Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) (17 page)

He’d have to convince her to claim him.

The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea, especially when he imagined just how much fun he could have persuading her to lay claim to him.

His cock swelled and he casually reached down to adjust himself. Rina didn’t notice, but Mikhail did. The bastard just grinned at Sage’s obvious discomfort. Sage couldn’t even get mad at the guy. He was too content. He had Rina by his side, and tonight he’d have her in his bed once again.

Louis and Gray’s small log home came into view. There was a deck spanning the entire front of the place and a room with glass on three sides jutted out on one side of the house. That was Gray’s studio, where she could be found most days.

Sage didn’t bother to knock, knowing no one was there. They were all gathered over at Gator’s place, at least those that weren’t patrolling. He should offer to take a shift, maybe early on. That would allow brother and sister time to talk and ease Sage’s conscience about making all this extra work for other males of the pack. Yes, they were always concerned with security, but this extra threat to Rina had them tightening the perimeter around their homes and families.

Sage was as at home here as he was in his own. All the members of the pack had welcomed him and his brother when they’d joined. “This way.” There was a small guest room next to Gray’s studio. It held a double bed, a single nightstand, and a small chest of drawers.

Mikhail and Rina entered behind him. Sage went to a door and opened it. “You have your own bathroom. It’s small, but it has a shower.”

Mikhail placed his duffle bag on the floor by the bed. “It’s fine.” He surveyed the small space before he went to the window and opened it wide. “We should get going. I imagine Jacque is wondering where we are.”

Sage nodded and held out his hand to indicate Mikhail should precede him. One corner of the wolf’s mouth quirked up in a smile, but he didn’t hesitate to let Sage walk behind him.

He was a confident bastard. Sage would give him that. Of course, as a full-blooded werewolf he could probably kill Sage. Which was why Sage didn’t want him at his back. Mikhail might be Rina’s brother but that didn’t mean Sage trusted him. Not yet.

* * * * *

Johnny parked his truck well off the road. The last thing he wanted was someone reporting a strange vehicle to the local sheriff’s office. He didn’t want anyone nosing around in his business.

His phone vibrated for the tenth time in the past few hours, so he yanked it out and answered. “Yeah?”

“Where the hell are you?” Charlie demanded.

“I’m still hunting,” he told his older brother.

Charlie swore several times. “You’re obsessed with this girl. Let it go. There are plenty of other women out there.”

“None like this one.”

“Hell, you’re not still going on about her being a wolf or something, are you? That was amusing for the first few hours. Now it’s just plain stupid. Ain’t no such thing as a werewolf, and you know it. You’ve done lost your mind.”

“I’m staying.” Johnny would go home when he was good and ready and not before.

“We ain’t waiting around no longer,” Charlie told him. “Ralph and I are going into the woods to dig some ginseng. He knows where to find a patch, and we could use the money.”

A pang hit Johnny. He and his brothers always went together. It was a competitive and sometimes dangerous job. Usually his brothers dug the ginseng root while he stood guard. There were always unscrupulous men wanting to steal another man’s hard work.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Johnny promised.

Charlie sighed. “What are you going to do with this gal when you find her? You can’t just keep her. You know that, don’t you? You need to come home.”

He almost gave in to his brother’s pleading. Then he remembered watching Rina shift from woman to wolf. He’d wanted her when he’d thought she was nothing more than a waitress. Now, knowing what she was, he had to have her.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he promised before he ended the call. His brother was wrong about one thing. He could keep her. In the past few weeks, he’d learned a lot about Rina. She was on the run from something or someone. He could tell. She hadn’t made any friends or connections. She was always jumpy, always watchful. He’d bet anything that no one was even looking for her, at least not around here.

No, when he found her, she was his.

He tucked his phone away and moved forward. It was time to scout the lay of the land before he confronted Sage Gallagher. Last thing he wanted to do was walk into a compound of survivalists or whatever these folks were without knowing what he was up against.

Everyone he spoke with in town said the same thing—these people kept to themselves. Johnny could respect that. If things looked safe enough, he planned on driving in and questioning the man who’d given Rina a lift. Surely this Gallagher guy would have no problem telling him where he’d dropped Rina. From there, he’d start his search. She couldn’t have gotten far, and he aimed to find her.

