Chapter Two
How had she slept so long? She didn’t even know what time it was, but it was dark. Darker than she’d known possible. Every little noise made her adrenaline spike. She might have entered the forest for an escape, but now all she wanted to see was her piece of shit car. Hailey wasn’t even sure if she was moving in the right direction, but she progressed quickly, eager to reach the edge of the woods and some sort of civilization. When she heard the yipping of dogs, she knew she was in trouble.
Stay calm, Hailey. She’d never felt so alone, and she’d thought she hit rock bottom in the parking lot of the resort. This was so much worse. Her feet were wet, her body chilled to the core, and she couldn’t even count the number of cuts and scratches she had from wandering blindly through the thick underbrush. George was probably fucking his new plaything while Hailey was about to die a grizzly death. She would have screamed for help again, but knew it would only attract unwanted attention.
More animals moved in, the eerie sounds coming from all around her. Hailey’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as she tried to remember every nature show she’d ever watched. The growling and barking echoed in all directions. It was complete chaos, a horror show she wanted no part of. She fell to her knees every few steps, exhausted and nearly hopeless. Hailey almost laughed aloud as she imagined what a great meal she’d make compared to one of George’s stick-thin girlfriends. She was only a breath away from losing it.
“Don’t be afraid.” The male voice was deep and surreal. Was she hearing God in her last minutes? When very real hands hoisted her easily to her feet, she gasped, reality rushing back to her clouded mind.
“Who’s there?”
He didn’t answer her question, but took one of her hands and pressed it against a large tree to balance her. “Stay here. Don’t move until I come back.”
Who was she to argue? At this point, the stranger was her only hope.
****
Darius had crossed too many lines to fathom. Luckily, the sun had set, so the human couldn’t see he was naked and oddly aroused. The animals closing in on her weren’t shifters. They were just wild coyotes and it wouldn’t take much for him to scare them off once he shifted back into his alpha wolf. He was more concerned with the fact his own pack was coming to investigate. They’d all wonder why he was protecting the human female. He didn’t know how he’d explain what was happening. Darius wasn’t so sure himself.
The little bastards lunged at him. Even in his human skin, he had his wolven night vision. He smirked as he began to shift, looking forward to dealing with the pests. His bones elongated, his teeth and claws sharpening. Within seconds, he was larger than any natural wolf. He was the alpha of these woods, and the hungry coyotes surrounding his woman quickly realized the fact. They backed off after scenting his dominant wolf. If he wanted to, he could take on the seven of them without breaking a sweat. With his packmates now minutes away, it would be a bloodbath. But Darius had no desire for carnage tonight. He only wanted to keep the human safe. He chased them clear of the area, putting the fear of the devil in them.
Once the evening hush settling back in, Darius shifted. He needed to know everything he could about this human besides the fact she made his cock harder than oak.
“What’s your name, little one?” he asked.
She hadn’t moved. The scent of fear tainted the air. “Hailey.”
“What are you doing way out here? Don’t you know the forest is a dangerous place at night? You could have been killed.”
“I thought it was a good idea before the sun set,” she said. “But now you’re here.”
“Yes. I am.” Where was his usual distain for humans? There wasn’t anywhere in the world he’d rather be than by her side.
“Were those wolves?”
“If they were wolves, you wouldn’t have heard them coming. They were coyotes.”
“Still sounds bad. Are they gone?”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I won’t let anything hurt you.”
His pack surrounded them. He could see Thorn’s wolf in the near distance. “Let’s get you back to your car.”
He didn’t want to be disturbed. Darius pressed a hand to the small of her back and led her through the forest. She reached for him when she couldn’t keep her balance, but he reluctantly kept his distance. Darius had never been more confused, and as alpha, he prided himself on always knowing his next move. He wasn’t even sure what he’d do once they got to her car. His wolf demanded he keep her, and although he agreed, part of him felt he was betraying his heritage by not keeping tradition.
“What were you doing out here anyway?” she asked, her breath labored as she plodded along.
“I live nearby.”
“In the forest?”
“Nearby.”
