“I thought we talked about mating,” Rhys answered, giving her a sideways glance.
“Not you and me. Mates in general.” She swiveled in her seat so she could see everyone in the SUV. “Why would a wolf leave his mate, especially after he got her pregnant? Isn’t that protection gene embedded into you guys when you’re born? Isn’t that why you start acting like cavemen?”
Rhys glanced in the rearview mirror and hoped one of his brothers might take a stab at answering her question. When they stayed quiet, he spoke up. “It’s like this. When our beasts recognize our mates, something just clicks inside of us. We’re protectors; we’re lovers; and you, our mates, are our number one priority. Nothing will ever matter more than protecting and loving our mates and making them happy.”
“Nice in theory, I guess. But then why would he leave her alone to bring a child into this world?” she asked, genuinely interested in the answer. She spun back in her seat, pressing her lips together, trying to figure out everything in her head. “Assuming your theory is correct.”
“It is,” he answered and grinned.
She rolled her eyes. “Assuming you are, a mate loves and protects above all else. He loved, and his way of protecting her was to leave. It’s the only thing that makes sense. But what the hell was he protecting her from?”
“Maybe himself,” Max answered from the backseat.
“Or something he was involved in,” Dylan chimed in. “It’s possible he didn’t want to lead them to her doorstep.”
“One thing is for certain,” Rhys said and took her hand, entwining their fingers again, not wasting another minute when he could be touching her. “He has to be going out of his mind. In that little space of time when I didn’t know where you were, I was ready to tear anyone apart that got in my way. My one and only goal was to find you. I couldn’t see beyond that, but that’s just me.” He glanced at her.
“Let’s assume for a second he was worried about leading them to her. I still can’t see him walking away for good.” Max leaned forward and propped his arms on the back of the seat. “He would have kept tabs, even if he was in danger and couldn’t be with her. He would have kept tabs to make sure that she and his son were safe. He would have implemented some type of safeguard. At least, that’s what I would have done.”
“What kind of safeguard?”
“Someone he trusted to protect her and his kid.”
She glanced back. “You think?”
“Oh yeah,” Rhys answered.
She turned back around, looking out the window. She looked lost in thought, as if she were contemplating the sins of the world. “Where are we going?”
Rhys held in his grin. “I’m taking Max and Dylan home. They need to get ready for work, and I’m feeding you a late lunch.” He glanced her way. “You need to eat.”
“Rhys, there are missing women; I can’t just stop to eat because you want to play house.”
“You’re not going to be any good to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself, and if you won’t do it, then I will.”
“You’re doing the caveman thing.”
“I know. You can call Colton from the house while I make you lunch. We’ll make it quick.”
Elizabeth pulled out her phone and started typing.
“What are you doing?”
“Sending an email to Colton to put out an APB on the rest of the women.”
****
Elizabeth trotted up the stairs to her room and grabbed her laptop out of her backpack before heading back downstairs. She kicked off her shoes and plopped down on to the oversized sofa, settling in as the guys all milled around her. She booted it up and transferred her notes to send to Colton via email. She started a file on each of the girls and typed up what she knew, what she’d been told, and what she’d observed, making sure to put her questions on the page before saving the documents. She still had work to do, no matter what the others were doing. She had no intention of wasting time. Her cell phone rang, and she slid it out of her back pocket and pressed it to her ear. “Hanson.”
“Where are you?” Colton growled.
“We just got back to the ranch for a quick bite and to drop off his brothers. What’s up?”
“We had to release Horace. His DNA didn’t match.”
She heard a door shut in the background before he spoke again. “I’ve heard rumors that there’s been a hit put out on you.”
“By Horace?”
“I haven’t confirmed who initiated it yet,” Colton answered.
“Horace might be hot-headed, but he’d want to do the kill personally.” There was no way that mutt would be denied being responsible for her death. She’d humiliated him. Horace coming after her made sense. The hit didn’t. She could hold her own against the damn wolf, but that wasn’t the question. The question she was left asking herself was, who else wanted her dead? “This hit is from someone else that I’ve pissed off. We need to figure out who’s behind it so I can deal with it. This complicates things.”
