CHAPTER FIVE

 

 

Sara handed a small pile of blankets and a pillow to Seth and nodded toward the couch. “It’s more comfortable than it looks.”

“Thank you. What time do you work tomorrow?”

“I don’t. I’m off the next two days.”

“Good. I’ll be better able to keep an eye on you if you come with me to track the rogue.”

“Whatever. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Seth closed his eyes, drew a breath, and prayed for patience. “Yes, you do, and you know it. You’ve seen Paul in action. As trained and determined as you are, you’re no match for the strength and ferocity of a rogue.”

She folded her arms across her chest and glared. “But I would be as a shifter I suppose?”

“Yes. You would be more evenly matched. Does your question mean you’re ready to move forward with the claiming?”

Sara snorted and turned for the hallway leading to her room. “Not hardly. Good night, Seth.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Sleep well, mon amour.”

 

 

Seth awoke on Sara’s couch with an aching back. Not that he would mention it to his mate. If she wanted to believe the couch was comfortable, he would uphold her illusion. What mattered was she let him stay.

It took a moment to clear his mind. Dreams of Sara’s body pressed against his lingered. Her up against the wall, splayed across the bed, and in the shower. Them sharing the hottest sex he’d ever had. Needless to say, he had an epic good morning hard-on. A quick glance down the hall told him she was still asleep in the bedroom. Thank Goddess, or he’d be hard-pressed not to act out one of last night’s fantasies.

But he couldn’t rush his mate. She would let him know when she was ready to acknowledge their relationship.

Fang stretched his legs and yawned. You’re such a baby. It wasn’t all that bad.

I didn’t ask for your opinion.

Fang rolled his eyes. And yet I gave it.

Seth ignored his wolf and headed for the back door. We need to check the property.

You got it, boss. Lead on.

Seth walked the perimeter of the house and then the fence line. I don’t see or smell anything. Do you?

All clear. Can we eat now? I’m starving, and that squirrel over there is looking mighty tasty.

Behave yourself. While we’re in civilization, you’ll act the part.

Fine. I’ll settle for eggs and bacon. Lots and lots of bacon.

We better check the refrigerator before you get your heart set on all that swine. For all we know you may be dining on oatmeal.

Hell no! If that’s all she’s got, I’m eating the squirrel.

No, you aren’t. Seth growled. You’ll eat what she has and enjoy it. If need be, we’ll buy supplies later.

You’re such a buzz kill, Fang grumbled and flopped down in the farthest reaches of Seth’s mind.

He headed back inside to get breakfast started before Fang focused on the dang tree rat again. Besides, he had plans to make. Paul had to be tracked to his lair. Once located, he could devise a plan to take the rogue out. Equally as important was convincing Sara to relocate to his house.

The rogue knew this location, and that was dangerous for both of them. They needed to hole up where the beast wouldn’t find her. When they encountered the rogue, it had to be on their terms, and only once Sara was ready.

First on the agenda was coffee. As expected, Sara kept the grounds and filters above the coffee maker. Once that was started he went to the refrigerator. Thankfully, his mate had plenty of bacon to go with a carton of eggs. He hated picking fur from his teeth.

He was the first to admit he was an abysmal cook. Except for breakfast. He could rock eggs and bacon. As far as lunch or dinner, he got by in a pinch, but for the most part, he ate at local diners or hunted his meals. Besides, he didn’t exactly have a kitchen in that one-room cabin he had found abandoned in the mountains. A man could only eat so many meals out of a cast-iron skillet or pot over a fire pit.

With the bacon in the pan, he poured a cup of coffee. Taking a sip, his mind drifted to the night before and the easy camaraderie he’d shared with Sara. And then there was the kiss. He wanted more of that. A lot more.

Ignoring an instantaneous bodily reaction to that line of thought, he poked at the bacon harder than necessary and let out a growl of frustration. “Damn it.” With a yank, the refrigerator opened, and he grabbed a soda, nearly crushing the can. Shit, it was cold against his hopeful erection, but that was the point.

