Wolf's Bane (Shifted) (9 page)

“What
!” Bryce’s chest felt like someone had stomped on it. He could hear the woman clearly in the confines of the car. Bane was making his move. “Who are Dan and Julian?” he snapped.

“They
are the men that were with Richard that night,” she choked.

“Ashley
, who is that? Where are you?” Ashley didn’t respond. She loved Yasmin. They had grown up together, but she didn’t trust her enough to tell her where she was. For all she knew, Bane was listening in.

“I’m
nowhere, Yas. When did they leave?”

“Bane sent them out this morning to look for you. I couldn’t call
then. There were too many people around.  From what I hear, he told them to bring you back alive, or not come back at all.”

“Sounds like him.
Thanks for the warning.”

“Ashl
ey, be careful.”

“I will,” Ashley hung up on her friend
. If this wasn’t a set up, then Yasmin had risked a lot just calling her.

“Ashley
, honey, are you okay?” Bryce asked softly leaning into the girl. He was fighting the overwhelming urge to haul her into his lap and just hold her.

“Bryce” she said looking at him with tear filled eyes.

“Hey, you’ll be alright. I’ll make sure of it.”

Ashley reached out to Bryce as he closed the gap between
them. He didn’t frighten her. She wanted him to just hold her. The feel of him as he pulled her toward him was like nothing she had ever experienced. His touch felt more than right.  This was more than just simple physical contact. Her heart that should have been panicked was singing with the nearness of him. She gasped as she realized that, with Bryce, she felt more than just protected, she felt loved.

“
Fire in the blood,” that’s how Lexi had described it. Was this what she had felt?

“
Holy shit,” Bryce huffed as he enclosed her in his arms. “Ashley, please tell me you feel that.”

Ashley
knew what he meant, but was having trouble responding. Her emotions flooded her brain to the point it threatened to shut down. “Bryce, I can’t...”

“Ash
, please?” he pleaded.

“I
feel it, Bryce. That’s not what I was going to say.”

“Okay
, tell me,” he said holding her closer.

“I
can’t be with you right now. I want to. I do. I just…”

“
Don’t reject me just because you’re scared, Ash. I’ll wait. I’ll wait a lifetime. Just give this a chance.”

“
’This, as you call it, will probably get you killed, Bryce. I need to go, to run somewhere they can’t find me.”

“I
won’t ever let anything happen to you, Ash. You are meant to be mine. Don’t shut me out.”

Ashley was silent for a moment the
thought of running didn’t override her need to be with Bryce. He still held her against him like she was something precious. There was no doubt this was the feeling that Lexi described. Could she walk away from Bryce? The answer came easily. No.

“I
won’t shut you out, Bryce, but I have to do something,” she said relaxing into him. She couldn’t fight the feeling his touch sent through her, and, in truth, she didn’t want to.

“
We will do something, you and I. We are a team. You’re my mate, Ashley.”

“I got that
memo the second you touched me, Bryce. Lexi said the mate fever was real. I didn’t believe her.”

“You believe her now?”

“Yes Bryce, I believe her. I just don’t want to put you in danger.”

“
Losing you would put me in more danger than Bane ever could.” Bryce kissed the top of her head. He was holding her. Under the circumstances, that was as far as he knew he should push her. She wasn’t pulling away. She trusted him. In time, she would be comfortable with more. They had a lifetime. He could wait.

“You
should call your uncle. Tell him what your friend said. If they left this morning, I doubt they will try anything today. We will come up with something to smoke them out. Do you know what they look like?”

“
Yes.”

“
That will help. First we eat. Then we’ll head back to the pack house. No one will get in there I can assure you.”

“Bryce
, what kind of life will we have if I can never leave the pack house?”

“
We will have it all, Ashley. No one is going to stop me from giving that to you.”

Ashley tipped her head to look at Bryce as he held her against him.
The warmth and love coming off the man were mixed with sheer determination to make his promise to her come true. It was strange how she could almost tell what he was thinking. He was her mate. There was no doubt in her mind that Bryce Woodland was sent to her to heal and protect her. She wanted to give him everything. She wanted to give him herself. That discussion could wait until they were at least out of the car. He was hers, and nothing, not even an attack by another were, was going to keep her from mating with this man.

“Bryce
, I think you might have to let me move so you can drive,” she smiled.

“
Oh… right… it would be a bit difficult. Call Drew. I’ll order us something. Burgers okay?”

