swearing, she raced toward the house, making a mental list of everything she needed to do in case she never returned—get the kids’ go-bags, let the animals out of their pens, lock the house up tight, transfer the funds from the local bank into the one under her new identity… The list went on, but she could get it all done efficiently and quickly.

Emmett! Like her, he had a cheap prepaid phone. She’d try calling.

She’d barely cleared the front door when she heard a vehicle coming up the drive. Bolting back outside, her mouth went dry as the familiar truck rolled to a stop. Emmett was grinning as he jumped out. The other kids bailed out after him. Nicholas leaned on his opened door and smiled. “Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon.”

Black spots appeared in front of her eyes. She staggered and sat down hard on the ground. Her kids were safe. Her chest tightened, the urge to cry almost too much to contain.

Nicholas was on his knees in front of her, taking her face in his hands. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?” Not waiting for her reply, he lifted her into his arms, stood, and carried her into the house. The kids were all talking at once. She’d reassure them as soon as she could find her voice.

He set her on the sofa. “Get her some water, will you?” She had no idea which one of them he’d asked, but a glass was thrust in front of her within seconds. “Take it slowly,” he cautioned, holding it to her lips. The cool liquid eased down her tight throat.

“I’m okay. I’m fine.” Nicholas sat on the sofa at her hip. Emmett and Waya hovered, concern etched on their faces. Henry sat in the chair by the window with Eliza curled up next to him. “Where were you?”

Nicholas frowned. “Didn’t you read the note I left?”

“Note?” She followed his finger to the kitchen table, where a slip of white paper lay.

“I figured you’d see it there.” His jaw tightened. His features became grim. “You thought I took them.” It wasn’t a question. He already knew the answer from her reaction. Rather than storm out or rant, a deep sadness filled his golden gaze. “What will it take for you to believe I’d never hurt any of you, that all I want is to protect you?”

Without waiting for an answer, he headed for the door. “Where are you going?” she asked, hating that she’d hurt him.

“What do you care?”

She flinched, deserving that shot.

“For a walk,” he called over his stiff shoulders. The door closed quietly behind him. It was worse than if he’d slammed it.

Four faces stared back, some hurt, some accusing. “I woke up alone and couldn’t find you. What was I supposed to think?” While she felt justified in her belief, guilt sat heavily on her chest. “Where were you?”

“Nicholas wanted to give you time to sleep so he took us out for breakfast.” Emmett seemed older—all the kids did. The events of the past few days had changed them. “And before you freak out, the two younger ones ducked behind the seats and we took the food down by the river, made a picnic out of it.” Emmett sighed and rolled his shoulders. “It was his suggestion we leave the note.” He walked over to the table, picked it up, and held it out to her. “It has his phone number on it. His father’s, too.”

She took the paper and studied the bold writing. “I overreacted. I’m sorry.” She’d spoiled their good mood. They’d been laughing when they’d arrived home. Now they were as somber as mourners at a funeral.

And maybe it was the death of her new marriage. Maybe Nicholas would finally decide they were too much trouble, that she was too much trouble, and walk away.

And again, she wasn’t being fair to him. “I’ll talk to him. I’m not used to trusting anyone else with your safety.”

Waya crouched by her side and put his hand on her arm. “Without trust, we are alone. If I, if any of us,” he motioned to Henry and Eliza, “had not taken a chance, we’d still be out in the world alone.”

“When did you get to be so damn smart?” She ruffled his thick, dark hair.

“I’ve always been smart. I hide it sometimes. Better that people think you’re dumb. Gives you an edge.”

That he’d had to learn that at his age broke her heart, but he was right. All the kids had taken a chance on her, given her the benefit of the doubt. And it hadn’t always been smooth sailing.

She stood and opened her arms. “Give me a hug.” They all crowded around her. Lifting Eliza into her arms, she asked, “Did you have a good time?”

The girl nodded, but she remained solemn.

“I’m sorry I overreacted. I was worried about you.”

“You hurt his feelings,” she whispered, burying her face in Bailey’s neck.

“I didn’t mean to. I’ll apologize.” It was the least she could do. She handed the girl off to her brother. “Hold down the fort. I’ll be back in a while.”

“Bailey,” Henry called after her.

“Yes?”

“He went that way.” He pointed toward the river.

She might have guessed. “Thanks.”

****

Nicholas sat on a patch of grass that edged the riverbank with his arms rested on his bent knees and tossed another rock in the water. The water rippled outward in concentric circles. Life was like that. Every action sent ripples through the world. Whether for good or bad, you couldn’t always tell until it was too late.

She’d thought he’d taken the kids. The panic on her face, the way she’d gone white as a sheet and dropped to the ground, would haunt him for the rest of his life. In trying to do something to make her life better, he’d made it worse.

Tilting his head back, he squinted against the sun, letting it drive out some of the chill from his soul. After last night, he’d hoped they’d connected on some level, even if it was only physical.

He missed his brother, his family, his pack. They’d come if he needed them, but their presence would only make things worse. If she couldn’t bring herself to trust him, the sight of his father would make her run for the hills and never look back.

He rubbed his hand over his chest. The ache radiated out from the center of his being. Even his wolf was quiet.

“Give her time.” He’d learned focus at a young age. Was willing to work to get what he wanted. Welcomed a challenge. Up until now, things had fallen into line for him, everything he’d wanted coming fairly easily.

He was the irresistible force. She the immovable object. The collision was to be expected. Didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like a son of a bitch.

His sensitive ears caught the sound of someone getting closer. Expecting it to be Waya or Emmett, it surprised him to see Bailey. The jean shorts she wore left little to the imagination, leaving her long, supple legs bare. The tank top lovingly cupped her breasts and left her slender neck and strong arms and broad shoulders bare. Her hair was tousled, as if she’d run her fingers through it many times. The color was back in her face.

“This seat taken?” She indicated the ground next to him.

Was she here to demand he leave? She wouldn’t ask for a divorce, not yet. She needed his protection, if only on paper. “It’s free.” Strapping down his wayward emotions, he vowed to be logical, to counter her every argument.

They sat there a few minutes, the silence strained, she lost in thought and he trying to imagine what was going through her mind.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted.

Totally unexpected, it took him a few seconds to process. He shook his head, not sure he’d heard correctly. “You’re sorry?”

“Yes.” She fell back onto the ground beside him, one arm over her face, the other resting on her stomach. “It was a knee-jerk reaction. It didn’t occur to me to even look for a note.”

Sprawling on his side, he eased her arm down, needing to see her face. She turned her head, her eyes filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, too.” It hadn’t occurred to him that she’d view his actions in a negative light, and it should have. “I should have woken you long enough to tell you where we were going.”

She gave a ragged laugh. “Aren’t we a pair? Both of us are sorry for following our instincts.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “What if this doesn’t work? This marriage? I know it’s temporary, but we have to find a way to get along.”

The pulse in her neck fluttered wildly. When he leaned in and pressed his lips against it, she shivered. “There’s one way we get along.” His voice was husky with relief. She wasn’t sending him away, was trying to compromise. He couldn’t ask for anything more.

Her moans made every part of his body stand up and take notice. “On that we agree. Thank you for making last night wonderful.”

He wanted to promise her they’d never be at odds again, but that would be a lie. They were both strong-willed people and would butt heads on occasion. There was one thing he could promise. “I won’t take the kids again without telling you. I figured you could use the sleep, but didn’t think they’d let you. They were all up early, hyped from yesterday’s events, not to mention all the sugar they ate last night.”

She reached up and touched her fingers to his cheek. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

“They’re protective of you. They all grilled me over breakfast.”

“They did not, did they?” Her pleased smile loosened some of the tension gripping his guts.

“It was subtle but there. They understand the situation, but don’t want me taking advantage of you, especially the boys.” As he’d assumed, they’d understood full well what had happened between him and Bailey last night. “I assured them nothing happened that you didn’t welcome.”

“That must have been an awkward conversation.” She wrinkled her nose, her green eyes twinkling with delight. “Wish I’d heard it.”

“You would.” He shook his head. “Because of Eliza, they talked around it, but their meaning was clear. Hurt or take advantage of you and I’m in for a world of pain. You have four young protectors. You’re their alpha, but they’d die for you.” That was a huge responsibility and honor.

Her eyes filled with tears. One escaped and trickled down her temple. On a groan, he leaned down and licked it away. “I didn’t say it to make you sad.”

“I’m not sad, not really. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

Nicholas wanted to say he understood, but he wasn’t sure he did. While he’d always taken responsibility for the protection of his brother and younger friends in the pack, the knowledge that their parents were there, ready and willing to step in if it became necessary, kept the pressure at a minimum. Bailey was truly on her own.

“You’re really not mad?” she asked, as if she didn’t believe it. “I half expected you to pack up and leave. I wouldn’t have blamed you.”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the gold band he’d slipped on her finger. “I’m in it for the long haul.” It would probably scare her if she understood he had no intentions of ever walking away. “We’ll disagree, I have no doubt. We’re both stubborn and born alphas.”

She groaned and laughed. “Your certainty is not comforting.”

“It’s the truth. We’re on a steep learning curve here. Some fireworks are to be expected.” He nipped at her chin, delving into her mouth when her lips parted on a shocked gasp. “And some fireworks can be fun.”

“I see what you’re doing.” She grabbed a hank of his hair and tugged. “You’re trying to distract me with sex.”

“Is it working?”

“Yes, damn you.”

Pleasure bloomed inside him. They’d gotten past their first big test, but not without a few bruises. And speaking of bruises, “How are you feeling after last night?”

Her cheeks turned a flattering shade of pink. “I’m fine.”

“No aches or pains?”

“Trust me on this.”

“Hmm.” He slipped his hand under the hem of her tank, finding smooth, taut flesh. “Maybe I should check for myself. Think of it as a benefit, a reward for both of us for surviving our first fight.”

“I’ve always wondered if books and movies are right, if makeup sex really is as hot as they make it out to be.” Her words were light, but concern clouded her beautiful eyes.

“It’s whatever we want it to be, whatever we make it.” He leaned down again but paused. “The kids?”

“They’re unsettled by what happened. I should get back.”

“We should get back.” A not so subtle reminder they were in this together. But neither of them moved. “Soon.” He took her mouth in a searing kiss, tasting the desperation on her lips. She’d been as shaken by this morning as he had. His wolf pawed inside him, wanting out, wanting to run. He calmed the beast, not willing to give up this time with Bailey. “I can be fast,” he assured her.

Smiling, she yanked his shirt over his head. “Fast works for me.”

They’d weathered this storm, but it was only the first of many to come. Time to remind her of one of the benefits of having him around.

Within seconds, they were naked—and he proved that fast could be very, very satisfying.

Chapter Twelve

Five days later, Bailey looked out the kitchen window and watched Nicholas walk toward the house with Emmett. Head tilted down, he listened intently to whatever her brother was saying. His shirt was off, his skin gleaming with sweat both from work and the midday heat. He was sliding easily into the everyday rhythm of their life—too easily.

Swearing under her breath, she turned her attention back to the tomatoes she was slicing for sandwiches. It was too hot to cook until evening and maybe not even then.

Counting down their footsteps in her head, she was prepared when the back door opened and the two of them stepped inside. His gaze unerringly found her. Their eyes met and the air seemed to snap around them.

“I’m grabbing a quick shower,” Emmett called as he exited the room.

“You should get cleaned up, too.” It wasn’t easy trying to act nonchalant, not with her husband standing there all hot and sweaty, a lock of his dark brown hair plastered to his forehead and a grin on his face. Beneath the earthy smells of the cows and hay and dirt lay his natural musky scent. It drew her like a moth to a flame.

He joined her at the counter and nuzzled her neck. She scrunched her shoulders up toward her head, ignoring the goose bumps racing down her arms and the tightening of her nipples.

She barely swallowed back a groan and rested the tip of the knife on the cutting board. Her hand was shaking too much to wield it safely.

“What can I do to help?” His husky voice murmured in her ear, hot breath fanning over her skin.

Strip naked and let her jump on him. That’s what she wanted to say. She cleared her throat. “I have it under control, but you could call the kids.” Anything to get him away from her before she melted into a puddle at his feet.

He trailed his forefinger down her arm before stepping away. “I can do that.”

She breathed a sigh of relief when he stepped away. Every inch of her skin was sensitized. After their fight and subsequent makeup sex at the river, she’d decided to take a step back and reassess things. It might be like closing the barn door after the cow had escaped, but she didn’t care.

She was already too close. She’d had five nights of lying in bed staring up at the ceiling, her body aching for his touch. If that was only after having sex twice, what would it be like a week from now, a month from now? Taking care of her needs in the shower hadn’t cooled her desires one little bit. If anything, it had left her even more restless.

He’d ruined her for any other man.

Once again, Nicholas had done the unexpected. He hadn’t pushed, hadn’t complained about bunking on the couch or tried to talk his way into her bedroom.

She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or insulted.

No, the sneaky wolf was subtler than that. She was beginning to understand how he worked. He’d found every excuse in the book to touch her. Oh, nothing overt. It was all subtle—like kissing her neck and running a finger down her arm. But those touches added up over time. Now she was a ticking time bomb of desire ready to explode.

Maybe he was trying to get her to jump him. If that was his plan, it was working. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold out, wasn’t sure she wanted to.

The kids stormed in, saving her from her lustful thoughts. “Wash your hands before you sit down.” Henry, who’d been halfway on his seat, popped back up and headed for the kitchen sink. Waya helped Eliza before doing his own.

Not waiting to be asked, Nicholas took the jugs of milk and sweet tea out of the fridge and started filling glasses, well aware of who wanted what. Another sign he’d integrated into their lives.

“Waya, grab the cold cuts.” The bread was already on the table. She added the cutting board with shredded lettuce and tomato slices.

Emmett strolled into the room, his damp hair dripping on his shoulders. “Good timing,” she told him. “The work is done.”

With a laugh, he retrieved the mustard and mayo. “Here’s my contribution.”

They all sat in their usual places, except for her brother. That was one change this past week. He’d given up his seat for Nicholas, who sat opposite her.

“I have to run to the post office this afternoon,” she announced. It wasn’t her normal day, but her schedule had been thrown off this past week. “I have a dozen online orders that have to be shipped. I’ve started a grocery list on the counter. If there’s anything you need, add it, and I’ll do my best to pick it up while I’m in town.” The kids were hesitant to ask for things. It was easier for them to write it down. Bailey couldn’t always accommodate them, but she did what she could. It was the same reason she made sure they all contributed in some small way to each meal—it gave them a sense of belonging, of contributing to the pack.

“I’ll go with you.” It was more an announcement than an offer.

Gritting her teeth, she sent Nicholas what she hoped was a smile. “I can manage on my own.” And it was partly to give herself a few hours away from him.

Frowning, he stopped building his giant sandwich—the man had a huge appetite. “I don’t think that’s wise.”

Bristling, she carefully wiped her hands on her napkin. “And why not.” Resting her elbows on the table, she steepled her fingers together. “I’ve been doing it on my own for years.”

“You’re married now. Word would have gotten around. The people at the county office, the judge’s secretary, hell the judge himself probably mentioned it. We should be seen together.” He flicked his gaze to Waya. “If the caseworker hears anything or asks around, it would be better if she believes the marriage is real.”

Everyone went silent. Waya glared at Nicholas.

“I hadn’t considered that.” And she should have. She was so wound up, hoping for a respite from the sexual pull between them, that she hadn’t considered the reason he was still here. “You’re right.” Needing a second to compose herself, she took a sip from her glass of sweet tea, the drink he’d poured for her. “We shouldn’t be gone more than a couple of hours. Three tops, depending on lines at the post office and grocery store.”

Conversation resumed, but it wasn’t the bright banter of earlier. She wasn’t the only one affected by his presence. The boys hung on his every word, even Waya, which surprised her. But there was something about Nicholas that was solid and dependable.

Waya shoved back from the table. “I’m done.” Without another word, he slammed out the back door.

She started to go after him, but Nicholas grabbed his sandwich off his plate and followed. “I’ll talk to him. Don’t leave without me.”

The door closed again, this time more softly. Emmett cleared his throat. “Is he really leaving when this is done?”

Appetite gone, she pushed aside her plate. “He has a life and family.”

“We’re his family, aren’t we?” Eliza asked. The girl’s eyes were wide and luminous.

“For now.” Shoving up from her chair, she crouched beside the girl, wondering how she could explain it so she’d understand. “He cares for all of us.” She brushed Eliza’s golden braid over her shoulder. “But it’s not fair to ask him to stay.”

“Why not?”

God, things were so simple when you were ten. Although that wasn’t fair. The child had already been through abuse, loss, and heartache, still had nightmares—which had stopped with Nicholas’s arrival. Funny how she’d only just realized that.

“He’d stay if you asked him. He likes you.” she picked up her sandwich and calmly began eating.

Henry was silently eating, but her brother cleared his throat. “He fits in well around here.”

It wasn’t anything she hadn’t thought a dozen times herself. “We don’t need to worry about it right this moment.” She was putting him off and he knew it.

Her brother grabbed the rest of his sandwich and stood. “I’ll take Henry and Eliza foraging with me later. I saw a patch of blackberries yesterday that are ripe for the picking.” Mushrooms, wild greens, and berries abounded, allowing them to supplement their food supplies.

“Maybe you should take Waya.” She glanced out the window. There was no sign of either him or Nicholas. “I should have gone after him.”

“No.” The finality in her brother’s voice gave her pause. “He’s better off with Nicholas.”

She didn’t flinch, even though it felt as though he’d flayed her bare skin. “I see.” The longer Nicholas was around, the more the others looked to him and not her. Was that why she was so keen to be rid of him? It was a lowering thought, even if it might be accurate. He was usurping her place without even trying.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Emmett detoured to her end of the table and kissed her cheek. “Sometimes a guy needs to talk to a guy. I’ll be ready to go in about an hour,” he called out. “I’ll be in the barn until then if you need me.”

Henry glanced at her and then longingly at Emmett’s back. “Go on,” she told him. So much for a family lunch. “What about you?” she asked Eliza.

“I like eating with you.”

At least someone did. “I appreciate the company.” She snagged the pad of paper and pen from the counter. “Is there anything you want to add to the list?”

****

Nicholas followed Waya, waiting until they were far enough from the house that they wouldn’t be overheard. “Don’t make me chase you.”

As he’d expected, the teen whirled around, fury darkening his face. “What do you care? You’re not staying.” He took a step forward, asserting his dominance.

Hands loose by his sides, in case he had to defend himself, he stared the boy down.

“You’re not different from the rest,” he muttered, spinning around to walk away.

“What rest?”

He whirled back around. “All those do-gooders who take you in, and then decide you’re too much trouble and return you like you’re a defective product.”

It broke his heart to think of that happening to such a proud kid. “Is that what happened to you? What about your parents?”

“Parents?” His laugh was bitter. “I’m not sure I ever really had any. My old man didn’t stick around after I was born. My mom went to the store one day and never came back. I was eight. Someone must have called the cops. For all I know, she did.”

“What about pack. You’re full-blooded?”

“My mom was running from hers. She never talked about them. I have no idea who they are or where to find them. The only thing my dad did for me was name me.”

“Waya is a good name.”