“That’s an interesting choice of breakfast beverage. You know that’s for drinking, not wearing, right?”

Seth stiffened. He was so busted. The chill that had been working its magic evaporated with the sound of her voice. As if he intended to drink the soda all along, he popped the top and took a long drink. “Ah! Just what I needed.”

Sara leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed over her chest, grinning ear to ear. The long sleep shirt she wore barely covering her assets. Bedhead had never looked so sexy. Damn sexy.

“So that’s how you’re going to play it? I had a brother. I know what happens to the male body in the morning.”

He continued to ignore her comments and drained the can. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Changing the subject, he narrowed his eyes and scolded, “It’s not nice to sneak up on people.”

Sara cocked a brow and gave him a sexy smile before walking into the kitchen. “Aren’t you some kind of legendary rogue hunter? How did a mere human manage to sneak up on you?”

Seth closed the refrigerator and winked at her. “Yes I am, and don’t ever forget it.”

She shook her head as she took over the bacon. “Whatever you say, big guy.”

He leaned a hip against the counter to watch her. “As far as catching me off guard, that’s because we’re safe for the moment. Remaining battle ready twenty-four seven is exhausting. A hunter learns to relax whenever possible because the next rogue hunt could come at any time.” He reached for the frying pan and nodded at the coffee pot. “Why don’t you let me finish breakfast while you get a cup of coffee and set the table?”

“Alright.” Sara handed off the fork she’d been poking the bacon with and made a beeline for the rich black gold.

Once the table was set, she took a seat and drew a deep, satisfied breath. Her inhale pulled his attention from the sizzle of the eggs frying. He tipped his head and lifted his brows in question.

She took a double take at his expression and grinned. “What? Breakfast smells fantastic, and I’m hungry.”

“Thank you. I added a little something extra to the scrambled eggs.” He turned off the burner, scraped a steaming pile of eggs onto each plate, added a few strips of bacon, and then set one before her.

Sara chewed a forkful and sighed. “Oh my God, these are good. I never would have considered salsa and scrambled eggs together.”

“I stole the idea from a tiny family-owned diner in Mexico. The matriarch of the family made all the food from scratch, and she would add homemade salsa to the omelets and scrambled eggs. These are okay, but hers were outstanding.” He scooped a mouthful of eggs into his mouth and grinned as he chewed.

Sara bit off the end of a slice of bacon and then gestured with the rest of it. “What’s our plan for today? Should we start tracking Paul where you left off yesterday?”

Seth held up a finger and swallowed his mouthful of egg. “That’s a conversation that needs to wait until I’ve eaten breakfast and consumed at least two cups of coffee.”

“Right. Sorry. Shop talk isn’t exactly proper mealtime conversation.”

“Finish up and grab a fresh cup. Then we can discuss—”

Seth’s head jerked around, and he inhaled deeply. He turned back to Sara and hissed, “Get your sidearm. Now. Shoot for the head. A body shot will only piss him off.”

Sara didn’t waste time with questions. She moved quietly to her bedroom where he presumed she kept her gun, while he went to the edge of the front window. Flattened to the wall, he eased the curtain aside with his fingertips just enough to see the front step and cursed a blue streak.

He scented Paul all right. The deranged beast had been on the porch! And, he left another calling card. This time, a skinned cat pinned to a board like a sick artistic display propped against the front door. Easing the curtain back, he moved to the back door. Walking out the front door was something an ignorant human would do, and exactly what Paul expected of the woman in the house. The rogue had no idea who he was dealing with when it came to his mate.

If Paul stuck around to witness her reaction to his warning, Seth planned to take advantage of the opportunity and ambush the unhinged beast. He wasn’t surprised when Sara joined him, and she instinctively flattened against the wall to peer out of the edge of a window into the backyard and held her gun at the ready. His woman was courageous and definitely knew how to handle herself.

She glanced his way and then went back to searching the yard for movement.

Seth waved her closer, leaned in until his lips were beside her ear, and whispered, “Paul left a warning on your porch. Does your backdoor—?”

