Marked (16 page)

Gramps hiked his gun and pointed it at Gavin. “Bet you
didn’t expect to see me again, did you?” His hands were steady but his voice
cracked, as though the strain of the years were finally taking their toll. In
that moment he seemed so much older, wiser and frail.

“Mr. Bryant,” Gavin replied evenly and shifted his attention
to her.

Green irises shone like blades of grass, the edges along the
pupil brighter in color. She’d often wondered why Gramps had seemed sad when he
looked at her sometimes, the misery in his gaze aging him beyond his years. Now
she understood. He hadn’t seen his daughter when he looked at Chloe. He’d seen
the man who’d taken what he’d loved most and cast her aside.

“Don’t even think about it,” Gramps thundered. “You stay
away from her.”

Gavin ignored him, staring straight at her. “Welcome home,
daughter.”

The loud snap of the shotgun being pumped made her breath
catch, the ground beneath her feet feeling as though it had disappeared.

No, no, no.

Gavin might as well have built his own coffin, climbed
inside and instructed everyone around to start piling on the dirt. He had no
idea how much pain and suffering he’d caused.

Her feet moved of their own accord, covering the distance
between her and the man who’d raised her. Jackson easily kept pace, gripping
her fingers. His touch reminded that he was there and she wasn’t alone.

“Fletcher Bryant is here at my request,” Jackson called out,
ensuring everyone within earshot heard his declaration. “He wishes to validate
my mating to the grandchild he’s reared since birth.”

The composure Gavin maintained slipped. “The hell he has.”

Gramps stopped a few feet away from Gavin, shotgun braced on
his shoulder. The wind swept through his graying hair, sending strands along
his temple. “Give me a reason to pull the trigger.” One smooth motion and the
barrel was aimed directly at Gavin’s groin. “I’ll start here and work my way
up.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Jackson quipped with a trace of
humor. “Will it, Gavin?”

“A wolf with an ounce of respect would have consulted me
about the mating.” Gavin’s glowing eyes landed on Jackson. “You should have
come to me the moment you learned about her.”

Chloe jerked when the gun went off. The ground beside
Gavin’s feet exploded, sending grass and earth scattering in the air.
Everyone’s attention went to her grandfather, who carefully eased the gun up
until he once again had Gavin in his sights.

“You’ve got some nerve talking about respect. You wouldn’t
know the definition of the word if someone slapped you in the face with a
dictionary.”

Gavin’s lips compressed, his eyes narrowing to slits. He
turned his head and met Chloe’s gaze. It felt like cotton had been shoved into
her mouth, making her throat agonizingly dry. She had to steel herself not to
turn away or lower her eyes. Her wolf was newly born but she felt its presence.
It wanted to take over and assert control. Power inched over her, cocooning her
like a blanket, seeping through her skin.

“Be careful, Gavin,” Wade cautioned and took a step forward.
“She’s unstable. Push her too far and she’ll crack.”

“She’s not unstable,” Gramps corrected coldly. “She’s just
got a keen nose for bullshit.” Shifting his feet, he declared, “My
granddaughter wants to get hitched. Since her groom-to-be showed enough
respect
to ask for my blessing, I’ve given it to the happy couple. If any of you
have a problem with that, now’s the time to say so.”

Corresponding silence seemed to go on forever, especially
with Gavin staring directly at her. Her heart clenched as she thought about her
mother. The woman who’d given her life had never stood a chance. Gavin was
extraordinarily handsome with his blond curls and bright eyes. Like the
werewolves around them, he was also perfectly built, with muscles evident
beneath his expensive clothing.

“Gavin.” Wade placed a hand on the Alpha’s shoulder. “You
can’t dispute the claim. If you do you’ll risk the future of your pack.”

“The future of the pack is what put me in this position,”
Gavin snarled and shook off Wade’s hand. Ignoring the gun pointed at him, he
started toward Chloe and Jackson. She considered stepping back but Jackson
didn’t allow it, squeezing her fingers almost to the point of pain.

