Stefan's Salvation(5)

woods. Both men raised their rifles.

The shot ripped the ground in front of them, kicking up dirt and rocks and making

them jerk backward. Laurel Rose cocked her rifle again. "That was the only warning

you get. Now get off my land."

Both men glanced from her to the woods where the low growling continued.

Obviously deciding that it was better to retreat and regroup, they started to back away,

heading cautiously but quickly toward the dirt road that led to her property.

"Like I said, a woman alone could get hurt. All kinds of animals up here." With that

parting shot, both men disappeared into the night.

A few minutes later, she heard the distant noise of a truck rumbling to life. Still, she

didn't move from her position until the sound of the vehicle faded off into the distance.

"Oh, God." Now that the danger had passed, she could feel her hands shaking.

Slowly, she lowered the rifle and tried to move. Her legs could no longer support her

and she slid down the wall until she was sitting on the porch. Laying the gun next to

her, she used both hands to straighten her right leg out in front of her. The muscles

beneath her skin rippled as they knotted. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she began a

slow, steady massage. It was the only thing that helped when she'd stressed it this

much.

She was so intent on her leg that she didn't hear him until it was too late. The click

of toenails against wood was the only warning she got as he sauntered across the porch.

A second later, the wolf was standing right in front of her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him. He was so big and muscular,

with an innate animal grace that was beautiful to watch. She was afraid to move.

Instead, she opened her mind and reached out to him, trying to reassure him that she

was no threat.

At first she sensed nothing at all. That confused her. She usually had no trouble

connecting with animals. It was people that were difficult to read.

His eyes seemed to bore into her, searching her face. She concentrated harder, all

her focus on the wolf. The strain was beginning to give her a headache, but still she

persevered. There was no way she could move from her position if he didn't leave on

his own. Doubling her efforts, she tried to reassure him, tried to read him.

Then, gradually, she sensed him. The large animal radiated calm. He meant her no

harm and certainly did not see her as a threat. The relief she felt almost overwhelmed

her.

Chalking her slight difficulty in reading him up to the pain in her leg and the stress

of the ordeal she'd just been through, she finally began to relax. The two men who'd

just left were more of a threat to her than this wolf. Tipping her head back against the

wall, she closed her eyes and concentrated on taking one slow breath after another.



Chapter Four



Stefan fought his animal instincts. Part of him wanted to chase down the two men

from the bar and rip their throats out for daring to threaten Laurel Rose. The human

part of him couldn't bear to leave her side.

In his own vehicle, he'd followed Aaron's truck from the bar parking lot as it

wound around a long, twisting road that gradually snaked higher into the hills.

Keeping his distance, he'd tracked them easily through the dark. His perfect night

vision had enabled him to drive with the truck lights off, so they'd had no idea he was

following them.

When they'd turned off the main road and up a dirt one, he'd followed until he

found a good place to pull his truck off the road and into the woods. Satisfied that the

black pickup was well-hidden and couldn't be seen from the road, he'd gotten out and

stripped off his clothes, tossing them on the front seat.

Taking a deep breath, he'd inhaled the fragrant mountain air, embraced the night

and allowed the change to come. Immediately his body began to alter. Bone and muscle

rippled and reformed as his hands and feet changed into paws. Falling to all fours, he

waited as thick hair sprouted on his body. His face transformed itself and within

seconds the man was gone. In his place was a huge silvery-gray wolf.

Moving quickly, he'd sped through the forest. Keeping his nose in the air, he easily

scented the exhaust fumes from the truck and followed it further up the hillside. At any

other time, he would have enjoyed the beauty of the forest around him, but not tonight.

Tonight, he was focused on his prey. They would lead him to her.

Laurel Rose.

He'd rolled her name over and over in his mind, not quite able to form a picture of

her yet. But he would. And soon.

Tracking them was easy. Stopping at the edge of the woods, he'd watched and

waited as the two men crept closer to the house in the clearing. It wasn't a large place,

but it looked well-tended.