Sara shook her head, knowing what he was asking. “No. I oiled the hinges. But avoid the first stair tread, it groans under pressure.”

He pulled back and cocked his head in silent question.

Amusement danced in her eyes.

“You made the tread squeak on purpose as a poor man’s alarm.”

She dipped her head regally.

Seth shook his head, respect, and awe for his mate growing. “You’re an unusual, woman.”

He reached behind his neck and pulled his sword free. “Thanks for the tip. Stay close to me. We’re going to work our way around to the front.”

She nodded and stepped away from the wall. “I’ve got your six.”

To their disappointment, Paul hadn’t stuck around. Seth did a thorough sweep of the yard and examined the rogue’s tracks. “You may have caused him damage when you shot him. But he’s healed now. There’s no evidence of a limp or bearing his weight more to one side than the other. The Goddess decreed if a shifter went rogue he would slowly lose his gifts.” Seth scratched his head. “Somehow, Paul healed as quickly if not quicker than I can. I sure would like to know what’s going on.”

Sara blinked back tears as she took the poor cat from her porch. “Well, I hope it hurt like a mother for a while.”

“As do I. Let me take care of the cat. I’ll bury it next to the dog. While I do that, how about you get each of us a fresh cup of coffee?”

“Okay. There wasn’t much left so I’ll make a new pot.”

“I’ll only be a few minutes.” He watched her go and waited until she was safely inside before starting his task.

A short time later, Sara sat two cups on the table as Seth washed up at the kitchen sink.

“Sara, I know I’ve mentioned it before, but after what just happened it bears repeating. The house I’m staying at is only a few blocks from here. You need to move to a secure location. Not only for your safety but to end the needless slaughter of innocent creatures.”

She stared at her cup for a long moment. “Unless I’m in the field, I don’t make snap decisions. I’ll think about it over this cup of coffee.”

“While you think about it, consider this, you can take my room. I’ll sleep on the couch just as I did here until you ask me to join you.”

“You’re overconfidence is annoying, Le Beau.”

“Time will tell.” Seth got to his feet and dumped his coffee out. His desire for caffeine suddenly taking a hike. How could he make her understand that he needed to keep her safe?

He turned back to her and rested his hip against the counter. “Not only are you my mate, which makes it impossible for me to not see to your health and happiness, but I also promised Luperca that I’d keep you safe, and I keep my promises.”

She was frowning at her cup and finally looked up. “The Goddess told you to keep me safe?”

“That and she required that I let you help me hunt the rogue.”

“Why? Why would she demand all that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know.” And he didn’t. None of what Luperca demanded made sense to him.

A spark of anger flared in her eyes. “So, without her decree, you would have come to my town, killed the rogue, and left?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes. That’s the way I’ve completed my assignments for one hundred fifty years. I’ve always worked quickly and efficiently. And always alone.”

Sara snorted and shook her head. “You don’t want to be stuck with me any more than I do you. We make quite a pair.”

“You are both correct and incorrect. I may not want you in danger, but I absolutely want you in my life.”

She ignored his statement and addressed the small animal aspect instead. “Do you honestly believe he’ll stop killing pets if I’m not here?”

“Yes, I do.”

Sara pushed back her chair and stood. “Fine. I’ll stay at your place until this is over.”

As she made to leave the kitchen, he gently grabbed her arm. “I meant what I said. I’m not stuck with you. I want to be with you.”

“Yeah, the whole mate thing. I get it.”

“You’re wrong, Sara. I would want to be with you regardless. You’re a beautiful, strong, fascinating woman.”

Fang rumbled in agreement.

“Was that your one act of romance for the week?”

What? Oh, that. “No. It was honesty.”

Sara looked at him for a long minute and then gave him a nod and left the room.

 

 

An hour later Sara sat on his couch, arms and legs crossed and brows raised. “Can we please track the bastard now?”

Seth glanced at her from where he was checking every possible line of sight from the patio door. “In a minute. I tried to follow his scent from your yard this morning, but he must have acquired transportation.”

“Huh. For some reason, I thought a rogue was trapped in wolf form.”

