A Wolf's Pride Read online

  The rich timbre of his voice was almost a physical caress as it ran over her. His eyes left the road to wander over her frame and she shivered in response to his heated glance. It was as though he were devouring her with just his eyes. She had never quite understood the phrase undressing her with his eyes but she understood it and more now. Ryan’s eyes weren’t simply undressing her; it was as though he were making love to her in his mind, she could practically see the wheels turning. Resisting the urge to cover her body with her hands, she simply turned away from him, determined not to utter another word to the infuriating man at her side.

  They continued their drive in silence; each mentally furious with the other, until Ryan pulled up outside of the small diner he had spoken of. He hadn’t been exaggerating on its size, it was looked very small from the outside, seating a maximum of thirty people. Undeterred, Ryan stepped out of the car and moved to the other side of the car, opening the door for Chloe. She stepped out, eyeing him warily before striding towards the diner. Ryan’s restraining hand on her shoulder meant that she didn’t make it very far and she swung round to face him.

  “I thought you wanted me to eat.”

  “I do Chloe, but I thought I should remind you not to make a scene. I don’t want to hurt these people, but I will if I have to. If you draw attention to us, a fight will break out because they will try to separate us and I can’t have that.”

  “You make it sound as though you’d kill people if they tried to take me away.”

  “I would.”

  He had said the two words simply and with such a calm finality that she couldn’t help but believe he was capable of making good on his word. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the diner and she looked in through the windows. “There are children in there Ryan.”

  “I wouldn’t want to do it Chloe, but for you I would. I don’t want you to think of me as a monster, I don’t hurt children but I won’t extend that protection to anyone else. Relax,” he laughed, “as long as you don’t say anything we’ll be fine. We’ll get something to eat and then continue on our journey ok?”

  She nodded grimly, her stomach churning wildly in unease as well as hunger. When his hand moved to the small of her back, she jumped, his palm was so hot that she could feel the heat he was radiating through the layers of her clothes. Her treacherous body was again guilty of responding to his presence and she cursed it. What was it about this man that evoked such feelings in her? She’d had boyfriends before but none of them had been able to draw such a response from her with so little effort, by simply being alive and nearby. She allowed herself to be led into the diner and seated in one of the few booths. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the family sat in the far corner. The parents were engrossed in a conversation between themselves and their two children one who looked about five and the other who looked to her eye to be about eight, were causing mild mischief, strewing sugar all over the table.

  Keep your mouth shut, Chloe. You don’t want to be responsible for their parents ending up in hospital.

  “What do you want to eat love?”

  Her attention was instantly drawn to Ryan and she noticed that a waitress had managed to sneak up on her while she had been watching the children playing. “I’ll have some orange juice.”

  “And…” he encouraged. “That isn’t enough to satisfy your hunger, I should know I can feel it remember?”

  Chloe looked at the waitress wondering why she had not said anything about his bizarre comment but she was far too busy watching Ryan to pay attention to the words that were leaving his lips. “I’ll have a piece of toast as well then.”

  “What she actually means is that she’ll have a glass of orange juice, two pieces of toast and a fried egg, sunny side up please.”

  “Ryan!” she scolded.

  “You’re hungry Chloe, if you aren’t going to think of yourself then I’ll have to do it for you. Your hunger is affecting me too. I’ll have the same but with an extra two pieces of toast, sausages, bacon and beans please.” He snapped the menu shut and handed it back to the waitress, turning to look at her instead and ignoring the attractive and very thin brunette who proceeded to glare at her as she retreated to the kitchen. If she were honest with herself it felt good to have a man be focused so intently on her that other women were beneath his notice. Gary was nothing like this, she mused remembering her last boyfriend. He had the most wandering eyes I’ve ever seen on a man. I should have known there was something off about him that first date we had. Realising what she was doing, she automatically scolded herself. Stop comparing your ex boyfriend to your kidnapper. Don’t enjoy whatever feelings he creates. His intentions are still unclear and he’s a madman, you can’t forget that.

  “I don’t see why you’re so concerned about your weight love, I meant what I said earlier. You’re gorgeous. All soft, gentle curves. I can barely stand to look at you because you’re so much of a temptation. Does that tell you nothing?”

  “Yes, it tells me that you need your eyes tested. I have a mirror that I look in everyday. I know exactly what I look like.”

  “Did someone say something to you? Do something to make you feel like this?” His voice was a menacing promise of retribution against any one who had dared to do such a thing. “Just give me a name Chloe, a name is all I need and you’ll never have to worry about them again. Was it your father? One of your brothers?” he pressed looking for an additional justification to harm her family.

  “My family would never say anything like that, don’t be stupid,” she snapped.

  “Well I suppose that’s one point in their favour,” he groused.

  “Here are your meals.” The waitress said, placing two plates in front of them before turning her attention to Ryan and purring, “If you need anything, just come and ask for Abigail.” No matter which way she looked at it, the words sounded like an invitation to Chloe and it wasn’t hard to guess who it was addressed to. Chloe rolled her eyes at the woman’s blatant attempt at seduction.

  “Thanks,” Ryan replied simply before proceeding to eat his breakfast with gusto, ignoring Abigail completely.