Her fear had completely subsided, and it pleased him that his presence made her feel safe. There was nothing he couldn’t protect her from. They’d almost reached her car. The longer he walked with her, the more her scent permeated every facet of his being. He was becoming addicted.
“I’m not used to any of this. I live in the city.”
“You’re far from home,” he said.
“I was at the new resort for my engagement dinner. But I guess I was dumped, jilted, whatever you want to call it.” She sighed. “It was probably a blessing in disguise.”
He bristled, not liking the sound of another man in the picture. “Then he’s a fool. And you deserve much better.”
She chuckled. “Sure. When you see me in the light of day, you might not feel the same.”
How could any man choose to walk away from her? Human men were fickle and weak. All he could think about was claiming her, sinking his fangs into her tender skin as a warning to other males to stay away. Darius had fucked enough human women, but not a single one had this effect on him.
Hailey was different, special, his.
He’d be a fool to ignore the mating call, and that was exactly what it was. How was he supposed to convince her that she was his mate? It would be so simple with a she-wolf, instinct taking the place of courting. Hailey might be his biggest challenge yet.
He stopped, tilting her chin up to make his point clear. “I promise, I like everything I see. I’ve never wanted another woman more.”
She gasped, her lips parting. The scent of her desire wasn’t lost on him. “You don’t even know me. I don’t know you…”
“Then we need to change that.” He ran the backs of his fingers along the side of her face. Gods, she was beautiful. Her eyes were a vivid shade of blue, a contrast to her dark hair. A spattering of freckles across her nose and minimal make-up gave her an air of innocence.
“That’s easier said than done,” she said.
“Are you worried you won’t be attracted to me?”
“No… I’m just scared to trust again. Everyone I’ve ever cared about has let me down. I’m not sure I’m up for more disappointment.”
“Then I’ll have to show you,” he said.
“Show me what?”
“How a real man treats a woman.”
****
Holy shit. Hailey’s body was lighting up like a Christmas tree. Was she that desperate for love that she’d fall for the sweet words of a complete stranger? One she couldn’t even see? But his voice … it was so deep and gravelly, making her knees weak. For all she knew, he could be a crazy axe-murderer. Yes, she was definitely desperate. She was too emotionally damaged from the whole George ordeal to think clearly.
And even though she was in no position to judge, he could be some toothless hillbilly. Maybe he was if he lived in the bush. She just needed to forget the whole weekend and get back to the city. Falling for a stranger’s sweet words was a very bad idea.
“I really need to go…”
“Your car’s just ahead,” he said. “You’ll be able to find your way from here.”
She expected him to argue and push for a date. It was kind of disappointing when he didn’t. She still remembered the way he touched her, his skin so warm and rough, making her dream up all kinds of fantasies. But happily ever afters weren’t in the cards for Hailey. She fiddled with the keys in her pocket and got the headlights to snap on when she unlocked the doors. Her body nearly melted into the ground with relief. It was so good to have her sight back. As soon as she got her bearings, she turned to the side to get the first glimpse of her rescuer.
He was gone.
Hailey whirled around, a full three-sixty, and still nothing. How could he have disappeared so quickly? It didn’t make sense. Had she insulted him? She didn’t even know his name. After her initial shock wore off, she rushed to get into the safety of her car. It was time to make the long drive home. Hailey needed to erase this day from memory, but forgetting her mystery hero might not be so easy.
****
“What was that about?” asked Thorn.
Darius stood motionless as the cones of light from Hailey’s car disappeared from view. It had taken all his resolve not to stop her from leaving. He clenched his fists at his sides as his wolf thrashed within him. Darius could scarcely control his volatile energy.
“Boss?”
“That car doesn’t leave Northern Summit territory,” Darius said. “I don’t care how, but that female will be staying at the resort tonight. Unharmed.”
Normally his beta would argue or ask for clarification, but not now. All three of his packmates shifted seamlessly together, rushing off as ordered. Even though most his pack was currently off territory, he had complete faith in his men to get the job done. If only he had as much conviction in his ability to court a human. His alpha aura would have been enough for a she-wolf. Hailey was new terrain. The mating call still hummed within him, instinct demanding he claim what was rightfully his. His previously scattered emotions had been solidified. Nothing would stop him from making Hailey his.