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  “Lana! Run to the truck. Now!” he barked the command and Lana scrambled into action. In her panic, she started to grab for their clothing but Mad’s voice stopped her and quickly brought her to her senses. “Leave ’em, damn it. Run!”

  Lana raced to the pickup and crawled behind the wheel, thankful as hell the keys were in the ignition. She started the truck but then looked up, terrified, as more wolves, roughly a half dozen moved through the trees heading straight toward Madden. He could never fight so many. No way. He was vastly outnumbered.

  Praying he wouldn’t shift, wouldn’t stand and fight right now, she turned on the headlights, illuminating the area. Several wolves, including her father, looked into the light and backed away slightly. Mad hadn’t shifted yet, thank gods, so she stomped on the gas and sped into the clearing. Mad backed up one step, then two, pausing only when she braked to a jarring stop next to him. Lana leaned over and threw open the passenger door of the truck.

  “Get in,” she yelled. “Quick.”

  Mad jumped bare-assed naked into the truck and slammed the door as the wolves began to advance again. “Floor it. Get us the hell out of here.”

  As she raced toward the house, her heart threatening to pound from her chest, she glanced over at Mad. A muscle worked in his jaw and fury practically vibrated from his body. She reached across the expanse of the cab and took his hand. “It’s over now. It’s over.”

  He slid her a look that promised retribution. “You think so? Hell, babe, this is just the beginning. You are mine and I’ll die before I’ll let them hurt you. I think it’s time I let them know what they’re up against.”

  * * * * *

  Members of the Texas Rogues had been scouting the area surrounding Sweetridge for the past several days and though they’d picked up signs of Lana’s former pack, it was as if they’d vanished into thin air, cooling their heels until they would attack again. Lana was just glad there had been no confrontations and everyone was okay for the moment. The sense of impending battle loomed over them all. Lana was terrified. She’d never forget the sight of Anton’s teeth bared as he’d moved through the darkness. If he’d had his way, her mate would be dead on the ground.

  Her mate.

  Madden Moon was so much more than that. He was the best man she’d ever known and when this mess was over she would share with him a truth that she’d come to accept.

  She loved him.

  He deserved to know that.

  The notion of spending the rest of her days with him filled her with a happiness she’d never believed could happen for her. Before she’d come here, her life had been one long bleak day after the next with no hope for anything more. That had all changed with meeting Mad.

  Now she sat with him in the living room and waited for members of the Wolf Creek pack of West Texas to arrive. As they’d done many times in the past, the two groups would team up, exhibiting strength in numbers against a common foe. Ynez was upstairs readying guest rooms for their visitors and the smell of food cooking in the kitchen filled the air. Mad stood, shoulder propped against a window frame, staring out over the countryside. Linc and several other lycans patrolled the perimeter of the grounds and Savannah sat next to Lana on the sofa. Earlier, her new friend had arrived bearing platters of cupcakes, freshly made croissants and other pastries, claiming that if she didn’t bake something, she was going to lose it. Obviously Lana wasn’t the only one to succumb to the tension in the air.

  The trio remained silent until the roar of several truck engines alerted them to the arrival of their guests.

  “They’re here.” Mad moved away from the window, his face a study of determination, and went into the foyer to greet the Wolf Creek warriors. Lana and Savannah followed, both stopping near the front door as Moon moved into the driveway. Double-cab trucks filled with lycans braked to a stop and when they stepped onto the pavement, Lana blinked at the sheer size of the men who’d come to fight with them.

  “Ringo Ramone.” Mad stepped forward and extended a hand to the huge Latino lycan. She knew from earlier conversations that he served as first lieutenant to Alpha Joe McKinnon of the Wolf Creek pack. “Haven’t seen you in some time. Glad you’re here and thanks for responding to my call.”

  “Sorry to meet under these circumstances, hermano. We are at your disposal anytime you need assistance. Joe sends his best. As you know, Quinn is expecting their first child at any moment and he couldn’t leave his mate.”

  “I understand and would feel the same under those circumstances.” Mad turned to her and lifted a hand. Though Savannah hung back, Lana joined Mad in the driveway. “This is Lana Vronski, my mate.”

