To Claim His Mate (15 page)

“
Damn
,” Mike whispered.

“Yeah, you should’ve pulled that one a little, babe” Eva piped in. She tried to sit up and hold the rapidly swelling side of her face, as pain radiated throughout her entire head with the slightest movement.

Sarah looked around the room at the scattered male bodies. “Let’s tie these assholes up before the guys get here.”

“Let me take care of that. You can make sure your friend’s okay.” Mike moved into the back room and came back out with rope and a roll of duct tape.

Sarah didn’t bother to reply and just rushed to Eva’s side, concern growing in her gaze as she took a good look at Eva’s face. “Son of a bitch, he clocked you good.”

“Yeah, I feel like my face exploded.” Eva winced when Sarah lightly touched her eye. “Okay, let’s not touch.”

“Sorry, hon, but I have to call Stephanie. You need to be looked at, just in case, but I don’t think anything is broken. You’ll have a hell of a shiner and a busted lip though.”

“Great,” she grumbled. “That’ll look sexy with this new dress, won’t it?”

“Honey, when these guys love, it’s for life. You could shave your head and paint yourself blue, but you’d still be beautiful to him.”

Eva heard the sound of feet tearing a path to the cabin and knew the men would shift and come inside in a matter of minutes.

“The guys are here, but I’ve got to stop them and ensure they know Mike is on our side. You know, before one of them kills his ass,” Sarah said.

“Yeah, that would suck.” They both laughed, but Eva’s ended on a groan. Man, it hurt to do anything!

When they looked over to where Mike had tied the other men up, their jaws hung loose. He’d arranged them, ass-to-face, and tied them that way. Then he’d gone further and taped their hands to each other’s ankles so that if they came to they had no way of getting themselves loose.

Noting their stares, he simply said, “What can I say? I’m nothing but an overgrown kid.” He shrugged and gave the rope another yank. Then he stood and tossed Sarah his cell phone. “Your friend needs to get looked at by a doctor. Call her boyfriend, and let’s get her somewhere.”

“No shit. I’ll call my sister-in-law to have her meet us at the clinic.” Sarah quickly relayed the information to a frantic Stephanie then clicked the phone shut and handed it back.

The sound of the men arriving had her leaping toward the door. “Don’t move!” She called to Mike. “And no eye contact until I talk to them.”

She swung the door open and was face-to-face with four seriously pissed off werewolves. “Hey, guys, I know I’ve got a lot to explain, but we need to get Eva to the clinic, like
now
.”

“What the fuck happened? Where is she?”

Adam was loud, and that was bad for Eva’s pounding skull. He looked half crazed, and Eva was afraid he might physically move Sarah out of his way.

“Her shoulder, her hand
and
her head got hurt?” he demanded, looking as if he’d experienced some discomfort himself.

“Shane twisted her arm behind her back, he licked her neck and she slapped him then he punched her in the face.
Hard.
Can we go now?”

Everyone was silent for a moment then, collectively, their attention shifted to Mike, who sat against the wall watching over Eva where she remained seated on the floor.

“Mike’s cool, guys. He helped us.” Sarah hastily explained his involvement with Shane, and the brothers nodded in understanding.

Adam, whose view had been blocked by his brothers, finally caught sight of Eva and raced to her side. Dear God, what had Shane done to her? She looked like a little broken doll, and his wolf was ready to kill. “Call Stephanie!”

“I already did, and she’ll be meeting us at the clinic,” Sarah relayed.

“Eva, baby, I’m so sorry this happened to you.” He gathered her into his arms and rocked her. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am I didn’t protect you from this.”

“You couldn’t have, Adam, but it’s all over now. He’s caught, we’re safe and he’s going to prison for a very long time.”

“Yeah, if his uncle doesn’t get him off again,” Adam growled.

“He can’t. Not using his old judge buddy anyway. We crossed into a different county. Shane will go to court here instead of at home this time.” Eva sighed and leaned against his chest. “Can we leave, please? I’m tired, hungry and my face feels like I took a hit from a professional fighter.”

