Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) (6 page)

“Did you lose the hunters?” Jacque asked.

Sage shook his head. “I don’t know. We had to stop and rest for a couple of hours last night. There might have been someone close by when we left this morning. I can’t be sure. I do know that no one followed me here. But—” Sage hated to reiterate what he’d already told Jacque over the phone, but pack safety was of the utmost importance, “—a ranger saw us leave. One that knows me.”

“So he might tell someone who asks.” Gator leaned back in his chair, resting his coffee mug against his stomach.

“It’s possible.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring trouble your way. I’ll leave.” Rina started to stand.

“Sit down.” Jacque’s quiet words struck with the force of a thunderclap. “You haven’t told us everything. While I wanted to know how you came to have hunters on your trail, I also want to know how a full-blooded female came to be on her own.”

Sage wanted to know too, but he didn’t want to browbeat it out of her. He looked to Gwen for help, but she simply shrugged. He knew she wanted to find out as well.

“I don’t think now is the time.” Sage stared at the alpha. “Rina needs to rest.”

He heard her gasp and she dug her fingernails into his skin. “No. No, that’s okay. I’ll tell him everything.”

Sage could have kicked himself. She saw his statement as a challenge to the alpha. He could smell her fear, and so could the others. He’d forgotten she didn’t understand their pack, that the one she’d been raised in would have been much different.

“I was banished,” she blurted.

Silence fell on the room. His Uncle Elias caught his gaze, and he saw the same disbelief he knew was in his own. What could she have done that was so terrible? Short of cold-blooded murder, he couldn’t imagine what else could merit banishment from a pack. Unless she’d fallen in love with a half-breed or a human, and given her attitude toward him when they’d first met, he didn’t think that likely.

“Why?” It was Gwen, not Jacque who asked the question. The alpha female reached out and patted Rina on the shoulder. “It’s okay, honey. You can tell us.”

Rina swallowed heavily and her throat rippled. “I…” She glanced at him, her eyes almost pleading with him to understand. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay. He knew this pack well and knew they weren’t judgmental.

She straightened her shoulders and looked straight at Jacque. “I disobeyed a direct order from the alpha and my father. I refused to mate with the male they ordered me to.”

Chapter Six

Everything was out there. They knew it all now. Rina waited for the inevitable outcome—the order for her to be removed from pack land. A wolf did not disobey the alpha. Not without consequences.

Her T-shirt stuck to her body. It was damp with sweat and grimy with dirt. Now that she’d eaten her fill, she was very aware of the dust on her hands and face. She hadn’t even cleaned up first before sitting at their table. It shamed her.

The fine meal she’d eaten rolled around in her stomach and threatened to come back out.

“Let me get this straight.” Jacque’s voice was hard, each word clipped. “You were banished from your pack, sent out into the world on your own because you refused to mate with the male your alpha had chosen for you.”

She tried to speak but her throat refused to work. She nodded. God, she was about to be banished from another pack. There truly must be something wrong with her.

“Where are you from? Who is your pack?”

“Sitka, Alaska,” she managed to get out. Her limbs started to shake, but she released Sage’s hand and slowly stood. “Thank you for the meal. I’ll just be going.” She snagged her pack from the floor, but Sage tugged it away from her. “I need to leave.” She silently pleaded with him with her eyes to release her. She couldn’t bear it if Sage got in trouble for bringing her here. Rina didn’t think she could live with herself if he was banished.

She wrapped her fingers around the straps of her pack and pulled, but Sage wouldn’t release it. She couldn’t leave without it. She needed her money and identification. “Please.” Rina couldn’t look at the others. It was hard enough to see the pity in Sage’s eyes.

She was a wolf without a pack, an outcast in their world.

“Is Gregor Gribkov still alpha of the Sitka Pack?” Rina jerked her head around and stared at Sage’s uncle. All she could do was nod.

Elias rubbed his hand over his face. “Gregor is a son of a bitch on his best days,” he told Jacque. “Real old school.”

Jacque growled. “I know the type all too well.”

“How do you know him?” Her fear began to mount. If he knew Gregor, would he contact him, tell him where she was? Not that it mattered. She was banished. It wasn’t like anyone was looking for her.

“Sit down, honey.” Sage dropped her bag back on the floor, stood, and wrapped his hands around her shoulders. “You look ready to drop.” Somehow she was back in her chair without quite knowing how he’d managed it. She was in shock from this latest development. Her pack kept to itself. How did Elias know about them?

Elias put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. She was fully human. Elias couldn’t be a friend of Gregor’s. The other man wouldn’t tolerate a human mate. That eased her worry, but only slightly.

“I was born into the Denali Pack,” Elias told her.

Her gaze flew to Sage. Did that mean he was also a former member of the Denali Pack? He held up his hands in front of him. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m from Michigan.”

