Wolf on the Run: Salvation Pack, Book 3 (5 page)

When she was finished dressing, she repacked her knapsack in case she had to run. She had money, her identification and pictures of her family in there. No way could she afford to lose any of those things.

And now it was time to face whoever was out in the kitchen. Cherise could hear them moving around. She inhaled but couldn’t make out their scent. No, all she could smell was Cole’s unique musky scent. It was on everything in the room. She eyed the pillows on his king-sized bed and barely stopped from throwing herself onto the mattress and rubbing her face in them. They were covered in crisp white cotton, the same color as the sheet peeking out from beneath the dark-brown comforter. It was very masculine and very inviting.

“What is wrong with me?” she muttered. The last thing she needed in her life was some domineering male wolf. And there was no denying that Cole was bossy. From the moment they’d met, he’d been telling her what to do. But she couldn’t really complain since everything he’d done had been for her safety.

She grabbed her knapsack, hooked it over her shoulder and strode out to the kitchen, feigning a confidence she certainly wasn’t feeling. Rather than an in-charge female wolf, she felt more like a lost pup who wanted her mama.

It was time to change that. She had plans to make.

She couldn’t stay here. That would put the entire pack in jeopardy. Besides, they would probably ask her to leave soon. Better to be ready and have a plan in place.

Her stomach growled as she stepped into the combined kitchen and dining area that was off to the left at the end of the hallway. Two people were sitting at the table talking, but both went silent the moment she appeared. She recognized them as Anny and Armand. Even if no one had already mentioned it, she’d know they were a mated couple. It was obvious by how close they seemed. Plus, his scent was all over the female.

Armand jumped to his feet and motioned to the empty chair beside his mate. “Please sit. Would you like something to eat? You didn’t have much at breakfast.”

She really was hungry. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

Anny smiled and patted the cushion on the seat next to her. “It’s no trouble, what would you like? We have leftover turkey that you could have in a sandwich. Maybe some soup to go with it.”

Cherise’s stomach practically groaned in ecstasy at the thought. “That would be wonderful.”

Anny went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and started pulling out containers.

“I can help,” Cherise offered.

Anny waved her toward her seat. “I’ve got it under control. You sit and rest.”

Cherise sat at the table and dropped her knapsack onto the floor next to her. While Anny bustled around the kitchen, Armand studied Cherise. She didn’t like it and stared right back at him. It was a direct challenge and one no male wolf would ignore. Damned if the wolf didn’t smile at her instead.

“Would you like some coffee?” he offered.

“Sure.” These wolves were being too kind to her. She didn’t trust them. What was their motive? What did they want from her?

Her gaze never left Armand as he pulled a thick pottery mug out of the cupboard and filled it with coffee from the almost-f pot that sat on the counter. He set the mug on the table in front of her with a flourish. “You don’t need to keep up your guard around us. You’re safe here.”

She didn’t even deign to answer him. He was nuts if he thought she’d lower her defenses for one moment. She was a werewolf who couldn’t shift, couldn’t protect herself with her wolf. Keeping her guard up was as natural to her as breathing.

Although Cherise almost lost her composure when not one but two cats padded into the room. The animals skidded to a halt when they saw her and both of them hissed.

“Don’t mind them,” Anny told her. “The black one is Seymour and the calico is Tigger.”

“You have cats.” It wasn’t a question since she could see them both scurrying away. Cherise had thought she’d smelled a cat earlier but had assumed she was mistaken, that fatigue had affected her senses.

“They’re my pets, really, but they’ve taken to everyone. Just give them time to get used to you.” Anny carried a bowl over to the table and put it in front of Cherise. “Turkey soup.” She made another trip to the counter and brought back a sandwich and eating utensils. “Turkey with tomato, lettuce and mayo. Eat up.”

Cherise ate slowly at first, nervous having the two near strangers watching her. But they talked about inconsequential things while she ate. She knew it was a ploy to help her relax, and darned if it wasn’t working. She almost smiled when they got into a slight disagreement over, of all things, curtains.

“But yours are ugly,” Anny pointed out. “I’ve lived with them for almost six months, and I still don’t like them. I want some color in the bedroom. I know I can’t change much out here because the place belongs to Gator and Cole too.”

