Ashwood Falls Volume Two (28 page)

Silence filled the small space between him and Christa once they were alone. He studied her, making her fidget as she stood there. Beside him Gina cleared her throat and asked, “May I be excused?”

The question shocked him, making him draw back and break his focus on his mate. Turning to face Gina, he raised a hand, palm up, an offering of trust among shifters. Confusion skirted across her features. She drew her brows together and peered at his empty hand then at his face, not meeting his eyes.

Hayden set his jaw and mentally counted backward from one hundred. After a moment, he tried to soften his features and offered the female a small smile. “Place your hand in mine. Please.”

The sharp scent of fear arched off the female, and he silently cursed. What the hell had she been through? He was about step closer and draw Gina into a hug, like he’d done with so many tormented and scared submissives right after the attacks on MoonRiver’s den. The instant contact from a packmate had helped them clear the dark cloud of fear that consumed so many of them.

Before he moved closer to Gina, Christa cupped the female’s hand in between hers. “When a dominant offers his hand, he or she is asking for your trust.” Christa tugged Gina’s hand to his so it hovered above it. “You have to decide if you can accept that trust.”

Hayden met Christa’s gaze as she stepped back to allow Gina space to decide. Christa surprised him every minute. The more he was around her, the more he saw her strengths and her weaknesses. She was a remarkable woman.

And she was his.

The warm, soft weight of Gina’s palm touching his drew his attention back to the female. He closed his fingers around her hand and covered it with his other. Her features appeared to be a mix between a feline and a wolf. Her nose and mouth stuck out like a snout, but not as far as a wolf’s would. She had no facial hair like other mutants did or the extra-long fangs.

He focused on her golden-brown eyes and tried to get the animal half he felt to react to him. Yet, nothing happened. Oh, Gina started to fidget, and her eyes held a hint of wild fear in them, but her inner beast didn’t rise up to meet his challenge.

Interesting.

Even the wildest of mutants was lost to their animals. It was what made them the ultimate assassins. The beast was in full control, all humanity forgotten or destroyed by the brutal conditioning they must had gone through during training.

It was definitely something to discuss with Sasha and Dani—the Pack Healers—to get their opinions on. After all, they knew more about this shit than he did.

“What animal combinations did they use on you?”

Gina tugged at her hand, and Hayden let it go. The female was not used to touch. Well, a gentle touch that was. Hayden had seen it in too many females over the decades.

His wolf growled at the thought, and Hayden had to agree.

Onyx was going to pay for every hurt, every destruction that even hinted at their involvement.

“I found tiger and wolf DNA in my blood. It was an odd mix and so fused together that I couldn’t determine which one was my natural animal gene before I was discovered.” Gina snapped her attention to a bird that landed on a chunk of a nearby building.

Ah, there it was. The tiger reflex to pounce. So she wasn’t complete out of touch with her animal half. Yet, they didn’t respond to him.

“Gina.” He spoke softly so he didn’t spook her. When she met his gaze briefly, he asked, “Do you feel your animal spirits inside you?”

She drew her brows together. “What do you mean?”

“It sounds crazy when it’s spoken out loud. But do you hear another voice in your head? Do you feel another soul inside you?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I have certain instincts that I didn’t before, but that’s it.”

He opened his mouth to ask another question but stopped when Christa placed a hand on his arm. Taking Christa’s hand in his, he brought it to his lips. Her intake of breath and the way her heart rate sped up made him smile.

Christa jerked her hand from his and stepped out of his reach. His wolf growled at the absence of her touch. Deciding to settle the distance between then later, in private, he returned his attention to Gina, who tried her best not to watch the exchange between him and Christa. The slight blush in the female mutant’s cheeks told him she was a little uncomfortable with the PDA.

Hayden scanned the area more out of instinct than anything. Being a born Alpha and working as a Marshal for most his adult life, he was always on the alert. Now he had one more reason to keep watch. “Gina, you are welcome to the little food we have. We’ll come get you in the morning when we’re ready to leave. If you hear anything that remotely sounds like a search party, come get me. We’re in the large house closest to the entrance of the den.”