  Take that! Chloe yelled triumphantly before realising that what she had just said amounted to some sort of claim on Ryan and she went silent. Picking up her knife and fork, she began to eat the food in front of her and her stomach groaned in relief, overjoyed that it was finally getting the sustenance it needed. It didn’t take long before her eyes wandered to her kidnapper and she became entranced by the sight of him eating. He was devouring the food the waitress had brought him, chewing large portions at such a fast pace that she became convinced he would choke. It never happened, he continued inhaling food before requesting the waitress bring him another plate of the same.

  “What?” he asked confused at the dumbstruck expression on Chloe’s face.

  “Don’t tell me you eat like that all the time?”

  “I do, why do you ask?”

  “Where do you put it all? If I ate like that I’d be the size of a house in under a day. But you…there’s it doesn’t look like there’s a bit of fat on you.”

  “So you’ve been sizing me up?” he leered, his eyebrows moving suggestively.

  “I’m serious Ryan.”

  “So am I. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who finds the other attractive in this relationship.”

  “We’re not in a relationship,” she sighed.

  A shadow fell over the table and she turned to look at its source. A tall bald man stood above them, his bulging muscles and dark eyes instinctively making her nervous.

  “What do you want?” Ryan snarled, feelings of aggression rushing to the forefront of his mind. He could sense that this man would be trouble.

  “Chloe, my name is Robert, I know your father, Harry.”

  “Oh,” she replied inanely unsure of exactly what the man wanted from her.

  “You’re quite a distance from home, why?”

  “Why is that any of your business?” Ryan questioned,
his muscles tensing in anticipation.

  Robert continued directing his questions at Chloe as though Ryan had not spoken. “Chloe, is there something you want to tell me? I’m willing to help you with whatever you need. I don’t think that your father knows about this trip otherwise he would have said something. What’s going on?”

  “How do I know that you know my father?”

  Robert smiled, pleased that she had not simply accepted his offer of assistance without verifying who he was. “Your father’s name is Harry Evans, you have three brothers, the oldest is Jonathan who’s followed by Christian and Daniel and they all take after your father in terms of appearance. Tall, dark haired but you and your brother’s all have your mother’s eyes. Your father, brothers and I are all part of the same organisation, we go hunting together. Do I pass the test? Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  Her eyes wandered around the diner and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the young family had already left. “Well now that you mention it, yes, I’m having a bit of a problem.”

  “Chloe,” Ryan growled in warning.

  She continued regardless. “This man, broke into my house last night claiming that he was a werewolf, I assume if you’re part of my father’s crazy gang then you’ll take him for his word. Anyway he said he’s a werewolf and claimed that I was his mate. He proceeded to abduct me from my home and is currently driving me across state borders to his home. Is there anything you can do to help me with that?”

  “You’re a werewolf?” Robert gasped.

  Ryan’s sharp eyes had spotted the tattoo on the man’s neck and so he saw no reason to deny it. “Yes, I am. And you’re a hunter.”

  “Do you know who this woman is? Are you aware of what you’re doing?”

  “I’m taking my mate home with me.”

  “You wolves really are crazy. This woman is our high commander’s daughter. If you hand her over peacefully, I’m sure you can bargain for a quick end.”

  “I’m never giving her up, she’s my mate and we mate for life.”

  “That’s impossible. She’s human and you’re a monster.”

  “So I’ve heard. If you think to take my mate from me then I’ll show you what a monster truly is,” he laughed before standing up and moving away from the booth where Chloe was sat. He could sense that a fight was about to erupt and didn’t want his mate caught in the melee. Robert pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at Ryan’s chest and he laughed in response before leaping into action. He moved so fast that Robert couldn’t see where he had gone and before he knew it he was laying on the ground with Ryan’s fists pounding at his face.

  Seeing an opportunity to escape, Chloe slipped out of her seat and ran from the diner. Her eyes immediately landed on the car that they had arrived in and she ran towards it, pulling open the door and grabbing the keys from the glove box where Ryan had left them. She had seen him place them there and had almost commented on how unsafe it was to leave the keys in an unlocked car, she had chosen not to say anything hoping that the car would get stolen and they would be forced to stop. Thankful for his lack of common sense, she hopped into the driver’s seat and turned on the engine hoping to put as much distance as possible between her and Ryan.

  Ryan had noticed the moment Chloe had run from him, but he had to deal with the man lying beneath him. He sadly didn’t have the time to kill the man and so contented himself with leaving the man unconscious. When Robert had bled enough to satisfy Ryan’s blood lust, he stood calmly as though he had not participated in a minor brawl. Opening his wallet, he placed several large bills on the table to cover any and all damages that he might have wrought before walking calmly from the diner. The first thing he noticed was that the car was missing and it brought a smile to his face.

  Silly mate, his wolf commented. Does she know nothing about wolves? There’s nothing sweeter than the chase. Go after her Ryan.

