Nine

“What the hell are you talking about?” Blister snapped, his hands flying to his hips, his stance saying I fucking dare you to keep traveling this road.

He wasn’t taking the news that he had a relative all too well. Drake would have to be blunt.

“She’s your fucking niece, Blister. Freeman. Her last name is Freeman. Charles is her father’s name. Bridgette was her mother.”

“Bullshit,” Blister breathed.

“It’s true. Why do you think you aren’t slobbering over her heat?”

He shook his head, shrugging. “Because I’m too fucked up. Too damaged to feel anything for a female.”

“No, Blister. It’s because she’s of your line, and family lines don’t cross.”

“This is bullshit, Drake, and you know it. That girl ain’t related to me. My line was wiped out, and it’s going to stay that way.”

He pushed off the fence and circled Beast’s car pretending to do pre-race checks. Beast and Ella were both running to qualify tonight. Which was a motherfucking disaster for so many reasons.

One, none of the dogs could be within a hundred feet of her without losing all sense. Except Blister of course.

Two, Drake’s wolf was riding him hard to claim her. He’d been in a constant state of arousal for four days now. And no matter how many times he pleasured her, or she him, it didn’t satisfy that primal urge to get inside her and leave his mark.

Three, Ella was distracted by all that had happened to her. Newly shifted and in heat. It was a lot to handle while trying to beat out twelve other opponents.

Pride filled him, thinking about how well she’d adjusted so far. His mate was a total badass when she needed to be. There was still so much healing to be done, but they’d get there.

Drake stared at his friend, trying to reach him. “Blister—”

“This conversation is over.”

“No, it’s fucking not.” He knew this was a touchy subject for the wolf. They all had their demons, and Blister’s lay in that blazing piece of history that wiped out his family.

All but one.

But Drake was still his alpha, and he wouldn’t let him be an asshole.

“Her mother’s name was Bridgette.” Drake stood in front of Blister, making him stop short. “She lived in the mountains near Milton. She died in the fire of ’94. And her daughter is a fucking shifter. How can you deny it?”

Blister’s scarred face screwed into a deep frown. “Because,” he spat. “I can’t have family. Family leaves. Family gets taken away. Even this, the club, it’s breaking. Beast wants out. You would’ve walked away in a blink for your mate. Family doesn’t last.”

“What do you mean Beast wants out?”

Blister shook his head. “Forget it. My point is, I don’t want anything to do with family.”

They stood there, glaring at each other until Beast and Surge walked up.

“When is this going to be over, Alpha?” Surge asked, looking nauseated. Constantly fighting their animal’s instinct to satisfy Ella’s heat was taking its toll on the pack.

“Soon. It’s her first time, so it shouldn’t last long. Stay strong.”

“Why don’t you just claim her,” Beast ground out.

Drake watched Blister stalk away before he answered. “I can’t give her young yet. I have to wait until her heat passes. Then I’ll mark her and you won’t have to deal with this again.”

Surge nodded in agreement. “Carrying young would be hard for her, being so recently shifted. It wouldn’t be fair. Our Tiger needs some time.” He brushed a rough hand over his face. “I’m going to check the numbers. See you at start.”

Drake watched Beast as he checked his car. His second in command was definitely on edge. But they all were. It had been a crazy week.

“You solid?” Drake asked him.

“I’m fine.”

“I don’t know if I believe you.”

Beast looked at him. “My wolf is fucking jealous. Wants his mate.”

Drake stiffened. “But Ella’s not yours.”

Beast shook his head, staring into the stands like he was searching for something to grasp onto. Something to hold him steady.

“No. But it’s still eating at me.” He zipped his jacket and grabbed his helmet. “It doesn’t matter though. I love my pack. I love you. You deserve to be happy. My wolf can go fuck itself.” He pulled the helmet over his head before Drake could respond.

Drake watched as his buddy strapped in and revved the engine. He offered a fist bump through the window and Beast pounded it before pulling out to get in line. His turn was up, so Drake went to stand with the guys at the fence.