He snorted. “My real name is Liam Hennessey.” He held his arms out by his side, a teen in a man’s body. “I’m a full-blooded wolf but a half-breed human. My dad was white Irish. His family is somewhere in Ireland. I think he was here on holiday or a work visa and decided to go back home when things got too real. Waya is the Cherokee word for wolf. I’m not sure of my mother’s tribe, but I like the name. It says who I am, what I am. I chose it.” He pointed at his chest. “After running away from my last foster home. It’s not easy for a kid like me. Too many folks are prejudice—not white enough for some, too white for others.”

Nicholas wanted to wrap his arms around the boy, but he wasn’t ready for it. He was like a wild animal longing for a gentle hand but not trusting it wouldn’t hurt him.

He’d trusted Bailey enough to stay. That spoke volumes about the woman he loved.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Another snort. “That’s not what you said.”

Deciding to be straight with him, Nicholas put his hands on his hips and sighed. “Bailey isn’t exactly open to the idea of me sticking around.”

“Why? Did you hurt her?” Hands fisted, he stalked forward.

“Control your anger,” he snapped. “Your wolf is making you extra aggressive. If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one.”

The teen’s chin snapped up and he growled. Nicholas growled back, exerting dominance. Not enough to crush the boy’s spirit, but enough to remind him who was alpha. And wasn’t that the gist of the problem?

“I would never hurt Bailey or any other female. No male of any honor would.”

Waya rubbed his hands over his arms, likely feeling the ripple of his wolf beneath the skin. The boy was extremely close to his first shift. “Then why?”

“She’s alpha of this pack.”

Like a lightbulb going off, the teen’s eyes widened and he nodded. “If you stay, you’ll be alpha.”

“She’ll be female alpha, but I’ll be male alpha.” She, like most, would naturally believe he’d take control. And maybe he would, but only in situations if she or the kids were in danger. Otherwise, he was happy to share the responsibilities with her. “And like you,” he continued, “she’s been hurt, doesn’t fully trust. Everything happened so fast. She needs time. It’s my job to give her whatever she needs. She needs to learn, to understand I’m not going anywhere. If she kicks me out, I’ll be back camping by the river.”

Waya studied him for a long time before nodding. “If it comes to that, I’ll sneak you in for the occasional hot shower.”

Laughing, he slapped the teen on the back. “I appreciate that. We need to get back. Bailey’s probably worried about you.”

That spurred him on like nothing else would. All the kids loved her. He was no different. The woman was pure magic. She was tough—she’d had to be—but her heart was tender, whether she’d admit it or not.

“And I don’t want her going into town without me.” He wouldn’t put it past her to slip away while he was gone. Her independence had been challenged. “We good?”

“As long as you keep your word.”

“A male, human or wolf, is only as good as his word. I don’t give mine lightly.” That was only one of the many things his father had taught him. It felt good to pass the lesson along to another generation. He wanted Bailey, and he wanted this pack for his own.

Waya was silent on the way back. He wasn’t sullen but lost in his thoughts. Nicholas reached around him and opened the door, surprised to find Bailey and Eliza still at the table, their heads bent over a notepad.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

Waya nodded and glanced down at the floor. “Sorry about running off like that.”

Bailey pushed back her chair and pulled the boy into her arms. “Smith Pack forever,” she whispered.

He laughed and hugged her back. “Smith Pack forever.”

Nicholas was on the outside once again. It wasn’t intentional. He had the impression this was something they said often, a ritual to bind them, to remind them they were part of something bigger than themselves. His wife was an amazing woman and an incredible alpha.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

“Give me five minutes.”

He couldn’t read the look she sent him. Was she pissed off or happy with him? Time would tell. He’d find out soon enough. “I’ll be out by the truck.” Needing some air and time to himself, he left the three of them.

The yard was empty, but he could hear Emmett and Henry in the barn. He hadn’t been here long, but this place was in his blood, as much home as North Carolina. It was the people who made a place a home. Any piece of land would do as long as those that lived on it were safe. He had a better understanding of his father’s willingness to move the Salvation Pack from what had been their home for decades. Keeping everyone safe was more important than anything. You could rebuild anywhere as long as you had your pack.

Tilting back his head and closing his eyes, he let the soothing sounds of the birds, bees, and other insects calm him. The sun warmed his skin. His wolf was restless for a run. Soon he’d release him and give them both what they needed.

Exactly five minutes had passed when Bailey stepped out onto the porch. His eyes snapped open. She’d brushed her hair and clipped it back, maybe splashed some water on her face, and swiped on some lip balm. From what he’d noticed—and he’d spent hours watching her—that was the extent of her everyday beauty routine.

Whether it was by choice or because there wasn’t money for extras, he couldn’t say. The females in his pack didn’t wear much makeup—their senses were heightened and they all hated synthetic products of any kind—but he’d often overheard them discussing skincare and lipstick, excited about the array of new natural products on the market. There might have been more, but at that point, he’d always turned tail and walked away. Now he wished he’d listened more.

She didn’t need anything to enhance her beauty, but a woman always appreciated a little pampering. Or so he’d heard his mother say. He’d give it some thought.

“Ready?” he asked.

“I have packages in the forge. It will only take me a second to get them.”

“I’ll get them.” She was more than capable of handling them, but there was no need for her to fetch and carry, not when he was around.

She looked as though she might argue but shrugged. “Suit yourself. They’re in a bin on the workbench.”

Oh, he planned to suit himself. She’d been keeping her distance, but she couldn’t hide the sights and smell of her desire. As long as she wanted him, he’d find a way to get past whatever else worried her.

Chapter Thirteen

Hot air streamed through the open truck window. She preferred it to the air conditioning, enjoying the fresh scent of the wildflowers that perfumed it. The dust wasn’t fun, but it was a trade-off she could live with. They’d been on the road for five minutes, and Nicholas still hadn’t mentioned anything about what he and Waya had talked about.

She tapped her fingers on her leg. Finally, her patience snapped. “Well?” He glanced her way, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly as he squinted against the glare. “And why aren’t you wearing sunglasses?” The sun was shining straight in the front windshield.

“I forgot them back at the house. And well what?”

“Waya.”

He relaxed and kept on driving. “We came to an understanding.” He adjusted the visor. It helped, just not a lot.

Digging into her bag, she pulled out her spare pair of sunglasses. Hers were always being broken, misplaced, or “borrowed” by one of the kids, so she always had an extra pair on hand. They came from the dollar store and, lucky for him, had hot pink frames. “Here.” She held out the colorful glasses.

His laugh came from deep in his belly, making her lips twitch. “Thanks.” He plucked them from her fingers and perched them on his nose. They should have looked ridiculous. Instead, they emphasized his masculinity—the sharp bone structure of his face, his firm lips, and his iron jaw.

“Now tell me about Waya. And don’t even think about saying it’s a guy thing.”

From the way his lips tightened, she figured he’d been about to do just that. “Wouldn’t think of it. His wolf is close.”

She dumped her bag back onto the floor. “Yeah, I’ve felt it.” It was like prickles beneath her skin, her female bristling at having another male wolf around, needing to display dominance. “What does that have to do with your conversation?” He wasn’t going to distract her.

“Everything. He’s more on edge, testy.” He slowed the truck to allow another one to pull into a driveway. “His feelings are more extreme. I had to reassure him I wasn’t going to abandon any of you.”

Crap, she’d been afraid of that. “He’s been through so much.”

“He told me about his parents.”

Her jaw dropped. She forced her mouth to close and swallowed heavily. “It took months for him to open up to me.” It was stupid, but it hurt that he’d shared so easily.

“Like I said, his emotions are more on the surface. He doesn’t have the control he did. It was easy to goad it out of him.”

Okay, that made sense and made her feel a bit better. Not that it mattered. This was about one of her kids. She lightly banged her head against the headrest. “I’m walking a fine line here. I don’t want them to get too attached to you, but I want them to feel secure.” She rubbed her thumb over the gold band on her finger. Something so small represented so much.

“Why don’t you want them getting attached? Or is it more that you don’t want to get attached?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. He was too close to the truth for comfort.

Rocks pinged off the bottom of the truck as he suddenly swung onto the side of the road and slammed the gear into park. “Who’s being ridiculous? I’m not the one denying what’s between us.”

Repressed anger flaring, she unsnapped her seat belt, swiveled to face him, and drilled her finger against his chest. “Is that what this is about? Sex? Yeah, we’re good together.” More like out of the universe, shooting stars, and supernova good. “But I have to think long term.”

“I burn with wanting you, but it’s not about the sex. I’m twenty-eight, and believe it or not, I have gone long periods of my life without sex. I’ve got a handy right hand if I want to jerk off. And believe me I’ve given it quite a workout these past few days.” He flexed his right arm, the bicep bulging, for emphasis.

Sweat rose on her skin and trickled down her back, dampening her tank top. The idea of watching him take his cock in his hand and get himself off was super hot. It was all too easy to imagine him naked, his head thrown back as he worked his fist up and down.

The heat had grown exponentially, and it wasn’t because of the sun. Her face was flushed. She wanted to fan her hand in front of her but managed to contain herself. No use in feeding his already healthy ego. A relentless hunger throbbed in her core—a reminder that all the self-pleasuring in the world hadn’t helped ease the longing haunting her day and night.

“Why are you so set on going it alone?” If he gripped the steering wheel any tighter, it was going to snap. Maybe he was imagining it was her neck he was squeezing.

“That’s how it’s been since…” She trailed off, not wanting to talk about her parents. Her voice didn’t sound like hers. It was hoarse and echoed with past pain and current need.

He released the wheel and gently touched his fingers to her cheek. “It doesn’t have to be.”

Dare she believe him? What if she was wrong? The consequences could be huge and reverberate for years. Not only with her but all of them.

But what if he was telling the truth? She nibbled on her bottom lip, weighing the pros and cons, even as her heart screamed at her to take a leap of faith.

“Fuck it.” He ripped off his seat belt, shoved his seat back as far as it would go, and pulled her over the console between them and onto his lap. His lips slammed down on hers.

This! This was what she’d been missing. Their lips fought, not for control or dominance, but to get closer. Soft sounds of need escaped as she plunged her tongue into his mouth, relearning his taste and texture. It had only been days, but it seemed like a lifetime ago since she’d had him.

She ran her fingers through his hair, knocking the ridiculous pink sunglasses off his face. They clattered as they fell. His skin was almost hot to the touch. Or maybe it was her burning from the inside out. His biceps flexed and bunched as he shifted her position so she was sitting astride him, her knees nestled against his thighs, the steering wheel digging into her back, and his erection pressing against her core. It should have been uncomfortable. It was perfection. On a moan, she rubbed against him, silently damning the layers of clothing between them.

With his mouth still on hers, he fought with the button and zipper of her shorts. Once they were free, he jammed his hand down the front of her panties and found her clit. Her entire body bowed as pleasure slammed into her. “Yes!” she shouted, grinding her sex against his clever fingers.

The past days had been a sexual dance of advance and retreat, a never-ending foreplay that had them both primed. Everything inside her clenched. She was poised on the edge. She didn’t tip over—she eagerly jumped. It would have been embarrassing how fast she came if it didn’t feel so damn good. Her sex clenched, empty and needy, even as the orgasm shot through her. It seemed to last forever but was over too soon.

Slumping against his chest, she buried her face against his neck and licked his salty skin. Mmm, he tasted delicious. She nibbled a little harder.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

On a laugh, she raised her head. “Close, but not quite.”

His grin was pained as he lifted her off him.

“Hey.” Surprised, she barely caught herself as her butt landed on her seat, her legs half in the air. Nicholas was out of the truck in a heartbeat, pacing back and forth, dragging his fingers through his hair. Talk about a man on the edge. Zipping her shorts, she jumped out. “Why’d you push me away? Is it punishment for keeping away from you?” The idea that he might use sex to manipulate her didn’t sit well.

He pounced so fast she had no chance to evade. Her back was against the hood of the truck. She lifted her legs to keep the hot metal from burning her skin. At her first hiss of pain, he yanked her away and held her at arm’s length, protecting her even though she’d angered him. Something it seemed she had a knack for.

“We’re on a public road. Anyone could come by. We’re both distracted, which means it’s not safe. I would never, never,” he repeated, “use sex to manipulate you.”

She closed her eyes on a wave of shame before facing him again. It seemed she was doomed to keep hurting this man. “I’m sorry.” She pressed her palm against his cheek. His unyielding jaw flexed beneath her touch. “That was unfair and uncalled for. Blame it on frustration.”

“At least you came,” he muttered. Her gaze dropped to the hard bulge in his jeans. Ouch! That had to hurt.

“It’s not enough,” she told him, giving him the honesty he deserved.

Her wolf already viewed him as hers, even though they weren’t mated. The female wolf was possessive, recognizing a prime catch when she saw it. Bailey was more cautious, but even she was beginning to become a believer.

Groaning, he dragged her into his arms. The kiss was hot and carnal, tongues thrusting as the sun heated their bodies even more. Arms around his neck, she rubbed her chest against his. Her stomach dragged across his erection. His growl echoed in her ears.

A truck rolled by, followed by a loud whistle and a male voice yelling, “Get a room.”

Swearing, they both jumped back at the same time. “That’s why,” he told her.

It was a toss-up if she’d laugh or cry. She was so on edge she hurt. How much worse must it be for him?

“We’ll finish this tonight, after the kids are in bed.” He tilted his chin up after tossing the challenge at her.

Once again, he was leaving the choice to her, not forcing her but leaving her no doubt as to what he wanted. “Tonight.” She climbed into the truck, rummaged in her bag, and pulled out a pack of wet wipes to refresh herself.

She was almost done when he joined her. He glanced at her bag, shaking his head, a bemused expression on his face. “What don’t you have in there?”

“Hey, I’ve got four kids. Well, one kid and three teenage boys, which when I think about it is like having four kids, but only sometimes. They’re all really responsible.” She was proud of her pack, wanted him to see them the same way she did. “I always have a supply of wipes, mints, tissues, elastics, a hairbrush, and whatever else I think might be necessary.”

“And sunglasses.” He reached down onto the floor and came up with the pink glasses and perched them back on his nose. “While I appreciate your bottomless bag, I’m not one of your kids.”

“Believe me, I’m well aware.” She held out the purse-sized package. “Wipe?”

Chuckling, he shook his head. Before her astonished eyes, he popped his fingers into his mouth and sucked them. Her sex clenched and grew damp. “I’m not wasting a drop.” His husky voice and the pure sexiness of the gesture made her want to squirm.

“Shut up and drive.”

On a purely masculine laugh, he put the truck in gear, checking before easing them back onto the road. The devil had made his point and he knew it.

“First stop is the Dairy Queen.” Chin tilted in challenge, she dared him to make something of it. “I want something cold to drink.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He held out his right hand. She stared at the long, strong fingers he’d just licked and the broad palm. He was offering more than sex. If she took his hand, there was no going back. He held it there, not wavering, not retracting it.

On a shaky breath, she took it.

****

Something major had changed between them. Bailey’s acceptance went deeper than their physical relationship and the pleasure it offered. They were no longer strangers. She understood what he was offering.

He’d held his breath, willing to wait forever, if need be. Fortunately, she hadn’t made him wait that long. Unlike their wedding ceremony, which had been for show, for the benefit of others, this was only for them. The weight of the commitment they’d silently agreed on felt natural, not constricting or confining. Slipping over him as comfortably as the fur he wore as a wolf.

This was how it was supposed to be.

He wanted to howl with sheer joy, wanted to shift and pace every inch of their pack land and mark it with his scent, so that any who ventured close—animal or werewolf—would know who they were up against. Primal, maybe, but he was a wolf at the core of his being. Most of all, he wanted to strip Bailey naked and make love to her for hours until they were both exhausted and satisfied.

The sweet, musky scent of sex, of Bailey, permeated the cab of the truck. He inhaled deeply, silently cursing when his cock jerked. He let go of her hand long enough to reach down and adjust himself. It didn’t help. The fabric was constricting to the point of pain.

Come to think of it, he could use a cool drink himself.

He was under no misconception she was agreeing to mate with him. Like any powerful female alpha, she was going to make him work for it. No, she was agreeing to give them an honest chance. It was up to him to make the most of it.

Without a word, he swung through the drive-thru and gave their order. After handing Bailey her drink, he headed toward the post office. The silence between them was charged, but not in an uncomfortable way. It was more anticipation. He pulled into an empty spot in front of the building and cut the engine.

“I’ll carry the packages in for you.” He had the door open when she put her hand on his arm.

“I’ve got it, but thanks,” she added.

Knowing it was time to back off and give her space to operate as she normally would, he closed his door. Smiling, she hopped out. “I won’t be long.” With her bag slung over one shoulder, she grabbed the bin from the truck bed and strode into the building. He watched her long, bare legs, admired the shape of her ass.

Instead of waiting in the truck, he grabbed the keys and got out. The street was busy with many other businesses nearby. Curious, he cast his gaze up and down Main Street. There were the normal stores found in every town like the hardware and drugstore, but there were specialty shops that catered to tourists and locals looking for a little something special. The big box stores in the larger centers had driven out most of the local clothing and general stores, but others had moved in, finding a niche market and catering to it.

Bailey had done that. She’d needed to make a living that allowed her to work from home and she’d done it. He knew little about her work, only that she was damn good at it and put in endless hours at the forge to perfect her craft. And as the trip to the post office proved, her online store was flourishing.

He ambled to the glass door of the post office and glanced inside. Bailey was second in line, but with the amount of packages in her bin, she’d be awhile. Taking a chance, he strode down the sidewalk and went into the first store that had caught his eye. He made another quick stop after that and barely made it back with enough time to hide his two bags behind his seat.

A smile on her face, she came down the short walkway and joined him in the truck. “That much is done.” She stowed the empty bin. “Groceries next.”

He’d been giving their situation some thought while he shopped. “I think we should take the bull by the horns and stop by the CPS office and see Mary Burns. Go to her before she comes to us.”

She rolled her lips together and reached for her drink. Condensation made the outside of the cup wet, but she ignored it and took a long sip. The sight of her full lips sucking on the straw had his jeans feeling a size too small in ten seconds flat. The visual in his mind changed from a straw to his dick.

Yeah, he had it bad. Rolling up the windows, he cranked the air conditioning. “Don’t argue,” he said before she could object. “I need it if we’re going anywhere.” Her gaze dropped to his lap. Her hum of sympathy almost finished him. He looked out the window and did his best to ignore her. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re right. We go to her, we decide where and when the meeting takes place. Keeps the situation more under our control.” Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled out her phone. “I’ll call. If she’s not at work, there’s no point in making the trip.”

He’d Googled the office location, but she’d programmed the phone number into her phone. The woman never missed a step. It rang twice before it was answered.

“Mary Burns speaking.”

“Ms. Burns, this is Bailey Smith. We met last week.”

“Give me a second.” There was some rustling on the other end. “I’m glad you called. I’ve been looking into your situation. All your documentation seems to be in order.”

Bailey visibly slumped against the seat. First hurdle jumped. “That’s good to hear. Ah, we’re in town and hoped, if you weren’t busy, we could stop by your office.”

“We?”

“Ah, Nicholas and I. We got married.”

“Do you have a copy of the marriage certificate?”

