The closets were all overstuffed, and the attic floor needed to be replaced in several spots, which made it dangerous under the best circumstances. The cellar was out since the only access was outside, not to mention she wasn’t sure how she’d fair cramped in the dank, dark space with all the creepy crawlies that normally resided there. At least the bathroom had a window, which served as a possible escape route. She cautiously peered outside toward the pasture.
Her breath immediately lodged in her throat, where it felt as if it would be stuck forever. Even though it was dark out, the sky was clear, and the moon and stars lit up the night with a soft glow. Running out of the tree line, across the pasture, toward Galen were three of the biggest wolves she’d ever laid eyes upon. Before she had time to process what she was seeing, she focused on Galen. When he glanced toward the house, she had to stifle a scream as his fingers contorted into claws He raised his head, and the pointy teeth she’d glimpsed peeking from under his top lip became long, thick canines.
Lycan? As in werewolves? Oh my God. I’m going to die here tonight. When Galen, or whatever the hell he was, ran into the barn, she slid down into the tub, clutching the iron poker to her chest. She began hyperventilating and fought back the need to heave. At least Patrick wasn’t here. But her heart dropped when she thought of the little boy having to cope with yet another loss.
Anger clawed at Galen’s insides. They’d found him, and now his selfishness had put his mate in danger. He’d led them right to Myka. Now there was no choice left. He’d have to kill his own kind to keep the woman he loved safe. A new wave of anger ripped through him with a shuddering force. He hadn’t had time to ease Myka into the idea of what he was. He hadn’t had the chance to comfort her, to prove to her that he wasn’t a monster. Now she was alone and probably scared out of her mind. She’d never forgive him, and he couldn’t really blame her.
He unlatched the locks on the horses’ stalls and let them out. The strong smell of the wolves, and upcoming fight, would frighten them. He didn’t want to take a chance of them injuring themselves in a confined place. After they all ran from the barn, he walked back to the yard, where the wind picked up as if anxious to participate in the impending battle.
The long claws that had sprung from his fingertips itched, along with the four-inch fangs protruding from his mouth. Only ancients could partially change, and he preferred to fight this way. He’d counted four wolves running from the tree line before he’d entered the barn, but now only three surrounded him. He’d have to watch his back for the ambush that was sure to follow.
“I didn’t want it to come to this, boys. You should have left me alone. I didn’t do anything to any of you,” Galen said calmly, hoping to finally talk some sense into the relentless fuckers.
Suddenly the brown wolf in the middle shifted to human form. The muscled, dark-haired man stood several feet away with his glowing eyes trained on Galen, as if waiting for him to make any threatening move.
“Raping and torturing potential mates is definitely doing something to us. It is unacceptable,” he said with a low voice.
“I agree.” Galen glanced over his shoulder, still waiting for the missing wolf to attack. “What does that have to do with me?”
“We have reason to believe that you’ve committed these acts. Since you are an ancient, you are aware that that crime is punishable by death.” Claws shot from the fingertips of the man’s hands.
“Since you are an ancient,” Galen growled, “you are aware that it is highly unusual for one to commit such heinous acts on potential mates, or any human for that matter. You have the wrong man.”
“Why did you run then?”
“Because I don’t answer to anyone. Especially for things I did not do. Last I checked, we didn’t have a ruler. I’m not under anyone’s command. Therefore, you have no right to hunt me.”
“We have the right to hunt anyone who we believe harms potential mates.”
“As I’ve said, you’re barking up the wrong tree here. Leave, and we’ll call this a misunderstanding. A six-month-long pain-in-the-ass misunderstanding.”
The man shook his head.
Galen didn’t figure it would be as easy as that. “I’m at a disadvantage. Seems you know a lot about me, yet I know nothing about you.”
“My name is Brent Falls. I run Sanctuary along with several others in Michigan.”
“I’ve heard of Sanctuary.” That solidified any doubt he may have had about who was responsible for this mess. Terrance was going to die when he got a hold of him. “Well, Brent, as I’ve said, you have wasted a lot of time and manpower chasing after something that isn’t there. I would appreciate it if you would leave me and cease your chase now.”
“Can’t do that.” Brent sniffed the air.
Galen’s blood ran cold.
“You keeping her hostage?” Brent snarled.
Galen growled low in warning. “Do not think to touch her. If you do, I promise I will do my best to kill you all.”
“Bring her out so we can see that she is unharmed,” Brent said.
“No offense, but I don’t know you or any of your little buddies. I’m not risking her.”
“We aren’t leaving until this is settled.”
“Then I guess it’s going to get bloody, because as far as I’m concerned, it’s settled now,” Galen answered.
Suddenly, the attack came from behind as he’d expected. He twisted, but was a millisecond too slow, and the big wolf knocked him to the ground. He leapt up into a crouch and knocked the wolf sideways when it made another go at him. That’s when things got real nasty.
Brent partially shifted and rushed him with the other two wolves hot on his heels. Galen twisted from his grasp, but was unable to fully recover before one of the other wolves slammed into him from the side. Galen went down hard on his hands and knees, and before he could recover, he was jumped from every direction.
Galen punched, tore, and bit at his attackers. Fur flew, blood spattered, and grunts—a lot of his own—rent the calm night for what seemed like hours. Although, in reality, it had been only a few minutes since the fight ensued, Galen’s body began to tire. He was holding his own, but he was heavily outnumbered. If there had been even one fewer of them, he’d have a shot, but he was determined to give them as good as he got. He wouldn’t go down without ripping a few chunks of ass to take as a souvenir.
Galen’s ribs were battered until he thought every last one had to be cracked, and it was getting hard for him to breathe. Finally, he was thrown to the ground facedown. A knee was planted firmly in the middle of his back, and his arms were wrenched behind him. Fury beat at him, and he waited for the last bit of adrenaline he had left to rush him.
“I didn’t want it to go down this way. You are an asset to our species, Galen. Can’t you see that we need to confirm that she is okay and ask you some questions to clear this up?”
Galen hoped Brent’s ragged breaths meant that he was in as much pain as he was. “The only thing I can see is that you’ve been chasing me for some fucked-up bullshit lies that I’m assuming some little asshole named Terrance told you to get back at me. I don’t know any of you. She’s my mate. I’m not exposing her to the people who have been chasing me for no reason for six months. If you’ll go to those lengths over something some idiot rogue pup told you—one I sent to you, no less—what else might you do?” He spat the last words out with as much venom as he could muster without wasting the building adrenaline.