Chapter Two

 

Colt's growl echoed through Robin's mind at the same time a meaty hand banged against her window. She jumped and tried to figure out how she was going to get away. They'd surrounded her car.

She knew better than to think she could outrun a werewolf when on foot. They were bigger, stronger and a hell of a lot faster than she was. And right now, she couldn’t use her powers. Sending a bunch of full grown males flying through the air would definitely draw attention.

No, her best bet was to stay put as long as possible. 

Someone would see them; surely they wouldn't shift in the middle of town.

Except, she glanced right, she was on the outskirts of the tiny town. The sun had dipped behind the mountains minutes ago and it wouldn't be long before everything was pitch black. She gulped and fought for calm.

“Get out of the car, bitch.”

“We won't hurt you,” one of the others said.

“Luke just wants a word. Shouldn't take long,” the first one said. He'd bent at the waist and his face was inches from the driver's side window.

Unease swirled in her stomach and combined with hunger pains. What could Luke Blackwood possibly want with her? She kept to herself; she'd never met him.

“Come on girly, we don't got all day.”

It's night time, she thought sarcastically. Then she took a good look. Oh God, it was night time. She couldn't make a scene; Clan law forbid it. Instead of honking her horn to attract attention like a normal person, she was surrounded and helpless.

No, she wasn't helpless. Think, Robin, think. 

The mental command brought the image of a ruggedly handsome wolf to mind. She'd pushed the gorgeous man away, stayed with her clan and where had that gotten her? Someone was watching her, and now this.

A hand slammed against her window again and she jumped.

“What does he want?” she called, trying to buy herself some time.

Hurry, Colt, she silently pleaded.

I'm almost there. You're doing great.

Great? She felt like she was about to dissolve into a puddle of fear. They circled her car the way they would a wounded animal. Even though they looked one hundred percent human, she could tell by their stance in the headlights, the easy grace of their movements...they were not men. They were predators. Werewolves. And she was their prey.

“We told you. A word.”

“I don't have anything to say to him!”

She reached out with her mind to see if there were any others lurking. There are four of them, Colt.

Good girl.

His voice rumbling through her mind was like a warm, soft blanket enveloping her. She welcomed it, welcomed him. It was forbidden, a relationship between them, but she'd trusted him from the moment they'd met. She still trusted him, felt safer knowing that he was coming for her.

The sound of a new engine pierced the night air and she tracked a motorcycle veering around the truck in front of her. It stopped a handful of feet away and two large men dismounted.

“Nice little trick back there,” Colt said, glaring at the two men on the driver's side of her car.

Like them, he hand long hair and too many muscles to count. But unlike the others, he glanced at her window and his gaze softened.

So did she. Everything feminine inside her melted like butter on a hot day and her fear was instantly replaced by determination and desire.

“You're making a scene,” Colt said, so low she barely heard him through the window.

The men laughed.

Matthias glared at the other two men and took a single step forward. She saw the guy behind her trunk retreat to the passenger's side.

“So I'll make this easy for you. Go back where you came from, tell Luke to stay the fuck away from my mate or I'll rip you all a new one.”

He sounded so lethal that there was no doubt in her mind that he meant every word. So this was why he was an Alpha, she mused. Big, take charge, and he looked ready to kick ass and take names. Anyone would be crazy to take him on.

Three of the wolves stayed silent but there was one dumb ass in every group and today, the man closest to her must have declared himself the leader.

“That's rich—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Colt had him by the collar. They spun around and he backed the other man against the side of the truck. Robin's breath caught at the show of power. Energy rippled off Colt’s big frame and she wouldn’t be surprised if his prey was trembling right about now. Colt looked a second away from shifting and teaching the lesser a lesson.

“I said get away from my mate, asshole.”

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and then Matthias stepped forward, thwarting any retaliation. She was amazed that these guys, four to two, weren't taking Colt on.

She melted further. He sounded so sure, so...possessive. That had never been a turn on before but as she watched the scuffle in the pale yellow light from her headlamps; she couldn't deny the way her body softened for him. Need tore through her from the tips of her aching breasts to her curling toes. She wanted to know his possession again, feel his body moving against hers, so solid and sure.

He'd been a marvelous lover, her first. And while he'd been tender and careful he'd also been deliciously rough and take charge. And he obviously commanded respect, and got it, from everyone around him.

It'd only been a matter of seconds since Colt had arrived, but her breathing had shallowed as she watched and waited. Her body alternated between humming with tension and desire.

Finally the man with Colt's hands around his throat nodded. Colt took a measured step back and released his target. The smaller man dove behind the wheel of the truck and the other three disappeared. The trucks sped away, leaving a cloud of dust swirling in front of the headlights.

As their tail lights disappeared up the mountain she took a relieved breath and slouched down into the seat. They were gone. She could hardly believe it.

A shadow crossed the driver's side window and she stared up at Colt. It was hard to make out his features with the motorcycle's headlight directed at her car, but she'd know that body anywhere, those hands were oh so familiar too.

He took a slow look around and she imagined he was scenting the air for anymore enemies waiting in the wings.

You're right, he sent the thought into her head, sounding ridiculously pleased.

He made a 'roll down the window' motion with his pointer finger and squatted next to her door as she complied.

They stared at each other silently; she was unsure what to say and her tongue didn't seem coordinated at the moment anyhow.

“Hi,” he started.

“Hi.”

“You okay?”

His beautiful eyes raked over her face.

She nodded. “Now that you're here.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thanks.”

“Of course.”

He seemed to want to say more, but he shot a glance over his shoulder toward the town.

“We should get out of here.”

She nodded again, ready to get to safety. Would he offer her that? She had no right to ask but he made her feel safe and protected, two things she'd been sorely lacking these past few weeks.

“Why didn't you come to me?” he asked, his hand closing over the door.

Her brows lifted at the annoyance in his tone.

“Colt,” Matthias said, his deep voice full of warning.

Colt's head jerked right and he murmured, “doesn't matter.” Then, “I'm driving.”

Ordinarily, a high handed order would have her hackles up, but with him, for some reason, she found herself nodding. Actually, she was happy to let him take over because her limbs felt more like noodles than muscle and bones.

He opened the door and held out his hand. She took it, grateful to borrow his strength, and electricity shot up her arm. It'd been the same way the first time they'd touched, the first time they'd kissed, when his lips had closed over her nipples.

He seemed to notice but didn't say anything as he got her settled in the passenger's seat.

“Where are we going?” she asked when he slid into the driver's seat. His knees banged against the steering wheel and he slid the seat back as far as it'd go then quickly adjusted the mirrors.

Glancing over at Matthias, they seemed to share a few words and then he put the car in motion.

“My place.”