Changed: 2 (Wolf's Den) (3 page)

“Actually it was going perfectly until your mate showed up,”
Declan growled. When Jackson’s lips thinned he informed the man, “Don’t worry,
Chloe didn’t see anything. And believe me, Rachel wasn’t complaining. I could
have taken things further if we hadn’t been interrupted.”

Jackson shrugged his broad shoulders. “It’s movie night. I’m
surprised Rachel didn’t mention it.”

She did mention it, after Chloe showed up
. “She was
preoccupied.”

“I bet she was.” Jackson glanced around, nostrils flaring.
Tension filled the air, the streetlight shining across one side of his face.
After several seconds he relaxed and looked at Declan. “Are you calling it a
night?”

“I’m not sure.” Declan sensed Jackson’s restlessness. After
Declan had made his intention to claim Rachel known, he’d been forced to step
down as Beta temporarily. He hadn’t been able to keep up with as much as he
normally would have. He’d even had to cancel all his appointments at The Wolf’s
Den, the tattoo shop Jackson owned. “Why?”

“After Gavin denounced Desiree as his Lupa, the bitch asked
the other packs for sanctuary. She claimed she couldn’t return home shamed and
disgraced. Ward Wilson agreed to let her join his pack until she found
somewhere to go. Rumor has it she’s settled in and doesn’t want to leave. She’s
also been cozying up to Simone.”

Oh shit.

Desiree Benson had been mated to Chloe’s father. Gavin
Worthington—a prominent Alpha in the area—had decided it was time to cut her
loose. Their arranged mating hadn’t gone smoothly. Everyone knew Gavin and
Desiree loathed one another, which was why Gavin had searched for love
elsewhere and discovered his mate—a human. Despite his feelings, he hadn’t told
the pack. He’d been too afraid of the repercussions and what Desiree would do
if she found out about his lover and the child created by their union. Desiree
and Gavin didn’t have children, meaning Chloe and her mother would inherit
everything Gavin owned.

While shitty on Gavin’s part—considering Chloe hadn’t known
she carried the werewolf trait and would eventually shift without understanding
what was happening to her—the Alpha’s concerns had been understandable. He’d
done what he thought was best, leaving his lover and unborn child. After
Chloe’s birth, her mother had withered to nothing and died of a broken heart. Chloe
had grown up trying to come to terms with the loss of her parent, raised by her
grandparents who had an idea the child in their care might be more than they’d
bargained for. They’d known Chloe’s father was a werewolf, having seen him when
he’d come to their home to beg Chloe’s mother not to contact him anymore.

Simone, on the other hand, was a power hungry bitch who’d
tried to force Jackson to agree to an arranged mating. Her father, Ward Wilson,
had put his daughter in her place when he’d learned about Chloe, ordering his
child to leave Jackson alone. Due to that Simone loathed Chloe with a passion.
She’d made it clear she wanted to tear into Jackson’s mate more than anything.
Given the chance she’d do it too.

Two bitches. A shared vendetta. So not fucking good.

“They’re not stupid.” At least Declan hoped they weren’t. If
they attacked Chloe they’d face the judgment of the packs. “They won’t try
anything.”

“I’ve had Shane watching the house and cabin.” Jackson’s
irises turned gold and he growled softly. “He picked up traces of a strange
wolf at both places. He wasn’t able to identify who it was.”

“Shane’s new,” Declan offered. “Maybe it’s someone he hasn’t
met yet.”

After Declan had temporarily stepped down as Beta, he’d
worried about giving Shane the position for that very reason. But the secretive
male was strong and capable. That was the primary reason Jackson had taken the
rogue wolf into the pack. Shane kept his strength under wraps but any Beta or
Alpha could feel how powerful the male was. Declan knew he could defend and
watch out for those under his protection.

“He’s been on runs with the packs. He knows everyone’s
scents. To be safe he took me to the locations he discovered when he was
guarding Chloe. The scent was faint but I was able to find it. The trespasser
is someone I’ve never met and it’s a male. The fucker had a bird’s-eye view of
what my mate and I do in our private time.”