Chapter Seventeen

Every head swiveled in their direction when they walked into the clearing behind Gator’s place. Everyone was curious about the newcomer. Sage couldn’t blame them. They’d been on their own for a decade, but in the past few days they’d added two new wolves to the pack, at least temporarily.

Sage’s shoulders tightened and he forced himself to relax. Rina wouldn’t be temporary. He’d find some way to convince her to stay. And if he didn’t, he’d lose his family and friends, because there was no way he was letting her leave without him.

And if she didn’t want him to go with her?

Sage didn’t even want to contemplate that outcome. He knew she had feelings for him. No way would she make love with him if she didn’t. She wasn’t the kind of woman who could do that.

The men were sizing up the newcomer, but little Amy felt no such necessity. She raced forward, practically colliding with Mikhail before catching herself on his knees.

“Whoa there, little lady.” Mikhail gently caught the girl by the shoulders and righted her even as her father sprinted to her side.

Amy stared way up and smiled. “My name is Amy. Are you Rina’s brother? I like her. She came over to my house to see my room. You can come over to play too if you want.”

The guilelessness of the child made Mikhail smile. He ignored a hovering Cole and went down on one knee before the girl. “It’s nice to meet you, Amy. I’m Mikhail. And, yes, I am Rina’s brother.”

The child reached out and touched the big man’s cheek. “You’re sad, but you don’t have to be anymore. You can stay here with us.” She looked up at her father. “He can stay, can’t he?”

Cole sighed and reached down to lift the girl in his arms. “That’s up to Jacque, you know that.”

The girl looked over her father’s shoulder and waved both arms at the alpha to get his attention, all the while trusting that her father would hold her steady. “Can he stay, Uncle Jacque? Can he?”

Sage almost laughed aloud at the expression on Jacque’s face. It was somewhere between exasperation and humor. “We’ll see, Amy. He might not want to stay.”

Before Amy could start asking more questions, Cole handed the child off to her mother, who was waiting to take the girl. “You go on and play now. Mikhail will be around for supper.”

That seemed to satisfy the child and she let her mother take her back to where the other children were playing. Jacque’s boys had glanced at Mikhail and gone back to their game. Etienne had stared at Mikhail for several seconds and then ignored him. But not Amy. There was no fear in the girl. That was going to be a problem for her parents as she grew older.

Sage was grateful there were so many of them to watch out for the child.

Mikhail stood and had his fingers on his face where Amy had touched his cheek. It looked to Sage like Amy had conquered another heart. There was such innocence and acceptance in the child that it was impossible not to love her.

“You have a beautiful daughter.”

Cole shook his head. “I have a fearless daughter.”

Mikhail laughed. “She is that.” He put his hand out. “Mikhail Matheson.”

Cole turned his head toward the children, and Sage almost laughed when he caught Amy frowning at her father. He stuck out his hand and shook Mikhail’s. “Cole Blanchard.”

Jacque strode up with Gwen tucked into his side. Sage and Rina stood back while Mikhail was introduced to the pack. Miss Elise was hovering in the background until her son motioned her forward.

“This is my mama, Elise LaForge.” Jacque rested his hand on his mother’s shoulder.

Mikhail stiffened, his entire body tensing. Jacque frowned and started to pull his mother back. She, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Mikhail.

“I’m very pleased to meet you, Elise.” He didn’t offer his hand like he had to the others, but his gaze never left her face.

“Mama.” Jacque’s sharp tone seemed to break the spell between them. Elise jerked slightly, nodded at Mikhail, and then hurried back to the picnic table. It didn’t escape Sage or the others that Mikhail watched her all the way.

It made Sage study Miss Elise. He knew she was in her sixties, but because she was a werewolf, she only looked like she was in her mid-thirties. She might have two grown sons, but she was still a relatively young woman in werewolf terms. She could live to be at least one hundred and twenty or thirty, even much older.

Werewolves had a lifespan that was almost twice that of regular humans, and they didn’t start to show their age until much later in life. It made things difficult, especially in today’s world where identification was needed for just about everything. Thankfully, Armand had better than average computer skills and created new identities when needed. It was just another reason why wolf packs tended to keep to themselves.

