My Mate's Embrace (4 page)

“Yes. He broke my ribs and gave me a black eye the day before my birthday. I didn't heal myself, and he was forced to hide me in our hotel room. He had lost his job and was looking for another one, so I knew he would go out. I waited until he left, and I ran. You followed me up the trail.”

Anton grabbed Laurel's hand. She stiffened and cried out. He released her immediately, wincing from her obvious fear that came through the heartmate bond.

“Easy,
Malyshka
. I won't let your stepfather hurt you again,” Anton said. “I promise you that. You are my heartmate, the one person born to be mine. This golden cord of light ties our hearts and souls together. I claim you as my mate and take everything you are into my keeping and give you everything I am into your keeping.”

“I don't think I understand.”

“I know it is hard, but for now, know that I will protect you and take care of you.”

“My mother told me you were coming. My protector.”

“Your mother?” Anton asked.

“Her spirit. Sometimes she comes to me when I am doing a healing. She talks to me.”

Anton watched as Laurel waded into the stream. She could heal and talk to spirits? If he hadn’t already experienced her talent, he might think she was crazy. How else did she survive her stepfather's abuse?

He shuddered with the knowledge that she could have died, and he never would have found her. He could tell that physical touch was hard for her to handle. That she had allowed him to carry her last night without being completely hysterical was a miracle. He needed to be very careful with her.

He watched as she kicked up water and splashed around. She possessed such a joy of living. He was glad her stepfather hadn't destroyed her spirit.

A breeze picked up and blew Laurel's red curls around her face. Anton stiffened as he caught the stench of a drunken unwashed human. They were no longer alone on the mountain.

“Laurel, get your shoes on, Anton said. “We need to go, quietly,
milaya moya
. I don't want to give our location away.”

Anton was thankful that Laurel obeyed him without question. She must feel the danger, because she willingly let Anton take her hand and lead her farther back into the forest. He found a hollowed-out log and motioned to her to squeeze inside. He caressed her cheek and reached for her mind through the mating bond.

Stay here, Malyshka. Don't move. Don't make a sound. I'm going to get your backpack, and then we are going down the mountain.

Laurel nodded her understanding, and Anton reluctantly left her in hiding. He moved quickly up the hill and could clearly hear a man muttering as he slid down the trail. Anton grabbed Laurel's backpack and flung it into the woods next to the cabin. Then, he waited for the man to finish floundering down the trail.

When the man came into view, Anton wrinkled his nose. The man smelled like he had rolled in beer and sweat. His gray hair was dirty and matted to his head. His worn clothes had an odor of vomit. He was looking at a small, rectangular box and muttering under his breath. When he saw Anton, he slipped it into his pocket.

“You are trespassing. This is private property,” Anton said.

“I'm looking for my daughter,” said the man. “You seen her, little thing, red hair?”

“You are not welcome here. Go back to the other side of the mountain.”

“I want that little bitch,” said the stepfather. “She's gonna make me some money. I'm going to sell her. She's gonna pay me for all those years I kept her fed. She owes me.”

“You would sell your own daughter?” Anton asked.

“She's not my blood. She’s my dead wife's kid.”

“Well, she is no longer your concern. If you don't leave now, I cannot promise your safety. Trespassing here is punishable by death.”

Anton wasn’t exactly lying. If Laurel’s stepfather was stupid enough to follow them onto pack property, he might very well be executed for crimes against his daughter. Laurel was Anton’s mate, and pack law would govern and protect her. But this close to the human festival, it was better to send the man away than to seek vengeance for his crimes.

“Really?” the stepfather muttered. “Well I'll have the law after that little bitch. If you know something, you better tell me. I'll tell them she stole from me.”

Anton wanted to crush this worm of a man. He grabbed the man’s collar and stared deep into his bloodshot eyes. He used his telepathy and gave a little push to his words.

You will go back to the Sakha Festival. You will give up the search for your stepdaughter, Laurel. She fell from the mountain last night and is dead to you. Do you understand?
Anton sent into the man’s thoughts.