  Hearing herself introduced as Mad’s mate made her so proud. What else could she be but his?

  She nodded. “Thank you for coming to help. Guess I brought a heap of trouble here when I left Colorado.”

  Ringo slid his dark gaze between her and Mad. “You are where you belong and we’ll see those hombres leave you alone to live your life in peace. We all deserve that, sí?”

  Others approached and soon Lana was lost in a whirlwind of introductions. She met Cactus Mackey and his mate Sara, and then was introduced to Sara’s sister, Kat Dunham and her mate, Gabriel. Both lycan males were big as mountains and exhibited the protective instincts toward their mates that she’d come to expect from Texas lycans. Still, she was curious about the women. Lycan men tended to be so overprotective of their mates that it seemed odd that Sara and Kat had come on this journey.

  They moved into the house and assumed various positions in the living room. Lana occupied a wing-backed chair that was grouped with a large sectional sofa. Mad stood at her side in a show of solidarity and Savannah sat on an ottoman nearby. After Ynez served cold drinks to their guests, Ringo glanced at his watch. “What could be keeping Rainwater?”

  Gabriel, whom Lana had learned served as a county sheriff in West Texas along with being a lieutenant for Joe McKinnon, grunted. “He went in to town to settle some of the other guys and make arrangements to meet up with them all later.” He looked at Moon. “We’ve brought twenty strong pack members with us. They’ll be staying in the motel at the edge of town. It’s a chore to get that many folks settled in and we stuck Sam Rainwater with the job. He should be along any moment.”

  Sara sat on the sofa next to her mate, Cactus. Like Lana, she was a blue-eyed blonde. She smiled at her husband when he draped an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sure you’re wondering why Kat and I are here,” she said to Lana.

  She was actually, but didn’t have the opportunity to voice the question. Gabriel spoke up. “We’ve brought Sara with us because she is a gifted lycan. She and Katalin come from a genetic line of wolves who originated in Eastern Europe. For example, Sara has the strength of about three of us guys.” He laughed. “She even kicks Cactus’ ass on occasion. Of course, he deserves it every time.”

  Sara grinned. “What is it with guys who think football is such a man’s sport? The last time they got together they made their brags about that until I had to show my husband how the game is really played.”

  Cactus laughed. “Yeah, she’s a real butt-kicker who tackles like a linebacker. Earned me a bruise or two.”

  Katalin sat quietly smiling at the banter. Though she greatly resembled her sister, she was daintier. Curly strawberry-blonde hair framed a delicate face and set off her exotically tilted blue eyes to perfection. Lana couldn’t imagine this lady playing football with a bunch of big, rough lycans.

  Lana sensed an innate shyness about her. “And you?”

  Katalin shrugged and her husband took her hand. “Nope. Football isn’t my sport.”

  “Show her what you can do, darlin’,” Gabriel quietly demanded. He glanced at Moon and Lana then back at his wife. The room went still.

  Gabriel’s mate sent her gaze around the room then focused on a small bar set up near a wall of bookcases. “Moon? Looks like you could use something stronger to drink.”

  Moon didn’t say a wor
d and everyone in the room stilled as a crackling energy filled the large space. A stopper lifted from a crystal decanter and then came to rest soundlessly on the table. The bottle and a squat highball glass rose to hover roughly twelve inches in the air before the decanter tipped, pouring a measure of whiskey into the glass. Stunned, Lana watched the glass move across the room to stop before Mad. Mad blinked and took the glass. “Well, I’ll be damned. I’d heard the stories but seeing is believing.”

  Savannah’s eyes were huge. “Wow! We really need to hang out, Kat.”

  Any tension that remained dissolved in a blast of laughter. These were good people and Lana was so hopeful that together they could fight off the beasts who threatened her newfound happiness.

  * * * * *

  For a woman who’d spent recent days virtually alone except for Madden, Lana thought it was strange but very cool to be surrounded by so many suddenly. The scent of grilled steaks hovered in the air as folks occupied the assorted patio tables or sat at the edge of the pool to dangle their feet into the water. It was a beautiful Texas night and Lana loved being hostess to them all. Already the lycans from the Wolf Creek pack seemed like family.