Bailey’s head jerked up. “Ah.” He caught her eye and nodded. “Yes, we do.”

“Excellent. I’m out on another case. You can drop the document at the office, and I’ll make sure I get it in the file. If you have any questions or ever need any help, please call.” Her voice softened. “I really am here to help.”

Nicholas was impressed with the woman. She genuinely cared, but the human system was no place for any of the kids. CPS and the full humans she dealt with were lucky to have her, even if she was an unnecessary thorn in Bailey’s side.

“Does that mean we’re done?” Bailey asked. He leaned forward, even though he could easily hear the conversation.

Mary chuckled. “As far as I’m concerned, the matter is closed. Crank calls take up valuable time, but we have to investigate them all.”

“Thank you for making this relatively painless.” A different caseworker and this could have been a worse process.

“Thank you for being so forthcoming. Not everyone is. Take care.”

Bailey ended the call, and her hand fell into her lap. She blinked twice and looked at him. “Is it really that simple? Is it over?” The beginnings of hope dawned in her eyes.

Leaning over, he placed a quick kiss on her lips. “As soon as we drop off the copy of our marriage certificate.”

“Let’s do it. Thank you for thinking to bring a copy. It didn’t even occur to me.”

“You mean, you don’t have one in your bottomless bag,” he teased. When she didn’t laugh, he sobered. “I figured since we were coming to town we’d get it done rather than waiting for her to contact us. We’re in this together,” he reminded her.

“Together,” she echoed.

Neither of them mentioned that with the case closed their marriage was no longer necessary.

Chapter Fourteen

Bailey was flying high as they pulled in front of the house. When no one ran to greet them, she assumed they were off foraging in the woods. It was a bit of a letdown. She had exciting news and no one to share it with.

“Let’s get the groceries inside.” Nicholas was already out of the truck and dragging a large cooler from the back. This time of year it was a necessity for all the meat, dairy, and frozen foods.

She loaded up with four bags and followed. The house was eerily silent without the kids’ voices. She went to the kitchen window and looked out.

“I’m sure they’re fine.” He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “If you’re worried, I’ll go look for them.”

“No, I’m being silly. Emmett takes them into the woods all the time. They’re all competent, even Eliza.”

“It’s not silly to care.” He turned her so she was facing him. She found herself being drawn into the depths of his golden eyes. She leaned forward. He released her and took a step back. “I’ll get the rest of the groceries.”

“Right. Sure.” God, she’d almost kissed him. What had she been thinking? Maybe that there was an empty bed down the hall and no kids around. Oh, and it had been days since they’d had sex. It was only the excitement of having the CPS situation resolved. It was only natural to want to celebrate. Had nothing at all to do with her growing attachment to the man she’d married.

She wandered over to the table, and her gaze fell on a folded piece of paper. Snatching it up, she began to read.

“What is it?” Nicholas brought in the last of the cloth bags and set them on the floor.

“A note. Emmett must have gotten the idea from you.” She glanced at clock, comparing the time her brother had jotted on the paper. “He said they got a late start. They’ve only been gone half an hour. He says not to worry.”

Nicholas chuckled. “He knows you well.” He opened the fridge and began to load in produce, putting the older items to the front and the newer ones to the back.

Someone had trained him well. Better yet, he’d listened. He could be overbearing, an alpha at his core, but he didn’t expect others to cater to him. It added to his appeal.

With the two of them working, it took no time to get everything put away and the bags stored back in the pantry.

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and lips grazed the curve of her neck. “It hasn’t escaped my notice that we’re home alone.”

She tilted her head to one side, giving him better access. He nibbled on her earlobe before tugging on it. A whimper of need escaped her. Sparks of desire exploded to life. “I, ah, I noticed that, too.” How could she be expected to concentrate on anything with his tongue tracing the whorls of her ear?

“Do we stay here or go look for them?” He left a trail of hot kisses along her jawline.

Torn between duty and pleasure, she moaned. There was no reason to believe the kids were in any danger. Emmett would watch over them. She’d be more concerned about them being in town. They were at home in these woods, were familiar with every nook and cranny. It was a constant balancing act between allowing the kids to stretch their wings and gain confidence and keeping them safe. Emmett always took his phone on these outings. If there was a problem, he’d call.

“Stay.” The single whispered word hit with the force of a blast of lightning. He stilled and his lips curved against her skin.

He scooped her into his arms and carried her down the short hallway to the bedrooms. She didn’t have to point the way. With his keen sense of smell, he went directly to hers and kicked the door shut behind them.

Instead of laying her on the mattress, he released her legs, keeping his arm around her shoulders to steady her, so she was standing alongside the bed. Her room wasn’t huge, but it had always been more than adequate. With him in it, it seemed to shrink. He dominated the space and everything in it with his larger-than-life presence.

“I’ve wanted to do this all day.” Without hesitation, he caught the hem of her tank top and pulled it up. She raised her hands to help him. The built-in bra meant she wasn’t wearing one underneath.

“You take my breath away.” He tossed the top aside and pressed his lips to her shoulder. His fingers trailed down her arms to her wrists and back up again, raising goose bumps in their wake.

Her nipples tightened, her breasts swollen and heavy. With a moan, he licked a path across her collarbone and then downward between her breasts, teasing but not quite touching where she ached.

“Your red hair glows in the sun.” He nuzzled the underside of one breast, making the breath catch in her throat. “Your skin is so soft.”

“Not so soft.” She held up her hands. They were calloused, rough in spots. There were no scars or burn marks, thanks to her werewolf heritage, but not even that could keep up with the daily hardship she put them through.

He captured both hands and brought them to his mouth. “Strong and capable and sexy as hell.” He punctuated each word with a kiss, finishing by drawing her forefinger into his mouth and sucking.

Her core clenched and she whimpered. “Nicholas.”

His big body shuddered. “I love the way you say my name.”

Bailey’s heart skipped a beat when he said the “L” word. What would it be like if he said it for real and meant it? Don’t think about it. This was about sex, about two adults who cared about each other enjoying themselves, not about declaring undying love and devotion.

He was a silver-tongued devil, but he honestly meant the things he said. That was enough. She tugged one of her hands free and grabbed a fistful of his shirt. “You’re wearing too much clothes.”

Growling, he straightened, dragged the garment over his head, and dropped it at his feet. She splayed her palms over his magnificent chest, tracing the lines of the muscles. He opened his mouth, but she placed her hand over it and shook her head. Talking was overrated. She wanted to feel.

A shove sent him down onto the bed. With a ragged laugh, he toed off his sneakers. She did the same and kept going, yanking off her shorts and underwear. He went still, his eyes growing hot.

“Come here.”

She shook her head. “You’re not naked.”

It was shocking how fast he unzipped his jeans and whisked them off. Big and wholly masculine, his chiseled form swallowed the double bed. His feet hung off the end. With his arms splayed, he took up the entire width. His legs were like tree trunks, thick with muscle. But it was his cock that drew her attention. Full and thick, it flexed under her regard.

“Come here,” he ordered again, his voice little more than a rough growl.

Her scalp prickled. Putting her hands and knees on the mattress, she crawled onto the bed between his spread thighs. She licked her lips as she gripped his shaft with one hand and fondled his balls with the other.

“Fuck, that feels good.” His entire body bowed off the bed. He reached over his head and gripped the wooden headboard. Biceps flexed and clenched. His abs tightened into bands of corrugated steel.

Giving a hum of agreement, she dipped her head down and swirled her tongue around the flared head of his shaft. His musky, salty taste sent a bolt of longing through her. Her core began to pulse. Her nipples ached. Turning him on was having the same effect on her.

Their eyes met and something flared between them, an understanding, a depth of emotion beyond sheer physical pleasure. Not willing to examine it too closely, she dipped her head lower, taking the head of his shaft into her mouth and sucking. Liquid seeped from the tip.

Crack!

Startled, she raised her head. Nicholas was holding two pieces of wood in his hands, her headboard damaged. It would have been funny but for the smoldering, intent expression etched on his face.

This was a hunter. A predator scenting prey.

He dropped the wood, surged toward her, and took her down onto the bed.

****

Lust was a wild beast ripping through him. Beneath it stirred something stronger and darker.

Mine!

This female was his mate, his woman, his wife. The way she touched him drove him crazy. Her arousal hung heavy in the air. His fangs dropped, the primal side of his nature demanding he mark her. Growling, he shook his head. He would not betray her trust.

Dragging her to the center of the bed, he dove between her thighs. She was wet, her desire sweet and spicy, calling to him. He nibbled and licked and sucked until she was writhing and moaning his name.

It wasn’t enough.

He captured her clit between his lips and flicked it with his tongue. Using two fingers, he penetrated her, splitting them to stretch her.

Her heels thumped on the bed. Grabbing handfuls of his hair, she tugged him closer. A howl of triumph roared through him. Her breathing was ragged, harsh gasps that warned she was close.

“Now,” she ordered.

He growled, sending the vibration through her. Nicholas dragged his fingers from her hot, wet core, stimulating the sweet spot inside her. Her cries of pleasure rang in his ears as he tasted her sweet release.

He surged up the bed, piercing her with his shaft. She not only took him without hesitation—she welcomed him. Home. Closing his eyes, he swallowed heavily. It had been days since he’d had her. In his darkest moments, he’d wondered if he ever would again. Holding himself still, he gritted his teeth as her sex rippled around his cock.

It felt good. Too good. “Shit. Wait. No condom.” There was one in the back pocket of his jeans, which were about a million miles away. He started to pull out. A promise was a promise. Lunging over the side of the bed, he retrieved the square packet, ripped it open, and rolled on the protection. With a sigh of relief, he plunged back in again.

The need to turn her onto her front, mount her from behind, and mate her was a pounding in his veins, a whisper in his brain that grew louder with each passing second.

No! He would not do that to her. It was her choice. It had to be. A woman like Bailey couldn’t be taken or coerced. She was a partner, a strong woman who’d stand beside her man for a lifetime.

Planting his forearms on the mattress, he began to rock his hips, slowly at first but getting faster with each thrust.

Not to be left behind, she wrapped her legs around him and gripped his shoulders, angling up to meet each downward stroke. A perfect, unforgettable moment in time. He hovered on the cusp of release. He clenched his jaw to keep from telling her he loved her.

Burying his face in the pillow, he howled as he came. Her core clenched around him. She’d orgasmed again. Pleased, he slumped, covering her, letting her take most of his weight.

Once again, things had gone faster than he’d planned. He felt around with his hand until he found one of her breasts and cupped the mound, teasing the nipple with his thumb. Her sex fluttered, and they both moaned.

“Too much.” She pushed his hand away but twined her fingers with his. He turned his head to the side and watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. Her breasts swayed and his cock stirred. “You can’t be serious,” she muttered. The look of disbelief in her eyes made him chuckle. She looked totally debauched, her hair damp and disheveled, her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed, and her skin glistening with sweat.

She looked good enough to eat … again.

He flexed his hips, about to assure her he was deadly serious when a sound caught his ears. He wanted to beat his head against the mangled headboard. Talk about rotten timing. Still, it could have been worse. If they’d come home five minutes ago, it would have been downright painful.

“We’re about to have company,” he warned. Even though he was still swollen at the base, he clenched his jaw and pulled out. One of these days, they were going to have an entire day or night to make love. Maybe an entire twenty-four-hour period—with suitable breaks for food and sleep, of course.

Bailey moaned and blinked. “What?”

Her befuddled state made him feel a little better. He removed the condom, tied it off, and tossed it into the small trash can next to her bedside table. Grabbing his jeans, he dragged them on. “The kids are home.”

She jackknifed up in bed and yanked the sheet to her neck, the modesty a huge departure from earlier. “Oh, my God.” Horror filled her gaze. “They can’t see me like this.”

“Why the hell not?” His good humor and overall good feeling was dissipating fast.

“I don’t have men in my bed.”

“No, you have a husband.” He grabbed his T-shirt and pulled it on.

She scrubbed her hands over her face. “I’m making a mess of this.” Her gaze turned pleading. “I’m not ashamed of us or what we’ve done. The boys understand that we’ve been together, but it’s not the same thing as them coming home and finding us in bed together.”

Her genuine distress softened his anger.

Leaning down, he caught her chin in his hand. “I’ve got this. You take a shower and get dressed.”

The back door slammed and Emmett called out, “We’re home.”

Sighing, Nicholas reached under her bed and pulled out a bag he’d snuck in earlier when he was bringing in the groceries. “I bought you a little something while we were in town today.” He set it on her lap. “It’s not much.” He’d never bought anything for a woman, not one he wasn’t related to or who wasn’t pack. He didn’t count the wedding ring. She considered that more a prop.

“For me?” Her genuine wonder shoved his doubts aside.

“Just a little something. Open it,” he encouraged when all she did was stare at it.

Emmett’s voice was a little louder. “Hey, why don’t we go outside and take care of the cows and chickens before supper.”

He made a mental note to thank his brother-in-law later. He’d obviously clued into what was going on. Only Eliza’s voice rose in protest. The other two teens likely suspected what was happening.

“Bailey.” His saying her name seemed to startle her out of her stupor.

“Right.” She opened the bag and peeked inside, blinked twice, and then pulled out the bar of soap.

“It’s oat and honey based with a lavender scent. All natural.” He cleared his throat. “I thought you’d like it.”

She clutched it to her chest like another woman might a diamond necklace. It was a sharp reminder of how much she’d done without. Things were tight when you were supporting a family of five on one salary.

“Thank you.” Her throat rippled. “For this and for remembering the condom. In the heat of the moment, I forgot all about it.”

“You’re welcome.” His voice was husky with emotion. He wanted to drag her into his arms, but that would lead to more lovemaking. “There’s another present in the bag.”

Keeping the soap in one hand, she reached into the bag with the other. “Candy.”

He shrugged. “I figured chocolate would melt. This is all natural, locally made. I got an assortment. There’s honey and vanilla, and—”

She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. The box scrunched between them. When she sniffed, his heart clenched.

“Bailey?”

She shook her head. “It’s perfect.” Tears welled in her eyes, but she was smiling. “I’ll share the candy with the kids.”

He shook his head. “No, you won’t.” Anticipating such a thing, he’d taken measures to prevent it. “I bought extra. Put it in your nightstand. Share them if you want.” He opened the box, chose one of the honey candies, and slipped it between her lips.

“Oh, it melts in my mouth.” She licked her lips and gave a hum of pleasure.

Wanting a taste, he took her mouth, slipping his tongue inside. It was brief as the voices from outside reminded him time was short. “Perfect.” He wasn’t talking about the candy.

Standing, he adjusted his jeans and picked up his sneakers. “Take your time. I’ll start dinner.” The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, but now was the time to prove he could put her needs and those of her pack ahead of his own.

His last glimpse of her was of her sitting naked in the bed with a simple bar of soap and box of candy hugged to her chest and a tear rolling down her cheek.

****

“I’ve found them.”

Rasmus Caine, alpha of the Missouri Pack, slammed the axe he was using to chop wood into a stump. “You’re sure?” he asked his one and only son.

Noah nodded. “I monitor all the government agencies and get alerts when anything suspicious arises.”

He nodded sagely, even though he didn’t understand the technology. They were wolves. What did they need with human toys? Yet, they weren’t without their uses. Noah had proved adept at using them, took pride in his skill at what he called hacking. He didn’t object because his son also used those skills to pad the pack’s finances. Taking money from the unsuspecting was satisfying. “Talk to me.”

“A CPS worker in West Virginia filed the paperwork on a case. Last name Smith, but first names Bailey and Emmett. They’re the right ages, too.”

Rasmus laughed. “Their tainted blood makes them weak. They should have changed their first names.”

“That’s not all.” Noah leaned against the woodpile, a smile on his face. “Seems the case also involved a fifteen-year-old named Waya.”

“And?” He had more. Rasmus could see it in his eyes.

“It means wolf in Cherokee.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “If she thinks some kid is going to protect her, she’ll be in for a rude surprise.” His daughter had betrayed her heritage by mating with a human. He spat, as even thinking the word left an ugly taste in his mouth.

Wolves were stronger, but they were outnumbered. Rasmus kept his small pack safe by maintaining an iron grip and keeping outside influences to a minimum. He’d be damned if he’d allow his bloodlines to become diluted by those two abominations his daughter had borne. His daughter and mate had paid the price. It had taken six years, but he’d soon have his vengeance and put this chapter of his life behind him.

“Call up the men. We leave tonight.” He’d take four of his strongest with him and Noah. Bailey, and anyone with her, wouldn’t stand a chance.

Chapter Fifteen

Bailey popped a candy in her mouth, letting the sugary sweetness melt on her tongue. Honey and vanilla goodness in one little bite. She closed the half-empty box and tucked it back into her nightstand.

True to his word, last night Nicholas had not only had supper started by the time she’d showered, he’d also provided more candy for dessert. The excitement over the CPS case being closed had dominated the conversation, muting other, more personal questions until they’d cleaned up from their celebratory meal of burgers and salad.

Emmett had cleared his throat, his cheeks a bright pink, uncomfortable but determined. Saving him from having to ask anything, she’d announced that she and Nicholas were remaining married—for now.

Maybe because she’d been flying high on the CPS win, coupled with the out-of-control hormones from being near him. The reasons might be complicated, but it boiled down to one thing—she’d agreed.

“Too bad I’m in love with him,” she muttered as she gave the comforter on the bed one final tug and left the bedroom. That put her at a disadvantage, as she saw it, gave him a much surer footing in their new relationship.

And maybe she had to stop looking at their marriage as though there was some sort of spreadsheet or checklist keeping score of wins and losses.

The fact was she’d been drawn to him from the moment they’d met. Everything he’d said and done since had only deepened that attraction. He seemed seriously committed to making their marriage work.

She couldn’t quite figure out why. Oh, she was decent looking, but she came with four major responsibilities, not to mention a grandfather who wanted her and her brother dead. And even though the CPS debacle was behind them, she was harboring two more kids. If they found out… Well, that didn’t bear thinking about. She and Nicholas needed to discuss options.

Halfway down the hallway, she slumped against the wall. She was already including him in decision making. When had she started to depend on him? He made it so damn easy.

Forget the way he made her entire body sing. Each time they came together was a master class in pleasure. He treated her like a woman. She’d been sister and caretaker for so long she’d forgotten what it was like to get a hitch in her throat when a hot guy attracted her, for her heart to beat faster and anticipation to rise.

Whatever barriers had remained around her heart had toppled under the onslaught of scented soap and sweet goodness. Even now, the scent rose from her skin and the taste lingered in her mouth. It was like having him near even when he wasn’t around.

Maybe that had been his plan. Sneaky wolf.

He was full-blooded with a pack behind him. There were packs scattered across the country that would eagerly welcome new blood, especially an alpha’s son. Could he be content with her small brood?

“Good morning.” As if thinking about him had summoned his presence, Nicholas appeared in the hallway and brushed a kiss over her lips. “You slept late.”

Because she’d tossed and turned all night long. After having explosive sex and all his talk about making their marriage real, he’d bunked out on the couch like he’d been doing since he’d arrived.

He hadn’t even tried to sneak into her room during the night. How did she know? She’d spent hours staring at the ceiling, waiting for it to happen. Only falling asleep as the sun was rising.

