To Tempt A Wolf Part 16

"You shut up, b.i.t.c.h! It's all your fault I'm in this mess. You and that uppity sister of yours. All you had to do was take it like a woman's s'posed to. I'da taken my due of p.u.s.s.y and gone on my way as usual. But no, you was justtoo good. So now I'm gettin' my due in another way. I'm gonna shoot me a genuine werewolf," he added proudly. "My old pappy, may he rot in h.e.l.l, used to tell me stories about werewolves when I was a kid just to scare me. But I ain't stupid. Iknow that wolf was you. I still got friends on the outside. I learned all about you,Mr. Jace McKenna , and I got silver bullets in this here gun."

Hayley gripped Jace's arm. "That's murder. They'll put you away forever."

"Ain't no murder, shootin' a wolf," Jim denied. "Now, how's about you take off them fancy duds and turn into a nice doggy?" Jim turned the gun in Hayley's direction. His expression turned mean and ugly. "Or should I just shoot her right now?"

Jace growled. "Hurt her and you're dead."

Jim sorrowfully shook his head. "That ain't polite," he said and pulled the trigger.

Jace leapt in front of Hayley, his body jerking as the bullet struck home. Hayley screamed, the impact of Jace against her sending them both to the floor. A split second later, all h.e.l.l broke loose. There were splintering crashes as several of the living room windows shattered. Through those broken windows, a pack of enraged wolves boiled in.

Jim Beeman screamed and went down under the combined weight of the infuriated, furry ma.s.s of bodies. His scream ended abruptly, the silence punctuated by growls and Hayley's panicked voice.

"Jace! Oh G.o.d, Jace. Don't be dead. Somebody help us!" She cradled Jace in her arms. His face had gone white, his eyes closed. Blood soaked the front of his tux jacket.

Outside, several vehicles arrived, including the sheriff. Inside, some of the wolves had taken their human shapes and were gathering around the couple on the floor. One wolf, still in animal form, threw its head back and howled. The sound was blood chilling and melancholy.

"Let me through," a voice ordered.

Logan knelt at Hayley's side. "Hold on, little sister. Hold on. Let Dr. Maigrey through," he ordered the crowd.

"Logan," Hayley whispered. Shock had her shaking, her voice unsteady.

A man she'd never met dropped to one knee on the floor beside them. "Let's see what we've got here," he said in a steady, businesslike tone.

Dr. Maigrey pulled scissors from his medical bag and cut away a portion of Jace's jacket and s.h.i.+rt, exposing the wound. He cleaned the area to reveal the entry point and found that the bullet had hit the fleshy part of Jace's shoulder. "Well, that's not too bad," he commented.

"Not too bad! That maniac shot him with a silver bullet!" Hayley shouted in outrage.

"I can see that, young lady," he said in a soothing yet authoritative voice. "In case you've failed to notice, the wound is smoking. Now hush and let me get that bullet out of him before it does any real damage."

Working with quick, steady efficiency, he poured a disinfectant on the wound that brought a wince and a groan from Jace, who was slowly coming to. "Hold steady now, son," he warned. "Logan, Cade, hold his shoulders. And get me some light in here." Hayley was gently muscled aside as the two men held Jace in place. Everyone blinked as the overhead lights flared on.

Another car pulled up outside and Bryn dashed in. "Hayley!"

"Here! I'm here, Bryn," Hayley called out and a worried Bryn dropped to her knees beside her.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm okay, but Jace was shot."

"How bad is it?"

Logan looked around. "He's going to be all right," Logan told her. His rea.s.surance was meant not only for Bryn but Hayley as well. "Doc's just gotta get the bullet out." He turned back and Bryn took Hayley's shaking hand, holding it tightly.

Using a long probe, Dr. Maigrey found the bullet and began to ease it out. Jace was groaning, his face scrunched in pain. "Where's Hayley? Is she all right?" He started to struggle against Cade and Logan's hold.

"Hold still," Logan ordered. "She's right here and she's fine."

Jace subsided with a groan.

"Almost there, Jace. Your body's already trying to heal itself." As gently as possible, Dr. Maigrey pulled the bullet from Jace's flesh. "There now," he said, dropping it to the floor. He poured more disinfectant into Jace's wound.

"Son of a b.i.t.c.h, Doc! Did you have to do that?" Jace complained around clenched teeth.

"Just a precaution, son, just a precaution. You fellows carry him into the living room and lay him on the sofa." Dr. Maigrey followed behind them, giving orders as they went. "I want you to lie there for at least half an hour. You hear me? No vigorous exercise for the next twelve hours, get some food in you and drink plenty of fluids. Give your body time to recoup the blood loss."