  Thanks to the supernatural hearing they all possessed, conversation stopped when the sound of a vehicle and a door closing filtered through the air. Footsteps approached a side gate leading into the backyard, accompanied by a musical three-note bird whistle.

  Ringo turned to Madden. “That would be Rainwater. He doesn’t say much but makes his presence known in his own way.”

  Mad and Ringo approached the gate and greeted a bear of a man of obvious Native American ancestry. Easily nearing seven feet tall, he carried his immense height proudly. His long black hair was thick and shiny, stretching halfway down his back. In profile, he was probably one of the most striking men Lana had ever seen. His dark eyes slid over the group, pausing briefly on her before taking in Savannah, who stood by her side. That solemn glance widened incrementally and Savannah went still.

  Finally he turned his attention to Ringo and Mad and the men spoke quietly before they toward her. Savannah grabbed Lana’s hand and gave her a frantic look. “Um…I…um…need to go inside for a minute.”

  “Why? Wait a minute. Hey, your palms are clammy. Are you okay?” Lana clutched at her friend’s hand as she tried to pull away. “Savannah?”

  “Nerves. My gods! Just nerves. He’s beautiful.”

  Savannah managed to break free but was stopped in her tracks from leaving by the approach of Ringo, Mad and the big man known as Rainwater. What was wrong with her cheerful, laughing friend? Lana had never known her to behave this way.

  “Lana, Savannah,” Moon began, “this is Sam Rainwater.”

  The lycan nodded at her then turned a hard gaze on Savannah. The intensity in his eyes never wavered as he took her in from top to toe, finally pausing on Savannah’s lips. “I reckon we need to talk, ma’am,” he said. His voice was low and oddly melodious.

  Savannah didn’t move. Her eyes were wide, riveted on his stoic face. He reached out a hand and without a word, Savannah took it. Without sparing anyone else a glance, she walked with the imposing lycan into the house.

  Chapter Nine

  People were fucking in his house.

  Mad felt the energy of it practically seeping through the walls and as he walked to the door of the bathroom, he reached for his belt buckle, listening to the sounds of the shower running. It wasn’t a stretch of imagination to visualize Lana soaping her naked body as water dripped over her flesh. The day had been chock-full of activity and he should be tired but, oh hell no. Fucking his mate seemed like a mighty fine idea. He whipped the leather through the loops of his jeans and shed his boots.

  Mad went still at the sound of footsteps clomping down the hallway accompanied by a voice that muttered a combo of Spanish and English.

  Ringo.

  The lycan was without his mate tonight and downright frustrated by that fact. Obviously he felt the energy too. Mad’s Spanish wasn’t all that great but he didn’t have to be a linguist to hear the faint curse words and something about a night on the couch being mentioned. Bootfalls landed on the stairs and Mad smiled. Poor Ringo.

  After having an intense heart-to-heart with Savannah, Sam Rainwater turned down Mad’s offer of a room and headed back into town where he planned to stay with other members of the Wolf Creek pack. Savannah, unusually silent and obviously shaken, had left soon after. The others were all occupying rooms here and they’d wasted no time getting down to business.

  Mad peeled off the rest of his clothes. He planned to kiss every inch of Lana’s body while telling her how damn proud he was of her. She was sweet, kind, polite and could converse on myriad topics. She had especially hit it off with Sara and Kat and he wondered how she must feel to have so many friends after years living in isolation. Thinking of her dick of a dad got him all pissed off and he didn’t want to come to Lana that way so he forced himself to calm down but the sexual energy was explosive, threatening to choke him. Did Lana feel it too?

  Opening the door to the room as steamy as the pits of hell, he spotted Lana’s creamy outline in the oversized shower and the lust swimming through his bloodstream kicked up another notch. His cock rose high against his belly, aching like a son of a bitch as he stalked across the expanse of the room and opened the shower door.