“Yes, I understand,” said the stepfather, his eyes becoming glassy.

Anton pushed the man away and watched as he struggled to climb up the mountain trail. Once he was out of sight, Anton grabbed Laurel's backpack and ran back the way he had come. He found her shivering in fear, still squeezed into the hollow log.

“Come, Laurel, we must move quickly. I don't know how long the compulsion I placed on your stepfather will work. It depends on how strong his mind is. I don't think he is very strong, but greed can drive a man.”

Laurel nodded. Anton took her hand and felt her tremble. He wanted to kill her stepfather for abusing her. But murder was against the law, and they weren't deep enough on pack land to bring him before the Alpha. Anton needed to get Laurel to safety.

There were many pack laws that would work in Anton’s favor if Laurel’s stepfather ever did show up. Anton could challenge him and snap him like a twig. He could picture him lying broken on the ground. His wolf spirit agreed wholeheartedly, and he smiled in satisfaction.

Anton continued to move quickly down the mountain, keeping a careful eye on Laurel. He kept them on the trail but close to the edge, where trees and bushes screened them from behind. The path curved around boulders and large trees. Someone might hear them, but they would have to come right up to them to see them. He didn’t think they were being followed but wasn’t taking any chances.

When they finally reached the bottom, Anton kept going, crossing the road. He led Laurel into the forest on the other side and then kept them moving farther along the route. Laurel realized that he was making sure that no one could see them from the side of the mountain. The going was harder without a real trail, but Laurel did her best to keep up with him. She was glad she trusted him to take her hand as he caught her twice when she stumbled. She was getting tired, but Anton continued on, and she followed. Where was he taking her?

Anton could feel Laurel tiring but needed to get her away to safety. He didn't know if her stepfather would continue to chase her. He couldn't believe the man actually found them. Had it been a chance encounter or had someone seen them on the mountain last night?

Anton kept moving, avoiding the side of the road. Walking down the center would give away Laurel’s presence to anyone in the area. She wouldn't be able to maintain this speed for long. He was proud of her for keeping up as he pushed the pace. Once the truck arrived, they could get away from her stepfather without a problem.

Alena?
he sent, reaching for his sister’s mind.

Anton, we are on our way,
he heard in his head.

Bring food and drink, something nourishing
, he sent.

Hungry are you?
his sister asked.

Not for me, for my mate.

Your mate? That is wonderful,
Alena sent
. You won’t have to leave the pack to go looking for her. I am so happy for you.

Yes, I found her last night. Please hurry, Alena. Laurel has been abused and needs nourishment. Her stepfather starved and beat her
.

How terrible. Kolya and I will stop for food and be on our way
.
I cannot wait to meet her,
she sent.

Thank you, Alena, We must be gentle with Laurel.

You are sure she is your mate?

Yes, the mating bond snapped into place. I almost lost her last night. Please, hurry.

Alright, you can tell me what happened later. Be safe, Anton
, Alena sent.

Anton looked up to see Laurel looking at him, her head cocked to the side.

“What were you doing?” she asked.

“Talking to my sister. They are bringing a truck around to pick us up.”

“Oh, so we won't have to find a cave to hide in?”

“Was that your plan,
Malyshka
?” he asked, trying not to smile.

“I knew I must hide. My stepfather won’t let me go.”

“I won't let him hurt you again, Laurel. You will be safe from him,” Anton said, becoming serious again.

“So you can talk to her in your head, like you did to me?”

“Yes, telepathy is one of my gifts, like your gift of healing.” Thank goodness Laurel wasn’t freaking out about hearing voices in her head. Maybe the fact that she saw her mother’s ghost helped her accept it so easily.

With his sister Alena driving toward them, Anton hoped to meet up with her in three to four hours. Then, they could start the trip back to the pack village.

“Why don’t we stop and rest a little while?” Anton suggested, turning to Laurel who was panting beside him.

