Wolf's Bane (Shifted) (13 page)

“
That’s Dan and Julian. Frank Bane is with them. The others are women.”

“
You’re sure?”

“Bryce
, that’s Yasmin and Brianna.”

“Your
friends.”

“Yes
, look. Frank seems to be pushing Brianna forward. Oh god, they are being used as bait,” Ashley sobbed. Who knows what had happened to them in the past few days? “Bane wouldn’t have sent women Bryce.”

“I
know, Hon.” He crushed her into him to comfort her.”

15

They w
atched the group advance closer on the monitors. It did look as if the women were unwilling pawns. The five Bane weres set up camp just before dawn, about a mile out in a heavily wooded area.

“
It looks like they are stopping for now. They probably want to wait for nightfall before continuing,” Matt assumed

“
Do you think they know we are aware they are here?” Bryce asked. Leaning into the monitor he watched as the men set up a campfire.

“They have no idea they are being watched.
I’m sure of it,” Brendan said with pride.

“So
, now what?” Ashley asked. She was exhausted and the thought of her friends being out there because of her was weighing heavily on her conscious.

“We
wait. You should get some sleep. They won’t do anything till nightfall. We have to be ready for anything. The fact that they brought the Alpha’s son tells me they mean business,” Matt answered.

“What
about Bri and Yas?”

“My
guess is they will use them to get closer somehow. If they think you’re here with only one guard, then sending them out first would be a great distraction. Bryce, Aiden, you should get some sleep as well. Colin, Brendan, and I can take first watch. No sense in the six of us staying awake all night.”

“You’re
right. Call us if anything changes.” Bryce said taking Ashley’s hand. “Come on, Hon, you need to rest.”

“
Ha, rest, is that what you call it?” Colin laughed.”

“You
had something to say Col?” Bryce snapped in an Alpha tone.

“Nope
, not me. Just keep it down okay?” Colin smirked.

Bryce let it drop
, seeing his mates face turn red. They hadn’t had much privacy in a house full of his brothers.

“
Just let us know if the status changes, okay?” Bryce groaned.

He wanted to tell his brothers to mind their own business. He was sure when their time came
, they would understand that not being intimate with your mate was almost impossible. He also knew how hard it had to be. Four males trapped in a house with a newly mated couple.

Bryce slammed the door to their room
, pulling Ashley flush against his body as he lowered his lips to claim hers.

“They
can hear us. That’s what Colin meant, didn’t he?” Ashley asked not slowing as she unbuttoned Bryce’s shirt to feel the skin beneath.

“
That’s what he meant. So I guess we will have to try and be quieter,” he smiled slowly stripping the shirt over her head.

“I feel a little
guilty doing this now.”

“Why
, because of what Colin said?”

“No
, because my friends are out there. Bryce, who knows what they have done to them.”

“
The guys are watching the monitors. If the girls look like they are in danger, they won’t hesitate to help.”

“I
know, I just…”

“
You just what? Ash, we don’t have to do this. You do need to get some sleep though.”

“I need you.”

“Woman, you’re sending all sorts of mixed signals here.”

“I know. I feel guilty
, but I don’t think I can keep my hands off of you for an entire night.”

“
It’s day time, darling, and I don’t think we have to. Your friends would understand. What good is staying up worrying about them? If you rest, you will be better equipped to help them, and if you make love to your mate, then you’ll be tired enough to rest.” Bryce smiled.

“You have this all figured out
, do you?” Ashley said as Bryce drew closer. She was being stalked by her mate and loving it.

“Yes.”

“Well, then I suppose the Alpha knows best.” Ashley wasn’t able to get another word out before Bryce silenced her with his mouth covering hers. The current that passed between them that first time they touched was still there, warm and welcoming, as it wrapped around them to join them more than physically.

Bryce made quick work of his clothes as well as
Ashley’s. Before she knew it, he was hovering over her. His body pressed against hers which caused a delicious friction.

“
You’re teasing me,” she groaned as his lips trailed down her neck.”

