Wolf's Bane (Shifted) (8 page)

Once they arrived
at the Cheveyo clinic, Faith and Gwen whisked Ashley back to one of the exam rooms. He didn’t like her being out of his sight, but he knew Maverick was there. If anything happened, the Cheveyo Alpha would be an asset.

“
Lexi, what’s wrong?” he asked as soon as Ashley disappeared from view.

“It’s
just a precaution, Bryce. Relax. She’ll be fine.”

“I hate that this happened to her,” Bryce grumbled
. He just wanted to punch something or someone, preferably Warren Bane.

“
We all do Bryce. She’s strong she’ll come out of this alright.”

“
It’s bad enough what happened to her, but with Bane out there possibly looking for her. Damn it, I should have just gone after him.”

“Bryce
, until we know he’s actually after her, you can’t go off halfcocked. An unprovoked attack on another pack’s Alpha is serious business.”

“I know
. I just feel so helpless.”

“Bryce
, we all do.  The fact that she’s comfortable around you is promising.”

“I
wouldn’t hurt her.”

“
I know that, but she doesn’t. She’s terrified of men, and I suppose I would be too in similar circumstances. She likes you. She doesn’t seem threatened by you, and look at you; you’re a huge Alpha male.” Lexi had the urge to tell Bryce she thought there might be more to his possessiveness than just normal concern, but she left that unsaid. They would figure it out in their own time. Then there was the possibility she was wrong about the attraction. Maybe Ashley just needed a hero, and Bryce was a good fit.

Maverick greeted them in the waiting room as Bryce stood to shake the Alpha’s hand. “Faith sent me out here to let you know they would be a while. She’s waiting on some tests.”

“
But she’s alright? She will be alright?” Bryce’s was panicked. He didn’t like the not knowing.

“
She’ll be fine. She’s been through a lot. Look, I know what you’re going through,” he said to Bryce specifically.” When Rory was attacked…”

“
Wait, your mate was attacked? When?”

“Not
many people know the circumstances. Rory was human at the time. A feral were tried to rip her throat out. She had to turn or die. I still beat myself up every day that I wasn’t there for her.”

“
You didn’t change her? But I thought...” Bryce started. The story was that Maverick Cheveyo had changed his human mate in order to be with her. The fact that Rory Cheveyo had turned into a rare white wolf meant that not only was the turned human accepted by the shifter community, but she was fit to be an Alpha’s mate.

“
We let people think that.  Rory’s transformation was against her will. I had hoped to turn her, but the decision was taken out of both our hands. My point is, it all ended well. The were who attacked her is dead, and she is the chosen. My life would be nothing without her. Your Ashley is strong. She was nervous about me being in the room, but she didn’t show it outwardly.”

“She’s
afraid of men touching her. I can’t say as I blame her,” Lexi muttered.

“
The Bane pack is notorious for treating its woman as little more than servants. A strong willed woman like Ashley would be a problem.”

“
Are you saying she asked for this?” Bryce snapped at the Alpha. Lexi waited. It wasn’t a good idea to challenge an Alpha on his own land. Would Maverick take it that way? She didn’t know the man she was now related to well enough to be sure.

“
No Bryce, of course not. I’m saying that your concern that Bane might seek retribution is valid. He might make Ashley’s defiance a lesson to the pack.”

“
Not to mention she killed his son.”

“She
what?”

Bryce hesitated.
He thought Maverick knew the story of the attack. Apparently, a big chunk of the truth had been left out. “Her attacker was Warren Bane’s son. She killed him.”

“I didn’t know. Then your concern for her
safety is more than justified. I’ve only met Bane once and it wasn’t pleasant. I know my father and the council have no love for the man. You have the Cheveyo pack’s support should you need it.”

“
Thank you Maverick. Let’s hope we don’t need it.”

Ashley waited for Faith to return. She was crawling out of her skin. The waiting was killing her. What was she going to do if the news was that she had not only been attacked but raped? The thought made her sick. She had no real recollection of the attack. It was a blur of sensations and images. Gwen had suggested that her mind had shut down to protect itself. Ashley didn’t know if that was true. Not knowing if Richard had managed to actually mate her unwittingly was driving her crazy. That had been his intention, to force a mating. The combination of sex and a bite would do it.  She told herself it didn’t matter. He was dead. He had no claim on her.

Faith came into the room after what seemed like hours. Ashl
ey waited, her stomach somewhere lodged in her throat.

“The
test was negative. You can relax,” Faith said seeing the girl physically relax.

