Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) (7 page)

Suddenly, she didn’t want to be alone. “Don’t go.” She bit her bottom lip. This wasn’t fair to Sage. She wasn’t ready to sleep with him yet, but she didn’t want to be by herself. She’d been alone for so long.

She slid over in bed and patted the mattress. “Stay. Just for a little while.” She was being pathetic, but she didn’t care.

Sage sat on the edge of the bed and removed his boots and socks. She admired the flex and play of his shoulder muscles as he worked. Then he pulled the hem of his tank top out of his jeans and dragged it over his head.

She made a low humming noise deep in her throat. It wasn’t quite a growl, but it was close. He tensed but didn’t turn around. Rina wanted to run her hands over the thick muscles in his back and down the furrow of his spine.

Sage turned his neck one way and then the other as if working out tension. She wasn’t being fair to him. She knew he wanted her. “You don’t have to stay. I’m sorry.” She pulled the cover up over her and started to turn away.

He swiveled around and put his hand on her arm, stopping her. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he assured her. He ate her up with his eyes and her skin began to heat from within. “I want to stay.”

He stretched out on top of the covers with his jeans still on. She could see the bulge in the front of his pants, but neither of them mentioned it. He opened his arms to her. “Come here.” She didn’t need a second invitation. She curled into his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

His skin was warm beneath her palm and the heavy beat of his heart thudded against his chest. Sage was so masculine and compelling. He was a force to be reckoned with without being overwhelmingly dominant. She felt safe with him. She didn’t feel as though she were being measured and found lacking.

“I always thought half-breeds were weak.” He stiffened beneath her but didn’t say anything. It was full daylight and the sunshine was pouring through the patio doors. The head of the bed was in shade because of the angle of the sun, but the room was aglow. It should have been difficult to make such a confession. But it felt right somehow to do it here and now instead of in the dark of the night.

“It was how I was raised.” She rubbed her hand over the rigid muscles of his chest and abdomen. He sucked his stomach in as her touch grew bolder. “I’ve come to realize that what I’ve been taught is wrong. “You’re the strongest man I’ve ever met.”

She wasn’t lying. Yes, Jacque and some of the others might be more physically powerful than Sage, but there was a quiet bedrock of confidence in the man holding her in his arms. He knew who he was and was okay with it. He didn’t seem to need to prove anything to anyone, didn’t feel lacking in any way.

She envied him.

Sage released a breath and the warmth brushed against her face. He threaded his fingers through her hair and lightly massaged her scalp. “Rina.”

She put her fingers over his lips. “No, don’t say anything. I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You could have walked away at any point and I wouldn’t have faulted you for it. You risked your life and your position in this pack for me. I won’t ever forget that.”

He jerked his head to the side so her fingers were no longer covering his mouth. “Damn it, Rina. I don’t want your gratitude.”

“I know you don’t, but you have it anyway.” She yawned and snuggled closer. The sunshine, her full belly, the soft bed, and the warm man holding her combined to relax her in a way she hadn’t felt—ever.

“I didn’t do any of it for gratitude, and you don’t owe me anything. Do you understand?”

“Mmm.” She sighed and closed her eyes. She sensed his frustration even if she didn’t quite understand where it was coming from. She’d figure it out later. Rina let go and gave in to the exhaustion that had been dragging at her for long hours. She knew Sage would keep her safe.

* * * * *

Johnny waved to the park ranger as the man drove away. It had taken longer to get to his truck than anticipated when the ranger had stopped to help a family change a flat tire. But he was here now, and that was all that mattered.

He climbed into the cab and rubbed his hand over his face. He was tired, but he still had work to do. He thought about calling his brothers but figured Charlie and Ralph would only tell him to come home. He wasn’t ready to go yet.

He started the engine and turned the truck around. He needed to go collect his rifle, and then he needed to do a little research. Sage Gallagher. All he had to do was find this guy and convince him to tell where he’d dropped off Rina.

His jeans grew tighter the longer he thought about her. An honest to God werewolf. He knew his brothers didn’t believe him. That was fine by him. Once he was done with her, he’d planned to give her a chance to escape. A real hunt. His brothers would believe him then.