“What are you thinking?” Personally Declan was inclined to
think it had to be a rogue or lone wolf—those who disregarded pack rules and
existed on their own. Sometimes they formed small groups but they were never
permanent. By design, rogues liked to be alone and without obligation to
others. Which begged the question—why would one trespass on Jackson’s property?
And not just Jackson’s home but his cabin too? What did the idiot hope to gain?
“What’s your plan?”

“I’m thinking it’s best not to leave Chloe alone. My plan is
to keep her guarded.” Jackson growled again, the low, eerie sound making
Declan’s wolf respond with anger of its own. “I can sense danger but I can’t
see it. That’s why I need you to watch over Chloe tonight. Gavin wants to meet
with me. He might be able to help.”

“I can do that.” Curious, he questioned, “Chloe still isn’t
talking to him?”

“She’s called him a few times. He’s her father, after all.”
Jackson shifted his feet and rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s not aware of
what’s going on. Not yet, anyway. I’d prefer to talk to Gavin before I fill her
in on what Shane found.”

Rachel and Chloe appeared at the door to the shop. Declan
looked at Jackson and quickly nodded. “I’ll watch over them. Where are they
going?”

“To Rachel’s shit heap,” Jackson grumbled, eyes flitting
toward the house across the street. “I’ll be back to pick Chloe up at midnight.
Don’t let your guard down.”

Declan considered giving Jackson shit over the description
of Rachel’s home but what the man said was true. The house
did
look like
a dump. Paint had fallen from the front of the front and sides and the roof
looked ready to cave in. The grass was neatly trimmed and flowers lined the
walkway but it didn’t make the residence look any better. Declan’s wolf
snarled, furious at her state of living. Once they mated she’d never call a
place like that home again.

“I’ll loop around the back and stay hidden. I won’t let them
out of my sight.”

He took his attention from Jackson and looked at Rachel.
She’d been staring at him but as soon as their gazes met she turned to Chloe.
He glanced at Jackson’s mate. When Chloe spotted him a smile spread across her
face. It had been a couple of weeks since he’d seen her. She probably wondered
if he had come home for good.

“I’m going to go before anyone asks why I’m here,” Declan
said, giving Jackson a sideways glance as he walked away.

Someone had been sniffing around. Definitely not good. He’d
have to call Shane for details. If Shane had picked up an unfamiliar scent at
one place Declan would brush it off as a wolf that had taken a risk and snooped
on another’s territory. Knowing the unknown scent had appeared at both
locations changed things. This wasn’t random. Meaning everyone had to be on
alert. He wished he’d had more time to ask questions. Tomorrow he’d have to
make a few calls.

Entering the cover of trees behind the garage, he switched
to a steady jog. It was dark but Chloe would see him if he wasn’t careful. He
decided to take cover in a tree next to the garage so he’d be able to see the
front and sides of the house. Climbing up wasn’t difficult. He found a decent
spot and settled in.

Jackson guided the women across the street, his arm wrapped
around Chloe’s waist. The visual was like a slam to the gut, reminding Declan
the night was far from over.

He hadn’t been lying to Rachel. As soon as Chloe left he’d
be paying his mate a visit.

And he wasn’t leaving until he’d claimed some part of her as
his own.

“He wants to take me to dinner. He says he’ll answer all my
questions.” Chloe nestled in Rachel’s couch, grasping one of the worn pillows
tossed to the side. “I told him I’d think about it.”

“It’s good to take your time,” Rachel said, trying to be
neutral. With her upbringing, she wasn’t too keen on trusting family members.
Chloe had spoken to her father a few times but wasn’t ready to meet him
face-to-face just yet. To lighten the mood, Rachel offered, “You’ve got
forever. What’s the rush?”

Chloe’s eyes clouded over and Rachel wanted to slap herself.
She’d forgotten how worried Chloe had become, knowing Rachel wouldn’t live as
long as she would. They’d only discussed the issue once and that had been more
than enough. Chloe—God love her—thought Rachel should consider joining Team
Furry Creatures. That way they’d never be apart. But the thought of changing
into a dog wasn’t all that appealing.