Rather than blurt out any of this, she pushed by him and went to the kitchen, lured there by the smell of coffee. “Where are the kids?” It wasn’t like her to oversleep—and this was twice in the past week. One of them should have checked on her.

Arms crossed over his chest, he leaned his hip against the counter and watched as she took a mug down from the cupboard and filled it. Her hand was steady, even if she was trembling inside.

He had no right to look hot and sexy when she felt like a day-old dishcloth.

“Emmett set the cows out to graze in the pasture behind the barn. Then he went off to mow a neighbor’s yard.”

“Mrs. Abbott. She’s a retired school teacher, and none of her kids live nearby. He does her lawn every couple of weeks.” Standing across from him, she sipped the dark brew, needing the jolt of caffeine. “We’ll likely have pie for supper. He won’t take money for the chore, so she always sends him home with food, usually pie.”

“Waya helped Emmett before disappearing into the woods. After Eliza gathered eggs and tended to the hens, she and Henry gathered books and paper and other supplies and headed up to the loft in the barn.”

“Waya spends too much time alone. I worry about him, but he’s too old and restless for me to order him to stay around. Henry and Eliza will read and draw for hours. They prefer the quiet.”

“Hmm.”

“They all have schoolwork during the school year and set chores.” Even though he hadn’t said anything, she felt the need to defend herself and her parenting skills. This was all trial by fire for her. “We clean house once a week. And everyone pitches in daily. Eliza spends a lot of time with me when I’m not in the forge.”

“How did they come to be with you? I know your parents were killed. But what about the others.”

The air was suddenly stifling. She needed to be outside to finish the story. After topping up her mug, she went out onto the porch. Nicholas followed and took the chair beside her. At least talking about the kids meant she could put off thinking about their complicated relationship a while longer.

“After our parents were murdered, we ran, crisscrossing the country so no one could follow.” The lump in her throat threatened to choke her. “I’d pick up waitressing jobs here and there. We occasionally stayed in a shelter. Camped some. We kept on the move.”

“Smart.” His matter-of-fact acknowledgment helped her settle.

“I was terrified to stop.” It was easier to admit in hindsight. At the time, she’d done her best to hide it from her brother. He’d only been a kid. She’d almost been an adult. “We were camping one night when I heard someone sneaking around. We didn’t have much, but I was ready to defend what we had. I caught Waya taking a box of granola bars. God, he was so thin, so angry.”

“He’s still angry, but he’s filled out. I’m surprised he stayed.”

“He didn’t. Not at first. I told him to keep the bars. That he was welcome to camp with us for safety. I could smell his wolf, knew what he was. I could also see he didn’t belong to anyone, not dirty and half wild as he was.” She looked out at the yard, at all they’d built here. “He kept coming back. I’d leave food out for him. Whatever I could manage—an apple or orange, a granola bar, a box of crackers. When it was time for us to move on, he followed. He’s been with us since. He’s the one who brought Henry to us.”

Nicholas nodded. “He’s a protector by nature. I think that’s why he followed you to begin with. Over the years, he’s learned it’s safe to let down his guard.”

His astute assessment of the situation was no surprise. He was perceptive. “He found Henry living on the streets, fighting off a grown man who was trying to steal his food. Waya beat the man, grabbed Henry and his belongings, and dragged him home.”

Tilting back her head, she gave a sad laugh. “God, he was so dirty. Stank to the high heavens. We were staying in a cheap pay-by-the-week apartment in California at the time.”

“What happened to his parents?”

It was easier to face the memories when she wasn’t looking at him. “He’s a half-breed. Unlike us, his mother was full human. His father must have been wolf. He never knew the man. It was a one-night stand, and Henry was the result. They were in and out of homeless shelters his whole life. One day, she left him in one and never came back. Knowing what would happen if he stayed, he hit the road. He was nine.”

“Fuck.” Nicholas was sitting forward in his chair, rubbing his hands on his thighs. A muscle flexed in his jaw.

“That about covers it. He was this quiet, scrawny kid, starved for food and affection. Knowledge, too. He’s so damn smart. He’s already doing accelerated courses online. When he joined us, I knew we had to move, go somewhere with more open spaces. I researched online and came up with West Virginia. There’s poverty here, so we don’t stick out because we don’t have much money. Folks tend to live and let live. And because of the economy, there was cheap land.”

Nicholas went to his knees in front of her and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry you had to shoulder it all on your own. Sorry I wasn’t there to help you.”

Overcome by the memories, she could barely breathe. She clung to his broad shoulders, resting her head against his chest. “What if I hadn’t found them?” It was the nightmare that sometimes woke her in the middle of the night, the thin tank she wore to bed stuck to her body with sweat. “I’ve probably made a million mistakes with those kids—”

“No.” He pulled back, his hands wrapped around her upper arms, his face set in stern, forbidding lines. “You loved them and fed them and kept them safe. You’re fucking amazing.” His skin rippled before her eyes. His wolf was very close to the surface. He shook himself. “Finish it.”

Her own wolf clawed for release, wanting to run wild with the male she saw as her mate. Easing out of the chair, she hugged the post by the steps. “I had a special commission, a large piece. The buyer wanted me to personally deliver it to Detroit. It’s not something I’d done before or since, but it was a lot of money. The boys wouldn’t let me go alone, so we made a road trip out of it. Figured we’d camp along the way. Make it a fun time.” Her wolf rippled again, not with the need to run but the urge to kill. Memories of that day were brutally hard.

He hooked his arm around her waist so her back was against his chest and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Steadier with him holding her, she took a breath. “We were leaving the city when I got lost. No GPS in our old truck. No cell phone in those days, either. We stopped at a gas station for fuel and directions. The neighborhood was rough.” Desperation had permeated the area, along with anger and violence. All she’d wanted was to leave. “I’m ready to go and Waya is nowhere to be found. I’m frantic and start driving up and down the streets with Emmett and Henry on lookout. Next thing I know, there’s Waya running out from behind a house with a little girl in his arms. He’s shirtless and that’s the only thing she’s wearing.”

Nicholas growled and his arm tightened, the muscles turning to iron.

“Seemed he’d heard a child howling and went to investigate. My hearing is enhanced, but I was busy inside and didn’t hear her. He found her locked in a closet inside a rundown house, her clothes nothing but filthy rags.”

“Do you have an address?”

Whirling around, she grabbed his arm, almost flinching from the unadulterated fury in his eyes. “I got all the kids in the truck and we took off. I couldn’t find the place if I tried.” And she’d thought about it. The only thing that had prevented it was having four kids depending on her.

“She slept in the closet for months. Seems that’s what she thought was normal. They locked her in one whenever they went out. She wasn’t even sure if the people she was with were her real parents. It took time and patience, but she’s sleeping in her own bed, does well with her schoolwork.”

He roughly dragged his hands through his hair and walked down the steps to the yard. Locking his hands behind his neck, he began to pace. Every now and then he’d shake himself, bringing his wolf under control. He’d called Waya a protector, but it took one to know one.

“You’re the first male she’s willingly gone near other than her brothers. I think she senses your wolf and feels safe. They’re all safe here and happy.” They didn’t have a lot, but they had each other. “We’re a pack.”

Facing her, he put his hands on his hips and stared her in the eyes. “And am I a part of it?”

It was a direct challenge. Before she answered, she had a question of her own. “Why did you sleep on the sofa last night?”

****

Nicholas was going crazy. His wolf was in no better shape. Thinking about what all of them had gone through made him want to kill someone. It wasn’t fair that all those kids had been abused or hurt—and he included Bailey and Emmett—and no one had paid.

Even facing her own hardships, she’d taken in three more kids. The woman had a heart the size of the ocean.

He’d never allow anyone or anything to harm them again. Whether she ever admitted it or not, they were his pack now, too.

Bailey’s red hair gleamed like fire in the sun as it tumbled around her bare shoulders. Her bearing was poised, her back straight. No, this woman didn’t back down from a challenge.

He’d asked himself the same question she had—about every five minutes last night. All he had to give her was the same answer he’d given himself. “You didn’t invite me to share your bedroom. I didn’t assume because we’d made love yesterday afternoon that you’d welcome me again. I know what I want.”

Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “You wanted me to ask? After yesterday afternoon?”

Swearing under his breath, he stalked toward her. Anger, frustration, and horniness dogged his every step. “Yes.” It was a tough pill to swallow, but he had no place here unless she offered it. “You’re alpha. Those kids would follow you to hell and back.” So would I.

“You’re no beta wolf,” she shot back. “What do you want from me?”

Talk about a loaded question. “I want to be your partner.” He went up one step. “Your mate.” Up another. She backed up until she hit the door. “Alpha.”

“I knew it. You want to take over the pack. It’s what men do,” she muttered.

“Stop comparing me to the assholes you’ve heard about or crossed paths with.” He wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her. “I want to share your pack.” Her eyes widened when he leaned inward until their lips were almost touching. “I want you.”

Her pupils dilated, and he caught the delicate scent of her arousal. Every muscle in his body hardened. He couldn’t take his eyes off her lips as she licked them. “It’s not just me. And we have enemies, powerful enemies.”

“I get that you’re a package deal.” He nuzzled the sexy curve of her neck, intoxicated by the delicate scent of her skin. She’d used the soap he’d given her. Satisfaction flooded through him. “Your enemies are mine. I’ll protect you and the kids with my life.”

“I don’t want you hurt.”

Most male wolves would be insulted by the insinuation he wasn’t strong enough to protect himself or her. He chose to be pleased she cared about his safety. “Trust me, I can handle myself.”

Her eyes narrowed and her mouth pulled down into a frown. “Do you think you’d be in my house with my kids if I didn’t trust you? Do you think I would have let you touch me?”

“No.”

Tipping her head back against the door, she lightly hit it several times. “You’re the most confusing, infuriating male.” When he smiled, she poked him in the stomach. “It’s not funny.”

He caught her hand and held it before she dug a hole in him. “No, it’s not. It pleases me that you care.”

“Too much,” she grumbled.

“It’s never too much.” He captured her mouth in a searing kiss. This was what he’d missed last night, not only the passion but the closeness. Her tongue stroked his. A rumble of pleasure vibrated inside him. With their lower halves aligned, his cock nestled against her belly, her breasts against his chest.

Cupping the back of her head in his palm, he angled her head and deepened the embrace. She tasted sweet, like honey and vanilla, like candy. Her obvious enjoyment of the gifts he’d given her pleased him.

He wanted to shower her in presents, but that wouldn’t work with this woman. She didn’t want diamonds and fancy clothes. She’d be more likely to want things for the kids or the farm, maybe her forge. It was his job, his pleasure, to discover what those things were and provide them. He’d have to be sneaky about it, so as not to undermine her independent spirit.

“Didn’t you two get enough of that yesterday?”

Closing his eyes, he cursed under his breath and prayed for patience. He’d heard the kid coming. It was too much to hope he’d take the hint and walk away. Bailey shoved at his chest until he took a step back. Not caring that he was aroused, he glared at Waya. “You’re lucky I like you. I thought you’d gone for a hike. A long one.”

The teen snorted and grinned. “Cut it short. Figured I might be needed around here. Looks like I was right.”

The ache in his balls easing somewhat, he found his sense of humor and chuckled. “Like I said, it’s a good thing I like you.” Bailey had pulled herself back together. If not for her slightly swollen lips and flushed face, she looked perfectly normal. “Waya came to help, so what needs to be done?”

The teen groaned and shook his head. “Now you’ve done it.”

“Do the crime, do the time.” He swung his arm around the boy’s neck and mock strangled him. “Well?” he asked her.

“Ah, the stable likely needs to be mucked out if Emmett didn’t get to it before he left. Chicken coop, too. Fresh bedding for the chicks and general cleanup.” She was on a roll. “Check with Eliza to make sure she fed them. Then the garden could be weeded. Pick anything that’s ripe. Oh, and check the compost heap.”

Waya held up his hand. “Stop, I’m begging you. I can disappear again and you two can go back to what you were doing.” He looked so hopeful, she burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with uncontained humor.

“It’s too late for that. The mood has passed. For now,” she added with a flirtatious grin at Nicholas that had his temperature spiking. “Oh, and consider yourself invited.”

Waya looked confused, but Nicholas’s shoulders snapped back. His cock was ready to burst. And damn it, the sexy she-wolf knew it. With a sway to her step, she went inside.

“What was that about?”

He slapped the teen on the back. “You’ll find out later tonight.”

Groaning, he covered his ears with his hands. “I don’t want to hear it. I think I’ll sleep in the barn. I should have stayed in the woods.”

“Life is about timing, my friend. And yours, in this case, sucked.”

“For you more than me.” The sly grin made him chuckle. The longer he was around the kids, the more their individuality shone through. He liked them for themselves, and not only because they belonged to Bailey.

“Let’s get to work. Something tells me the boss will be checking to make sure it’s done.” With a swagger in his step, he led the way, ignoring the low muttering behind him. Not even cow shit could dampen his mood. He’d been invited to share Bailey’s bed.

Chapter Sixteen

“Is this right?” Eliza stood on a stool at the kitchen counter, her tiny hands buried in dough.

Bailey pressed her thumb into it and nodded. “It’s perfect. Now we need to divide it into two-dozen equal portions and roll them into circles.” The greased pans were ready and waiting. They’d have fresh rolls with dinner tonight.

It wasn’t easy keeping her attention on what she was doing. All afternoon, her thoughts kept drifting back to earlier. Nicholas hadn’t come to bed last night because she hadn’t asked him. His expression had been blank, but his eyes had burned with passion. He wanted her, hadn’t lost interest, but what happened next was up to her.

“Bailey?”

“What? Right. Cut the dough in half and then half again and keep going until you have smaller pieces. Like this.” She demonstrated and then stepped back so Eliza could continue. It was important the kids learn to do things for themselves. It instilled confidence and gave them skills in case something ever happened to her.

We’d be safer with Nicholas here.

That was a huge consideration. An even bigger one? She didn’t want him to leave. He’d gotten under her skin. “Like a burr or a tick,” she muttered.

“What?” Eliza paused in her chore.

“Nothing. Don’t mind me. I’m just thinking out loud.”

She nodded sagely. “About Nicholas.”

God, these kids didn’t miss anything. Leaning her hip against the counter, she watched as the girl continued to cut the dough. Her long hair was pulled back in a messy tail, and her tongue was stuck out between her teeth as she concentrated on her task. “What do you think of him?”

She set the knife down. “I like him. Is he leaving?” Distress darkened her blue eyes.

“No, sweetie. I wanted to make sure you like him.”

“He smells right. Like you do.” Knife in hand, she went back to work until she had twenty-four equal amounts. The precision was incredible. Picking up one circle, she rolled it between her tiny hands. Eliza helped her at many tasks, but her favorites were baking and, of course, her chickens.

Everything was simpler when you were a kid. He smelled right. She wasn’t wrong. He smelled damn good to her, too, both male and wolf. Her body hummed like a tuning fork, getting louder when he came closer, dissipating when he wasn’t, but never quite going silent.

Don’t think about it. Needing to keep busy, she began to help Eliza. In no time, they had the pans filled and set aside for their final rise before going in the oven. “Go wash up.” She scooted the girl along and began the cleanup on her own.

Voices from outside drew her attention to the window and the spectacular view beyond. Shirtless, Nicholas worked alongside Waya in the garden. Emmett had joined them. Even Henry sat on the fence, watching. He was like the damned Pied Piper from the fairy tale. All the kids eagerly followed him, wanting his attention.

She was no better.

Even now, she couldn’t look away. It was another scorcher of a day. Sweat trickled down his bronzed chest. Without complaint, he’d mucked stalls and the chicken coop. That was a nasty chore on the best of days. Now he was in the garden. Not exactly what she’d expect of an alpha wolf.

Stop comparing me to the assholes you’ve heard about or crossed paths with. His words echoed in her head. He was right. She was guilty of that. With her limited experience, she really had no idea what a real alpha wolf was like.

“Time for a clean slate.”

“Done.” Eliza skipped into the kitchen and held up her hands. “What’s next?”

Love welled up inside her. She hugged the girl, closing her eyes and appreciating the moment when thin arms hugged her back. It had taken the girl months to trust her. She’d taken to Waya, treating him like she was a duckling and he the mother duck. He’d rescued her, so she’d trusted him. Took longer for the rest of them, but she’d gotten there.

Chest tight, Bailey pulled her emotions under control and cleared the lump in her throat. “The boys look hot out there. Why don’t we take them some lemonade and cookies?”

“I’ll get the tray.” While she dug through the cupboard, Bailey pulled a tall jug of fresh lemonade out of the fridge. It didn’t take long to add plastic glasses and a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

“I’ll get the door.” Eliza held it wide.

“Thank you.” She was quick to praise everything the girl did, but equally quick to shower her with love when things went wrong or when she did something she shouldn’t. She didn’t want her to think she had to do anything to be worthy of love or that she had to “earn” her keep.

Nicholas’s head swiveled around as soon as the door opened, and a smile spread across his face. The tray in her hand shook, the glasses clinking. In one easy motion, he put one hand on the fence and vaulted over. The waistband of his jeans dipped slightly, exposing his navel and a thin trail of dark hair that disappeared beneath the material. As she watched, the bulge in his pants grew.

“Keep that up,” he softly whispered in her ear, “and I’ll need more than lemonade to cool me off.” He removed the tray from her nerveless fingers and carried it to the others. “Time to cool off,” he announced to the group.

Heat prickled her skin. Her clothing was tight and confining, yet she couldn’t help smiling. She liked this side of him, his ability to make light of himself and his obvious arousal. “We figured you boys were hot.” Oh, God, she hadn’t meant it that way, but Nicholas grinned.

“I’m always hot.”

Emmett groaned and grabbed a glass. “Is this what I have to look forward to in the future?”

Pretending to be oblivious, she tilted her head to one side. “Fresh lemonade and cookies?”

He choked on his drink and spit some of it out. “No, the smoldering hot looks.”

She pounded her brother on the back. “You mean like this?” She sent what she hoped was a smoldering look at Nicholas.

“That looks like you ate bad fish,” Waya teased.

Bailey’s giggle turned into a full-blown belly laugh that made her stomach hurt, but in a good way. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so lighthearted, so happy. And Nicholas was the reason.

He made sure all the kids had a drink and cookies, then held the tray out to her. She wiped her damp eyes and brought herself under control. “Thanks.” The soft smile on his face, the banked heat in his eyes, brought with it a different kind of pain—an ache low in her core.

Only after everyone else had been served did he help himself. Being selfless and taking care of others came naturally to him. It wasn’t a ploy to ingratiate himself with her. It was part of the very fiber of his being.

The chatter was easy, the sharing of their day so far. Nicholas crouched down and paid attention as Eliza explained about making bread rolls. He praised Waya’s work ethic, teased Emmett, and gave Henry the space he needed while still managing to include the boy.

Relaxed, she enjoyed her drink while surrounded by her family. She paused with the glass halfway to her lips. He was part of that now, in more than name. He’d marked her with his body and his spirit. He’d changed all of them for the better. They were all more relaxed, even her.

Because a strong wolf was there to help protect and care for them.

