Changed

Chapter Four

You’re a nothing but a jezebel, might as well put on a red light.

Rachel’s gaze darted to Declan, just as it had many times since they’d climbed into his large SUV. The image of him licking his finger shot through her head. As always, warmth accompanied the visual, spreading over her like melted butter. If he’d ditched his shirt and joined her in bed, she could have felt those lips against her skin. His touch had been confident and expert, giving her pleasure in seconds. She’d never climaxed so quickly, riding on adrenaline and need.

“Just Rachel?” Declan purred, looking at her. His irises were amber-hued, his lips curved in a sensual grin. “What are you thinking about?”

“Politics and world hunger,” she snapped, ripping her eyes from him.

What was it about him? How in the hell did he always manage to know what she was thinking? Even worse, how had he managed to worm beneath her skin? Was Chloe right? Was this meant to be from the start? Were there more than hormones involved? It wasn’t all due to the fact she was changing, was it?

Changing. Oh God.

She wanted to reach for her shoulder but didn’t. She didn’t need another reminder of what was taking place inside her. When she’d inspected where she’d been bitten and seen the skin had mended, leaving behind scabby scratches, she’d nearly had a panic attack. Humans didn’t heal that quickly. Not after such a serious injury. But she wasn’t human. Not anymore.

Stop. Just stop.

In the last hour she’d tried not to think about it. There was too much involved. She’d avoided supernatural things but Chloe’s interest—which she understood once Chloe had changed—meant she’d heard stories. Did they really rip off their clothes and go running through the woods during full moons? How about eating animals? What if her mother had been right and they ate children too? She was sure Chloe wouldn’t do something like that, having been raised human and all. No way. She’d die first.

You should have asked her. Chloe would have answered every question.

Weight settled over her thigh, tearing her from her panic. She looked down, focusing on the hand Declan had placed on her leg. Heat radiated from the touch, seeping past the thin cotton sweats she’d tossed on. He’d been right, the garment didn’t fit. She’d had to roll the legs and waist up just to walk. She could feel each of his fingers, identify the flat plane of his palm. Not too long ago she’d ridden that hand, using it to send her spinning. It had felt so good too, like coming home.

Tingles swept over her skin, a hazy shade of red covering her vision. If she hadn’t stopped him—if she hadn’t freaked out like an idiot novice—she could have had him on top of her, his body bearing hers into the bed. If she hadn’t seen Chloe and Jackson in the living room, she might have been tempted to do something else. After all, Declan was the ultimate eye candy. Just one lick wouldn’t take her to his delicious, sweet center.

What’s wrong with me? She closed her eyes, trying to stop thinking about sex. She hadn’t been this horny since she’d decided to see what the fuss was about. To her surprise it wasn’t all that great. Just another thing the movies got wrong. It has to be a werewolf thing. What am I turning into?

“Easy, sweet girl,” he whispered, giving her thigh a squeeze. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.” Why was it so hard to breathe? Should the world be spinning? Her stomach lurched, nausea building in her abdomen. “I’m going to be sick.”

To her credit, she managed to get out of the car when Declan pulled over. She bent down, staring at the concrete as she gagged. Her stomach was empty due to the fact she hadn’t eaten the day before. A good thing considering she’d have decorated the road with her waste. Each heave made her want to fold in on herself, mortification sweeping through her when Declan rushed to her side. She righted herself, swiping at her mouth. Thankfully she hadn’t really thrown up anything but her pride.

Amen for skipping dinner and breakfast.

“Let it out,” he said, a considerable amount of understanding in his voice. Touching her shoulder, he continued, “If you want to vomit, yell and scream then do it. I won’t let anything hurt you. Do what you need to do. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

The world spun, everything becoming blurred.

A horrible sound ricocheted through her skull. It took a second for her to comprehend the scream was coming from her, loud and outraged. All her life she’d been given the short end of the stick, losing what she cared for most, tossed the scraps others didn’t want. She’d been fine with that because it was the only life she knew.

Familiar she could handle but not the unknown.

“I’m not changing!” she shouted, slapping at his hand. “I won’t let myself.”

“That’s right,” he repeated and closed the distance between them. “Let it out.”

