When we arrived at Nolan’s house, he carried me inside and tossed me on the couch with my arms still handcuffed behind me.
“I’m heading out,” Xavier says as he walks back into the living room with Nolan. For the past thirty minutes, I’ve tried getting out of the handcuffs, but all I’ve done is rub raw sores on my skin.
Xavier comes over to me and smiles. “Have a good night,” he teases.
I scowl up at him. “I’m flipping you off right now. I know you can’t see my hands since they’re handcuffed behind my back.”
Nolan chuckles and shakes Xavier’s hand. “Thanks for everything.”
Xavier shrugs. “I wouldn’t thank me yet. I tried to do a cloaking spell on the house, but I could still sense Kara. The bracelet took away her magic, but it also makes it so no other magic can be used on her.”
Nolan’s eyes glow, and he huffs. “Fuck. If you can’t shield her, then others will come.”
Xavier shakes his head. “Not necessarily. There isn’t another pack around these parts other than yours. So you may get a couple of rogues.”
I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. If other wolves come for me, I have to depend on Nolan to fight them off. I’ve never had to rely on a man for anything, and it kills me to admit it, but I need Chase right now. Virginia will be the first place he’ll come looking. I just hope he gets here in time.
Nolan glances down at me and then back to Xavier. “If anyone trespasses, I’ll kill them. Simple as that.”
Xavier’s leer turns devilish. “Might be kind of fun. I’ll help you.” He winks at me, and Nolan walks out onto the porch with him. Since I don’t have my wolf hearing, I can’t make out what they say, but I can only imagine.
A few minutes later, Nolan strolls in and goes into the kitchen. He comes back with two small glasses, halfway filled with whiskey.
“Figured you could use a drink,” he says, setting the glasses on the coffee table. He sits beside me and holds up the handcuff keys, his grayish-green eyes twinkling with delight. “Want me to let you free?”
I glare at him. “I’m not even going to answer that.”
Laughing, Nolan reaches behind me. When the cold metal rubs against my sores, I hiss in pain, but I get instant relief as soon as the handcuffs drop away.
“Your wrists are looking rough, sweetheart. I’m assuming you don’t heal as fast with that bracelet, huh?”
When I bring my arms around, I stretch them out. “Among other things,” I grumble.
Nolan picks up the glasses and holds one out to me. “Drink.”
My throat feels as dry as the Sahara, but I refuse to drink alcohol, not after what happened with Chase. “Water will be fine, thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” Nolan swirls the amber liquid in his glass and tosses it back in one gulp. His focus switches to the couch, and he rubs a hand over the brown leather, his smile predatory. “Remember the last time we were on this couch together? Things got pretty heated.”
I slide over to put some distance between us. “That was a long time ago, Nolan.”
He winks. “Only a year ago. Things haven’t changed much since then.”
This time I let out a laugh, but it’s because his statement couldn’t be any more wrong. “Maybe not for you.”
Nolan sets his glass down and drapes an arm over the back of the couch. “Yeah, guess that’s true. I haven’t gone and pissed off the Royal pack. I don’t see how you’re not murderous with that thing on your wrist. I’d be furious if someone did that to me.”
“Believe me,” I hiss, “I detest it more than you know.”
Nolan reaches over to touch my face, but I move my head to the side. I’m soon going to run out of space on the couch. “It’s crazy,” he murmurs, sliding closer. “I always wondered how you were stronger than me. Now I know. All this time, I was fucking a royal, and I had no clue.” He slides even closer to where I have no more room to move. “I can see now why the sex was epic.”
“You’re invading my space,” I snap, wishing I could shift and rip off his balls. This is why it’s a curse to be a royal female. Nolan has a true mate out there somewhere, but he’d give that up just to mate with me and take my power. Chase isn’t like that.
Nolan places a hand on my thigh, and my reaction is instant. I grasp his hand to jerk it away, but he’s too strong. “Get your fucking hand off of me right now.”
He grabs my wrist and yanks my hand away so he can cup my center. “You used to get so wet for me.”
