Page 6

Ivy is like a terrified cat, clawing and hissing her way out of here. When Kyle mind-links about what happened, I am furious at them for their carelessness, and immediately go over there. I quickly assess the situation. Her skin is reddening from the cold, feet dirty and bloody from rubble, and wild eyes shifting to the surrounding area and then to me. My shoulders release tension once I convince her to come to my house.

I’m pulling the blanket to her front while carrying her home. Once inside, I head directly into the guest room’s washroom on the main floor and sit her on the vanity. Ivy’s eyes never sway from me as she clutches the knife handle, resting it on her thigh. I grab a washcloth, apply water and soap, and gently swab her feet. We remain quiet, but when I glance up, her face is pure white.

“Ivy, what’s wrong?”

“I’m going to be—”

Before she finishes, vomit flies onto my shirt. She jumps off the counter, bending her head over the toilet, and continues. Tossing the shirt in the sink, I hold her hair to avoid getting vomit in it. My other hand rubs her back to comfort her. Dry heaves and sobs echo in the room.

Tremors course through her body as she says.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, sweetie. You’ve been through a lot.”

This has her bawling. I reach for another washcloth, wet it, and fall onto the ground, pulling her into my lap and wiping her mouth. Instead of triggering more tears, I refrain from talking, letting her cry in my arms. Ivy is fragile, all skin and bones, which makes the spasms worse.

I place her back on the counter and ask.

“Are you going to be sick again?”

She shakes her head. Through her eyelashes, she scans my bare torso and downward. This awakens my dick, jerking and tightening inside my jeans.

Not a good fucking time, Larc.

I reach over in a drawer to retrieve an extra toothbrush.

“Why don’t you stand at the other sink and brush your teeth? There are some sweats in the other room I’ll get for you.”

Ivy does as I suggest, and when I return, she’s standing naked in front of the mirror.

Goddess!

Even though she’s malnourished, my wolf and I want to do her six ways from Sunday. She’s our mate. Not only do I want to bury myself inside her, I want to care for her and fill her with my pups.

In order for me not to pounce on her, I place the sweats on the vanity, telling her to meet me in the kitchen. I close the door behind me, take a huge inhale through my nose, and leave in search of something to help her stomach.

Mind-linking Amanda, one of the shifters Ivy saw who is a pack doctor, I ask, what do humans need when they’re sick to their stomach?

She answers immediately. Larc, please forgive us. I’m so sorry. We had no idea anyone was near the woods.

Didn’t you bother to sniff the air? You should have shifted in the forest, not right outside it. Now, what can she eat?

Um, crackers and chamomile or peppermint tea. There are some nausea pills I can get from the hospital.

No, don’t bother.

Do you need crackers?

I’ve got them. Thanks, and good night.

I break the link, so I don’t have to hear any more apologies.

Taking timid steps, Ivy comes out of the washroom, limping, hugging her arms around her waist. I assume she left the knife on the vanity. She cleaned her face and tied her hair into a careless bun. Even with red, swollen eyes and a blotchy face, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Those violet eyes rest on me.

I flick my eyes to the crackers in my hand, placing them on the kitchen island, and say.

“Here. These should help your stomach.”

Her shaky hand reaches for the closed package, trying to open it.

“Sorry. Let me.”

I open the package, put the crackers on a plate, and offer them to her.

“The fireplace needs more logs.”

My finger points in the direction as I continue.

“I’m going to fire it up.”

Ivy remains squashed against the wall, eating the crackers over the plate, staring at me. Her white skin and blond hair are in such contrast to those haunted eyes. A slingshot of pain hits me in the gut when I think about her suffering. What she’s experienced.

The fireplace is in full force, so I kick off my shoes and retrieve Ivy. She gasps when I pick her up, grab her crackers, and walk to the chaise lounge by the fireplace.

“Do you mind if we sit together?”

Her face is inches from mine, and her heart-shaped lips are close enough to kiss. I stand in front of the fire, holding her in my arms, waiting for a response while our eyes wander over our faces. She’s like fine china, perfect and fragile. Mine. I’m drawn to her amethyst eyes reflecting the light and it cuts into my heart. Caught up in her gaze, it takes me a moment to hear her say my name.

A corner of my mouth lifts.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

The tips of her fingers touch her lips when she says.

“I don’t mind.”

I sit in the oversize chaise lounge I had specifically made for me, and tuck Ivy into my side. With the fire crackling, and her body and the blanket pressed against me, I’m roasting like a pig over a firepit. Werewolves’ temps are already high, so the extra heat is sweltering. My fingers brush aside the sweat, and when I look down, Ivy’s staring open-mouthed at me. The way her face is relaxed and eyes bright, it’s as if she’s in…awe?

I rub the ends of her hair between my fingers.

“Would you like to ask me questions?”

Ivy’s eyes dart away and then back, biting her lip.