This time she was prepared, accepting she’d lost it as she released another throaty cry. Strangely it did feel good, like she’d finally managed to come to terms on some basic level with her predicament. Before it had been easy to pretend it wasn’t real, a small sliver of her mind wanting to believe she’d been dreaming. Not so much now, with the cold autumn wind seeping into her clothing and whipping around her face.

She took in her surroundings, painfully aware of herself.

If there was one rule she lived by it was never to let anyone see how much they’d affected you. Emotions were weapons. In the wrong hands they could be deadly. They’d stopped on a public road—parked right next to businesses and bars—but no one ventured out to see what was going on. In Atrum Hill a scream could mean a lot of things and not all of them were bad. If they were closer to her home humans would have come running.

“Oh no,” she whispered, panting as she gazed up at Declan. “I am changing.”

She didn’t fight when he swept her into his embrace, a hand wrapped around her waist, another bringing her face to his chest. The tears that cascaded down her face were accompanied by silence, her habit of crying quietly coming in handy. As close as he was he could feel her trembling but there wasn’t much she could do about that. Deep down something else had stirred, rising in response to her despair. It replaced her fear with courage, setting fire to the rain.

Suddenly she became aware of Declan in another way. He was so warm, blocking out the bite of the air. Her nose attuned to his scent, the glorious fragrance washing over her. It didn’t amp her desire but somehow acted like a balm, soothing her nerves. He’d offered her his leather coat earlier but she’d not put it on. That left him in a plain black T-shirt and blue jeans, his arms bare. Her gaze darted over his inked skin and she noticed names worked into the design at his forearm.

“Who are they?” she whispered, hating how scratchy her voice sounded.

“Hmm?” He didn’t let go but angled his head to peer down.

Bringing her fingers to the tattooed skin, she touched his arm. “Ivy, Kellan and Gage.”

“My mother, father and sister.”

“You have a family?” The instant she blurted the question—as soon as she heard herself ask it—she wanted to take it back. Talk about the ultimate insult. He obviously wasn’t conceived by Immaculate Conception.

“Of course I have a family.” Instead of sounding angry, he seemed pleased. He stroked her hair, meeting her gaze. His eyes were dark, more brown than gold. “You’ll love them and they’ll love you.”

Love them? She hadn’t even considered there was a family to meet. What would they think about their son mating? Would they be happy or upset? A sharp stab speared through her chest. She wasn’t a werewolf—not yet. How would they feel about welcoming a bitten person into the family? Was such a thing taboo? In the human world prejudice existed. Did it in the werewolf one too? Would they even want her at all? What if they didn’t like her? She didn’t put herself in a position of being rejected for that very reason. It was easy to be dismissive and not give a shit when you didn’t take chances with people.

Since she wasn’t comfortable with talking about that aspect of things she redirected the conversation. “Gage is a boy name.”

“Do me a favor.” The smile he gave her made her knees weak. “Don’t tell Gage that.”

This she could do. This was familiar.

“Why not?” she asked, grateful for the way they eased into a playful banter. “Do you think she’ll hurt me? I thought you said you wouldn’t let that happen.”

“I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” he murmured, moving his arm from the back of her head. He swept the backs of his knuckles over her cheek. “Never, Rachel.”

“Never is a long time.” It was supposed to be a joke but it came out as a stark reality. Time wasn’t her enemy anymore. She didn’t have to worry about old age, arthritis or cancer. She wasn’t susceptible to those things anymore.

“You have questions.” It wasn’t an observation but a statement of fact. “Ask them.”

Her heart raced, the fear of what she didn’t understand suffocating her. Unable to look him in the eye, she lowered her gaze and asked, “Where does your family live?” It wasn’t even close to one of the questions she wanted to ask but it was a start.

“Not far, just a few hundred miles away in Northridge.” He turned his hand, palming her face. She didn’t want to meet his eyes but he forced her to, waiting until their eyes met to say, “Now ask me the questions you’re afraid to. You’ll stay terrified if you don’t. It’s understandable but avoidable at this point. There’s no reason for you to be scared. Not anymore.”

“Do werewolves eat children?” She winced at the accusation in her tone. Now she sounded like a terrified child recanting the horror stories of her youth. “I mean,” she tried to explain, “I’ve heard you do. I’m not saying you do.”

