Reclaim the Wolf: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Wolf Valley Raiders Book 3) (7 page)

Standing together, they looked at the state of poor Fara’s barn and her house. This was one thing they could do. Together they could rebuild Wolf Valley one farm at a time. One life at a time. If they were allowed to. But Kira knew what dangers there were lurking in the small alpha-less town.

***

“We have to go there to fetch supplies,” Cole said as they bumped back along the track leading away from Fara’s farm.

“I think we should wait until you are fully healed,” she said miserably. He was insisting that they go to Wolf Valley now to order the timber needed to repair the damage to Fara’s barn. She knew he was keen to get started, to show her he really had changed and wanted to make amends for his previous behaviour.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” he asked, studying her, but she wasn’t ready to explain everything about her past to him. Not because she didn’t trust him, but because it hurt too much. Right now, she wanted to look to the future and her new life with Cole. But was that possible while the spectre of Wolf Valley still hung over her?

“I don’t want you to end up in trouble.”

“I’m a reformed character.”

“They don’t know that, do they?”

“I doubt whether most of the people in town even know what I look like. The raids were done at night, or we were wolves. I think it will be OK.”

They reached the end of the track and she had to make a decision. Perhaps he was right; she had to get over the ghosts of the past to begin her new future, although the thought of simply turning the truck in the opposite direction and driving until she ran out of road seemed a much safer option. But to do that would be to abandon Fara and her other friends. No matter what had happened and how scared she was for Cole’s safety, that could never happen.

At the last minute, she made up her mind and turned the steering wheel to the left, taking them towards Wolf Valley and whatever might be waiting for them there.

Cole felt her tension as they drove towards Wolf Valley. He couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. Yes, he knew that Wolf Valley was lawless, even though they
had
a sheriff. He tried to figure that one out. Was the man an incompetent fool, or did it go deeper than that?

“So, the sheriff?” Cole asked.

Her hands tightened on the wheel. Without taking her eyes off the road, she asked, “What about him?”

“You tell me. Why doesn’t he control Wolf Valley? That’s his job, isn’t it?” Cole asked, watching her expression change. Her mouth turned down at the corners and she chewed her bottom lip. Something was wrong here.

“He took the job on, not because he wanted to keep the town together, but because he wanted to line his own den.”

“So he takes bribes?” Cole asked.

“Yes. If you pay him enough money, he will turn his attention elsewhere.” She still didn’t look at him. “That’s what worries me, Cole. You see, you and your brothers stole from the people of Wolf Valley, but never paid him off. I’m surprised you’ve never had a visit from him. You did live in Wolf Valley, didn’t you?”

“Yes. We went back to where my mom and dad used to live before they were exiled.”

That got her attention.

“They were actually exiled?”

“Yeah, my dad had an affair, when, you know, mates are supposed to be bonded. Anyway, we came back to live in what was left of his house. The house is a falling-down dump.”

“Do you think that’s why the sheriff never came out to see you? I mean, he must have known where you live. It makes no sense he didn’t come and pay you a visit.”

“No idea. Unless he thought we were a threat. You know, that one of us was the new alpha. If so, he might have thought it better to let sleeping wolves lie.”

“True.”

The road opened up, and small farms appeared more frequently, lining the road into Wolf Valley. By the time street lights appeared, they were into a more suburban area: big houses, ones that must have been worth a fortune years ago, but now many of them looked deserted, boarded-up windows and overgrown gardens, telling of their owners’ escape from the town.

“I didn’t know it was like this,” Cole said as they drove on.

“Haven’t you been to Wolf Valley at all?” Kira asked.

“No. If we needed supplies, we went into one of the other towns. We’ve kept ourselves away from here.”

“Well, there is the hardware store. Are you sure you want to do this? There are other stores in other towns. I could just keep on going.” Her voice was hopeful, although she began to slow, knowing that he was set on this.

“Park over there. We go in, order the supplies, and then leave. Nothing to draw attention to ourselves. Although I wouldn’t mind meeting this sheriff of yours.”

