Dark Wolf Returning (23 page)

“I’m good,” she told him, gesturing toward the
Lycans. “I just thought you might want to help me take out those assholes over there. They’re the ones who knocked me around when I was in Hawkley.”

“With pleasure,” he growled, flexing his deadly claws at his sides. Together, they fought the soldiers, easily taking them down, working with that same startling precision and intuition that they’d used before. By the time the bastards who’d
beaten her had fallen, more Silvercrest fighters, along with many of the Runners, were making their way into the street, since it had been set as their primary meeting point before the battle that had waged across the entire town had started. From what she could hear everyone saying, it sounded as if those Whiteclaw soldiers who were still standing were abandoning the attack and making a run for it.

Looking over the group, Eli spotted Jeremy, who had returned to his human form and was dressed in a torn pair of jeans, and asked, “Where are my brother and sister?”

Using his forearm to wipe the specks of blood from his face, Jeremy said, “They’re helping Wyatt and Brody search for Roy. The last thing we want is for that asshole to slink away.”

“I’m not going anywhere!” a belligerent
voice called out from the far end of the street.

Turning around, Carla stared at the Lycan who’d spoken, thinking he was the most unattractive male she’d ever seen in wolf form, his fur a dingy gray and his head too small for his shoulders. “It’s Roy. He’s here,” she said, and the mercs around her growled with aggression, while Eli simply watched Claymore with a cold, deadly gaze.

Walking
across the fallen bodies of his soldiers as if they were nothing more than dirt, the monster responsible for all this bloodshed looked over the gathering of Silvercrest wolves and snarled, “I want the bitch Runner who brought the goddamn mercs here to help you. Give her to me, and we’ll leave.”

“You’re leaving anyway, just not on your feet,” Jeremy growled from Eli’s side. “Because you have
a hell of a lot to answer for, you twisted bastard.”

“That’s the problem with you Silvercrest,” the Lycan sneered. “You let emotion get in the way of everything.”

Instead of charging forward and taking Claymore’s head off, the way she’d fully expected him to do, Eli turned his head and looked at her, holding her sharp gaze with his. Speaking in the wolf’s garbled, gravelly voice, he
asked, “You gonna let me take this one?”

“If you want him, go for it.”

The instant the words left her mouth, she felt the change coming over him, and knew precisely what it meant.

Eli’s
dark wolf
—that most deadly, primitive part of him that could only be created by a bloodline as powerful as the one he and his siblings shared—was awakening.

She’d heard it said that a dark wolf
could only fully awaken, embracing its total power, once it had found its true life mate. Like so many things in nature, the rule was meant to keep balance, since it was a dark wolf’s need for its mate that was meant to temper its savage, visceral aggression.

However, the rule no longer applied when that aggression was being channeled toward someone who had threatened the wolf’s woman. In
that event, all bets were off, and the threat was destroyed by any means necessary.

And that was just what Eli was getting ready to do.

Yes, in this case, Carla was perfectly capable of defending herself. But she freaking loved that Eli felt so protective of her that he was taking the shape of his dark wolf
now
.

Eyes burning with emotion, he looked down at her and said, “This doesn’t
mean that I don’t believe in you. It only means that I love the hell out of you.”

With those incredible words buzzing through her head, she jerked her chin toward Claymore, silently telling Eli to get on with it, and he gave a low, wicked laugh that struck her as impossibly sexy, even in these dangerous, deadly circumstances. Though the danger and death at this point were all for Roy.

There was an aura around Eli as he prowled forward, a power pulsing like a physical force that you could feel in the air, and it made her shiver as it swept over her skin. Everyone around them was watching in awe, including his fellow mercenaries, who she would have guessed had never seen a dark wolf in action before, though they would have surely heard of them. He stood even taller than he had
just moments ago, his body more muscular, while his eyes burned a deep, mesmerizing shade of amber. And when he started to fight, leaping through the air and catching Roy around the neck, slamming him into the side of a building, it was clear that Claymore didn’t stand a chance. The older Lycan might have experience on his side, but he was no match for Eli’s ferocity, speed and strength. His body
was like a blur as he punched and clawed and kicked, and within mere moments the encounter was over.