She tossed the computer next to her and stood, walking out the front door and onto the porch. She eased the door shut behind her. “Before I only had myself to worry about.” She glanced at the closed door before stepping off the porch. “Now there are more lives on the line. Maybe I should leave.”
All of her caged animals growled below the surface, each begging to be let free so they could tear the threat apart. She ground her teeth together, thinking about anyone hurting Rhys. She’d never let that happen. She clenched the phone tighter in her grip.
“I want you to stay put until we have more information. I’m meeting with one of my informants tonight. So you’re benched until tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait that long. I haven’t checked on the other women yet.”
“Jennifer Smith has finally been reported as missing.” He told her.
“And the others? Have they been reported yet?”
“Yes, but I want you to stay put until the morning. That’s an order, Elizabeth. Do you understand?” He asked her, his voice unyielding.
Movement along the tree line caught her eye as the wind blew, so she was slow to answer. “Yep. Loud and clear.” She waited longer, scanning the trees to see if she spotted anything or anyone. She inhaled a deep breath. Nothing but the scent of flowers mingled in the wind, their sweet scent coupled with the musky scent of… bear. She clicked the phone off and shoved it into her pocket before turning to find Rhys standing on the porch. His big, strong arms crossed over his chest. His jaw ticked.
“How much of that did you overhear?”
“Leaving, Horace, and that there is a hit out on you,” he growled, and his eyes flashed in anger.
She closed the distance between them and placed a reassuring palm on his arm. “I’m not going to get myself killed.”
“Damn right, you’re not.” He cupped her ass and lifted her to his height. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck. Uncontrollable flames ignited in her core, and her panties dampened in need. She’d done a damn fine job at keeping the bear at arms-length, but when he touched her…her mind battled with her body. It was a fight she was slowly losing.
“Put me down. You’re acting ridiculous.” Her brow rose in challenge.
He carried her back inside, kicking the door shut with his foot before pressing her back against the wood. Her chest rose and fell in anticipation.
His gaze slid over her face and landed on her lips. Need took over. Her beast fought to convince her to take what he offered. She might not be interested in a mate, but she was damn sure interested in a roll in the sack with the man holding her tightly in his arms.
“I’m off the clock for the rest of the night,” she whispered and watched in humor as his gaze swirled from blue to a stormy gray.
He pressed his lips to hers, devouring her with heat. Her humor was replaced with desire as a growl of approval rumbled deep in his chest. She parted her lips, opening and offering him what they both wanted, what they both needed. He took control, giving and taking, sipping and deepening, driving every nerve in her body into a frenzy. He pressed into her, and she felt the huge bulge between his legs, leaving no doubt, that if given the green light, he would take her pressed up against the door, not caring that his brothers might see. She’d never wanted another man more than she wanted Rhys in this very minute. She broke the kiss and nuzzled his neck, leaving both her animals and his bear purring to life. She wasn’t ready for a mate, but damn, she wanted to feel him, have him, and hold him. Like nothing she’d ever wanted before.
Her stomach let out an awkward growl. Heat seared her cheeks, not from her hunger, but because she’d let herself get carried away.
“You need food.”
“Yes, food,” she repeated, thankful that her stomach broke the chemistry. She unlocked her legs and slowly slid down his rock-hard body. His hands stayed on her waist until her feet touched the floor.
“I’ll cook, and you can tell me all about how there’s a contract out on your life.” He slid his fingers through hers and led the way into the empty kitchen. He released her only to pull marinating steaks out of the fridge, along with two beers. He popped the top and handed her one before walking out onto the back deck to ignite the grill. She followed and hopped up on the wood railing, watching him work.
“How about we talk about something else?”
He glanced at her and lit the coals, waiting for the little black squares to turn white. “We’re still having the conversation about the hit, but I’ll bite for now. What do you want to talk about?”
“Who’s the oldest out of you and your brothers?”
“I am. Max is the baby, and Dylan is the middle cub.”
“Are your parents still alive?”