“Is everyone here a werewolf?”

I tuck her hair behind her ear.

“Most of the community are werewolves, but we have many humans, like the women in the bunkhouse.”

She places a cracker on the plate.

“Can I get you something to drink? I make a good hot chocolate.”

Her head shakes as she glances down for a moment.

“Okay. How about you get comfortable, and I’ll start telling you about us?”

She snuggles into my side and rests her head over my heart. It’s a simple gesture, yet it means everything to me. It means she trusts me and is content in my arms. I begin by explaining where we came from; who I am, except I don’t get far before I hear her steady breathing, an indication she’s fallen asleep. It isn’t surprising. I hear her nightmares every night. See her cower from lack of sleep and food. I stop talking, checking her over, satisfied and ecstatic to have my mate in my arms.

I slept little while watching over Ivy. It doesn’t matter since I don’t sleep a lot anyway. The fire burned out a half hour ago, so I rekindle it and prepare breakfast. When we’ve eaten together in the mess hall, I noticed she favored bacon, eggs, and toast. Hurrying out to the henhouse we have near the gardens, I collect fresh eggs and return to a sleeping Ivy. There’s a soft tap on the door, and I know it’s Kyle by the scent. I invite him in.

He creeps into the kitchen, catches sight of Ivy by the fire, and whispers.

“Larc, man, I’m so sorry about yesterday.”

“You fucking know better, Kyle. And of all people, Ivy is the one who caught you guys.”

Kyle cringes from my words and tone. I’m trying to keep the conversation low, but my anger hasn’t diminished.

“I’m sorry. We’re sorry. No one—”

I hold up my hand.

“I don’t want to hear your apology. You better make sure it never happens again. The people we save and bring back here are traumatized beyond belief. There’s a reason we wait to talk to them about who we are.”

“You’re right…especially about the trauma.”

His eyes stray toward Ivy, and I’m going to cut his balls off if he says what I think he’s going to say.

“Your mate has more than the others.”

Shoving my finger in his face, I say.

“I know where you’re going with this, so don’t even continue. Get your fucking ass out of here before I rip your head off.”

He raises his hands in surrender and backs up.

“What’s gotten into you? This level of aggression doesn’t suit you.”

I slam the pan down on the stove.

“Because I’m sick of hearing about Ivy and what’s good for the pack.”

My body shifts forward, standing chest to chest with him.

“Have you forgotten who the Alpha of this pack is?”

Kyle steps back again, folds his arms over his chest, and rebukes my comment.

“No, I haven’t forgotten. You make it very clear.”

We glare at one another.

“But that doesn’t change the fact your mate isn’t Luna material.”

There’s a noise, and our heads swing toward Ivy, who is awake, fisting the blanket to her chest.

The sight of her softens me.

“Good morning, Ivy.”

Her attention moves from Kyle to me, remaining quiet.

Kyle raises his hand.

“Hey, Ivy. Glad to see you’re better.”

Now she’s curled into a ball, hugging the blanket over her shoulders.

I smack his chest.

“Time to go.”

He gives a slight nod to her, and then asks me.

“Are we still on for the meeting?”

Shit! I forgot about the monthly pack meeting where we discuss what’s been happening, things we need, and so forth.

“Can’t. Ivy and I need to have a conversation.”

I purse my lips.

“Reschedule the meeting. I’ll be busy for the rest of the day. Inform everyone else that I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Without saying another word, Kyle heads out. Ivy cuddles onto the couch, eyes hooked on me.

“I’m making breakfast. Would you like some coffee?”

She nods and I bring her a cup, then return to cooking.

Her voice is like wind chimes.

“Could I have some milk?”

“Oh, sure, sweetie. Would you like to come over to the island? I’ll get out the milk and sugar.”

Wrapping the blanket around her shoulders, she carries her coffee cup over and climbs up on a stool. While cooking, I sneak peeks of her staring at me, eyes wandering over my body. A grin rises on my face.

I think my mate finds me attractive.

I put a plate in front of her, and as I’m standing across from her stool, she surprises me by reaching over and running a finger over my forearm.

“I cut you yesterday.”

The skin between her eyebrows scrunches together.

“There’s nothing here.”

“Werewolves heal quickly.”

She bites her lip, staring at where there should be a cut, and returns to her food. Throughout breakfast, we don’t say much as Ivy eats small amounts, and I gulp my food along with the rest of hers. Afterward, I suggest we return to the fireplace. I retrieve a werewolf book from my library, hand it to her, and we get comfortable on the lounger.

“This book is to fill in everything I forget to tell you. Plus, it goes into more detail. Are you ready?”

I give her arm a light squeeze, and for the first time, Ivy smiles with a nod. A toothless kind of smile, exposing a dimple, and my insides disintegrate. My head falls back for a moment, closing my eyes, and thanking our Goddess for giving me the perfect mate.