His reply was so startling and unexpected she laughed. Then she slapped her hand over her mouth. God, she was losing her mind. She was too tired to think.

“I left my pack when my brother found his mate,” Elias continued. “She was a half-breed, and you and I both know that’s simply not acceptable in an Alaskan pack.”

Right, Sage had told her about his mother. He was a half-breed. Of course, he hadn’t been born in the Denali Pack. She would have remembered that if her brain hadn’t been so foggy with fatigue.

“Rina is exhausted.” Gwen looked at Jacque and got a small nod. “You should go lie down and rest for a while. You’re welcome to stay here.”

She was welcome? She truly had fallen into an alternate universe. She didn’t think she’d rest that well, not surrounded by a pack of wolves she didn’t know. They’d been kind enough so far but she didn’t trust them.

“I’d rather take her home with me.” Sage’s pronouncement was like a lifeline, but it wasn’t up to him or her, for that matter.

Jacque slowly nodded. “That’s fine with me.”

The alpha looked to Elias, who shrugged. “I’m good.”

“You’re responsible for her,” Jacque told Sage before turning his attention her way. “Is that what you want to do?”

She nodded quickly. “Yes. Please,” she added.

“Then it’s settled.” Jacque rose from the table. “We need increased patrols for the next while. No one shifts unless they’re one hundred percent sure they’re alone. Stay sharp.” The alpha took his mate by the hand and led her toward the front door.

“Come on. Let’s go home.” Sage’s words made her stomach drop and her heart race. Home. If only she truly was going home. But this was just a temporary stop along the way. Still, she couldn’t deny she was looking forward to seeing Sage’s place and learning more about him.

By the time she stood, he had her knapsack in one hand and held out his free one to her. It was so strong and capable. She slid her hand into his. It was familiar and comforting and bolstered her confidence.

“I want you to meet my Aunt Sue.” She followed him around the table and stopped in front of a fully human woman. Faint lines radiated from around her eyes. Her skin was tanned and there was a healthy, vibrant quality about her that was appealing. “Sue, this is Rina.”

Sue’s smile was gentle and filled with understanding. “I know you must be feeling overwhelmed right now, but everything will be okay.” The older woman reached out and hugged her. Rina might have been taller, but Sue hugged her like she might a child. Rina’s throat tightened and she could only nod, too afraid to try to speak.

“Don’t be afraid to kick Billy out of the house if he’s still there,” Sue told Sage. “You rest and we’ll chat more later.”

They were almost at the door when Rina remembered her manners. She turned to find Gator watching her. “Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”

He smiled at her and went from deadly to downright gorgeous. All the men of this pack were easy on the eyes, at least the ones she’d met so far. “You’re welcome,
chère
. You come back anytime. There’s always something to eat around here.”

Rina breathed a sigh of relief when they stepped outside. Her wolf wanted to run, but she was too tired to shift. She trudged beside Sage, her eyes drooping with each step. Eating had filled her belly, but it had made her even more lethargic.

“Almost there.”

Rina forced herself to pay attention. She wanted to see Sage’s home. It was another log house with a long porch across the front. Several flowerbeds were overflowing with colorful flowers and thick greenery. The air was redolent with their sweet perfume.

She took a deep breath. “It’s lovely.”

“I’ll show you the greenhouses later.”

“You have greenhouses?” That surprised her. Werewolves tended to be more hunters than growers.

His easy grin made her toes curl and her heart speed up. There was no getting around the fact that Sage was under her skin. Crazy or not, she wanted him. “I have several greenhouses.” He paused outside the front door of his home. “I’m a farmer.” On that pronouncement, he shoved the door open.

“You’re a what?” She started to laugh. Sage was different from any other werewolf she’d ever known. Why should this be any different? “Of course you’re a farmer.”

He grinned and pulled her inside. A tall, lanky teenager in jeans and bare feet was ambling out of the kitchen with a sandwich in his hand. “Hey, Billy,” Sage greeted the boy.

Rina inhaled and caught the teen’s scent. Another full human. This had to be Sue’s son.

“Hey, Sage. Who’d you bring home with you?”

“This is Rina.” He squeezed her hand. In reassurance or warning, she wasn’t quite sure. “Rina, this is Billy.”

“Nice to meet you.” The boy was blond, like his mother, and had an open and engaging grin.

“Nice to meet you too,” she managed.

“Rina needs to rest, so be quiet or leave.” Sage started down a hallway that presumably led toward the bedrooms. “Stay close to the houses. There might be trouble,” Sage called over his shoulder.

Before she knew it, she was inside a large bedroom. The bed was big and sturdy and covered in a green comforter. A chest of drawers stood against one wall. Instead of a window, there were patio doors that opened up onto the back deck. The closet doors were partially open, revealing an orderly space. It was clean and organized and spartan except for the shelf on the short wall that held the door. The shelf faced the bed on the adjacent wall and it contained several framed photos, books, and other personal items.

