Marshal Law (19 page)

“And that’s going to be your second mistake. Assuming you can kill what’s not even human.”

The man frowned, then laughed. “Not even human? Girl, you are crazier than I thought. But I’ll play along. What was our first mistake?”

“Not killin’ me ten years ago.”

McKenna closed her eyes as she gave herself over to her wolf, Frank’s scream echoing through the room.

* * * *

Jude crouched in the shadows lining the barn, one of Bret’s men dead at his feet. He could still taste the fear in the man’s blood as Jude had attacked the outlaw from behind, slicing through his jugular vein before the bastard had been able to do more than grunt. Jude had waited to see if more would venture out, but the others hadn’t stepped off the safety of the porch.

He padded toward the main building, ears twitching. They’d pushed hard, following McKenna’s scent across the scrubby landscape. A harsh storm had washed away the horses’ tracks, but it hadn’t been able to sever their connection to their mate, her very essence leading them along. They’d happened upon the homestead just as the sun had dipped below the distant hills, bleeding the sky into a fiery orange.

Ethan had pushed hard, his body still trying to heal from the gunshot wound. Jude had tried to get the man to rest—allow him to get McKenna back for them—but Ethan’s wolf had stubbornly kept moving, covering the miles without stopping. The animal had collapsed after ducking into the barn, and Jude had left his friend resting as he’d dealt with their first intruder.

His wolf growled inside his head. Ethan getting hurt had irritated the hell out of it. Having them take McKenna… The animal was beyond being reasoned with. All it knew was that their mate was inside, and there wasn’t anything it wouldn’t do to get her back.

He trotted around to the rear of the building, her scent increasing as he closed in on a window to a back room. He sniffed the air, this growl sounding in the growing darkness as he caught a whiff of male arousal mixed in with her unique marker. His lips pulled back into a snarl as he eyed the glass, judging the distance, when a guttural scream pierced the silence.

Jude shuffled back, lining up the window when it shattered outwards, a man’s body falling to the ground amidst a shower of glass. The guy rolled across the ground, clutching the jagged wound at his neck as he tried to stumble to his feet. Another figure jumped through the opening, landing gracefully on the dirt as it tracked the male, tackling him into the mud before he’d even risen. Teeth flashed in the waning light, a gurgled rasp fading into silence again.

Jude took a few cautious steps forward when the creature raised its head, snout stained with blood, ears flat against its head. It snapped its jaws at him, slowly stalking around the dead body as it kept a healthy distance between them. White fur gleamed against the black shadows lining the house, the beauty of her stealing his breath.

He moved toward her, stopping when a low growl resonated through the air. He cocked his head, answering in kind, knowing they needed to get clear before the other men came running. She flicked her tail, slowly edging toward him, head lowered, eyes wary. She sniffed the air as she closed in on him, her wolf halting in its tracks. Her eyes widened and she rushed forward, nuzzling his neck as her tail swished through the air. He yipped, licking her ear before backing up as footsteps pounded around the side of the house.

He nudged her side, darting in front of her when Bret and another man rounded the corner, mouths gaping open as they took in the scene. Jude backed up, taking McKenna with him as Bret’s gaze fell to Frank.

“Frank?” Disbelief shaped his features as he swung his focus to them, hatred gleaming in his eyes. “I’ll fucking skin you.”

Jude growled in warning, determined to stand between the men and his mate when both men lurched forward, the gun Bret had drawn firing as the man hit the ground. The bullet whizzed past Jude, hitting the wall as the report echoed across the landscape. Jude looked back at the men, cursing inwardly when Ethan’s wolf stumbled forward, somehow managing to stay upright as it staggered toward him, tongue lolling out of its mouth. Jude lunged for him, nudging him around the building as the men pushed onto their hands and knees.

Jude glanced at Ethan, not sure if the man would get clear in time as the wolf limped across the ground. Jude cursed then dove at Bret and his companion, shifting mid-air as he bowled them to the ground again. He hit hard, rolling past them, scrambling onto his hands and knees. A blur of white darted forward, smothering the man on the right, his muffled screams quickly dying away. Jude pressed to his feet, more men rounding the house as he ran at McKenna, all but dragging the wolf off the bandit. Blood stained her fur, the metallic scent heavy in the air.

Jude swore under his breath. There was no questioning that her wolf was in complete control, the animal reacting purely on instinct. And he had a bad feeling the creature would take any risk to keep her mates safe. He corralled her forward, rounding the house as shots filled the night, one grazing his thigh.