They snatch children up and take them to the woods.
Her mother’s voice breezed through her head.
Then they let them go and hunt
them down. They love the taste of human flesh. Once they’ve had it nothing else
will do.

She exhaled slowly, shunning the horrific images in her
mind. “I’m sorry.” She hurried to make things right. Chloe wasn’t the monster
her mother would have Rachel believe. “That was a horrible joke.”

“I wish you’d just think about it,” Chloe said softly, eyes
full of concern. “You’d never have to grow old and you’d never be alone. You
don’t know how wonderful it is. It’s like growing wings and being able to fly.
And you’d finally have a family.”

It wasn’t easy to bite back her temper. “Unlike you I don’t
have a beef with nature. It’s the way life works. You’re born. You live. Then
you die. And I
do
have a family,” she reminded Chloe firmly. Chloe’s
grandparents had practically raised her. Rachel knew she’d be welcomed at their
home anytime. “Gram and Gramps, remember?”

“They’re getting old, Rach.” Chloe’s sadness at the
confession smothered Rachel’s anger. “Grams had to start using a cane to get
around. It’s hard for her to get out of bed in the morning. Gramps does what he
can but…” Shaking her head, she whispered miserably, “They’re not as strong as
they used to be. I can see what time is doing to them.”

“It’s nature, Chloe,” she repeated, hammering her point
home. “
We’re born, we live and then we die
.”

“You don’t have to be so cruel,” Chloe snapped. “I know
what’s going to happen to my family. No matter how much I hate thinking about
it. But you…” She formed her hands into tight fists. “You could listen if you
wanted to. You could try to understand.”

Screw this.
“Look, let’s not talk about all that,
okay? The night’s young. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. I’ve got a lot of
life left in me. We’re supposed to be having fun, so let’s have fun.” Rachel
reached for the vodka and shot glasses on the table. “Turn on the movie and
we’ll down a few drinks before the pizza gets here. We’re supposed to relax and
have a good time. There’s no need to ruin the night with silly arguments.”

Chloe sighed and tossed the pillow to the couch. “Sounds
good to me.”

As Rachel filled the glasses, Chloe turned on the movie
they’d chosen—some cheesy horror flick about a deranged lunatic plaguing a
small town. Usually they went for romance but Rachel insisted she really wasn’t
in the mood. The last thing she needed was the memory of Declan in the garage,
touching her so carefully, kissing her until she couldn’t breathe. She’d been
surprised to see him with Jackson. The way he’d looked at her had sent a lick
of heat from her head to her toes.

She handed a shot to Chloe. “Here you go.”

They tapped the glasses together, tapped the bases of the
thick glass on the coffee table and quickly tossed the vodka back. The liquid
burned like fire, cascading down Rachel’s throat. She coughed it off, laughing
as she pounded her chest. Chloe grinned, taking the burn of the liquor much
better than she ever had as a human.

“One more?” Rachel asked.

Chloe extended her arm, holding out her glass. “Please.”

Just like old times. Rachel refilled Chloe’s drink and then
did the same with her own. The followed the same routine, downing the shots.

Since she’d already had one round, the vodka went down much
smoother. She cleared her throat, glad her eyes didn’t water. The only time she
consumed alcohol was when she and Chloe had a movie night. Otherwise she
avoided the stuff altogether. Her mother served as a constant reminder of what
happened when you got addicted to booze. Once a beautiful woman, Rachel’s
mother had turned into a liar, thief and whore of epic proportions.

“So how are things with Jackson?” Rachel placed her glass on
the table and reclined on the couch, deciding to talk through the opening
credits of the film. “Are you digging the married life?”

Chloe snorted, shaking blonde curls from her face. “We’re
not married yet.”

“You might as well be.” They hadn’t had the ceremony but it
wasn’t necessary. When werewolves mated—from what Rachel knew—it was for life.
“You love him. He loves you. A piece of paper doesn’t mean squat.”