“I’m
warming you up.”

“
Any warmer and I’ll burst into flames. Bryce, please?”

Bryce didn’t hesitate to accommodate his wife’s wishes. Claiming her mouth
, he felt her need in the aggressive way she pulled him to her. He broke the kiss and looked at Ashley through hooded eyes as he joined with her.

Tipping
her head back as she felt her mate’s joining, Ashley growled. The sound was more of a purr to Bryce’s ears.

“Shhh
, we need to keep it down.” Bryce laughed while speeding up his rhythm.

“
To hell with quiet. Let them hear.” Ashley said amongst the moans of pleasure she couldn’t hold back.

“
God, I love you woman.”

“I
love you too.” Ashley didn’t know if her words had reached the surface. Bryce had her so close to the edge that reality and pure sensation had merged together. With one last thrust, she felt Bryce tumble over the edge with her.  A lifetime with this man was never going to be enough.

“
Sleep now,” Bryce whispered half asleep himself as he pulled Ashley’s body close to his.

“
Hummm” was Ashley’s only response before she let sleep claim her.

Bryce, Aiden, and Ashley took over the watch around three that afternoon so that Brendan, Colin, and Matt could get some rest. The Bane men were still camped about a mile out.  Bryce’s original thought that they might be waiting for nightfall seemed to be right since they hadn’t moved.

“
I don’t understand what they are waiting for?” Ashley was pacing. The waiting was getting to her.

“They
know they are close to the house, Ash. They want the cover of darkness so that they can sneak up on you and Bryce.” Aiden answered.

“But
we know they are there.”

“
Yes, but they don’t know that. I’m sure they assume the past few days being uneventful have lulled you into thinking maybe they couldn’t find you.”

“
What’s your theory on the girls? Why bring my friends?”

“You’d
be a better judge of that, Ashley.”

Bryce pointed out.

“If it were me, I’d bring the women because you trust them. You’re more likely to answer the door if one of them is on the other side." Aiden’s comment made perfect sense.

“Oh
, and then what, the men grab me?”

“That
would be my guess as well. The plan would be a good one if we didn’t know they were coming. We have the advantage, Ashley. They have no idea my brothers are here, and they have no clue we can see them.”

“Don’t
forget the whole mating thing,” Aiden added.

“T
he whole mating thing?” Ashley looked at her brother-in-law with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah
. I saw it when Lexi was in trouble. God help anyone who threatens a were’s mate. Not to mention an Alpha were.”

Ashley just nodded
. She had no doubt Bryce would defend her. That was what frightened her the most. If anything happened to any of these men, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

16

“
They are moving,” Matt said just after dusk had settled into night. The others had joined them as soon as the darkness settled in. Ashley looked around at the room full of males. She wasn’t bothered by their presence. Her attack was only a little over a week ago. The mating had somehow shown her that the attack was an isolated incident. All men were not like Bane men. Bryce’s brothers didn’t frighten her. She was comforted by their presence. For someone who just days ago couldn’t even be in the company of a male, she was now confident in her new family’s devotion.

“So
, what now?” she asked the men hoping for an answer that would end this all.

“Now
, we let them get close. Maverick’s men are closing in. They are surrounded.” Bryce said wrapping his arms around her.

“It
seems too easy. Frank is too smart to just walk into a trap.”

“Don’t
forget he has the women with him. “ Brendan pointed out. “Bane might hold woman with little regard, but he knows we don’t.  He probably thinks he has the advantage here. Plus, he only thinks it’s Bryce guarding you.”

“I say we give him even more confidence,” Aiden said watching the screen.

“How so?” Bryce asked looking at his brother with questioning eyes.

“I
was thinking. Bane and his men think it’s just you here with Ashley right?”

“That’s
what we are hoping, yes.”

“Then what if you left?
”

“I’m
not leaving Aiden!” Bryce growled.

“Down
boy. No one said you were. What I mean is, what if they think you left? They would think Ashley was alone.”

“Oka
y, why would I leave her alone?”