CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The other shifter Beth had tied up was still lying at the bottom of the spiral staircase, completely unconscious. Connor was surprised to see what she’d done, but the pride in his face made her glow inside. After everything she’d been through, she’d managed to prove to herself and to Connor that she was brave enough to fight against Stephen. However, her wolf was still desperate to get out. She could feel her skin burning as it howled inside her. It had been kept away for a long time, by necessity of course, but it wasn’t exactly happy about it.
“Soon,” she murmured, glancing down at the cast on her arm as she climbed the stairs, leaving Connor to sort out the other shifter. “You’ll be free again soon.”
Walking into the church, she jogged over to where Sarah was sitting, upset to see her friend with her head in her hands.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, fear ripping through her. “Is he OK?”
Sarah lifted a tear stained face. “He’s sleeping,” she whispered, her eyes never leaving Thomas’s face. “He’s going to be OK, I think.”
Beth sat down beside Sarah and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, letting her cry. It had been such a terrifying ordeal for them both but in very different ways. She couldn't imagine what Sarah had gone through.
“I’m sorry Stephen took him,” she said softly. “We got him under control. He’s in the trunk of the car, knocked out.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Sarah replied, her voice cracking with emotion. “That shifter doesn’t deserve to live after what he’s done.”
Beth didn’t reply, although inwardly she agreed with Sarah’s sentiment. She didn’t know what Ross intended to do with Stephen, but she’d have to leave it up to him. Like she’d said to Connor, she was too close to it all. Her anger would cloud her judgement.
“Can you come back to the car?” she asked, breaking the silence. “Connor is dealing with the other shifter at the bottom of the stairs, and we’ll need to get Thomas next.”
Sarah shook her head. “I don’t want to leave him.”
Beth bit her lip. “Then can we wake him? Do you think he can walk?”
“I—I don’t know,” Sarah replied, her face troubled. Turning to Beth, she looked into her face. “Did he speak to you at all, Beth? When you found him, I mean.”
Frowning, Beth tried to remember. It was all a bit hazy now since so much had gone on. "He said a few words but nothing big."
“Did he recognize you?” Sarah asked, her eyes searching Beth’s face. “Did he say your name?”
Shaking her head, Beth’s frown deepened. “No, he didn’t. I told him you were here, though, as well as Connor. Why?”
Sarah turned her head away, as tears began to run in rivulets down her face. “I don’t think he knows who I am.”
“Of course, he does,” Beth replied at once. “He’s just drugged, Sarah. He’s got so much of that stuff in him, I’m surprised he was able to say anything at all!” She remembered the number of empty syringes she’d seen on the table. “My guess is that he tried to get away or struggled so much that they decided to stick as much of that stuff in him as they could. He’s strong, Sarah. He’ll come back from this.”
“He didn’t recognize me,” came the response, sobs choking her words. “I threw my arms around him, but when he managed to open his eyes and look at me, there was nothing there.”
“You can’t be sure,” Beth reassured her, rubbing Sarah’s back in comforting circles. “Let’s get him home and rested and then, you’ll see, he’ll be right back to normal.” Doubt swirled in her mind as she hugged Sarah tightly, hoping desperately that she was right. Unless they’d given him so much of the drug that his memories had been affected, and if that were the case, what was Sarah supposed to do?
“Thomas!”
Looking round, Beth saw Connor rush toward them, bending down to grasp Thomas’s hand. “Is he asleep?”
“Resting,” Beth said, throwing a warning glance toward Sarah. “He’s been drugged heavily, but we might be able to wake him up enough to walk down the stairs.”
“I hope so,” Connor muttered, passing a hand over his eyes. “We need to get out of here and head back home.”
“What did you do with the other shifter?” Beth asked, getting to her feet.
Connor shook his head. “He’s going to be out for a while. I’ll stick another dose in him and lock him in the small vestry I found to the left of the stairs. Ross or Ash can come back for him. Stephen’s the more important one.”
"Then let's try and wake Thomas up," Beth said, helping Sarah to stand up. "We need to get back to Rockshore. Hopefully Ross and the others will be back before too long."
“And we’re going to have a lot to explain,” Connor murmured, slinging one arm over Thomas’s shoulders and under his arm. “Come on. It’s going to take the three of us to get him down the stairs.”
By the time they got to the car, Beth was gasping for breath and sweat was running down her back but Thomas was awake enough to attempt to walk. Finally they got him in the car where he lay across the seats and closed his eyes.
“I’ll sit with him,” Sarah murmured, squeezing herself in beside Thomas. Her face was a mask of worry as she climbed in, pulling the door shut.
“She doesn’t think Thomas recognizes her,” Beth murmured, leaning into to Connor for a brief hug. “I’m worried, Connor.”
