Miles Paragon waved his arms at the townspeople of Freebasin. “People, please I need your attention. We have made an error and this young lady is here to clear it up for us. Angeline, go ahead and say what you came to say.”

Everyone looked at Angeline, waiting.

“I was the one who found Unis in the woods. She was tied up in a bag and when I freed her, she said a man took her. It was someone who walked at a human’s pace, not a shifter’s. Unis was injured. A member of the Rizer pack helped us by dressing her wounds and then Cara helped me to bring her back.”

“Why didn’t you say this before?” Unis’ father said. “Why didn’t you bring her home yourself?”

Angeline met his suspicious gaze. “Because of people like you, Sir. People who are always looking for someone else to blame. I didn’t want to be accused of having any part in the abduction, and I was right. You all turned on Cara even though she used to be a member of this town.”

Good for you, Angeline.

“She found me too,” the woman from the night before called out. “She was there when the pack brought me back here.”

The crowd began to mumble amongst themselves.

“Is this true, Angeline?” Miles Paragon asked.

“Yes,” Angeline said.

The mumbles were getting louder becoming clear accusations. “How could she have found them both and not be involved in the abductions? If she’s not doing it, then she knows who is.”

“She is responsible,” A loud voice shouted carrying above the others.

Darian put his hand on Killian’s shoulder to hold him still. “Allow her to face this as she allowed Cara.”

“We stood with Cara,” Killian growled.

“She’s a witch,” Barthos accused pointing his finger at her. “We’ve been run out of town after town because of her. She bewitches her victims and then kills them.”

Unis’ father nodded along. “Just as I thought,” he said. “No wonder Unis has yet to wake up. We’ve got to burn her. It’s the only way we can free her victims.”

“No, she’s not a witch,” Malleck said. “She’s a good person. I know her. You all know her.”

Killian grit his teeth hating that it was Malleck who got to back her up while Darian used his alpha authority to hold him still.

“She saved me, Angeline is not a witch,” the woman Killian saved shouted. “It was a man who took me and nearly killed me. I told you this.”

Arguing broke out and Miles shouted at the crowd. “I’ve appointed twelve representatives. Go to your representative and tell them what you think should happen, then they will come and discuss it with me. This will be dealt with,” Miles directed.

Angeline started to walk toward the pack but the townspeople were crowding in trying to keep her from escaping.

Killian pushed Darian’s hand from his shoulder. “Enough,” he growled when Darian reached for him again. Cara tossed Killian his medical bag.

Killian pushed through the crowd until he reached Angeline.

“I’ve done what you asked. Please go and help my mother. Now, she could be dead already.”

“What about you?”

Angeline made a sound of disgust like he was being ridiculous. “Go to her.”

Killian grabbed her hand and started dragging her through the crowd.

“You can’t take her, she’s got to stand for her crimes.”

“Get out of my way, or I will move you out of my way.” Angeline was close behind him. The crowd parted for Killian. He picked up Angeline and raced to her house.

He pushed open the door hesitating slightly as he noticed the locks and boards on all the windows.

“This way,” Angeline said leading him to the back of the house. She entered the back room first. “Mom? Are you awake? I brought someone to help you. Just hold on.”

Killian entered the room prepared to deal with flu or pneumonia. He wasn’t prepared for the burned victim whose injuries had turned infectious. Her face was disfigured from the burns she suffered to the point Killian didn’t understand how she’d survived. Her mouth was melted three-quarters shut.

“Why didn’t you take her to a doctor?”

“She’s been to several doctors. They have given us different things to treat her with but it’s not working.”

Killian felt sick inside that he hadn’t listened to Angeline when she’d asked for help for her mother. How dare he hold back when this woman was suffering?

“Go with your brothers and get water for a bath.”

“But the burns can’t be made wet now or she’ll get an infection.”

Killian nodded. “She is already suffering from an infection. The dead skin has to be removed. It will be easier if we wet the skin.”

Angeline nodded, her eyes full of moisture. “I’ll be right back mom. I promise everything is going to be okay.” After Angeline ran out, Killian turned back to her mother. “Don’t worry, I have many different medications I can give you that will make this process the least painful for you as possible.”

“Don’t let her come back in here,” the woman said. “I don’t want her to see them any more than she’s already had to.”