His orders were carried out. Jace was safely ensconced on the sofa with Hayley kneeling by his side when the cleanup started. After a few minutes of waiting to see that he was all right, Hayley went for a washcloth. She helped him out of his ruined coat and s.h.i.+rt and gently washed away the remaining blood.

The sheriff, who was fortunately a member of the Twin Pines pack, got an unconscious Jim Beeman safely under guard and ensconced in an ambulance. He was to be returned to the psychiatric ward of the hospital with the recommendation that he be placed in a more secure facility. Charges were already being filed against him for his escape and for the a.s.sault on Dr. Henderson.

"When we file a second set of charges against him for attempted murder, not to mention breaking and entering and unlawful possession of a firearm, he'll be going away for a long time. I don't think his 'psychosis' is going to help him this time," the sheriff a.s.sured them before he left.

Most of the pack members-after a.s.suring themselves of their alpha's returning health-took their leave, a few staying behind to help put things in order. The gla.s.s from the broken windows was swept up and plywood sheets nailed over the outside frames to keep the weather out until the gla.s.s could be replaced. Logan directed the work while Bryn went to the kitchen to heat up some tomato soup and make toasted cheese sandwiches.

Jace lay still on the couch, his uninjured arm around Hayley. She laid her head on his shoulder, her hand resting on his torso. Neither of them spoke. They were content to let events play out around them as everything grew quiet. Logan said goodbye and thank you to his helpers and Bryn brought the soup, sandwiches and gla.s.ses of milk out of the kitchen.

She set the tray on the coffee table. "Let's eat."

"I'm not hungry," Hayley murmured.

"Dr. Maigrey said Jace needs to eat. You've had a shock. You need to eat too. Come on, sit up. Let's see your face, girl," Bryn ordered.

Hayley sat up shook her head, giving Bryn a weak smile. "Bossy."

"Darn right. Help Jace with his food. Logan, help Jace sit up."

"I got it," Jace groused, easing himself upright. "I'm not an invalid, you know. This'll be totally healed in a couple of hours."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. The big strong man's no weakling," Bryn teased, then suddenly started crying.

"Bryn! Baby, it's all right," Logan crooned and gathered her in his arms. He sat down in an overstuffed chair near the sofa. Pulling Bryn down on his lap, he cradled her against him as he turned to Jace. "The sheriff called right after you two left. He told us about Beeman's escape and that he'd been tracked to this area. We tried calling, but there was no answer here or on your cell. Bryn was pretty worried. h.e.l.l, we both were."

"I didn't bother to bring the cell and we took a little drive before coming home," Jace explained. "I'm sorry you were worried. But I'm sure as h.e.l.l glad you showed up when you did. Bryn, honey, you okay?" he asked gently.

Bryn raised her head from where she'd hidden her face against Logan's shoulder. "I'm all right. I just needed to fall apart a little." She rose from Logan's lap and went to Jace. Cupping his face in her hands, she kissed first one cheek and then the other. "Thank you for keeping Hayley safe."

Jace smiled. "Hey, that's part of my job. Now about that food. I'm kinda hungry."

There were smiles all around and everyone dug in. Hayley helped Jace, feeding him bites of toasted cheese sandwich dipped in his mug of soup. As soon as the meal was finished, the dishes were consigned to the dishwasher and Bryn and Logan took their leave. Bryn offered to cancel their honeymoon trip, but Jace and Hayley talked her out of it, much to Logan's relief. They stood in the doorway and waved them on their way. Jace closed the door. "Are you all right, Hayley?"

"I'm fine. I'm not the one who got shot, you know."

Jace cupped her chin in his hand and gave her a searching look. "I know, thank G.o.d. It's just... You've been awful quiet." She smiled at him and cupped his cheek. "It's been a crazy night. I'm just tired and you should be off your feet. I think bed's the best place for both of us."

Jace wiggled his eyebrows. "Now you're talkin'."

"We're going to sleep. Dr Maigrey said no vigorous exercise for twelve hours," she looked at her watch. "By my calculations, you've got nine and a half hours to go."

"Then I guess I'll go to sleep," he grumbled. "At least the time will pa.s.s faster that way."

Hayley chuckled. "You're incorrigible. Come on."

At Hayley's insistence, they took the stairs at a slow, careful pace. After a quick cleanup, they settled in bed together. Jace rested on his side, spooned against Hayley's back with his injured arm draped over her. It wasn't long before sleep found them. For a time.

Jace woke as Hayley tried to ease away from him. "Where you goin'?" he questioned groggily.

"I have to use the bathroom. I'll be back in a minute," she answered and slipped away.