“Not while you are injured Cole. Believe me, you want to be fit when you meet him for the first time.” She parked the truck and got out, looking around nervously.

He wasn’t sure how it could be too bad. He was with her; he would keep her safe, despite his wounded shoulder. But she looked as if she were about to be sick by the time they stood outside the store.

“You want to wait in the truck?” he asked.

“No. We stay together.”

“It really can’t be that bad. I can protect you,” he said, placing his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to him.

“It’s not that…”

“Why, hello. Kira, isn’t it? Haven’t seen you in town for some time. And I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure.” The voice behind them wasn’t friendly; this was no local welcoming committee.

Kira tensed, and the feelings he sensed from her made him understand that whatever had happened here, this man was responsible. His wolf’s hackles rose; he bared his teeth, snapping to be released. But Cole knew he had to stay in control. There was a sense of danger crowding in on his mind.

Turning, he saw why. The sheriff was close by, and behind him there were shadows in store doorways, watching, waiting. This man, the sheriff, was as close to an alpha as this town had, and Kira was right. That was not good for the town or anyone in it. A kind of menace emanated from him, making Cole’s skin crawl.

Cole was certain that he had just come face to face with the root of the problem in Wolf Valley. The root of its evil.

His voice made her feel sick to her stomach; even her wolf cowered in a corner, whimpering pitifully. This man, the man who called himself the sheriff, haunted her dreams. Dreams that always ended the same way, with a single shot ringing out.

“Ahh, you are the sheriff of Wolf Valley,” Cole said, the hard edge in his voice making her stomach churn with fear. She knew he could look after himself under normal circumstances— it was evident in the way he held himself and the strength in his body. Yet the sheriff could take the strength, the very life-force, from a person with one pull of the trigger.

“I certainly am.” The sheriff eyed Cole up and down, and then grinned at Kira again, knowing he was twisting a knife into an open wound. “I see you’ve picked up another stray dog here. Your dad would be so proud of you for keeping up your charity work.”

She couldn’t find her voice. Couldn’t answer this man who had taken so much from her.

“Well, nice to meet you, Sheriff. We were just going into the hardware store to order some timber. So if you’ll excuse us.” Cole kept his voice level, sensing there was so much more going on here than he knew. Kira mentally kicked herself for not having the guts to tell him exactly what had happened.

Instead, she had let him walk into an ambush. Would she never learn?

“I don’t think so.” The sheriff stepped right into Cole’s personal space, and she could feel the tension between them, feel Cole’s wolf there, under his skin ready to leap out and tear the sheriff’s throat out.

“I’m sorry. Are you saying we can’t go into the store?” Cole asked, his fists clenching at his sides. Panic grew inside Kira. This had to end, right now.

“We can shop elsewhere, Cole.” She took his hand, trying to pull him away, trying to get him back into the truck before something bad happened.

“No. There is no reason for us to go elsewhere, not when we are standing outside a store that has everything we need.”

“This store?” the sheriff asked, pointing to the sign above their heads. “This store has nothing you want, sonny.”

“Sonny!” Cole let his temper flare and Kira could almost see his wolf fangs appearing in his mouth as the wolf fought to take over.

“Cole. Please.” She had his hand in both of hers now, pulling him away.

“That’s right. Run along after Kira, she knows what happens when you try to get the better of me. Don’t you, Kira?”

“Kira?” Cole turned to look at her and she felt tears in her eyes; she was so weak. Here, in the face of the devil himself, she felt weak. Away from here she pretended to be strong, but really she was a silly girl who wanted to hide away in the closet.

“Please, Cole. Let’s go.” He looked at her, really looked at her, seeing into her soul and the abyss of pain that was there, dark, churning, endless.

“OK, honey.”

“
Honey
. Oh. So he’s not some worthless stray. You gone and fell for a raider. You’re mated to this piece of shit.” The sheriff’s words bit into her head, his teeth clamping down on her skull. She waited for Cole to explode, to defend himself, but instead Cole walked back to the truck with her.