“Sunshine, no offense,” he sounded good-humored as always, curiosity shining in his eyes, “but that’s probably the stupidest question I’ve ever been asked.” She gritted her teeth, embarrassed yet again. He tempered her anger with another gentle touch. “No, we don’t eat children. What other nonsense have you heard?”

A better question would be what nonsense hadn’t she heard. When her mother was good and smashed she took joy in sharing horror stories. Once Rachel assumed it was to keep her informed so she’d stay safe. As she’d gotten older she’d questioned her mother’s motives. It didn’t make sense, really. Not when her mom didn’t seem to care about the dangers of bringing strange men to their home.

“It doesn’t matter,” she confessed, humiliated at her lack of true knowledge, “it’s probably all a lie anyway.”

“If it scares you then it most definitely fucking matters,” he corrected, an edge of anger appearing in his voice. “I won’t have you frightened. Not when there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Do you have any idea how terrifying it is to know I’m going to turn into a wolf?” Maybe she should have kept it to herself but the idea did frighten her—the mere thought of her body changing like that—more and more with each passing second. “I’m not like you. Have you thought about that? Chloe told me the first time could have been horrible if it weren’t for Jackson and she’s half of what you are. What do you think it’ll be like for me? Let me clue you in. I’m pretty sure it’ll be pure misery. And what if…” She didn’t want to say it but she had to, she’d already opened the door to the barn, freeing all the creatures inside. “What if it kills me? I’ve seen the news. Iknow that humans have been bitten, gone to hospitals and didn’t make it out alive.”

“I’m not going to lie to you.” He didn’t falter, staring her down. “There have been humans who have died under rare circumstances. It doesn’t happen often. The people you heard about on the news went to human doctors for human medicine. We don’t work that way. I can’t describe it to you but soon you’ll feel it. The connection of the pack makes sure changed members find their way.” His faced softened, his eyes changing color, shifting from brown to amber. “That’s one reason I’d like to get to know you. If you accept me—if you’ll let me claim you before the full moon—there’s no chance anything will happen to you.”

“How do you know that?” It wasn’t like he’d mated before…or had he? “Have you done this before?” Ouch. She sounded jealous, like a shrilling wife who’d found out her husband had another woman on the side.

“No, I’ve never done this before. I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my life but you, Rachel.” He tugged her closer, his breath whispering over her lips. “And I know because we’ll be connected on the deepest level imaginable. I can’t tell you from personal experience, only from what I’ve seen and been told.” His gaze rested on her mouth. “I know I didn’t treat you as I should’ve the first time we met. I thought with the wrong head, even though it’s no excuse.”

“You were an ass.” And inwardly she’d loved that about him. He didn’t waste time with idle threats. He’d told her as much. The man—love or hate him—was who he was. “I’m not sure I should forgive you.”

His lips inched closer to hers. “Then give me another chance. That’s all I’m asking for.”

“You’re going to kiss me now, aren’t you?” The idea suited her fine. Right now she wanted to kiss him and feel alive, viewing her future as a possibility and not a death sentence.

“Only if you ask me to,” he murmured, his gaze locked on her lips.

Bringing her hands up, she rested her palms on his shoulders. He was so much taller and broader than her, the outline of his muscles clear beneath his shirt. With all that strength he could cause her serious harm yet he’d only been careful with her, mindful of how frail she was in comparison. Human men were known to be far less considerate. In fact, nestled as they were, she remembered how much she’d wanted to have this kind of feeling, aching for it as a teen who only viewed it from afar. Now she didn’t have to be on the outside looking in.

Not unless she wanted to be.

He wanted her to come to him. He’d made that obvious. If he’d wanted to take advantage he could have in the bedroom. She’d been keyed up enough to allow it, like a lust-crazed nympho. But instead he’d pulled away and given her space, respecting her in a manner she’d never known from another man.

“Declan…” She moved closer, their mouths almost touching. The world was a scary place but oddly enough she wasn’t afraid. Not right then. Not with him. “Will you kiss me?”

“Of course I will.” Declan wrapped an arm under her ass, scooping his female from the ground. His other hand went to her nape, his long fingers twining in her sleek hair. He saw her need for reassurance and swore he’d give it to her. “Put those pretty little arms around my neck. Come here sweet, beautiful girl.”