It made him wonder again just how old Mikhail was. He looked to be in his early forties in human terms, but the gray in his temples was a sign he was probably in his sixties or even seventies.

Rina leaned against him, and Sage rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Don’t worry so much.” He hated that she was always so tense. He wanted her to relax and laugh and enjoy the evening.

“I’m sorry.”

He used his thumb to tip back her chin so she was looking at him. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I just want you to forget everything for one night and have fun. Right here, right now, you’re safe and your brother is with you. I’m with you,” he reminded her.

He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. It was like being kicked in the gut every time he kissed her. She was so sweet, so perfect. She made a little sound of pleasure and kissed him back.

“Leave that for later,” Gator called out. “There are children here.” He paused. “Adults too. I don’t need to see you kissing.”

Sage lifted his head and checked to make sure none of the kids were watching before giving Gator the finger. The older man simply laughed and then proceeded to kiss his own wife senseless. Sylvie was gasping for air when Gator finally released her.

Beside him, Rina was laughing. Her cheeks were pink but she was smiling. That was all that mattered to him. Sage felt eyes on him and met Mikhail’s gaze. The older wolf seemed thoughtful and pleased.

“Let’s go see what we can do to help.” The quicker they ate, the quicker the evening would end and he could take Rina home. He felt selfish for wanting to rush her back to his room, but he couldn’t shake the sense that something was wrong. Something was going to happen and soon. He only hoped they were ready for it.

Rina was always aware of where Sage was each moment. Mostly he was beside her, but even when he stepped away to help Gator man the large stainless steel barbecue, she was ultra-aware of him.

Everyone was making her and Mikhail welcome, even if the men were still watchful. She understood that, even welcomed their scrutiny. It meant they took protecting their pack seriously.

“Can you help me with some things in the kitchen?” Sue asked.

Rina took one last glance at Sage before giving his aunt all her attention. “Sure. I’d be happy to.” It felt strange to be following a complete human into the house. It still boggled Rina’s mind that a pack let full humans not only live with but mate with one of their members.

It was much cooler in the house after being out in the hot sun. “Tea?” Sue asked. “I don’t know about you, but I’m drinking gallons of the stuff these days.” She opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a large container of sweet tea. “I love summer, but I won’t be sad to see fall arrive.” She pulled down two glasses and filled them. “It’s so beautiful around here then.” She capped the container and pushed one of the glasses toward Rina. “Will you be here then?” Sue asked.

Rina took a sip of the drink and tried to figure out if the woman was warning her off or wanted her to stay. “I’m not sure.”

Sue sighed and downed half her tea in one gulp. “Listen, it’s probably none of my business. Both you and Sage are adults. But he’s special. I don’t want him hurt.”

“I wouldn’t hurt him.” The thought of him being hurt made her stomach knot.

Sue toyed with her glass, running her fingertip over the rim. “You might not mean to. I’ve known him since he was a teenager, and I’ve never seen him act this way around a woman before. He cares for you. Deeply.”

Rina’s wolf howled with glee while her heart seemed to expand with pleasure. Yet she couldn’t ignore the very big problem in their way. She also wasn’t quite ready to trust Sage’s feelings for her. “Maybe it’s because I’m the first unattached female werewolf he’s met.” She didn’t want to believe that, but she couldn’t discount it either.

She knew her feelings for Sage were real. After all, she’d grown up around full-blooded werewolves, been taught to disdain half-breeds, and yet she’d fallen head over heels for Sage.

Sue frowned. “You can’t seriously believe that. All Sage has to do is walk into town to get female company.”

Rina didn’t like that idea one little bit. The thought of some other woman running her hands over Sage’s chest made her wolf growl. “And does he?” Her tone was guttural and more than a bit feral.

Sue didn’t flinch. “Of course not. I’m just saying he’s not with you because of proximity. He could have brought you here, dropped you at the alpha’s house, and washed his hands of you. The fact that he won’t let you away from his side for two seconds means he cares for you.”

