Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) (13 page)

She almost dropped the phone. Her knees went weak, but Sage was right there to lend his support. He banded one strong arm around her and kept her steady.

“Mikhail.”

There was dead silence. Her heart started to break and she moved her thumb toward the button that would end the call.

“Where the hell are you, Rina? Are you all right? Talk to me,” her brother ordered.

Tears filled her eyes and overflowed. These were not the words of a brother who didn’t care. “I’m okay,” she promised. She sniffed and tried to blink back the flood of tears, but they wouldn’t be stopped. Not this time.

“Where are you? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

She shook her head and then remembered he couldn’t see her. “You shouldn’t have done that. What if Mom and Dad find out?”

The growl that split the air was low and mean. “I left the pack.”

“You what?”

“What the fuck did you think I would do when I discovered what they’d done?”

A combination of shame and relief filled her. Shame that she’d doubted him and relief that her big brother did indeed love her. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have given up your pack.” She knew how hard it was for a werewolf to survive in the outside world. Although her brother was much better equipped to handle it than she was.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“Tennessee. I told you I’ve been looking for you. I traced your work record to a diner there. The guy who owns the place told me you’d ran out on him. Said you owed him money and had left your stuff behind.”

Mikhail had been so close to finding her. If it hadn’t been for the human idiot who’d seen her shift, her brother would have found her. Sage tightened his arms around her, and she knew he was thinking the same thing. They’d come so close to never meeting.

“I did run away, but I didn’t owe him money. I was paid up until today or tomorrow. I’m not quite sure what day it is.” She’d lost all track of time.

“Doesn’t matter. I paid him and collected your belongings.”

And he’d seen how pitiful little she had. “Thank you.”

He gave a huff of frustration. “You don’t thank me for that. If I’d have been home when the shit went down in the pack, you would never have been on your own.”

She heard the pain and the guilt in her brother’s voice. “It’s not your fault.” She didn’t want him believing this was his fault. “Mom and Dad brought this on. So did Gregor.” The alpha was the one who’d ultimately been responsible for pushing for the mating and for her banishment.

“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”

Rina hesitated, and Sage kissed the top of her head, a silent reminder he was there for her. “There’s a slight problem.”

Her brother gave a huff of frustration. “I gathered that. You wouldn’t have left your job and clothes behind otherwise.”

Rina looked to Sage for instruction. It wasn’t her place to invite another wolf onto pack land. Sage nodded. “Tell him to come.”

“Who is that? Who the hell is with you?”

“My name is Sage Gallagher, and I’m the half-breed wolf who saved your sister’s life.”

Dead silence greeted Sage’s declaration. Rina gripped Sage’s forearm. Would her brother turn his back on her now that he knew she was with a half-breed? He’d been raised the same way she had—to disdain those not of pure blood. She’d learned just how wrong her parents and packmates were, but would her brother feel the same way.

When he finally spoke, Mikhail was dead calm. “Tell me how to find you.”

“Head to Salvation, North Carolina. I’ll call you with details after I speak with my alpha.”

“Good enough. Just tell me one thing, Sage Gallagher, is my sister safe with you?”

Sage growled. “Safer than she was with her own parents and pack. I’d die for her.”

He’d already put his life on the line for her, yet to hear Sage tell her brother he’d die for her sent a shudder of worry through her entire being. She didn’t want anything to happen to him.

“I’m on my way.” The line went dead and she set Sage’s phone on the counter.

“He never stopped looking for me.” She could hardly believe it.

“He almost found you.” Sage’s voice was rough but his hands were gentle as he turned her in his arms so she was facing him. “I almost didn’t meet you.” Sage’s words echoed her own thoughts.

He dragged her close, lifting her right off her feet. “I almost didn’t meet you,” he repeated. Then he kissed her.

Chapter Thirteen

Sage was shaking with a combination of anger and fear. The thought of never meeting Rina made him furious. They belonged together. And the fear? Well, that stemmed from the fact her brother was coming. Rina would no longer be alone. Would she even need him or want him once Mikhail arrived?