He didn’t close his eyes as he kissed her, wanting to look at her face. To his ultimate satisfaction, she didn’t shut hers either. Their gazes locked, lips pressed together. He waited for her to take things further, digging his fingers into her hip. Her mouth opened and he felt the wet flick of her tongue against his lips. With a groan he followed her lead, letting her guide the dance. Her irises had changed color again, bright near her pupils. He felt the pull of her wolf, the beast inside her growing stronger.

Only one thing could have possibly made him close his eyes—the memory of her question, her fear that she might die. He didn’t want her to see his own anxiety, the notion she could be lost something he couldn’t bear. So he let his lids drift closed. Even in death he’d follow her. She was too important to him now. Perhaps if he’d never touched her—learning firsthand how lost he’d feel without her in his life—he could have moved on if she died.

But not now.

She thought her life would never be the same. What she hadn’t thought about was how much she had changed his. He’d often wondered how mated pairs placed their male or female above everything including their children. Now he got it, crystal fucking clear. He might be able to exist without her but it wouldn’t be a life. The world would lose color, the foods he loved lose flavor.

Nothing will ever mean as much to me. Not even close.

He’d known others were watching, feeling the weight of their stares. Personally he didn’t give a shit. He wanted them to know he’d found his mate, sending out a threat far and wide to stay the fuck away from the female meant for him. But he knew Rachel probably didn’t feel the same. To be safe he carried her to his vehicle, stopping once he was hidden behind the opened passenger door and length of the SUV.

Pulling away, she rasped, “Are we leaving?”

“Not yet,” he answered, leaning back in.

Their mouths met again, eager tongues touching and darting away. He loved her like this—eager and responsive, wanting him as much as he wanted her. Through his shirt he felt the sharpness of her nails. They’d obviously grown—a small sign of her impending change. If he got lucky he’d get to feel those hands on his bare shoulders, finally experiencing the contact of her fingers against his uncovered skin. He knew for a fact she needed guidance, having little experience. It might have made him an egotistical asshole but he loved knowing that he’d be the man to introduce her to so many wonderful things.

Dimly he recognized the hum of a motor in the distance. He didn’t think too much about it, deepening the kiss, thrusting his hips against Rachel’s. Then he heard the crunch of gravel behind him. His wolf had already come up for air, scenting its mate, feeling her call. Man and beast merged, coming together. Every instinct told him to protect his female and make sure she was safe. He couldn’t do that with his back turned.

“One minute, baby.” Tearing his mouth away and depositing Rachel in the seat, he growled, “Hold that thought.”

Whoever had pulled up behind them was stupid as fuck. He had a raging hard-on—his cock tenting his jeans—and his mate was equally geared up. Only a moron would interrupt a werewolf couple locked in a heated embrace. Whipping around, he faced the unwelcome interruption. His fury intensified, the fucking bitch walking over to him someone he was not in the mood to deal with.

“What the fuck do you want?” he snarled at Simone, hating the sight of her.

As usual she was dressed in skintight clothing, leaving little or nothing to the imagination. Thankfully she’d covered her tits today, sparing him the visual. Compared to Rachel, Simone looked like a cheap whore who’d been ridden hard and put up wet one too many times. If the pack’s suspicions were true the bitch was the reason Chloe had been attacked and Rachel had been bitten. That only made his wolf more deadly, wanting revenge for its mate.

Not fucking good.

“I’m warning you,” he threatened, growling, “I’m not feeling very social right now.”

“That’s obviously not true,” Simone countered, arching a brow at Rachel. With a glance down at Declan’s crotch—her eyes hovering over his erection—she added, “You seem to be very social right now.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Rachel, love her, apparently didn’t give a shit about her attire. She slid out of the seat, her livid gaze homed on Simone.

“The better question would be,” Simone inhaled, nostrils flaring as she scented the air, “who the fuck are you?”

“My mate,” Declan answered, snaking an arm around Rachel’s waist. “And as you can see we’re busy. So piss off.”

Simone paused, staring openly at Rachel. Declan knew when the werebitch smelled the change, identifying the burgeoning wolf within his female. Taking her attention from Rachel, Simone studied him, shaking her head.

“Really?” she said, laughing. “You’re mating a mutt?”

