Werewolf Rage Book #2 in the Taming The Wolf Series (11 page)

Harry ran a hand over the back of his neck and shook his head.
“I owe you an apology. And you’re right. I wanted to kill somebody and you were standing there with your secrets simmering around you and I went for your throat. I’m sorry Cole. I hope you forgive me,” he said, stepping forward and offering his hand.

Cole grinned and shook Harry’s hand hard.
“The curse of being a werewolf. We’re either loving someone, chasing someone, or trying to kill someone.”

Tobias laughed and slapped him on the shoulder.
“You got that right. Let’s all head on back to the pub. We only have an hour before the meeting where we tell everyone about Perry, but we need to warn everyone too. Hybrids are like rats. Where there’s one hybrid there’s bound to be a dozen more,” he said and walked over to Cyrus and Ava.

Cyrus still had his arms protectively around her.
Tobias gently and slowly pulled Ava out of Cyrus’s arms and he glared at his father. Tobias grinned and shook his head. “Sorry son, but I need to give this little one a hug just to make sure she’s really here with us. Took ten years off my life seeing you take on that hybrid all by yourself,” he said and hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head.

Ava hugged him back and smiled up into his wide, kind face.
“It took about ten years off my life too, so we’re even.”

She was then pulled into her father’s arms.
He held her so tight and so long that she wondered if he would ever let her go. When she looked up into his eyes she was surprised to see they were damp. “Ava, if anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to handle it,” he admitted, smoothing her hair with his hand before kissing her forehead.

Ava squeezed him back one more time before being pulled back into the safety of Cyrus’s arms.
“I’m okay Dad. It was scary and horrible, but I’m alive and well. We all are.”

Harry rubbed his hand over his face before shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Why didn’t you change into your wolf form baby? You would have had a better chance of fighting back as a wolf.”

Ava shrugged and felt Cyrus’s arms tighten instinctively around her.
“I don’t know if I believe that actually. I’m so attuned to my own body from being a gymnast that I feel like I can do just as much to defend myself on my own. I don’t know how to fight as a wolf. But the reason I didn’t was because I was showing my kids how to balance on one hand and I sensed it. When I landed on my feet, it was already behind me. I had to make sure the kids all made it away safely. I’m not as fast as you all are at changing. If I’d changed to my wolf form it would have been on me instantly. I wouldn’t have had a chance,” she admitted, biting her lip as adrenaline began to race through her blood at just the memory of what had happened.

Cyrus growled low in his throat and she tried to calm herself, knowing that her distress only multiplied his.

Harry nodded his head and smiled at her crookedly. “You’re probably right Ava. The most important thing is you kept a cool head and did what you had to do. I’m proud of you honey,” he said and kissed her on the cheek. “We’ll head back to the pub and tell everyone what happened. You two join us in an hour for the meeting.”

Tobias nodded and followed Harry.
“You need some time to recuperate. Both of you. But don’t take too long,” he said with a wink and left the kitchen, leaving her and Cyrus staring at Cole.

Cole pushed away from the counter and walked toward Ava.
“You had me a little traumatized there too Ava. I thought for a second I wouldn’t ever get to see you again and I have to admit I didn’t like the feeling,” he said with a grin as Cyrus glared at him. “I could probably use a hug too.”

Ava’s eyes widened in surprise as she felt Cyrus straighten up to his full height.
Cyrus was still so on edge from killing the hybrid that she couldn’t believe Cole would antagonize him right now.

“Sure Cole,” she said hastily and reached up to give him a quick embrace, letting go almost as soon as she touched him.
Cole of course had different plans and held her tightly in his arms. Ava was surprised to feel excess adrenaline and fear and anger coursing through his body too. She looked up at him in surprise and pulled away. He looked down at her, his eyes gleaming before walking away and out of the kitchen.              

Ava turned slowly around not sure what she would see when she looked at Cyrus.
He was standing back, with his hands in his pocket, looking after Cole with a curious look on his face.

“That man is a tortured soul,” he said softly and with a trace of pity.

Ava blinked in surprise. “Why do you say that?” she asked, moving to put her arms around his waist.

Cyrus shook his head and hugged her back.
“Because it must be hell to want something you know you can never have.”

Ava frowned and felt
a stirring  of sympathy for Cole. She looked up into Cyrus’s eyes and sighed. “Well, we have one hour to recuperate from a hybrid attack. What is the werewolf tradition for that situation?”

Cyrus laughed softly and kissed the side of her face.
“I am so glad you asked. There actually is a werewolf tradition for mates after they come home safely from battle. Would you like to know what it is?”

Ava felt the sudden change in Cyrus’s body and swallowed nervously.
“Oh wow. Actually, um, maybe we better not do the traditional werewolf recuperation,
uh
. . ., tradition.
Whatever
. How about we just take a nap instead?” she said, pulling away from him and smiling hopefully up into his face.