I punch him with my other fist, and pain shoots up my arm. Nolan throws his head back and laughs as he entraps both of my wrists above my head with just one hand.
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll rip out your throat.”
Nolan grips my wrists, and I yelp in pain. “Why are you being so difficult?” He lifts his free hand to my breast and squeezes it as he pushes me down on the couch. “You used to love it rough. I still remember how tight your pussy would squeeze my cock.” He presses his weight into me, rolling his hips so I can feel his hardness. His lips slide across my neck, and the more I buck against him, the more aroused he gets. “You were mine, and I want you to be mine again,” he growls, sliding his hand up my shirt.
Panic consumes me, and I struggle to breathe under his weight. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. Nolan grins down at me, his fangs slowly lengthening to sharp points.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” I snarl.
Nolan licks his lips. “Just one taste. That’s all I want.”
“No!” I shout as he leans closer. I can feel his teeth on my skin, but before he can plunge then in, the front door bursts open.
“Someone’s here!” Xavier exclaims. He slams the door and chants a spell under his breath.
Nolan quickly bolts up and drags me with him, holding me close to his body. We both look out the window by the front door, and someone’s there. It’s dark, but I don’t need the light to know who it is. My body tingles, and I can feel my wolf inside of me. Chase.
“Fuck me,” Nolan hisses. “I know exactly who that son of a bitch is.”
Xavier looks out another window. “Who is he?”
Nolan’s eyes blaze. “Chase Maheegan, Alpha of the Timberwolf pack.”
I want to laugh and cry, but I can’t bring myself to feel any relief. Yes, Chase found me, but he still has to fight Nolan and his Rich Valley pack if they show up. Chase will be severely outnumbered.
Nolan throws me toward Xavier. “Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.”
I stumble across the floor, and Xavier wraps his arms around my waist.
“Is this really what you want for me, Xavier? We used to be friends. You saw what Nolan was doing to me.”
I can’t see his face, but his grip loosens just a tad. “It’s complicated, Kara,” he whispers. “Nolan doesn’t want to hurt you.”
I scoff. “He just wants my power. Same thing, dumbass.”
Nolan disappears out of the room and comes back with his cell. “So it begins. I’ll get the others here.” He tries to call several of his wolves, and every time no one answers, his eyes flare even more. “What the hell’s going on? Why aren’t they answering their fucking phones?”
The front door slams open, and it breaks off its hinges. An angel in the form of Evangeline appears, her body glowing a brilliant white. “They’re all asleep. Sorry.”
I wish I could see Xavier’s face, but he drops his hands. “Evangeline,” he whispers.
Evangeline turns her tear-filled eyes my way and mouths the word run. She lifts her hands in the air, and a white spark shoots toward Xavier, knocking him back against the wall. My heart lurches against my sternum, and I take off, only to feel Nolan’s arms grab me and haul me around.
Evangeline steps out of the way so Chase can be seen at the bottom of the porch stairs. His eyes glow a brilliant blue, and I can feel his wolf demanding to be let free. Deep down, I can sense mine, desperate to be close to her mate. But unfortunately, there’s still a barrier, an invisible wall keeping her away from me.
Chase meets my eyes, and my body tingles, knowing he’s there to protect me, to keep me safe. Nolan’s grip tightens around my body, and I suck in a ragged breath. Growling, Chase takes another step forward.
“You want her?” Nolan shouts.
Chase glances at me. “She’s mine.”
Xavier stops at the door, his chest and shoulders heaving up and down with his rapid breaths. Nolan pushes me toward him and marches out of the door. “You’re wrong. She’s mine.”
Nolan takes off his clothes, and Chase does the same, their movements a blur in my vision. The next thing I know, there are two magnificent gray wolves facing each other, ready for blood. Chase is the first one to charge, and I hold my breath as they connect, their teeth and claws ripping at each other.
“Chase is going to win,” I say to Xavier. “You’d be smart to let me go.”
