“Call Jackson,” he ordered softly. “Be calm and don’t tell him what’s happened. If you do he’ll blow through town and might end up causing a scene. Just tell him he needs to get here as quickly as possible.”
“He’ll want to know what’s going on. He won’t—”
“Hang up on him.” It was a shitty thing to do but Jackson would react instead of asking questions that would waste time. “Tell him he needs to get here as soon as he can and end the call.”
“But…”
“No buts. Do it.”
Chloe rushed away and he pivoted his body, staring at the wolf that had changed into a man. He didn’t recognize the werewolf, nor could he identify him by scent. It had to be a rogue. A wolf from another pack wouldn’t dare attack an Alpha’s mate. Ripping his focus from the male, he studied Rachel. She’d finally started breathing easier. The jagged marks he could see beneath her shirt had stopped bleeding.
He’d wanted to change her, but he’d never wanted it to happen like this.
Most wolves with human mates bit carefully, giving their other half enough saliva to force the change but causing as little pain as possible. When Rachel opened her eyes she’d sense the differences. Her hearing would improve and her vision would be stronger. With the full moon only days away she’d also feel the compulsion of the mating heat. She’d be drawn to him more than she’d ever been before. Even now his wolf sensed its mate’s beast and tried to call to it.
Just Rachel was about to get a wake-up call.
Chloe returned, her expression grim. She looked at him, her green eyes boring holes into his head. “Jackson’s on his way. I told him Rachel had been hurt and to hurry. He’s going to kill me for hanging up on him.” She hesitated and said, “She’s had a hard life. You have no idea what she’s been through. She doesn’t trust people at all. This is going to be hell on her.”
“Then help me understand.” He caressed the back of his female’s face with his knuckles. “Tell me what to do.”
The tears Chloe had held back finally fell, creating salty trails of pain down her face. “You have to show her you care for her. Prove that you mean everything you say. She had a horrible childhood. Her mother’s a drunk who stopped caring after Rachel’s father died. She’s been raised not to trust people but deep down she only wants to be loved.” With a sniff, she continued, “She’s terrified of werewolves. She doesn’t like anything supernatural. She scared to death of us. She’ll try to run when she finds out what’s happened.”
“Could you run?” It was a cruel question but he had to make a point. “After you met Jackson, were you able to leave his side? Did you even want to?”
After a moment, she replied, “No.”
“You’re going to have to give us a bit of time to work things out.”
He placed his arms under Rachel’s body and lifted her from the ground. Once he had a good hold, he rose to his feet. “Come with me,” he instructed and walked from the room. He needed to find a safe location to put the females until Jackson arrived. The wolf that attacked might not have done so alone.
He decided to use the bathroom. Once they were safely inside, he motioned for Chloe to sit on the floor and handed Rachel over. He detested the way it felt when his mate was out of his arms but her safety was more important than his needs. As soon as he knew his mate and Lupa were settled he took a defensive position between the women and the entrance to the room. Crouching down, he watched the door. If anyone tried to get in they were toast.
Jackson had better hurry the fuck up.
He could only keep a handle on his anger for so long.
Chapter Three
Yellow eyes narrowed, enormous teeth coming right at her. She tried to scream but made no sound. Her arms were too heavy to lift, her feet stuck to the floor. Chloe stood behind the couch, her face changing into an animal’s. She tore her gaze from her friend, attuned to the wolf that snarled at her and bared its teeth. Her death was coming right at her and there was nothing she could do. Terror set in, her heart pounding so hard her chest ached with each throb. The enormous black beast charged. Its teeth were sharp and long, its claws like talons.
“I warned you,” her mother taunted in her head, slurring her words. “But you didn’t listen, did you? You never do. It’s going to eat you alive, little girl. Then it’s going to gnaw on your bones.”
Closing her eyes and whimpering in fear, she prayed her death would be quick. The beast reached her, throwing her to the floor. Her back hit the ground and the animal struck, sinking its lethal fangs into her skin. Fire radiated down her chest and shoulder. The pain was like nothing she’d ever experienced. As the wolf shook its head, tearing her flesh apart, she prayed. If she was going to go, she wanted a bit of mercy.
Please God, let it be fast. Don’t make me suffer.
“Shh, Rachel.” Chloe’s voice appeared, soothing her. “It’s okay.”
The wolf vanished and the room she’d been standing in faded away. Her eyes fluttered open, her vision kicking into gear. How strange. There wasn’t a hint of blurriness, everything was vivid and bright. Chloe’s face hovered over hers, her green eyes seeming more vibrant, like perfectly cut emeralds. The golden curls around her face seemed different, containing a few strands of what appeared to be strawberry blonde.
Rachel’s eyes burned, relief flowing through her.
It had been a dream. It wasn’t real.
She must have had too much vodka while she watched the movie and passed out. No wonder she’d had such a vivid nightmare. Sometimes after she and Chloe had partied a little too hard she had bad dreams. She figured it was her mind’s way of dealing with the obstacles in her life. Granted they hadn’t been as bad as the one she’d just experienced, but they always left an impression.
I’m never touching alcohol again.
“How do you feel?” Chloe brushed a strand of hair from Rachel’s temple.
The first thing that came to mind was hungover but she realized she didn’t feel bad. In fact she felt pretty damn good. Her head didn’t hurt and her mouth wasn’t dry. She sat up and Chloe moved back. The mattress was softer than normal, the comforter thick and plush. Peering around, she gawked at her surroundings. The walls were pristine, not a single crack in the foundation or peeling of paint in sight. The furniture was made of dark wood, matching the enormous bed she’d been sleeping in.
“What the hell?” she asked, staring at Chloe.
Chloe started picking at her nails—a nervous habit she’d had since childhood. “Do you remember what happened last night?”
“We watched a movie and had too much to drink?” Everything from the evening before seemed muddled and confusing. She studied the room again, awed by how nice everything was. She’d never visited Jackson’s home, worried she might run into the pack if she did. Patting the bedding, she asked, “Was I that drunk? Were you so worried you decided you shouldn’t leave me alone?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Chloe kept talking but Rachel couldn’t hear her. Not with the delicious scent that rose from the bedding and drifted to her nose. How had she possibly missed it? It smelled so good. Unlike anything she’d ever come across. It was a masculine fragrance, better than any cologne in the world. Now that she was aware of it the scent cocooned her, snuggling around her body like a blanket. She inhaled raggedly, unexpectedly aroused. Her nipples tingled, her pussy clenching tight. She fisted the comforter, bunching the material between her fingers.