Changed: 2 (Wolf's Den) (4 page)

Oh no. Please. No.

She was on her side, her eyes closed. Her bloodstained hand
rested on the ground palm up. Blood seeped from her shoulder, her shirt
destroyed and barely covering her chest. The injuries she’d suffered were
severe, deep lacerations that delved to her collarbone. His heart sank, the
wolf snarling in contempt. This was what he was supposed to do. His wolf was
outraged at the loss. This should have been done by him, not someone else. An
event this important should have bound him and Rachel together for eternity.

She’d been bitten.

Forcing the wolf aside, he bowed his head and started to
shift. The animal fought, wanting to stay in control. He didn’t allow it, using
all his will. The beast reluctantly receded, thrust back into its cage. It took
several painful seconds as he struggled to return to his skin. Fighting for
breath, he reached for her. She didn’t stir, quiet and unmoving. He pulled the
remains of her shirt back, studying her wounds. Blood no longer poured from the
ragged holes in her shoulder, slowing to a trickle.

Son of a bitch.

Inhaling deeply, he took in Rachel’s scent. Instantly he
found what he was looking for. Fury swept through him, a rage so consuming he
had to ball his hands into fists to keep from hitting something. Saliva from
the wolf that had bitten her had already gotten into her system. It wouldn’t be
long before she started to heal.

Rachel wasn’t human—not anymore.

In order for a werewolf to kill a person they’d infected
they had to kill their prey by breaking their neck or removing their head from
their body. If the bastard that had attacked Rachel had gone for her throat,
she would have died. Thinking of such a thing made his chest tighten, his heart
skipping a beat in fear. The wolf howled for vengeance, determined to destroy
the person responsible. But there was no one to kill—Chloe had seen to that.

“How is she?” Chloe knelt beside him, a plush throw wrapped
around her torso. Her voice shook, her hands trembling as she placed one on
Rachel’s head. “Is she going to die? Will this kill her?”

“No, it won’t kill her.” He tried to remain calm,
contemplating the various things he should say. “The bite took hold. The saliva
is working its way through her system. She’s already changing.”

“Changing?” Chloe’s green eyes flared wide. “That can’t
happen. She’ll go crazy.”

“No she won’t.” He wanted to pacify the female but it wasn’t
easy when he felt equally off balance. “She’ll need some time but she’ll
adjust.”

“Adjust? Are you insane?” Chloe choked on a sob. “Call
Jackson,” she whispered hoarsely, her panic palpable. “I don’t know who
attacked us but we have to leave. Rachel needs to be somewhere safe. I’ll take
her home. I can look after her. She’ll recover if she’s with me. She’s going to
be so scared. I don’t know what she’ll do when she finds out what’s happened.
She’s so afraid of us. She hates what we are.”

“Listen to me closely,” he growled, looking at the
devastated female. It was time to be honest. Chloe deserved to hear it from
him. Not Jackson. “There’s something you need to know.” Taking a deep breath,
he told her the truth. “Rachel is my mate, Chloe. I’ve known it for weeks. I’ve
been trying to get to know her but she’s resisted me each time I’ve gotten
close. We’ve been dreamsharing for a long time. She doesn’t understand what’s
happening but that doesn’t matter. Not anymore. She’s changing and she’s going
to shift come the next full moon. I’m her mate. Do you understand? She’s going
to experience the same thing you did with Jackson.”

“What?” Chloe face paled, her lips parting and eyes growing
wide. “But…she’s…you don’t know how she is. She won’t let it happen.”

“Jackson didn’t know how you were in the beginning,” he kept
his words soft, his demeanor tender, “but it didn’t matter. It never does when
it comes to mating. Use your nose. Smell her, Chloe. The change has already
started.”

Listening to him, the female lowered her head and inhaled.
It only took a moment. He knew the moment she scented the change, saw the way
her shoulders tensed. She gazed at him, eyes brimming with tears.

“I smell it,” she confessed. “I’ve never smelled anything
like it.”