  Did you think that I was going to just let her leave? he scoffed as though the mere thought was ludicrous. He walked a few feet away from the diner, ensuring that he couldn’t be seen before he allowed the change to wash over him. Bones cracked and muscle contorted as his shape became that of a large brown wolf, that would easily reach a man’s waist. His fangs and claws were razor sharp so that he could effortlessly dispatch enemies like Robert but it wasn’t for that reason he had transformed. His nose was even more sensitive than when he was in his human form and there was nothing faster than him. He quickly picked up his mate’s scent and a wolfish smile appeared on his lips before he sprung into action, running as though the devil were at his heels.

  Chapter Seven

  Chloe’s hands on the steering wheel were tight and easily fit into the grooves that Ryan had left earlier when he had bent the wheel within his grip. She had barely noticed the indents in the hard material, so caught up was she in her attempt to escape. Robert had provided her with the opportunity to return home and she fully intended to use it. As soon as she had entered the car, she had begun driving in the opposite direction, hoping to encounter a police officer along the way. Her bad luck seemed to be holding as in the ten minutes she had been driving she had not seen even one other car on the road, let alone an agent of the law. The speed at which she was driving was most definitely illegal as she had hoped to attract the attention of someone who, if not willing to help her, would hand her into the safe custody of the police, but no one had appeared to stop her.

  Daddy is never going to let me here the end of this, he’s going to demand that I move home. She could envision his face as he told her once again the dangers of living alone. But right now that might not be such a bad idea, I don’t think I would feel safe at my apartment. How did he manage to break in so easily? I can worry about that later, she decided. I should focus on getting back home, where I’ll be safe from him.

  The decision made, she pushed her foot harder against the gas pedal and sped forward. Her eyes widened as she spotted a large brown wolf standing in the middle of the road, the animal wasn’t moving as she raced towards it and she instinctively eased up on the accelerator and swerved to the side of the road. The car had not crashed as she thought it would have done and she breathed a sigh of relief. Turning her gaze back to the road, she glared at the wolf.

  Silly thing, it should have moved. The wolf began to walk forward, serving to increase Chloe’s perception of its stupidity. So it moves now when its life isn’t in danger anymore? I should have just run the thing over. I’m running from a madman, I can’t afford to spend time waiting here. Placing her hands back on the steering wheel, she prepared to drive off once again. The wolf however once again prevented her from escaping. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes from it as its body began to twist and contort before her gaze.

  The wolf’s fur receded and was replaced by smooth tanned skin. The long muzzle that formed its mouth, shrunk, its shape transforming into a human jaw and lips. The wolf’s legs buckled and lengthened as it sauntered towards her door until Ryan stood fully formed at her side. Her head moved jerkily, her neck twisting until she could see his face. Her heart was beating frantically within her chest, so hard that she was surprised she couldn’t see it moving within her ribcage. Fear was coursing through her veins but she couldn’t seem to move, to do the sensible thing and run away. He was smiling at her as though nothing strange had just occurred and his relaxed attitude only served to scare her more. Her mind went blank, but her mouth did what was instinctive, essential to her continued survival, she screamed, long and loud.

  The changes happening within his mate’s body had Ryan throwing the door open wide, determined to reach her and sooth her concerns. Her heart was beating much too fast, her lungs were burning as her screaming deprived her of vital oxygen. If he didn’t help her she would most likely faint. He reached for her seatbelt and met only with Chloe’s generous bosom and realised that in her mad dash for freedom she had failed to put it on.

  My mate and I are going to have a serious talk o
ne of these days. She’s constantly putting herself in danger. First with that unsafe apartment she was calling home and now, not wearing a seatbelt while speeding. She should think about me more, what would I do if something happened to her?

  Pulling her from the car seat, he pulled her into his arms, muffling her screams with his chest. “Hush love, I’m here,” he crooned, stroking the short strands of her hair. “You’re safe. Nothing is going to hurt you.”

  “Get away from me!” Chloe shrieked, pushing wildly at his chest. “I’m not going to let you eat me, you monster.”

  That hurt, Ryan mused, greatly displeased by Chloe’s perception of him. Why would she say something like that?

  I don’t know, his wolf began, its tone sarcastic. Maybe its because you just transformed right in front of her and she comes from a family of hunters who have probably been poisoning her mind since she could speak.

  It was you who suggested it. Ryan reminded it.

  She needs to know what she’s dealing with, the sooner she does, the sooner the claiming can happen.

  You have a one-track mind.

  When it comes to her? Yes. I don’t like the idea of her walking around unclaimed, what if someone tries to take her away?

  You make a very convincing point, he conceded.

  Pulling her closer, he stopped her moving by pressing her hands tighter against his chest. “I’m not a monster Chloe, I’ve told you this before. I told you what I was when we first met; it isn’t my fault that you chose not to believe me. Please stop screaming, your throat is going to be rubbed raw.”

  “Why the hell should you care? You’re going to eat me no matter what I do.”

  “Chloe, this is the last time I’m going to tell you this, I’m not going to hurt you. Though I do admit that you look delicious.” She squeaked in response, resuming her struggles to be free. “I don’t mean delicious as in dinner, I mean as in I want to taste you, every inch of you. I want to kiss, suck and lick your entire body so that the taste of you never leaves my mouth. Is that so bad?” He smiled warmly, trying to reassure her.