When Roy finally fell, his head no longer connected to his shoulders, Eli turned and locked his hooded, burning gaze with hers. Then he gave her a slow, sexy smile, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

The battle had reached its end, and the Silvercrest were victorious.

Chapter 15

S
ix days later, Carla stood on her front porch, watching Eli and his men hard at work at the far end of the glade. They’d cleared the area of trees, and looked to be putting in some kind of series of foundations, but she couldn’t be sure without going down there and checking it out firsthand.

And that was something she wasn’t prepared to do, her panic now at an
all-time high.

The days after the battle had been difficult, and she knew it would take time for normal life to resume. The pack mourned the loss of those who’d fallen, while holding those who’d survived a little closer to their hearts. And though there was a lot of work still to be done in those parts of the town that had been hit the hardest, they had made their stand and shown the Lycan
nation that they weren’t to be trifled with. Not unless you were looking to have your ass kicked. She knew they had Eli and his men to thank for so much of their success, and she’d personally spoken to each one of the mercenaries and expressed her gratitude.

Well, except for Eli.

Despite how he’d stood up for her during the battle, she’d been avoiding him. She hadn’t even gone after
him about the bond breaking, since Jillian and her mother and sister had exhausted themselves after the fighting, using their powers to heal the wounded. Jilly needed to recoup her energy now, especially in light of the small life she was carrying, so Carla hadn’t even broached the subject.

And, yeah, she knew she was running scared by not talking to Eli, but damn it, she was just so...so
terrified of what would happen when he finally grew tired of this place and left her again. Despite everything that he’d said, all the beautiful things that he’d told her, she couldn’t get past her fear that that’s exactly how this would all play out.

And strangely enough, Eli wasn’t pushing the issue. There’d been no stolen kisses...no tries for sex...no pleas for her understanding. She
saw him often, but they were always in a group of people. And things had simply been crazy busy since the war, so he probably hadn’t had the time to seek her out on his own, especially with all the work he and the mercs had been doing.

Either that, or this was some kind of new battle plan he was waging against her. One that had her twisted in knots...and thinking about him constantly. Was
he just wearing her down, waiting for the moment when she would snap and go running after him?

A few women had come down from town to see him—including the one who’d tried to visit him before—but he’d sent each one of them away, and apparently asked them not to return. She knew because his friends loved talking about it in front of her, as if the idea of Eli having to constantly tell his
former lovers to get lost was the funniest thing they’d ever seen. On the surface, she was afraid to read too much into it. But deep down in her heart, Carla couldn’t help but fall for him a little harder each time she heard that he’d sent another woman from his past back home, hoping that it meant he was saving himself for her. That he knew what he wanted, but just hadn’t managed to secure the deal.

Not that it would make any difference in the end, considering she fully expected him to bail. But it was still something that she cherished, fool that she was.

Another loud noise came from the far end of the glade, drawing her attention back to the area, and she glared. What the hell were they doing down there, anyway?

Damn it, she was
done
wondering. She was going to go down there
and find out for herself once and for all!

Starting down the porch steps, she saw Jeremy carrying what looked like the box for a crib into his and Jillian’s cabin, which made her think of the dinner she’d had with all her girlfriends a few nights ago. Every single one of them, with the exception of Jilly, had been chatting about how they were trying to conceive. Even Elise, who had only been
bonded with Wyatt for a short time, was giving it a go.

As Carla had watched their faces and listened to their excitement, she couldn’t help but be happy for them and wish them all the best. And knowing their mates, she had a feeling they’d all be knocked up before the end of the summer. Which meant that it wouldn’t be long before little rugrats were taking over the Alley, and she was looking
forward to being the awesome aunt that all the kids adored. She would put her freaking heart and soul into spoiling those munchkins rotten.

