Lycan Redemption

Chapter Eight

Galen had nearly lost it when Myka rubbed herself against his cock as she fucked him with her hand. He thought his balls would explode with the effort it took to keep from thrusting up into her hot, wet channel, where he belonged. He still wasn’t sure how he’d kept from claiming her.

She lay snuggled against his chest with his shirt covering her lower half. He would have preferred to keep her naked, but it was cool, and he didn’t want her to get chilled. He’d never been more at odds with himself than now. Part of him was happy, content. Another part was angry, and confused. He wanted to stay here with her. She was his mate, and he was going to have to leave her at least long enough to clear up the little misunderstanding that had plagued him for the last several months.

He would have to tell her who and what he was before he left. There was no way around it. He needed to make sure she could protect herself while he was gone, and if she had no idea what she was up against, she didn’t stand a chance.

“Myka, I need to tell you something,” he said quietly.

This wouldn’t go well. It never did when a human found out lycans existed.

“What’s that?” she said groggily against his chest.

Before he could say another word, a scent hit him. Another lycan. He sat up straight and sniffed at the air. Nothing. It had been faint, nearly undetectable, which meant the other lycan was far away and a stray breeze had carried the scent farther than normal. Or he was good at covering his tracks. Whichever, Galen was certain the other lycan was not close enough at the moment to be a threat. However, the fact that the scent reached him at all set him on edge.

“What did you want to tell me?” Myka said again.

She sat up and looked at him, and he smiled down at her.

“It was nothing. You look exhausted. It can wait until tomorrow. Why don’t you get dressed and go inside to your nice warm bed, angel?”

“I’d rather stay here with you,” she said sleepily.

“I’d rather you did as well, but I don’t think that would be a good idea with Patrick.”

“No. You are right.”

She felt around for her jeans and wiggled into them minus her panties, which she balled up and stuck in her pocket.

“Tomorrow night I would love to sleep with you in my arms all night,” he said before brushing her dark hair off her face.

She smiled up at him, and the brightness of that smile lightened his soul. She handed him his T-shirt, and he pulled it over his head and down to his waist. After he stood, he righted his jeans and held his hand out to help her up.

“I’d like that as well, Galen.”

He kissed her on the cheek, afraid he wouldn’t be able to stop if he took her sweet mouth again.

“I’ll walk you to the house.”

She nodded and held his hand all the way to her front door, where he kissed her again on the cheek before she disappeared inside. He waited until her bedroom light came on and went back out a few minutes later before hurrying to the edge of the woods.

As he stripped off his clothes, folded them, and laid them in the notch of a tree, he called to his wolf. It readily leapt to the surface, and he sprinted off into the darkness. He ran for what seemed like miles before he caught a faint scent of the lycan once again. Slowing his pace, he lowered his head and proceeded cautiously. He stopped and sniffed at the air every few feet, but couldn’t detect the scent again.

If not for the fact that the scent had come from the east, he would have been more apt to dismiss it as no more than a stray lycan passing through. However, the ones who had been chasing him would come from the east, yet the scent wasn’t familiar to him. He’d immediately recognize the scent of any of his pursuers. Maybe they had sent in fresh blood for the hunt. But knowing his kind, that was not likely the case. Wolves were relentless once on the hunt. They didn’t give up the trail to others easily.

He was more than fifteen miles out from Myka’s house, and planned to go out even farther before scouting the perimeter and heading back. If he didn’t pick up the scent again, he’d hunker down and keep an even closer watch. If he did catch the scent again, he’d have to assume whoever it was was looking for him. In that case, he’d get his belongings and lead them away from Myka and Patrick. Anger tore through him, and the urge to howl his sorrow into the endless depth of the black sky beat at him.

He didn’t dare do so. One lone howl would be like sending into the sky a big, glowing red arrow pointing down at his exact location.