“Not change much. Anny, we have throw pillows and plants and candles all over the place. What’s that if not changing things?”

“Adding character?” Anny batted her eyelashes at her mate and Cherise couldn’t help but laugh. Armand shot her a dirty look, but there was no real heat behind it.

“Fine. Order the damn curtains for the bedroom.” Armand sounded so put upon that Cherise almost laughed again, but she refrained. He probably wouldn’t appreciate it.

Anny smiled sweetly. “I already did. They should be here in the next few days.”

Armand growled, made a grab for his mate and pulled her onto his lap. Anny squealed and Cherise jumped to her feet, ready to defend the other woman, but there was no need. Armand was busy nuzzling his mate’s neck and she was laughing.

Cherise slumped back down onto her chair. The males here really didn’t act like many she’d seen before. Sure, her daddy had been good to her mama, but she’d never seen him act this playful with her, especially not in front of a stranger.

And it was no act. It was too natural to be anything but authentic.

The male kissed his mate and she returned his caress for a moment before pushing him away. Anny was red-faced when she glanced over at Cherise and gave her an apologetic shrug.

Cherise went back to her meal, fascinated by the other couple. Anny returned to her seat and tugged her blouse back into place. “So, Cherise, what do you do for a living?”

It was an innocuous question, the kind everyone asked a person they just met, but it hurt nonetheless. She’d never had a chance to go to school, to pursue any dreams she might have had.

“I was a waitress.” Her voice was flat, without emotion. “It’s one of the few jobs you can get that pays under the table.” Both she and her mama had worked long, hard hours just to keep a roof over their heads. Often they’d been forced to work for tips alone. Those had been particularly hard times.

Anny chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m so sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

Cherise sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. She pushed away the remains of her meal, surprised she’d eaten all the soup and half the sandwich. As hungry as she was, her stomach was still in knots, which made eating difficult. “No, it’s fine.”

What else could she say? These people would be curious about her. After all, she’d brought havoc to their doorstep, and they’d not only protected her, but fed her and offered her temporary shelter as well.

But the time had come for her to leave.

She wasn’t being cowardly to want to get out of here before Cole came back. That was simply better for everyone. She ignored the pang of disappointment that tightened her chest. It really was better if she never set eyes on the big wolf again.

She pushed back from the table and stood. “Thank you for everything. I appreciate the meal.”

Cherise picked up her knapsack and slung it over her shoulder. She had some clothes drying over Cole’s bathroom rod. As much as she didn’t want to pass through his room again and be surrounded by his potent male scent, she couldn’t afford to buy new things.

“You can’t go.” Armand seemed genuinely shocked. “You’ll be all alone out there.”

“I’m used to being alone.” A male like him, a member of a pack, wouldn’t understand what that was like. Cherise wasn’t sure she even knew how to get along in a pack any more. It had been so long, and the memories hadn’t always been good ones so she’d let many of them go over the years.

“Please thank Cole and your alpha for me.” She hurried into Cole’s room, grabbed her damp clothes off the bathroom rod and stuffed them into her knapsack. When she was done, she left the room behind and didn’t look back. She headed through the living area toward the front door. With each step she took, she expected Armand to stop her.

“Please stay.” Anny hurried over to her. “At least for the rest of today and tonight. Start fresh in the morning.”

As much as she’d love to lay her head on a clean pillowcase and not have to keep one eye open while she tried to rest, Cherise knew she’d already stayed too long. It would be easy to start depending on this pack, these people, taking their offered kindness. And where would she be when she was finally asked to leave?

No, it would hurt less for her to go before she became even more attached to them than she already was. In the few hours she’d been here, they’d shown her more kindness than she’d known in years. They honestly seemed to want nothing in return for all they’d done for her. But as much as she wished she could trust them, old habits die hard, and a part of her couldn’t quite believe they were as altruistic as they seemed.

“I have to go.” She kept her voice gentle with the other woman. In another time and place, she and Anny might have been friends.

“I could make you some sandwiches to go if you’d wait,” Anny offered.

Cherise knew the offer was genuine, but it was also designed to keep her here longer. She knew if she saw Cole it would be that much harder for her to leave. For some reason, he’d gotten under her skin. Maybe it was the way he’d protected her, saved her life.

He’d risked everything for her.