“
So he didn’t?”

“If
he did, it didn’t result in a pregnancy. It’s been days since the attack, Ashley. I can’t say for certain he didn’t try.”

“Thank
you, Faith.”

A
shley was unable to contain the well of emotion that had built up. The tears fell like rain soaking her face. A knock at the door startled her as she clutched her chest. Going with them to the clinic had been her main focus, but being away from the safety of her uncle’s home suddenly made her feel vulnerable.

“
Come in,” Faith said looking toward the door.

Maverick
’s hulking form loomed in the doorway. Ashley looked up trying to hide her fear. “Ashley, Bryce and Lexi are waiting for you in the waiting room. I told them I’d come back to check on you.”

“
Tell them I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute,” she said with a shaky breath.

“I wanted to tell you that you are welcome
here. The Cheveyo pack will do anything they can to help you. I know your uncle is pack leader of the Rainer pack, but if you ever need safe refuge, my pack is yours.”

“Thank
you, Alpha. I haven’t decided where to go yet.”

“Go? You’re
thinking of leaving?”

“
I can’t stay and risk Bane attacking my uncle’s pack. I thank you for your offer, but that would put your pack at risk as well.”

“
You can’t go this alone Ashley. Both packs are very capable. If Bane decides to make a move against you, the protection of a pack is crucial.”

“
This is my mess, Alpha.”

“
No, I disagree. Bane has defied council and treated his pack like slaves for years. His actions hurt the whole were community. He risks our being discovered by turning humans against their will and forcing unwanted mating. You may think this is your fight, but you are wrong. If Bane makes a move to harm you in anyway, the Reiner and Cheveyo packs will take him down. I’ve already spoken to your uncle about this. Our Families are connected now that Lexi is a Cheveyo and we protect our own. Please consider staying with your uncle. It would kill him if anything happened to you.”

“I
will, Alpha. Thank you.”

“
Are you comfortable having Bryce drive you back? I can ask Lexi or Gwen to take you.”

“Bryce
will be fine. I don’t think he will hurt me.”

“
If what I’ve seen is any indication, Bryce couldn’t hurt you.”

Ashley
just nodded. She didn’t know what the Alpha meant, but he was right. Bryce was safe. His family made her feel comfortable, but Bryce made her feel protected. He cared for her. She was beginning to care for him as well.

9

Bryce was thankful to be going back home. He would have to speak to Drew about getting some female doctors at the Rainer Clinic. Lexi had said Ashley had refused care because the doctors were all men. Faith had been a godsend. Ashley sat in the passenger seat. Her head rested against the window as she stared into space.

“Are
you speaking to me?” Bryce asked as they started the long drive.

“I
didn’t say anything,” Ashley said swinging her gaze to the man in the driver’s seat. She wondered what it was about Bryce that made him feel safe.

“No
, you didn’t say anything. I was asking if you were still speaking to me. I figured you’d probably tell me where to go once we were alone.”

“
No, I’m glad you called them. I guess I needed someone like your sister to talk some sense into me.”

“Ashley
, I …” Bryce stopped mid-sentence. What was he going to say? I like you. I need to know what tests you had to have before I go crazy.  “I... I’m hungry. How about you?”

“I could eat.”

“You up for fast food? We don’t even have to stop.”

“Sure.” She had a sneaking suspicion that food was not really what he wanted to say. Ashley was trying to smile
. Bryce was really trying to make her feel more comfortable.

Ashley sat
quietly as they edged into the takeout line when her cell phone rang. “It’s probably your uncle or aunt,” Bryce said flashing a killer smile. He was really one of the most handsome men that she had ever seen.

Ashley looked at the caller ID
and panicked. “What who is it?”

“
It’s… it’s a friend.”

“
A friend?” Bryce asked pulling out of line and off to the side.

“
Yeah. She’s someone I grew up with, Yasmin.”

“Are you going to answer it?”

“Should I?”

“Yes.
See what she has to say. Maybe she’s just worried about you.”

Ashley nodded
. Yasmin had been with her the night she was attacked. Of course, she was worried. Ashley had disappeared the next day.

Pushing
the accept button, she put the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Ash
, is that you? Please tell me it’s you.”

“It’s
me Yas.”

“Oh
god, honey, are you alright?”

“No Y
as, I’m not alright.”

“I
know. I’m sorry I didn’t help. I just...”

“There
was nothing you could have done.”

“Yes
there was. I was a coward. I’m trying to make it up to you, Ashley. Bane has sent Dan and Julian to look for you.”