But as thrilled as she was for her friends, it hurt that she didn’t have any chance of bringing her own baby dreams to life. Not that she was ready now, mind you. But she’d always wanted to have a big family someday. When she’d been younger, those dreams
had always revolved around Eli. And now...
no
, she thought, shaking her head. She wasn’t following that dangerous train of thought, knowing damn well that she wouldn’t be able to handle where it led.

Fired with an even greater sense of frustration, Carla cursed under her breath as she walked through the crisp blades of grass in her bare feet, the guttural sound catching Max’s attention as
he walked by. Sliding her an easy smile, he said, “Hey, Reyes. Those foundations for the cabins the mercs are building look pretty awesome, don’t they? I think it’s so cool that they’re staying.”

In that moment, she was pretty sure that her heart had just stopped. “What did you say?”

Max lifted his brows, looking a bit concerned as he took in her stunned expression. “That they’re staying?”

“So then...they’re building...you mean the cabins are for...” She broke off, unable to go on, shaking so hard her teeth had started to chatter.

Jesus Christ, she couldn’t believe it. They were building cabins. For
all
of them. Freaking cabins for them to use on a permanent basis.

Oh, hell, no.

He wasn’t going to pull this on her. Give her foolish hope and then leave nothing
but a pile of rubble behind him in the place where her heart had once been.

Dodging anyone who got in her way, she stomped across the clearing, not even bothering to say goodbye to Max, who was no doubt watching her like she was a crazy woman. But, damn it, that’s what she felt like. She knew something weird had been going on with Eli and the others, but she’d never expected
this
. Never!
And she couldn’t believe that none of her friends had told her. What was this? A freaking conspiracy?

Before she could reach the place where Eli and the others were working, he came around the side of the cabin he was still staying in with Kyle, a sudden grin on his lips when he caught sight of her. “Hey, Reyes. What’s up?” he asked, his tone so deliberately casual it made her want to bite
him.

When she didn’t respond, just stood there seething and glowering at him, he nodded his head toward the cabin. “You want to come in and take a look at the plans for the place I’m building?”

Her nostrils flared as she pulled in a rattling breath, but she managed a thick, “Yeah,” and followed him up the porch steps, through the door, and back to his room. The detailed blueprints had
been laid out over his bed, and after looking them over, she turned her head to stare at him. He stood only a few feet away, at the foot of the bed, his hooded gaze locked in hard and tight on her flushed face. “Is this...is this some kind of joke?” she pretty much wheezed, since she couldn’t get enough air into her lungs.

“A joke?” He rubbed a hand over his stubble-darkened jaw as he shook
his head, and said, “No.”

“Then why?” Breathing in rough, choppy bursts, her pulse roaring in her ears, she said, “Please, just tell me why you’re doing this, Eli.”

With a wry arch of an eyebrow, he asked, “You sure you want to know?”

She nodded, her throat so tight she could barely swallow.

He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and when he opened them, they
were burning with so much brilliant emotion it made her light-headed. Then she heard that deep, bone-melting voice of his say, “Because you might not want to be mine right now, but it doesn’t mean I’m not yours, Rey.”

“No,” she whispered, her eyes stinging. “You were
never
mine.”

His voice was soft, and so damn delicious. “Hell, yes, I was. I always have been. From the first time I ever
set eyes on you.” Shaking his head again, he said, “I was just too afraid to admit it.”

She blinked, wondering why his face was swimming out of focus. “I know you, Eli. You’re not afraid of anything.”

“You know that’s not true, Rey, because I’ve been terrified of a lot of things.” He came around the foot of the bed until he stood right in front of her, then reached out, swiping something
hot and salty from the corner of her mouth. “But I’m also man enough to admit when I’m wrong. And I was so wrong, sweetheart. About...about so many things. But never about how I feel about you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said unsteadily. “It’s...it’s too late.”

Taking her face in his big, warm hands, he kept his glittering gaze focused hard on hers. “Carla, listen to me. It’s never too
late, baby. You’re just feeling scared, and trust me, I know how hard that is. But I’m not giving up on you.
Ever
.”

Sniffing, she whispered, “This won’t work, Eli.”