Seth dug into his pocket and pulled out a plastic-wrapped golden square of goodness. A quick crinkle of the thin barrier and he popped the morsel into his mouth. He loved caramel candies.

For a good portion of his early life, the only time he had enjoyed caramel was when his mother, Emma made a batch from an old family recipe. That is, until 1904 when Emil J. Brach and his sons began making caramels commercially. From that day forward, Seth was in hog heaven. The instant the Brach’s candy company went public with stock, he purchased as many shares as he could get his hands on. To this day, he was a principal stockholder in the company. Dang, that was good. He dug for two more candies as he moved to another window.

He tossed one to Sara and unwrapped the other. “The majority of them are. But it appears that Paul is unique in more ways than one.”

“Lucky us,” Sara mumbled around the chewy caramel. “So what’s our plan?”

“Rogues are driven more by animal instinct. He will return to where he feels safe; a den, cave, or some other shelter. Assuming he isn’t tracking a human.”

“You tracked him to the creek right?”

“Right. We should start where I left off and see if we can locate his den or pick up his trail. We should grab a few bottles of water. We may be walking for several hours.”

Sara pushed to her feet. “In that case, I’ll use the facilities while you pack the drinks. I’m not a pee in the bushes kind of gal.”

Seth drove them to the far side of the creek and parked. As they left the car, he walked her to where he’d stopped searching. “We’ll start here. I want you to stay within ten feet of me. If we stumble upon Paul, I need to be able to reach you before he attacks.”

Sara released the lockdown strap on her handgun. “All right. What am I looking for?”

Seth took her to the last print he’d found. “Take a good look at this. We’re searching for more paw prints and footprints if he’s shifted.”

“Got it.”

About an hour later, they picked up Paul’s trail. Sure enough, he was headed north. At least until Paul hit Tangletown, where he suddenly turned south again. Between the two of them, Seth on foot, and Sara following him with his car, they found an old den and followed the trail back to her neighborhood.

“Shit. I’m glad I listened to you and relocated. I’ve definitely become his next target.”

“I concur.” Seth glanced at the darkening sky. “We’re losing daylight. Let’s head back to my place for the night. In the morning, we can pick up where we left off.”

“That sounds good to me.”

 

 

That night, Seth lay in the dark, listening to Sara’s even breaths from down the hall. His couch was slightly more comfortable than hers but not by much. Try as he might, he couldn’t stop his thoughts from straying to visions of his mate laid out as a feast before him. His fantasy was cut short by muffled whimpers and the sounds of thrashing about.

On silent feet, he made his way to the bedroom door. She’d left it cracked open, so all he had to do was give it a little push. The sheets rustled again as she kicked at something in her dream. He rapped his knuckles on the doorframe in the hopes of waking her without scaring her to death.

Instantly, Sara sat upright, gun drawn and leveled on his chest.

Seth raised his hands in surrender. “Whoa, there Annie Oakley. I come in peace.”

She lowered the gun and shouted, “Damn it, Seth. I almost shot you. What the hell are you doing in my room?”

Seth shrugged and made his way across the room to sit on the edge of the bed. “You were having a bad dream. I came to check on you.”

Sara sighed and rubbed her cheek against her shoulder, then tucked the gun under her pillow. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

When she turned back to him, he brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. “What is it, mon amour? What has made you cry?”

“Grant’s murder. That nightmare is never a pleasant one.”

Fang whined. We must comfort her.

Agreed. Hopefully, she will allow us to do so.

He lifted his legs from the floor and shifted to sit with his back against the headboard. Then he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and applied a little pressure. “Come here, cher. Let me hold you for a moment.”

Fang rumbled contentedly when their mate easily complied.

Seth wrapped his other arm around her and rubbed his chin in her hair. “I can’t change history, but I will help you avenge your brother.”

She made a soft sound of distress, which worried him more than anything in his long existence had. His Sara was not a weepy, helpless woman. The sounds coming from her terrified him. There were no words to make it better. It would never be better. Her brother was gone forever, and there was nothing he could do to change that. He was helpless to do more than tighten his hold and sit with her.