The quality of her voice was lacking and told Killian that she’d inhaled copious amounts of heat. “I will spare you both all that I can.”

Killian poured a dose of pain killer for Angeline’s mom. “Drink this. I promise that I’ll work fast. When you wake up, you’ll be in pain but I’ll make sure to leave you with several doses of medication to help get you through the bad times and I’ll be back to check on you.”

“Do you love her?”

Killian met her eyes. “I do.”

“Good. Protect her, she is special.”

Killian nodded, guilt so strong in his gut he felt sick forever saying this brave woman deserved to die. “So are you. I’m going to get you through this.”

She drank the medication and within a few minutes she was asleep. Killian stepped out into the hall. “You don’t come in no matter what. I promised your mother,” Killian said as he pointed at Herro. “You will assist me.”

“I can help,” Barthos offered.

“No,” Killian growled the walls shaking. “you’ve done enough.”

Herro struggled as Killian scraped off the old, infected skin. “How did this happen to her?” Killian asked.

“Her name is Geanya,” Herro said. “She wouldn’t let them burn Angeline. They thought she was a witch. We couldn’t convince them not to burn her. When they started the fire my mom climbed into it and stayed in it until Angeline was free of her bindings.”

Killian continued removing the dead skin. “She suffered like this for your sister and you and your family turn on Angeline?”

“I never turned on her. I… was angry. We’ve lost everything. Homes, jobs, friends, my mother. She just won’t stop taking risks and it always ends the same. The town deciding what to do with her, with us.”

Killian finished removing the dead skin before he administered the cream he’d designed specific for burns. He’d never been able to test it on skin this damaged before and he hoped that it would work as well as was possible.

“Is she a witch?” Killian asked as he pulled the scalpel from his bag.

“No. She’s not a witch.” Herro watched as Killian carefully separated the sealed portion of her lips. “They said they couldn’t open her mouth.”

Killian finished the separation. “I am not them.” Dousing the cotton in another solution he held them against the upper and lower lips.

Outside the room in the front room, Killian could hear people knocking on the door. They’d come for Angeline. Killian couldn’t leave now he was in too delicate a moment for Geanya’s face.

“They are taking Angeline now. Go with them,” He told Herro. “I’ll be there soon.”

“Barthos will go with her.”

Killian’s gaze cut to Herro. “Go with her.”

Herro nodded releasing Geanya’s face that he’d been holding still for Killian. Angeline didn’t fight them. He could hear how compliant she was being when they could very well be leading her to her death.

He removed the cloths, pleased with the way they’d sealed the open wounds. Killian tipped her head back and poured another of his mixes down her throat. It would ease her pain and it would help to repair some of the damage to her voice box.

Killian disposed of the dead skin and replaced her bedding with clean sheets so she would not get a new infection before running back to the town square.

“If we’re not going to burn her as a witch, what are we going to do with her?” Unis’ dad demanded to know.

“There is no proof that Angeline hurt anyone except for the Rizer wolf pack. So, we’ve decided that she will serve them as long as they see fit.”

Darian had his arms folded over his chest. The expression on his face still angry as he looked at Angeline. “What if we won’t have her?”

Miles cleared his throat. “In that case, we’ll have no choice but to cast out Angeline and her family. We cannot abide with anyone who may be a threat to the people here. We can’t ignore that the killings didn’t start until after her family moved into Freebasin.”

“We’ll take her,” Killian said. He didn’t even look at Darian to see if he agreed. As far as Killian was concerned Angeline was his and he would not allow any more tragedy to befall her life. He could feel the eyes of the alpha and pack on him as he offered his hand to Angeline.

She took it hopping down off the platform outside town hall. “Is she alive? Did she survive the procedure?”

“Yes, she’ll survive and she’ll be fine. I plan to take her with us. She needs round the clock care.”

“Are you sure? Your pack still hates me, they could be cruel to her.”

Killian was walking her back toward her home but he stopped when she asked him about the pack. “I won’t allow anyone to hurt you, Angeline. I didn’t understand why you didn’t speak before but after I saw what you’ve been through. What your mother and family have been through I understand why you’ve done what you have.”

Angeline lowered her gaze.

Killian tilted her chin upward so that she’d look at him with her beautiful blue eyes. “I’ve been unkind, cold. Please forgive me.”

