She sighed. Nothing else. We did a canvass in an area the SUV was last seen. Portland PD helped with some manpower. Dexter was a good cop, but he hated shifters. She hadnt divulged any of the help shed received from Pacific. Hed been active in a campaign to change hiring practices in city government to ban shifters. On one hand she wanted to tell him all about how much assistance Others had been so she could say, see, theyre good people who help. But reality told her hed shut down and stop believing anything she said.
We didnt find anything. Im going in today to speak to the guy they took into custody at the scene of the murder in the convenience store the SUV was seen at.
Bunch of paranormal violence, that. Probably a shifter. I saw the pictures. Nothing human coulda done that. You just keep out of their business. You think Allie was tied up in it? Could be why she up and got herself taken. Hell, maybe she left with them.
Her magick rose hard and fast. So hard her esophagus burned and several things rattled in the office around her.
What did you just say to me?
Josh burst in, his magick mixing with hers. His wolf shone through his eyes.
She held her hand up to keep him quiet. Did you just blame the victim of a kidnapping? My best friend?
Alls Im saying is, you get what you get when you go mixing with them whats causing all this ruckus.
With all due respect, sir, Allie was taken against her will. All the evidence we have points to that. Whether or not she was involved with anyone or anything paranormal has absolutely nothing to do with our duty to find her.
Sure. You need to come back. You said yourself you havent found anything. Let Portland PD keep an eye out. Question the guy and come back to work. There are cases we need you on here. Whether you want to admit it or not, our missing person is just one of many.
She hung up. Without saying goodbye. She shook so hard, her nails dug into her palms until the scent of blood hit, and Josh was on his knees in front of her, taking her hands.
Whats going on? Talk to me, Michelle, because Im about to lose my shit. You already have. What is happening?
She thought about what to say. Her bosss prejudices bothered her. Embarrassed her even. It was hard enough on her being a witch, but Josh was a shifter and she didnt want to hurt him. At the same time, she needed to talk.
No new clues on Allie. My boss wants me back in Roseburg. I dont think he cares about Allie at all. Heshes a bigot, and since hes seen the pictures from the murder at the convenience store, hes convinced shifters are involved and hes pretty much written Allie off as a shifter lover who gets what she deserves for mixing with Weres.
He growled. Are you going back?
Not without finding her.
Dont go at all. He kissed her fists until she relaxed and unclenched. He hissed when he saw the half-moon wounds. He kissed them too. I know its not just me. You feel it too. This connection between us.
I dont know what I feel.
He locked his gaze with hers. Liar. Youre too brave to be such a liar, Michelle.
Okay, to be honest, I dont know all the words for all I feel. Yes, there is a connection. But I have a life in Roseburg. I cant just walk away.
Why not? Since Ive been gone have you and your mom gotten close?
She snorted. No.
Your boss is a bigot. What happens when he finds out youre a witch? You and I both know the coming out of witches and Vampires is only a matter of time. You cant hide it. Not anymore. Im shocked it hasnt happened before now.
She blew out a breath. In truth, though she loved being a cop, she didnt love her workplace because of Dexter. Sure he liked her now, but once he found outwell Josh was right. And it was toxic to deal with his ranty views all the time.
Hell leave one day. My boss I mean. The next person could be better.
He shook his head. I want you here. With me. Theres a police department here and several in the surrounding suburbs. Youre smart and Pam has friends all over the place. Be with me.
This is so sudden. I dont know!
Youre a witch. He laughed, kissing her wrists. You can move stuff with power you draw from the earth. How is this thing, which isnt sudden by the way, Ive known you longer than anyone else Im not related to, less real because you feel it after reconnecting with me a few days ago? We are beings of magick.
He kissed her forehead. I know things. I accept things. Some things just are, and the way I feel about you is what it is. I know you, Michelle. I can see your passion and your strength. Your determination to find your friend. I admire you a great deal. Youve always been beautiful. But Michelle as a woman is a far more alluring creature. Give us a chance. You have nothing in Roseburg. A shitty boss. A job that you can do here. Be here. With me.
He was right. She just knew things sometimes. Despite her cautious nature when it came to making big leaps of faith, this connection she had with Josh was real. Immense. And it could be something amazing and forever.
We both grew up in the human world. I understand that youre hesitant. But my wolf is my magick. I can feel the threads to you, between us. My wolf knew it immediately. I loved you back then, of course. But I was a kid. I had a lot of growing up to do. Im a better person now. The thought of you going back to Roseburg drives me nuts. I understand its your home. ButIm asking you to try to make one here. With me. For us. There are Others here. Witches who you can bond with and get to know. Understand your gifts in a whole new way. My pack, which is my family, theyd accept you, open their door to you. You deserve that. Not some asshole who would throw away a young woman whod been kidnapped because she might be or have been involved with Others.