“Is this what you want?” Gavin didn’t stop until mere inches
separated them. This close she could see the lines around his eyes, the pain on
his face. “Is
he
who you want?”

Jackson had warned her not to talk but there was no escaping
it.

“I’ll have no other,” she responded, remembering Jackson’s
earlier declaration. Leaning to the side, she braced herself against Jackson,
comforted by the warmth of his body. He released her fingers and wrapped his
arm around her, sheltering her under his shoulder.

“I’ll accept your claim,” Gavin turned from her and looked
at Jackson, “but I want to speak to my daughter. There are things she needs to
know. Things she deserves to hear.”

Gramps’ “hell no” created movement in the werewolves.
Vicious growls filled the air. Jackson swept her behind him, his own violent
snarl loud in her ears. Veering to the left, she fought to see.

Several werewolves had moved forward and Jackson’s pack
rushed to intercept them. Panic broke her silence, ripping a horrified cry from
her throat. The arm Jackson thrust out prevented her from aiding her
grandfather, keeping her safely behind him.

Gavin’s loudly bellowed “stop” clashed with Jackson’s
thunderous “stand down”.

She sagged against Jackson’s back as pure fire raced through
her, the magnitude of her mate’s wolf absolute. Energy poured from his skin and
seared into hers. Grasping at his shoulders, she fought to stand.

There was no denying his order.

Every fiber of her being told her to relent and do exactly
as he said.

Both packs immediately complied and stopped in place. A few
of them swayed as though they too felt the strength of will behind the commands
from their Alphas. The growls didn’t stop but at least they weren’t actually
fighting each other.

“Done,” Jackson retorted, the muscles in his shoulders flexing
as she leaned against him. A steady vibration emitted from him—the pure and
unadulterated energy created by his wolf—and poured into her. Oddly the
sensation soothed rather than jolted her, becoming an anchor she desperately
needed. “Seal the mating.”

Gavin’s expression softened as he looked at her. She
couldn’t identify the emotion that flickered in his eyes. Sorrow? Regret?
Determination? Hope?

Before she could compartmentalize her thoughts, he turned
around and faced the packs. “I recognize and accept the young woman before me
as my daughter. Let it be known that I’ve agreed to her mating with Jackson
Donovan to strengthen our ranks,” he announced. “From this moment forward, our
packs are united.”

As quickly as tension filled the air, it dissipated. The
wolves relaxed and the growls stopped. The arm Jackson used to shield her from
harm disappeared. Gramps shifted his attention to her. There was so much
adoration in his face—so much concern.

“Chloe Bean?” he inquired softly.

She knew then that her grandfather was sacrificing his
happiness for hers. Even though he wanted to confront Gavin, he was willing to
walk away if that’s what she wanted. Despite everything he’d been through, his
love for her was stronger than the hate he’d held on to over the years. Her
eyes burned with tears, stinging like needles. She forced a smile, unable to
see him clearly as her vision blurred.

The roar of an engine ripped through the air, destroying the
moment. Jackson spun around and Chloe did the same. A sleek, white BMW approached.
A resonating snarl had her head snapping to the side. She looked over her
shoulder at Gavin, who’d lost any semblance of calm.

“Does she know about her?” Jackson asked, catching Chloe off
guard.

Before she could ask who “she” and “her” were, Gavin growled,
“Yes.”

“Is she the reason you left your child?” Jackson snaked his
arm around Chloe’s waist and tugged her close. For the second time she felt his
wolf rise. “Does she pose a threat?”

“Yes.”

Gavin strode over to them, reaching into his back pocket.
His irises shone a vivid yellow-gold, accentuating the blond curls on his head.
He didn’t dawdle when he removed a thick folded envelope and handed it to
Chloe.

