Werewolf Rage Book #2 in the Taming The Wolf Series (12 page)

Ava smiled to herself before looking at Cyrus.
He was looking down at her happily and she was suddenly filled with an upwelling of happiness that she’d never felt before. She was in the right place, with the right man and she loved him and was loved in return. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek quickly as they reached the parking lot of the school.

“It’s a good thing I love adventure,” she said as they followed the stream of people going in through a side door to the gym.

Cyrus held the door open for her and whispered just for her ears. “Looks like we’re perfect for each other then.”

Ava nodded her head in complete agreement.
“I always knew we would be,” she said breezily, giggling as he tickled her.             

Cyrus kept a protective arm around her as they headed for the stage where her father and Tobias were.

“You sure played hard to get.
I still remember your father’s welcome home party and going out to the back yard to find you. You called me a player and pushed me away,” he said, sounding affronted all over again.

Ava rolled her eyes.
“Yeah and then you kissed me, like a few minutes later. I guess I didn’t push hard enough.”

Cyrus escorted her up the stairs and laughed.
“I guess not,” he said and then frowned as Patricia ran from the opposite side of the stage straight for them.

Patricia looked stressed
and unnerved as she grabbed Ava and hugged her so tightly she squeaked. Cyrus winced but shrugged when she looked at him for help.

“Ava honey, I couldn’t believe it when Tobias told me what happened.
And I was right in the pharmacy the whole time, just laughing and talking and working while you fought for your life.”

Ava gently pried Patricia’s arms from her and stepped back, taking in a deep breath.
“Patricia, I’m okay. Cyrus got there at the end of it and took care of the hybrid.”

Patricia’s eyes widened and she shook her head.
“That’s not what Tobias said and he was right there behind Cyrus the entire time. He said you took down the hybrid yourself and Cyrus just destroyed the creature afterwards.”

Ava lifted her shoulders helplessly and then was attacked from behind.
Two arms reached around her, squeezing her stomach so tight, she felt like she was getting the Heimlich maneuver. Cyrus glared and pulled Perry off of her.

“Oh Ava, I’m just horrified that you almost died because of me,” she whispered, before covering her mouth with a shaking hand as she began crying.

Ava pushed her hair behind her ear and put her arm around Perry’s shoulders. “It’s not your fault Perry. Really, it’s not. I don’t blame you. I blame Braxton. And that’s why all of these people are here tonight. We’re going to make sure you’re protected and safe. Cole too,” she added as she felt more then saw him walk up beside her.

Cole patted his sister on the back as he stared down at Ava.
“Making my sister cry Ava?” he asked with a teasing tilt to his mouth.

Ava ignored him and waved to her father who was walking toward her.
Cole caught sight of the large gold and diamond ring on her hand and snatched her hand out of the air, studying the ring with a dark frown on his face.

“Moving a little fast don’t you think Cyrus?” he asked tightly, turning to glare at Cyrus.

Cyrus just smiled pleasantly and shrugged as he pulled Ava’s hand out Cole’s grasp. “When it’s right, it’s right.”

Cole’s face tightened and he walked away, jumping off the stage and disappearing into the crowd.
Perry winced but looked back at Ava, with tears still swimming in her eyes. “Ava, what can I do to make it up to you? I’ll do anything?” she swore.

Ava saw the very moment when her father saw Perry and the love that lit up his face.
“Good. Make my father happy and we’ll be even,” she said as her father reached her side.

Harry smiled at her and Cyrus but leaned down and kissed Perry on the cheek.
“I’m glad you’re all here. We’re about to start. I’ll talk first and then I want Cyrus to speak. Ava, I don’t want to put you on the spot, but there are a lot of people who want to hear about what happened to you. It will help Perry’s cause for everyone to understand the kind of people she’s up against. You might have to say a few words,” he said.

Ava shrugged, “Whatever you need Dad.
These people are merciless. We can’t let them have Perry,” she said, her voice hard and determined.