Understandable. Changing werewolves carried a different
scent. Rachel smelled human but beneath it there was a trace of something else.
Until she shifted for the first time it would be easy for anyone—shifter or
otherwise—to dismiss what was different about her if they didn’t pay close
attention to her scent. That didn’t mean the wolf wouldn’t take hold, however.
The nature of the beast would already start taking control, changing Rachel’s
body and senses.

“Call Jackson,” he ordered softly. “Be calm and don’t tell
him what’s happened. If you do he’ll blow through town and might end up causing
a scene. Just tell him he needs to get here as quickly as possible.”

“He’ll want to know what’s going on. He won’t—”

“Hang up on him.” It was a shitty thing to do but Jackson
would react instead of asking questions that would waste time. “Tell him he
needs to get here as soon as he can and end the call.”

“But…”

“No buts. Do it.”

Chloe rushed away and he pivoted his body, staring at the
wolf that had changed into a man. He didn’t recognize the werewolf, nor could
he identify him by scent. It had to be a rogue. A wolf from another pack
wouldn’t dare attack an Alpha’s mate. Ripping his focus from the male, he
studied Rachel. She’d finally started breathing easier. The jagged marks he
could see beneath her shirt had stopped bleeding.

He’d wanted to change her, but he’d never wanted it to
happen like this.

Most wolves with human mates bit carefully, giving their
other half enough saliva to force the change but causing as little pain as
possible. When Rachel opened her eyes she’d sense the differences. Her hearing
would improve and her vision would be stronger. With the full moon only days
away she’d also feel the compulsion of the mating heat. She’d be drawn to him
more than she’d ever been before. Even now his wolf sensed its mate’s beast and
tried to call to it.

Just Rachel was about to get a wake-up call.

Chloe returned, her expression grim. She looked at him, her
green eyes boring holes into his head. “Jackson’s on his way. I told him Rachel
had been hurt and to hurry. He’s going to kill me for hanging up on him.” She
hesitated and said, “She’s had a hard life. You have no idea what she’s been
through. She doesn’t trust people at all. This is going to be hell on her.”

“Then help me understand.” He caressed the back of his
female’s face with his knuckles. “Tell me what to do.”

The tears Chloe had held back finally fell, creating salty
trails of pain down her face. “You have to show her you care for her. Prove
that you mean everything you say. She had a horrible childhood. Her mother’s a
drunk who stopped caring after Rachel’s father died. She’s been raised not to
trust people but deep down she only wants to be loved.” With a sniff, she
continued, “She’s terrified of werewolves. She doesn’t like anything
supernatural. She scared to death of us. She’ll try to run when she finds out
what’s happened.”

“Could you run?” It was a cruel question but he had to make
a point. “After you met Jackson, were you able to leave his side? Did you even
want to?”

After a moment, she replied, “No.”

“You’re going to have to give us a bit of time to work
things out.”

He placed his arms under Rachel’s body and lifted her from the
ground. Once he had a good hold, he rose to his feet. “Come with me,” he
instructed and walked from the room. He needed to find a safe location to put
the females until Jackson arrived. The wolf that attacked might not have done
so alone.

He decided to use the bathroom. Once they were safely
inside, he motioned for Chloe to sit on the floor and handed Rachel over. He
detested the way it felt when his mate was out of his arms but her safety was
more important than his needs. As soon as he knew his mate and Lupa were
settled he took a defensive position between the women and the entrance to the
room. Crouching down, he watched the door. If anyone tried to get in they were
toast.

Jackson had better hurry the fuck up.

He could only keep a handle on his anger for so long.

Yellow eyes narrowed, enormous teeth coming right at her.
She tried to scream but made no sound. Her arms were too heavy to lift, her
feet stuck to the floor. Chloe stood behind the couch, her face changing into
an animal’s. She tore her gaze from her friend, attuned to the wolf that
snarled at her and bared its teeth. Her death was coming right at her and there
was nothing she could do. Terror set in, her heart pounding so hard her chest
ached with each throb. The enormous black beast charged. Its teeth were sharp
and long, its claws like talons.

“I warned you,” her mother taunted in her head, slurring
her words. “But you didn’t listen, did you? You never do. It’s going to eat you
alive, little girl. Then it’s going to gnaw on your bones.”

