Wolf Creek Ghosts (Texas Pack 3) (Wolf Creek Werewolf Shifters) (13 page)

Pushing her bottom into his groin, she squeezed the arm on her waist. He responded by pulling her back as close as possible against his chest.

“You need sleep. It’ll help your body recover,” he said gruffly.

He was talking in short sentences, practically grunting out his words. He was upset, angry and scared. She knew to drop it, for now. She would tell him about her guardian tomorrow, hoping she could convince him to put his fear aside. Of course, she was afraid also, but this was her calling. She knew of no one else that could stop Willie.

The next morning, after Dr. James pronounced her fit, they gathered in the great room. Olivia sat next to Devlin as he stared off in the distance, his anger palpable. They’d been discussing how to get rid of Willie. Olivia listened, knowing she would have to face Devlin’s anger head on.

She cleared her throat, gaining their attention. “I need to explain what happened while I was unconscious.”

“You weren’t unconscious; you were dead.” Devlin’s mouth was tight.

She started again. “While I was dead,” Olivia stated stoically, “my soul guide or guardian angel, whatever, came to me. She told me I would have to take care of Willie.”

Devlin shouted as he jumped up. “This is freaking bullshit. You had a dream, not some fucking revelation. I watched you die. I will not allow you to put yourself in the same situation again.”

Olivia remained calm; she knew that shouting at him would not help. Placing herself in his shoes, she recognized that she would react exactly as he was. She stood and went to him, wrapping her arms around him. He immediately hugged her tight.

“I understand baby.” She ignored everyone watching them silently. “I really do. But I’ll have stronger help this time. Willie is powerful because of the magic he draws from the pond. My guide is going to help me take him out. I would love to pass this job on to someone else, but I can’t. If there is anyone out there who could banish him, I don’t know who it is. I cannot walk away either and leave him to attack some other woman. I couldn’t live with myself.”

Devlin held on, not wanting to acknowledge the truth of her words. He’d love to say fuck off to the entire world and keep his mate safe. Let someone else fight Willie. But no matter how much he wished it, he knew he could not allow anyone else to be hurt because he was afraid. He walked her over to the couch and pulled her onto his lap.

His voice sounded like tires on a gravel road when he spoke. “I know, my love, I know.” He gripped the back of her head and turned her to face him. “But I want to talk to your guide. I can’t go into this blind.”

“Um, I don’t know how to reach her. She’s my guide, not some spirit that just hangs around.”

“The pond.” Rafe sat forward, hands dangling between his knees. “There’s some strong magic in that water, it may be enough for her to come through.”

“Let’s go,” Ian announced. “It can’t hurt.”

They tromped down to the edge of the water, stopping to look across at the sun-dappled pond.

Lisa looked at Melanie, shrugging. She had no idea what to do. Neither did Melanie. They were there as voyeurs, wanting to watch and see what would happen, if anything.

“This is your show, Olivia.” Rafe nodded to her.

Olivia ran her hands down her denim shorts before bending down to take off her Kate Spade sneakers. Knowing her parents weren’t around to buy her designer clothes and shoes anymore, she was determined to protect the ones she had brought with her. She may be mated to a rich man, but she had not reached that point in their relationship where she was comfortable taking his money. So, no shoe should be tortured by water or mud, in her opinion.

“What are you doing?” Devlin asked as he took her elbow to stop her from walking into the water.

She looked back at him, “I’m going into the water to channel my inner spirit guide.”

He was already shaking his head. “No need. You only have to enter when you’re being transformed. Just stand here at the edge.”

“Oh.” Now she felt silly. How was she supposed to know that? She slipped her shoes back on and brushed off her hands.

“Just call her,” Devlin said, resigned.

Rafe and Ian stood to the side with their wives, watching her while Niall waited, still protecting Devlin’s back. The Queen had not released him from his duty.

Olivia went to that place inside where she could speak with the dead. Calling Elnen’s name over and over, she waited. And got nothing.

“It’s not working guys,” she said.

“Olivia, why don’t you relax in the grass and meditate. Sometimes these things take awhile,” Lisa told her.

Shrugging her shoulders, Olivia sat with her knees drawn up. Devlin moved in behind, giving her support to lean against him. The others followed, sitting at the edge and waiting for something to happen.