“Everything you need to know is inside. When you’re ready to
talk, I’m only a phone call away.” He stared, as though framing the moment in
time, his green gaze taking in the contours of her face. Finally—though it
seemed to take effort—he ripped his eyes from her and looked at Jackson. “You
shouldn’t stay for the hunt. Things are bound to get messy.”

“I won’t let my female lose face by running from your bitch
of a Lupa,” Jackson replied levelly.

“Former Lupa,” Gavin corrected, staring into the distance, a
surge of wind sweeping through the random locks of hair at his nape. “I’m
renouncing our mating.” With a parting look at Chloe, he started walking toward
the car, calling over his shoulder, “Don’t make me regret trusting you, Jackson
Donovan.”

“Shit,” Jackson muttered and then yelled, “Fletcher, start
the truck. We’re leaving.”

“Whoa, hold up,” she gasped, trying to speak despite the arm
that hoisted her from the ground. Clutching the envelope Gavin had given her,
she fought to stay upright. “What are you doing? What’s wrong?”

“I’ll tell you just as soon as we’re off the hunting
grounds. We need to go.”

Jackson reached the truck, opened the door and placed her
inside the cabin. He moved away just long enough to instruct the pack to stay
then slid into the seat beside her. In the short time she’d known the man, he
had never backed down from anything.

What the hell has him so shaken?

Gramps tossed his gun into the bed of the truck and climbed
in. One flick of his wrist and the engine came to life. Chloe managed to turn
in time to see the BMW come to a screeching halt beside them. The driver’s side
door flew open and a leggy brunette jumped out. Her furious blue eyes drifted
to the truck and fixated on Chloe.

“Go,” Jackson snarled, his head turned in the glaring
woman’s direction.

Gramps didn’t bother putting the truck in reverse. He
rotated the wheel and skirted past the vehicles in front of them. Gavin
intercepted the female—his Lupa, Chloe assumed—as she screamed something that
was too garbled to understand and started striking him in the chest.

As they drove into the fading dusk, she lowered her head.

The envelope in her hand felt heavy—too heavy.

Everything you need to know is inside.

Jackson released a jagged breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t have
time to explain. Desiree might have—”

“I don’t want to know,” she whispered, knowing he would
hear. “Not yet.”

Lifting her hand, she groped at the truck’s headliner. It
wasn’t entirely dark out but she couldn’t read if she couldn’t see. When she
found the button to turn on the interior light, she pushed it on and encased
the area in a soft glow.

Jackson and her grandfather didn’t say a word when she took
a deep breath, unfolded the envelope and slid it open. Nestled inside were
pieces of paper.

Letters.

Her fingers trembled when her eyes skimmed over the first
one.

Gavin, I don’t know where to start.

She kept reading, confirming her suspicions when she reached
the end of the note.

It was from her mother.

She had obviously been infatuated with Gavin, putting her
feelings to paper even though it was apparent she’d felt uncomfortable and
awkward doing so. Chloe shuffled the note to the back of the stack. The second
letter was written by someone else.

Dearest Sylvie…

She felt dizzy when she thought about what she held in her
hands. There were many things Gavin could tell her about the past but she’d
never know how her mother had felt. At least, she’d
thought
she’d never
know.

Everything you need to know is inside.

The man she’d hated had given her a gift beyond measure, one
that allowed her to get a glimpse into the mind of the one person she’d always
wanted to know—her mother.

Forcing aside tears, she settled back and started reading.

Chapter Twelve

Jackson watched Chloe step into the cabin. She’d refused to
put away the envelope full of letters Gavin had given her, clutching them like
a lifeline. The trip to her grandparents’ property had been a quiet one. After
they’d arrived, she’d exchanged a tearful farewell with her grandparents,
climbed into his car, turned on the light and continued reading. The few times
he’d been able to sense her emotions—fear, hurt and despair—he’d touched her,
alleviating her distress in the only manner he could. Now that they’d arrived
at the cabin and she’d finished reading, it was time to talk to her about the
past and their future.

