Resisting The Alpha (Werebear Shifter Romance) (The Crane Curse) (5 page)

"This is more complicated than you realize," he said as he approached her.

"You have no idea what complicated is," she said as she thought about begin in love with Abel yet despising him at the same time.

Faith continued to look into the sky wishing he would go away. Something about him made her feel weak and helpless, and although she'd never admit it, she liked it. Knowing that he was strong and would protect her made her feel safe and confident, but she'd never let him know that. Wrapping her arms around herself she rubbed her arms noticing the cold air again.

"Let's get you home."

"I can get home by myself. I don't need your help."

"Fine, suit yourself," he said as he turned back towards the wooded area he stepped out of. He slowly sprouted dark brown fur, his body bulked up and widened furthered as he changed into a grizzly bear.

As he entered the woods, Faith realized she had no idea how to get back. She wasn't sure if she could find the path again and even if she did she got so turned around from chasing Miranda that she wasn't sure which way to go.

"Crap, wait! Erich!" she called out after him before running towards the forest.

With his eyes glowing, the large bear peeked his head out of the woods and studied her. Having lived with Abel for so long, the habits of shifters remaining in animal form with their glowing eyes didn't bother her. What did was when they looked at her cocky like the bear did now. If it was daylight she'd tell him to go to hell and she'd wander the woods until she found the house. She didn't have a choice though at night.

"I don't know how to get back."

The bear snorted at her and re-entered the clearing. Gently bumping her with his side she climbed on the massive animal and clutched his fur between white knuckles as he trotted into the forest.

His fur was softer and thicker than she imagined. Wrapping her arms as best she could around his tremendous neck, she rode as he weaved his way through the trees. As she bounced along, Faith couldn't help but think how absurd it was that she was riding on top of such a dangerous animal. If Abel knew...

She let go and fell hard onto her side on the ground. As her temple hit the exposed root of a large pine tree, everything went black.

"Faith, wake up. Faith?"

She thought she was blinking but she couldn't see anything. Was she awake? Asleep? She heard Erich's voice calling her, felt the heat from his hand against her cheek, and the cold of the Pine Barrens floor, but something wasn't right.

A blinding light cut through the darkness, and made Faith wince before Miranda the woman in white appeared. Faith felt Erich pick her up but what she was looking at didn't change as her mind seemed to have disconnected from the rest of her body. Miranda smiled softly at her then began speaking but her lips didn't move.

"Its ok, you're fine but I really wanted to talk to you," Miranda said. "I need your help. You have to find my son and give him something from me."

Faith struggled to speak but words wouldn't come out.

"Use your mind, Faith. Here we don't speak like you're used to. Just think the words you want to say to me."

Her head pulsed with a shooting pain started at her temples and throbbed into the back of her neck. Faith pushed past that and focused on Miranda and thought her words to her.

"How am I supposed to find your son? I'm supposed to be in hiding."

Faith's head spun. She didn't know if this was real or a dream but she didn't remember her dreams ever being so vivid before. Why did she have to help this woman? Couldn't she find someone else to help? Faith had enough problems of her own. She didn't need to add even more to it.

"I know who your family is, Faith. Come back to the clearing tomorrow night, while the moon is still full and I'll tell you more."

Miranda disappeared and Faith gasped as she finally opened her eyes and found herself in Erich's arms.

"Put me down!" she said as she pushed against his strong chest.

Gently setting her down on her feet, Faith stumbled but he caught her. "You hit your head pretty hard. Why'd you let go?" he asked.

"I can't smell like you. If I let you take me home like that Abel would smell you all over me. How do I explain that? He's a very jealous man."

"Abel is barely a man anymore," Erich grunted. "You deserve better."

"You don't know what I deserve. Abel's a good person. He was there for me when I needed someone the most. I can't leave him, I love him."

"I know Abel. I remember him years ago and I know him now. He isn't the same man he once was and you need to accept that. What you love is nothing but a memory."

"How dare you!" she said before slapping his cheek and stumbling. Erich caught her again and helped her regain her balance. She felt small and safe with him, which only infuriated her more.

"Why did you come to the Council? You asked me to rescue his prisoners and take his pack. I did that. You said you needed to get away from him, that you were frightened of him. So why are you still with him?"

She opened her mouth but words didn't come out. She couldn't say what she was thinking.
He has nothing without me. I ruined him. He's like this because of me.

"A beast like you could never understand love," she said.

Erich turned away and began walking through the trees again. Faith followed knowing she didn't have a choice if she wanted to get back home. In the distance she heard a long high pitched howl and recognized it as Abel's.

The dim light of the house appeared ahead and Faith quickened her walk and slipped ahead of Erich, no longer needing him. Just before reaching the house, his large hand closed around her upper arm and he pulled her close to him.

As she looked up into his warm brown eyes she felt helpless. She shoved her attraction to him away and pushed against his bare chest, but he didn't budge. His other hand cupped her face as he met her gaze.

"If he ever tries to hurt you, or if you ever need help I am always around. You say the word and I will have you out of there and somewhere safe before he even knows you're gone."

His lips crushed hers and her mind spun. As he pulled away, she reached up and pulled his head back down to her. His mouth felt strong but vulnerable and she pushed her tongue past his lips to meet his, before stepping away from him.