No one other than her parents had ever done anything like that for her, ever put her first.

“I’m sorry, Anny, but I really have to go.” Cherise opened the front door and stepped outside. She bounced off an immovable object and caught herself before she stumbled.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn’t be that unlucky, could she?

“Going somewhere?” Cole’s deep voice vibrated in her very cells, and it took everything she had not to throw herself into his arms.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up. The green of his eyes was darker now and his lips were drawn into a straight line. Cole wasn’t very happy with her.

She clutched the strap of her knapsack until her knuckles were white. She nodded decisively. “Yes, I am. I’m leaving.”

Chapter Five

The only thing keeping Cole from grabbing Cherise by the shoulders and shaking her was the raw emotion darkening her stormy-gray eyes. There was a combination of fear and longing there that cut him to his core. If he hadn’t gotten back when he had, Cherise would have been gone.

He stared over her head at Armand who shook his head. Cole relaxed slightly. No, of course Armand wouldn’t have let her go off by herself. He would have kept her here.

Straight on the heels of relief came anger. “You were just going to leave? Without waiting for me to come back?” It seemed a betrayal after everything that had happened.

She straightened her shoulders and shot him a belligerent glare. “I’m grateful for all you’ve done, but I don’t owe you anything.”

“And that’s our cue to go.” Armand grabbed Anny’s hand. “Come on,
ma petite
. We should head over to the main cabin.”

Cherise swallowed hard as the couple slipped out the back door, leaving her and Cole alone. He stepped forward, forcing her to take a step back into the living room. Then he kicked the door shut. Cherise stood her ground and faced him.

“You can’t keep me here.” She had to get out of here. The walls were starting to close in around her.

“Yes. I. Can.” Each word was carefully spaced for emphasis. Cole was like a mountain, blocking the exit.

It was all too much for Cherise after everything she’d been through. She slowly lowered her knapsack to the ground as white-hot fury ignited deep in her soul and spread outward like a wildfire out of control. “No, you can’t,” she yelled and attacked.

She couldn’t shift, but she could fight. She struck out with her right hand but met nothing but air. Cole might be large, but he was quick on his feet. Frustration mounted with each heartbeat. She kicked out at him, aiming straight for his most vulnerable spot. Maybe it was a low blow, but she didn’t care.

Again, he jerked out of her way just in the nick of time.

“Cherise.” His voice was low and level. How could he be calm when everything inside her was like molten lava?

Her breath was coming fast and hard. The muscles in her arms ached she was clenching her fists so tightly. She threw back her head and howled before she attacked. She would gouge his eyes out, crush his balls, rip out his heart. He couldn’t keep her here.

She charged, intent on doing as much damage as she could.

He banded strong arms around her, imprisoning her. She flailed and kicked but was obviously outclassed and overmatched. Cole was almost a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier.

Even as she fought, Cherise knew she was out of control. Her mind fractured slightly, allowing her to almost step outside herself and watch as she raged against Cole. All the pent-up fury, frustration and hurt poured out of her.

“Shh,
chère
. Everything will be all right.” Cole’s smooth voice slid beneath her anger, soothing her even when she didn’t want to be soothed. “I’ve got you. Nothing will hurt you,” he promised.

If only she could believe such a thing. The adrenaline that had fueled her anger began to burn out, leaving exhaustion in its wake. She began to shake and, to her horror, tears began to trickle down her cheeks.

“It’s okay,
ma belle
. I’ve got you,” he crooned.

Beautiful. No one besides her mama had ever called her beautiful. All the fight went out of her as fast as it had struck. Horror hit her as she realized what she’d done. “I’m sorry.” It was difficult to choke out the words past the lump in her throat, but it had to be done. He’d been nothing but kind to her. He’d saved her life, and how had she repaid him? She’d attacked him.

“Nothing to forgive.” Cole bent slightly, slipped one arm beneath her legs and lifted her into his arms. He carried her down the hallway to his room. “You’re tired and hurt and you lashed out.”

He laid her on his bed and she sank into the soft comforter covering his mattress. Tears continued to leak nonstop from her eyes. “I don’t understand.” And she didn’t. Her emotions were all over the place.