The heat of the moon beckoned but he forced his wolf back.
He could scent Chloe’s desire to change, noted the way she’d fidgeted when
she’d slid out of his car. Time wasn’t on their side but he was determined find
out what she’d learned.

Surprisingly, she relinquished her tight grip on the
letters, placing them on the counter as she strode toward the kitchen. Then she
pivoted to face him. Her skin was flushed, her green eyes changing to a
breathtaking shade of emerald. She rubbed her hands over her arms.

“My skin won’t stop itching.”

He closed the distance and put his arms around her. Drawing
her close, he breathed in her luscious scent. The wolf was there, waiting to
answer the call of the moon.

“I’ll take care of that shortly. Tell me about the letters.”

She trembled, resting her face against his chest. “He tried
to warn her,” she murmured. He could tell she was struggling not to cry. “He
told her they couldn’t be together.” Her hands came around his waist, tiny
fingers digging into his jacket. “She wouldn’t listen.” She took a deep breath
and slowly released it. “She
didn’t
listen.”

“Did he talk about the packs?”

Her head bobbed as she nodded, wisps of her curly hair
brushing his chin. “He said he was mated to someone but he didn’t love her. He
never loved her.”

She unexpectedly pulled away, looking up at him through eyes
brimming with tears. “He was trying to protect her—to protect
me
. He
didn’t want to hurt Mom. He only wanted to keep her safe.” Crystalline drops
spilled from her lashes and her lower lip quivered. “How can I hate him now?
What am I supposed to do?”

“Take things one day at a time,” he answered and slid his
hand into her hair, resting his fingers against her neck. “You decide how
things play out. If you want to know more, you can get to know Gavin. If you
don’t, walk away.”

She seemed lost. “It’s not that easy.”

The hell it isn’t.
“Yes it is.”

A tremor racked her and she muffled a cry. He wanted to roar
at the full moon and tell it to go the fuck away. The scent of forest and pine
caressed his nostrils, the wolf within her rising to take control.

“He loved her,” she whispered, misery apparent in her voice.

“I think he still does, Chloe.”

The way Gavin had looked at his daughter at the hunting
grounds had changed Jackson’s perspective on things. The Alpha loved his child.
That much was evident. The pain in his eyes indicated their meeting dredged up
memories of Chloe’s mother. A woman he’d lost and would never see again. A
woman he might have claimed as a mate if the circumstances had been different.

Usually Gavin was an arrogant pain in the ass. He expected
his orders to be followed without question, running his pack with an iron fist.
This evening he’d been cautious, humble and nervous. He’d wanted to know the
daughter he’d given up. Everyone had sensed it. If Gavin did as he promised and
ended his mating, he might have to give up everything he’d sacrificed so much
to obtain.

Which said a helluva lot about the bastard.

“That woman. The one in the car. It was her, wasn’t it? His
mate
.”
The animosity in her tone was impossible to miss. “She knows about me. That’s
why he wanted us to leave.”

He questioned whether it was better to tell the truth or a
lie. Chloe’s wolf continued struggling to the surface, the energy and power
bringing his own beast to life. Anger wasn’t a good thing during the full moon,
when it was difficult to keep dangerous emotions under control.

“Yes.”

“I want to hurt her.”

“I’m sure you do.” He ran his thumb over her throat, hoping
to calm her, using wide, sweeping strokes. “And I don’t blame you. But maybe
you should wait until you talk to Gavin before you make big decisions. He can
answer all your questions. There could be other things you don’t know.”

“I know enough.” Her voice dipped several octaves, deeper
and throatier than usual. “I saw the way shelooked at me. That woman
knew about my mother and father. She understood what they felt for each other
and she didn’t care. The bitch is a menace.”