Harry nodded once, in total agreement with his daughter.
“What about me Harry? Do you want me to speak?” Perry asked nervously, putting her hand on his arm.

Harry shook his head with a slight smile on his face as he covered her hand with his.
“No Perry, I’ll be standing for you now,” he promised.

Perry smiled at her father and Ava could swear she could see the final connection being made between Perry and her dad.
Perry might not agree to the official mating, but it had already happened regardless. She smiled happily at her father as Cyrus squeezed her hand. She sighed happily to herself as Cyrus pulled her away from Perry and her father.

“You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to Ava.
You’ve had a rough day. If you’re not up to it, just say the word,” Cyrus said worriedly.

Ava stared out at the hundreds of people standing and staring at her and shook her head. “Cyrus, I don’t care what kind of day I’ve had.
If a woman needs me to stand up for her and her right to choose her own mate, then I’ll do whatever I can to help her,” she said with a nod.

Cyrus grinned at her and relaxed.
He reached over and pulled on a pale strand of hair gently. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” he said, before leaning over and kissing her quickly. “Come sit by me and my dad,” he said, pulling her toward a few chairs set up by the microphone.

She sat down next to Cyrus, holding hands as her father stood in front of the microphone and held up his hands for quiet.

“As most of you are aware, my daughter Ava was attacked by a hybrid in our very own park right in broad daylight.
She was able to defend herself, but she was lucky. We must all be prepared for more attacks,” he said frowning as he stared out across the hundreds of faces he had sworn to lead and protect.

“You need to know why.
The Vanier’s niece and nephew, Perry and Cole Jansen are here visiting. They’re here because Braxton Mayhew, Tanner Landing’s new leader tried to force her to be his mate against her will. Cole fought to protect his sister and was almost murdered in the process. They’ve come to us for help and refuge.
We will give it to them
,” he swore, his voice rising, ringing out across the room.

A man in the middle of the room stood up, his long brown hair mixed with gray making him look like what he was, a lumber jack.
“Why? They come here and now we’re getting attacked by hybrids. Tell her to go back to her mate. We don’t need any trouble with Tanner’s Landing, Harry. Leave good enough alone,” the man shouted and sat down.

Harry glared at the man and shook his head.
“Daniel, you should be ashamed of yourself. Our werewolf heritage is based on our capacity to protect others. When men went off to war, we were the ones left behind to protect the defenseless and the weak. And now you think we should turn our backs on this good woman? She hates Braxton Mayhew and now he’s sent a hybrid after my daughter. You think that’s okay?”

An older woman about sixty years old stood up next and glared at Perry who was sitting next to Patricia on the stand.
“I’m neighbors with the Vaniers and I know Perry and Cole. They’re good people, but if she’s mated, then she’s mated. That’s our way. You’re asking our whole town to put our lives at risk in order to stand between a man and his woman. That’s not right Harry. That’s not our way,” she yelled and sat down as murmurs rushed through the crowds.

Ava and Cyrus shared a tense look.
It didn’t look like Harry would have the support of the people. Cyrus stood up suddenly, dropping her hand and walked over to Harry, who was staring at the people in consternation and surprise. He’d never expected to not have the support of his town. Cyrus whispered something in Harry’s ear and he nodded before moving back and letting Cyrus stand at the podium.

Harry turned and came to sit in Cyrus’s abandoned chair, patting her on the knee as Cyrus began to speak.

“Friends and neighbors. You know me. I would never lie to you and I would never betray you. But the decision you make tonight will affect our town from here on out. Ever since Harry Paskell took over the leadership of our town from Titus we have discussed ways we can support women and make sure they have a voice when it comes to mates and their lives. If we turn our backs on this woman tonight we’ll be the worst hypocrites in the world. What if it was you Beatrice? What if you were being hunted and forced to be with a man you hated? Would you change your mind then? What about you Davis? Your daughter Janie just turned fifteen. Would you turn your back on your daughter if a crazed and violent man all of a sudden claimed her as his mate against her will?”