She licked her lips. The allure of everything he offered was overwhelming. Shed been lonely a long time. Yes, she had Allie, but that was pretty much it. If she pretended to be human, she could have more. But she wasnt. And the older she got, the more she understood that. And the more that understanding left her empty, aching for something else. Connection. Community.
Shed known him since shed been a child. Hed been part of her life pretty much every day, and then hed been gone and for over a decade that had defined part of her too. But maybe his absence had steeled her for what they could have if she accepted what she knew as true even though common sense said this was too fast.
Ill think about it. Im not going back to Roseburg before I find her. I have vacation time. A lot of it. Ill call in and use that. I need to focus on Allie right now. Do you understand?
He nodded. Ill do everything I can, offer all the assistance in my power to help.
Is Tracy still here?
He shook his head and stood, pulling her up with him. She left a few minutes ago. Lets go get this cleaned up. He indicated the nail gouges on her palms.
I need to call Pam first. I want to speak to Charlie.
Josh sighed. Id tell you that you already spoke to him and that hes not going to tell you anything else. But I can see that would be a waste of time.
Im glad were on the same page.
First let me deal with your palms. Okay?
She followed him into his bathroom, and he pulled out a first aid kit while she washed her hands. Its not that big a deal. Just some scratches. Its not life threatening.
He made a growl, picking her up and putting her on the counter, stepping between her thighs. She allowed him to dry her hands gently and pour antiseptic on them, patting them dry once more.
Why do you have a first aid kit anyway? I mean you guys heal pretty fast.
He grinned. Pretty fast isnt instant. My job is bloody. Not always, but frequent enough that its good to have supplies on hand.
Are you seeing anyone? She blurted this out and felt the heat on her face.
No. Well. He gave her that smile that did things to all her pink parts. I am, but thats you. So you dont have to be jealous of yourself. He kept working until hed lightly bandaged her wounds and let go, leaning close to kiss her.
Hed actually only meant to kiss her quickly but she responded, that delicious rush of her magick enveloping him. Wrapping around his cock like a fist. He stepped closer, she wrapped her legs around him, holding him there as he took her mouth. Drowned in her taste. Wallowed in it until his cock throbbed in time with his thundering pulse.
He broke away, sucking in air as he pulled her hair from the ponytail, running his fingers through it. He hadnt intended to ask her to stay. Hed been trying very hard to take it slow, at a human pace. But her jealous reaction when shed come out and seen Tracys hand on his arm had roused his wolf. His wolf didnt give one fuck about waiting. He wanted Michelle.
And her upset at her bosss behavior and talk of going back to Roseburg had been more than he could process without saying at least something.
He knew shed heard him. Agreed even. Knew too, that she was processing and felt it too fast. But fuck fast. He knew what he knew and this woman was his. Had been his all along.
He pulled her shirt up and off, tossing it to the floor, her bra following. She arched with a gasp into his hands as he found her nipples, tugging them between thumb and forefinger. He groaned when he caught sight of his marks on them.
Driven to claim, to pleasure and taste, one handed, he pulled her pants open and down.
Her heartbeat sped, her pupils enlarged, her skin flushedshe was with him all the way. Thank God.
Your smell, he growled as he slid his fingers through her pussy, wet and hot. Ready for him. Makes me want to shove my face into your cunt and lap you up for hours. I want it on my face and my hands, wrapped around my cock. Youre delicious.
Her breath came out in a stutter, and that scent bloomed as the hot scald of that honey coated his fingertips.
Fuck me, she whispered.
Oh, I will. First you need to come. Then Ill fuck you. Your pleasure is my job. Lean back against the mirror behind you.
She did as he turned his hand, sliding two fingers into her and rubbing the pad of his thumb against her clit over and over.
Dont undo all my work on your hands, beautiful. You can scratch me up later.
She started to laugh, but it ended on a snarled plea as he pressed a little harder on her clit.
You want to come? Hm?
Yes!
He leaned in, licking and biting her nipples as he sped the fingers thrusting into her cunt, his thumb pressing over her clit in time with the suck and pull until she exploded in a rush of honey and magick.
He wanted her so much he barely even remembered the condom as she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, pulling his cock out.
Hands back or Im gonna lose it.
He rolled the condom on and was fully seated in a breath, then moved to utter stillness as she clutched and fluttered all around his cock.
He did note a bit of discomfort on her face when he first started fucking her. Sore?