Rachel froze when the insult struck home. Declan wanted to knock the hell out of the female. True, Rachel wasn’t a full-blooded werewolf or Halfling but she belonged to his pack. That gave her value. A respectful member of any pack didn’t sling mud at others. Simone knew better. The bitch simply didn’t care. He’d never struck a female before in his life but he found himself sorely tempted.

“Better a mutt than a slut,” Rachel snapped hotly, trying to wriggle from his arm, “A man will always take a bitch to bed but that doesn’t mean she’s suitable material when it’s time to meet Momma.”

Shit.

Rachel hadn’t shifted yet but he still felt the strength of her beast. And no wonder. Rachel was all iron will, ready to engage in battle and throw the fuck down. He felt the hum from her, the way her muscles collected as she prepared to pounce. As an added precaution he wrapped his other arm around her midsection, creating an unbreakable hold. She might be able to hold her own against a human but she had to shift before she could take down a werewolf bitch.

“Simone,” he hissed, baring his fangs, “I’ll let Jackson know how you feel about the newest member of the pack. I’m sure he’ll want to let everyone know how you welcomed her to our family.”

“Simone?” Rachel asked, going eerily still at his side.

Glancing down, he asked softly, “You know her?”

“I want to go back to the car,” she whispered, lowering her gaze. “Please let me go.”

Had Chloe told her about Simone? Had his Lupa had a chance to share the pack’s suspicions about the female before he’d burst into his bedroom earlier that morning?

He tried to get a read on Rachel’s scent but Simone interrupted them—again.

“By all means,” the haughty female retorted, hands on her hips, her red lacquered nails bright and shiny. “Tell him. I’ll be sure to show you the same courtesy. I have a feeling I’m not the only one who hasn’t gotten the wonderful news regarding your mating. It seems Jackson’s keeping a lot of secrets nowadays.”

His mating—while not vital to the pack hierarchy, necessarily—was something the other packs would want to know about as soon as possible. As a Beta they trusted him to be up front in all matters just as they were. As soon as Simone got home and opened her mouth Jackson would find more shit steaming up his already full plate. They’d want to know how long Jackson had known about Declan’s mating and why he hadn’t spoken up about the matter. If they found out Rachel had been human and that Jackson had given Declan permission to change her without consulting the Alphas in the area things might turn sour.

“Let go,” Rachel whispered, squirming away from him.

He almost didn’t. Something told him it was best to keep her close. But she seemed calm, almost strangely so. He let go and she walked back to the door and climbed into the SUV. He tore his eyes from his mate and attuned himself to Simone. He’d never liked the woman but he’d never truly hated her.

Until now.

“Word around the packs is you left town.” Simone smiled, cherry-red lips parting into a wide smile. “The newest addition to your pack didn’t have anything to do with your absence, did it?”

“I have five words for you,” he replied, getting ready to close Rachel’s door and leave, “None of your fucking business.”

Rachel took him off guard, slamming her feet into his chest when he made it to her. He hit the ground in a blink, using all the speed within him to get back on his feet. In that time his feisty little mate had crossed over to Simone, wielding the tire iron he kept beneath his passenger seat for emergencies. Simone was old and quick enough to avoid the blows, granting him enough time to reach Rachel. He wasn’t easy or timid as he caught her, wrapping his arms around her middle.

She screamed in fury, kicking and waving the length of metal in her hand. “You don’t know who you’re fucking with,” she roared, her voice deeper than normal.

“Calm down.”

He called on his strength as a Beta, trying to quiet the wolf inside Rachel that was new to the world and therefore confused. It needed more time to develop. Unstable emotions were all Rachel had given it thus far. Since she couldn’t shift the rage would only intensify, creating fury that had no outlet.

Not yet.

“Listen to me, Rachel. Calm down.”

Realizing she wasn’t going to get free, Rachel threw the tire iron at Simone’s face. Simone moved but the sharp edge caught her cheek, breaking the skin. Simone brought her hand up, eyes saucered as she assessed the injury. Blood seeped past her fingers, matching the color of her nails, her skin healing but not quickly enough.

“That’s only a sample of what’s coming to you,” Rachel snarled, fighting him for all she was worth. “Next time there won’t be anyone holding me back. I’ll kick your ass good and proper. You’d better pack a lunch. It’s going to be an all-day fucking affair!”