“Anything you want, sweetheart. Let’s go. Sarah, you can drive.” Adam moved toward the door, holding Eva close, but paused at the sight of the bound men. “Sarah?”

“Uh-uh,” Sarah replied. “I didn’t do that, Mike did. He’s got a great sense of humor though, right?”

Everyone laughed. Erik put his hand on Sarah’s shoulder when she started toward the door, and Adam knew his brother was about to lecture his mate, but Sarah’s next comment had his eyes rounding, “I know, I know, you’re going to paddle my ass later.”

“Yes, but I also just need to hold you for a minute.” Erik pulled her into his arms. “I know you can take care of yourself, but it still scares the hell out of me every time I feel it.”

“I didn’t even get tapped this time,” Sarah exclaimed.

“I know. That’s the only reason they’re still breathing,” Erik snarled.

Mike got to his feet, and Erik moved in front of Sarah as if in defense. Adam was wary of the man himself, if for no other reason than because the man was
huge
.

“I won’t hurt her.” Mike looked insulted but reached out to Sarah. She took his hand and shook it. “I just wanted to give these back to her. You guys don’t owe me a thing. Besides, she’d probably kick my ass if I tried to do anything. Did you teach her how to fight?”

“Sorry, but I can’t take the credit for that one.” Erik eyed the other man for a moment before voicing what they were all thinking. “You’re a pretty big guy.”

“Yeah, it puts a lot of people on edge, but I can’t help it.” Mike smiled down at Sarah. “I think she’s the first woman who hasn’t been even a little scared of me.”

“That’s my Sarah. Give her a violent bar fight, and she’s fine but show her a spider, and—”

“Shut up!” Sarah screeched, startling Mike who stepped back. “Those eight-legged freaks are evil! They just drop in on their butt ropes like little sadistic bungee jumpers!” The men were all laughing now. “They do! They’re like ninja bugs.”

They continued laughing at her girly display, and Sarah gave them all the bird before stomping out to the car.

“
Bastards
,” she snarled.

“Let’s roll out, Sarah,” Adam called. He was already settling into the backseat holding Eva and wanted to get her to the clinic and checked out now that everything was settled. His brothers would be staying until the cops showed up, and they would understand the need to get Eva some medical attention. “Abraham called the sheriff, and we’ll all have to give statements. Do you think that Mike guy will testify?”

“Sure he will. I told him we’d pay off his gambling debt if he helped us.”

“Done,” Adam didn’t care what it was. This man had helped to keep Adam’s mate alive, so he owed the Mike more than he could possibly know. “Just let me know how much it is.” Adam was just happy Eva was finally free of Shane’s deadly cat-and-mouse game. But in the end, it was the dogs who’d cleaned house.

“Uh, it’s two-hundred thousand,” Sarah said quietly.

“I don’t care if it’s a million. But he needs to go to gamblers anonymous or something,” Adam piped in. “I’ll talk to him. Maybe, he can relocate and set up shop someplace where he won’t be tempted to gamble.”

Sarah perked up. “I could see about getting him a job in security at the bar. He’s huge. And that means the guys in the bar would behave better and there would be less bar fights.” She winced as soon as the words were out of her mouth and shrank back in her seat. “Never mind, forget I mentioned that.”

“Oh, no. I think that’s a great idea. I won’t have to worry about bailing out the mother of my child whenever you ladies decide to have a girls’ night out.” Adam turned to Eva, the love of his life, and decided to go for broke. “But, if you’re okay with it, I’d rather be able to call you my wife instead of just the mother of my child.” He took both of her hands in his and looked into her stunned and bruised face. “Evangeline Black, will you complete my life the same way you’ve completed my soul and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

A single tear wove a lazy trail down her cheek as she smiled back at him, but Adam felt her happiness through their bond and knew her answer even before she gave a slow nod and curled herself into his arms.

“Yes, Adam! I would be honored to me your wife, your mate, the mother of your children…
everything
.”

“You already are my everything, sweetheart.” And now that Eva was safe and in his arms once again, Adam was the happiest man in the world.

