Chapter Thirteen
Addison raced out of the woods, Ethan so close she could feel his fur brushing hers. Fear pushed her to run harder than she ever had before, her paws barely touching the ground as she ducked and wove through the bare winter undergrowth, finally emerging from the forest back at the warehouse. The same rusty old truck was pulled up at the front door, with the motorcycles parked all alongside.
She nosed Ethan and they crept up to the edge of the building. Sirens wailed in the distance and the smell of smoke from the fire carried through the woods. Being in the burning barn had killed her nose’s sensitivity and she had no idea where the men were, but she was afraid they were in the warehouse where she’d left her friends.
They cautiously approached the door, and were greeted by a fabulous sight. Inside the cage were Sven, Bart, and a bunch of other rogues. Sven was lying on the ground, Bart holding a bloody shirt to his chest. One of the other men lay as if unconscious. And leaning against the wall by the door was Eve, with Gabby at her feet and a pistol in her hand.
Addison shifted. “Where’s Trish?”
“Right here.” Trish came out from the shadow further along the wall carrying a rifle.
“What the hell happened? How did you get them in the cage?”
“We’d already gotten out of the building when they arrived, so when they went in, they left one man on watch.” Trish snorted. “One man against me. Never go against a Hunter bitch when her pups are in danger.” Her green eyes glowed. “I got the jump on him, Eve got his gun, and then the rest was easy.”
“Pups! I’m no pup,” Eve protested waving her gun.
“Whoa, be careful with that.” Trish gave her a hug. “When you can shift into a wolf, you’ll be just as strong as me. In the meantime, you’re a pup.”
“When I can shift into a wolf.” Eve snorted. “When pigs fly.”
Sounds of vehicles pulling up outside dragged Addison’s attention from her friends. “Did you call the police?”
Trish grinned. “I called Linc. That should be the lodge ambulance and a whole load of angry wolves.” She jerked her chin at the cage. “Those dudes are in big trouble.”
An hour later, hydrated, bandaged, with Gabby in the ambulance and the trouble makers taken care of, Addison walked into the lobby of the lodge. At the sight of the cozy couches, the giant fireplace, the desk staff—all still here as if nothing had happened—she sagged, her strength suddenly gone.
“Hang on.” Ethan’s arm came around her. “I’ve got you.”
She leaned into him, taking comfort from his steady touch. She looked deeply into his eyes. “I think you do,” she said, wonderingly.
Someone had found some paper scrubs for him and his wound had been treated. It was already healing due to his shift, but the lodge’s medic who’d treated him said he’d have the scar of the Double Z ranch’s brand on his hip for the rest of his life.
She caught a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Addison, I know I’m a rogue with few prospects and no pack, but will you still consider me as your mate?”
“Hey, what’s this about not having a pack?” Trish walked up to them. Linc was right behind her, their identical grins making Addison realize just how much they looked alike, although Linc was definitely taller and a whole lot hotter in her book.
“We’ve been talking about it,” he said. “There’s no reason that a wolf like you should be packless. You’re one of us now, Blaywolf, whether you like it or not.”
“Me?” Ethan stared at them. For a moment, Addison thought he’d refuse. “Why? No pack takes in rogues.”
Linc shook his head. “We don’t take in crap like those guys you were hanging with, but if you’re solid, you’re welcome. What do you say? Can you go straight?”
Ethan grinned. “You bet.”
“Then here are your keys. We’ve moved all Addison’s things to the honeymoon suite.” Linc winked. “We think you’ll need the space.”
Addison blushed. “Thank you,” she managed to get out.
“Don’t mention it.” He jerked his head at Trish. “Come on little sis, let’s get you tucked up in your room.” He wrinkled his nose. “You stink.” She gave him a punch in the arm and they walked away, laughing.
Now, she was all alone with Ethan.
Suddenly shy she ducked her head. “The honeymoon suite. Wow.”
“They’re right. We’ll need the room.” Ethan grinned. “That is, if you’re willing to take the next step.”
The next step. The bite.
A shiver of excitement stole over Addison. She’d avoided this for so long. Prayed, as each male wolf had sniffed her at those ceremonies, that this day would never come, but now…heat flashed over her skin as she thought of what came next. “Do you want to?”
“Hell yeah. Do you?” His face got suddenly serious. “I don’t want to lose you Addison. I came too close today.”
She leaned up and kissed him, putting all the love and passion and fear from the day into the kiss. It all came pouring back to her, the seal of their bond sending electrical licks of excitement along her skin. She pulled back, just enough to murmur against his mouth, “Come on, let’s go before we shock the lobby.”
She felt, rather than saw, his lips turn up into a smile. And then they pulled only far enough away from each other so they could walk to the elevator, hand in hand, and head upstairs.