Resting her head on his chest, she felt him let out a long breath. “We just need to get back,” he murmured, resting his chin on the top of her head. “We can see how he’s doing once we’re there.”
Kissing him quickly, Beth walked around to the other side of the car and got in. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Sarah with Thomas’s head in her lap, stroking his hair with her fingers. “I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Beth whispered, giving Sarah a reassuring smile. “He just needs to sleep it off.”
“I hope so,” came the reply. “Because if he doesn’t, what do I do?”
***
It took everything Beth had left to get Stephen out of the trunk and down into the cellar, although Connor did most of the work. She had to admit it was a relief knowing that he couldn’t get out, even when he became conscious. Finally, he was going to have to face up to what he’d done.
Connor slammed down the hatch door that led to the cellar and locked the padlock tightly. Putting his hands on the small of his back, he leaned back and let out a loud groan, stretching his tired muscles.
"I'm not going to pretend that he wasn't heavy," he muttered, looking at her. "But he's not getting out of there anytime soon."
“It’s where Davidson had Jenny,” Beth commented, remembering how Jenny had been kept in a small room in Davidson’s cellar. “Ironic.”
“He deserves worse,” Connor bit out, running one hand through his hair as a dark look came into his eyes. “I just hope Ross gets back soon so he can get the other shifter as well.”
Beth sighed heavily and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the tension leave his body as she put her arms around his waist. “It’s over, though, Connor. What Stephen was planning can never happen now. That’s a good thing.”
“I know,” Connor muttered, running his hands down her back. “I just wish Thomas . . .”
Hearing the sadness in his voice, Beth tightened her arms around him. “I know. We just have to hope that he’ll remember everything once all the medication wears off.”
Connor didn’t say anything but rested his head on hers. Beth let her eyes close, as a huge weight seemed to physically lift itself from her chest. Stephen was in the White Fire’s cellar, his plans to have his own alpha pack that would wipe out all the other packs had completely gone to pieces. When he woke up, Beth couldn't imagine how furious he'd be, but that wasn't going to be something she'd worry about. She'd stood up to her stepbrother once. She'd never allow herself to be under his control again.
“How’s your arm?”
Reluctantly, Beth dropped her arms from his waist and held up the cast to the light. It was badly damaged. “My arm is sore, but I don’t think it’s as bad as it was.”
He shook his head. “We’ll have to sort that. Maybe just a brace will help this time since your bones should have knitted together by now.” He gave her a quick smile. “Go sit in the living room. I’ll be right back.”
***
Beth found Sarah and Thomas in the living room, with Thomas’s eyes flickering open now and again. Connor joined her only a few minutes later, his eyes immediately on Thomas.
“He’s still not come to,” Sarah said, her face pale and drawn. “Not properly, at least.”
“We should get him to bed,” Connor replied quietly. “In fact, we should all get some sleep.”
Beth glanced up at Connor. “What about if Ross gets back?”
“I’ll leave him a note to tell him to wake me the minute he gets back,” Connor promised, giving her a quick smile. “But we’re all exhausted. Especially Thomas.”
“I’ll help you,” Beth replied, slinging one of Thomas’s arms over her shoulders. “Come on Thomas.”
Thomas groaned but managed to struggle to his feet, his head rolling as they stood up. It took some effort but the three of them managed to get Thomas lying down on his bed.
“I’ll take care of him from here,” Sarah promised, ushering them both from the room. “You’re both tired. I’ll see you both in a few hours.”
Beth gave her a smile, hiding the worry that was slowly growing in the pit of her stomach. Thomas was taking a long time to recover and still was showing no signs of recognizing Sarah. “Let us know if there’s anything you need.”
“We’re right next door,” Connor added, his hand already on Beth’s shoulder as he practically steered her from the room. “And well done today, Sarah. That took a lot of guts and strength. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Sarah smiled briefly, thanked him and closed the door, leaving them to walk along the hallway toward their own room.
“Do you think she’ll be OK?” Beth asked, worriedly. “Looking after Thomas is one thing, but she needs to rest herself. She’s completely exhausted.”
Connor pushed open the door to their bedroom and shook his head. “Sarah is strong, Beth. She’ll get through this.”
“I hope so,” Beth murmured, running one hand through her hair and realizing just how mucky it was. She grimaced, thinking of all the cobwebs back at the Old Church that no doubt clung to her hair. “I think I’m going to need to wash some of this off before I get some sleep,” she muttered to herself, walking to the window and drawing the curtains. “Especially since I can just take this arm brace off now. You don’t mind, do you?”
She turned around to see Connor lift one eyebrow speculatively, the heat in his eyes rushing straight to her core. After everything, she’d thought
“I’ll take that as a no,” she replied, trying to laugh but finding the sound sticking in her throat. “Connor, I—”
“You don’t mind if I join you?” he asked, huskily as he drew closer to her. “I really need to be close to you, Beth, but if you’d rather not . . .?” His question lingered as he looked down at her, making warmth pool in her belly.