Jace dozed until a soft sound woke him. He felt for Hayley and found her side of the bed empty, the sheets nearly devoid of any residual warmth from her body. Silently he rose and went to the bathroom, quietly opening the door. Hayley was on the floor, a towel jammed against her mouth as she rocked back and forth with tears streaming from her eyes.

With a deep rumble of distress, Jace sat on floor with her and encircled her with his arms and legs, pulling her back against him. "Shh, baby. Hush now, it's all right," he crooned softly while gently rocking her back and forth.

Hayley dropped the towel and turned her head into his shoulder, shuddering as she cried. Jace held her and rocked, murmuring words of comfort. When he tried singing, Hayley choked back a sob that had suddenly turned into a hiccupping laugh.

"I knew that would get you," Jace murmured against her temple. "Cade says I can't carry a tune in a bucket."

She gave him a watery smile. "I'm afraid he's right." She reached up to gently stroke his cheek. "I almost lost you," she said in a stricken whisper.

"Almost doesn't count, Hayley. We can't let almost get us down. We've got a lot to look forward to, darlin'. Youare going to marry me, aren't you?"

"Of course I am," she admitted softly.

Jace beamed. He looked at her watch. "And in a few hours, we're going to start our family. We're going to watch our child grow here inside you," he said softly, his hand resting lightly on her belly. "Come on. You're cold," he said, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "Let's go back to bed."

He helped her up. Hayley gave him an uneasy look. "I'll be out in a minute, I have to blow my nose and wash up."

"I'll wait."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to blow my nose in front of you."

"Darlin', you're standing there naked andthat's not bothering you."

"Jace!"

"All right! I'll wait for you in bed. Best you get to it. If you take too long, I'm comin' back," he warned and walked away, grumbling something about the peculiarities of women.

A minute later, Hayley joined him in bed. Jace was lying on his back and she snuggled up to him, draping her arm over his torso. He wound his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close as she laid her head on her chest. "Everything come out all right?"

Hayley began to chuckle as Jace's chest shook with suppressed mirth. They lay together, their bodies vibrating with the joyous, carefree sound. Finally, Hayley was able to take a deep breath. "You're a nut.

You know that, don't you?"

"Then we're well matched, sweetheart, 'cause I'm not the only one who's a little left of center."

Hayley smiled and yawned then rubbed her cheek against him. "That's true," she admitted before drifting off to sleep.

Jace hugged her close and joined her.

Approximately twelve hours after he was shot, Jace was awakened by a pair of hands and lips that were doing lusciously arousing things to his body. He groaned as his rising c.o.c.k was engulfed by a warm, wet mouth. His hips moved, initiating a counter rhythm to the sliding strokes of Hayley's mouth She worked him for a few minutes then released him, her hand taking the place of her mouth as she moved up his body and leaned over him. "Hi there," she murmured against his lips. "How are you feeling?"

"As good as new. What are you up to, darlin'?" he panted, riding the shudders of pleasure her stroking hand brought him. "I'm tempting the wolf," she explained reasonably. "I'm told it's a dangerous game to play. Is it working?" Jace raised a brow. "You can't tell?" Hayley chuckled softly. "I though I was making progress, but I don't see any signs of danger. Just a big p.u.s.s.ycat lying here getting stroked," she teased, squeezing the thick erection that filled her hand. Jace gasped and broke free. Before she could say another word, Hayley found herself on her knees with Jace covering her. It was her turn to gasp as his c.o.c.k found her entrance. "Jace, what are you doing?" she moaned. "Reminding my mate that I'm pure wolf and the only p.u.s.s.y in this bed is right here," he growled and thrust forward, filling her slick sheath with the hard, full thickness of his burrowing c.o.c.k. "Mywolf," Hayley growled in return, pus.h.i.+ng the rounded mounds of her b.u.t.tocks tight against him. Jace rumbled in her ear, "That's right, Hayley. Never forget.Your wolf, always." The bed shook as their bodies moved together while heated words of love and desire were exchanged.

Hayley and Jace mated, giving and taking pleasure as they enjoyed the rewards that resulted from tempting the wolf.

About the Author.

Having been an avid reader of romance for years, and being possessed of an overactive imagination, Kate decided only recently to try her hand at writing. She discovered that, like reading, writing romance has become addictive. Whether writing about werewolves and otherworldly creatures or contemporary gay/erotic romance, she has found the perfect outlet and is thrilled to be part of the Ellora's Cave family.

Kate lives in a turn-of-the-century house located on three acres in the midst of Indiana farm country. Keeping her company is her family, dogs, and other a.s.sorted pets.

Kate welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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