She nodded. “Thank you. I will.”

Christa gave Gina a wave and turned to leave. Hayden offered the female a short nod right before he stalked after his mate.

If she thought she was going to get away from him, she was mistaken—her second mistake. Her first mistake had been walking away from him because, to the wolf, she’d just challenged him to chase her. When he caught her, he was going to have her naked and in his bed.

****

C
hrista rounded the corner and darted behind a pile of destroyed building. Once she was out of Hayden’s sight, she ran. She wasn’t sure where she was going. All she knew was she needed to run. Needed to get away from the den, from Gina, from Rick, and, most of all, from the wolf that made her burn from within.

Damn she was a wreck.

Her emotions were too close to the surface. Memories rose to show the ugly images and the pain she’d buried long ago.

Hayden had seen that pain. She could no longer hide from it.

She stopped when she reached the stream where she’d had lunch with Hayden earlier that day. Peering into the water, she tried to remember where her life had taken a plunge into the crapper.

A snap of a twig had her spinning around into a defensive stance. Some of the tension loosened in her muscles as she stared into Hayden’s green eyes, eyes that glowed, indicating the wolf was close to the surface.

He stepped toward her, and she planted her feet, not daring to move. If she ran now, he’d chase her down. She didn’t want to know what he would do when he caught her.

Oh, she could guess by the way he prowled toward with a hunger in his eyes she’d never seen in any man.

The mating thing.

It had to be it. Shit.

“Hayden?”

A crooked grin was his reply before he stopped inches from her, looped one arm around her, and pulled her against his body, hard. Then his mouth was on hers, his tongue pushing through the seam of her lips. One of his hands glided up her back and into her hair, where he fisted a handful and pulled just enough to bring her into submission.

God, he tasted too good, like bittersweet chocolate.

He walked her backward until he had her pinned to the trunk of a large tree. Her skin felt as though it were on fire. Every inch of her was too sensitive, her body too aware of the dominating male who held her trapped.

In that moment she was too tired to fight. She wanted him like she’d wanted no one before. He ignited a need deep inside she couldn’t deny.

He broke the kiss and held her gaze for a brief moment. “I can’t hold back any longer.”

And she could fight the pull to him anymore. Breathless, she offered him a crooked smile and said, “Then don’t.”

She nipped at his lip, drawing a sensual smile from him. Her breath hitched at the sight. He was gorgeous when he smiled.

Hayden dipped his head to place a kiss on her jaw then her neck and down. When he reached the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, he bit down. She cried out and fisted a hand in his hair. She felt her panties go damp as her pussy throbbed, needing his touch.

She moved against him. “Hayden.”

He growled softly and claimed her lips again as he unfastened her jeans. Breaking the kiss, he slid the denim down her legs, taking her panties with them.

She raised a foot to free one leg from the jeans. When she went to set it down, he gripped her ankle and draped it over his shoulder. Christa stopped breathing for a moment as she peered down into his green eyes. She held his gaze as he inched closer, taking his sweet-ass time. Anticipation coiled in her belly and made the need to have him touch her, pet her, unbearable.

Patience wasn’t her strong suit, and this slow torture Hayden was putting her through was going to break her.

He kissed her thigh. She shuttered and closed her eyes. If he didn’t hurry the fuck up...

She cried out again when Hayden’s tongue swiped across her clit. He licked her a few more times before covering her pussy with his mouth and sucking.

Her legs felt weak and jelly-like, but she didn’t dare move. The pleasure that ran though her body like a wildfire overrode her senses and built until she was panting and shuddering under his touch.

God, it was as though her body starved for this man.

He slid two fingers inside her, and she fell over the edge. The orgasm shook through her, hard.

Hayden stood, still stroking her pussy while he undid his pants. He covered her mouth with his and slid his tongue into her mouth. She twisted her tongue around his in an erotic dance. Her body heated, raising the desire even higher than the first time Hayden kissed her.

When he removed his hand, she almost whimpered from the absence of his touch. Her disappointment was short-lived.

He lifted her legs while pressing her back into the trunk and thrust inside her. She gasped at the sudden invasion. Pain quickly turned into pleasure as he thrust in and out hard and fast.