Cole swiped his thumb over her wet cheek, his gaze filled with concern. “You haven’t had time to grieve for your mama.” His matter-of-fact words struck her like a fist to the gut. Her mama. Her beautiful, gentle mama was dead. And she was responsible. It was all her fault.

“They killed her,” she wailed. Like a wounded animal, she’d struck out. Now all she wanted to do was curl up somewhere safe and lick her wounds in private. But there was nowhere safe.

Cole kicked off his shoes, stretched out next to her and pulled her against his broad chest. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t resist burrowing against him. The faint scent of the wolves he’d had to dispose of lingered on his shirt, but even that wasn’t enough to deter her. Something inside her longed to get closer to him. He brushed her hair with one hand and her lower back with the other.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” The sheer sincerity in his words set her off.

Cherise cried like she hadn’t since she was a child. She cried for her lost childhood, for her daddy long gone, for her mama’s senseless murder and for herself. Cherise was a wolf alone in the world. The thought of facing the world by herself almost crippled her.

She cried until her eyes were swollen, her nose was runny and her throat was sore. Through it all, Cole held her. He didn’t try to make her stop. He simply let her cry it all out.

When there were no more tears left, she felt incredibly empty. Moving was beyond her so she simply stayed where she was. The warmth from Cole’s big body seeped into her, driving back the cold that threatened to entomb her.

She sniffed and wiped her eyes, too exhausted to do more than that.

“Tell me about your mama?” Cole’s question was simple, but it reached inside her and began to heal the gaping wound inside her.

“She was so beautiful. I’ll show you a picture sometime. I have some in my knapsack.” Her voice was hoarse and she cleared her throat. “Her name was Julia, and she was always smiling and humming a song. She never complained about anything, never blamed me for the death of my daddy and the life of exile she was forced to live.” Cherise thought she’d had no more tears left to shed, but her eyes welled up again.

When she’d broken down, she’d lost all her defenses, all her walls had crumbled, leaving her completely defenseless against Cole’s kindness. “It was all my fault.” She laid her biggest sin, her largest fear before Cole and waited for him to condemn her. She condemned herself so why wouldn’t he? And it was no more than the truth.

“No,
ma belle
.” Cole cupped her jaw with his massive palm and used his thumb to tip her head back until she was looking up at him. “None of it was your fault.”

She started to disagree with him, but he shook his head. “She obviously loved you very much. Both your parents did. They did what any good parent would do. They protected their child.”

“But they both died.” The wail that broke from her chest was long and mournful.

Cole wrapped both arms around her and rocked her like one would a child. She didn’t deserve his understanding or comfort. Not after all the trouble she’d brought to his door. “Because of me, you were forced to kill three men.”

Cole sighed and rolled with her in his arms, stopping when she was flat on her back with him looming large over her. He supported the bulk of his weight on his forearms so he wasn’t crushing her. His gaze was fierce, yet she wasn’t afraid of him, instinctively knowing he’d never hurt her.

“You didn’t force me to do anything. Those wolves killed themselves by being young and stupid. They could have walked away. I gave them the chance.” Cole leaned so close she could feel his breath on her face. “Do you understand me?”

She shook her head. How could she understand? None of this made sense.

“Why don’t you just let me go?” Cherise asked.

Cole shook his head. “Because I can’t.”

Then he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers.

Cherise was breaking his heart. Her tears had burned like acid when they’d touched his skin, and her cries had almost ripped out his soul. Never had he felt such depth of grief, such unending pain. She’d lost her home and both parents. Men she’d thought of as childhood friends had hunted her down to kill her.

How did someone get over something like that?

Yet he knew she would. Cherise was incredibly strong and resilient. He knew her breakdown was a momentary thing. She’d been stripped bare by her anger and grief, unable to keep it penned up any longer.

It hadn’t surprised him when she’d lashed out. She was angry and he was handy. But the depth of her fury combined with her sorrow had left him raw.

He knew she’d start rebuilding her emotional walls come tomorrow morning, determined to keep him and the others out. And she’d start planning to make her break.

He couldn’t bear the idea of Cherise leaving him, being out on her own in the world. Alone.

Maybe a better man wouldn’t take advantage of her grief and pain. Maybe a better man would climb off the bed, cover her in a blanket and let her sleep.