“Yes
with everything.”

“
A girl after my own heart,” he said as he slid her back into her seat and strapped her in like a two year old. Ashley wasn’t offended by the action. In fact, she was quite the opposite.

10

Despite the knowledge that Bane was indeed after h
er, Ashley was surprisingly alright. The tension of not knowing was gone. Bryce was holding her hand as they drove the feel of him sent rivulets of pure energy coursing through her. Mate fever was definitely not mythical. It was real.

“Uncle
Drew said he’d have security in place. Do you think that Dan and Julian will know I’m there? It’s the first place they will look.”

“
Let them look. No wife of mine is going to have to live in fear. If I have to eliminate the entire Bane pack, I will do it.”

“
Your wife, huh?”

“
I’m sorry in getting ahead of myself.”

“
It’s alright. I kind of like the sound of it.”

“
A true mating is forever. You do know that, right?” Ashley felt him squeeze her hand tighter.

“I do know that
, Bryce. Relax. We will be fine.”

“
You’re the one who was hurt, and you’re telling me to relax?”

“
I’m better now that I’ve shifted.”

“Ash
, what tests did they have to run?”

Ashley thought for a
moment. She could make something up. The truth would just hurt him or, even worse, drive him away. She didn’t want to start a lifetime with this man with any secrets. So taking a deep breath she said.” They did a pregnancy test.”

“
Shit,” Bryce barked. “He...”

“I don’t know
, Bryce. I was so out of it, the pain the fear. I just don’t know.”

“
And the test?”

“
It was negative.”

“
Ashley, none of this was your fault. If you hadn’t killed him, I swear to you right now, I would. Any children you have will be mine. No one will ever hurt you that way again.”

Ashley’s
eyes filled with tears. Had this been a male born to the Bane pack, she was sure that even with the mate fever he would have blamed her. Bryce Woodland was too good for her, and she vowed right then and there to make him never regret his kind words. She would be worthy of him, strong and supportive like her aunt and mother.

“
Thank you,” she squeaked as soon as she could talk.

“
So, about what I said before…”

“Which
part?”

“The
part about you being my wife. Are you up to being the Alpha’s wife when the time comes?”

“
I’m up for anything that keeps me with you.”

“
I won’t ask you to do more than you’re ready for,” Bryce said softly as they pulled into the compound. “If you need time, I’ll be there for you.”

The water works started again
. Ashley couldn’t help it. This man was just too good to be true, and he was hers. “We’ll take it slow Bryce, but I’m not waiting. I want it all.”

“You
have it. Let’s go in. I’m sure the family is worried.” Bryce came around the cab of the SUV and opened the door for Ashley. He wished he could lead her right to his room and lock the door. Helping her down, he looked at the woman that now meant everything to him. She looked beautiful, even with a tear stained face. Her eyes flashed an emotion he could only equate with love. The dull vacant look was almost gone. His girl was strong. Even after all she had been through, she was letting him in. “Are you okay?” he whispered as he took her hand and headed for the door.

“I’m fine
, Bryce. A little overwhelmed, but fine.”

Ashley’s A
unt Julie ran out as soon as she saw the truck pull in. It was clear that Ashley had been crying. It was also a shock to see her niece’s hand was being held by Bryce.

“Ashley
, honey, are you alright?” she said rushing toward them.”

“
I’m alright, Auntie. Just worried.”

“Drew told me about your call
. Come in and get settled,” she said putting her arm around her niece to lend support. “Bryce, your family is here. We are all in the great room. They would all like to hear exactly what happened?”

Bryce followed the women. He told Julie what they knew about the call as they made their way back to the pack house. He would feel better once Ashley was inside. He didn’t think the men after her would dare come for her when she was surrounded by guards and his brothers, but they could report back to Bane that she was indeed there. Ashley had been right about one thing. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life hiding in the pack house. They needed a plan. He just hoped one of them could come up with one.

The loss of contact with Bryce’
s hand was slightly uncomfortable when Ashley’s aunt swept in and started leading her into the house. She knew her aunt was trying to comfort her and meant well, but she wanted Bryce. She looked back over her shoulder noticing Bryce was not far behind. His smile told her he wasn’t going far, so she relaxed a bit.

The Great R
oom was designed for huge gatherings, yet the presence of Bryce’s brothers along with their father and a woman she assumed was their mother, made the room look small.