Olivia scooted between Devlin’s thighs and relaxed as his arms enclosed her. She knew he was still angry with her decision and they would be revisiting their argument. She closed her eyes and pretended they were simply out enjoying the beautiful day.

There was a slight hum coming from the water, vibrating against her skin in a soothing, rhythmic pattern. She watched as a smoky, iridescent form took shape, hovering over the pond. Olivia used Devlin’s thighs as leverage to quickly stand. She could clearly see that this apparition was indeed Elnen.

Devlin stood behind her, gripping her shoulders. She reached up and patted his hand, reassuring him. “It’s okay, that’s Elnen.”

Elnen bowed her head to them. “Hello again Olivia. Greetings Alpha Rafe, Enforcer Ian.” She turned to Lisa. “Your parents wish to pass along a message.” She tilted her head, listening. “Do not mourn us, little princess. We will be with you again, someday. You make us proud, and we shall now call you our little princess witch.” Elnen smiled as she ended her message.

Lisa gasped as tears filled her eyes. For so long she’d wondered if her parents knew of her life after their deaths. She felt a great sense of peace grow within her. Rafe squeezed her gently as he hugged her to him.

Now Elnen turned to Melanie. “Druid, the universe knows of your love for all living things. You are a true blessing to all you come in contact with.”

“Yeah, that’s my little hippy in a nutshell,” Ian whispered.

“Devlin.” Elnen focused on him, and he stiffened, biting back his anger. He would love to tell this so called guide to get another recruit, his mate was not available to do her dirty work.

“I understand, Devlin. Your fear for your soul mate is unfounded.” He growled. “Olivia is special. She is particularly tuned in to the between worlds. We need souls like hers to help others find their way home.”

She paused and seemed to take a deep breath. “Willie is unique in his evil. Normally he would meet his guide and decisions would have been for his afterlife. The pond has strengthened and enabled him to hide from his fate. There is an imbalance now in the death realm. The marks against him must be atoned. Olivia will not be alone in her fight. I will be there when she confronts him again and between us, we will capture his soul. He will not kill her, I give you my word. As her soul guide, I know that it is not her time.”

Devlin felt a very small measure of reassurance. “And if you’re wrong and he kills her? You’re asking me to place a whole lot of trust in you, a stranger as far as I’m concerned.”

Elnen floated closer until she stood directly in front of them. “I have no more words to convince you, young wolf. I can only repeat myself, it is not her time.”

Devlin rubbed a hand across his jaw, feeling the prickly hairs against his palm. He felt Rafe and Ian move in behind him, their bond as brothers strengthened him.

Raising his head, he stared straight into her eyes. “I’m putting her life in your hands. If you fail, you might as well inform my soul guide because I will join her in death.”

Olivia stroked his jaw as she leaned in to kiss him and missed seeing another apparition appear.

“Hello, my friends.” Robert stood grinning at the edge of the pond. He was the Faery Queen’s guard and a good friend to the wolf pack.

Rafe immediately went over to give him a man hug, slapping his back enthusiastically. “Robert! It’s been awhile man, good to see you.”

“The Queen had me running odd jobs all over Faery. Tis good to be back.” He turned to Lisa, grinning. “Lass, you look lovely as ever.” He swung her around as he hugged her.

Lisa laughed. She’d missed the Fae flirt.

“And wee bonny Melanie. Anytime you want to travel with me, just give me a call.” Ian growled as he separated her from Robert’s arms.

“And who do we have here?” He went to stand in front of Olivia, looking into her eyes with awe. “My my, who was brave enough to steal you from the Amazon’s?”

Devlin pushed him back. “She’s mine, Robert. You may look, no touching.” He snarled.

Robert’s grin got even bigger. “Weel, the wee laddie has found his mate. Congratulations baby brother. And the same to you, beautiful sequoia.”

“I’m a tree now?” Olivia rolled her eyes at the Faery guard. She stuck a hand out, shaking his vigorously. “I’m Olivia, and touching my hand is acceptable.” She looked back at Devlin, warning him with her eyes to not start anything.

Robert was his usual smiling self as he pulled her in for a hug, totally ignoring Devlin.