Hours later, he sat on the edge of the bed in his room. One of the packages he’d bought the day before at Susie’s sat at the end of the mattress unopened. He rubbed his hands over his face. He was tired from roaming the forest all night, but he refused to sleep until he was sure doing so wouldn’t put Myka or Patrick in potential danger. That meant he’d be catching an hour or two later when Myka drove Patrick into town.

After showering and putting on a new pair of jeans and T-shirt, he went to feed the horses. He’d have to do a load of laundry later as well. Myka had given him permission to use her washer and dryer whenever he needed.

He stretched his arms over his head after throwing the last horse some hay. When he went to the front of the barn and stood at the double doors, the soft glow of the rising sun was sending streaks of pink across the sky. He sniffed the crisp, cool air, and sighed in relief when he didn’t detect any threat. He hoped like hell that the scent he’d caught last night had been nothing but a strange, off-chance anomaly—a passing lycan in the distance.

Although it would not be an uncommon occurrence for a lone lycan to pass through, given the dense forest that surrounded them for miles, he was skeptical due to the underlying circumstances. He should have left when he’d planned, but he hadn’t been able to walk out on Myka when Patrick had been sick.

Then why didn’t you leave last night? That was the million-dollar fucking question. Except he knew the answer, and it wasn’t a good one. His own selfish needs could have put her and Patrick in danger. Tonight would be his last night with her. He would spend a few hours with her after Patrick left, then slip away into the darkness.

“And I’ll remedy my current predicament and come back and claim my mate,” he forced through clenched teeth.

“He almost caught on to us last night,” Terrance said.

“There was no almost about it,” Brent answered. “If we’d been any closer, he’d have known it was us. If we hadn’t brought the other scent with us to throw him off, we would have been made. He’s good. Really good. We’re miles away, and yet he honed right in on us.”

Rindy and some of the other women at Sanctuary had come up with the brilliant idea of bottling the scent of other lycans. In this case, it had worked beautifully in covering their tracks. However, Brent was doubting Terrance’s story even more now. The pup was too nervous, too anxious to kill Galen.

Another problem had arisen as well. There was a potential mate in the area. He was sure Raze, Knox, and Lorent had detected her as well. If Terrance hadn’t, he soon would. Brent wasn’t comfortable with a rogue this close to a potential mate. And what did that say about Galen? Had he found the female? Was he truly what Terrance had claimed him to be? A rapist? A murderer? If so, the woman could be in serious trouble. But what if Galen was simply trying to protect her?

Brent couldn’t risk it. He knew they had to contain the situation as soon as possible. The fact that a potential mate could now be involved only intensified the need to act swiftly. Galen would be on high alert after catching the decoy scent they’d sent out tonight, which meant one of two things. If Galen had found the female and was protecting her, he’d run tonight—try to lure them away from her. If he’d found her and was what Terrance claimed him to be, he’d stay put and let them come to him. Then a bloody standoff would ensue.

“We have to go in tonight,” Brent said.

Knox, Raze, and Lorent nodded.

“We’re gonna kill him, right?” Terrance practically glowed like a four-year-old in a candy shop.

“We, as in you, aren’t going to do anything. You are staying back until after Knox, Raze, Lorent, and I get the situation under control.”

“No! I want to be in on killing the bastard after what he did to me—um, to that girl.”

Brent spun and pinned the pup to a tree by the throat. Terrance dangled about six inches from the ground.

“Listen up, and listen good, pup.” Brent had come to the end of his patience with Terrance. “You do exactly what I say, what any of us say, to the letter. If you don’t, there is going to be a serious problem. You get what I’m fucking saying?”

Brent didn’t miss the quick gleam of defiance that shined in Terrance’s eyes before he quickly nodded in agreement. Yep. This was going to get ugly. He could feel it in his bones. He dropped the pup to the ground before turning back to the others.

“This is how it’s going to go down.”

The others, minus Terrance, who skulked by the tree he’d been pinned against, gathered around him to listen.