Her cheeks flushed pink. “You saved my mom, Killian. All is forgiven. Don’t worry about it.”

“I do worry because I want more than your friendship, Angeline.”

Her blue eyes grew large and she looked all around in the street as if she were afraid who might hear him. “Whatever you want as payment is fine, let’s just get my mother and take care of her. Okay?”

“I don’t want it as a payment,” Killian growled.

“Look, if my mom lives I’ll be, do, say whatever you want me to,” Angeline said.

Killian followed her into the house. “She will live, Angeline. My payment will be the satisfaction that I’ve done well by her. You don’t owe me anything. Do you understand?”

“Okay.” Angeline’s smile was hesitant as if she was afraid to trust him.

Killian sighed as she rushed down the hall.

The pack was assembling outside. No doubt Darian was unhappy with what he’d said. Killian opened the door as Darian approached.

“You plan on claiming her, don’t you?” Darian asked.

“Yes.”

Darian gave Killian a hard stare. “And what if I refuse to take her in, or allow her on Rizer land and into the pack? What then?”

Killian struggled to show proper respect. “Are you bullshitting me, Darian? What would you do if you were in my shoes and I told you that you can’t be with the pack and Cara?”

“I’m not in your shoes.”

Killian stepped toe to toe with Darian. “If the pack won’t accept her, then I can’t accept the pack. She is the other half of me. There is no choice for me. I’m with Angeline and she’s with me.”

Darian’s hard look broke into a smile and he laughed surprising Killian.

“What the hell is so funny?”

“It’s just,” Darian grinned. “you’re such a hard-headed ass most the time I never thought you’d fall for a woman. A human woman at that, and you have. Head over heels, full submersion kind of love.”

Killian sighed. “I have. She hasn’t.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Killian. I will speak with the pack and we will do our best to welcome her.”

“And her mother. She was terribly burned saving Angeline and needs round the clock care. I want to take her with us. If she’s strong enough. If she’s not then Angeline and I will have to remain here until she is strong enough to move.”

Darian inclined his head. “I accept all you wish to bring Killian, if it means keeping you in the pack. You may not be my blood brother, but you’re my pack brother. I refuse to lose you. We will learn to love Angeline as you do.”

“Thank you.”

Darian inclined his head toward the hallway. He stepped back outside. The pack gathered to receive his instruction.

Killian closed the door to stop any chill that might find its way into the back room. He heard Angeline breathing in the hallway and the door to her mother’s room close softly. He kept his back to her as he listened to her approaching him.

She stopped behind him. Killian turned around, afraid that she was upset by the raw skin she probably saw.

Angeline wrapped her arms around his neck, he bent and kissed her, claiming her lips with his. Her lips tasted like salt from her tears, her tongue was sweet like apple. She didn’t shy away from him as he stroked her tongue with his and turned her head so that he could explore her.

He felt her fingers on the button of his shredded pants as she tried to open them. “Angeline,” He groaned against her lips. “What are you doing?”

“I want to thank you for what you’ve done,” she said, her hand running over the bulge at his crotch.

He grabbed her hand removing it from his throbbing shaft. “I don’t want you to be with me as a thank you, Angeline.”

“I want to be with you. I want to make you feel so good.”

“Why?” He asked afraid of what she’d say.

Angeline smiled against his lips. “Are you going to diagnose me, doctor?” her hands roamed down his chest over his muscles following the v shape to his erect cock. “I want to. Shouldn’t that be enough?”

Fuck. I wish it were, Angeline.

“It’s more complicated than that,” Killian tried to explain.

Angeline pulled up the leg of the shredded pants freeing his hard dick from the confines of the clothes.

Claim her, his spirit wolf demanded.

Her fingers circled around his length and she began to stroke him. The delighted spark in her blue eyes as she watched the strain on his face only made him harder. “Angeline, I want you to care about me when we have sex,” Killian strained out.

“I do. You’re my hero, Killian.” She lowered down onto her knees kissing his chest and then his stomach.

Claim her, his spirit wolf insisted.

Angeline kissed the head of his shaft with her soft lips.

Fuck, that feels so good. I need to stop her.

He looked down at her to tell her to stop. Instead, he watched as her pink lips slid up his cock. That devilish gleam in her blue eyes as she looked up at him. “Mmmm,” she said as she took him deeper into her mouth.