His conscience gave a pang of worry, but he dismissed it. Wasn’t like she was really human. She was an animal, a wolf, and that meant she was fair game.

He turned on the radio and started to hum along with the country tune he found. By the end of the day, he hoped to have found the man who’d helped his little waitress. From then on, it was only a matter of time until he found her.

Chapter Seven

Sage stared up at the ceiling and counted to a thousand for the third time. Rina was out for the count, and he expected her to sleep for hours. She’d wrapped herself around him like she was afraid he’d leave her.

It hurt him to think of her out there on her own with no pack and no family to help her. He and Reece might not have grown up in a regular pack, but they’d always had the love and support of their parents and Uncle Elias. They’d never doubted that any of them would lay down their lives to protect him and his brother.

Rina’s parents had turned their backs on her, simply because she hadn’t agreed to their choice of mate. The whole idea was barbaric. Didn’t matter that she was a werewolf. She had the right to pick and choose who she spent her life with.

A rumble started low in his chest as he imagined Rina snuggled up to some full-blooded werewolf. She sighed and turned over, releasing him for the first time in an hour. Even though he wanted to stay, he knew his uncle would be waiting to talk with him. Probably Jacque too.

He rolled out of bed, being careful not to jostle her. She didn’t move. He stood there and watched her sleeping in his bed, wearing his shirt, her head on his pillow. Possessiveness welled up inside of him and whipped around like a tornado out of control.

He swore under his breath and headed to the patio doors. He eased the screen aside and stepped out onto the deck. The sun was hot on his face and chest and the wood deck sizzled beneath his feet. He hurried down the steps onto the grass. Sure enough, his uncle was sitting at one of the picnic tables. He was looking away from the table with his arms spread over the top. A beer sat on the seat beside him.

He patted the bench beside him. “Take a load off.”

Sage wanted to call his brother but had to take care of this first. He owed his uncle that much. He walked over and sat. Elias reached beneath the table and brought out another beer. “It might be a bit warm, but it’s wet.”

Sage took the beer, popped the top, and took a long swig. The yeasty, mellow liquid slid down his throat. He was thirstier than he’d thought. He had to make sure Rina drank more water when she woke. “Thanks.” He sat forward with the can between his hands and his forearms resting on his thighs. “I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble.”

Elias leaned forward. “Boy, you know better than that.” A heavy hand fell on his shoulder and squeezed. “You did what you had to do. What any one of us here would have done.”

It helped to hear it. “I couldn’t leave her alone.” He risked a glance at his uncle and turned away from the knowing gaze.

“I was there when you and Reece were born. You two came out squalling at the world.” Elias laughed. “I know you well, and I recognize that look. If you saw yourself in a mirror, you’d recognize it too. I imagine I wore it when I met Sue.”

His uncle had always been too perceptive for comfort. On one hand, it felt good to know someone besides his twin understood him so well. On the other hand, it had made for some pretty awkward moments over the years. “Yeah.” What else could he say? He wasn’t certain himself just how he felt about the sudden change in his life.

“You don’t need to decide anything today or tomorrow or anytime soon. Just get Rina to stay here and you can take all the time you need to see if she’s the one for you, and if she returns your feelings.”

Sage rubbed the can over the back of his neck. The condensation rolled down his bare skin. That was the biggest hurdle to get over. Rina was naturally resistant to staying here. She might have changed her mind somewhat about him, but she obviously had some preconceived notions about half-breeds.

Then there was her gratitude. He didn’t want her to feel beholden to him.

“Don’t think so hard about it,” his uncle counseled. “Give it time. Give her time.”

Easier said than done. He knew Rina already had one foot out the door, not because she didn’t want to stay, but because she felt she didn’t deserve to stay. She didn’t want to bring trouble their way. Her pack had done a real head job on her, making her feel unworthy of belonging.

Fire burned in his gut at the way they’d kicked her out of her home. How could her pack, how could her parents have done such a thing? What about her sibling? She’d mentioned a brother. How the hell had he let this happen?

They sat in silence a bit longer. Being outside always settled Sage. Always. But not today. Rina had him too churned up. He was trying to sort out how he felt about her while he was worried she was going to run away as soon as she was able.

Elias finally stood. “I’m here if you want to talk.”