She wasn’t a virgin, but he was thick, and it’d been a long time. He stretched her impossibly wide. Digging her nails into his back, she rode the wave of another orgasm until they both screamed in release.

C
ameron was about to be ambushed. She saw it in their eyes.

Her mates stalked through the front door of her father-in-law’s home and headed straight for her. She set down the glass of milk and turned toward the back patio, knowing they’d follow. The hard stares said they were determined. She’d expected it, but at least thought she’d have more time to come to terms with it than this.

Stepping out onto the screened-in porch, she peered around the area and was relieved that no one was there. She drew in the cooling early autumn air and braced herself.

She knew she couldn’t avoid them for long, but she was scared. Blaine and Graham were too in-tune with her. They’d know something was wrong.

“Cameron,” Blaine growled from the door at her back.

She closed her eyes and remained planted where she stood, allowing them to come to her. Graham was the first to approach her. He stopped inches from her and ran a hand through her hair, starting at the scalp and moving to the ends, where he moved it to the side to press a kiss on her neck. She heard him inhale deeply, and her heart raced.

Fuck. Why was she so scared of this?

She should be happy, overjoyed in fact. Yet, that creature of doubt hung around her heart and squeezed. What if she couldn’t carry the cub to term? What if she could never...

“Cam,” Graham cooed. He could sense her sadness through the mating bond, as could Blaine, who picked her up and cradled her to his chest.

She felt Blaine lower them down into the sofa. Graham sat beside them and took her hand in his.

Blaine kissed her forehead. “We know your secret, Cam. We’ve known for weeks.”

She gave a half-hearted smile. It was just like Blaine to make her say it out loud, even though he already knew. It was why he’d tried to hunt her down all day. She suspected Hayden had called him.

Damn male. She knew Hayden had scented the change in her at Hunter Ridge. As Blaine’s best friend, Hayden wouldn’t withhold something this important from him.

She took a deep, shaky breath before whispering, “I’m pregnant.”

The burst of joy filled the mating bond from both of her mates. Blaine squeezed her gently while Graham hugged both of them. Blaine shifted her to the couch so she was sandwiched between them.

Graham took her chin and turned it toward him. “Have you seen Dani?”

Fear sparked to life again in her heart. She shook her head. “I just started having the symptoms.”

Blaine growl softly. “Did you tell anyone?”

Again, she shook her head. A tear fell down her cheek. “I didn’t want to tell anyone in case I...”

Blaine fell silent while Graham hugged her close and pressed his lips to her temple. “You are strong. Our bond is strong. Everything will be fine.”

She so wanted to believe him, but she’d lost one child. How was she to be sure she wouldn’t lose this one?

A moment later Dani charged through the backdoor to the screen-in porch. Behind her were Nevan, Keegan, Addyson, and Luna. Oh great, now everyone knew.

Blaine growled. “Dad, I said to send Dani.”

Keegan shrugged. “We were just curious about what the Healer knew that you weren’t telling.”

Dani dropped to her knees in front of Cameron, a wide-ass smile on her face. “How are you feeling?”

“Sick.”

Dani nodded. “Good sign.” She placed a hand on Cameron’s belly and let out a soft squeal. Cameron heard Luna and Addyson imitate the sound, but she didn’t dare look at the females.

“You’re pregnant.” Dani met her gaze.

Cameron rolled her eyes. “I know.”

Dani giggled. “I’m guessing you’re about nine weeks, maybe further. I’ll have to do an ultrasound and some blood work to be certain. I do know one thing.”

The joy that lit up the Healer’s pale green eyes gave Cameron hope. “What?”

“You will carry to term. I can feel your jaguar protecting the fetus. She’s keeping this one.”

Cameron burst into tears. Not from fear or sadness, but from relief and joy as all the stress she’d been putting herself through for the last couple of weeks hit her all at once.

She was going to be a mom.

****

A
na stood in the doorway that lead out to the back porch, a smile in her heart. She also held an emptiness that had been there for as long as she remembered. She’d thought that being with her family and living in a healthy Pack would fill the void.