“Ash
, this is my mother, Jane,” Bryce said steering her toward the one person in the room she didn’t know. His hand was on the small of her back as he led her through the room. The questioning stares told her they might be figuring it out. She went from being afraid to have a man in the room, to having one touch her intimately in a matter of hours. This was no time to make some big announcement. They had things to discuss.

“I see where Lexi gets her looks from,” she smiled. The woman had red hair and a petite frame just like her daughter. The boys had
obviously taken after their father in the looks department. Ashley’s mind wandered to images of a redheaded child running toward her. The daydream had her smiling.

“
So pleased to finally meet you. My boys have spoken highly of you.”

“
I can’t imagine why. I’ve been a wreck since I got here,” Ashley joked.

“
You seem to have made an impression on all of them.” Jane looked at Bryce, who just nodded to his mother.

The next hour
, the room filled with ideas as to how to proceed. Ashley was surprised when Lexi walked in with her mate, Gage. He looked like Maverick and Royal, who she had met just after the attack. You could tell from a mile away he was a Cheveyo. You could also tell he was completely devoted to Lexi.

Lexi bounced over to the couch that Ashl
ey was sitting on beside Bryce. They weren’t touching, but the nearness of him soothed her.

“I see you two figured it out,” she said in a hush bending to kiss her brother
’s cheek.

“
You knew?” he said a little louder than he had intended.

“I had an idea
, yes.”

“
How?” Ashley asked as she looked up at the woman that was now pretty much her sister-in- law.

“
The way you looked at each other. I’m so happy for both of you. Have you said anything to the others?”

“No
, it didn’t seem like the right time.”

“I suppose you’re right,”
Lexi smiled before going back to Gage.

11

The next few hours were filled with one after the other sharing their ideas
on how to handle the Bane situation. Ashley was feeling self-conscious. The mate fever would explain Bryce being so devoted to her but not the others. Being an only child, she wasn’t used to having a huge family rally around her in support. Every single person in the room was there for her.

“
If Bane is out for blood, why would he tell the shifters he sent to bring her back alive?” Matt asked plunging the room into silence. Most of them had been very careful to not upset her. Matt pointing out that Bane wanting her brought back alive didn’t make sense, was the first time they had discussed anything but hiding her.

Bryce stiffe
ned beside her as she answered. “My guess would be that he wants to make an example of me.’”

“
Example?” Bryce’s mother asked.

“I killed his son. Warren Bane isn’t exactly father of the year
. It was probably taken as more of an insult to his authority. When the council stepped in, he wasn’t all broken up about Richard’s death. He was more concerned that I had defied his Alpha order. I hate to think about it, but he might be thinking a public execution would show the others in the pack what happened when you defy the Alpha. Then, of course, there is the possibility that he wants me alive to force a mating with one of his other sons.”

“
Oh, hell no!” Bryce growled. Ashley placed a hand on his to calm him.

“
He might just want me dead, but it seemed like he was more concerned with the mating and having his line strengthened. The pack has many young women in it, but Bane is careful not to allow other Alpha shifters other than his sons’ into the pack. I am the only female with an Alpha lineage in my family. Bane is all about power.”

“He has to know you won’t agree,” Lexi said looking at Ashley.

“I don’t think he cares whether I agree or not. If he gets to me, I won’t be given a choice. The only reason I was able to defy his Alpha command in the first place was that my will is strong. I’m sure he equates that to my lineage.”

“
He’s trying to breed super grandchildren?” Colin said as more of a statement than a question.

“
That would be my guess. Otherwise, why not just send them to kill me?”

“
Ash, these men your friend mentioned, what do you know about them?” Drew asked in an Alpha tone.

“They
are enforcers. They were with Richard the night I was attacked. I’m actually surprised Bane didn’t have them executed when they failed to protect his son.”

“
Sending them here might as well be an execution,” Aiden growled. “If they come after you, it is a death sentence. You have both the Reiner pack and the Cheveyos protecting you.”

“
You know what? That might be it,” Matt said. Ashley could tell the were had an idea. She could almost see the wheels turning in the man’s head. “Ashley, Bane knows Drew’s your uncle, right?”

“
Yeah, that’s why the whole mating thing was even arranged.” Ashley looked at her uncle who had a pained look on his face. “Uncle, it isn’t your fault. It’s just a fact,” she tried to tell him. She could tell he was now thinking it was his fault.