Cyrus grinned and kissed her hard.
“There’s really no better way to get rid of all this extra adrenaline and emotion though Ava. Why don’t I show you,” he teased her, pulling her into the family room off of the kitchen and onto the couch.

Ava laughed and pulled out of his grip.
“We agreed to wait until our wedding night Cyrus. We made a deal,” she said staring at him as he put his hands behind his head while he stared at her through lowered lids. “Though I admit it is tempting,” she said softly.

Cyrus’s eyes brightened and he smiled at her hopefully, sitting up and grabbing her hand before pulling her down to sit next to him.
“
How
tempting?” he asked softly, kissing the side of her neck and pulling her close to his side.

Ava smiled and looked up into his shining, intense eyes.
“So tempting that I’m thinking that it’s a good idea that I’ll be getting engaged as soon as you put a ring on my finger,” she said as she turned the tables on him and began kissing him first on his cheek and then on his jaw.

Cyrus sat back and closed his eyes.
“As soon as I get a ring huh?”

Ava grinned as she ran her hand through his thick glossy hair.
She couldn’t keep her hands out of it for some reason. She nuzzled his neck. “Well, yeah. I’m just waiting on you,” she teased as she turned his face in her hands to kiss him on the mouth.

Cyrus’s kissed her quickly and stood up.
“Stay right here. Do
not
move,” he ordered before turning and running out of the room.

Ava sat back on the couch perplexed.
She’d been doing her best to kiss the man she loved and he just pops up like a daisy and disappears.
Weird.

Cyrus ran back into the room a moment later and grabbed her hand.
“Come with me,” he said pulling her up and opening the back door. She followed him silently, smiling at the sweet and anxious expression on his face. He took her to the very back of the yard and hopped over the five foot tall fence as if it was just a few inches. He looked back and waited for her as she easily vaulted over landing at his side.

He took her hand and led her to his favorite spot, his special rock that looked out over the canyon. He jumped up and pulled her up to stand beside him. She glanced around at the stark mountainous beauty that always pulled at her soul but looked back at Cyrus when he put his hands on her face and forced her gently to look up at him.

“Do you know how much I love you?” he asked quietly, staring into her rich brown eyes.

Ava blushed lightly and put her arms around his waist. “
Hmm
, not really,” she admitted.

Cyrus grinned and kissed her lightly. “I don’t really know either.
It changes every day. Every day my love for you is added upon and multiplied. It’s constantly fluid and growing. It’s alive and living inside of me taking over every corner of my soul,” he said, smiling gently down into her eyes as he caressed her cheek, moving his hands to her neck, his fingers touching her pulse.

Ava felt her heart beat speed up and she licked her lips.
She had been so emotional after the hybrid attack, but she had no idea why she felt like crying now. She blinked the moisture in her eyes away and stared up into Cyrus’s beautiful icy blue eyes. “That’s how I feel about you too. I remember the day I first met you and within hours, you were in my heart,” she admitted.

Cyrus nodded and leaned down to brush his lips softly against hers.
“Because that was where I was always meant to be. Nothing can stop my love for you. Not even death. Do you know what eternity is Ava?”

Ava smiled and nodded, tilting her head to the side so he could nuzzle her neck.
“It means forever, right?”

Cyrus nodded gravely, not smiling anymore.
“You and I are eternal. Death won’t even be able to keep us apart. Knowing that, will you be my wife?” he asked and opened his hand to show her a perfect circle of gold.

Ava felt her breath hitch and the rushing of wind as she reached out and took the wide band of gold in her hands.
On one side was a large round diamond embedded in the warm metal. It was so simple and yet exquisite. She held the ring up to the sky and watched the light turn into rainbows around the diamond. She looked at Cyrus who was staring at her patiently. Waiting.

Ava grinned and felt as if a light had turned on inside of her. “Yes Cyrus. I will love you for eternity
,” she promised.

Cyrus took the ring and slid it on her finger and then brought her hand to his mouth.
“Let’s be married in the fall,” he said, pulling her into his arms and tilting her over his arm.

Ava laughed and shook her head as his mouth dipped to hers.
“You’re impossible,” she whispered before he began kissing her with so much determination and passion that she feared they’d fall off the rock.

“Cyrus,” she gasped, turning her head away. “We could fall,” she said, standing up as his arms loosened.

Cyrus nodded his head, laughing softly. “Not a good way to start off our engagement. Come on, we better get going anyways. We need to be at the meeting and people need to see that you’re okay.”

Ava followed him back into the house, as she held her hand out staring at the ring now on her finger.
It looked as if it had been designed especially for her and fit perfectly. Cyrus insisted they stop in the kitchen to get her a drink before leaving.

“Honey, where did you get this ring?
I mean, you just
happened
to have the most beautiful, perfect ring up in your bedroom?” she asked curiously, still staring at her hand as she took a sip of Coke.