He'd smelled her first, an illusive scent on the wind. A hint of lavender coupled

with the tang of fear. Keeping track of the two men, he'd waited for her to appear. He

knew she was outside on the porch. He'd heard her almost soundless movements as she

crept along.

When she'd turned the corner of the house and crouched behind the old iron tub,

he'd almost lost it. The animal in him wanted to tilt its head back and howl at the moon,

announcing to all within hearing distance that this was his mate. His heart pounded

and all his senses went on alert. Every male instinct within him was demanding that he

go to her and claim her.

She was the one.

For hundreds of years he had searched for her. For the last century, he'd all but

given up hope. This was the one woman, the perfect woman for him. The only woman

who could complete him. The only woman he would ever love.

Dalakis men loved only once in their existence. It was their gift and their curse.

Some of his ancestors had given up their search in despair and had faced the killing sun

rather than live any longer without finding their true love. Others had done the same

after being rejected by their mate. Some had joined their one true love in a human

lifetime, following them in death when the time came.

Only the strongest of the women had agreed to attempt the transformation. It was

dangerous and sometimes they died. But if they survived, they were reborn as

vampires, mated to a Dalakis male for eternity.

Fighting for control, he'd watched the scene unfold in front of him. Pride filled him

at the way she handled herself. She showed no fear even though he could sense it

within her. Standing there with a rifle trained on the two men, he thought she was the

most magnificent creature he had ever seen.

He'd been so entranced and overwhelmed by everything--her looks, her scent, the

sound of her voice--that he'd ignored the threat to her for almost too long. When Aaron

had stepped closer to her, Stefan had caught the surge of her fear and reacted

immediately, stepping out from the woods to confront the men.

Now they were gone and she was here alone with him. More than anything, he

wanted to change back into a man, take her into his arms and mate with her,

dominating and claiming her for eternity. But his mind told him that would be a

mistake. He didn't know anything about her, but he sensed her ease with his wolf form.

She was accepting of the animal where she would fear the man.

When she slumped onto the porch, he'd bounded up the steps. Had she been hurt?

He came to a halt in front of her, watching her intently as she rubbed her leg. It seemed

to be an old injury, not a new one.

The probe at his mind shocked him. He immediately threw up a barrier, stopping it.

Carefully, he probed back. It was coming from Laurel Rose. This was interesting. Not

many humans had the ability to read another's mind or sense their emotions. Catching

a hint of her unease, he sent calming thoughts to her, taking care to keep them as basic

as an animal's.

As simple as that, she accepted him. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the

wall and relaxed.

Tipping back his head, Stefan howled. Long and low, he sent his call into the night

and across the mountains, warning all within hearing distance. This was his woman

and he would protect her at all costs.

His call startled her and she sat up straight again, scooting slowly to the side. Stefan

heaved a sigh and sidled closer to her. Lying down next to her, he put one paw on her

leg and lowered his head to her lap.



Laurel Rose wasn't quite sure what to do when the wolf gave a deep sigh, lay down

beside her and stuck its head onto her lap. Ever-so slowly, she raised her right hand and

laid it on his side. She'd never seen anything quite like him before. Some parts of the

state were trying to reintroduce the red wolf back into the woods, but they were all on

reserves. And this animal certainly wasn't anything like that. He looked more like a

timber wolf, but that was impossible. Most likely, he was a half-breed, a cross between

wolf and dog.

Whatever he was, he was absolutely stunning. And he'd helped drive off Aaron

and Clem. "Thanks for your help." She kept her voice low and calm as she tentatively

moved her hand along his side. The thick fur coat was soft and warm under her fingers

and as she stroked him, she could feel the muscles rippling beneath his skin.

He heaved a sigh, as if reluctant, before slowly raising himself back into a seated

position. His large body crowded next to hers. Turning his massive head, he stared

straight into her eyes before inclining his head slightly as if in acknowledgement. But

that was impossible. Now she was just being fanciful.

She could sense his concern for her, and for some unknown reason, she found

herself talking to the large creature. "I just don't know what to do." Unconsciously, she