“Either that or he feels responsible,” she pointed out. Rina didn’t know why she was being this way, why she was suddenly so mistrustful of Sage’s intentions toward her. Maybe because it all seemed too easy, too good to be true.

After what had happened with her own pack, Rina found she didn’t have much trust to give. Not anymore. She’d been like young Amy once, expecting the best of everyone. That hadn’t lasted long. By the time she was eight, she’d already been putting up protective barriers around herself. Only Mikhail had never let her down.

Even now, even when she’d thought the worst of him, he’d never stopped looking for her.

“Please don’t hurt him.” Sue pushed her glass away and went back to the refrigerator. “Will you take the potato salad?” Sue reached in, pulled out a gigantic bowl, and held it toward her.

Rina didn’t know what to say, so she simply took the bowl and headed toward the door. She used her hip to push open the screen.

Sage was standing on the porch and, for the first time since she’d met him, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Oh Lord, how much had he overheard?

The time to say something passed when Sue came through the door carrying a large garden salad. She stumbled to a halt. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

Sage shook his head. “No need to be. Let me take that from you.” He plucked the bowl from his aunt’s hands and, without a word, carried it toward the picnic table.

Rina suddenly felt like crying. This was the first time Sage had closed himself off from her, and she felt it right to the core of her being. Inside, her wolf whimpered and whined. Her heart hurt. If she didn’t know better, she’d think it was breaking.

The cynical part of her pointed out that she’d been right. Sage couldn’t really care about her if he could turn from her so quickly. Another part of her lamented the loss of something special, something she might never find again.

“Would you take this?” she asked Sue. She thrust the bowl into the woman’s hands without waiting for an answer. She needed a few minutes to collect herself. The last thing she needed was her brother seeing her cry. He’d lose his mind and drag her away from here in a heartbeat.

Wasn’t that what she wanted?

Rina was no longer sure what she wanted. All she knew was that she hurt. And like anyone, especially someone who was part animal, she wanted to go off and lick her wounds in private.

She hurried back into the house and was grateful when Sue didn’t follow her. Rina kept going and let herself out the front door. She wanted to shift and run so badly, but the alpha had decreed earlier that no one could shift until they were sure the threat she’d brought with her was contained.

She wasn’t a member of this pack, but she was enjoying their hospitality. That didn’t mean she couldn’t run. She glanced longingly over her shoulder. She could hear the voices and laughter, smell the delicious food, but all she could see was the blank expression on Sage’s face when he’d walked away from her.

Rina jumped off the step and started running.

Mikhail frowned when he saw Rina go back inside by herself. He was about to go find his sister when a female voice stopped him.

“She’s safe here with us. And so are you.”

He didn’t need to turn to see who it was. His entire body felt as though it was electrified and his wolf was howling inside him. Elise LaForge.

He slowly lowered his head, this time prepared for the impact she had on him. He was wrong. There was no way to be prepared for how she made him feel. He wanted to rip off his shirt and pound his chest. He wanted to growl and howl. But mostly, he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and carry her away from the crowd where he could fuck her at his leisure.

Yeah, like that would go over well with the alpha and his brother. This woman was off-limits, and he wanted her as he’d never wanted another.

She was a tall woman, but he still had half a foot on her. Where he was big and strong, she was lean and slender, almost fragile in appearance. Her brown hair was coiled up in a bun at the back of her head. He wanted to pull out the pins anchoring it just to see how long it was. Then he wanted to fist his hands in the silky tresses.

Her son had her eyes—golden brown. But where the alpha’s gaze was shrewd and ruthless, hers was compassionate and kind.

She gave him a small smile, one filled with discomfort, and started to walk away. He reached out and touched her arm, stopping her. She jerked away, her breathing increasing. She didn’t look at him, but down at her feet. It was the stance of a wolf, or woman, who was expecting to be chastised or abused. He knew her sons hadn’t hurt her. They treated her gently, and now he knew why.

It had to have been her mate. But since he wasn’t around, Mikhail had to assume he was dead. It made Mikhail feel more than a little savage to think of anyone hurting this lovely woman, but he tempered his tone when he spoke. “Thank you. I appreciate all you’ve done for my sister.”