He knew he wasn’t being fair to her, but he didn’t care. His primal nature was riding him hard, demanding he claim this amazing female wolf as his own.

Rina wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck. That went a long way to settling him, but it wasn’t enough. Only claiming her as a mate would do that. But she wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. He’d have to settle for claiming her body instead.

He wasn’t quite sure what his plan was. Make love to her until she wouldn’t even think about leaving him. Yeah, not exactly the best thought-out plan, but it was all he had.

He plundered her mouth, using his tongue to claim every part of it. She tangled her fingers in his hair and held him close as she kissed him back. She was just as frantic as he was.

Sage didn’t stop to think about where they were or the fact that someone might walk in on them at any moment. All that mattered was having Rina. He fought the urge to drop to the floor and fuck her like some mindless animal.

He made it all the way to the table. Each step pushed her mound against his cock, which was straining for release. She moaned and continued to kiss him as he sat her on the edge. She still had her arms and legs wrapped around him.

He had to get her naked. He shoved his hands under her top and palmed her full breasts. Her nipples were taut, and he teased the tips with his thumbs. Rina moaned and struggled to tug the garment over her head. He lowered his head and caught one pretty pink peak between his lips and sucked.

Rina faltered with her top only partway off. Sage grabbed the fabric that was tangled in her arms and yanked it away. She immediately reached for his tank top and pulled. He swore and released her long enough to get rid of it.

“This is insanity.” She ran her hands over his broad chest.

“I don’t care.” He knew she was right. They’d made love last night and again this morning, but his cock ached as though he hadn’t had her in a year. Longer.

The phone call had scared him. He was man enough to admit it, if only to himself. Once Mikhail came, Rina had options. She’d no longer be dependent on him for protection. He knew she was smart and capable, but she was dealing with hunters, and she didn’t have the killer instinct. He’d never thought he did either until she’d stumbled onto his path. Now he knew he’d do whatever it took to protect her.

He wanted her to stay with him, to build a life and become part of his pack. Her brother threatened all that.

Yet he was happy for her. He knew how much it meant to her to know her brother loved her, that he hadn’t abandoned her like the others had.

Yeah, he was prepared to like the bastard for that reason alone.

Rina slid her hands down his torso and cupped him through his jeans. He groaned and sucked in a lungful of air. “Mmm, is this all for me?” Her coy question made him laugh.

“It’s all for you. Only for you.” Impatience ate at him. He’d planned to lay her out on the table before him and take his time touching, stroking, and licking every inch of her. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Not this time.

He unsnapped the button of her jeans and yanked down the zipper. She lifted her butt, but he pulled her off the table until she was standing in front of him. She frowned. “What?”

He was past talking. He whirled her around until she was facing away from him. Then he shoved her jeans and panties down around her thighs. “Bend forward and grip the table.”

Rina’s head was spinning, her breasts felt swollen and sensitive and her pussy ached. How did Sage do this to her? She’d gone from being scared and excited about her call to her brother to being desperate to make love with Sage.

It was if some internal switch had been flicked, leaving him desperate for her.

She wanted him but hated being so vulnerable.

“Rina?” She knew it was up to her, knew he’d back away if he thought this wasn’t what she wanted. She hadn’t known Sage long, but she knew the core of the man.

What did she want? There was always an outside chance he’d claim her. He might not be a full-blooded werewolf, but he had all a wolf’s instincts. If he took her from behind and bit her while they were having sex, he could mark her as his mate.

She wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. Maybe not ever. She felt more for Sage than she had for any man she’d ever known, but her life was too much of a mess to make such a huge decision.

“It’s okay.” He rubbed her shoulders and reached down to tug up her pants. “We don’t have to do this.”

That he would do that for her, even when he was so aroused himself, was the tipping point. She leaned forward and placed her palms flat on the table.