“Shh, mon coeur, I’ve got you. I’m right here.” Over and over, he smoothed her hair with long, unhurried strokes.

The two of them sat in the dark, holding one another, Seth whispering comforting words in Cajun French. All the while he strategized Paul’s death. Never had he wanted to make a rogue suffer unspeakable agony. His kills were always swift. With a single swing of his sword, he could remove a head. Paul would be the first to die a slow painful death for the anguish he caused Sara.

Her sorrow surrounded him until a single tear escaped his eyes and inched toward his chin. “Your pain is my pain, mon amour. Your loss is breaking my heart.”

Finally, Sara sniffled and wiped the back of her hand under her nose.

When she lifted her head, he saw tears on her face. Fang howled, and a sharp pain lanced his heart.

She glanced at him, then looked away, and quickly wiped at her cheeks, flushing with embarrassment.

Seth leaned forward to kiss away a tear that had escaped her notice and then he brushed his lips across hers.

“Thank you.” Her voice was breathy, barely a whisper.

The bottomless pit of despair she was drowning in faded, vanquished by Seth’s unconditional love.

His heart ached. Her eyes, once so bright but now dulled by grief, looked up at him. She was broken and forlorn with such guilt that he felt crushed under the weight of her dark emotions. In her mind, she was convinced she was alone. She wasn’t. He would always stand beside her. He’d hold her up when she needed a shoulder to lean on. Provide emotional comfort in any way she would allow. “You’re wrong, mon coeur. As long as I draw breath, I will always be with you. It’s natural to feel confused and alone. You lost your brother in a horrific fashion. Never forget, I’m here for you in whatever capacity you need.” With that, he sent her waves of love and security, infusing the emotions with strength and confidence.

Sara gasped. “I felt that.”

He lifted her chin and held her gaze. “Your memories can’t have you. As painful as they are, they’re in the past and cannot be changed. You have to live in the now. In this moment and no other. Can you do that?”

His words were impossible to ignore. Besides, he spoke the truth. She couldn’t change the past, but she could make sure the rogue didn’t destroy other lives.

Sara took a breath, trying to drown out Grant’s screams still ringing in her ears. “I hear what you’re saying, but I can’t stop the dreams from coming.”

Seth’s arms tightened around her, and his head dropped on top of hers. Suddenly, a feeling of comfort and calm wrapped around her like a warm, fuzzy blanket.

“I know, mon amour. But I can teach you ways to control them. The practice is called lucid dreaming, and it allows you to wield a degree of control over the characters, narrative, and environment of the dream. Tell me one thing that happens every time. Something early on in your nightmare. Something benign, for example, stubbing your toe.”

She thought about that for a minute running the first moments of the dream through her mind. “I bang my knuckles on the car door when I get out.”

“Okay, think about that for a minute. Do you feel the pain or is it just something that happens?”

Sara tried hard to remember. “I don’t recall ever feeling any sensations in the dream. Funny, I never noticed that.”

“Good. What I want you to do tomorrow is rap your knuckles on things as many times as you can. As you do that ask yourself ‘am I dreaming?’ When you feel that little bit of pain, tell yourself ‘I felt that. I must be awake.’”

“How is that going to help?”

“When you’re dreaming and you bang your knuckles your mind will automatically ask if you felt it. The instant the answer is no, you’ll realize you’re dreaming. Once you’re aware it’s a dream you can control what happens.”

“No Way! That works?”

“Absolutely. I do it all the time.”

Sara leaned across the bed and banged her knuckles on the nightstand. “Ow! I must be awake.”

Seth barked out a laugh. “You don’t have to hit things that hard.”

Sara smiled up at him, and to his surprise slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled him down. The next thing he knew she initiated a kiss. Just that quick. Just that sudden. She was kissing him of her own accord. He moaned, tightened his arms around her, and deepened the kiss.

She turned her body into his, twining her arms around his neck, pressing her lips harder to his in a fevered kiss. Energy tickled his lips, swirling and growing in power.

“Crap.”