“Think he’ll qualify?” Diz asked, rubbing the back of his neck like it was on fire.

“Beast? Yeah, he’s a fucking shoe-in.”

“And Ella?” Her name was barely a breath on his lips.

Drake dug his gum out of his pocket and popped a piece in his mouth to keep from punching him. “Of course. But just to be sure you’ll be around to see it, why don’t you stick to calling her Tiger. Or at least until her heat passes.”

“Shit. Sorry,” Diz muttered.

“Me too, man. Me too.” The guys were handling the situation better than Drake expected. It only made him respect them even more.

Drake peered across the oval at his mate. She stood with her crew, which consisted of Metal Head and another woman he recognized from Red Cap. DTD should be taking care of her car, but with the heat upon her, it would have to wait.

Ella caught him looking. She slipped him a smile that made his heart flop. Damn, she made him feel so much. He’d probably chew his gum to death during her run. Only the fact that she was a shifter, made it possible for Drake to watch her race. With his help, she could be healed if she crashed.

A horn sounded alerting him it was flag time.

Beast was already pacing, but when the flag came down, he mashed the throttle sending dirt flying and pushing his car to the front.

Surge climbed the fence halfway up and let out a howl followed by one of his trademark cackles. “Yeah, son! Get it!”

Drake grinned. His boys were going to be alright. Everything was going to be alright.

***

Ella stood at the fence with Annie and Punk, her eyes glued to white 23. Beast was killing the track. He’d qualify, no doubt. A sense of pride filled her. He was one of hers now. Him winning would be almost as satisfying as her winning.

Almost. But not quite.

“Damn. He’s good,” Punk shouted over the rumble of engines. She gripped the chainlink fence as Beast took a turn, spraying dirt in a wide arc and coming through the straight.

“Going to get a Coke,” Annie mouthed.

Ella nodded and turned back to the race as the crowd roared a cheer that could almost be heard over the racing cars. There was only one more lap to go.

Coming around the bend, Beast was sandwiched between two other vehicles. But he had good speed. He still had control. He’d pull through it—

“Shit,” Punk screamed.

Oh. Shit.

No. No, no, no.

The car on the left spun out, his rear hitting the barrier and setting the scene for a nasty pile-up. Ella braced for the coming impact even though she wasn’t driving. This race might get ugly quick.

Except Beast was going too fast. There was too much power pushing him. That stalled car was only going to act as a ramp if he couldn’t sidestep it.

Everything seemed to slow as white 23 didn’t make it around accident. Ella’s brain took in every horrid detail. The crunch of metal. The screech of tires against the bank. The smell of smoke and exhaust.

But the real horror happened when Beast’s car flew into the air, flipping twice before sliding up on the very fence designed to keep bystanders safe. The fence she and Punk were standing behind.

There was a moment of suspended time where the car rested on its side, the fence straining under the weight. So close… so close Ella could feel the heat coming off it, even if she couldn’t see for the plume of dust it roused.

“Punk!” she screamed, jerking her friend backward.

But it was too late. The fence gave way, crashing down on top of them.

A sharp pain pierced Ella’s leg, but when she tried to move, she realized she wasn’t pinned. In fact the car was gone and just the fence was on top of them.

People and dust flew everywhere. Radios screamed.

Ella looked around for Punk and found her in a heap a few feet away.

“Ella!” Drake’s terrified roar was nothing short of horrific. “Outta my way! Move it. Ella!”

She crawled through the dirt to Punk’s body, ignoring the weight of the fence. There was blood in her friend’s hair and it fell in droplets to the ground. Her foot was turned all wrong.

“Punk!” Ella cried.

A moan made its way past Punk’s throat, and she tried to move.

“No, no. Stay still.” Ella tried to lift the fence but it was too heavy. “We need an ambulance,” she screamed.

“Fucking move!” She heard Drake’s threatening command, and then the weight of the fence lifted.

“Shit,” Surge sputtered, kicking debris out of the way, and kneeling next to Punk.