“Things
are
good between us.” The corners of Chloe’s
mouth lifted into a smile. “He’s bossy sometimes but I don’t mind. I kinda like
it.”

“I bet you do.” If Declan was any indication of how
werewolves were sexually, Rachel could just imagine how bossy Jackson could be.
“How are you getting on with the family?”

“I’m getting along fine with the
pack
.” Chloe’s
clarification was intentional and Rachel knew it. Sometimes—when Rachel wasn’t
paying attention—she tended to act as though Chloe hadn’t changed. She
generalized things to make the situation tolerable. “They’re really great. I’ve
told them about you. They want to know if you’re ever coming around. You should
meet them.”

Chloe and Jackson she could handle. She could even suffer
Declan. But an entire room of werewolves? No way in hell. “We’ll see,” she
murmured.

“It’s not as bad as you think.” Chloe retrieved the pillow
and rested back. “They’re actually pretty normal. Gram and Gramps were
impressed when they joined us for lunch. They like them.”

Rachel knew Chloe’s grandparents had visited the pack, so
she wasn’t sure why it bothered her to hear about it. Maybe she was jealous on
some level. Gram and Gramps were her family too. Yet they were now apart from
her in a small way, connected to Chloe in a manner Rachel envied. They’d always
been there for their grandchild, so of course they’d wanted to meet those Chloe
spent so much time with.

“I’m glad.” And she was glad for Chloe and her grandparents,
even if she felt a stab of envy. “You deserve to be happy.”

Chloe started to respond when the doorbell rang.

Perfect timing.
The food had finally arrived.

Rachel rose from the couch and snatched the money she’d
placed on the table. She’d been so busy working she hadn’t had a chance to eat
lunch. Nothing would taste better than a greasy slice of peperoni pizza. Her
stomach growled and her mouth watered. She quickened pace, ravenous and ready
to chow down. Reaching the door, she slid the chain lock free and unlatched the
deadbolt.

“Rachel!” Chloe yelled.

“What?” she hollered, cracking the door open. She turned at
the sound of stomping feet and frowned when she saw Chloe running toward her.
Her friend’s eyes had changed color, so bright they seemed yellow.

“Close the door. Don’t open—”

Rachel cried out as the door burst open and hit her in the
center of the chest. She staggered back, unable to draw air to scream as an
enormous fucking beast rushed into her house. Hitting the wall, she used her
hands to keep her balance and stay on her feet. Her mind tried to process what
she was seeing. The black wolf that had barged in was bigger than any dog she’d
ever seen, weighing at least a couple hundred pounds. Its feet were the size of
china plates, its head like a motor block. It gazed down the small hallway,
yellow eyes intent on its target.

Chloe cried out, her terror evident. She took off, bolting
into the living room.

Rachel watched, horrified, as the wolf went after her
friend. She didn’t think, acting on impulse. Snatching an umbrella by the door,
she tore after them. She entered the living room, braced for a fight. Chloe had
taken cover behind the couch, using it as a barrier. To Rachel’s shock, she
noticed Chloe’s face had changed. It was terrifying to watch her friend morph
into something else. Chloe’s elbows bent oddly, golden hair appearing on her
arms. The wolf across from Chloe slashed the furniture, ripping the cushions to
shreds. It reared back on its hind legs, ready to pounce.

“I don’t fucking think so!” Rachel snarled, charging at the
thing. “Get out of my house!”

She aimed at its head and brought the umbrella down. Her aim
was true, striking the wild animal at the base of its skull. It shook the blow
off so she hit it again, then again. The final whack bent the umbrella at the
center, making the weapon useless. She tossed it to the ground, facing the wild
creature that spun on its back legs to face her.

The wolf snarled. Vibrant gold eyes locked on to her.

Rachel didn’t feel herself hit the ground.

One second she was standing. The next her back made solid
contact with the floor. The wind went out of her lungs, making it impossible to
breathe. A horrible stabbing pain swept through her shoulder, burning like raw
fire. The animal shook her like a rag doll, lifting her torso from the ground.
She tried to push the thing away, shoving at its furry shoulders. Warm wetness
seeped down her chest and back, soaking her shirt. Bringing her hands up, she
tried to yank at the wolf’s ears and get free.

