Dammit. Wolf realized he’d shifted, as he ran his tongue over his elongated canines.
“You’re one of them,” Ella whispered.
Her power no longer held him back, so Wolf pressed forward. But he had to approach her slowly. Ella was wary. Wolf couldn’t blame her. Ella had been blissfully ignorant of Shifters, until the worst of their kind revealed himself, and plunged her into absolute terror.
“Not exactly, Beautiful. Remember I told you we’re all weird. I wanted to tell you about it, but I had to go rescue that little boy.”
“You found the boy?”
The caring side of Ella shone through, even in her confused state. Wolf moved closer, forcing his beast to recede as he did.
“He’s just fine,” Wolf replied as he stood at Ella’s feet. “Please come down here, so I can hold you. I’ve been out of my mind,” he entreated as he reached out for her.
Ella dropped into his outstretched arms with a heart rending sob. Wolf squeezed her tight as she trembled uncontrollably.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” she heaved as she pressed her face into his neck.
“We’re going home, Princess,” Wolf husked, relief nearly overwhelming him.
He cradled Ella in his arms, ignoring the pain in his chest, and headed for the emergency exit. The others eagerly followed. Once outside, amidst the mass of people and fire engines, the group quickly moved toward the road.
“Trip and the other ladies are waiting across the street with some of my men,” Bastian stated.
Suddenly six jackals, dressed in plain clothes, barred their path.
“Neck tattoo,” Ella whispered as her power spiked.
Wolf zeroed in on the jackal with the neck tattoo. He may not have been the one to pull the trigger, but he’d been there that night in the desert. And the man was just as responsible for Ella’s torment. Wolf took a step forward then stopped. He didn’t want to release Ella, but he couldn’t help the others fend off the bastards while still holding her.
Coso and Bastian’s men melted out of the crowd, surrounding the jackals.
“Think very carefully about your next move, Chase. Drake is gone.” Coso informed the jackal with the neck tattoos.
Chase shrewdly considered Ella, then all the other Shifters. Wolf could see the man playing out what would happen if he chose to follow in Drake’s footsteps. The jackal could call in back-up, but would they arrive in time? Chase had already witnessed what Wolf and his friends were capable of. The jackals might outnumber the desert wolf and feline tribes, but the gifted women tipped that scale.
“Perhaps it was time,” Chase replied.
“Indeed.” Coso nodded in agreement. “His head got a little too big.”
“I don’t have that problem. And I know when to leave well enough alone,” the jackal wisely replied.
Apparently, Chase wasn’t the idiot his alpha had been. Wolf wasn’t sure if he could forgive the bastard as easily as Coso seemed to, but now was not the time or the place.
The jackals dispersed into the crowd, and Wolf’s group headed for the vans, before anyone else thought to detain them. Wolf gripped Ella tight against his chest. She was stunned and disoriented, but she was whole.
“I have you,” he whispered as he nuzzled her hair. “I’m not letting you go.”
12 Beauty’s Beast
Ella
Ella stared at Wolf in a daze, as the van bumped over the road.
He’s here. How is that possible? She’d watched as Wolf was repeatedly shot in the desert. She’d seen him die.
He’s one of those beasts. That’s how he survived. Ella recalled the image of the creature ghosting over Wolf’s face, the long fangs, and clawed fingers.
Ella was so confused. She closed her eyes and attempted to gather her scattered thoughts. She couldn’t concentrate on the words Wolf whispered into her hair, as he held her tight. But his deep voice, filled with reverence, worked its way into her, smoothing over her ragged edges. His scent, and comforting touch soothed her fears.
He came for you. He’s alive. Nothing else matters.
“Wolf, you’re bleeding again,” Char said in dismay.
Ella snapped out of her haze and looked at Wolf. She’d been obliviously smearing his blood as she stroked his chest. Wolf’s beastly nature might have kept him from instantly dying, but it hadn’t prevented the horrific injuries she witnessed. He wasn’t miraculously okay.
“You should be in a hospital,” Ella cried.
She scrambled off Wolf’s lap. He was incredibly pale. He grunted with a smirk, but continued to stare at her with glossy adoration.
“Hurry, get to Coso’s,” Char yelled to the driver.