Closing her eyes and whimpering in fear, she prayed her
death would be quick. The beast reached her, throwing her to the floor. Her
back hit the ground and the animal struck, sinking its lethal fangs into her
skin. Fire radiated down her chest and shoulder. The pain was like nothing
she’d ever experienced. As the wolf shook its head, tearing her flesh apart,
she prayed. If she was going to go, she wanted a bit of mercy.

Please God, let it be fast. Don’t make me suffer.

“Shh, Rachel.” Chloe’s voice appeared, soothing her. “It’s
okay.”

The wolf vanished and the room she’d been standing in faded
away. Her eyes fluttered open, her vision kicking into gear. How strange. There
wasn’t a hint of blurriness, everything was vivid and bright. Chloe’s face
hovered over hers, her green eyes seeming more vibrant, like perfectly cut
emeralds. The golden curls around her face seemed different, containing a few
strands of what appeared to be strawberry blonde.

Rachel’s eyes burned, relief flowing through her.

It had been a dream.
It wasn’t real.

She must have had too much vodka while she watched the movie
and passed out. No wonder she’d had such a vivid nightmare. Sometimes after she
and Chloe had partied a little too hard she had bad dreams. She figured it was
her mind’s way of dealing with the obstacles in her life. Granted they hadn’t
been as bad as the one she’d just experienced, but they always left an
impression.

I’m never touching alcohol again.

“How do you feel?” Chloe brushed a strand of hair from Rachel’s
temple.

The first thing that came to mind was hungover but she
realized she didn’t feel bad. In fact she felt pretty damn good. Her head
didn’t hurt and her mouth wasn’t dry. She sat up and Chloe moved back. The
mattress was softer than normal, the comforter thick and plush. Peering around,
she gawked at her surroundings. The walls were pristine, not a single crack in
the foundation or peeling of paint in sight. The furniture was made of dark
wood, matching the enormous bed she’d been sleeping in.

“What the hell?” she asked, staring at Chloe.

Chloe started picking at her nails—a nervous habit she’d had
since childhood. “Do you remember what happened last night?”

“We watched a movie and had too much to drink?” Everything
from the evening before seemed muddled and confusing. She studied the room
again, awed by how nice everything was. She’d never visited Jackson’s home,
worried she might run into the pack if she did. Patting the bedding, she asked,
“Was I that drunk? Were you so worried you decided you shouldn’t leave me
alone?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

Chloe kept talking but Rachel couldn’t hear her. Not with
the delicious scent that rose from the bedding and drifted to her nose. How had
she possibly missed it? It smelled
so
good. Unlike anything she’d ever
come across. It was a masculine fragrance, better than any cologne in the
world. Now that she was aware of it the scent cocooned her, snuggling around
her body like a blanket. She inhaled raggedly, unexpectedly aroused. Her
nipples tingled, her pussy clenching tight. She fisted the comforter, bunching
the material between her fingers.

“Someone tried to have me killed,” Chloe rasped, regaining
Rachel’s attention. “If you hadn’t been there, I could have died. But when you
defended me you were bitten. The saliva took hold. I’m so sorry. You were
infected, Rachel. You’re changing.”

“Bitten?” she echoed and started to panic. “What do you mean
I’m
changing
?”

Then, like a mental barrier had been lifted, memories of
what had taken place came rushing back. She remembered the enormous black wolf
that had rushed into her home, recalled how she’d rushed to Chloe’s defense.
She brought her hand to her shoulder, expecting to feel a bandage, holding her
breath in case there was any pain. Her fingers breezed over a few indented
scabs, the rest of her skin unmarred and smooth.

“No,” she breathed, hands trembling. “You’re wrong.”

“I’m so sorry.” The tears Chloe had fought to contain slid
from her eyes, trickling down her cheeks. “I should have done something. I
wasn’t able to shift fast enough to protect you.”

“I am
not
becoming a werewolf.” Chloe had to be
wrong.