“No,” he answered, gingerly poking at the coals. “I was fifteen when they were slaughtered by hunters. Colton’s mother took us in. That’s why we’re so close to our cousin.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It was a long time ago.” He shrugged walking back into the house and grabbing the steaks. He dropped them onto the grill and shut the lid, leaning his hip on the rail next to her. One hand held her leg as if worried she might fall backward and the other was holding the beer to his lips as he drank. All of his little touches meant to reassure her did more than that. They set her body straight into overdrive.
“Remove your hand, or we won’t be eating.” She bit her bottom lip at the same time her stomach growled.
His brows dipped. No doubt the sound of her hungry belly was the only reason he removed his hand. Feeding her seemed more important than seeking out her heat. “Anything else you want to know?”
“Do you want kids?”
His lips twisted at the corners. “I’d like a couple of cubs running around, but I guess that depends on you.”
“You were good with Gabe.” She gave a small smile and conceded by touching his arm.
“Do you want children?”
She hopped down from the railing and took a long swig of her beer, moving to sit in one of the lounge chairs. “Once upon a time, I did. Now, not so much.”
“What changed your mind?” He raised the lid on the grill and turned the steaks.
She chewed her bottom lip, not sure what to tell him. If he knew the truth, would he still want her? Still desire her if he knew the crud coursing in her veins? “I…”
The crack of a branch had her scanning the tree line and sniffing the air. Slowly, she rose from her seat and gripped the railing. The hair on her neck stood up to take notice, and her animals started to pace. She blinked, and her vision turned red while scanning the surrounding scenery, looking for what her human eyes couldn’t see. Nothing but large trees and thick brush covered the grounds. It was quiet. The crickets no longer chirped, and the birds took flight at once, soaring out of the trees and high into the sky.
“What’s back there?”
“About fifty acres of forest, a stream, and a pond,” he answered, and they both sniffed at the same time. This time she caught their faint scent. Her lips lifted in a predatory grin.
“Wolves,” they said at the same time.
“Go inside and lock the door,” Rhys growled, pulling the shirt off of his body, ready to shift.
“As if. This is my fight.”
She ripped the holster off her leg and shifted on the spot, not knowing or caring which of her animals emerged, as long as it was one big, bad-ass animal that could fight off a wolf attack. Long teeth slid out of her gums. The clothes ripped at the seams and dropped from her body as her bones extended and cracked before shrinking and contorting, snapping into place. The magic of the shift surrounded her, consuming her into her core, leaving her momentarily breathless. She dropped to all fours and shook her body, twitching her whiskers. She glanced down at her paws. Orange and brown stripes instead of orange and black. She wasn’t just a tiger. She was a Siberian. She’d wanted a bad-ass animal, and she got one. She opened her mouth, and a loud, angry roar rolled from deep in her gut.
Her bear growled, and she padded alongside of him, rubbing her face along his leg. They were both predators, and if they’d been in any other situation, she might dare call them enemies, but not tonight, not him, never him.
She ran in front of him, stopping just inside the tree line. Adjusting her vision, she scanned the woods while she paced. Her claws dug into the dirt, waiting, watching for the first wolf to appear. She sniffed the air and crouched low, ready to attack.
Five wolves stepped out from the trees, surrounding them, but none of them were Horace. She’d know his stink anywhere, and yet he wasn’t among this group of soon-to-be-dead wolves.
Bring it on, bitches. She purred in delight at the anticipation of blood on her lips.
Her bear stepped in front of her, blocking her from the wolves, and she nipped at his heels. Two wolves leaped toward him at once, one from the right and the other from the left. He caught one in a bear hug and squeezed as the wolf went for his neck. She caught the other wolf in mid jump, knocking him out of the air and landing on him with her 350-pound body. She sank her teeth into his neck and easily ripped into him, tearing the tendons and flesh. Blood coated her tongue and teeth, the coppery liquid sending her beast into a frenzy. It wanted to kill, to destroy. She licked her lips and eyed the remainder of the wolves, waiting to see who would be next.