Fiery pain sizzled up his muscle, and he cursed as his next step faltered, slamming him against the house. He pushed off, heading for the field, knowing they needed to backtrack to the barn. Once there, he could ensure Ethan and McKenna stayed hidden while he grabbed the weapons off of the man he’d killed. Hell, he should have taken them right away, but he’d wanted to track McKenna as his wolf, not trusting his senses as a man with his human emotions clouding his judgment. That and the fact his animal had demanded control, barely allowing the man to sway its desires.

McKenna ran beside him, her movement fluid. Graceful. He’d been right. Her wolf was every inch the stunning beauty she was, her thick fur rustling in the light breeze. She rounded the barn, scrambling to the ledge below the window, nudging Ethan through first. Jude ducked in behind them, leading them over to a pile of hay stacked in the corner.

He bent down, helping Ethan’s wolf settle on one of the mounds, the animal’s breathing labored. Fear beaded Jude’s skin as he watched the animal pant. The fact Ethan hadn’t shifted back didn’t bode well, and Jude prayed his buddy hadn’t pushed himself too hard, made it impossible for his animal to heal him.

McKenna nuzzled Ethan’s snout, giving the wolf a lick as she moved in beside him, laying her head across his chest. A mournful whimper rumbled free, her eyes mirroring Jude’s concern. He gave her a smile, admiring the contrast in their coats. Ethan’s steel gray to her pure white. They looked stunning together.

He bent forward, hoping her wolf would let the woman understand his words. “You stay here. Protect Ethan. I’ll go finish this.” He tsked when she growled at him. “No. Ethan needs you. He pushed himself far too hard to get here. I’m fine. Stay with him.”

Her gaze drifted to the bloody laceration on his thigh, her head tilting from one side to the other.

He sighed. “Flesh wound. It’s nothing. Just stay here.”

Her disapproving huff followed him as he picked his way through the barn, heading for the window on the other side. He’d covered half the distance when the barn door bounced open, Bret’s body silhouetted by the rising moon.

The man took a step inside, cocking the rifle clasped in his hands. “I know you’re in here. I can smell your stench. I don’t know what the hell you are, but I saw the blood. And if you bleed, you can die.”

Jude hid behind a post, judging the distance to the window as Bret took another step inside, his gaze drifting toward where Ethan and McKenna were hiding. No fucking way Jude would let the bastard get anywhere close to his mates. Period.

He darted to the next pillar, silently closing the distance. He had to buy some time. Let McKenna know she and Ethan needed to get the hell out. “Don’t be a fool, Bret. We didn’t come alone. Marshal Winchester and a posse full of men are ridin’ over that ridge as we speak. They’ll have this place surrounded before you can get to your horse.”

Bret laughed, spinning in a circle as he searched the shadows. “If that were true, you wouldn’t be talkin’ to me. You’re stallin’.”

“Maybe. Or maybe you’re just too stupid to know the truth when you hear it.”

“That thing killed my brother. Won’t rest until you’re all dead.” He snickered. “Though, you’re right about one thing. I don’t need to take you on when there are other ways to kill an animal.”

He backed up, swinging the door shut with a resounding clang. Light flickered beyond the slats, the smell of smoke swirling along the breeze.

“Shit.”

He ran back to where he’d left his mates, jumping when torches landed on the barn, the dry wood and hay igniting instantly. Fire crackled along the beams, engulfing everything in its wake as the flames spread, consuming the building far quicker than Jude thought possible. He bent low, picking up Ethan as the wolf tried to stand.

He shushed it, nodding at McKenna. “Let’s go, darlin’. But we both know they’ll be waitin’ for us. You hit that ground runnin’ and you don’t look back, you hear? I’ll get Ethan clear. You just run like hell.”

Panic flashed in her eyes when one of the timbers fell across the doorway, kicking up burning bits of hay. Her wolf ran ahead, making for the window they’d jumped through. It didn’t even hesitate as it leaped out, disappearing amidst the swirling smoke. He followed behind her, jumping clear as flames flared behind him, the heat searing his skin. He dropped to the ground, releasing Ethan then giving the animal a shove. The wolf vanished into the smoke as Jude pushed to his feet, stumbling after them when Bret appeared in front of him, rifle notched in his shoulder, barrel pointed at Jude’s chest.