Laurel nodded and found a fallen tree stump to sit on. Anton wished he’d brought the cracker tin. They could have used it to drink from the streams around here. He watched Laurel closely. She hadn’t complained once on their long hike, but she looked exhausted.

“Do you think you can go a little farther?” he said. “I can carry you on my back.”

“Give me a moment, please, and I will try again.”

Laurel was exhausted, but she wouldn’t let her stepfather find her again. She would follow Anton wherever he led. She needed a moment to catch her breath. If only they could walk on the road. Staying hidden in the trees was helping them stay cool. But Laurel had to constantly work to find where next to place her feet. She kept tripping over tree roots and stubbing her toes on rocks. Her feet hurt, and she wasn’t sure how much farther she could go.

Anton was worried about Laurel. She was breathing hard and seemed determined to continue. He admired her courage but worried for her health. She was physically weak from malnourishment. He didn’t want her to collapse on him, and there was no food or water to offer her. He could go on for more than a day if he needed to, but Laurel was human. He should have saved some of the crackers and jam for later.

Making a decision Anton knew she wouldn’t like, he walked over and squatted down next to her. She stiffened, and then her shoulders slumped in defeat.

“It’s okay, Laurel. You have been very brave. I am proud of you. But for a while anyway, I am going to carry you on my back. Now take your backpack and put it on, then climb up and put your arms around my neck. I will hold your legs.”

“But the added weight. Won’t it be too much for you?” she asked.

“You need to trust me,
Malyshka
. Let me do this.”

Laurel nodded and stood up slowly. She put on the backpack and turned to climb on Anton’s back. He remained crouched down before her. She leaned over and put her arms around his neck. He reached back and grabbed her legs, then rose and started off again.

Laurel realized she wasn’t that uncomfortable. Anton had been right. She probably couldn’t have gone much farther. He seemed to have no problem knowing where to step. He moved with grace and purpose, always keeping near, but not in, the road.

“Do you think my stepfather will find us again?” Laurel asked, hoping that the answer was no. She thought she was free of him, but now she was running again.

“I am being cautious. I am not sure how he found us the first time. Did anyone see you leave the village last night?”

“I tried to be careful. But there are a lot of people in town with the Sakha Festival in full swing.”

“True, let’s hope that it was a coincidence,” he said. “I won’t let him take you away from me, Laurel. Pack law says you are my mate, my wife, if you will.”

“But I am an American. Will your pack law protect me?”

“My brother’s wife is an American,” he said. “He will help us with the legalities. His wife, Violet, bore twin girls a few months ago. Everyone in the pack is excited about it.”

“Do you want to have children, Anton?”

“I suppose so. I never really thought of it before. I have great parents. I guess I always expected to have a family of my own. What about you, Laurel, do you want a family?”

“My mother was so good to me. She was like my best friend. My grandma Mary was wonderful as well. I think I would like to have a little girl of my own. But not right away.”

“There is certainly no rush, Laurel. We are both young. We have time.”

Anton kept moving. Laurel slept, her head on his shoulder, her face tucked into his neck. He pictured a little baby girl with her mother’s pixie-like features and smiled.

Anton could feel Laurel’s hunger coming through the heartmate cord. He was surprised, but grateful that it didn’t stop her from sleeping. With her asleep, he could pick up the pace. He found a comfortable rhythm, somewhere between a jog and a run and made good time. At this pace he should be hearing Alena and Kolya in the truck soon.

Laurel awoke with a start as Anton slowly lowered her to the ground. Feeling groggy she rubbed her eyes and looked around her. They were still in the woods.

“Stay here, Laurel. I think I hear a truck. Hopefully, our ride has arrived.”

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To the road to make sure. I will call you when it's safe to come out.”

“Be careful, Anton.”

Anton smiled in satisfaction. His mate was beginning to care for him. Anton walked to the side of the road and squatted down. The truck sounded like the big green truck the pack used, but he wasn't going to take a chance that he was wrong. He reached for his sister Alena through their family telepathic link.

Alena, are you close?
he sent.

Yes, Anton, and we brought food for your mate.