Chapter Nine

 

Robin screamed as Colt hit the ground. She'd never seen a werewolf shift and if she hadn't known the beast in front of her was Colt, her heart would have surely stopped beating. Full stop, given up the ghost.

One of the men used his collapse and her distraction to his advantage, grabbing around her waist again. She used her power to choke him and he let go, gasping for air. The others charged her and she mentally swatted them away like flies.

“Colt,” she screamed, diving for him.

The moist forest floor soaked through her jeans as she landed by his side. His fur coat was thick, dark and warm. She soaked her fingers into it, relishing the connection.

“What did you do to him?” she demanded, glaring up at the men.

“Fuck, I didn't bring another dose,” someone said from behind her.

She sent him sprawling back on his ass. Fury rose up in her and she stared the men down. One by one, she recognized them as the jerks who'd chased her out of town.

“Answer me.” Thanks to the mating, her powers were back at full power.

“Just a little sleeping pill. Nothing for you to worry yourself about.” It was the guy who'd banged on her window.

“And how did you mask your presence?”

Another surge in her power told her that Matthias had regained consciousness. He moved through the woods, quiet as a mouse. One day she'd have to learn that secret. For now, she simply glared at the fuckers and petted her mate.

Wake up, Colt. Please wake up.

“A witch's spell masked us.”

“Which one? I'd like to kick her ass.”

“Now, now. I expected better language from you.” This was a new voice, slimier.

She turned to see another man approaching from the early morning mist. Her fingers flexed into Colt's fur and she felt his pulse skip a beat.

Stay calm, she told him.

“Why would you expect anything?” she asked, needing to keep them talking and focused on her.

He stopped and studied her, then made a tsking sound.

“Doesn't matter,” she amended. “Colt and I are mated now so whatever plan you had in mind for me won't work.”

The man didn't mask his surprise fast enough and he shot a glare at the others.

“Your little underlings didn't tell you that did they?” She was using up all her energy to keep the bravado up and her trembling down. 

Matthias and the others are coming, she told Colt. Just hang tight.

I want to rip their fucking throats out.

She sank her fingers into his fur and watched the newcomer mull over her words. He seemed to puff up and she wondered if he'd explode.

“Second thoughts?” she asked sweetly.

The man lunged for her. He was so fast that she didn't have time to dodge him. But Colt must have expected the maneuver because he launched straight up, intercepting the attack. His jaws closed around the man's upper arm and he gave a vicious shake of his big head. She could see the blood in the pre-dawn light and the man screamed. The others closed in but she battled them back. Eyes wide, they watched the fight stunned, and gave Colt the time he needed.

Just when she didn't think she could continue, Matthias and three others just as big, closed in. She hugged a tree as an all-out battle ensued. Some of the men shifted to wolves, others threw punches. Grunts and groans filled the air, sending birds into flight.

Colt tumbled down the hill, the other man swinging wildly as they rolled. Robin wet her lips and searched the area, trying to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

Colt pounced on the man's chest and a wheezing sigh met her ears. The big wolf stared down.

“Get the fuck off my mountain and don't come back. If I so much a smell you, you're dead, got me?”

The man lay so still Robin thought he might be paralyzed. But then he nodded his head with a jerky movement that showed just how intimidated he was. Colt backed away slowly, the hair on his back raised. He looked ready for anything.

The fighting died down around them and one by one, the rogue wolves headed down the mountain. Colt, Matthias and the others stood watch for a long time. Robin used what little energy she had left to give the jerks a little shove that sent them heels over head through the thick underbrush. Curses rang out and she laughed softly to herself.

“I'm glad to see your powers are in working order,” Colt murmured.

Me too. Never so happy about anything, well, except for being mated to Colt.

The sun peaked over the mountain tops and Robin took a deep breath. It was surprisingly warm for a spring morning in the mountains or maybe her racing heart was keeping the chill away. Colt turned and nudged her with his head.

“Back in the cabin.”

“Bossy, bossy,” she teased but was more than happy to get back inside.

Though he didn't speak out loud, she sensed him conversing with Matthias. Then he bounded up next to her, his nails clicking on the old, weathered porch. Inside, he shut the door with a paw and she turned to stare at him. A hint of unease gripped her stomach at his size and strength but it was quickly chased away by the tenderness in his warm gaze.

She had nothing to fear from her mate.

Shower. Now.

Except that he might wear her out in the bedroom.

As introductions went, there hadn't been much of one. She stepped toward the gorgeous beast. “Do you mind?” she asked, extending her hand toward his head. He nodded and she sank her fingers through his fur again.

A deep rumble vibrated from him to her. She'd recognize those eyes anywhere. The golden flecks had haunted her dreams. He didn't move as she petted him, got to know the beast who watched her so thoroughly.

A bubble of giddiness rose inside her. He bumped his muzzle against her legs and she ran her hands down his back. His attention and care flattered her; she was a lucky woman.

Now, get in the shower.

“Only if you're joining me, Colt.”

She made a little show of stripping as she crossed the cabin. A howl echoed off the cabin walls. She backed into the bathroom and watched him shift into one delicious hunk of a man. Naked man. He had his sights set on her.

Robin was happy to give in to him because he was focused on her pleasure. But more than that, he obviously wanted a life with her and he was willing to do anything to have her. He'd made that clear last night.

It was too late to do anything but surrender to him. They were mated and she was thoroughly enamored with him.

He crowded her into the tiny shower.

“We're going to need a bigger shower,” she said as she hiked a leg over his hip.

“Done.” She loved the way he studied her, gentle yet thorough as if he were looking for all the ways he could please her.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, in awe of his muscles. “Are you okay? I almost had a heart attack when you fell.”

He nodded. “Just a tranq dart. Wolves have a super high metabolism.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

“Thank goodness for you.”

“We make a pretty good team,” she admitted, feeling stronger, more centered than she ever had before. If being with him for a day could make her feel so comfortable in her whole skin, she couldn't wait to see what the future held.

“Yep,” he said simply, his mind obviously already on other topics.

“You'd better stop looking at me like that and start washing, wolf,” she said. “I don't want to take another cold shower.”

He chuckled softly and sank to his knees. Soap appeared from know where and he lathered his hands before cleaning her from head to toe. When she was clean and rinsed he returned to his knees and blew a stream of warm air across her clit. Her body was immediately ready for more despite the cooling water temperature.

“Don't worry my beautiful mate. I'll keep you warm.”

I’ll always keep you warm.

The promise of warmth was so much more, she realized. She understood that it was a promise of a future, of good times with the bad, of pleasure with the pain, his security and protection. And maybe one day, his love and a family of their own.

 

The End