Sara pulled back, worry tightening her expression. But Seth ignored her concern and gathered her against his body again.

“Don’t let your gift worry you, mon amour. Close your eyes and examine the energy both around and inside of you. Do you feel acceptance or animosity?”

She sucked in a breath as her eyes widened. “Acceptance. My gift likes you.”

“Of course it does. I’m your mate. No matter how much power you gather, you will never harm me.”

For a moment, she stared off into space, contemplating his words. He would give her as much time as she needed to understand what was happening. Tempted by the exposed flesh of her neck, he leaned closer to nuzzle the tender skin behind her ear. She tipped her head to the side, allowing him better access. Her gift receded until only the softness of her skin was beneath his seeking lips.

She breathed out a sigh when he lapped at her lobe and then nibbled on it.

Fang rumbled in satisfaction at her soft exclamation.

Sara gasped when he pulled her onto his lap. When she shifted slightly and wiggled to adjust her position, it was his turn to gasp.

“Keep that up, and you’ll get more than you bargained for,” he growled into her questing mouth.

Sara lifted her head and stared into his eyes. The moment stretched between them.

Fang pushed to the forefront of his mind in anticipation. They’d found something to live for, and now they had that very thing in their arms.

She smiled, a half smile dulled by the lingering shadows from the dream, but her eyes brightened a little. There was a silent message relayed in that smile. Gratitude for the comfort he provided, yes. But a bit of sexual tension, as well.

“What is it, mon amour. What do you want?”

She shot him a devilish grin. He was incredibly handsome, but more than that, he was a rock she could lean on. Not that she needed one. The way he spoke with absolute conviction left no question that he believed what he said. To her astonishment, she believed him too. Paul had shattered her family and her heart. She may have been temporarily down, but she wasn’t out.

“Grant always told me that I have a stubborn streak a mile long with a liberal helping of daredevil.”

He brought her fingertips to his mouth and bit gently, his teeth scraping back and forth. A small frown tightened her eyes, but she didn’t pull away. “And what is your inner Evel Knievel telling you?”

Sara felt her face flush. How to answer that? She chuckled when Seth scowled as she pulled her fingers from his nibbling teeth. She then cupped his square jaw, and his scowl evaporated to be replaced by speculation. His eyes warmed, but concern banked the heat.

“Kiss me,” she whispered. “My inner Knievel says you should kiss me.”

He didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers. Though he looked like a man who dominated women, he followed her lead.

Sara teased his lips open and swept inside. The growl that vibrated his chest gave her a rush. His tongue danced with hers but never made demands. Her gift gathered energy from the room. Outlets fizzled and hissed in protest. The power flowed around and through them, caressing and stroking like a lover. A third entity sharing the experience.

His kiss was tender. Loving. Exactly what she needed to chase away the ugliness of her nightmare.

She kissed him more fiercely, losing herself in his mouth, obliterating the lingering images in her mind. She wanted to shut down her mind and just feel.

Seth lifted his head a few inches. His gaze searched her eyes. “Mon amour? What is it? What has your emotions in turmoil?”

Sara dropped her gaze and shook her head. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Talk to me. I can’t help you unless I know what has upset you.”

“I want to forget everything that happened, even if only for one night. Does that make me a terrible person?”

“No, mon amour. It makes you human.”

Once again, he was reminded how young she was. She was so self-possessed, strong, and independent it was easy to forget she was…what? He frowned at himself. He didn’t know enough about Sara to answer that. He didn’t know any intimate details about his mate, like her age or favorite color. He hadn’t taken the time to learn the little details about his mate. At the very least, he should have researched the woman he was about to hunt with. He’d thrown all of his training to the wind and dropped the ball big time.

“I want you to help me forget,” her voice was hardly more than a whisper.

“I could make you forget, but to do so would remove the memories entirely. As painful as they are, I don’t believe you truly want that. Instead, I can hold you through the night and keep your nightmare at bay. If it returns, I’ll enter your mind, essentially becoming a character in your dream to help you control what you experience. All you have to do is tell me that you want me to stay with you.”

“Yes. Please stay.”