Evangeline waits just outside of the door. “I’d listen to her. You know this isn’t right, Xavier.”
Xavier scoffs. “This is wolf business. If Nolan wants her, who am I to say otherwise?”
The growls grow louder, and I want to be out there for Chase. The smell of blood fills the air, and I don’t need my wolf senses to know that. My wolf wants to fight, to defend my mate. I never realized how much Chase means to me until this very moment. I’ve fought against my feelings for years, always using the excuse that he wasn’t good enough. In all reality, I was the one not worthy for him. Chase came to Virginia, all by himself, to save me; no one has ever cared enough to do that.
“Let her go,” Evangeline demands.
Xavier laughs. “You may have caught me off guard with that little spark of yours, but you’re not stronger than me, E.”
Evangeline lifts her head, and a smirk spreads across her lips. “I am today.” Her hands begin to glow, and the bright light blinds me as it knocks me onto the floor, along with Xavier. I thought it would hurt, but when I hit the ground, it was as if a blanket cushioned my fall. Xavier, on the other hand, tumbled and whimpered in agony.
Evangeline rushes into the house and helps me up. “Kara, are you okay?”
I hug her as tight as I can. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you. Let’s go.” Taking my hand, she leads me outside to the fight. Both wolves are bloody and battered, but it’s obvious Chase has the upper hand. The second he sees me, his eyes glow even brighter, and he lunges for Nolan. They roll across the snow-covered ground until Chase lands on top of Nolan, exposing his throat and underbelly.
I know I should want Nolan dead, especially after what he did to me. Hell, I wanted to kill him myself just a few minutes ago. But now, seeing him vulnerable makes me question everything.
Chase rears back for the killing blow, but I run toward them.
“Stop!” I shout.
Chase keeps his weight on Nolan, his teeth bared and dripping with blood.
Slowly, I walk over, my heart pounding so hard I feel as if I’m going to pass out. “Chase, please,” I beg, keeping my voice calm. “Don’t kill him. I know you want to, and believe me, so do I right now. If I had my power, his balls would be shoved up his ass.” I glance down at Nolan and can tell he knows that’s the truth by the realization in his eyes.
Chase growls again, but this time, he lifts his glowing eyes to mine.
“A few months ago, I was no better than Nolan, and I was spared. I’ve killed way too many people, and karma came for me. It’s my turn to do things differently.”
Chase keeps his teeth bared, but then he moves away from Nolan, still staying in wolf form. Nolan shifts back to human, breathing heavily and covered in gashes. He looks up at me with relief on his face.
“I take it he’s your mate?” he asks, scrambling to get to his feet. Groaning from the pain, he holds onto his side.
The second he looks at me, I punch him so hard that the bones in my hand crack. Again, he falls back to the ground, this time cupping his broken jaw. My hand hurts like hell, but I clench my teeth, biting back the agony.
“If you so much as attempt to stop us from leaving, I won’t just rip off your balls, I’ll filet your dick and make you eat it. Do you understand me? Don’t make me regret saving your life.”
Nolan holds up his hands in defeat, and he gets up. “Go. I’m sorry. It was all a big mistake. I’m done.”
Chase shifts back to human, and I run to him, jumping into his arms. “Let’s get out of here.”
I know we need to leave, but I can’t let him go. I have never felt so comfortable in someone’s embrace in all my life. But now, I feel regret and guilt; it consumes me. All of this just proves that I don’t deserve him.
Evangeline picks up Chase’s clothes, and he dresses quickly. Evangeline and I both glance at Nolan’s house, where Xavier watches us from the front porch. Nolan is already inside, nursing his wounds.
“What are you going to do?” I ask her.
Evangeline looks at him with such longing it makes my heart ache. “I don’t know. Either Xavier and I work it out, or we become enemies. It’s up to him.” She tears her gaze away from him and focuses on me. “Right now, we need to go.”
Chase takes my hand, and I’ve never felt safer. “We have a lot to talk about, princess.”
Nodding, I squeeze his hand. “That we do.”