Yet even as she denied it, she knew her best friend—the one
person she trusted more than anyone else in the world—was telling her the
truth. Her body felt different, almost energized. Taking a deep breath, she
realized she could smell things she shouldn’t have—the floral fragrance of
Chloe’s shampoo, the aroma of pine from what she assumed was a freshly mopped
floor. And in the distance she heard voices. Some she recognized, some she
didn’t. Her ears homed on the sound of one in particular.

Declan.

A fresh flood of arousal wet her panties, her nipples
hardening to points. Her stomach cramped, a flash of heat winding from her
abdomen to her pussy. She shoved her fists into her belly, hoping to ease the
ache. Right then she wanted him beside her, to see his face, touch his skin.
She wanted to feel his mouth traveling over her flesh, his hands roaming over
the curves of her body.

Stop it! Get hold of yourself. What’s wrong with you?

She tried not to hyperventilate, inhaling through her nose
and exhaling through her mouth. If she wanted to deal with things she needed
time. The best way to maintain control was to stop thinking about what had
happened to her and center her attention on Chloe. Someone had tried to hurt
her friend. Tried to fucking
kill
her. For all Rachel knew the wolf that
had attacked might have made it out of her house. It could still be around,
waiting for another opportunity to strike.

“You said someone tried to have you killed.” Thankfully the
sexual urges eased, letting her think clearly. She focused on her thoughts,
tuning out her body. “Was it the thing that came to my house? Did it get away?”

“The wolf that attacked us is dead.” Chloe shook her head,
as though the confession pained her. “Jackson believes there’s more to it. He
thinks a couple of women from another pack are responsible but he doesn’t have
proof.”

“Proof?” Her ears had to be deceiving her. “A freaking wolf
attacked us last night. How much more proof does he need?”

“The wolf was rogue.” Chloe’s voice hardened. The strange
glow Rachel had glimpsed the night before returned to her irises. “He didn’t
have identification and no one in the pack recognized him or his scent. There’s
no way to know who sent him. They’re loners by nature. That’s why packs hire
them to do their dirty work. Even if Jackson confronted the Alpha of the pack
the women belong to, he’d need to have evidence to support his theory.”

“Who are these bitches?” Talking about other things kept
Rachel from thinking about the changes in her vision and sense of smell. It
wasn’t easy though. Someone had started cooking. Her mouth watered when she
recognized the delectable aroma of frying bacon. “Why do they have a problem
with you?”

“One of them—Simone—wants Jackson. She tried to force him
into an arranged mating.” Chloe’s lips thinned, her eyes narrowing. “The other
one’s name is Desiree. She was my father’s mate before he denounced her in
front of his pack. She knows that everything he possesses will be given to me
if anything happens to him.”

Damn.
No wonder the women hated Chloe. “What are you
going to do?”

“Me? I’m not going to do anything,” she muttered, visibly
annoyed. “Jackson’s thinking about arranging a meeting with the packs. Until
then I’ll be watched everywhere I go. I won’t be able to do anything unless
someone is with me.”

Wasn’t serendipity a bitch? Chloe needed to be protected
around the clock. Now bitten by a werewolf—she swallowed thickly, fear rising
up—Rachel had nowhere to go. “Guess it’s a good thing I got nipped,” she said
under her breath. Despite talking softly she heard the words clearly and when
she lifted her eyes she saw Chloe had heard her as well.

“I truly am sorry.” Her friend’s green eyes swam with tears.
“If I’d stayed away from you this wouldn’t have happened.”

Stayed away from you.

It wasn’t unheard of for supernatural creatures and humans
to maintain friendships but it certainly was rare. From time to time news
stations had special reports about strange bonds between mortals and their
superior counterparts. But there was a reason humans resided in one area and
werewolves, vampires and other things lived in another. Black County consisted
of mere humans, the area a safe place to call home. On the flip side, Atrum
Hill was primarily a city where all things kooky preferred to dwell. She knew
the wooded areas belonged to werewolves, the city streets were a haven for
vampires and—if rumors were true—witches.

“I never wanted that.”