Cyrus grinned at her and took a sip from his can, not saying anything.
She stared at him with narrowed eyes before she gasped. “Oh my heck Cyrus, did you buy this ring for another woman?” she breathed out, feeling flames of anger flash through her body.

Cyrus must have sensed what she was feeling because he looked at her in surprise and shook his head vigorously.
“I thought you knew me better than that,” he chided her with a frown. “You know you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I bought that ring two months ago. I’ve just been waiting for the right time to give it to you.”

Ava immediately relaxed and blushed in embarrassment.
“
Sorry
. I love it,” she said simply as he came up behind her and massaged her shoulders lightly before leaning down nipping her sensitive earlobe.

“And what would you have done if I had given this to a previous fiancé?
Hmm
?” he asked still nibbling on her ear as if it were candy.

Ava felt a wave of heat spread out from her core and she had to clear her throat before answering.
“I would have stomped it into the ground and punched you if you’d tried to pawn off another woman’s jewelry on me,” she said truthfully as Cyrus laughed lightly.

Ava slipped off the stool and looked at Cyrus nervously.
He stalked toward her as if she was his prey and she felt a sizzle of alarm wash over her. She really had crossed the line. There was no going back for her. In Cyrus’s eyes and everyone else’s now, she truly was his.

“We’ve got to go now Cyrus,” she said sternly putting her hands on her hips.

Cyrus ignored her and picked her up easily in his arms, bringing them face to face on his level.
“
You’re mine
,” he whispered in satisfaction, kissing her one last time before setting her down.

Ava smoothed her hair away from her face and smiled wryly.
“As if I had any doubts,” she said softly, making him laugh.

“How would you feel about a September wedding? Before you say no, just think about it. We could have our reception in my mom’s garden.
Imagine all of the flowers and wearing a beautiful white dress without having to wear a large ski parka over the top so you don’t die of hypothermia,” he said with a grin as he put an arm over her shoulders and led her out of the kitchen and the front door.

Ava laughed and looked up to see his sparkling eyes looking back at her. “You’re the
most pushy man I’ve ever met Cyrus Carlston.”

Cyrus grinned unrepentantly and held her hand as they walked down the front stairs and down the sidewalk.
“When it comes to you I just might be,” he admitted, bringing her body protectively into his side.

All smiles and laughter disappeared as they had to walk past the park where just an hour before she’d fought for her life.
They both silently watched as a few curious people surrounded the remains of the hybrid, talking and gesturing with their arms. “Everyone must be meeting down at the pub instead of the park now because of what happened,” Ava said softly.

Cyrus’s face turned hard and angry again and all the warmth she’d been feeling slowly slipped away leaving her cold and nervous.
Cyrus glanced at her quickly and kissed her hair.

“You don’t have to be scared Ava.
I wanted to wait until tonight to talk to you about precautions but I’m going to make sure that you’re protected. I’m going to ask your father to teach you how to shoot a gun.
I’m also going to teach you how to handle a knife.”

Ava stared at Cyrus in surprise, totally forgetting about the hybrid remains in the park as they walked quickly toward the pub.
“You want me to know how to fight with a knife and shoot?
Wow
. This can’t be my life,” she muttered to herself.

Cyrus looked down at her somberly.
“Well, neither is getting attacked by hybrids and yet it’s happened twice now.
No more
. I won’t have my wife being attacked by murderous freaks every time I turn my back,” he ground out.

Ava smiled up at him archly and put her arms around his waist as they walked.
“
Wife
huh? I guess I’ll have to get used to saying,
this is my husband, Cyrus
. Or,
my husband will pay for that
,” she added with a sly grin. Cyrus smiled down at her as she continued. “Or,
just wait until your Dad comes home
,” she said looking down at her feet shyly.

Cyrus stopped her immediately and pulled her into his arms, smiling from ear to ear
. “That’s the one I can’t wait to hear Ava,” he said capturing his mouth with his and kissing her way too long for a public sidewalk.

Ava pushed him away and tried to pull him down the street.

“Did we agree on a
summer wedding then?” Cyrus asked carelessly as he waved to an acquaintance on the opposite side of the road.

Ava burst out laughing and punched him in the arm.
Cyrus grinned and opened the door to the pub for her. They both blinked in surprise to find it empty. Kurt came out from the kitchen and took off his white apron.

“
We’re having to meet down at the school gymnasium. There’s too many people. Once word spread that Ava was attacked by a hybrid in the park everyone showed up,” he said, motioning for them to head right back out the door.

They walked the three blocks to the school that served elementary, junior high and high school students. On the way she spent the entire time reassuring her uncle that she was completely unharmed.

“I don’t get it. How could you come away from a fight with a hybrid without even a scratch,” he said, staring at her hands. She watched as his eyes went big as he caught sight of the ring on her finger.

“Oh you’ve done it now Ava,” Kurt said with a booming laugh. “You’ve done it now my girl.
Marrying this man is going to be an adventure,” he promised, chuckling as they were joined by a crowd of people heading in the same direction.