Hands trembling, she opened the door and climbed in, not knowing if she would have the strength to drive away. Beside her Cole spoke. “Just calm down, Kira. It’s OK.” His voice soothed her; she looked up at him through eyes that swam with tears.

She thought he was leaving because he knew he was outgunned and outmanned with his shoulder damaged, but when she looked at the concern in his face, she knew there was only one reason he was walking away from the sheriff, allowing himself to be called a coward. Her. Their bond. He was protecting her. He could tell how much she needed to go, to get some distance between them and the sheriff. But she could also see that he wanted answers and she owed him an explanation.

“I’m so sorry we came here,” she said, starting the truck and pulling out onto the street, thankful she hadn’t stalled it.

“It was my idea. I pushed it. Now I guess I know what we’re up against.”

“What do you mean up against?” She steered around the corner, thankful she could no longer see the sheriff, even in her rear-view mirror, but other eyes watched them.

“I might not be the alpha of Wolf Valley, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to walk away from here. I don’t know what he did to you, Kira, but I can read how scared you were.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She shook her head. “What I mean is, I need some space and then I will tell you everything.”

They were out of Wolf Valley, Kira with her foot down hard on the accelerator, putting as much distance between her and the town as she could. Her head was filled with the sound of the sheriff’s voice, that sneer he used as though she was a piece of garbage stuck to his shoe.

“Are you saying you don’t want me to come home with you?” He sounded hurt, and she knew she was pushing him away, but she needed to clear her head.

“No. Look, I’ll take you back to my place and then I’ll go for a drive.” She could let her wolf out and they could run off the confusing thoughts that hammered in her brain.

“No. Let me out here.”

“Cole, don’t be silly. You are welcome at my home.”

“It makes more sense for you to let me out here. I’ll go back to tell Riley what’s going on and check on Sol. I need some fresh clothes anyway. When I’m done, I’ll make my way up to your place.” His hand was already on the door and she slowed down; it seemed the best option. She could go home, maybe run, and then take a warm bath.

“Don’t be gone too long,” she said, leaning over and kissing him.

“Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away.” He kissed her back, pulling her close to him. She laid her head against his chest for a moment, listening to his heartbeat: strong, constant.

“Thank you, Cole. I promise, when we meet later, I’ll explain everything.”

“I think we both need to tell each other who we are, what made us the way we are. I know how the past can screw around with your head. I also know the sheriff wronged you.” He opened the door to leave. “Are you sure you’re OK?”

“Perfectly. I’m going to run until my lungs are fit to burst and then go home for a nice warm bath.”

“I hope that’s where I find you when I get back. I could join you.” He winked at her, slamming the truck door shut, and then before she had time to answer he had shifted into his wolf and taken off across the fields. His damaged shoulder gave him a slight limp, but apart from that, he looked like her kind of wolf: large, sleek brown fur, and sharp white teeth. Her wolf approved.

Kira sat and watched him until he was a speck on the lower slopes of the mountain and then he disappeared into the trees, leaving her alone. That was what she wanted. Right? That was what she asked for. Some time alone. Well, now she had it and she wanted to get home and go run herself, let out all her misery and sorrow, and then explain everything to Cole with a clear head.

Absently, she drove back towards her house. Turning off, she followed the long track until she reached the gate; here she climbed out and opened it. She was so consumed by the past, she never felt the eyes of two wolves on her, didn’t sense them approaching or pick up on the shimmering air when they changed back to their human forms. She only knew they were there when she turned back to her truck.

“Well, hello, beautiful.”

Her heart froze in her chest, her blood stilled in her veins as the danger hit her. She had seen them before but couldn’t place them. Then she remembered them staring at the truck only an hour earlier as they drove out of Wolf Valley. There was no doubt in her mind that they had been sent here by the sheriff. All she was thankful for was that she was alone and that they wouldn’t be able to hurt Cole.

Oh, but they would. If they hurt her, if they what … attacked her? She daren’t let the other thought enter her head. What would Cole do if they raped her? Would he ever look at her the same way again?