A little. Its been She laughed. Im not used to that much fucking in one night.
Should I stop? I dont want to
His sentence died as she used the legs wrapped around him to haul him back in deep. No. Ill have to maim you if you stop. The hurt is gone. Now its all She hummed and it slid over his skin. Its all pleasure now. I promise.
Chapter Eight
She took a long, hot shower after their impromptu sex on his bathroom counter. She should have been embarrassed, but really, what was the point in denying it? She wanted him. Like, a lot. When theyd been together before, theyd had this same sort of intense physical connection, but they hadnt had the opportunity to rut like rabbits. No place to be alone that often.
Clearly they still had it, which made her a little more at ease with their earlier discussion. Her attraction to him wasnt sudden. It had always been there. Only now they had doors to lock and get naked behind.
He knocked on the bathroom door and came in as she was turning the water off.
Two things. Damon just brought over all your stuff from the hotel. Ill leave the bag in here so you can change into clean stuff. I have a washer and dryer if you have things you need to wash. And two, Pam called and said you could come by in an hour to interview the prisoner.
He brought all my stuff? She got out and took the towel he handed her way.
And checked you out. Youll stay here. Its safest and I like it.
She arched a brow. He checked me out of my hotel room. Without asking me?
Joshs features changed and he put his hands up. Its safest here. Surely you cant argue with that.
Well I certainly cant if no one even bothers to ask me about it.
She wrapped the towel around her body and riffled through her bag until she found clean underwear and pulled them on, finding her bra, which hed picked up from the floor and folded on the counter. He watched as she got dressed.
Im sorry I didnt ask. Theres something you should know. While Im not an alpha at Tracy, Nick and Gabes level, I am an alpha wolf in general. My job, the place I hold in the pack, is one of protection. Its hardwired into me. I do things to protect the people I care about. Youre one of those people. I act and forget about the permission part.
That was a bald truth. She looked him up and down, and her body came to life again. She knew he knew because his nostrils flared and he got that face. Oh he was going to be such a handful if she went forward with any sort of relationship with him.
Which seemed a given. Because she liked him. And maybe the protective, bossy thing he had. Though it would not do to give him even an inch. A man like him would run right over a woman in the name of protecting her if she didnt push him back when he stepped over the line.
Heres the deal, Joshua. No one makes my decisions but me. As it happens, I agree its probably safer here than in a hotel. Given ourrelationship status, it seems stupid for me to go to the expense of a hotel when I sleep here anyway. But that does not mean you can make my choices. I am not down with that, no matter how good you are at making me come. You got me?
He moved to her, pulling the towel from her hands and drying her hair. He bent to kiss her shoulder. I got you. Thank you.
How long will it take to get to the jail where Ill be interviewing Charlie? Ill have to check in and turn over my weapon and all that stuff so add time to the travel for that.
We should leave in about twenty minutes. Can you be ready?
Yes. But you cant be in here or Ill get distracted.
Ill shower while you get ready. He peeled his clothes off, and she made herself stop looking and get dressed.
On the drive over, she watched the city out the window as she thought. She realized hed yet again used a condom. She knew her body pretty well, and she was pretty sure she wasnt fertile. How did you broach that in a conversation though? Hed begged her to stay in Portland to be with him so it wasnt that he was grossed out by her.
A shiver went through her as she remembered what hed said about her scent.
He made a sound next to her as he drove, and she looked over. One corner of his mouth was turned up as supremely male satisfaction was stamped on his features.
I love that I can scent when youre turned on. Youre an incredibly sexual woman. I like that.
He kept his eyes on the road, and she was glad because she blushed down to her toes.
What if I was thinking about Daniel Craig or something? Youre pretty ballsy to assume youre who I was thinking about. She hmpfed and he laughed, reaching out to tangle his fingers with hers.
Ah, but you arent thinking of Daniel Craig. Youre thinking about me. Just like Im thinking about you. Remembering the way you felt around me this morning as I fucked you.
If I stay in Portland, how am I ever going to get any work done if you get me hot and bothered all the time? she mumbled.
Its my pleasure to get you hot and bothered. But I assume youd get a job and I wont be with you every moment so hopefully therell be no horny pussy when Im not there. I dont share.
There was a pause just then. Not a spoken one. But she felt it in his demeanor.
What?
Huh? He turned down a street. The jail is this way. Pam said to call her when we parked so can you do that now? Shell be waiting so she can escort us through.
She let it go and grabbed her phone, making the call. Pam, true to her word, met them, escorting Michelle through.
Josh, you need to wait here, Pam said quietly.