But he’d never claimed to be a good man, and he was desperate. Instinct told him now was the time to make an emotional and physical connection to Cherise. Her guard was down and she was as open as she was ever likely to be. She might try to reestablish distance between them later, but if he made this connection now, it would be harder for her to shut him out. Harder for her to contemplate leaving him.

He could offer her everything she was missing—a pack, a family, but most of all he could offer himself.

Did he love her? Cole wasn’t sure he even knew what love really was. He knew his parents cared deeply for one another. But was it love when his mama had to be less than what she was in order to live in their pack? Why hadn’t his daddy taken her away from the pack years ago and started over somewhere new?

Because there was no way Cole would allow anyone to mistreat Cherise. She was too special.

He skimmed his lips over hers, taking advantage when she gasped to slip his tongue into her mouth. He groaned with pleasure when she tentatively touched her tongue to his.

His cock sprang to attention, making his jeans uncomfortably tight. But it was worth it to have Cherise in his arms, kissing him back.

It wasn’t easy, but he kept the kiss light and undemanding, wanting only what she would give him. His hands itched to touch her, to strip her out of her clothing so he could see every inch of her naked body. His wolf paced inside him, eager for her even though he couldn’t quite sense her wolf in her.

It made him sad to realize Cherise couldn’t embrace her wolf, would never know the joys of shifting and racing through the woods with him.

But it didn’t matter. The only thing Cole cared about was that she was in his arms and kissing him back. That was everything.

He eased back slightly and nipped at her lower lip before soothing it with his tongue. Cherise sucked in a breath and stared at him. She brought her fingertips to her mouth and lightly touched her lips.

Cole growled low in his throat and nipped at her fingers before drawing the index one into his mouth and sucking. Cherise gasped and then moaned. The pleasurable sound made his balls clench. They were both wearing way too much clothes, but he feared doing anything to break the sensual spell surrounding them.

He breathed deep and almost lost it when he caught the lightest whiff of her arousal. It lingered in his nostrils like the most expensive of perfumes, only better. Spicy and sweet with a hint of musk.

His wolf was affected as much as he was. The beast rolled onto his back as though trying to coat himself in her scent. They both wanted to belong to her, wanted her to belong to them.

Cole caught the pad of her finger between his teeth and lightly bit. When Cherise moaned, he took her lips once again. This time the kiss was different. This time he demanded her response. He plunged his tongue deep and explored every inch of her mouth, learning what made her catch her breath, what brought her pleasure.

Cherise sucked on his tongue, and Cole thought he might come in his jeans. He wanted her mouth wrapped around his cock with her clever tongue teasing him. That was a fantasy he wanted the opportunity to explore. But if that ever stood a chance of happening, he first needed to get her to trust him with her body.

He cupped her face and held her immobile while he plundered her mouth until they were both breathless. He released her and sucked air into his starving lungs. Her lips were swollen and damp from his kiss. Her gray eyes were luminous and slightly red from her tears. She looked so good he had to kiss her again. And again.

She gripped his shoulders, and he felt the bite of her nails through the fabric of his shirt. He wanted her hands on his bare flesh. He reared back long enough to rip the T-shirt over his head and toss it aside.

Cherise went still beneath him, like a small animal who felt threatened by a much larger predator. Cole cursed himself for going too fast, for expecting too much from her.

Then she placed her hands on his chest, and Cole held himself immobile as she explored. She traced her fingers along the line of his pectoral muscles and then inward to his nipples. He groaned when she lightly flicked them. Then she sifted her fingers through the light covering of chest hair.

He groaned and his entire body tensed. If her hands felt this good on his chest, what would they feel like wrapped around his dick? It was a question he prayed to have answered. And soon.

“I want you, Cherise.” Maybe he would be better off simply overwhelming her senses and making love to her. It would certainly be more beneficial for him to establish a physical bond while her defenses were weakened than to try to do so once she had a chance to reestablish them. But he realized he didn’t want her to have any regrets, to feel as though he’d coerced or taken advantage of her. Cole didn’t want anything to taint this special moment.

She swallowed hard, her slender throat rippling. Her nostrils flared and the pupils of her eyes expanded. She was aroused. Of that there was no doubt. Her sweet perfume blended with the more powerful musk pouring off his body, creating a unique scent that was driving him mad with need.