Epilogue

The trial was scheduled, with Shane in prison until then, and possibly facing a life sentence without the chance of parole if all the charges stuck. Mike now worked as security for the tiny town’s bar and even thought about opening up a studio to teach self-defense classes.

Sarah had just announced she was now pregnant, too, which had Erik beside himself with both pride and worry. The woman just wouldn’t stop!

Ethan and Lacy were talking about trying for a cub of their own, as were Stephanie and Abraham. This left their mother ecstatic and demanding they space the pregnancies enough that she could attend each birth. Adam’s father, always a silent man, usually off to the side, just took in everything with a gentle smile. He was more reserved than his sons, but it was obvious he loved his family deeply.

That was what had been happening over the last few weeks, but tonight was Adam and Evangeline’s wedding ceremony.

The whole thing was taking place out on Adam’s property. They planned to exchange vows standing beneath the tree house where their child would one day play.

Tables with pristine white fabric draped over them dotted the lawn while tea light candles floated and twinkled on the surface of the pond. Soft white lights were strung through trees and posts, giving a romantic glow to the night. Then there was the stunning bride as she began her march down the aisle.

Eva was a goddess in her Roman-style dress and bare feet. Her hair was piled high on her head with just the right amount of spiraling curls loosed from their binding.

She was positively radiant with her pregnancy. Her skin glowed, her belly already swelled with his child, and those unbelievably beautiful green eyes trained on Adam as he awaited her at the end of the aisle.

He stood there, barely restraining the urge to run to her. He simply took in everything, storing the memories of this special day forever. Adam wore a pair of black slacks, a crisp white dress shirt and tie. He hated ties. They felt too close to a damn leash. However, if Eva asked him to wear one, he’d happily allow her to lead him through town by it.

The pastor finally began the ceremony, and they each repeated their vows before sharing a passionate kiss that seared them to the very core of their beings and brought an eruption of cheers from the guests.

Eva looked up into his face with so much love shining in her eyes, and he simply couldn’t believe their lives had turned out so well in the end. “I guess sometimes life
can
be like it is in the novels,” she whispered.

“Only if it’s one with a happy ending,” Adam insisted.

“Oh, the woman always gets her man in the end.” Eva laughed, the tinkling sound music to his ears.

“Well, then, I guess we need to work on sneaking out of here for a little bit.” He pulled her close and gave her another kiss.

“Why?”

“So you can
get
your man.” Adam waggled is eyebrows, and his brothers groaned from where they were seated a good twenty feet away.

“Dude, we can
hear
you,” Sarah complained.

“Then stop listening,” he scolded, and Eva giggled. “We’ll get to that in a little while. After all, you’re mine now.”

“And you’re mine, my husband, lover, friend, protector, and the father of my child. You’re my everything, Adam.”

“And you, my fiery little angel, are my miracle, my mate,
my
everything.”

About the Author

Hello, all! I am a mother of two and am happily married to my high school sweetheart. I work full-time in the medical field and spend my down time with family and friends, reading or, (of course) writing. I am currently writing paranormal romance and hope to branch out to Contemporary soon. The paranormal element allows me to give reality a new depth by integrating paranormal creatures into my everyday world. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want a little excitement added into their everyday life? The Southern/Gulf Coast culture that I have grown up in plays a big part in my writing, forming not only the cultural traits of the characters, but also the ambiance of the geography in many of my stories.

I am new to the writing world, and who knows where it will take me? But I'm having fun nevertheless, and if people enjoy reading my work, then it's all been worth it. HAPPY READING!!

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Also Available from Resplendence Publishing

To Tame His Mate
by Serena Pettus

Sarah has spent the last six years running from some pretty determined wolves. A born Alpha, and a fierce fighter, she has managed to thwart the best efforts of the neighboring packs in their attempts to force a mating with their current Alphas. She is determined to live her life the way she wants—free—and has fought her way to freedom more times than she should have had to. All she’s ever wanted was the chance to find her one true mate and settle down outside of the hierarchy bullshit of Pack life. If that means she has to do so by staying one step ahead of her pursuers, until she finds that man, then that’s just what she’ll do. The only problem now is that her years of running have forced her to trust no one… until she meets Erik.