Sage froze with her jeans around her thighs. “You sure?” He ran his fingers down her back in a gentle caress. “I’m an ass. I’ve barely even touched you.”

She glanced over her shoulder. He looked so fierce with his blue eyes blazing and his fists clenched. His long hair touched his sun-bronzed shoulders. Her pussy clenched and her entire body tightened. “I want you.”

He undid his jeans and his rigid cock popped free. She licked her lips and he groaned. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

She nodded. “Yes. Because you do the same to me.” Her life might be shit at the present time—she was homeless, jobless, and had hunters after her—but there was no denying what she felt for Sage. The sexual pull between them was overwhelming. An accident of nature? Maybe, but she didn’t want to fight it or analyze it. Not now.

She widened her stance as far as she could with her jeans hobbling her. Sage shoved the fabric to her knees and then angled in behind her. His long, hard shaft brushed against the cheeks of her ass. He angled lower and shoved his cock between the folds of her pussy. He rubbed back and forth, stroking her clit as well. Rina moaned and slid her hips back and forth, coating his erection with her juices.

Sage fit the head of his cock at her entrance and pushed. She’d taken him before, but he seemed bigger this way, the experience more overwhelming. She clung to the edge of the table as he pushed forward, filling her completely.

His big body covered hers and he placed one of his hands on the table next to hers. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. They were both breathing heavily. Rina squirmed, trying to get comfortable. Sage swore under his breath.

“Sorry, baby,” he muttered. Then he started to move. He pulled almost all the way out before surging forward. She felt him widen his stance behind her. Then he lifted his hand from the table and cupped one of her breasts.

She moaned as he plied the nipple with his thumb and forefinger. He angled his other hand down between her thighs and stroked her clit. She bucked back against him when he thrust inward. Heat rushed to her breasts and core. She wanted more.

He groaned and grazed his teeth over her nape and shoulder. She froze, not sure if she wanted him to claim her or not. It was a moot point, because he leaned his forehead between her shoulder blades and fucked her.

Rina lost control of her body as Sage stroked her closer and closer to orgasm. His cock slid in and out of her at an increasing rate. He teased her nipples and stroked her clit until she was desperate for release.

She reached one hand back and dug her fingers into his ass. He growled and fucked her harder. He nipped at her nape, not breaking the skin, but hard enough to send her spiraling over the edge. She cried out and her pussy spasmed around his cock. His cry of release echoed in her ears, and then she felt the hard jets of his semen releasing into her.

Sage knew he shouldn’t be doing this. Rina had been emotional after her phone call to her brother, and he was taking advantage of that for his own gain. He’d tried to stop, but when she’d looked at him with those amazing green eyes, put her hands on the table and told him she wanted him, he’d lost it.

All she had to do was look at him and he wanted her. But this time it was something more. It was his werewolf instincts demanding he claim her before another male came and took her away from him.

He’d come damn close to biting her, marking her as his. Hell, he wasn’t sure she’d even recognize his claim since he was a half-breed. He wasn’t certain he could even mark her that way considering he couldn’t shift.

He might have felt a slight lengthening of his teeth, but he couldn’t be sure, not with her pussy squeezing his dick. It was most likely wishful thinking, an echo of something he’d never have. Then she’d cried out and her slick channel had rippled up and down his length. He’d tried to hang on, but it had been a losing battle. He’d come hard. He wrapped his arms around her and rode out the spasms rocking them both.

When it was done, he buried his face in the curve of her neck and kissed the sensitive skin there. She shivered and her pussy spasmed. Sage swore as his cock flexed and his balls constricted.

He held her in his arms for as long as he dared. They were in the kitchen where anyone passing by could see them through the window. He didn’t think Rina would want that. And he didn’t exactly want any of the women to see his ass hanging out in the breeze either.

He pulled away and quickly pulled up her jeans before he righted his own. Then he turned her so she was facing him. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes had a sated, slumberous look that made him want to take her back to bed.