He grimaced and his wolf showed. No, I cant. I need to be with Michelle.
Youre not a cop. Were in cop central, its not like anything is going to happen to me. Michelle probably should have been annoyed by his bossiness, but she must have been crazy because it worked for him and she was flattered and touched more than annoyed.
Pam nodded. Wait here. Well be out when we finish. Or go to Pacific and do your work, and Ill bring her over when I finish.
Im not going anywhere. He turned to Michelle. You will be careful.
Ill do my best. Me being all helpless and stuff.
Pam fought a smile but managed to hold it back.
Josh snorted. I know youre more than capable of taking care of yourself. Ill see you in a bit.
It was hard to remain flustered when he was so adorable so she let it go, telling herself shed have to continue to get used to how protective he was.
They followed him to a group of chairs in the lobby, preparing to leave him there until theyd finished with Charlie. Michelle pulled her cop all around herself like armor and turned to Pam. Im ready.
But all hell broke loose before they could get on the elevators.
Cops rushed past and she felt it. Dark, ugly magic was being worked.
Michelle turned to Pam. Shit. Get me to where he is. Now.
Theres a lockdown. I cant override it.
Theyre here. The mages. Something ugly is being worked. She gagged, and Josh was at her side, touching her.
What is happening?
Get Charlie safe. Theyre here for him.
Josh took her upper arms in his hands and shook, once, to get her attention. What if theyre here for you? Have you thought of that?
A blast of something very dark sent her to her knees. She heard shouts about a prisoner being down, and she knew. Josh pulled her out of the way of the traffic, shielding her with his body. Pam had rushed off to get information.
What? Should I call Gina? Damn it, Michelle are you all right? Answer me!
Charlie is dead. Or close to it. Imy skills arent that good, but I can tell that much.
He patted her all over. Are you all right? Did it hurt you?
She pushed his hands back. She was a cop on the floor for Gods sake. I need to stand up, and you need to back off or get kicked in the sac.
He relaxed a little, standing and letting her do so without his assistance. If youre threatening to kick me in the junk, you must be all right.
Pam hustled over. Another prisoner killed Charlie. They were walking him to an interview room. He was in cuffs and with two guards and another prisoner walked up and snapped his neck. The other prisoner is dead too. Hed been shot several times because he wouldnt stop. They didnt injure anyone else. Ithis is beyond my skill level.
Hers too.
He led her to his office at Pacific. She was still pale, and his wolf noted the remnants of whatever spell thatd knocked her to the ground. Her scent was slightly off. A little dirty. And not the good kind of dirty.
Michelle, Id like you to meet someone.
She looked up from where shed been studying her phone. Sorry. I was texting with Gage. Theyre going to get in contact with Gina, and shes going to call me when they get all that figured out.
No need to be sorry. Gabe stepped into the office and the room seemed to shrink around them. Im Gabe Murphy. Tracy said she met you earlier. I wanted to stop in and introduce myself and extend our offer of help. Are you well?
He took Michelles hand, and before Josh knew what he was doing, hed put himself in Gabes path, showing his teeth.
His back was to her so she wouldnt have seen anything, but Gabe sure did. But rather than be upset or offended, he had to wrestle back a grin. Josh narrowed his eyes, promising retribution, friend to friend, if he got any teasing about this.
Josh made himself step to the side, placing his hand on Michelles shoulder. Her brows were up as she glanced back and forth between them both.
Sorry, wolf stuff. Gabe shrugged, his smile still in place.
She took his hand, shaking it.
If you dont mind my saying so, you dont look well. Gabe examined her closely.
The spell that was used waswrong. Gage told me it should wear off in a bit.
How about you eat something? I was just about to head home to see my babies. Why dont you and Josh come along? Nick said he was going to grab some Chinese on the way to meet us. Ill call and tell him to get extra.
Gabe, Nick and Tracy have two daughters. And a dopey three-legged dog named Milton who guards them with his life.
Gabe laughed. Hes really fond of all the food they drop. What do you say? You can fill us in on what you know. Maybe we can brainstorm something.
Are you sure?
Gabe smiled, charming. Of course. Nick would only whine about me and Tracy having met you and him not yet. Hes a handful that way.
Her phone rang. Excuse me a moment. This is Gina.
She answered and turned to where shed been sitting at his desk.
Are you all right? Gina asked.
Michelle took a deep breath. I think so.
Id like to see you. To do a quick check of your shields and your aura. I want to be sure youre unharmed. I know Gage told you were learning all this as we go.
Tell her to come to my house for lunch. She can check you there. Gabe announced this without so much as a pardon me for listening in on your phone call.