“It’s not always that simple.” And it wasn’t, not for
wolves. When packs were involved it changed things. Desiree wasn’t
likable—hell, she wasn’t even nice—but she was respected by the packs for a
reason. She put her wolves before everything else, including herself. That was
why she’d agreed to the arranged mating with Gavin, to make the wolves who
depended on her stronger.

“I can’t believe it.” She tried to rip herself from his
embrace. “You’re defending her!”

“I’m not.” Fuck it was hard to prevent his beast from
responding to her anger. The bond they shared made him want to react—to destroy
whatever caused his female distress. “Things are different when it comes to
pack. I’m simply stating the truth.”

Again he felt the surge of energy that came from her wolf.
The strength of the animal collided with his, fighting for supremacy. He felt
her rage as her lips pulled back, forming into a snarl.

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not.”

Instead of settling, she struggled even harder. He managed
to keep her close but she got a few elbows to his chest and arms. Her tiny
little snarls soon turned to growls, the presence of her wolf pouring off her
in waves.

Goddamn it.

The time for discussion was over.

So much for keeping a lid on things.

He dropped his guard and let his wolf slide into the
passenger seat. The beast recognized its mate, rushing to merge its force to
hers. They collided in a flurry of fur and growls. Chloe tensed against him,
gasping for air. He molded her body to his when she tried to move away, holding
her firmly to his chest.

The first step of the shift had started.

There was no turning back.

“Let go,” he instructed, his own voice a heavy growl. “Set
the wolf free. I’ve got you.”

He hurried outside, no longer able to mute the mesmerizing
cry from the moon. His pulse was pounding, the rush of blood through his head
deafening. A quick flick of his wrist opened the back door. He glided over the
porch and down the stairs. The orb floating in the sky above blanketed them in
soft white rays. Her whimper seared through him, yanking him away from the urge
to change.

Focus, asshole.

Once he’d reached an open area near the tree line he
carefully lowered Chloe to the ground. She was shivering, her hands bunched
into fists. Teeny claws were visible at the ends. She gazed up at him and he
saw her eyes were no longer human. Beautiful chartreuse rimmed the pupil, as
bright as spring leaves rippling in the summer sun.

“Clothes off,” he growled and started peeling the layers
away from her body.

Her clawed fingers shook as she helped him, stripping off
her shirt and pulling it over her head. She trembled, no doubt due to the
chilly air. Thankfully cold wouldn’t be an issue for much longer. Not when she
was covered in fur. When she tugged at the button of her jeans he went to work
removing his own clothing. It only took seconds but it wasn’t fast enough. His
muscles were on fire, his bones starting to ache. Each garment he removed
allowed the beams from the moon to caress his skin.

The wolf bristled. It was almost time.

Scents assailed him, the lure of the wooded forest taunting
him. Soon he’d feel the earth beneath his paws, the way his claws sank into its
cold depths. The wind would rush through his fur as he embraced his feral half.

Glorious. Pure. Unleashed.

Not yet.

Chloe sank to the ground and yanked off her shoes and socks.
She was nude from the waist up, covered only in jeans twisted around her legs.
Her claws tore the denim as a frustrated growl came from her. A sliver of
relief surged through him. Pain would be minimal her first shift. She probably
wouldn’t even remember it. The wolf wouldn’t let her think about the
consequences of changing. The transformation would be quick, any fears she
might experience minor.

Taking a knee, he reached out to cup her chin. “Before the
moon takes you, know this. I will
never
lie to you, Chloe. You’re more
important to me than anything. Never question it.”

Her wolf was in control but he knew the woman heard him. Her
fingers wrapped around his wrist and she closed her eyes. He veered back,
taking her with him. He didn’t stop until she was on her hands and knees. When
she let him go, he waited, watching with his heart lodged in his throat.

Make it fast.
Please
make it fast.