Rather than bristle, her wolf preened, as though taking credit for attracting him. Whether half-breed or full-blooded, the kids all responded to his easy acceptance, soaked up his praise. She’d given them a home, stability, and love. He wasn’t trying to take away from that but add to it, shore it up and make it stronger.

“You okay?” the man in question asked.

“Yes.” She finished her drink. “Hand over the empties.” But rather than give her the tray when she held out her hand for it, Nicholas kept it until it was filled.

“Finish up out here,” he told the kids. “I’ll be back after I carry this into the house.”

Waya rolled his eyes and headed back to the garden, taking Eliza with him. Emmett grinned and waved. “Don’t be too long.”

Laughing and shaking her head, she led the way. The shade inside was welcome after being out in the blazing heat.

****

His gaze glued to the easy sway of her hips, Nicholas followed Bailey into the house. The heat beating down on his bare shoulders was nothing compared to the volcano of need churning inside him.

It would take more than lemonade and cookies to appease it.

The shaded coolness of the kitchen was a welcome relief. “Just put it there.” She motioned to the counter. “I’ll take care of the dishes.”

Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun, exposing the slender column of her neck. Tendrils had escaped, forming a reddish halo around her head. His wolf gave a low rumble.

She glanced over her shoulder, and her dark brows lowered a second before her eyes widened. Her tongue swiped across her lower lip.

Need knifed through him, decisive and almost painful. Tossing the tray on the counter, he held her face in his hands and slammed his mouth down on hers. The little noises of pleasure she made had his balls tightening. She gripped his wrists and thrust her tongue into his mouth, teasing and giving and taking.

She was his perfect match in every way.

He backed her up against the counter and lifted her so she was seated on it. She wrapped her legs around him, canting her hips upward. It wasn’t a perfect angle, but neither of them cared. He yanked her to the edge, so her breasts were plastered against his bare chest.

He wanted her naked.

Kids outside, he reminded himself. Frustration wouldn’t kill him, even if it felt like it. She clutched at his shoulders, her rounded nails digging into his skin, the tiny bite of pain anchoring him.

He slid one hand to the back of her head and plucked out the pins in her hair. It tumbled around her shoulders. Like the fire she used in her forge, it was alive and seductive.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.”

Her nose wrinkled and her cheeks pinkened. “I’m just me.”

If it took him a lifetime, he’d convince her. He lifted her off the counter, holding her easily. “I want to take you to bed and show you just how beautiful you are to me.”

Her breath coming in short pants, she lowered her head to his shoulder and groaned. “Don’t say things like that. Not now.”

She was right. There wasn’t time for that. Didn’t mean there wasn’t time for something else. Setting her on her feet, he opened the fasteners on her shorts and pushed his hand inside the opening.

Her eyes widened before they fluttered partly closed. She bit her bottom lip to smother a groan. “What? What are you doing?”

“Showing you what you do to me.” He slipped past the lacy edge of her underwear and found her core, skating his fingers over her hot slickness. Fuck, she was already so wet, the spiciness of her arousal wafting up to tease him.

“The kids.”

“Two minutes.” Using his thumb to coax her clit out from behind its protective hood, he concentrated on bringing her to completion. Two thick fingers pushed inside her. Her sex fluttered around them. Damn, she was almost there.

Sweat rolled down his back. His internal temperature soared.

Her eyes glazed over, and her hips rocked against his hand. He covered her mouth with his, swallowing the sweet moans. She raked her nails down his spine, making his cock kick and jerk.

From outside, childish laughter reminded him that they weren’t exactly in a private place, could be interrupted at any second.

He quickened his pace, driving his fingers deep, wishing each second it was his dick pounding into her. Curling his fingers, he found the sweet spot inside. Her entire body tightened and then began to shake. Her core clenched around him as she came.

Head thrown back, hair around her shoulders, lips parted, and green eyes glittering, she was a goddess. Beautiful was too tame a word for her. He followed, claiming her mouth, swallowing her cries of release. He withdrew his fingers and cupped her mound, seeking to calm instead of arouse—the opposite of what he’d rather be doing. When it was safe to do so, he eased his head back, but couldn’t resist dropping a soft kiss on her lush lips.

She blinked and slumped against the cupboards. “I didn’t think you could do it in two minutes.” She scrubbed at her cheeks. “I went off like a rocket. What about you?” Her pointed look made his cock flex.

There was a tinge of apology to her tone that he didn’t like. “I take it back.”

Frowning, she shook her head. “Take what back?”

“You’re not beautiful.” She jerked her head back as if he’d struck her and started to turn away. He caught her chin in his hand. “That’s too tame a word for you. You’re primal and wild, like a tornado.”

“A natural disaster. Great.” When she tried to pull away, he pulled her into his arms.

“Beautiful is for princesses. You’re a goddess.” Leaning down, he brushed his mouth over hers. “Most of all, you’re all female wolf—proud and courageous and sexy as hell.”

A smile teased the corners of her lips. “All that.”

“And more.” He tucked some fiery strands of hair behind her ear. “Never doubt your worth. I don’t. I hit the jackpot with you, and my daddy didn’t raise any fools.” He paused and canted his head to one side. “We’ve run out of time.” Footsteps were getting closer.

“Oh, God.” Spinning on her heels, she hurried toward the hallway. Stopping, she turned and bolted back. Going up on her toes, she kissed him. It was quick, but hot, a promise. “Later.” Promise given, she ran.

Nicholas rubbed his face and groaned when he caught the scent of her arousal on his fingers. He needed to get out of here before he did something stupid. He was halfway to the front door when the one in the kitchen opened. “I’ll be back in a bit,” he called, knowing Bailey would hear him, too.

Outside, he bolted to the woods, shucked his clothes, and embraced his wolf. The shift was quick, the beast longing for release. He fell forward on huge paws and shook his fur into place. He couldn’t fuck Bailey, but he could run.

He had a new appreciation for all the couples back home, especially his parents. It wasn’t always easy for them to get alone time, but at least they had other couples to watch the kids occasionally. Not to mention soundproofed bedrooms.

Hurting, he ran, his strong legs eating up the distance until his arousal eased and his sense of humor caught up with him. Here he was, the big bad wolf, running in circles around the land because he didn’t want to be far from his mate and pack.

He had it bad but was past caring. His beast understood the truth and so did he. Bailey and the kids were his.

And tonight, he’d be in her bed. Just like that, his arousal was back. With a growl that was more a groan, he kept running, detouring toward the river for a dip in the cool, running water.

Chapter Seventeen

Bailey sat on the front porch, enjoying the show as the sun sank lower in the sky. It was ablaze—pink, yellow, and orange streaks painted across the horizon. After a delicious supper, Nicholas had disappeared on another run. He’d started to help with the cleanup, but she’d shooed him out the door. He was trying to act relaxed, but he was even more on edge than she was. He’d watched her during the meal, his eyes hot with promise. Her entire body tingled in anticipation.

Tonight, they’d share her bedroom, and every night going forward, at least for the foreseeable future. She turned the ring on her finger around and around, as if it could somehow tell her the future.

His words from earlier echoed in her head. All female wolf—proud and courageous and sexy as hell.

It was strange to try to see herself through his eyes. Educational, too. Initially, she’d been hurt when he’d taken back that she was beautiful. She should have known better. Nicholas would never intentionally hurt her.

They hadn’t known each other long in terms of time, but in her heart and soul, she knew him in a way she never had any other. And the explosive sex was only a part of it. That she trusted him with her life, her heart, and her kids spoke volumes to how much her attitude had changed since their first meeting.

The door pushed open and Emmett stepped outside. “Up for company?”

“Absolutely. Can you tell the others to come outside? I want a pack meeting.” Things were going to change, not only for her, but all of them. They needed to be told, their opinions taken into consideration.

What if they don’t want Nicholas to stay? Her wolf howled inside her, voicing her objection. But she was alpha, responsible for the well-being of her pack. That had to take precedence over her personal needs. They’d all taken to him, but that didn’t mean they’d want him around forever. They might see him as a temporary means to an end.

A shout from Emmett brought them all stampeding out of the house. Bailey rolled her eyes. “I could have done that,” she muttered.

Eliza arrived first, came straight to her side, and squeezed into the chair beside her. Emmett leaned against the railing. Waya stepped outside, a frown on his face. Henry slipped out the door and sat on the steps in the shadows, his head down.

“Nicholas and I are married,” she began.

“We were there.” Emmett gave her a pointed look. “That’s not news.”

“No, it’s not. It was supposed to be a temporary thing.”

“He lied. He said he wasn’t leaving.” Waya started to stomp off.

“Come back here.” She surged up out of her chair, hands fisted on her waist. She didn’t raise her voice, but kept the tone level and firm. “First off, I’m not done talking. Secondly, don’t jump to conclusions.”

As alpha, she demanded respect. It was the only way to keep a bunch of young wolves on the straight and narrow, the only way they’d follow her. It wasn’t always easy, especially with Waya. Unlike the other males, he wasn’t a half-breed and was close to making his first shift. If he decided to ignore her request, she’d have to take tougher action, something she was loathe to do. Heart thumping in her chest, palms sweaty, she prayed he’d make the right choice.

Shoulders stiff, he stomped back, glaring at her all the way. She met his defiant gaze until he dropped his. It was important for the young wolf to respect her as alpha.

“As I was saying,” she continued, “Nicholas and I have discussed things. We’ve made a connection beyond that of a human contract. We want to see where it goes.” Saying it out loud to the kids made it real.

Waya’s shoulders eased. The expression in his eyes was way older than his age. “Like mating?” He said the words slowly, as though testing them out.

This was the tricky part. Taking a deep breath, she laid it all out there. “That remains to be seen, but it’s a possibility.” One she’d never allowed herself to even fantasize about before. “It’s early days yet, but he’s committed to me, to all of you, to this pack.” She looked at them all, one by one. “We’re the Smith Pack. This affects all of you. What do you say?”

“I want him to stay.” Eliza was the first to pipe up. “I like him.”

“I like him, too.” Bailey ruffled the girl’s hair. “Waya?”

“I like him well enough.”

High praise from the teen. “Henry?” The boy had been quiet, but that wasn’t unusual. When he nodded, she went to his side and crouched beside him. “I need you to say it so there’s no misunderstanding.”

He glanced at her from beneath thick eyelashes and nodded again. “Stay.”

Three down and one to go, and this one would be the hardest. Emmett was her brother, had known her the longest. The older he got, the more responsible he felt for her, even though she was older. “Emmett?”

He pushed away from the house. “Does that mean he’s moving into your room, into your bed?” It was impossible to read his expression. Was he for it? Against it?

“It does. It’s my decision. He slept on the sofa last night because I didn’t invite him to share my room.” It was healthy for all of them to see an example of a good male, something most of them weren’t familiar with. And Emmett had only been eleven when their parents had died, the memory a traumatic one. She wasn’t sure how much he remembered about their family life before the attack. It wasn’t something they discussed. In hindsight, probably not a good idea.

They’d never had a grown male live with them, let alone a full-blooded wolf. It was one thing when they thought he wouldn’t be permanent. Was Emmett feeling threatened by his presence?

They were the same height, but her brother’s shoulders were broader and he was quickly filling out, becoming more muscular. He was only weeks away from turning eighteen, becoming a man.

The years had disappeared like a puff of smoke, filled with hardship and fear, running and trying to stay alive. It was time they all had something more than merely surviving.

“If it’s what you want, I’ll support you.” Relief flooded her. If he’d chosen to fight her, it would have put her in a terrible position. His expression turned fierce. “But if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

The threat was deadly serious, even though any fight between the two men would mean her brother’s death. She blinked to keep the tears back. His love and support meant the world to her. “Don’t worry, little brother. If he hurts me, I’ll kick him to the curb.”

Emmett snorted and kissed her on the forehead.

“If the two of you mate, will we stay here or will he want to go back to his pack?” All eyes flew to Henry. He didn’t speak willingly very often. When he did, it was always noteworthy.

Waya tensed. “I’m not leaving anyone behind.” As full-blooded wolves, he and Eliza were more likely to be accepted before the others.

Bailey held up her hand, stopping their concerns before they escalated. She hadn’t even considered it, and she should have. “No one is leaving anyone behind. And I’m a half-breed, remember. If they’d accept me, they’d accept you.” In theory, that worked, but there was no way to know the truth until faced with it.

“But you can shift.” The heartbreak in her brother’s voice made her want to cry. He was struggling with that, questioning himself. The older he got, the more it bothered him, even if he rarely talked about it anymore.

“There’s time for you,” she told him. “Even if it never happens, it doesn’t matter. I love all of you. I would never leave you, never take you anywhere you weren’t fully welcome. Smith Pack forever.” When all she got were a few grumbles, she frowned and repeated, “I said, Smith Pack forever.”

“Smith Pack forever,” they yelled back.

She waved her hand toward the house. “Go on. Scat. And don’t worry. You come first with me, always.” Her kids needed to understand that. The younger three bolted, but Emmett lingered. “What?”

Looking way older than seventeen, he touched his fingers to her cheek. “Don’t give up your chance at happiness. Not for me.”

“Don’t you get it? I can’t be happy if you’re not. You’re my brother. I love you.”

“Well, well, well, isn’t this touching?”

Bailey’s blood ran cold. That voice had haunted her for years, the taunting and disparaging tone one that echoed in her nightmares. She shoved Emmett behind her and he disappeared inside. They’d trained for such a scenario. He and Waya would protect the younger ones against a flank attack and try to spirit them away.

The male was beginning to show his age, flecks of gray speckling his hair. Anger made his brown eyes glow. He was a little over six feet, broad, and strong. He hadn’t changed much since the last time she’d seen him. “Rasmus Caine, you’re a long way from home.”

He spit on the ground. “Half-breed coward. Running away and leaving you to face me by yourself.”

She let the insult to her brother roll over her, like water off a duck’s back. Hands on her hips, she glared at the man who’d birthed her mother. No way would she call him her grandfather. “That’s rich coming from someone who killed his own daughter and son-in-law, not to mention attacked two kids. You didn’t do it alone that time, and you’re not alone now. Bullies like you always travel in groups.” She wouldn’t give them the honor of calling them a pack.

Where the hell was Nicholas? How far had he roamed? Maybe he betrayed you, an insidious little voice whispered. She shook her head, refusing to believe it. No way would he hurt her or the kids.

Thinking she was shaking her head at him, Rasmus roared, “She made me do it. Disgracing herself with a human. Giving birth to two abominations.”

A younger version of him stepped out of the shadows and put his hand on the old man’s shoulder, as if to restrain him. That would be her uncle Noah. Another male stepped out to flank Rasmus’s other side.

“Murderer.” She’d waited a lifetime to confront him, but there was no satisfaction to be found. Her parents were dead. Nothing would bring them back. This was about trying to distract all of them long enough for the kids to escape and make it to the caves. “All we wanted was to be left alone. We weren’t causing you or yours any trouble. We’re not causing you any trouble now.”

“I won’t have my bloodline tainted.”

Bailey snorted. “I’m the one with the complaint. My bloodline is tainted by you.”

The old man threw back his head and howled. “I was going to make this quick, but after that insult you’re going to suffer.”

“How did you find us?” They should have been safe, had been for years.

It was her uncle who smiled. “Computers are wonderful things. Good for finding out all kinds of things.” He held up his fingers and wagged them in the air. “I’m a hacker, the best.” He shook his head. “CPS? You should have changed your first names, at least run while you had the chance.”

Nicholas hadn’t betrayed them. It had been dumb luck and those idiots at the grocery store. He was right about one thing. She should have run. Too late now. She kicked off her shoes and dragged off her shirt.

“What the hell are you doing?” It was her uncle Noah who asked.

Ignoring him, she embraced her wolf and let the shift happen. The men stood there wide-eyed, shock etched on their faces as her body contorted. Her head flattened, her muzzle growing. She fell forward onto four paws and bared her fangs.

“What the hell is this? You’re a half-breed.”

Take that, bitches, she wanted to shout. Growling, she faced down three grown males. She couldn’t hope to survive, not without help. A faint howl in the distance was cut off. God, were the kids okay? She wanted to run and check on them, but there was no time.

“If she can shift, she’s a wolf.” Noah seemed fascinated by her. His father wheeled around and slammed his fist into his son’s face. The younger wolf spun around and landed facedown in the dirt.

“She’s an abomination.”

His son rolled to his feet, holding the side of his face. Healing was faster for them, but still painful. The other wolf smirked at him. No love lost among this crowd. No wonder her mother had run.

Rasmus’s smile was a terrible thing to behold. “You’re going to beg for death by the time I’m done.”

Bailey threw back her head and howled, her fury echoing over the surrounding hills and through the forest. Love for her pack filled her heart. For family! Without warning, she launched herself into the air.

****

It was time for Nicholas to head back. He’d roamed a bit farther than he’d planned, but he’d sensed Bailey needed some time alone with the kids. And he needed to get his unruly body under control. It was almost laughable how little he had around her, but he wouldn’t change anything about her for the world.

A scent caught his attention. Whirling around, he attacked, catching the wolf sneaking up behind him off-guard and taking him to the ground. His opponent kicked up with powerful hind legs, shoving him off. The two faced off, growling at each other.

A tall, powerful male stepped out from behind a tree. The eyes were the same ones he stared at in the mirror each morning. His lips twitched as if he was trying not to smile. “Such a loving family reunion. Your mother would be so proud.”

Surprised but thrilled, he shifted and launched himself at his father. The hug was hard, if brief. Damn, he’d missed them. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?”

Strong arms caught him from behind, lifting him off his feet before releasing him. His brother laughed and slapped him on the back. “We missed your pretty face.”

“Idiot.” He pushed him aside.

Jacque shook his head, used to their antics. “Your mother was worried.” He canted his head toward Aaron. “And that one was moping.”

“Not moping. Concerned.” He punched Nicholas in the arm. “You know he gets in trouble when I’m not around to watch him.”

Nicholas snorted. “It’s the other way around.” His pleasure drained away and reality kicked in hard. “Why didn’t you call?” He’d checked his phone before he’d left for a run.

“Wanted to wait until we got the lay of the land. I figured if you were ready to have us here, you’d invite us. But Armand was concerned.”

His father’s cousin was the pack computer guru. “What happened?” The hairs on the back of his neck prickled, and his wolf stilled inside him. His heart kicked up a beat.

“Someone illegally checked the CPS file on your woman and the kids. He’s still tracing it back. Says the guy is good, but he’s better.”

Bailey! The kids! They were unprotected.

His father held his fist in the air. They all went still and silent, automatically falling back into their training. Nicholas heard Eliza whimper. Shifting midair, he landed softly and kicked into a dead run.

“Stay away from them.” That was Emmett. Where the hell was Bailey?

Three wolves surrounded the kids, taunting them by snapping forward before stepping back. Emmett and Waya had the younger two between them, protecting them. Waya growled, claws erupting from his fingertips and several of his teeth morphing into fangs. He was going to make his first shift. The stress, the need to protect, was pushing him.

Without slowing, Nicholas jumped on top of the largest of the three attackers, taking him down and ripping out his throat. The taste of blood fueled his fury. The other two jumped back and growled in warning.

Emmett’s eyes widened and his face went snow white. “Behind you.”

Nicholas shifted. “All of you look at me. They’re with me. They’re family. You don’t need to see this.” He swiped the back of his hand over his bloody mouth. His appearance had to be terrifying them, but it couldn’t be helped. His father and brother were making fast work of the other two intruders.