Son of bitch! Has she always been this brutal?

“That’s enough,” he thundered, walking to the passenger side door to close it. Since he didn’t trust Rachel he stormed to the driver’s side. Even if it meant driving for a couple of miles with her in her arms, traveling with his door open, he had to leave.

He couldn’t keep Rachel in line like this.

He’d only seen a similar fury once before, after a rowdy pup playing football had flown into the spectator area of a park and injured Gage. One tiny cry—the unbearable echo of his sister’s pain—and his dad had gone batshit. Declan hadn’t been there to witness the event but he’d heard about it. Pops hadn’t taken it easy on the young male, unleashing his fury with his fists. His mother had been the only person who could pull his old man off the whimpering pup, pleading with him to listen.

If it hadn’t been for her, his father could have been tried for murder.

He’d nearly killed the fucker.

He felt for the poor bastard who mated with Gage. He wouldn’t have it easy. In fact, he’d have it pretty damn hard.

Dad will fucking kill him.

“You don’t have to worry about me.” Rachel squirmed against him, gaining his full attention. “I can take care of myself, you know. I’ve been doing it for years.”

“I’ll always worry about you. And you don’t need to take care of yourself anymore. Since you haven’t taken the hint let me spell it out—that’s my job.” He tried to remain cool and composed but it wasn’t easy. She itched like a rash under his skin, finding just the right places to poke and prod. “But you shouldn’t go starting shit with strangers. It’s not smart.”

“She’s not a stranger,” Rachel retorted caustically.

“You know her?”

Simone had returned to her car and pulled away. Jackson had to know what had happened. Until Declan was on the road he couldn’t make the call. Rachel had to come first, meaning he had to get the fuck out of here. How did this keep happening? One minute it seemed like he’d turned a corner. The next minute something appeared to knock him off track.

“She’s the woman who tried to kill Chloe.” Rachel stopped struggling, the fight draining from her. Feeling the change—hearing the defeat in her tone—made him wish he’d let her take a shot at Simone. “She’s the one who’s responsible for everything that’s happened.”

So Chloe had found time to tell Rachel what the pack suspected. Not only had Rachel faced the woman who’d tried to harm her best friend, she’d also faced the woman who’d likely caused the bite that had changed her. If the roles were reversed he’d have unleashed his temper too. Simone was lucky to get off with a scratch on the side of the face.

No wonder she lost it.

“Don’t worry. You can let go now.” As soon as he did she started climbing over the console to her seat, telling him softly, “I’ll behave.”

“Rachel.” He stopped her midway to her destination, grasping her by the arm. She looked at him and he saw how much the confrontation had taken from her. “I don’t want you to behave. I like you just the way you are. But I have to call Jackson. Simone loves to stir shit. If I didn’t know better I’d say she’s got snitches in town. People saw us pull up and then boom, she appears.”

“People saw us?” Rachel paled. He was afraid she was humiliated by their physical display when she cleared the matter up. “What if they saw me hit her?” she asked, obviously petrified. “Will they call the supernatural police? Does that really exist?” Her lower lip trembled. “Will I go to jail? Oh shit. Is there jail for werewolves?”

“Sunshine,” he murmured, stroking her arm with his thumb, wanting to kiss her instead, “we don’t have jails or police. Not like yours. And even if we did you don’t have to worry about that. News will spread but not in the way you might think.”

“News will spread?” Her eyes sought his, the fear he thought he’d put a dent in returning. “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is everyone will know I’ve got a hellcat on my hands. They’ll want to see you for themselves.” That was why he needed to change his schedule for a little while longer. Rachel needed more time. If he hurried to work and got his planner it wouldn’t take long to rearrange appointments. Planting a fast kiss on her slightly parted lips, he added, “Now get in your seat. We need to stop by the shop before we go to get your things.”

Rachel sighed, settling in her seat. “The Wolf’s Den?”

“Yeah.” He started the vehicle and glanced at her. “Why?”

“It’s where everything started. I guess I thought I’d never go back.”

“You know what they say, don’t you, sunshine?”

“Humans or werewolves?

“Both.”

She frowned at him and he said, “Never say never, baby.”