“I know.” His family had always been there for him.

“Jacque wants to speak with you. I think he has Armand checking out her story.”

Sage had expected nothing less. The alpha might have let Rina stay for now, but he had a pack, a mate, and children to protect. “I’m going to call Reece before I head over.” He glanced at the patio doors to his room. He hated leaving Rina in case she needed him.

“I’ll watch over your girl for you,” Elias promised. “Sue is over at Anny’s. I think the two of them and Sylvie are making salads or baking something. I’m not sure what they’re doing, but I know it involves food. They’re planning a barbecue for this evening.”

He didn’t want to go, but Jacque was alpha and had demanded Sage’s presence. “I won’t be long.”

Elias nodded. “I know you won’t. I’ll be here when you get back.” He paused and put his finger on Sage’s biggest fear. “And so will your girl.”

Sage left the half-empty beer behind and headed toward the alpha’s home. About halfway there, he pulled out his phone and hit the first name on his contact list. It only rang once before it was answered. “What the hell is going on with you?”

That was his brother, blunt as a sledgehammer. His predictability made Sage smile. “And how are you?”

“Don’t give me that crap.” Sage could hear sirens in the background and then they were muted, meaning his brother must have ducked in somewhere. “Your emotions have been all over the place since last night. I thought you were camping.”

Sage leaned against a poplar tree and curled his toes into the mossy ground beneath his feet. “I was. I’m home now.”

“What the hell happened? Do I need to come home?”

Sage rubbed his chest. Yeah, he could always count on his family. “No, I’m okay.”

“You’re sure as hell not okay.” Reece’s voice was slightly muffled as he turned away to talk to someone else. “I’m on a call here. I’ll be with you in a minute. Sorry about that,” he said when he came back on the line. “Now spill or I’m calling Uncle Elias.”

Sage wanted to tell his brother about Rina, needed to tell him. “I met a woman.”

“Shit. In the middle of the park? Only you, man.”

Sage laughed. “Yeah, only me. She was running from some men who were chasing her.” Reece’s growl was loud and clear. He and his brother had been raised in the same way. Women were to be protected, not abused.

“Hunters,” Sage continued. “One of them saw her shift. She’s a full-blooded werewolf.” For the first time in their lives, his brother was struck silent. The dead air hovered between them for almost a minute.

“A full-blood?”

Sage dragged his fingers through his hair. “Yeah. Unbelievable but true. I don’t have much time. Jacque wants to speak with me, and Rina is asleep in my room. I don’t want to be away from her for long.”

“Rina. That’s her name?”

He knew Reece would run her name and check her out, just as Armand probably already had. “Irina Matheson from Sitka, Alaska.”

“She’s a long way from home, bro.”

“She was banished from her pack because she wouldn’t mate with the guy her alpha and parents picked out for her.”

“That’s fucked up.” Reece’s blunt assessment of the situation made him smile in spite of everything.

“It is. I sort of tricked her into coming here.”

Reece whistled. “Mr. Nice Guy being deceptive. I like it.”

His twin always teased him about being a nice guy. Sage ignored it for the most part. “She fell asleep in the truck. She’d been running the entire day with little rest and practically no food. She wanted to be let off at the first bus stop. I told her I’d wake her when it was safe.”

“And it wasn’t safe until you got her back to pack land.” Reece understood him better than anyone. “You have feelings for this woman, don’t you? I can sense your turmoil. And, bro, you’ve been more than a little turned on and broadcasting louder than usual.”

Sage felt his cheeks burning and knew he was turning red. “Yeah, sorry about that.” Their tight emotional bond could be troublesome at times.

“Let’s just say it got a little awkward.”

“Shit.” He could just imagine his brother, big-city cop, getting a hard-on at the most inopportune time. “Hope I didn’t cause problems.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

Sage wished he were as sure of himself as his twin. Reece always seemed to know what he wanted and what to do. He did too, most days, but right now, Sage was floundering with Rina.

“I gotta go. Jacque is waiting on me.” It wouldn’t do to keep the alpha waiting. Not when he’d been very forgiving about the situation and even welcoming to Rina.

“Call me when you can.” Reece lowered his voice. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll back you.”