Emmett scooped Eliza into his arms. She buried her face into his neck, her little body shaking. Henry sat on the ground, his face tucked against his knees. Their fear was a living, breathing entity. For that alone, he’d kill them all, but he’d leave it to his brother. “Where’s Bailey?” he snapped. No way would she let them go off on their own.

“At the house.”

Waya cried out and fell to the ground, his body writhing in pain as he fought to make his first transition. Torn between his duty to them and to Bailey, he snapped, “Aaron, protect them. Dad, get Waya through this. It’s his first time.”

Trusting them to handle things, he shifted and ran faster than he ever had. Lungs pumping, he flew over a downed log, zigzagged between trees. Bailey was his life. If something happened to her—

A howl turned his blood cold. Bailey! He pushed harder, tearing around the house in time to see her spring into the air and barrel right into an older male.

The two strangers with him froze in shock. No doubt they’d expected an easy target, not his alpha female. Silent as death, he attacked, taking the first one down and ripping out his throat before he knew what hit him. The second one shifted, shaking off his clothes.

Before Nicholas could attack, a wolf yipped in pain.

The older wolf had shifted and had Bailey on her back, her vulnerable neck exposed. Protect! Nicholas hit the male with his full weight. The two of them tumbled to the ground in a mass of claws and fangs and fur.

Bailey scrambled to her feet. Did she retreat to safety? Of course not. She snapped at the other attacker, keeping him off Nicholas’s back. The older wolf took a few steps away and shifted.

Surprised by the turn of events, Nicholas did the same. Bailey stayed by his side, snarling while she kept an eye on the other one.

“Who the hell are you?” the old man demanded.

“Nicholas LaForge. Who the hell are you?”

“Rasmus Caine.” He pointed at Bailey. “That’s my granddaughter.” Bailey growled in denial. He ignored her and continued, “She’s family. This is none of your business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, old man. She’s my mate.”

Rasmus’s mouth tightened. Then he smirked. “She’s not marked.”

“Marked or not, she’s mine.” He spat blood at the feet of the other two men. “Oddly enough, she doesn’t trust full-blooded wolves. I wonder why?”

Rasmus shook his head. “You’re not mated, boy. You’re a wolf.” He tapped his nose. “I can tell you’re full-blooded. I have three more men in the woods. Leave and I’ll let you live. That’s a good deal considering you cost me a good male.”

“Father,” Noah began to protest, but quickly closed his mouth when his father glared.

“If he died that easily, he deserved it. I’m alpha. My word is law.”

Nicholas growled at the lack of caring about the lost pack member. That spoke to the rot in the pack that came from the top. “No deal. The other three are dead. The kids are safe,” he added for Bailey’s sake, knowing she had to be out of her mind with worry.

“Who are you?” Noah whispered.

“I told you. I’m Nicholas LaForge, son of Jacque LaForge, alpha of the Salvation Pack. This is my mate. Those kids you tried to kill are my pack, my family.”

“But they’re half-breed nothings.” Noah frowned and his brow furrowed.

Using the distraction to his advantage, Rasmus shifted and attacked. Expecting it, Nicholas ducked under the wolf, ignoring the sharp claws raking over his back and side and the pain and blood that followed. In one motion, he caught the wolf around the middle with one arm. The other went around his neck. Using his massive strength, he twisted. The crack was quick and final. A wolf could survive and heal from many things, but a broken neck wasn’t one of them. Ripping out the heart and decapitation were other fast options. All were final.

“No!” Noah was all but foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. “This is all your fault.” He came not after Nicholas but Bailey, shifting on the fly.

“Duck!” he yelled as the massive wolf soared toward her. Shockingly, she didn’t hesitate, dropping to her belly. Her attacker flew over her.

Nicholas shifted back to his wolf and took down the other male, defeating him easily. He wasn’t much of a fighter. None of them were. They were scrappers, bullies used to using their superior strength on those weaker, while he’d cut his teeth on bigger, stronger opponents, ones trained to kill.

This was his job, but killing, even when it was to protect, took a toll on a person. He didn’t want his mate to carry that burden for even one second. Job done, he shifted back to his human form and swiped at the blood on his face. Still in her wolf form, she stared at the dead men, her entire body quivering.

With their enemies gone, another concern gripped him by the balls. After watching him easily dispatch the men, knowing he was a killer, would she still want him? “Bailey?” He prayed she’d give him a chance.

With a low growl, she leaped toward him. Arms out by his sides, he waited for her attack. He would not defend himself, not against his mate.

Chapter Eighteen

He’d vanquished her monsters. The proof was lying in the dirt only a few feet away. Both her mother’s father and brother were dead. They could no longer hurt her or her family. There was no sense of loss, as they were strangers. She’d always thought there would be some satisfaction when her parents’ murderers were gone, or closure, but there was only profound relief and lingering sadness.

They could have happily lived their lives, but their unrelenting, irrational hatred and bigotry had brought them to this violent end.

Naked and silent, his face bloody, Nicholas watched her. Long, jagged gashes ran the length of his back and side. He hadn’t come through unscathed. She wanted him to hold her, wanted to shed the tears welling up inside her. Not for the dead men who’d attacked them, but for the fact he’d been forced to kill. For her.

The lump in her throat threatened to choke her. The pressure in her chest was almost painful. She swallowed heavily. No, she wouldn’t cry. If she started, she might never stop.

When Rasmus had goaded him about the mating mark, Nicholas had reaffirmed his commitment to her and the kids. Like a beacon shining through the thickest fog on the darkest night, everything had become crystal clear. All her worries had fallen away, leaving only the bare truth.

Nicholas belonged with her. He belonged with them, as a part of the pack.

I love him.

Before she could shift and tell him, the largest wolf she’d ever seen stepped into the yard. The surge of power that preceded him had all her fur rising on end. The primal urge to protect her mate overrode her fear. She launched herself at Nicholas, landing right in front of him. Standing her ground, she growled a warning. The newcomer stopped several feet away and studied her out of golden eyes.

Familiar eyes.

She glanced at Nicholas, who was smiling, and then back at the wolf, who was totally relaxed. Holy crap. They had to be related. Who was he? Why was he here?

The sound of voices snapped her out of her trance. Emmett stepped out of the woods with Eliza in his arms. Even more shocking, Henry was walking beside a stranger who looked enough like Nicholas to be his brother.

Her heart leaped into her throat. Where was Waya?

A black wolf with blue eyes poked his nose out from behind the stranger. Shocked, she stared at the young wolf. Waya had made his first shift. And he’d done it without her.

I missed it.

When he saw her, he hesitated, dropping back as the others kept coming. Pushing her disappointment aside, she trotted toward him. His sides quivered, but he held his ground. They touched noses and she nuzzled his face, covering him in wolf kisses. He’d never doubt her acceptance. He endured it stoically, huffing out several breaths, until she finally relented. Not about to shift in front of all these strangers, she trotted to the porch, retrieved her shorts and shirt, and disappeared around the corner of the house.

Shifting back was harder than it should have been. Her instinct was to remain in her stronger, faster, more deadly form, but trust was stronger. Her legs shook, but she managed to get into her clothes. Squaring her shoulders, she tilted her chin up and stepped back into the yard.

Everyone was where she’d left them, except for Nicholas and the strange wolf. Both had shifted and wore nothing more than a pair of jeans. Standing side by side, the resemblance was unmistakable.

“Bailey Smith, I want you to meet my father, Jacque LaForge, alpha of the Salvation Pack.” Nicholas had inherited his size, build, and coloring. Jacque’s shaggy brown hair fell to his shoulders, with only the slightest bit of gray at the temples to silver it. He might be older, but this was no old man. This was a male in prime condition. His features were harder than his son’s, his eyes colder.

Stifling the urge to rub her sweaty palms against her shirt, she stepped forward and extended her hand. “Welcome to the Smith Pack.” She kept the greeting formal, alpha to alpha. “I’m Bailey Smith, alpha of this pack.”

Warmth bled into those golden eyes, and the corners of his mouth twitched. He accepted her handshake, keeping the contact brief. “Thank you for the welcome.”

“Thank you for the assist.” She gave her attention to the other unknown male, holding out her hand.

He winked at her, his blue eyes gentle with understanding. “I’m Aaron, the younger and handsomer LaForge son.”

Nicholas growled and stepped up beside her, a frown on his face. “Why so formal? This is my family, which means they’re your family now.”

He might think so, but she wasn’t so sure. These men had been forced to kill to protect her pack. Not exactly a great first impression. Since it didn’t appear as if they presented any immediate danger, she went to Waya and bent down on one knee. “Time to change back, buddy.” She rubbed her hand over his furry head when he whined. “We’ll go for a run tomorrow, you and me. For now, I need your help with the others.”

The blue-eyed black wolf blinked several times, gave a playful growl, and then shifted. Sitting on his butt in the dirt, he pulled his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs. “Geez, Bailey, give a guy some space.”

Rather than take offense, she laughed and ruffled his hair. “I’m proud of you.”

His shoulders straightened. “I had to protect them.”

His first shift should have been done in safety and celebrated. Like her, he’d been forced into it too young. “It was incredibly brave of you.”

He shrugged, looking ill at ease. She wanted to hug him, but refused to embarrass him further. “Emmett, get him some pants.”

“I’ve got them.” Aaron tossed them to Waya. “Grabbed them on the way.”

Jacque LaForge remained silent throughout the entire exchange, arms folded across his chest, his gaze watchful. Nicholas was standing back, a frown of confusion on his face. What did he expect her to do? Hug the man? His father didn’t come across as the warm and fuzzy type.

“I’m taking the kids inside. You’re welcome to join us.” Invitation issued, she held out her hand to Henry. He grabbed it like a lifeline, gripping it tight and leaning his body into hers for reassurance. Clothes rustled as Waya dressed and followed. Emmett had the door open by the time she got there. She couldn’t tell if Eliza was asleep in his arms or hiding her face against his shoulder. Bailey wanted to know what had happened to them out in the woods, but she was almost afraid to ask.

As soon as the door closed, she spread her arms wide and gathered all of them into her embrace. These kids had enough nightmares already. Tonight had piled on more. “Is anyone hurt?”

“No.” Emmett eased out of the hug. He swallowed heavily. “I took them the route we’d mapped, but three wolves found us.”

Her stomach churned at the thought of what could have happened.

“Nicholas came out of nowhere and killed one of them. He protected us.” There was wonder in Henry’s voice. “Then the other wolves arrived.” His face was pale but composed. “They killed the attackers while Nicholas went after you.”

She owed those men a debt of gratitude she could never repay. “You’re all safe. That’s what matters.”

Emmett handed Eliza off to her. The girl clung, pale and silent, still very much wide awake. “You’re safe now,” she promised, praying it wasn’t a lie.

“The bad men are gone.” It was a childlike assessment but an accurate one.

“Yes, honey.” She rubbed the girl’s back. “The bad men are gone. They won’t be back.” But would there be others from their pack seeking retribution? “We’ll talk in the morning. Make plans.” She hated the idea of leaving what they’d painstakingly built with sweat and blood and tears, but nothing was worth the lives of her kids.

“I’m going to help with the cleanup.” Emmett headed toward the door with Waya at his heels.

“That’s my job.” She was alpha.

Her brother shook his head. “You’ve done enough. Family shares the load.”

It was what she constantly preached. They needed to help, to be a part of protecting themselves and the pack. It almost killed her to give a nod of agreement and let them go.

Before they made their exit, Nicholas opened the door, filling the entrance with his presence. “My brother and father are taking care of things outside. As you said, family shares the load.” His words proved he’d heard their conversation.

It was hard to argue, and she was too damn tired to care as long as it was handled. “Anyone hungry?” She needed to do something to keep her hands busy to try to silence the nightmare scenarios running through her mind. What would have happened if she’d never met Nicholas? Maybe Rasmus would never have found them. Or maybe all of them would be dead.

“I’ll start coffee.” Emmett headed to the kitchen.

Henry looked from Nicholas to her, then turned on his heel and followed.

Waya, looking older than he had a few hours ago, held out his arms. “I’ll take Eliza.” It was cowardly, but she wanted to cling to the girl, use her as a shield. She wasn’t ready to face Nicholas. Digging deep for courage, she handed off the child.

The two of them were left alone in the living room. Not that there was any privacy. The others were only steps away and all had enhanced hearing. It was the illusion of it that mattered.

He pressed his hand against her face. The blood had been wiped from his face, but some stained his chest. “Oh, my God, your injuries.” How could she have forgotten?

“I’m fine. LaForge men heal fast. Makes us damn hard to kill.”

A cold shiver raced down her spine. All of them had come far too close for her liking tonight. “I’m sorry,” she blurted. The air was thick and heavy, the walls pushing in on her. Shoving him aside, she stumbled outside.

He caught her on the porch, stopping her headlong flight to… She had no idea where she was going. Her family needed her, but she couldn’t breathe.

Her vision began to dim, narrowing to a pinprick. I’m going to pass out. The shocking reality sent a jolt of adrenaline pouring through her. She couldn’t leave her kids vulnerable.

“Look at me.”

She concentrated on his face, trying to understand what he was saying. It was almost impossible with the whooshing sound in her ears.

He shook her lightly. “Breathe, Bailey.”

She sucked air into her starving lungs. Right, breathing is good.

“That’s it. Again.” He did it with her, taking one slow breath and then another. A whisper of sound caught her attention, and she tensed at the latest threat. “No, you don’t worry about that. Everyone is safe. You’re safe. Keep looking at me.”

Grabbing onto his voice like a lifeline, she hung on. It seemed to take forever but was probably only minutes until the sights and sounds of the night began to penetrate the thick void that threatened to swallow her. The stars twinkled in the sky overhead. The insects chirped and buzzed in the cool night air.

What the hell had just happened? Embarrassed by her outburst, she smoothed wrinkles out of her shirt and cleared her throat. “Sorry about that.” Maybe if she wished hard enough, the ground would open and swallow her whole.

He swore under his breath and dragged a hand through his hair, leaving parts of it standing on end. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You had a slight panic attack, likely due to the adrenaline dump in your system. You faced down your monsters, your nightmares. It’s not surprising your system is overloaded.”

He was right, but she hated that it left her feeling weak. Had the kids heard? That was the last thing they needed. She had to be strong for them. “I’m alpha,” she whispered.

“You are, but you’ve carried that burden far too long on your own.” On a sigh, he curled his arm around her waist. “Let me share some of the load. You’re it for me. You’re the woman I love. My mate.”

Her lungs threatened to seize up again. She struggled for calm. One of them had to be sensible. “I’ll always be a half-breed. There may be repercussions from tonight, more men coming for us.” He hadn’t asked for any of this. “You killed to protect me.”

Golden eyes glittered and hardened, and a muscle worked in his jaw. In that moment, she saw his father reflected in him. The apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree there. Nicholas was a protector, a fighter, a true alpha.

“You’re damn right I did. You and the kids are mine. My pack is different. I told you that before, but you weren’t ready to believe. This time, I want you to really listen and hear what I’m saying. We have half-breeds in the Salvation Pack. They’re family, valued members of our community. They’d fight to defend it, as your boys did tonight.”

He traced his thumbs over her cheekbones and ran one across her lower lip. “I love you, Bailey. Take a chance on me, on us.”

A crossroads lay before her. Her future was her choice. Did she let fear dictate or did she choose love?

****

This was it. Nicholas had no cards left to play, no other words he could use to convince her that they were meant to be together. His wolf was strangely silent.

He’d fought tonight, spilled blood—for his mate and his pack. A protector at heart, he’d finally found his place. If she took it from him, he had no idea what he’d do next.

A wolf wasn’t meant to be alone. A wolf needed his pack. First, she needed to claim him.

“I thought you were bossy and overbearing from the very beginning.” His stomach dropped until he saw the slight smile on her face. “I still think that. You’re an alpha through and through. We’re alike in many ways.” She rested her hand on his chest right over his heart. It beat strong and fast, for her.

“We are,” he agreed.

“We’ll fight.” Strangely enough, she sounded more amused than bothered.

He slid his hands up and down the curve of her spine before cupping her firm, full ass. “We will, but think of how good it will be to make up after.”

Her sensual laugh lashed his bare skin, leaving it sensitized. His dick was hard and eager. “There is that.” She flicked the tip of her thumb over a flat nipple, drawing a deep groan and making it difficult for him to focus. “I’ve watched you.”

“Have you?” His voice was more a guttural growl. His wolf was close.

“Oh, yes. You’re bossy and controlling, but you always put the well-being of the others first, taking into consideration their needs and wishes.”

What was she getting at? “That’s what an alpha does.” The scent of her arousal made him want to fall to his knees, rip off her clothes, and feast on her hot, molten core.

“You’re sexy as hell, too.” She ran her hands over his chest, one down to his abs, the other up to his shoulder. Sweat beaded on his brow. “You’ve never hesitated to protect me or the kids. Every action you’ve taken has put us first. I’d be crazy not to want you.”

He was hanging by a thread. “Say it.” He needed her to say it straight out.

“I’ll mate with you.”

His wolf howled in triumph, but Nicholas needed more. “Why?”

Tilting her head to one side, she frowned and her brows lowered. “I just told you why.”

Mate her and figure it out later. That was the smart thing to do. But he couldn’t make that final move. “Is it gratitude?”

Her mouth dropped and then closed.

His heart was trying to beat out of his chest. His cock was about to punch a hole in his pants. And his wolf was howling in frustration, but he wouldn’t give, couldn’t give. Not on this. “I love you.”

The frustration in her eyes softened. “Oh, Nicholas. It’s gratitude, but it’s so much more. If I didn’t love you, I’d have booted your ass to the door days ago.”

A hoot of laughter was quickly silenced. His brother was enjoying this way too much. He made a mental note to mercilessly tease Aaron when he finally found a mate.

Grabbing Bailey’s hand, he towed her toward the woods. “Too many ears here,” he muttered. She loved him. It echoed in his brain, pounded in his heart. What the hell was he doing? Whirling around, he scooped her into his arms and ran.

Arms wrapped around his neck, she relaxed against him. When he’d gone far enough to ensure privacy, he stopped in a small clearing and lowered her feet to the ground. “Tell me.” Holding her precious face in his hands, he drank in the sight of the woman who held his heart and his future in her capable hands.

Pressing her palms against his face to mirror his actions, she went up on her toes so they were eye-to-eye. “I never thought I’d ever find anyone like you. You burst into my life like a summer storm—fast and hard.”

“Bailey.” His patience was running thin.

“This is a big moment for me. I never thought I’d say these words to anyone.” She took a deep breath and smiled. “Nicholas LaForge, I love you and want to mate you.”

Throwing back his head, Nicholas howled. Then he pounced.

Chapter Nineteen

Bailey’s hands shook and her legs trembled, but her heart was filled to bursting with happiness. His howl still echoed in the night air when Nicholas took her down to the ground, as though she was prey he would not be denied. Only there was no fear, no doubt or second thoughts, only love.

Flat on her back, his big body blocking out the night sky above, she stared into his beloved face. When had he begun to fill the cracks in her heart, bringing light to her wounded soul?