“It
will
. When we’re husband and wife, completely bonded, it will be the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me, and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

“Oh, God.” She knew the look of shock on
her face had to be priceless. “You want us to get
married?
”

“That’s what this has all been about,” he murmured, his voice getting huskier. “I want you. Not for a moment, Rey. I want what’s
mine
. I want it forever.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling her head back as he lowered his face over hers, so impossibly gorgeous she couldn’t think straight. “And you know what else? I
know you love me. You aren’t ready to tell me, but I
know
it’s there inside you, and one day, you’re going to give me the words.” His dark eyes gleamed with emotion. “I have enough faith in that happening for both of us, Rey. Whatever it takes, I’m going to wear you down.”

“You’re mad,” she gasped, unable to stop the tears spilling over her lashes.

A beautiful grin tugged at the corner
of his mouth. “Maybe. God knows you won’t make it easy on me. But I’ll see this through. I have to. I can’t accept any other outcome.”

“You don’t get to make that decision.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t get to decide everything, either,” he drawled with a quiet, rugged laugh. “We need to do it together.”

Stepping back from him, she swiped at the tears on her face. “You won’t stay. Not
for long. You’ll be bored out of your mind before that cabin is ever even built.”

His shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. “I’m sorry you believe that, but I guess you just don’t know me as well as you think you do. Because as long as you’re here, then I am, too.”

She shoved her hair back with shaking hands, her voice thick with panic as she snapped, “Fine, whatever. I...I’ve got to go
now.”

“Then go, Rey. But I’d like to see you tomorrow.”

Despite her words, she didn’t leave. She didn’t even move. She just stood there staring at him, while her heart pounded so forcefully in her chest it felt like it was trying to escape.

“See something you need?” he asked after a moment, hooking his thumbs in his pockets, acting as if he had all the time in the world to wait
her out.

She licked her lips with a nervous flick of her tongue. “I...I feel tricked.”

His lips twitched with another one of those sinful, crooked smiles. “I think the word you were actually going for was needed. Or loved. Worshiped. Adored.” Raising his eyebrows, he asked, “Should I go on?”

“Oh, God, you
are
crazy.”

“Crazy about
you,
” he muttered softly, suddenly grabbing
her and pulling her against him. His arms wrapped around her like steel bands, holding her close, while his mouth caught her startled gasp, his tongue thrusting past her lips as if he had every right to put it there, and she forgot all about resisting him. His hot, addictive taste pulled a helpless moan from her as she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, holding him to her, the soft strands
of his hair tickling her skin.

Muttering a thick, guttural curse, he lifted her and carried her across the floor until he could push her against the wall, trapping her there, grinding against her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I want to be
here,
” he growled against her lips, and she wished she wasn’t wearing her stupid jeans. “Live here. I want to be inside you again so badly
I can taste it.”

Shoving her fingers into his thick hair, she arched against him and cried, “Just do it, damn it!”

He groaned like a man who was desperate for his woman, but he didn’t start ripping her clothes off. Instead, he pressed a tender kiss to the corner of her trembling mouth, and rasped, “I want to, baby, but I can’t.”

“What?”

Staring deep into her wide eyes, he slowly
shook his head. “It’s not gonna happen, Rey. Not until you’re willing to give me everything.”

She blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing. “Are you freaking serious?”

He set her back on her feet and took a step back, the gray cotton of his shirt stretching tight across his broad shoulders as he pushed his hands in his pockets. “I know how this works,” he murmured. “If I keep
giving it up, you’re going to lose all respect for me, right?”

“You manipulative son of a bitch,” she growled, fisting her hands at her sides. The bastard had gotten her all worked up, and completely played her!

He arched his brows, looking as if he was trying hard not to smile. “Sexual frustration makes you cranky, Rey.”

“Not for long it doesn’t,” she snapped, the words rushing
from her mouth in a surge of anger before she could hold them back.

His arm shot out, stopping her forward progress as she tried to storm around him, heading for the door. He waited until she turned her head to pin him with a sharp glare, and then he said, “Before you go causing trouble, there’s something you should know.”