Lifting my head, I look at her and begin.

“So, contrary to what you thought was a myth, werewolves do exist. My Alpha lineage is hundreds of years old. I’m the Alpha of this pack, which is called the Steelclaw Warriors. My father died five years ago at the hands of hunters, and at the time of his death, he was 150 years old.”

Her gorgeous eyes widen in conjunction with raising her eyebrows.

“Yeah, we live longer than humans, but we do have an expiration date.”

Ivy adjusts her body to where she’s facing me, prompting me to continue.

“My mother manages to keep things functioning around here, such as the mansion, cleaning, and gardening, by delegating duties. She was in the bunkhouse on your first day. The pack has grown within the past five years to 75, counting the women and men we’ve rescued.”

“Larc?”

“Yes?”

“If your father was 150 years old, how old are you?”

I tap the tip of her nose.

“Fifty-five. My father found my mother later in life.”

Her mouth is slightly ajar, so I lift her chin with a finger to close it. Again, she gives me a dimpled smile.

“Any more questions?”

Ivy licks those luscious lips and asks.

“Does anyone know about werewolves?”

I nod to emphasize my response.

“Yes. The government is aware of us.”

She lets out a sharp gasp.

“Why haven’t they told the public?”

“The government and all the werewolf packs throughout the country felt it was in the best interest of the people to keep our identity a secret. They didn’t want to incite fear and mass hysteria, and we didn’t want rebels and others coming after us to prove something. Like humans, we want peace, too.”

“How did you get mixed up with the FBI?”

“After my father died, I went into town, and on my way, found a battered woman on the side of the road. She had been kidnapped, raped, and beaten. It turned out that she was the wife of an FBI agent.”

Her face sags from hearing about the wife. My arm around Ivy gives her a small hug.

“The wife has recovered. She’s doing well. You might meet her one day.”

“Really? Why?”

“The FBI agent was grateful I helped his wife, and we’ve become friends. When we met, he propositioned me to assist in taking down traffickers in exchange for government stipends and land. I took the offer to build our community.”

I give a chin nod toward the door.

“His family comes out here in the winter and summer. He has two children, a boy and a girl, and they stay in our cabins.”

She brushes some hair from her face.

“It’s nice to hear she’s better. You must save a lot of people, Larc.”

“The sad thing is I shouldn’t have to. What’s happened to you and so many others shouldn’t even occur. Unfortunately, it does, and when we take down one trafficking cell, another one pops up.”

She’s looking off into space.

“I don’t mean to upset you.”

Ivy’s eyes fall to the blanket, running her hand over it, and she says.

“I know. It’s not your fault.”

“Look at me, Ivy.”

She does as I say.

“I have one question to ask you.”

In a whisper, she says, “Okay.”

“Why did you have a knife with you when you went into the forest?”

Ivy turns away from me, swiping at her eyes. I wait until she composes herself before confirming my hunch as to why she had the knife.

“Whatever it is, I won’t be mad. Like you said, I save a lot of people, and you’re one I want to help.”

Without looking at me, she attempts to speak, but her voice cracks. She clears her throat, and tries again.

“It got to be too much. Day and night I’m haunted by my past. I’m tired of the images flashing in my head. Something might trigger me, and my mind is literally tossed into one of many past horrible scenes, reliving what they did. It’s hard to explain.”

My body stiffens from what she says. I swear to Goddess, I’ll rip those men to shreds. When it comes to them, I want bloodshed and death. I’ll avenge every single person who laid a hand on her.

“They’ll pay.”

Her head swings in my direction, and I realize I spoke aloud. Our eyes meet, and I snuggle her closer.

“Every single one of them will pay, Ivy. You have my word.”

Her eyes lock onto mine at my statement. My fingers slide to the back of her head, holding it while my thumbs run circles over her temples. Her body relaxes, even though her eyes are alert.

“I’ll hunt down every one of your demons.”

Ivy tries to wrap her tiny hands around my wrists, but they don’t come close to circling them.

She purses her lips, thinking about whether to speak, and does so anyways.

“What did Kyle mean by Luna?”

I’m lost in her crystal eyes. Her touch yanks my wolf awake, and me into submission. It takes everything in me to fight him. Ivy’s vulnerable and not ready to meet my other half.

Taking in a deep breath through my nose, I respond.

“It isn’t important right now. What’s important is for you to get better.”

Ivy doesn’t push the matter, which I’m thankful for.

“And I need to ask you something else.”

She gives the okay.

“Please keep what happened yesterday to yourself. We normally wait a week or two to inform the people we rescue about who we are. They’ve been dealt a heavy blow, so we don’t want to bombard them with more. Can you do that for me?”

My thumbs haven’t relented, applying circles over her temples, and she gifts me with another one of her smiles.

“I won’t say anything, Larc.”

“Good.”

And out of instinct, I kiss the top of her head.