“You want a shower?”

“God, yes.” She felt absolutely grimy. There was no way she’d rest until she got clean.

“Right this way.” He dropped her pack on a lovely rustic bench that sat at the foot of the bed and slid aside a pocket door to reveal a fairly spacious bath. There was no tub, but there was a large tiled shower stall.

She followed him inside and ran her hand over the stone vanity. Sage opened a cabinet, pulled out a clean towel, and set it on the counter. “Soap is in the shower. Feel free to use anything in here. If you need something and can’t find it, just ask.” He came back to stand in front of her. She tipped her head back, and he filled her vision.

His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. “Rina,” he said her name and nothing more. It was enough.

She went up on her tiptoes as he lowered his head. Heat suffused her entire being, driving back the chill of fear. Sage made her forget all her problems. He made the past and the future disappear. When they kissed, she lost herself in the here and now.

He pulled back far too soon for her liking. “You need help in the shower?” His husky tone made her nipples tighten and her pussy clench.

She shook her head. He looked disappointed but didn’t push. “Just call if you need me for anything.” Then he stepped outside the door and slid it shut, leaving her by herself.

She knew she had a lot to think about and decisions to make. That would come later. The only thing she needed to worry about at this moment was getting clean. She stripped off her dirty clothes and left them in a pile on the floor. She stepped into the large shower stall and turned on the water. It sprinkled from the showerhead like a waterfall. Once she’d adjusted the temperature, she stepped beneath the spray.

It sluiced over her body, washing away the sweat and dust and fear. It lovingly caressed her skin, like a lover’s touch. It was gentle and warm and healing. She stood there for some time, just letting the water cleanse her body and soul. When she started to nod off, she opened her eyes and reached for the bar of soap.

She brought it to her nose and sniffed. It was woodsy and familiar. It smelled like Sage. Her entire body vibrated with desire. She clutched the bar of soap to her chest and took a deep breath. Then another. It didn’t help.

Rina did her best to ignore her arousal as she rubbed the soap over her body. She moaned as it slid over her breasts and stomach. Her nipples peeked out from beneath a layer of frothy bubbles. She had a fleeting wish that it was Sage’s hands smoothing the soap over her skin instead of her own. His hands were big and a little rough. Her breath caught in her throat as she let her hand slid between her thighs.

“Everything okay in there?” Sage knocked on the door as he spoke. Rina startled and almost dropped the soap, but caught it at the last second.

“I’m fine. Everything is fine.” She dumped the soap back into the dish and rinsed her skin clean. “I’ll be out in a minute.” There was a bottle of shampoo on a ledge, so she grabbed it and quickly washed her hair. Once she was squeaky clean from head to toe, she shut off the water and reached for the towel.

Her body hummed with desire, but she ignored it as she dragged the towel over her wet hair before using it to dry her body. She spread the damp towel over a rod to dry and then looked down at the pile of her dirty clothing. No way was she putting that back on.

She cleared her throat. “Sage, can you hand me my pack.”

“What do you need?” His voice was so close she knew he was standing right on the other side of the door. She put her hand against the panel.

“Clean clothes.” She could sense his stillness. And why not. She’d all but announced she was standing here naked.

“Hang on.” She didn’t hear him walk away, but she knew he was no longer directly on the other side of the door. She couldn’t sense him there. He returned quickly and slid the door open about six inches. Rina jumped back before he could see her.

He thrust his hand inside. “Here. Wear this.”

She took the garment from him and shook it out. It was a large T-shirt. His shirt. “Um, thank you.” She buried her face in the soft cloth and heard him groan.

She raised her head and glanced in the vanity mirror. Her reflection was perfectly visible and he could see the mirror from where he was standing. Her hair was damp and in disarray, her cheeks flushed. Her breasts were barely covered by the shirt she was holding and her lower half was bare.

He pulled his hand back and shoved the door closed. “Come on out when you’re done. You need to rest.”

Rina leaned against the door and took a deep breath. Rest. Yeah, she was exhausted, but she was also aroused. How did Sage do that to her without even trying? Her wolf rolled onto her back inside Rina and whined. She wanted to get closer to Sage too.

She huffed out a breath and pulled on the shirt. It fell to midway between her thighs and knees. It covered her as much as most dresses would, but she felt practically naked when she slid the door open and stepped into Sage’s bedroom.

The fact that she wasn’t wearing anything under the shirt likely had a lot to do with how she was feeling. Every nerve ending in her body was like a live wire, sparking and shimmering with energy.

Sage had turned down the comforter and pulled back the sheet. The patio doors were open, but there was a screen across to keep out any insects. She could hear voices in the distance and the raucous screech of an unhappy Blue Jay.

“Come to bed.” His rough tone sent a shiver down her spine. She padded barefoot across the hardwood floor. He stepped out of the way, and she crawled into bed. He cleared his throat. “I’ll let you rest.”