Matt continued.
“He knows you’re probably here with Drew. What he doesn’t know is that the Cheveyo pack has any connection. Lexi and Gage’s mating was recent. He won’t expect another pack defending you. The Reiner pack is small. He might think he can get to you?”

“
They are probably watching for you somewhere in the area,” Lars agreed with his son.

Gage nodded
. He seemed to be following the thoughts of the others. Ashley wasn’t. “So what are you thinking?”

Matt thought for a moment before speaking.
“I was thinking we let them see her.”

“
What!” Bryce roared.

“Calm
down. Let me finish. What if we let them follow Ashley on our terms. We can seem like we’re hiding her somewhere. Then when they come, they won’t expect the Cheveyo guard to be anywhere near. It will look like an easy job.”

“You’re suggesting we use her as bait?” Bryce tried to calm the rage building inside him.

“Bryce, it makes sense,” Ashley agreed.

“You’re
seriously considering this?” Ashley was once again floored by the differences in the pack she had grown up in and this one. Her mate was letting her decide. He wasn’t demanding she do it his way.

“I am considering it. Maverick said he would help
. Maybe taking him up on his offer is the best way to end this.”

“I
don’t like it,” Bryce groaned.

“I
didn’t think you would, but think about it. I can’t just hide here. I can’t go off on my own; they would follow me for sure.”

“
So we get the two were’s that are following you, then what? Won’t Bane just send more?”

“
Let him send more,” Gage interjected. “The more he sends, the weaker his pack is. I know that Ashley is the main focus, but we do need to consider the bigger picture. Bane can’t be allowed to continue. I know both my Brother and the council agree on this point. I don’t see this ending without Bane being eliminated.”

“
Then what would happen to the pack?” Ashley asked. She had no love for Bane, but there were good people in the pack.

“
These sons of his, are they likely to take the lead if their father is eliminated?”

“I
don’t know. Richard was the one Bane had been grooming to take over. Jack and Frank didn’t seem too interested. I think taking Bane out would cripple the pack. I don’t see either of them challenging.”

“
So we, the Cheveyo pack and the Reiner pack, could absorb the Bane Shifters into our community. Letting one of his sons take over might not be the best plan.”

“
You’ll kill Warren?”

“Ashley
, you are my niece. That makes this a direct threat to my family. As Alpha I have the right to take out that threat.”

Bryce was thinking that gave him the right as
well. He wasn’t the Alpha yet, but, as the Alpha heir any threat to his mate being eliminated was within his rights according to pack law.

Bryce
hadn’t made his claim on Ashley known to the men in the room. The timing was bad. He knew he needed to go slow when it came to Ashley’s well-being. She had been through so much in such a short time. A growling, possessive mate wasn’t going to help the situation. She may not be ready for a full mating which involved a bite during sex. She might not be up for either at this time, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t his. The mate fever was all the claim he needed. He was about to make his claim known when Drew continued.

“I have a lake house not too far from here
. I could take her there; make sure the weres Bane sent are watching. Then when they come, they won’t know we expect them. We will have the advantage.

"I’ll take her, “Bryce snapped.
Drew gave him a curious look.

“
Sorry Alpha, but you are needed here. If I take her, they will think she had only a guard. If you go, they will be less likely to make a move on an Alpha. They don’t know I am Alpha. I’ll just look like one of the guard.”

“
Brother, there is no way we are letting you go alone,” Aiden snapped.

“
May I suggest the boys go on ahead to the house? Then, Bryce can follow with Ashley. They will follow Bryce, thinking he is her only protection.” Jane Woodland’s family nodded at her in agreement.

“
And we will be there waiting,” Matt chimed in.

“That
might just work.” Ashley said, seeing for the first time there was hope.

“It better work,” moaned Bryce.

Bryce didn’t like the plan
, but he saw the wisdom in it. As far as he was concerned, he would lock Ashley in the Alpha house and never let her go. His need to protect her was over riding his common sense, and he knew it. Keeping Ashley locked in his care would only hurt her. What kind of life would that be for his mate and for his future children? He also had the pack to think about. If they remained there, then the Reiner pack would be targeted. He would someday be Alpha. He had to think of the big picture.

As the others milled around discussing time tables and attack plans
, Bryce could see that Ashley was fading. She looked dead on her feet from the day’s events.

“
You need some rest,” he whispered to her as soon as he got close to her.