“Ella? Shit, Ella.” Drake fell to the ground, taking her face in his hands, urgently sweeping her hair back to check for wounds. “Are you hurt? I can heal you. I can… our bond will… damn it, answer me!”

“Drake,” she yelled to get his attention. “I’m okay. Punk is hurt. And Beast… god, Beast…”

“He’ll be fine. Surge will take care of Punk. I need to know where you’re hurt, understand?”

She met his eyes and saw the fear there. She understood it. Being scared out of your mind that someone you love isn’t going to make it. Her stomach cramped, wondering if Punk was going to be okay.

“My leg,” Ella said, hoping honesty would ease his fear.

Drake pulled back to examine her. Her jeans had a fist sized hole in them and red tinged the edges. Using both hands, he ripped it open so he could see.

“Okay, there’s nothing in it. It’s just cut real bad. I can fix this.” He met her gaze, apologetic. “It’s going to hurt.”

Before she could ask what he meant, he covered the laceration with his palm. His touch was scalding, and Ella locked her jaw against the pain. Drake held her leg stead when she tried to jerk away. Seconds passed, maybe minutes, and then the touch became warm. Soothing instead of fiery. She almost moaned at the change. The relief from the pain was incredible.

“Better?” he asked.

“How did you do that?”

But as soon as she asked the question, her wolf knew the answer. Shifters could heal on their own, with time. But an intended mate could help the healing process along. It was the power within their bond. Unexplainable. Supernatural. The power of two. And it was nothing short of magic.

Drake let out a harsh breath. “It’s because you’re mine. You and me, together…” He shook his head in wonder. “We can do amazing things.”

Sirens wailing brought Ella’s attention to the flurry of activity around them. Her gaze landed on Blister standing a few feet away. His eyes were wide with horror, his scar contorting in a terrifying way. She might not know him well, but she knew he was worried. Possibly even scared for her.

“I’m okay,” she mouthed.

He blinked, and she repeated herself to reassure him. Finally he nodded, running a shaky hand through his hair.

“This way,” Diz said, clearing a path for the paramedics.

As they went to work on Punk, Ella held her breath, silently begging whoever was listening from the heavens that her friend would be okay.

“Ella! Punk!”

Blister jerked his head in the direction of Annie’s hysterical voice. She pushed through the crowd, crouching down to examine Ella.

“Are you okay?” she wailed. Tears streamed down her face faster than she could wipe them away. “Tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, Annie. Punk’s hurt.”

“No,” she breathed. Her gaze bounced all around in panic. The paramedics, Surge, back to Ella, Drake, Blister.

When her eyes landed on him, he turned his face to hide his scar.

“They’re going to take care of her.” Ella squeezed her friend’s hand. Damn it, she hoped she was right. She couldn’t lose someone else so soon.

Peering through the dust, she saw Diz helping Beast out of his mangled car. He ripped off his helmet and threw it before pacing a tight circle. He yelled something at Diz and gestured in the direction of the fence. He started their way but Diz stopped him with a shove to the chest. After a moment Beast nodded, conceding.

Drake was right. Beast was going to be okay.

Ella held Annie’s hand while the paramedics eased Punk onto a board and then onto a stretcher.

“I’m going with her,” Annie said. “Will you meet me at the hospital?”

Ella started to answer but hesitated. The hospital. It would be the first time since daddy’s death. The thought of walking those halls, smelling antiseptic, the metallic blood, the needles and tubes…

Drake’s hand landed on the small of her back. His touch promised more than just support. It was her future, her healing, and full of love.

She could do this, and he’d go with her. He’d always go with her. Fight her battles with her.  She wasn’t alone anymore. She had her friends and her pack and her… mate.

Ella nodded. “Go,” she told Annie. “We’ll follow in Drake’s car.”

Even though she watched her friends pull away with sirens wailing, she took a minute to be thankful for all she had. She wouldn’t spend another moment in misery over what she’d lost. Not when she had gained so much.