Upon learning of Chloe’s lineage, Rachel had been determined
to maintain their close relationship. Perhaps she should have been resentful,
placing the blame for her predicament on Chloe’s shoulders. But she couldn’t,
especially now. She kept forcing aside her fears. A part of her didn’t want to
believe it. There was no way she was going to change into a crazed animal. It
wasn’t possible.

Things couldn’t get any worse.

“It’s normal to be in denial.” Chloe might as well have been
reading her thoughts. The young woman studied her, a knowing light in her eyes.
“I was too at first. After Jackson told me what I was I didn’t believe him. I
felt so many things but I kept telling myself it couldn’t be true. It’s not a
death sentence, Rach. You’ll be amazed at how wonderful it feels to change.
You’ll be able to see and do things you’ve never imagined.”

“I’m not ready to deal with this.” The mere thought of
changing—of her body doing the things Chloe’s had—terrified her. “I don’t want
to talk about it.”

“I’m afraid you have to.” Glancing at the door, Chloe
whispered, “I have to tell you something else. There’s a reason Declan’s been
visiting you. I didn’t know about it. I swear. Jackson didn’t tell me. I tore
into his ass when I found out he’d been keeping it from me.”

A lead weight settled in Rachel’s gut. “Tell you what?”

“You have to feel it.” Chloe’s eyes swept over her face,
searching for something. “When Declan’s near you, do you feel drawn to him? Is
there something about him you can’t resist?”

“He’s a nice-looking guy.” There didn’t seem to be a right
answer to the question, so she fibbed. “With all those muscles and tattoos,
he’s a woman’s wet dream. Who wouldn’t be attracted to him?”

“It’s more than that and you know it. Far, far more.”

Her haphazardly constructed façade crumbled. What Declan had
told her at the garage was true. She’d never been a good liar. Chloe saw right
through her. They knew each other too well. It was time to go for broke, no
more evading the issue.

“What are you telling me? Come out and say it.”

“You belong with him.” Meeting Rachel’s gaze, Chloe said,
“You’re his mate.”

Damn it. Wrong again.

Things
could
get worse.

* * * * *

“You’re burning the bacon,” Jackson said, pointing at the
skillet. “I’m not sure how Rachel feels about crispy pork but Chloe isn’t a
fan.”

With a growl, Declan flipped the frying meat over. The
minute he’d heard Rachel’s voice he’d wanted to run from the kitchen into his
bedroom. If it hadn’t been for Jackson he would have done just that. The Alpha
had insisted Chloe needed to talk to Rachel and calm her before Declan waltzed
in. Perhaps Jackson had been right but the instinct remained, urging him to go
to Rachel and care for her.

Shane—the temporary pack Beta until Declan reassumed the
position—strode into the dining area. He shook his shoulders, cracking his
neck. The white T-shirt he’d worn was covered in dirt stains, his jeans crusted
with mud.

Jackson stepped away from the stove. “All finished?”

“Yep,” Shane answered and plopped down on a stool.

Declan kept his mouth shut, attempting to keep his temper in
check. He’d wanted to dispose of the wolf that’d attacked his female—making
sure to rip the motherfucker limb from limb before he tossed him in an unmarked
grave—but Jackson had forbidden that as well. The Alpha had sent Shane to do
the deed, telling Declan to stay put.

It was for the best. Rachel needs you
. He clenched
his teeth, impatient and uneasy.
I need to be in there with her. Chloe had
better hurry the hell up.

“Declan,” Shane said softly, breaking him out of his stupor.
“You need to chill out, man. Your female is going to be edgy enough without you
adding to her anxiety.”

“Is that so?” Glancing at Shane, Declan arched a brow. “What
would
you
know about it?”

Shane was a mystery. He’d arrived in Atrum Hill as a rogue.
For weeks they’d seen him around. The male had taken odd jobs and rented a room
above Gleason’s Laundromat. One day—to the shock of the pack—Shane had
approached Jackson to see if they had space for him in their group. Rogues
didn’t like being around other wolves, which made Shane’s interest bizarre and
suspicious. Even stranger? Jackson had talked to the male, decided he was
trustworthy and introduced him to the pack in order to get their blessing.