Damn those Alphas! Why were they always so irresistible to women?
Walking away she felt his eyes on her and it made her feel sexy and wanted, something Abel hadn't made her feel in a very long time. She missed that.

CHAPTER FOUR

Rafael steered the long black sedan through the old residential streets. Annoyed he couldn't do this alone, Erich figured he'd might as well take advantage of the perks of being on the Council despite what he kept from them. He couldn't tell them what he knew about Faith or where to find her and Abel. Erich could care less about Abel, but as long as Faith did he would do everything in his power to protect him.

"Watch your thoughts once we arrive at the Smythe's," Erich said. "Mr. Smythe is a renown mind reader and has no qualms using it to his advantage."

"He sounds devious," Rafael replied.

"No, just smart. One of the smartest men you'll ever meet. Especially for a human."

Turning onto a winding street, Erich was surprised to see so much traffic. As they pulled up in front of the Smyth's old colonial style house, Erich saw the source of all the traffic–parents coming to pick up their children playing on the front lawn.
 

As they pulled in front of the house, a slender woman with faded blue hair in jeans and an old college sweatshirt stood up from the middle of a group of children, towering over them. Her brows knitted together and she scowled before storming over to the car like an angry giraffe. Rafael jumped out of the driver's seat as if he was expecting trouble.

"Seriously, Rafael? You really can't take no for an answer can you? Can't you act like a good stalker and hide? You have to show up in this ridiculous car?" she said.

As Rafael quietly took her abuse, Erich exited the sedan. He stood beside Rafael listening to her tirade finding it interesting to see such fire from a simple human. It was obvious Rafael was infatuated with the girl Erich recognized as Pinky Smythe, the daughter to the man they were there to meet with. Erich did find her pretty, but he was willing to bet it was her quirky personality that drew Rafael in. Rafael was always a sucker for a free spirit.

"Rafael, when you're done here please join me inside," Erich said before walking towards the front door.

"Wait, you mean you're not here to see me?" Pinky said sounding dejected.

"No sweetheart, but if that's the kind of greeting I'd get if I was I'd be sure to show up here more often," Rafael said, his New Orleans accent coming through in full force.

Rafael caught up with Erich as he climbed the few steps onto the porch and rang the doorbell. A lanky, bald man with warm brown eyes answered.

"Erich! I've been expecting you," he said as he pushed open the screen door and let the men into the house.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet with us Mr. Smythe," Erich said. "I'd like to introduce you to my associate Rafael."

"Yes of course, I know Rafael. You forget I know everyone, even if I haven't met them. And please, call me Jerry."

Jerold "Jerry" Smythe led them through the house to a room in the furthest part of the home. Out of the windows the chains on an empty swing set rattled in the breeze. The office had wood paneling and large metal filing cabinets along one of the walls. Along a side wall was a gold polyester couch that sat perpendicular to a simple metal framed desk with a wood grained table top. As Erich and Rafael sat in black leather sling chairs, Erich thought they stepped back in time to the 70's.

"Jerry, I'm not sure how much information they gave you over the phone," Erich said.

"I don't need information, I am information. One moment, let me get my daughter. I'm grooming her to take over."

Jerry left the room and soon Erich heard Pinky's voice coming down the hall.

"I don't understand, Dad. We run a nursery school. What more is there?" she said.

"You're more stubborn than a mule, Pinky!" Jerry said, his voice echoing from the hall into the office. "Just try to stay quiet for a few moments and maybe you'll learn a little more about what your family has been doing for centuries. If you weren't so busy running after shifters all the time you'd realize we have important work going on here."

As they entered the room Jerry smiled warmly again before turning to Pinky and pointing to the couch. After she slumped down on the corner, Jerry began speaking again.

"Pinky has a lot to learn, and some of that is patience. Please forgive her," he said as Pinky folded her arms in front of her chest. "I don't usually talk about the purpose of the school here, but since I have my daughter's attention for once I'd like to give you some background. I trust that because both of you men are on the Council that you will be discrete."

"My family were one of the first settlers of Leeds Point back in the 1700's. It became apparent very quickly that Leeds was a very special place as far as paranormal activity was concerned. As a matter of fact, there have been reports of a portal hidden in Leeds that connects us with the spirit world, but that's a story for another time. One thing that is certain is that creatures of all types have always been attracted to Leeds Point. This is why so many shifters and other beings live in our small community."

"I knew it!" Pinky said then quickly covered her mouth. "Sorry, please go on Dad."

"My ancestors were openminded people, but they knew someone had to keep track of all these beings and police the happenings around here. That was when they created the Talisman. The Talisman originally were a small group of people who cataloged the supernatural goings on around the area. Eventually we realized it would be easier to keep tabs on everyone if they all needed to pass through a common place, kind of a paranormal Ellis Island. That's when the nursery school was created."

"I'm sorry, sir," Erich said, "I understand you're teaching your daughter something but things are different now. The Kapok Council now manages everything. Yes the nursery school does serve its purpose, but you're mostly a library now."

"That is what you're expected to think, Erich." Jerry leaned against the desk as his face became serious. "I feel comfortable telling you all of this because I know of your involvement with Abel. I'm the man behind it, behind all of it. Don't even try to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about."