“I don’t just want this, Angeline,” he tried again to explain.

She took him deeper, swirling her tongue around the pulsing tip. “What do you want?” she asked stroking her hand up and down his rock-hard shaft.

“I want you to be my wife,” he said

Her hand stilled. She was looking up at him with a startled expression on her face. “Why? I’ll do whatever you want me to do without being your wife.”

Killian reached down taking hold of her shoulders and pulling her up onto her feet.

Stop talking and claim her, his wolf growled.

“I won’t share you, Angeline. Wolves mate for life. Do you understand?”

“So, we can’t have sex unless we’re married?”

He swallowed not liking the tone in her voice. “We’ll be married if we have sex because I won’t be taking another and neither will you.”

“Then we won’t have sex. I can make it feel really good.”

Killian held onto her shoulders to stop her from returning to her knees. “I know you don’t love me, Angeline. We’ll wait until you do.”

She shook her head of white-blond hair. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved a man more than I do, you. I started falling for you the moment you helped Unis and a little more each time after that because no matter how angry you get at me you don’t use your physical strength against me. You help people even though you act like you don’t want to. I see it in your eyes that it’s your passion.”

“Then why don’t you want to marry?”

“You’ve just seen why,” Angeline said gesturing toward the closed door at the end of the hallway. “My enemies will always target my family. I can’t have them targeting you.”

Killian took hold of her hips, lifting her upward and backing her up against the wall next to the front door. He pumped his length at the apex of her legs. Angeline gasped holding onto his shoulders. The surprise in her eyes told him all he needed to know about how lacking Malleck must have been.

“Do I look scared to you?” He asked pumping against her again. Her eyes widened again, her fingers tightening on his shoulders. “Be my wife, Angeline.”

“It’s because I care about you that I say no,” she protested.

He lifted her up higher on the wall pulling her pants down to her knees, Killian lifted her legs up and ran his tongue over her wet center.

Angeline cried out in surprise and bliss. “Killian, that feels so good.”

His wolf growled his hunger for her and the vibrations made her cry out again as she pressed against his mouth.

“Should I stop?” Killian asked.

“It feels so good,” she breathed.

Killian took one last long lingering taste of her, delving into every sensitive, slick, crevice. When he lowered her to the floor he quickly tucked his huge erection back into his pants before she drove him past the breaking point.

“Why did you stop?” She asked still a bit breathless.

“Because if I kept going, I would not have been able to stop and I would have claimed you.”

Angeline guided his hand between her legs. “I like the way it feels when you touch me,” she said moving against his fingers.

Fuck.

“I will take you as my wife if you keep teasing me this way.”

“Sex is not marriage,” She said pressing his fingers against her clit.

He buried his finger inside her as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. “It is, when it’s with me.” Her muscles tightened around his finger in a wave that was a precursor of her coming. Killian slid his hand away from her as she whimpered her complaint.

Killian licked his fingers as she watched him. Her thighs squeezed together.

“Her father and brothers are coming,” Darian said outside, knowing Killian would hear him.

Killian pulled her pants up. “Let me know when you’re ready to be my wife, Angeline. That taste of you wasn’t nearly enough.”

The door opened and her father stomped into the room. Angeline’s face darkened a deep red as she looked anywhere but at her father.

“What’s this about taking my wife up the mountain? She won’t survive that trip.”

“I believe as early as tomorrow she’ll be strong enough to be carried to the Rizer home. She requires more care than you can give her here.”

He frowned at Killian. “Just take Angeline out of our lives and go. We will care for my wife.”

Killian saw the pain that crossed Angeline’s face even as she quickly hid it away. “Don’t ever speak about my wife like that again,” Kilian growled closing the distance between them.

Her father’s frown deepened. “Wife?”

“Yes,” Killian answered for Angeline. “I won’t have anyone speaking ill of her, or to her. Do you understand?” Killian asked his gaze sliding over to Barthos.

Barthos nodded right away.

“Is this what you want?” Herro asked Angeline.

Angeline smiled at her brother and nodded.

“No one is taking my wife out of this house, tomorrow or any other day.”

Killian was too happy about what Angeline just admitted, to be angry with her thick-headed father. “We’ll stay here tonight and tomorrow we’ll take her to with us home to the Rizer pack.”