Myka stared at Galen while they ate lunch. Patrick, oblivious to anything at the moment but eating his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hummed as he chewed a mouthful of the sticky concoction.

“I stripped the stalls down and lined them with fresh sawdust. The horses are in the pasture, and their food is already in the stalls for when they come back in tonight.”

She and Galen were eating toasted cheese. She’d offered to make Patrick one as well, but he’d insisted on the peanut butter.

“Thank you.”

The phone started ringing, and when she answered it, she heard Betty’s voice on the other end.

“Hi, Betty.”

“Leroy got here a bit earlier than expected. He’s looking forward to meeting Patrick.”

“Yes, Patrick is looking forward to meeting Leroy as well.”

“I can’t wait!” Patrick wiggled in his seat.

Myka laughed.

“I was wondering if you would mind if I drove out to pick him up now?”

“Oh? I suppose that would be okay.”

“If you’d rather wait until four, I’ll understand. Leroy is just so excited about meeting Patrick.”

“No, really, that is fine, Betty. I didn’t want you to have to make the drive, is all. Would you like for me to bring him?”

“No, dear. I’ll be there in about an hour.”

“We’ll see you then.”

“Bye-bye.”

“Bye, Betty.” Myka hung up the phone. “Looks like you get to leave earlier than expected, kiddo,” she said to Patrick.

“Really?” Patrick said giddily.

“Yep. Finish eating and go get your things together. Ms. Case will be here in an hour to pick you up.”

“Yay!” Patrick pumped his fist in the air. “Isn’t that awesome, Galen?”

Galen smiled and nodded, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Patrick gulped the rest of his sandwich down. “Can I go pack now?”

“Sure. Put your plate in the sink first. I’ll be there in a minute to help you.”

He hurriedly shoved the plate in the sink and skipped out of the room.

“You’ve been quiet today.” She took the last bite of her sandwich before pushing the plate away.

“Have a lot on my mind.” He watched her from under half-closed lids as he ate the rest of his sandwich.

“Would you like another?” She nodded toward his empty plate.

“I think four is enough.”

“I thought one was enough.” She laughed.

“You don’t require as much fuel as I do.”

“I guess that’s true.” Definitely true. He was at least two of her combined. “You want to talk about it?”

“No. It can wait until later.”

She nodded. A knot began forming in her stomach. Whatever he had to tell her, she wasn’t going to like. She had a good idea of what it was, but hoped she was wrong.

“I’ll take care of the dishes if you want to help Patrick,” Galen offered.

They both stood, reached for her plate at the same time, and their fingers met. He covered her hand with his and slowly drew her to him. She always felt tiny next to him, but his size was never intimidating to her. She assumed that wasn’t always the case for others who met Galen. He was a formidable man, and she suspected not many went out of their way to irritate him.

She tilted her head back to stare up at his strong jaw covered with dark stubble, then into those mesmerizing eyes she had grown quite fond of.

He dipped his head and kissed her. She moaned when he teased his tongue past her lips and inside her mouth. A low rumble echoed in his chest in answer. A growl that she was growing accustomed to. A growl that always had the same effect on her. Her skin heated as if she were suddenly standing next to a fire that had flared too hot. In a way, she had. Galen was that fire, and if she got too close, he’d burn her.

He lifted his head and stared down at her. Too late. Already too close. And that was when it hit her. She’d fallen in love with him. Logic told her it wasn’t possible. She hadn’t known him long enough, but apparently her heart had not gotten the memo. Great going, Myka. Now when he leaves, he’s going to take your heart with him.

“I’m going to go help Patrick now.” She edged away from him.

He nodded. “I’ll finish up here. Then I’m going to make some repairs on the paddocks. I’ll see you later.”

As she turned to walk away, Galen’s warm fingers encircled her arm and tugged her gently back to face him.

“I’m looking forward to holding you in my arms tonight.”

“I’m looking forward to that as well.”