“Just give me a few minutes,” Beth replied, her heart already picking up its pace as he pushed his hand into the hair at her temple. Her face lifted to his automatically, electricity rippling down her spine at his touch. “I need to wash those spiders out of my hair first.”
He dropped his hand immediately, making her laugh.
“Be quick,” he growled, pressing one hot kiss against her lips. “This is one shifter who’s not very good at waiting.”
***
Connor gave Beth exactly three minutes before going to join her, making her laugh as he practically tore his clothes from his body, his eyes never leaving her.
"That was quick,” Beth murmured, the moment he stepped in next to her. Her smile quirked. “I got rid of those spiders at least.”
A growl came from his chest as he ran his hands through her hair, pushing it away from her face and neck. Suddenly, he froze, his eyes staring at something on her neck.
“What is it?” Beth asked, feeling the heat begin to sizzle away between them as he frowned. “Connor?”
He gently touched the side of her neck, making her gasp as something burned in her skin.
“That was me,” he muttered. “Last time. I didn’t mean to be so rough, Beth. I’m sorry.”
For a minute, Beth thought that he was about to leave and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing herself fully against him. She waited until his hands slid around her neck, although he didn’t move his eyes from the mark.
“Connor,” she said softly. “It’s OK. I didn’t even notice it happening last time.”
“My wolf sometimes comes out a bit too much,” he muttered, his face still heavy. “After everything that’s happened, the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
Beth’s heart softened as she looked up into his face, only just managing to catch his eye. “You could never hurt me, Connor. Hurting me is something Stephen did, to force me to do what he wanted.” She smiled gently. “You just nipped me a little in the heat of the moment. That’s OK. To be honest, I don’t really mind.”
Connor let out a long breath, looking down at her. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure,” Beth retorted, letting her hands begin to explore his body and then quirking an eyebrow. "It feels like you want to stay here with me."
Passion burst between them as Beth continued to trace her fingers lightly over his skin, aware of just how much he wanted her. Connor groaned, unable to help himself as he kissed her, hard. His chest was heaving, every muscle outlined by the water that trickled over them. Pushing her head to the side, he let his mouth trail fiery kisses down her neck, along her collarbone and back up the other side until he reached her ear.
A soft noise escaped from her throat as she let her fingers explore every part of him, running gently down his back and then back up his chest again, teasing him. She wanted Connor to trust that he could be with her without being worried about hurting her, kissing him back with an intensity she could hardly keep a hold of.
Without warning, Connor moved behind her and, as she tried to turn to face him, grabbed her hips and held her fast, his muscles tightening behind her. “Just wait,” he whispered in her ear, letting his hands move higher until he cupped her breasts, making her sigh with pleasure. Unable to help herself, Beth leaned her head back onto his shoulder, letting him do what he wanted as she pressed her lips to his neck. She loved the feeling of him behind her, his arousal pressed against her as he continued to build a fire in her. Already she was burning with need.
The minute he moved his hands away from her breasts, she turned again to face him, deliberately pressed her breasts up against his chest. He wasn’t the only one who could take control! Reaching up to kiss him again, she slid her tongue into his mouth, loving that he groaned aloud. After a few seconds, she felt Connor tense, his body evidently on fire as much as her own. Grabbing her arms and pinning them high above her head, he gently pushed her back against the shower wall, his kiss hard and fierce. Her breath seemed to vanish, her body trembled as he ran his hands all over her and rolled his hips against her so she had no doubt how much he wanted her.
“Please, Connor,” she moaned, hardly able to breathe at all the sensations flooding her body. She couldn’t get any more words out, but the rattle in his chest told her just how much he wanted her.
Managing to open her eyes, she focused on him as he let her arms drop, his hands moving back into her hair.
“I think I love you, Beth,” he murmured, his eyes bright with emotion. “Don’t ever leave me.”
She couldn’t answer, her mouth opening but only a sigh coming out. Her heart exploded with feeling, echoing with the same love he’d expressed. Pressing her hips forward, Beth heard another moan escape.
Giving her a wicked smile, Connor grasped her hips, turned her around and pushed himself into her, all in one smooth motion. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered in her ear, gently nipping at her neck as he began to move faster. Her breath came in quick gasps, her entire body burning with heat as her world exploded. Closing her eyes, she sagged against the shower wall, hearing the growl that ripped from Connor’s mouth as he pulsed inside her, his release timed perfectly with hers.
“I love you too, Connor,” she whispered, her wolf just as content as she was.
“I didn’t hurt you?” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his mouth to her neck.
She shook her head, leaning back into his strength. “Never,” she whispered.