Youll get used to that. Tell him what your limits are. He might even remember it. But dont count on it. Wolves, especially male wolves, are ridiculously overprotective. Ill grab Damon and well meet you at their place in a few.
She hung up and looked back at both men, who stood, arms crossed over their chests, only making them appear more imposing.
Ive seen that one before. Lots of perps do that. She put the phone into her pocket and stood. She was still a little dizzy but at least nausea had retreated some and she didnt have double vision anymore. Also, its rude to eavesdrop.
Josh grinned at Gabe, who raised a brow.
Gina is right. Were really nosy and overprotective. We have great hearing so its hard not to eavesdrop on a phone call. It comes in handy sometimes though. Theres a bright side.
Gabe Murphy appeared to be a bigger handful than Josh, which said a lot. Little tiny Tracy must be a powerhouse to keep him in line.
Well meet you at your place. Josh nodded at Gabe, who waved one last time and disappeared.
If you need to rest, they have extra bedrooms. Its a soothing place theyve got. Warded by the Owen witches just months back. Its safe and quiet. Itll do you good. Youll like Nick.
Theyre your family, right? So this is likemeeting your dad? Your other dad, since I already met Gabe.
He took her face in his hands and kissed her quickly. Sort of, I guess. Dont be nervous, all right?
She sighed as he took her bag. Maybe if this last week hadnt been filled with kidnapping, dark magic, attacks and death, I might be more worried. At this point, Im just happy to be somewhere no one will try to kill me for a little while. She looked him askance. No one will, right? I mean theres no battle to the death or anything like that?
He burst out laughing as they headed out to his car. Nope. Just a dog, some toddlers and alpha wolves.
One of the girls, Rose, the two-year-old, had settled next to Michelle, reaching out to pat her hand from time to time. It was pretty freaking adorable. And it eased some of her nervousness.
Not that anyone had given her anything to be nervous about. Tracy, Nickwho looked like a modeland Gabe had been incredibly welcoming. Josh had stuck close. The girls were sweet and jolly, and the house was, just as Josh had said, soothing and calm, even with all the people in it.
People. Ha. Weres had so much energy. Power coming off them in waves. Shed have known the difference in a crowd, between a human and a shifter. Funny how she never noticed it before. There had to be shifters in Roseburg for goodness sake, shed just never been in any enclosed space or near enough to one. Or maybe she didnt notice, or attribute it to any one person in particular.
Whatever the case, when Gina arrived with another Owen witch, Rhonda, it was easy enough to tell the difference between their energy signatures.
Rhonda was a nurse much like Allie, and it sent a slice of sadness through Michelle at the thought.
Lets take a look at you. Gina looked back over her shoulder to Tracy. Can we use the office down here? Its hard to get a good read with all this magick around.
Oh, of course! She opened the door and let them in. Rhonda closed it and magick rushed through the room.
Im just going to look you over, all right?
Michelle nodded, watching Rhonda and Gina, seeing how they drew energy and used it.
It didnt take very long, less than three minutes or so, before Rhondas gaze sharpened and she looked into Michelles eyes.
Youre all right. Nothing permanent. I expect youll feel nauseated for a bit. Whatever was done was unnatural. A gross misuse of energy and power. Itll rebound eventually if the caster was human or witch. I dont know though. Theres something else here that seems more than stolen magic. This is Rhonda licked her lips as she thought. To aim a spell like that, to cause one person to harm another, much like what they did in the convenience store, it takes a lot of power and focus to do something like that.
Do you think theres something else helping? Another sort of paranormal we dont know about?
We need to talk to Gage and Lark about this. And Josh too. Hell want to protect the pack, as will the Alphas. Gina ran hands through her hair and still looked gorgeous afterward. If Michelle had done that shed look like a hobo.
Lets have Josh come in when we call Gage. I dont want the children to hear.
Good idea.
She went out to get Josh, Gina right behind her, but found yet another woman touching him when they got to the dining room. Only this one wasnt touching him like a friend. She looked up into his face like she wanted him to kiss her, and her back was arched like she was trying to brush her boobs against him.
Something hot and unpleasant ran through her veins at the sight.
Tracy was speaking quietly to Josh and the woman, but it was Josh who turned and started. Michelle.
So glad you remembered my name. Im going to make a call to Owen. I thought someone from the pack might want to be present. If youre not too busy. She turned and walked back into the office.
Gina closed the door and leaned against it. I need to talk to you about this whole thing. Wolves arecasual about their affections. But with the onethe one as in the forever oneits different.
Josh tried to open the door, Gina poked her head out. Back off. Ill let you know when you can come in. And closed it in his face.