Jax put his arms under Micah’s knees and back, and lifted him. “Let’s go.”
They made the long hike as fast as they could, jogging a good part of the way. Nick’s group had just arrived at Ryon’s Range Rover when they came through the trees. The commander jogged up to them, laying a palm on Micah’s slack face—the scarred side.
“Dammit, we just got you on your feet,” Nick said grimly. “Your sister is going to kill me.”
The younger man didn’t stir. Nick helped get Micah into the back of the SUV, and climbed in with him. Ryon jumped in the driver’s seat and soon they were on their way, the other team racing behind them.
Nick spoke into his cell phone. “Melina, get the trauma room ready. We’ve got one coming in with an open wound to his side. Coming in hot.”
Meaning he was in bad shape.
Gripping the steering wheel, Ryon sped up. This day had been a clusterfuck from the time the alarm went off.
It appeared things were going to get worse before they improved. One thing for sure, they needed to develop a different strategy to catch the monster.
Because that one sure as fuck didn’t work.
Daria was losing her mind.
All she’d had to hear from Blue while sitting in the cafeteria was that one of the Pack had been badly injured fighting the creature, and she had almost fainted. How was she going to take this every time they went on an op? Always terrified that her mate would come home in a body bag?
She was waiting by the emergency entrance doors when the first teams poured in. Jax was carrying the hurt man in his arms—and it wasn’t Ryon. The man had shoulder-length brown hair, not blond. Her knees nearly gave out, her relief was so great. Then she heard Rowan’s stricken cry and realized it was her brother, and guilt flailed at her.
Rowan followed after Jax, and Daria could only stare at the doors and wait for Ryon.
When he walked through them, she ran toward him. The instant he saw her, he opened his arms and she ran into them, clasping him tight. He returned the embrace, holding her against his strong body. She could feel every muscle and ridge, and took joy in him being there.
Sweaty, salty, dirty. But alive.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I was such a bitch to you last night, and if that had been the last time I ever saw you—”
“No, shh. I’m here, honey. I’m safe.”
“This time.”
“This is my life. There will always be danger, but I’ll always move heaven and hell to come home.”
“I was awful to you,” she repeated. She couldn’t get past that she could’ve lost him in the wake of her stupid pity party. “I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to you.”
“You’ve had a lot thrown at you, so give yourself a break.” He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s just move forward, all right?”
“Can we?”
“Good grief, woman.” Pulling back, he gave her a mock frown. “Do I look like a man who gives up easily?”
“No. Rowan may have said something like that.”
“Well, she’s right. I’m a stubborn bastard and I like getting my way. Now, why don’t we join the others and wait for some word about Micah?”
“Sounds good.”
Ryon told everyone assembled about the doomed fight with the creature, and how Micah was injured. Rowan, eyes red from crying, sat huddled next to Aric, shushing his repeated apologies for getting her brother hurt.
“You didn’t get him hurt,” she snapped finally. “So knock it off, okay? He’s a grown man.”
“Sure, baby.” They kissed gently, with such love, in their own universe.
Three hours later, Melina came out to inform them all that he would recover, and the relief swept through the group like a storm. But the creature’s claws contained some sort of venom that was making his system and the gash slow to heal. It was a word of caution for future battles against the monster.
Ryon squeezed Daria’s hand. “Now that we know he’ll be okay, shall we go back to my place?”
“Sounds great.”
On the way, she got one more confession off her chest. “I’m still not sure about the whole wolf thing, and I’m still angry at having fate decide my life for me.”
“I understand,” he said, and she read the truth in his eyes. He was an incredible man. “I’ve been there, Daria.”
“God, I’m an idiot! Of course you have.”
“You’re not an idiot. You’re doing the best you can, and no one blames you for being upset, least of all me.”
“But I do care for you,” she said softly. “I realize I don’t want to miss out on something wonderful with you because I’m so busy looking backward.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” They came to his door, and he let them in.
“Make love to me?”
“With great pleasure.” His gaze burned into hers. “You don’t know the hell I went through back there, battling that monster. Do you have any clue what was going through my mind?”
“Um, if I die at least I’ll be free of the old ball and chain?”
He laughed at her pitiful joke, but his blue eyes glistened with tears. The sight melted her heart, warming a path clear to her toes.
“No, baby. Not even close. I was thinking, What if she never forgives me? Then it wouldn’t have mattered if I was dead or not. I’d never again have a chance to do this.” Ryon cupped the back of her head and lowered his lips gently to hers.
Electric.
Daria’s mouth moved under his, loving his soft lips. She twined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, inviting him. His tongue swept inside, stroking, and she reveled in his warmth.
His hands skimmed her shoulders and down her arms. He helped her off with her shirt and bra, and she arched against him. The puckered tips of her nipples brushed the material of the shirt covering his chest, and a bolt of heat shot straight to her sex.
“Sweet, so sweet. I’ve gone to heaven.”
Daria buried her hands in his hair, suddenly the aggressor. She sucked at his lips, exploring his mouth at will, making love play with her tongue. Her knees threatened to buckle.
Helpless, dying for this. For you. God, I want more.
He broke the kiss, panting. “If I don’t stop now, I might not be able to.”
“So don’t stop.”
He didn’t need more encouragement. Pulling her to his bedroom, he pushed her gently to the bed and removed the rest of her clothing. Then he positioned himself between her thighs, began to ease inside. Holding her close he started to move, whispering words of passion in her ear, stoking the fires until they were both straining toward the precipice. It was raw, tender, honest. All too soon they cried out, hurtling over the edge together.
As he held her close, she pretended they were safe, that the danger was over. And for a while, they were given a reprieve.
It was a beautiful fantasy while it lasted.
There probably wasn’t a more delicious sight than a bunch of shifters playing baseball. Or playing anything at all, really, but today they happened to be wielding bats and gloves.
From Daria’s spot on the grass, sprawled on a blanket, she sipped a beer and eyeballed the tight tushes as they bounced around in an assortment of jeans, athletic shorts, and baseball leggings. She had to admit, when they blew off steam the results were lovely to watch.
All of that glistening male flesh, sweat dripping off the ends of their hair. Broad chests heaving, muscles bunching in exertion—
“Do you even have a clue who’s winning?” a voice asked from her right.
Glancing over, she grinned at Micah. Forbidden from playing while he recovered, he was convalescing in his lounger. “Winning what? Is there a game being played right now?”
He snorted. “Figures. You’re just like the rest of the lovesick mates around here.” He jerked his head at the other mated women who were observing their men just as avidly as Daria had been.