Ava watched as Beatrice looked guiltily at her hands, not answering Cyrus.
The man, Davis, stood up and rubbed his hand over his face before answering. “When you put it like that, of course I wouldn’t. But Cyrus, they’re not from here. Are we to fight and die for strangers?”

Cyrus put his hands on his waist and looked back at her over his shoulder before answering.
He looked back at Davis and then pointed straight at her. “Ava Paskell was a stranger to this town just months ago. And now she’s the woman I love more than my own life. She’s my mate. My true mate. Not because I forced her to be but because our hearts were always meant to be together. Perry and Cole aren’t strangers. They’re our friends. They need our help and if we turn our backs on them we’re just as bad as Braxton Mayhew. Cole will die if we don’t protect them,” he said, his voice soft and serious.

Davis sat down and shook his head back and forth, looking
upset and torn. Cyrus looked out across the crowd again. “Now is the time to stand up, not just to Tanner’s Landing, but to all the werewolf communities across the world and let them know that it’s time to change. We must leave the violence in the past. Women should have the right choose!” he roared into the microphone.

Ava felt her heart beat fast in her chest as she lifted her hand to her mouth.
He was magnificent. Harry put his arm around her shoulder and leaned in, grinning. “You’ve got quite the man there, don’t you?”

Ava nodded silently with a smile on her face.
Yes she did
.

“Now I’m going to ask you again.
Will we stand for Perry and Cole?” Cyrus asked in a voice that was meant to command armies.

The crowd roared their assent, standing up and raising their fists in the air.
Ava’s eyes widened and she felt hope for Perry and pride for her town. She stood up too and walked to Cyrus’s side, putting her arm around his waist.

“You did it,” she said into his ear.
Cyrus grinned and handed her the microphone.

“You’re turn,” he whispered before he kissed her cheek and moved to sit down by her father.

Ava stared at the micro phone in her hand and at the suddenly quiet room. She stared out at the crowd and she swallowed sickly, as she felt slightly panicked. She hated people staring at her. It brought back memories of her last panic attack at her gymnastics meet. She felt sweat pop out on her forehead and her hand began to shake.

“Um, hi everyone,” she began too softly.
She cleared her throat and tried again. “I’m Ava Paskell, Cyrus Carlston’s mate and Harry’s daughter. As many of you know, I was attacked by a hybrid this afternoon,” she said, her throat feeling tight as if it would close off.

The crowd murmured loudly and she could feel their outrage coming in waves toward her.
She closed her eyes before continuing. “I didn’t run,” she said, her voice louder now. “I stood between the hybrid and your children because that’s what good people do. And we’re good people here. We stand for the weak and the defenseless. We protect the innocent and champion the abused. That’s who we are. I’ve already told Perry that I’ll stand for her. Davis was right when he said people might die. He was right. People will get hurt. Sacrifices will have to be made. I’m willing. Are you?” she asked softly, staring at all the people.

Davis, the man who had called out her father stood up and raised his hand in the air. “If you can take on a hybrid and kick the crap out of it, then I figure we can take on Tanner’s Landing,” he said to the approval of the crowd.

Ava grinned as the crowd erupted into shouts.
She turned around and stepped into Cyrus’s chest. He pulled her close and kissed her in front of everyone in the gym to the delight of everyone. And when he was done, he turned her back to the crowd and lifted her hand high in the air as he reached for the microphone.

“This woman agreed to be my wife today.
You’re all invited to our wedding at the end of the month!” he yelled to the crowd and then kissed her again.

Ava was frozen in shock. He put his hand on the small of her back, and led her back to her seat still not believing what Cyrus had just done.
She closed her mouth sharply and turned to glare at Cyrus’s satisfied smile. “You are a dead man,” she purred, pulling her hand out of his.