Her bear had two more on him. One he batted down with his large, clawed paws, leaving gashes down the wolf’s belly. He howled in pain. The other wolf was clinging to Rhys’ back, his claws sunk deep into his pelt. Without a second thought, she jumped and ripped the wolf off, flinging him to the ground with her teeth embedded into his neck. He clawed and yapped and growled, getting one good slash at her shoulder before she tore out his throat. He gurgled around the gushing blood. Four down and more were appearing from the woods, surrounding them. One would fall, and two more would take his place.
Licking the blood from her whiskers, she scanned the trees looking for her next victim, the last big fucker with black hair that had dared to attack them first. He was nowhere to be found. She sniffed the air, catching the doggie stench on her whiskers a second too late.
He landed on her back with a thump. His teeth dug into her neck. Her bear’s roar vibrated through the ground. The acrid smell of her own blood drifted to her nose. She wasn’t about to die, not from this asshole. His teeth tore at her flesh, not loosening his hold, so she did the one thing she could think of, not having ever been in this skin before. She was a heavy bitch, and it was time she used her size to her advantage. She dropped to her belly and rolled with the bastard on her back, squishing him under her. The sound of bones cracking beneath her made her kitty purr, and the wolf’s bite slacken. It took her a second to get to her paws. She snarled, ready to finish the kill at the same time the man from the video, the one who had followed the girls from the club, Evan, jumped down from the tree with a sword in his hand.
“Help the bear,” he ordered. Lifting the blade in the air, he plunged it directly into the wolf’s heart.
She leapt on the nearest wolf, clawing and ripping her way through the crowd toward Rhys. Her cramping, sore muscles screamed in protest, but she wouldn’t stop—she’d never stop—not until she reached him.
He was destroying the wolves, making a path directly toward her until they were side by side. The remaining wolves left standing were pacing like caged animals. The leader of this attack lay dead at their feet.
Who’s next?
She rubbed against Rhys’ leg, reassuring him she was fine. Crimson blood matted his black fur as she paced at his feet in a protective shield, daring any others to get too close.
Evan stepped closer to her, and her bear roared and lifted his long claws, ready to strike. She stood between Rhys and Evan and the wolves debating which enemy was more of a threat. She inched against Rhys’ legs, easing him backward and farther away. The wolves let out a long howl before charging off into the woods, being chased away by two bears lumbering into the woods, standing on two legs as they spotted her tiger and prepared to fight.
They roared a menacing growl at her tiger, and Rhys let out an even louder, deadly growl back in challenge. He turned his back to her, to protect her from his brothers, as she kept her back to him, to protect him from Evan.
Evan sheathed his sword in the holder on his back before dropping to his knees and bowing his head. “Shift, Abigail. I will not harm you. The other bears need to see who you are.”
Elizabeth shifted, standing nude in the clearing, not caring that Evan was a stranger. She reached behind her, holding onto Rhys’ pelt in reassurance. Her body trembled, and her breathing was harsh. She clung to him.
He changed instantly and pushed her behind him so that he was the one facing Evan. His brothers, finally realizing who she was and that she was no longer a threat, started to shift.
“Elizabeth, baby, you’re shaking. Go put on my shirt. Evan isn’t going anywhere.” Rhys growled not taking his gaze from Evan.
“Don’t kill him,” she rested her palm on his arm. “He helped us.”
“You will come to no harm from me, Abigail,” Evan acknowledged.
Rhys glanced back at her and raised his brow before blocking Evan from view. “Abigail?”
She didn’t answer, just peered around Rhys, narrowing her gaze. Elizabeth jogged back to the deck, grabbed her weapon and pulled on Rhys’ shirt, which hung down to her knees. She raised the shirt to her nose and inhaled. His sweet, honey musk infused her, surrounding her with everything Rhys. She returned to the clearing within minutes. They were all still standing, staring at each other, tension thick in the darkening sky.
She raised her gun and aimed it at Evan’s chest. “How do you know my name?”
He tilted his head. “I wasn’t aware you’d learned to use firearms, Abigail.”
“Answer the damn question.” She cocked the hammer.
“Who the hell is Abigail?” Rhys demanded.
“I was,” she answered keeping her focus on Evan.