She’d been furious with him at their first meeting for interfering in her life, but even then, she’d been attracted. Bit by bit, he’d worn down her resistance, crumbling all her walls. It should have left her vulnerable. Instead, she was stronger. He’d replaced those walls with something harder and more resilient—love.

His forearms flat on the ground, his biceps flexed as he held the bulk of his weight off her. His hard jaw and carved cheekbones could have been hewn from stone, but the molten gold of his eyes and the press of his arousal against her mound heated her from within.

“Say it again,” he demanded.

Rising up, she closed the gap between them and pressed her mouth against his, keeping the pressure whisper-light. “I love you.” Three of the simplest but most powerful words in the world.

She was forced to swallow his groan when he took her lips in a searing kiss. He rocked his pelvis against hers, the hard press of his cock and the friction of her clothes torture against her swollen clit. Wrapping her legs around his thighs, she pushed up, wanting, needing more.

They’d had sex before. It had been hot and explosive and everything she could have wished for. This was more. This was making love.

She stroked his tongue with hers, savoring each ragged moan and breath. He reared back and grabbed the hem of her shirt. Rip! Her bra was stuffed in her back pocket, along with the underwear she hadn’t bothered with earlier.

“Perfect.” He cupped her bare breasts and trailed his thumbs around the tips, which hardened to the point of pain. “So responsive.” Hot breath feathered over them. As if there was an invisible cord leading to her core, a tingle radiated downward to her sex.

She bit her bottom lip but couldn’t contain the moan. “More.” He’d gone from being in a hurry to taking too darn long. If her skin got any hotter, she’d combust.

“Like this.” He gently pinched her nipples. Her sex clenched, the muscles gripping nothing but air.

“Bastard.”

He gave her a sexy grin filled with sexual promise. “I’m just getting started.”

The hell with that. Reaching down, she found the zipper of his jeans. He hadn’t bothered buttoning them earlier, making it easier for her to get to him. His cock fell into her hand, hard and pulsing with life. She squeezed and gave it a pump.

His eyes practically rolled back into his head. His Adam’s apple rippled. “You don’t play fair. I like that.” Faster than she would have thought possible, he had his jeans off and her shorts peeled down her legs. She fought with the scraps of cloth that had been her shirt and tossed them away.

Naked, they stared at each other, their chests rapidly rising and falling. His heart beat a fast rhythm. Hers synced to it. The air was thick with the smell of their arousal.

Mating here in her woods, under the light of the almost full moon and the stars, was natural and right. Her wolf chuffed inside her, as if urging her to get on with it.

Coming up on her knees, she wrapped her hand around his shaft and leaned forward. He hissed out a breath as she flicked her tongue over the slit in the broad head before circling the rim. Strong fingers tangled in her hair, not to push her down or pull her away but to have another connection.

His salty and musky taste had her squirming. The more she teased him, the more turned on she became. Her sex was damp from her juices. With a growl, she took him deeper, sucking on his dick.

“Fuck!” He pulled away, leaving them both panting.

“I’m not done.”

“I am.” His fangs dropped, sharp as daggers and as deadly. His cock gleamed from where she’d sucked him, the head darker, the shaft roped with veins. A light sheen of sweat covered his body. There wasn’t any softness to the man. He was all muscle and bone and sinew.

He’s not going to ask. Even now, he was leaving the final decision to her. A mating was done with the female on her hands and knees. Committed to him and to them, she turned away from him and pressed her hands against the mossy ground, arching her back toward him.

The sound he made wasn’t fully human but was one of pleasure and pain. Hard hands gripped her hips. His knees pushed against hers, spreading her legs wider. Long fingers skated over the lips of her sex. “You’re wet. Are you ready?” She was too far gone to reply. He didn’t wait for an answer, dipping his fingers into her core. “Yeah, you are.” There was wonder and satisfaction in his tone.

She bucked against his fingers, teetering on the edge of coming. “Nicholas.”

He notched the thick head of his shaft at her opening, pushing past the natural resistance until it rested barely inside of her. “You’re mine. Now and forever.”

The solemn vow touched her deeply and brought tears to her eyes. “And you’re mine. Now and forever.”

On a ragged groan, he drove forward in one thrust, burying himself to the hilt.

“Yes.” She pushed back, wanting all he had to give and more.

He dropped forward, his big body covering hers, his hands resting alongside hers. Goose bumps raced down her back. There was no fear, only excitement and anticipation. She tilted her head to one side.

The flat of his tongue dragged over the exposed curve of her neck before dropping down to the top of her shoulder where the two met. He struck hard and fast, his fangs sinking into her.

A flash of pain was followed by a spasm of pleasure as the bond snapped into place. This was more binding than the human wedding they’d had. No piece of paper had this kind of power.

He flexed his hips, pulling back and driving forward. Short, quick thrusts propelled her higher. She curled her fingers into the ground and locked her elbows to keep from falling on her face. Her breasts swayed, her nipples hard as diamonds. He lifted one hand off the ground and found her clit, rubbing it with his thumb.

Her sex clenched, squeezing his cock. On a howl, he came, thrusting again and again, as if he’d never stop. Pleasure exploded through her, leaving her boneless, stripping her of strength.

She fell forward, but he caught her before she face-planted and eased her down, following so he covered her. They were locked together, the base of his shaft swollen. Her sex continued to contract, milking every drop of his essence from him.

If a rampage of wild rhinos attacked, she wouldn’t be able to get out of the way. Not that there was any danger of rhinos in West Virginia. She laughed at her nonsensical thoughts, totally rung out, yet strangely energized.

As her breathing returned to normal, she inhaled deeply, drinking in the earthy scent of the ground, the tangy scent of the pine trees, and the sweet scent of nearby wildflowers. Overlaying it all was the richer smell of sex. They were mated. She was a part of him, and he was a part of her.

With a groan, he rolled to his side, taking her with him so she was no longer in danger of being crushed. Not that she ever had been. He’d made sure of it. He tilted her head back so she was looking at his face. Without a word, he kissed her, sweeping his tongue into her mouth. It was tender, almost sweet. He brushed a damp lock of hair off of her forehead. “Thank you. We didn’t use a condom.” They couldn’t, not with a mating.

“It’s okay. I don’t need it anymore.” The fates could decide if they’d have a child. The odds weren’t with them, but then again, the chances of them finding each other had been pretty slim. Maybe they’d beat the odds again.

“Whatever you want.” He nuzzled her neck and hugged her tighter.

They lay there, neither of them ready to end the night. “I guess we should get back.” She’d left the kids with virtual strangers. It hadn’t even registered until now. Yet, she didn’t get anxious. That’s how much trust she had in her new mate.

A raccoon waddled by, unconcerned by their presence. As if that was the deciding factor, Nicholas withdrew, got to his feet, and held out his hand.

****

Bailey is my mate. It was done and there was no way to take it back. The bond between them was solid. It was up to them to keep it that way.

He wanted to thump his chest and howl in triumph, but figured it was smarter to wait on that until he was alone. Naked, with her tousled red hair, flushed cheeks, and green eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages, the image of her as a woodland goddess only solidified. She took his hand and stood beside him, tall and proud.

His gaze lingered on her neck and the permanent mark that proclaimed to the world that she was his. If that didn’t clue them in, then his scent covering her would. Even now, no one really understood why the mating mark never faded. When he rubbed his thumb over it, she shivered.

“Cold?” he asked.

“No.”

He buried his face against her neck and licked the mark. The scent of sex grew stronger. It aroused her. Damn, that was hot as hell.

She squeezed her head down by her shoulder, forcing him to stop. “The kids.” Her breathy voice, erect nipples, and the way she rubbed sensuously against his chest contradicted her words. He was hard as steel, wanted to take her over and over until they passed out for the night, but his pleasure would have to wait. Her need to check on the kids would keep her from fully enjoying herself.

“We’ll come back tomorrow.” Preferably in the daytime. Even though he had preternatural vision, he wanted to see her naked with the sun illuminating every inch of her delectable body. “And the day after. And the day after that.”

Her soft laughter had his balls trying to climb inside him. “Horny, are you?”

“You have no idea,” he muttered. It was likely to be a perpetual state for the foreseeable future. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get enough of her.

After grabbing his jeans off the ground, he shook them, but instead of putting them on, he rolled them into a bundle.

“You’re not getting dressed?” Bailey held up the tattered remains of her top. He might have been a little enthusiastic getting it off of her.

“Let’s run.” The primal urge to race through the night across pack land with his mate by his side fired his blood.

“What about our clothes?”

He took her shorts and rolled them around his jeans, wrapping her tattered shirt around both to hold them together. A nearby downed tree made the perfect place to stash the makeshift package. “We’ll get them tomorrow.” If they didn’t make it back, he’d come himself.

“Okay.” Raising her arms in the air, she embraced her wolf. Reddish-brown fur rippled over her pale skin. She fell forward onto large paws. Her entire face reshaped until a gorgeous female wolf with a long muzzle, a flat forehead, and alert ears stared back at him.

Falling to his knees, he embraced her. There were no words to convey the love welling up inside him, along with a deadly, protective instinct that grew fiercer with each passing second. She licked his cheek and whined, sensing his inner turmoil.

He ran his hands down her sleek flanks, rubbing the muscles beneath the thick fur. “You’re everything to me.” She stilled, then sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

Staying on his knees beside her, he shifted. She jumped back as his bigger wolf emerged. Head down on her paws, she put her butt in the air, wiggling it. His mate was in a frisky and playful mood.

He jumped forward, nipping at her ear before lunging out of the way. Giving a yip, she mock attacked, taking him to the ground. They rolled around and he jumped to his feet. Evading her, he began to run. Keeping the pace slow enough that she could easily keep up, he led the way back toward the house and their future.

As he’d expected, the lights were still on inside, but his father sat on the porch. How many nights had he waited for either him or Aaron or both to come home? They were grown men, but they would always be his kids. Now that he was responsible for four of his own, he understood his father better.

Jacque stood and pointed to the bundles of clothes sitting on the steps. “Figured you might need it.” Turning his back, he gave them privacy to shift and dress. Bailey shot Nicholas a worried glance, but he shook his head. The second she smoothed her shirt down, his father swung back around, his gaze going to the mark on her neck.

Nicholas put his arm around her waist and led her up onto the porch. “Bailey and I mated.” He met his father’s stern gaze.

Jacque wrapped his hand around Nicholas’s neck and pulled him forward until their foreheads were touching. “You chose well.” His father’s acceptance made his chest tighten.

He did the same with Bailey, touching their foreheads together. “Welcome to the family.” A smile teased the corners of his mouth. “God help you. You might be the Smith Pack, but you’re now a part of the Salvation Pack. That comes with a lot of nosy people who will poke into your business, whether you want them to or not.”

Nicholas wanted to kiss the perplexed frown from her face. “Way to scare her away, Dad. The family will love you, but they do have opinions. Not in a bad way. They’ll all want to help. And they’ll love the kids.” That would be her primary concern.

“You’ll be coming back with us to introduce your mate and new family to your mother.” Arms crossed over his chest, Jacque practically dared them to decline.

Beside Nicholas, Bailey bristled. This was one alpha facing another. It was up to him to be mediator. “My mother will worry. She’d come to visit, but then the others would want to come, too. They won’t stop until their curiosity is satisfied.” He jerked his head toward the farmhouse. “We don’t have room for all of them.”

Sighing, she rubbed her brow. “It’s not that I don’t want to meet your family, but I just can’t pick up and leave. I have a business, orders to get out, animals to take care of, and kids who need stability.”

“It will be a couple of days at least.” He shot his father a look, daring him to disagree. He loved his parents, but Bailey was his priority now.

Rather than frustration or anger, there was pride in his father’s eyes. “We need to tie up some loose ends before we can head home.”

Bailey looked around the yard. “The bodies are gone. What other loose ends are there?”

The same metabolism that accelerated healing and gave wolves twice the lifespan of humans also helped them disintegrate faster after death. In a matter of days, the bodies would be nothing but dust. It was nature’s way of protecting them from discovery. No body, no proof. His father would have found somewhere safe to stash the remains of their enemies or burned them. Fire would solve the problem even faster.

She’d always run from her foes, hadn’t had to deal with the aftermath, didn’t understand all the little details that had to be seen to in order to avoid drawing the attention of the authorities. “They would have driven here, so there are probably a couple of trucks somewhere. We need to find them before the cops do and get rid of them.”

“You’re right. I should have thought of that.” She glanced at the house, then turned away and faced Jacque. “What do I need to do?”

God, she was something else. All her instincts were screaming at her to go to her kids, but she was putting their welfare above her own needs. Taking her hand, Nicholas pressed a kiss to her palm. “Now you let your mate and extended family handle this for you.”

“My pack, my problem.”

He shook his head and placed her hand against his heart. “Our pack, our problem.”

They stared at each other until finally she nodded. “I knew you’d be trouble,” she muttered. “You’re bossy and controlling.”

“You knew that when you mated me.” He was confident she’d accept his help. “You love me anyway.”

She grunted, but there was no mistaking the relief in her eyes. “What else needs to be done?”

Nicholas rocked back on his heels. “I’d say we drive those trucks back to wherever they came from. I’m assuming the registration will be in the glove box. Unless they had wallets?”

Jacque shook his head. “They took that precaution. If there are no wallets or registration in the trucks, we’ll contact Armand. He’ll hack motor vehicle registration and find us an address.”

Bailey squeezed his hand. “Why do you need to know their address?”

Her fear was palpable. Her grandfather and his pack were the bogeymen in her life, the monsters that had threatened her and her family for so long. “Their alpha died here tonight. And probably their top men. Technically, by pack laws, I’m now their alpha. I have no intention of claiming the title,” he added before she got even more upset. “But a message needs to be sent. You and the others are off-limits, and you have a powerful ally behind you.”

“We don’t take kindly to those who attack pack.” Pure menace radiated from every word his father said. “I’d say you have four days to get things in order here. On the fifth day, we’re heading to Salvation. I’ll tell your mother.” He pointedly looked at Bailey for confirmation.

She threw her hands up in the air. “The two of you are totally alike. I should have known. Five days, and I need to find someone to take care of the place while we’re gone. The animals still need to be cared for.”

“I’ll stay.” Aaron stepped outside. “I’ve been listening,” he told them, totally unapologetic.

“Thank you.” That was his brother’s way. He’d step in and do whatever needed doing.

Aaron smiled. “I’m claiming a kiss from the bride since I missed the wedding ceremony and I’ll miss the mating celebration.” Grabbing Bailey, he dipped her dramatically and planted a loud kiss right on her lips. “Welcome to the family.”

Laughing, she slapped at his chest until he eased her upright. “Thank you. I think. You’re all alike.” With a shake of her head, she reached for the door handle. “There’s no way I can repay you all for what you’ve done for us.”

“You’re family.” Aaron echoed his father’s earlier words.

Nicholas took her in his arms. “You’re my mate.” The kiss was tender, even though he wanted to sweep her into his arms and carry her away. “I’ll be back as soon as we track those trucks down.”

Aaron wrapped his arms around them both. “Dad and I will take care of that. You have some kids who are waiting for you.” Then he was gone, both he and their father vanishing into the night.

“I really like them, but I’m not sure about the rest of your pack.” A shiver of fear went through her. He held her closer.

“My mother is going to love you. She’s going to be extra thrilled with the kids. She’s been moaning about ‘the younger generation’ not mating. She’s been wanting grandkids.”

Groaning, Bailey buried her face against his neck. “Let’s get this bunch raised first.”

Laughing, he put his hand on her back and guided her inside, where his new pack waited.

Epilogue

Bailey rubbed at the mark on her neck. Nicholas noticed—of course he did, the man noticed everything when it came to her—reached out, and took her hand. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”

“The only reason I’m here is because I trust you,” she muttered. The past five days had flown by in a flurry of activity. Nicholas, his father, and brother had driven to Missouri, each of them driving a truck—two belonging to the men who’d come to the farm and his father’s vehicle, which they’d used to bring them back to West Virginia.

Nicholas had given her a bare bones account of what had gone down. Seemed that her grandfather wasn’t a popular alpha, ruling by fear, and many were glad to see him and his son and cronies gone. None of them cared about Bailey or her family. They had concerns of their own to occupy them. Satisfied they’d made their point, they’d left the vehicles with the pack and driven back.

That night, they’d finally gotten back to the spot in the woods where they’d mated. They’d made love all night and watched the sun rise. Aaron and Jacque had watched the kids, who had taken to both men. The boys looked up to them as they did with Nicholas. Eliza was more reticent but was slowly becoming more comfortable around them. Nicholas would always be their favorite.

“Are we there yet?” Eliza popped up from the back seat where she’d been napping. She’d only asked the question about five million times. Thankfully, it was only a six-and-a-half-hour trip.

“Almost,” he told her. “Turn-off is up ahead.”

Butterflies took flight in her stomach. She swiveled her head around, making sure their truck was behind them. Emmett had insisted on driving it, and both Henry and Waya had opted to ride with him.

“Don’t worry. I’m keeping an eye on them,” Nicholas promised.

“I’m sorry your father had to drive alone.” They’d lost sight of him hours ago.

True to his word, Aaron was back at the farm. Before they’d left, he’d talked to the kids, taking down their instructions on the care of the animals. It was difficult to picture him gathering eggs and milking cows. Somehow it was easier to imagine Nicholas doing it. Maybe because he’d made it his home, put his stamp on it in the short time he’d been in their lives.

“Dad is fine. I’d say he’s been home a while now.” He cleared his throat. “Likely doing some celebrating before we arrive.”

“I thought you’d slowed down a bit the past hour.” She stifled a giggle, trying to picture the big, tough wolf rushing home to his mate. It made him more approachable.

“Here we go.” Nicholas turned the truck onto a dirt road. It wound through the trees, leaving the outside world behind. It finally ended at a large parking area filled with trucks of various makes, models, and colors. There were so many. A lump formed in her throat.

Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.

It was too late to run as people and wolves poured down the various paths that led away from the lot. Nicholas turned off the engine and smiled. “Ready?”

“Not really.”

He stroked the side of her face, down her neck, settling on the mating mark. “Trust me.”

I’m alpha of a pack. I’ve survived more than most ever endure. The reminders gave her a boost of confidence. Her wolf whined, eager to be outside. Not waiting for him to come around, she popped open her door and held out her arms to Eliza.

Nicholas stood in front of them, his legs spread, hands on his hips. Emmett, Waya, and Henry came to stand beside her.

“There’s so many of them,” her brother whispered.

Henry leaned against her side, his entire body shaking.

Waya, on the other hand, was practically quivering with excitement.

She was somewhere in the middle, excited and terrified. “Everything will be fine,” she assured them, knowing those around them could easily hear her.

“You’re home.” A woman with short blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile ran forward and slammed into Nicholas. He caught her, rocking her slightly.

Bailey flinched when she called this place home. Was that how he still viewed it?

“I wasn’t gone that long, Mom, and I have a new home now.” His words were a gentle reminder for both women. “I want you to meet my mate.” He turned to her. “Bailey, this is my mother, Gwen LaForge. Mom, this is Bailey.”

She held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. LaForge.” His mother lunged at her, smothering her in a huge hug. Bailey looked over her head at Nicholas. He was no help, grinning like a loon.