He growled. “Get cleaned up and we’ll get out of here before I lock us both in my room for the day.”

A slow grin crossed her face and she laughed. “I’m not sure that’s incentive for me to get dressed.”

Sage groaned and his dick began to throb. He was hard again. “Don’t tempt me.” One of them had to be smart, and it was going to have to be Rina.

She brushed a kiss over his hard jaw. The smell of sex and Rina surrounded him. He wanted to saturate his senses in it. “I won’t be long.” She bent down and picked up her top and his eyes almost crossed. She had a perfect ass, and he knew exactly what it looked and felt like under that clothing.

He was reaching for her when she turned and left. Thankfully, she hadn’t seen him trying to grab her. God almighty, he had to get a hold of himself. Her brother was coming here and there was nothing he could do about that. He could make love to her as many times as he wanted and she was still free to walk away from him.

His gut clenched and his blood began to burn. As much as he wanted her with him, he couldn’t keep her if she didn’t want to stay. “One step at a time,” he reminded himself. The water came on in the bathroom. Not the shower, but the sink. Rina was getting cleaned up and wouldn’t be long.

He swept his tank top off the floor and pulled it before pulling out his phone. He dialed Jacque’s number.

“Anything wrong?” the alpha asked.

“Not wrong, per se.”

Jacque sighed. “Don’t take this wrong, but I’m starting to dread seeing your name on my call display.”

Sage grinned in spite of the seriousness of the situation. “Rina called her brother. He left his pack after he found out what they’d done and he’s been searching for her ever since.” He paused and took a deep breath. “He’s in Tennessee.”

“No, he isn’t, because I know you, so I know you told him to come here.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that. I told him to come to Salvation but not where we were.”

“That’s something, but it won’t take a full-blooded wolf long to find us.”

Sage knew he’d done wrong by inviting a strange wolf to pack land before speaking with Jacque. “I’m sorry about that. I’ll meet him in town.”

“No. When you think he’s close, give him a call and tell him to come here. I’d rather meet him where we have the advantage.”

That stopped Sage cold. “You don’t think it’s a trap, do you?” He hadn’t even considered such a thing.

“Could be the pack sent him to bring her back. We’ll see when he gets here.”

“Okay. And I’m really sorry, Jacque.” He was ashamed he hadn’t considered all possibilities and may have put Rina and the others in danger.

“We’ve all been known to make fools of ourselves over our women, Sage. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Just learn from your mistakes. Could be her brother is telling the truth. We’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, keep your eyes open while you’re out around. She still has hunters after her.”

“I will,” Sage promised. He ended the call just as Rina walked back out.

“Everything okay?” She glanced at his phone and frowned.

“Everything is fine. I had to tell Jacque that your brother was on his way here.”

She paled and began to shake. “We should have asked permission. How could I make such a mistake? Are you in trouble?”

Her concern for him soothed some of the turmoil inside him. “It’s fine. Jacque understood.”

“But he wasn’t happy.” Rina was very perceptive.

He went to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “He wasn’t happy, but I’m not in any trouble.” Sage shut the back door behind them.

“I really don’t understand this pack.” She sounded confused and bemused at the same time.

Sage gave her a one-armed hug. “We’re different, for sure, but in a good way. Now, are you ready to go to work?” They had a few hours until he had to contact her brother. Sage wanted some quality time with Rina. He wanted to show her more of what he’d built and what she could have here if she stayed.

* * * * *

Johnny walked into the local diner and looked around. It was more than half full and several people glanced toward the door when he stepped inside. He nodded at several of them and made his way to the counter. He slid onto an empty stool near the end.

A waitress hurried toward him, a coffeepot in one hand and a clean mug in the other. “Coffee?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded his thanks as she placed the mug in front of him and poured.

She plucked a laminated menu from between a metal napkin holder and the salt and pepper shakers and handed it to him. “Breakfast special is two sausages, two slices of bacon, two eggs, and two slices of toast. Coffee goes with that too.”