The man cackled, giving Jude the once over. “Something tells me you can’t dodge a bullet. But don’t worry. I’ll take good care of that freak of a woman. Make sure I gut her proper after I fuck her. Because she will change back, won’t she? I’m bettin’ all I need to do is hurt her enough and that animal will disappear. Either way, it’s worth a try.”

The report of a rifle sounded above the roaring fire, and Jude flinched, waiting for the searing pain, only to watch blood blossom on Bret’s chest a moment before the man fell forward. Jude spun, shaking his head as Grant stood behind him, smoke curling up from the tip of his weapon. Flames shaded his skin dark orange, the flickering light dancing along his clothes.

He walked forward, eyeing Jude. “You might want to throw on some pants or shift before anything important gets singed.” His gaze dropped to his thigh. “That a bullet wound?”

“Just a graze. Ethan…”

“He and your mate are out by my horse, not that the poor animal is thrilled with the way she keeps growling. But Ethan seems to remember I’m on your side. He’s keeping her somewhat calm.” He walked over to Bret, checking the man’s neck. “Can’t say that I’m all that torn up over havin’ to shoot the man. Bastard’s been terrorizing this area for some time.”

“Guess I owe you my thanks. For Ethan and McKenna, too.”

“Just returnin’ the favor.”

“Might not be wise to stand out here in the open. There were more with him.”

Grant smiled. “My sense of smell isn’t distracted by my mates. Nothin’ else registering close by. And I saw at least six ride off as I came over the hill. Bettin’ they didn’t like the odds. Or their opponents. Heard one of them shoutin’ about some rabid wolves attacking the place.”

Jude sighed. “Let’s just hope that’s all they thought we were.”

“Too late to worry about that now. We’ll just have to deal with any rumors. Assure the good folks of Tombstone they have nothing to fear. Of course, if they were to get a new marshal…or two. Maybe a sheriff…”

Jude laughed as he followed the man back to his horse, heading directly for Ethan and McKenna. They were huddled together, McKenna’s head positioned protectively over Ethan. Her tail wagged as he dropped to his knees, giving both of them a scratch. “You still doubting there’s a wolf inside you, darlin’?”

She snorted, turning her head away from him.

“And an ornery one at that.” He leaned in closer. “You’re absolutely stunning. Ethan was right. White as snow.”

She glanced back at him, once again settling on Ethan.

Grant stepped up behind them. “Any idea when they might change back?”

“Ethan needs to heal more. By morning I figure. As for McKenna…” He smiled. “I’m thinkin’ when she’s good and ready. You know how women are.”

The man nodded. “The previous sheriff was an old friend of mine. Had himself quite the ranch not far from here. I inherited it when those Wilson boys gunned him down. Haven’t known what to do with it, seeing as I’ve made a home of sorts in Bisbee. House has been sitting empty. Reckon it’d be a good place for your mates to recover. If you’d like.”

“Mighty nice of you to offer.”

“You and yours helped bring his killers to justice. I’d say that’s compensation enough. And I know Russell would be happy at the thought of you honoring his memory by staying there, being lawmen and all.”

Jude shook Grant’s hand, motioning to his mates. “Think you can drag your asses another couple of miles? There’s a warm bed in it for you if you do.”

McKenna yipped, nudging Ethan with her snout. His wolf got to its feet, slowly heading off in the direction Grant pointed. McKenna trailed behind, stopping to ensure Jude was following. He smiled, waving her on as he watched her lithe form trot after Ethan. Girl needed a lesson in common sense. How to keep her ass out of danger, even if she had saved their lives. And he knew Ethan would more than back him up on it. They just had to wait for her to change back.

Chapter Twelve

Ethan leaned against the headboard, watching McKenna sleep at the foot of the bed, mesmerized by the smooth perfection of her skin. The way her body twitched occasionally, a soft, snuffling sound mimicking her wolf. The woman was beauty and grace and courage—and she was theirs.

His wolf grumbled, subtly reminding him of the risks she’d taken. Of her wolf’s devotion once it’d finally made the shift. Hell, even after arriving at the house Grant had offered them, she’d stayed in wolf form, pacing the room then checking up on Ethan every few passes. Jude had resorted to shifting as well, trying to comfort her, but she’d maintained her vigil until Ethan had turned back near daybreak. Her animal had sniffed the length of his body, nuzzling his jaw before curling up on the end of the bed. It’d taken another full hour before she’d finally shifted back, the transition taking more time than usual.