“Call me Gwen. I’m thrilled to meet you.” She stepped back and held Bailey by the upper arms. This close, she could see the few silver strands running through the blonde hair. “Oh, you’re so pretty. I didn’t think either of my sons would ever settle down. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Ah, you’re welcome?” The group surrounding them laughed.

Jacque put his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “Let her breathe, love.”

“Sorry.” Gwen swiped at her eyes. “I’m just so happy to meet you. You must be Emmett.” She hugged him.

Not quite sure what to do, he lightly thumped her on the back. “Ah, hi. Thank you for having us.”

“And you’re Waya.” Another big hug. “And Henry.” She held back, holding out her hand to him. “Jacque has told me all about you. I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”

Henry sucked in a deep breath and took her hand in a brief shake. That was huge for the boy. Bailey was touched by Gwen’s caring.

“And this pretty sprite must be Eliza.” Gwen ran her hand lightly over the girl’s hair. “It’s nice to have another girl around.”

One by one, all the pack members came forward to be introduced. By the time it was done, Bailey’s head was spinning and the kids had abandoned them, eagerly gone off with other pack members. Surprisingly, Henry had gone with Jacque, likely feeling more secure around the most powerful wolf here. Eliza was taken with Gwen and her hair and eyes, which were similar to her own. Emmett and Waya had gone off with a badass-looking male named Gator and the promise of food.

Alone in the parking lot, she shook her head. “What just happened?”

Nicholas swung her in his arms. “You’ve been welcomed to the Salvation Pack. This is what pack is all about. It’s like the one you’ve made for yourself and your kids, only bigger.”

It was true. Underneath it, they were all family.

She walked her fingers up his chest. “How soon are we eating?”

His eyes gleamed with sensual promise. “They can start without us.” Easing her back down on her feet, he took her by the hand. “Come on. I know a very private place.” Other than the one night they’d managed, they’d barely had time alone together since mating. She’d missed him.

Carefree for the first time in years, she laughed and followed, eager to explore the land he’d grown up on. He’d claimed her heart and her love. She foresaw many trips to this place, maybe even eventually moving here, but that was down the road.

Their lives together and their adventures were just beginning.

The End

www.njwalters.com

Find more books by N.J. Walters:

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BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER

RESCUING RORY

Marks Mercenaries, 1

N.J. Walters

Copyright © 2019

Sample Chapter

“This is going to be a major clusterfuck. There’s no quiet way to do this.”

Even though his brother’s thoughts echoed his own, Kal Marks didn’t spare Garth so much as a glance. No, his gaze locked solidly on the woman currently dancing in one of the gilded cages that hung from the ceiling here in the largest club on the pleasure ship Exos. The flashing blue spotlight made her smooth white skin look the same color, giving her an exotic appearance.

Her long, blonde hair hung down her chest, covering her breasts, much to the dismay of the customers around her, and the skimpy thong barely covered her mound as she dipped and swayed to the pounding music. If anything, the tiny strip of cloth accentuated her nakedness, which was no doubt its purpose. She didn’t look at any of the patrons, keeping her eyes trained on the far wall.

“Are you listening to me?” Garth asked, practically yelling to be heard over the noise.  Impatience tinged his voice.

Kal forced himself to turn away and focus on his brother. “I hear you, but we don’t have a choice.” They had to talk to the woman, the dancing vision.

“You sure the information is good?”

Now that was a question, wasn’t it? Digger wasn’t exactly known for his honesty, but he traded in information, and he knew the Marks brothers were always buying when it came to intel on the whereabouts of their missing sister. He also knew better than to lie to them.

“Digger is too scared of Flynn to risk feeding us bad info,” Kal pointed out. Flynn was the oldest of the four brothers, massively tall and mean as a snake. It was well known throughout the Alliance galaxies that the only people Flynn cared about were his brothers.

Cross one of the Marks brothers and you crossed them all.

“I still don’t like it,” Garth muttered.

“Noted.” Kal let his gaze drift over the room, observing the positions of all the guards. There were quite a few of them, as things could get rowdy on the Exos. In fact, Kal was counting on just that.

The music pumping through the sound system was low and rhythmic. That, combined with the mostly naked women dancing around them, was designed to get men in the mood so they’d pay the money to visit the back rooms where women waited to service them. This far out in space the floating pleasure ship contained the only women many of these men would see for months.

Kal looked at his brother and noted his scowl. Garth’s thoughts mirrored his own. What if their sister were aboard a ship like this? Most of the women weren’t here by choice. Usually the brothers would never set foot on a ship like the Exos, but when it came to intel about their sister, they’d go straight into the bowels of hell itself.

“She’s got the tattoo Digger told us about.” Garth studied the dancer now, his gaze tracing the long length of her legs. Kal was filled with the sudden urge to punch his brother in the face.

He rolled his shoulders and forced himself to lean back in his chair and act as if he were enjoying the show. And it wasn’t much of an act. The woman wasn’t really dancing, more sensually undulating to a rhythm far different from the music filling the room. He caught his breath when her hair slid to the side, exposing one perfectly shaped plump breast for a split second before her hair covered it again.

Kal’s dick sprang to life, and he shifted to get more comfortable. No doubt about it, she was beautiful. There was something almost … innocent about her. Yeah, that was it. Impossible considering where she was. No one aboard this floating pleasure barge was innocent. Even if they started out that way, it didn’t last for long.

He fought to bring his body under control, feeling like a jerk for getting aroused. He knew a good percentage of the women here had been bought from slavers. His fingers tightened into fists. There was nothing he hated more than slavers. Those low-life bastards all deserved to be shot out into deep space without a protective suit.

If he could, he’d rescue all the women here. That just wasn’t possible, but he could rescue one. He let his eyes drift over her right arm. The tattoo on the woman was an unusual one, a stylized pattern of flowers that covered her left shoulder and ran all the way down her arm to her hand. There was no missing it. At the very bottom, a thorny vine wrapped around her wrist. Exactly as Digger had described.

“So how are we doing this?” Garth asked.

Kal rubbed a hand across his scruffy chin. He hadn’t bothered shaving in a few days, and it added to his disreputable appearance. The jagged scar on his left cheek didn’t hurt either. Both he and his brother were wearing the drab shirt and pants that labeled them as laborers from the planet below. But beneath them, both of them wore battlesuits, body armor that was practically indestructible while being totally lightweight. That kind of protection didn’t come cheap, but all the brothers owned a suit.

“You create a diversion, and I’ll get the girl. As soon as I’ve got her, we make a run for the ship.” It wasn’t much of a plan, but Kal and his brother had worked with worse.

Garth stood and hitched up his pants. At six-one, he was the shortest of the brothers, but he was the widest, and not because there was an ounce of fat on him anywhere. No, Garth was built like a bull, thick and muscular, and always ready for a fight.

“One diversion coming up.” He swiped up his drink and weaved his way toward a table filled with miners. They were a rough and rowdy lot and were known not to tolerate outsiders.

Kal shook his head. His brother was crazy. But then again, the same could be said about all of them. Garth pretended to be drunk when Kal knew he hadn’t so much as taken a sip of his drink. Neither of them had. No telling what was in the rotgut they served aboard this ship.

Garth was almost on top of the men now. “Harcon, old buddy. Haven’t seen you for a while.” He held his arms wide open as if he were going to hug one of them men.

“Piss off,” the man growled. “You got the wrong guy.”

Kal stood and slowly began to meander toward the cage containing the woman they needed to talk with. He didn’t hear the next thing the miner said to his brother, but he heard Garth’s reply.

“No need to be so unfriendly.” Garth waved his arms wide and spilled his drink over two of the other men seated at the table. “Whoops. Sorry about that.”

Kal bit his bottom lip to keep from smiling. Garth was enjoying himself just a little too much. Kal was right next to the cage when one of the miners slammed his fist into Garth’s jaw. Kal winced and not for his brother. It was well known that Garth’s jaw was as hard as granite. The blow didn’t even knock his brother back an inch. Instead Garth shook his head, roared his displeasure, and rammed his fist into the miner’s gut. The man dropped like a stone, and the fight was on.

The guards hurried toward the combatants before things got too out of hand. Kal turned his attention to the woman in the cage. Like the rest of the crowd, she was watching the fight.

He reached into his pocket, withdrew a thin metal box, and attached it to the lock. The device ran through the sequence of possible combinations faster than the speed of light. In ten seconds flat, he had the door to the gilded cage open.

The woman gasped and jerked away from him when his hand touched her calf. Her amazing blue eyes widened when she realized the door to her prison was open.

“If you want to get away from here, come with me.” Kal gave a quick look over his shoulder, wincing when Garth picked up a man and launched him at another table. The table didn’t survive. Kal wasn’t sure the man would either, not without extensive medical attention.

This was quickly getting ugly. “Make up your mind. We’ve got to go. Now.”

Not that he was going to give her any choice in the matter, but it would be easier if she came of her own free will.

****

Aurora Banks had seen just about everything in her twenty-two years of living, and most of it wasn’t pretty. But this was the last thing she’d expected to happen when she was shoved into the dancing cage a few hours ago.

The man standing before her with his hand out was tall and broad and downright intimidating. His eyes were a piercing green, and his silky black hair fell around his shoulders. A thick scar ran from just below his eye by his nose all the way out to his ear.

If she were totally honest, he was handsome in a rough-looking way. Not that it mattered. He was a way out of this nightmare. Rory only hoped she wasn’t jumping from one bad situation to an even worse one.

Trusting her instincts, she reached out and took his hand. It was warm and strong as it closed around hers and pulled her to the edge of the cage. He lifted her down from her gilded prison, wrapped one strong arm around her, and hustled her toward the wide red door that blocked their path to freedom.

“The guards.” She had to yell to be heard above the din of the yelling and fighting. They called themselves bouncers, but they were here to do more than keep the peace. Their main job was to make sure they didn’t lose any of the merchandise or the money. And all the women on board were considered prime merchandise.

“You let me worry about them.” Her liberator reached inside his shirt and drew out a compact-sized blaster.

Something crashed behind her, and she automatically began to look toward it. He caught her chin and turned her face away. “Look forward, not back.”

That was good advice. She ignored the noise and the fighting and hurried to keep up.

One man, a Crebian by the looks of his greenish-blue skin, tried to stop them. The man beside her didn’t even pause. He simply raised his hand and shot the blaster. The Crebian fell to the floor, and the men around him stepped back, giving them a wide berth.

Rory didn’t know how her rescuer had managed to get the weapon on board the Exos, as there were stringent controls in place to keep such a thing from happening. She should know as she’d spent the past month trying to find a weak spot in their security system so she could plan her escape.

They pushed their way through the door. The man beside her tightened his grip on her wrist. His urgency became hers. “Run,” he told her. Giving no thought to the mistake she could be making, Rory ran, her bare feet slapping against the metal floor as she was practically dragged behind him.

“We’re coming in hot.”

At first, she thought he was talking to her. It took her a moment to realize he was speaking into a communication device strapped to his wrist. And it wasn’t just any communication device. This one was top-of-the-line and went for at least one-thousand Alliance credits, maybe more.

Who was this guy? Laborers and miners didn’t waste their hard-earned money on fancy communication devices. They tended to splurge on booze and women when they had a few extra credits.

“Roger that,” a deep voice replied. “Hurry the fuck up.”

Rory shivered. Whoever the voice belonged to, he did not sound happy.

“Just fire up the engines and be ready for anything.” He picked up his pace. “Not much farther,” he told her. “We’re docked at J portal.”

Rory glanced at the sign on the wall. They’d just passed the H portal. She did her best to keep up with the pace he set, but it wasn’t easy. She wasn’t used to having to run for her life.

He stopped suddenly, slammed her body against the wall, and threw himself on top of her. She heard the sound of a blaster, and then his big body jerked against hers.

Rory screamed. Her rescuer had been shot. She wasn’t going back to the cage. She wasn’t. She scrambled for the blaster in his hand even as the pounding of boots got closer. But when she lunged for the weapon, it was already out of reach.

Her liberator whirled around and returned the guard’s fire, the blaster steady in his hand. She peeked around his shoulder in time to see the two burly guards drop to the deck. “Come on.” He tugged her behind him, practically dragging her. She tripped but managed to stay on her feet.

The J deck came into view. Instead of relaxing, she grew even tenser. She knew better than to think this was over. No woman had ever been taken off the Exos. The captain wouldn’t allow it to happen. His reputation was on the line. If one woman was taken, then many would see all of them as fair game. The Exos would be constantly under attack. Pleasure ships stayed in business by being utterly ruthless to any who broke their rules and by having impenetrable defenses.

The panel whooshed open, and he practically threw her through it. “Get on the ship. Now.”

A fairly large deep-space-class trader was docked on the other side of the portal. The door to the vessel slid open, and a man stood there in full body armor, holding a massive blaster cradled in his arms.

Rory moved closer to her rescuer and clutched the hem of his shirt. He didn’t pay her any attention as he was too busy peering around the panel. “Come on. Come on,” he muttered under his breath. It occurred to her that he must have had an accomplice, someone who had aided him in her escape.

The man with the massive weapon beckoned her forward, but she wasn’t going anywhere. Not without the man beside her. She may not know his name, but she trusted him more than the unknown man waving her toward the ship. He’d protected her from the guard’s blasters. She’d be dead if he hadn’t.

Boots pounded against the metal floor. “Move it,” yet another unknown man yelled as he ran toward them, head down and legs pumping.

The man beside her startled as if surprised to find her still beside him, grabbed her hand, and yanked her through the portal and on to the waiting ship. Honestly, she was getting a little tired of being dragged around as though she were space garbage and he a salvager.

They passed the sentry as they boarded. He didn’t even glance at them. All his attention was on the portal. The other man burst onto the deck, raced through the portal, and launched himself onto the ship. The door slid closed and locked behind him. The man with the huge blaster hit the communication pad next to the door. “Go. Go. Go.”

The ship banked sharply and dropped as the captain released from the docking station and took off hard and fast. Rory flew toward the wall, but before her body could smash against it, strong arms snatched her out of midair, anchoring her. “I’ve got you.”

She shivered at the sound of his voice. He certainly did have her. His arms were like hot manacles wrapped around her midsection. He slid down the wall, braced himself against it, and dug his boots into the floor. The scratchy material of his shirt was rough against her arms and back, making her very aware of her lack of clothing.

With the intensity of their flight, and her need to escape, she’d forgotten she was wearing nothing but a scrap of what couldn’t really be called underwear.

The ship suddenly banked again, and she gripped his arm tight. The two other men grabbed the bulkhead above them and rode out the wild ride with seeming ease. She envied them their strength.

“They’ll send fighters after you,” she felt compelled to point out. The Exos had six fighters in her fleet along with several shuttles for ferrying customers from the surface of whatever planet they were currently orbiting.

The man who’d race on board behind them grinned at her. “They’ve got to catch us first, babe.”

Then the deep voice came over the intercom once again. “Hitting boosters in three, two, one.”

Rory knew what that meant and wrapped her arms around the man holding her. The ship shimmied and then was whipped forward at a massive rate of speed. This was obviously no ordinary trader ship. Boosters cost huge money and came with an element of danger as well. Flying at such incredible speeds meant it was tough to avoid another ship or a meteor if one crossed your path.

Just who were these men? And what did they want with her?

The longer they sat there, the more comfortable she got, which made her uneasy and confused the hell out of her. She was practically naked and sitting on a man’s lap, a man she didn’t know.

Something hard dug into her side, and she knew it wasn’t his blaster—the weapon was much too small to be the foreign object pressing against her. Considering she was sitting on his lap, that left only one possibility. Her rescuer was aroused.

She swallowed hard. Had they brought her on board to service the crew? She began to shiver, fear adding to the chill of the loading bay airlock. She’d fight if she had to. There had to be a safety shuttle somewhere on board. All she had to do was find it.

He pulled her closer and ran his big hand up and down her back, his touch rough but gentle. “We’ll get you some clothes just as soon as we’re out of booster mode.”

That gave Rory pause. It certainly didn’t sound as if he were getting ready to rape her as soon as they leveled out. That had to be a good sign. Right?

She nodded because there really wasn’t anything else she could do or say at the moment. She could feel the other two other men watching her and made sure her hair covered her breasts. She didn’t want to give them an eyeful, or at least any more than she already had. Who knew how much of her they’d already seen?

Rory didn’t know how much time had passed before the ship slowed, coming out of booster mode and into regular flight. She had no idea where she was. Not that it mattered. The only home she’d ever know was gone, stolen by a devious man, someone she’d trusted.

“Let’s get you up and find you something to wear,” her liberator, or captor—at this point she wasn’t quite sure what to call him—said. It was getting tiresome not knowing his name.

“Who are you?” She had to know.

He held out his hand to one of the other men and was dragged to an upright position. He kept one arm around her, taking her with him, and settled her on her feet beside him. “I’m Kal Marks.” He raised an eyebrow when she didn’t say anything. “And you are?”

Shock hit her square between the eyes. “You don’t know who I am?”

He shook his head, causing a lock of hair to fall across his forehead. She fought the urge to brush it away. Honestly, she was losing her mind. “Then why did you kidnap me?”

“Rescue you,” he amended.

She’d give him that. At least until she knew more about her situation. “Okay, why did you rescue me?”

He released her wrist. It was the first time since he’d offered her his hand that some part of him wasn’t touching her. She missed it more than she should. She felt bereft, set adrift. Which really didn’t make any sense. She might have a name for him, but he was still a stranger.

“Because of this.” Kal reached out and rubbed a finger over the base of her tattoo, tracing the thorny vines before stroking upward over the trail of colorful flowers covering her arm. He started at her forearm, moved up to her elbow and then all the way to her shoulder.

“You took me because of my tattoo?” Had she heard him right?

He nodded. “What’s your name?”

“Aurora Banks. Call me Rory.” Only her father had called her Aurora, and only when he was angry with her. Everyone else had called her Rory for as far back as she could remember.

Kal nodded.  “Well, Rory. Welcome aboard the Abigail. These are my brothers Garth and Amos. You might recognize Garth from the Exos. The one with the big gun is Amos.”

Now that she was really looking at them, the family resemblance was obvious. They were all big men, although Garth was more heavily built than the other two. And they all had black hair with a shock of white in the front. She looked from one to the other. She hadn’t noticed the lock of white in Kal’s hair during their dramatic escape. No wonder. It had taken everything out of her just to run and stay on her feet.

Amos was missing the pinky finger on his left hand. No doubt these were tough men who’d lived a rough and deadly life. She had no idea what they did for a living and wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Since their ship was a trader she wondered if they were legit or mercenaries. They could well be smugglers, men who’d run anything if the price was right.

Both of the men nodded at her. They were studying her as if waiting for her to say something. She didn’t exactly know what to say, so she nodded back.

Heavy footsteps came toward them, vibrating through the floor. A red light on the wall flashed to green and the door to the loading bay airlock opened. It had been secured from the other side.

Rory might have wondered more about that, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the giant of a man standing in the doorway. He was taller than the rest, his black hair buzzed off close to his skull. But she could see the short strands of white and knew he was another brother. A black patch covered his right eye, and his right hand wasn’t skin and bone but robotic.

“What the fuck are you standing around for? What does she know?”

End of sample chapter

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