Sage closed his eyes and rubbed his chest. He didn’t have to tell Reece he was crazy about Rina. His brother
knew
. “Thanks.”

“You can come and stay with me if you and your lady need a place. But I don’t think it will come to that.”

Sage didn’t think it would either, but it was nice to have options. “Talk to you later.” He ended the call and tucked his phone away as he started walking.

As he’d expected, Jacque was waiting on his porch. Louis, Armand, Cole, and Gator were with him. Cole and Gator were leaning against the railing while the others were seated in the colorful Adirondack chairs that ranged across the deck. That meant Cole’s father was probably out on patrol while Elias was watching the area around the houses.

“She asleep?” Jacque asked.

“Yeah.” Sage respectfully met the older man’s gaze. “I didn’t want to leave her until I knew she was settled.”

“Good enough. Armand has been doing some looking. You know anything else about your girl?”

It startled him slightly to hear Jacque refer to Rina as his girl, especially so soon after Reece had referred to her as his lady, but it felt right. He thought back to what she’d told him. “She has a brother. Mikhail.”

Armand had his feet propped up on the railing and his computer on his lap. His fingers flew over the keys. He was their resident computer expert and security geek. He loved technology and was very good at getting into places he shouldn’t be able to.

“I’ve hacked the alpha’s email for the Sitka Pack.” Armand continued to work the keys. “Not much until you go back fourteen months. A quick blast to make sure everyone knew Rina had been banished. That’s the only mention.”

“How did you manage that?” Armand truly had some scary skills.

He raised his fingers and wiggled them. “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” He kept working a little longer. “Hmm, it’s going to take me some time to get into her brother’s account. He’s actually more tech savvy than most of the rest of them.”

“Keep on it,” Jacque told him. “Anything you can find out.”

“What happens from here?” Sage couldn’t stand the suspense.

Jacque glanced at Louis, who nodded. “We can’t send a woman out there on her own with hunters after her.” Louis knew what it was like to be hunted by humans. It had happened to him when he’d been in his wolf form. That was quite a few years ago, but Sage knew the other man had never forgotten it.

“Gator?” Jacque asked.

“
Oui
. She will stay here until she is safe. She is much too skinny and needs to eat.” Sage almost smiled. Badass Gator was always feeding all of them. “And speaking of food,” Gator continued. “I have steaks to marinate, and I promised Etienne I would read with him in the hammock this afternoon.” Etienne was only six, but his reading level was almost at teenage level. Gator glanced at Jacque. “We done?”

“For now. Cole?”

Cole nodded, then vaulted over the railing and headed toward his home. That was Cole, a man of few words. Gator waved and ambled to the stairs and headed for his place.

“It’s settled then.” Jacque rose and stretched. “I promised Gwen I’d take the boys fishing this afternoon. She’s on a deadline.” Jacque’s wife had surprised them all by becoming a well-known romance writer. She hid her identity behind a pseudonym and never made public appearances. The irony was that all her books were paranormal romances featuring werewolves.

“I’ll go with you.” Louis stood beside his brother. “Gray is working on a new piece, and I think Cherise is in the studio with her.” Louis’s mate was a painter, whose work was featured in galleries all over the country, while Cherise had her own online store where she sold cards and prints of her incredibly lifelike illustrations of local animals. She’d even been commissioned to do the artwork for several children’s books. Even after knowing them all these years, Sage was still in awe of their talent.

“Stay together and stay sharp,” Jacque reminded them. “We have no idea if that hunter has any way to find Rina.”

Sage nodded. “I can take a shift patrolling later.” It was the least he could do seeing all this extra work was being caused by him.

Jacque shook his head. “No, you stay with Rina for now. The rest of us will handle the patrols. Once she’s settled in, you can take a turn. You probably need to spend some time in your gardens.”

He hadn’t even thought about the gardens or greenhouses since he’d been home. That was a first. His gardens were his life. “Yeah, I should check on things.”

Jacque slapped him on the back on his way along. “Be careful, Sage. She might not want to stay.” With that warning, the alpha left with his brother right behind him.

Armand was already lost in whatever he was working on. Sage headed back toward home, feeling lighter than he had when he’d arrived. Rina had a place here if she wanted it. Now it was up to him to convince her to stay.