Ash
Ash’s house buzzed with everyone weaving around getting ready to go. Clover had vanished into a bathroom a few moments ago. He wanted to give her some space, but he also wouldn’t leave her alone for too long. Tara nodded toward him and strolled over to the bathroom, knocking before slipping in.
“They’re just loading up, honey,” Tara said as the door closed. Ash focused on their conversation instead of listening to Raymand bark orders at Kirk and the twins outside. “Are you ready for this?”
“If I stay home, I’ll go freaking crazy.”
“I know, but you’ll probably have to kill a few more hunters.” Tara’s hesitation came through, Ash was glad Clover had a good friend who cared about her well-being.
“I had a feeling it would happen, but I’ve already done it once to protect Patrick. I doubt I’ll freeze up.” Clover’s retort had Ash’s wolf laughing.
“Oh, I have faith in your ass-kicking abilities, but I’m worried about the aftermath.”
Ash inched closer as they continued to talk. He didn’t want to split his focus on someone else right now.
“Well, I’ll have you and Ash to help me get through it, right?” Clover asked.
“You’re damn right I’ll be here for you. And I’ll be here when you get pregnant too.” Tara giggled and opened the door.
“But it won’t happen for a while,” Ash added from the hallway.
“And in a few hours, your curvy mate will go into heat, big boy.” Tara winked and Clover smirked at her friend. Yes, he sensed the subtle changes in her scent but he already had to be responsible for one pup. He didn’t think he could handle another in the house now.
“Condoms do a great job at protection,” Ash countered.
“Until they break because you’re such a strong werewolf.” Tara lifted her brow.
“All right, you two. Let’s get going.” Clover strolled to the living room. Ash followed to find Maple standing next to Raymand and the alpha didn’t look too happy.
“Good, we need another lady to break up this testosterone fest.” Maple winked at Clover.
“And you should be here with Cora,” the alpha hissed.
“Cora has her own job to do with Rayne. I’m not going to hover.” Maple clicked her tongue. Ash pulled his mate close and kissed her shoulder.
“You sure about this?” His fingers rubbed the lower part of her back.
“Yep.” She seemed irritated at the question but he wanted to give her every chance to stay home, where she wasn’t in danger.
“Load up before I chain my mate to a fucking chair.” Raymand clenched his fists as he motioned toward the door.
“Such dirty, talk alpha.” Maple smirked and Clover laughed. The alpha only accepted being challenged by Maple since she had such a strong will.
“I’ll chain your hands to the bed tonight. Keep it up and I’ll lock up your feet,” Raymand whispered into her ear and most of the guys rushed out the door. Clover followed Ash out and climbed into his truck.
“We’re taking two trucks?” Clover asked when a few others climbed into a black pick-up next to his.
“Yeah. We need more than a truck full of wolves.” He rubbed his hands together. The faster they loaded up, the quicker they found the pups. Every damn second mattered and he wanted to get Patrick back.
“Do you really think attacking this place will be the end of the hunters in town?” She adjusted her shirt before meeting his gaze.
“They’ll definitely think twice before attacking us to get our pups.” Ash winked and climbed into the driver seat. Clover slid into the middle and Zac sat on the other side. Once the alpha and his mate were in his truck they left, Ash following Raymand. I will bring Patrick home and end this hunter problem.
Tension built in his shoulders the longer they were all packed into his truck. Having a truck full of males was never a problem until a scent change filled his nose. He stiffened in his seat as his wolf threw images of pulling over and fucking Clover on the side of the road into his mind. His cock hardened to freaking steel creating a tent in his jeans. He barely managed to keep down the groan and hit the gas harder.
Clover let out a shaky breath. Heat rolled down his flesh like a waterfall.
“This could be bad.” Zac tapped his fingers against his legs and Clover glanced at him. They were still on the highway and he wanted to find the exit quickly.
“What do you mean?” Clover turned to Ash, his grip tightened on the steering wheel.
“You, my dear, are in heat,” Jaiden in the back piped in and she glanced back at Ash. His knuckles turned white but he had to keep going. They needed to save Patrick.
“This is really bad timing.” Clover nibbled on her lower lip. His wolf pushed ideas of kissing every inch of her body into his mind.
“You better fucking hope the adrenaline helps or you two will have to leave.” Zac scratched his head.
“How much longer till we get there?” She bounced in her seat for a few seconds.
“That’s our exit.” Ash pointed at the next road half a mile away and he thanked the stars they were almost there.
“I get why it’s called heat. My fucking skin feels like it’s on fire.” Clover rubbed her hands up and down her legs making it harder to focus.
“Another mile and we’ll be there.” Ash’s shoulders were tight, and he adjusted in his seat trying to relieve some tension. Oh, she smells freaking amazing! She closed her eyes and he tried to think of anything not sexy but nothing lasted past a few heartbeats. Every image he pulled up, his wolf turned into him taking her from behind or pounding her on the hood of the truck.
“Let’s hurry and get Patrick,” Ash growled, and her heavy breathing slowed to normal. He needed her to calm down so he didn’t do anything stupid. Her eyes snapped open as the truck lurched forward.
“Shit, they know we’re here!” Zac yelled and bounded out of the truck. Most of the wolves were out of the first truck already fighting with a few hunters. The shopping strip had been curved like a horse-shoe with most of the hunters coming from the left side. The trucks were parked at the only opening available.
“Do I need to take you home?” Ash rolled his shoulders and he met her heated gaze. His wolf wanted to take her back and fuck her senseless but Ash needed to help find the pups.
“I don’t know…” Clover started but a small cry sounded outside. She stilled in her seat and Ash wondered if she heard it too. “Patrick.” She turned toward the door and scrambled out of the truck. When he reached out to stop her, his fingers only grabbed air. Damn it, he needed to keep her safe just as much as the pups. He jumped out and rounded the front to find Clover with her eyes closed.
More hunters poured out of the stores on the left, attacking the pack with knives, while the whimper came from the right, only a few feet from where they parked the trucks. Yet the attacker made it seem like they were protecting the pups in the back curve of the stores.
She shifted without warning leaving her clothes on the ground. Clover bolted for the lone store to their right and he ran after her.
“Clover!” Ash called out from the parking lot, but she wouldn’t stop when she glanced back. A hunter with a long blade attacked blocking his path. Damn it.
Ash stayed in his human form even as his beast scratched to get out and fight. The blonde lurched forward with the silver knife in his hand but Ash avoided the sharp edge. He needed to hurry with this guy so he could help his mate find the pups.
A chinking sound rang out from the store where Clover had burst through a moment ago. He lost sight of her which didn’t sit well with him. Ash dodged another attack to his neck but this time he countered with a punch right into the gut. The knife clattered to the ground and Ash took advantage by punching the hunter in the face this time.
“You’re going to pay for that.” He spat blood on the ground.
“I doubt it.” Ash opened up his palm and thrust it up this time, hitting him right in the nose, making all the cartilage move right into the brain. Blood poured from his mouth and nose as he stumbled and collapsed to the ground. Seconds later, the hunter’s heart stopped. Ash smirked and walked over the dead hunter.
Clover’s growl vibrated out of the store and Ash raced toward his mate.
“A little more,” Annmarie hissed low, but he didn’t know what she meant as he inched closer to the doors. He shoved the wood away to find Clover baring her teeth over a man. A silver mesh blanket rested in front of the pups and some of them were blowing on their hands.
“You shouldn’t have messed with her child,” Ash’s voice boomed through the room.