I’m going to die.

For all her brave talk to Chloe earlier, she didn’t
want
to
die. Certainly she accepted she wouldn’t live forever but she’d assumed she had
plenty of years ahead of her. She’d never done any of the things she wanted.
She’d never seen the world or traveled outside of Black County. She’d never
seen any of the beautiful places she’d heard about. She’d never been in love.
She’d never seen the sunrise. She’d never put on a pretty dress to be like one
of the beautiful girls she loathed but also envied. There were so many other
things she’d wanted to do and now she never would.

She screamed when the white-hot pain in her shoulder
increased, fangs ripping sideways through her flesh. Then the agonizing
sensation was gone, taken away as the black wolf veered, let go and moved away
from her. Growls echoed through the room, the vile sounds making Rachel
tremble. Back and forth the snarls went, the awful sounds ripping through her
skull. She tried to roll over, grimacing when she touched her shoulder. Blood
oozed between her fingers, soaking her palm. She wondered if she was bleeding
out, her racing heart pumping all of her blood from her body.

A whine pulled her from her morbid thoughts.

A blonde wolf—much smaller than the other one—had taken the
black beast down. The other animal shook its head, snarling furiously, bracing
its paws on the fallen wolf’s chest. Blood gushed from the blonde wolf’s mouth,
winding down the black beast’s coat and dripping on the carpet. Even as the
huge beast whined and whimpered the pale wolf didn’t relent, biting down,
snarling ferociously.

A blur caught Rachel’s attention and she tried to turn her
head.

Another wolf rushed by, its coat a dark brown color. It was
larger than the other wolves in her living room, almost double in size. The
brown animal approached the fighting pair. It snarled at the blonde wolf,
baring its teeth. The small, blonde beast didn’t relent, lifting its eyes to
glare at the other animal.

Oh God.
Rachel knew those eyes. She’d gazed into them
since she was a child. She’d never feared them before but she did now.
Chloe.

Her head swirled, speckles dotting her vision. She blinked
rapidly, fighting to stay awake. She didn’t want to die like this—on the floor,
watching her best friend turn into an animal, unable to move or speak. She
tried to inhale and gasped at the misery the simple action caused. Her lungs
felt heavy, her body becoming cold. Her teeth rattled as she shook, her muscles
drawn tight.

Blackness marred the edges of her vision, trying to take her
under. She resisted, telling herself to stay awake. She watched as the black
wolf’s movements became sluggish, it’s amber eyes full of panic. She realized
it was dying. Just like her.

Serves it right.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t, she closed her eyes. She
tried to count, to focus on something—anything—but in an instant darkness rose
to consume her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She gave up the fight,
succumbing to oblivion. There was nothing left.

In her final moments she admitted she didn’t want to slip
from the world.

Now—when it was too late—she very much wanted to live.

* * * * *

Declan growled at Chloe, ordering her to back off. She
didn’t listen, refusing to relinquish her death grip, biting down. Then she
shook her head, thrashing her muzzle violently from side to side. The wolf
she’d attacked stopped struggling, gurgling as it emitted a death rattle.

Rachel. Get to her. Now.

He fought to stay with Chloe, wanting to rush to his
female’s side. He’d seen she’d been hurt when he’d run into the home, smelled
the rusty bitterness of her blood. He hadn’t had time to assess her wounds. His
first course of action was to eliminate the threat. Otherwise his female
wouldn’t be safe. He had to make sure the wolf that had attacked was dead.
Snarling at Chloe and baring his teeth, he edged closer.

A loud snap ricocheted through the room, the sharp noise
meaning one thing. Chloe had broken the animal’s neck. The wolf in Chloe’s hold
stopped moving, its eyes rolling back in its head. Declan paused for a
moment—making sure the fucker wasn’t getting back up. Confident the deed had
been done, he rushed from Chloe to Rachel. His heart thudded in his chest, the
wolf hungry for battle. He didn’t let the emotions deter him, making it to his
mate.