  Lana whipped around with a little gasp and backed against the wall of the shower. Her eyes were dilated until only a slim line of blue surrounded her pupils. Her nipples were drawn up like tight pebbles, standing out starkly against the pale flesh of her breasts. Oh hell yeah. It was obvious she felt the sexual energy too. A pulse beat visibly in her throat.

  “Mad,” she whispered. “I was ju—”

  “Fuck finesse. Fuck slow.”

  He advanced on her, stepping into the enclosure and pressing her to the wall. She gasped his name, the frantic sound vibrating over his skin like a song. Soap covered her body, tiny bubbles sliding over her soft belly. Her heavy lashes were dotted with drops of water and soft little breaths of air swept from her lips. Caging her in, pressing flush to her naked body, he stared at her hoping to convey his intent. “Yeah, fuck slow.”

  Reaching behind her, Mad settled his forearm beneath her ass and lifted, using his size and strength to hold her in place against the slick wall. Water poured over them, steam drifting over their bodies as he gripped his cock and dragged the head over the wet flesh of her pussy. Lana’s eyes slammed shut and her arms tightened around him as she clung. Her heels pressed tight, digging into the small of his back as, with a low groan, he sank deep.

  “Mad. Mad. Mad.”

  His name was like a prayer on her lips as he went still then withdrew, knowing damn well he couldn’t maintain this slow pace, nor did he want do.

  Ramming deep and hard, his heavy balls meeting her flesh, he pounded through the soft tissue as her slick muscles gripped and squeezed. His head spun, his mind lost in the feel of her milking his cock. Pushing higher and harder, increasing the speed of each heavy thrust, he felt her tremble against him.

  Love for her mixed with lust as his beast roared for completion.

  Fitting his head against the crook of her shoulder, he pressed his teeth to her flesh, dreaming of breaking that skin and making her his true mate. Soon. Soon. Frantic for that moment, frustrated beyond endurance, he sent his fingers into the crease of her ass and pressed his thumb against her opening. She went still in his arms then, with a shudder, continued to writhe against his body, pushing against his invading thumb until he breached her there. She moaned low and Mad sent it deeper, feeling the tightness of her grip.

  Dark thoughts filled him as he drew on the power of his species and increased the pace of the frantic balls-to-the-walls fucking. Pistoning up, up, up, he wallowed in the sensation of her vaginal walls holding him tighter than a fist. Mad couldn’t imagine their actual consummation being any wilder but he knew it would be. As steam and water rolled over them, he drew in
a sharp breath and thrust once more, giving up the fight and letting the hot orgasmic wave wash him clean. Lana buried her face against his shoulder, quivering until she finally lost control and let her climax carry her under. Mad was with her when she fell.

  Later, as he curled behind her, listening to her steady breathing, he reached up to brush her hair away from her face and wondered how he could have gotten so lucky as to find her and bring her into his life. The house was quiet now, the energy dimmed, and Mad sensed that it might be the last bit of peace any of them would have until this mess was all over and done.

  * * * * *

  Days later, a routine set in as the team of lycans worked at tracking members of the Snow Wolf pack. So far there had been little luck. Sightings here and tracks there had turned up little more information than what they’d had before. As this whole thing dragged on endlessly, Lana found herself on shaky ground emotionally. Mad was quick to reassure her that things would be okay but she had to face the fact that, despite finding her mate, her life up to now hadn’t been all that fortuitous. The only good thing to come from past days was her budding friendships with not only Savannah but the lycan sisters, Sara and Kat.

  Living in a community that mixed humans and wolves, it made sense to keep all tracking to the nighttime hours so Mad had enlisted the visiting wolves into doing some construction work with him and his crew during the daytime, leaving the ladies pretty much on their own.

  Today, as the late-afternoon heat eliminated any bit of pleasure to be found outdoors, the four of them lolled around in Moon’s big den watching girly movies and doing the whole mani-pedi thing. A big bowl of popcorn and a tray of fresh fruit sat on a round coffee table along with numerous glasses and soda cans.

  Savannah lay stretched out on the sofa as the credits ran on the movie they’d just watched. Lazily, she rubbed her belly. “I have completely ruined my dinner.” She lifted one foot and wiggled her toes. “But my tootsies look great.”