Rocky was on cloud nine. Finally, their mating would be completed and he could stop feeling like a cat on a hot-tin-roof and acting like an ass whenever another male even glanced in Connie’s direction. He couldn’t wait to shower her with his love, and the gifts he’d gotten her, especially the matching rings he’d purchased for them. They might be Shifters but they also lived in the human world and he wanted everyone to know they were “married.” He also planned on asking if she wanted a human ceremony and if she did, well, then she’d have that too.
He’d give her the entire world if she wanted it.
Right now, he was making them dinner. A proper sit-down meal, complete with candles and wine, with dessert for after, and then they’d have their official mating and spend the next few days in bed. Bliss!
The back door was open for her, that’s where she’d arrive and he couldn’t wait to sweep her up into his arms and welcome her into his home officially for the final time. After tonight it would be just the two of them and . . . “Rocky! Help me!”
What the fuck? Connie’s scream reverberated in his head and his legs were moving before he’d even processed the words. He was out the door and leaping over the fence at the bottom of his garden in seconds, tearing along the trail in the woods towards the heartrending sounds of his mate in trouble. And fucking trouble she was in. He could hear it clear as day.
Howls, growls, and the unmistakable noises of Wolves in battle. Oh hell no! Someone was hurting his soulmate. Fury filled him, mind, body and soul and his Lion rushed to the fore . . . fur sprouting from his skin, his muscles splitting and reforming, bones breaking and realigning and he leapt high, concluding his transformation mid-air, landing on four massive paws. He rushed forward, a roar filling the darkness as he tore through the trees, around a corner and saw . . . a small golden Wolf with a silver streak lying on the ground with blood marring its beautiful fur and trying to fend off a larger, dark brown Wolf who was snapping and snarling at her.
Rocky knew immediately that it was Connie, she called to him, whining, and yipping as the larger Wolf turned . . . Rocky didn’t hesitate. He attacked.
The battle didn’t last long. It was a one-sided fight. His huge Lion against a paltry Rogue Wolf and Rocky was filled with a fury burning like lava that caused him to fight like he’d never fought before. He wasted no time with dispatching the Rogue. His thoughts on getting to his mate his priority. He swiped his massive paw across the Wolf’s face, knocking it away, then he bounded on top of it, opening his massive jaws and locking them around the back of its neck. He clamped his jaws tight, his teeth breaking through so fast it was laughable, did this fucking Rogue really think it stood a chance against him? It was over in seconds, the Wolf collapsing beneath him, and he spat out the beast and dashed over to Connie, transforming on the way and dropping to his knees beside her.
“Oh fuck, Connie! Are you all right? Hell, here, let me carry you home, and then I’ll get you help.”
He picked her up, but before he could move she whined, her paw motioning to her torn clothes and a pack lying on the ground. “Good thinking.” He gathered her belongings to remove all evidence she’d been there, then started back.
His chest ached as blood dripped down his body, terror rippling through him at the extent of her injuries. He hadn’t seen what had been done to her and would have to wait until they got home. “It’ll be okay, baby. I promise.”
She whined pitifully in his arms, and as they came out of the woods and up into his garden there was a shadow of a man standing. A growl tore up his throat in warning. “Who’s there?”
“It’s Cody. I was on Main Street when I heard Connie . . . she’s my Pack, Rocky, I know our Wolves. I heard her in trouble. What’s going on?”
Rocky walked forward and Cody saw what he was carrying, rushing forward to help. “What the fuck happened? Who did this?”
“I don’t know who it was . . . a Rogue Wolf but he’s been dealt with. I got to her in time. She screamed and I heard her, thank fuck. I ran and heard them fighting so my Lion dealt with him. He’s back down the trail but we need to help her, Cody. I don’t know how badly she’s hurt. Please, you need to help me.”
They were inside and Rocky placed Connie onto the Sofa, blood seeping everywhere, ordering Cody. “There’s towels in the closet in the hall.”
Cody rushed and brought some towels in, asking. “Can I check her over? I’ve more experience with Wolves and wounds.”
Rocky reluctantly agreed and Cody dropped down, patting Connie’s head. “Hey, honey, I can guess what happened. It was that fucker, Alden . . . hey?”
She whined as if in agreement and then Cody looked at him. “An ex who’d turned Rogue. Let me check her out.”
His anger roiled inside him as he thought of the Wolf he’d ended so quickly. He should’ve made him suffer so much more before killing the bastard!
Cody quickly checked Connie then sat back, on his heels. “She’ll be fine in a few hours, Rocky. She’ll need rest but the wounds are mainly superficial and flesh wounds which are causing the blood. They look worse than they are . . . I promise.”
“Are you sure?” Rocky growled out. “That’s a lot of fucking blood, Cody? Shouldn’t we get her to a hospital? Or get a Healer or something?”
“Here, look.” Cody pulled apart some of her fur. “This one here is already healing.”
Rocky leaned in, seeing the skin knitting together and the blood flow almost at a stop. “Hell, so it is. Fuck! I thought I was going to lose her!”
“I know.” Cody patted his shoulder. “I can sense your fear, Rocky. But she’s going to be okay and Alden is dead so there’s no threat to her any longer. He was nuts and wanted her, even though she threw him away ages ago and told him she wasn’t interested. I’m sorry, man, I know how much you care for her. It’s written all over your face, but she’s going to be okay. Just let her rest in her Wolf form and it’ll do all the work, by morning she should be fine. But here’s my card with my number on it. If you need me just call, at any time, even if it’s the middle of the night. I’ll come.”
Rocky took the card Cody had pulled from his back pocket, nodding. “Thanks. I might do that. I thought I was going to lose it . . . the thought of . . . well, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” Cody got up, looking down at them both. “I’ll go get rid of Alden and any other evidence of anything. If I heard the commotion then others might have too. We don’t want any trouble.”
“Thanks,” Rocky said again. “I mean that.”
“I know that too.” Cody smiled. “Look after her, she’s special.”
“That’s something you don’t need to tell me.” Rocky gave Cody a small smile. “That’s something I know.”
“Yeah, I guess you do. Goodnight.”
“Night.” Rocky nodded to Cody as he saw himself out, turning back to his mate and running his hand through her sleek fur. “Goddess, you’re beautiful, but please, baby, don’t do that to me again. I thought I was going to die when I saw you on the ground with that asshole on top of you.”
She whined up at him, her raspy tongue darting out to lick his hand. “Okay, now close your eyes and sleep. You heard Cody, you need to rest.”
Her eyes drooped and he was glad she followed his orders, her breathing evening out and she fell over into a long, deep sleep. He settled down beside her, his head on the edge of the sofa, and stayed there watching her for the rest of the night. Standing guard . . . just in case.