Bones snapped in succession and fur bled from her skin. She
lowered her head as it changed shape, elongating to form her muzzle. A sharp
scream made the hair on his neck rise. Fear struck, changing relief to concern.
The change wasn’t quick, it was slow as fuck. Even wolves facing their first
change were able to accomplish the transformation in seconds.

She’d be in agony like this.

This time he couldn’t keep his wolf in check. His beast took
over, reaching out to its mate. Jackson’s skin itched as he started to change.
Bones popped and realigned, forcing him to brace his weight on his hands. In
two beats of his heart it was done. He shook himself, orienting himself to the
world around him.

He froze.

Chloe’s heartbreaking cries had stopped.

Lifting his head, he met her gaze.

Holy shit.

She’d changed with him, shifting from one form to another by
drawing on the energy created by his wolf. Damn she was a tiny thing—closer to
the size of a dog than a werewolf—but he’d never seen anything more beautiful.
Her coat was like her hair minus the curls, thick, luxurious blonde. And her
eyes were stunning emerald along the edge, shining like peridot near the
center.

Perfect.

His suspicion that she was an Alpha was confirmed when she
didn’t look away, keeping her stare level with his. She wouldn’t back down. Not
to anyone. Even newly changed, the authority her wolf displayed was impressive.

Damn she was beautiful. Proud and untamed.

Still, he had to make his position clear, so there were no
disillusions.

He growled, the rumbling sound a deep warning drone. He was
the head of the pack, the absolute authority in all matters. There were no
second chances. This was a lesson she had to understand and appreciate from the
onset. Her safety and place as his Lupa hinged on it.

Her wolf responded, lowering her head, accepting his
dominance. A low, confused whine drew him close. He couldn’t and wouldn’t deny
her comfort and reassurance. Their shoulders brushed, his dark fur a stark
contrast to hers. His inability to communicate telepathically had never
bothered him before. A few older wolves possessed that talent—as well other
unique abilities—but he wasn’t one of them. Right now, however, he wished he
could slide into her head and share his thoughts. In order to communicate he
had to rely on physical connection, reading her body language and scent. Right
now she was anxious, but he didn’t detect fear. Likely she was acclimating to
her senses, becoming accustomed to her wolven half.

Scuffling leaves just past the trees got her attention. Her
head darted to the side, nostrils flaring and ears lifting to points. He heard
and scented the same thing she did. A squirrel wasn’t the best game but her
interest was what was important. She was past the difficult part. It was time
to introduce her to the world that existed right in front of her that she’d
been unable to see.

When he nudged her toward the trees she moved awkwardly,
testing her legs as she swayed from side to side. He knew precisely when she
found her balance. Her spine straightened and she stood tall. Wind shuffled
through her blonde fur, the lush strands like waves in an ocean. She took a few
hesitant steps, as though she wanted to be certain her legs would hold her.

With a soft growl, he gently nipped her flank. She shot him
a look, her gaze playful. He gave her another heave with his nose, urging her
forward. The gesture was greeted with a soft snort and the turning of her head.
She stared into the distance, eyes alert. He felt the anticipation flowing from
her, their connection growing and solidifying their bond.

As she took off in a graceful lope, he followed.

Tonight belonged to them.

Amazing.

The wind rushed over her face, forcing her to fold back her
ears—her
ears
for goodness sake—so she didn’t have to slow down. Her
vision had never been so clear, her sense of smell so strong. Although it was
dark, she was able to distinguish each tree, able to locate the noisy critter
she’d heard in the clearing.

The squirrel ran up a tree as she approached, taking shelter
in the branches. Leaves rained down, their scent earthy and sweet. She stopped
to take a deep breath, finding herself absorbed in the beauty of the world at
night. The soft chorus of crickets whispered in her ears, the light from the moon
covering everything in a beautiful glow.

For a moment thoughts of her mother and father intruded.

The memory of reading their letters seemed hazy now, more of
an afterthought. When she tried to focus, recalling the envelope her father had
given her, her wolf changed her train of thought.