“Hey soul guide, you may want to speed dial Robert’s guardian angel, he’ll be needing her soon,” Devlin growled.

Rafe stepped forward. “Why are you here? I didn’t call you.”

Elnen waved Robert and Niall over. “Your Queen has graciously loaned her guards to be our sentries at the pond. They will be watching for Willie and will stop him from stealing any more magic.”

Niall was already shaking his head. “I’ve been here my lady, and I’ve never been able to see him at the waters.”

“Aye, Niall. She is correct. Our Queen knows of this fiend stealing from her and has sent me with these relics so we’ll be able to see him if he shows up,” Robert said.

Robert reached into his sporran and took out a necklace, which he then tossed to Niall. Niall saw the exact replica around Robert’s neck. Niall grasped the round metal, holding it up in front of his eyes, unbelieving. The peace symbol winked back at him from the many jewels forming the sign in the middle of the circle.

Robert winked. “We come in peace.”

“How the hell is this junk jewelry supposed to help?” Niall asked.

“Master Robert, I feel for your guide,” Elnen said, dryly. “These necklaces Robert procured have been taken to the other side and enhanced. You’ll both be able to see Willie should he show up here. Simply stand on either side at the edge and a barrier will form to keep him out.”

Ian went down on one knee and touched the water. “Hey, you two come here, let’s see if it works.”

Robert and Niall walked to the edge and immediately Ian jerked his hand back when he felt a hard surface form on top of the water.

Ian stood and wiped his hand on his jeans. “Elnen, I want to keep these necklaces when this is over to prevent this happening again. They’re a good security measure.”

Elnen’s hands waved around. “That’s not up to me, they belong to the Fae Queen.”

“The Queen has always gifted our wolf friends whenever there was a need. I will speak with her on yer behalf when I go home.” Robert told Ian.

* * *

The brothers gathered their mates together for a run and to integrate Olivia into their pack. Devlin hadn’t forgotten how Olivia had practically challenged Rafe in a show of dominance. Her wolf needed its alpha to prove his strength before she could submit. He knew Ian had not had to worry about Melanie challenging anyone, her wolf was as much a lover of everyone as Melanie was and tended to lean more toward being an Omega to the pack, comfortable handling others emotional problems.

They ran with abandon, weaving in and out of the forest with Rafe in the lead. He came to a stop and turned to face his pack, his paws planted firmly in the ground with his head held high. His brothers bowed their head, acknowledging his dominance, along with his mate. Melanie cocked her head as if listening before bowing down also. Olivia stood on all fours staring at her alpha, feeling strong and invincible in her wolf form.

She shook her entire body, the white fur fluffing up as she waited for her alpha to prove his strength. Devlin sat down calmly beside her, watching his brother.

Rafe walked up to her and snarled before shifting to his human form. “Devlin, I’m going to scruff her, be warned.”

With that, Rafe quickly grabbed the fur on the back of her neck and flipped her to her side, holding her down. He waited while she fought and tried to bite him before handing her over to Devlin.

Devlin had shifted also and reached down to take hold of his mate in the same fashion which Rafe held her in. Once Devlin had a tight grip, Rafe released his hold, shifted and took off with the rest of his pack. His point was made with no bloodshed.

Devlin waited as his mate panted from her exertion and shifted back to her human body. Stiffening his spine, he anticipated her lashing out in anger, but she surprised him.

Rolling to her back, she rolled her eyes at him. “Okay, I get it now. Rafe is a hell of a lot stronger than I am, but I think he kind of cheated when he shifted and used his hands to take me down.”

Devlin squatted beside her with his hands dangling between his legs and shook his head. “I don’t think you understand what just happened. Rafe took it easy on you. Normally he would have taken you down in wolf form, pinning you until you showed him your submission. In deference to me, he showed his dominance in a much gentler fashion. Had he taken you on in wolf form, you would have fought which would have left him no choice but to bloody you, and then I would have gotten involved.”

Olivia thought about what had just occurred and realized her wolf no longer wanted to challenge her alpha. She accepted his dominance over her. She had a small epiphany.

“He took me down in human form,” she mused. “As a wolf, I should have been able to take him, had he been a normal human.” She glanced back to Devlin. “It’s scary to think what he could have done to me in wolf form.”