It wasn’t until he let out a slow breath that she realized he’d been holding it. Had he been worried that she’d changed her mind? If she was smart, she would change her mind, but she’d never been in love before. She wanted to experience it for however long she could. After all, she may never get the chance to do so again.

He brought her hand up to his mouth, brushed his lips over the back of it, then stroked his thumb over her skin before releasing her.

Galen had gotten most of the boards on the paddocks replaced before the sound of a car pulling up the drive distracted him. He assumed it was Betty coming to pick up Patrick. As he made his way around the barn, Patrick ran out of the front door, toward the car, with a small overnight bag in one hand and his cowboy hat in the other. He changed course when he saw Galen and came to a screeching halt in front of him.

“I’m leaving now,” he said after firmly planting the cowboy hat on his head.

“I see that.”

Galen didn’t miss the way Patrick stared up at him expectantly. He reached out and patted him on the shoulder, which seemed to appease him.

“Have a good time.”

“I will. Take care of Myka for me.” Patrick leaned closer and whispered, “She gets kind of stressed out when I’m gone. She doesn’t know I know that, but I do. Don’t tell her I told you.”

“I’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry.”

Galen smiled when Patrick launched himself against his legs and gave him a quick hug.

“K! See ya.” He turned and ran back toward the car where Betty and a boy that appeared to be the same age as Patrick stood talking to Myka.

The boy had to be Leroy. He was the complete opposite of Patrick. Leroy had dark hair, brown eyes, and dark skin. Patrick was blond with green eyes and lighter skin. He figured Patrick must have taken after his mother in the looks department because Myka had dark hair and skin as well. Unless, of course, Myka’s brother had had the same coloring as Patrick.

Betty and Myka talked for a moment while Patrick and Leroy got acquainted. Betty waved at Galen before she opened the passenger side of the SUV to let the boys in and helped them buckle their seat belts.

“Hey! I didn’t get my hug,” Myka said before leaning into the SUV and giving Patrick a good squeeze.

Within a couple minutes, the SUV was making its way back down the drive. Myka slowly walked toward him. The slight sway of her hips called to him like a siren’s song. He wondered if she had any idea how incredibly sexy she was. Did she possibly understand how much she turned him on? How much he wanted her? Did she know how much power she held over him? That she had the ability to crush him in her tiny hands?

No. She didn’t. He was sure of that. And he was even more sure that if she did, she’d never use that power against him. He’d met women who used their sex appeal to get what they wanted from men. Myka was nothing like those women.

“I almost have the paddocks repaired.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She smiled up at him.

His gut clenched. He’d rather die than walk away from her, but if he didn’t . . . she might die. That was unacceptable.

“You’ve done fine without me up until this point. You’d continue to do fine without me now.”

“I suppose, but you’ve made my life easier. It has slowed down now with the gardening out of the way for the year, but I still couldn’t have gotten all of the things done that you have already.”

“Making your life easier brings me great pleasure.”

“I have to do some paperwork and clean the chicken coop. After that, I’ll help you bring the horses in and brush them down.”

He wanted to kiss her, but if he did, he had no doubt he’d have her on the dirt in two seconds flat, taking advantage of her. He remembered last night, and his cock twitched. He hadn’t been the only one taking advantage. And damned if he hadn’t loved it.

“I’m not sure what I’m cooking for dinner. I thought I’d wing it,” Myka said.

“I could help.”

“You cook?” she asked in surprise.

“It is the twenty-first century. Men do cook on occasion,” he said sardonically.

“I guess you’re right.” She laughed. “I’d love to have help cooking dinner.”

She nodded and slowly turned toward the chicken coop. He couldn’t help but watch her delectable ass as she walked away. The dark jeans perfectly outlined the curve of her hips. He gritted his teeth as he fought down the wolf and his own need to chase after her. He never thought he could want a woman as badly as he wanted Myka. The yearning made his body ache, and the thought that she may very well hate him after tonight nearly killed him.