Westmore Wolves Series: Shapesifter Collection Bks 1-5 Page 27

  “Soren!” Allyse called out, taking in the folded shirt on the corner of the garden bench.

  The roses whispered to her.

  The woods, lady. Find him.

  A female laugh echoed through the night as she searched the edge of the woods for any sign of Soren. Finding none, she entered the darkness of the forest and clutched the letter opener tight.

  ***

  Soren ran. He reveled in the freedom of the hunt. He chased a buck into the deepest thickets of his land and was just about to claim his prey when he heard it. The sound of laughter filtering through the forest. Abraham and the others would be watching. They were his only hope to protect Allyse and his family. God how he wished he’d just come right out and told her and not hid behind his stupid masculine pride.

  Look where it had gotten him. Right back where he’d started from. No mate and a hollow feeling inside of his gut.

  His forest.

  Shelby.

  He left the deer and tore through the trees, intent on reaching home. If Shelby was there it could mean one thing. She’d reneged on her curse and claimed him early. Allyse. Oh, God. She had no way of knowing what kind of fairy tale nightmare she’d just walked into. Hopefully, she was safe inside.

  He ran faster, his breath burning in his chest. It didn’t matter what happened to him. To save his family he would run through the fires of hell.

  What he didn’t see was the pair of eyes that followed him in the darkness and the lasso that bore him struggling to the ground.

  Chapter Ten

  “God, I have to be stupid wearing heels.” Allyse muttered to herself. She’d been so certain he’d come this way. Just when she had given up and turned around, she found another article of clothing. Something was very wrong and she would find out what. The sinister female laughter was closer now and a shiver traveled down her spine. Her “find it” powers must have been working a little off today. All she found was a crazy chick talking to a dog in the forest.

  No. That wasn’t weird at all. Not with a trail of Soren’s clothes as breadcrumbs. Unease trickled down her back.

  Then the trees began to whisper and a chill rose the gooseflesh on her arms.

  Danger.

  “Did you think there was even a chance I’d let you win, Soren?” The voice purred. “You almost did. I’ll hand it to you. That cow you’ve been giving doe eyes to was smart to walk the other way.”

  Allyse cleared the trees in time to see a dark-haired woman clicking a leash. She strolled toward a creature that resembled a large dog, but as Allyse moved closer she realized it was something more. It was as if the beast from the fountain stared back at her in the twilight dark. His eyes should have been the typical brown color but instead were a familiar grayish blue. Human eyes.

  Correction. They were Soren’s eyes. She would know them anywhere. Her senses tingled and the murmurs of the trees intensified. This woman was there to do harm.

  With her witch heritage, she knew there were more supernatural beings out there, but she hadn’t dared to hope. Now, seeing the shifter in front of her, she knew it without reservation. Her mother hinted at something other than human on her father’s side, but she never would say what he was. The man had died before she was born. Maybe it was time they had that conversation. She knew it had to be more than her kick for werewolf smut that made her accept this turn of events so easily. Was her daddy a shifter? Doubtful. The moon had never done much for her except to give her a timetable and light to garden by if it was too hot during the day.

  How she knew that she wasn’t sure, but she felt it in her bones. It was him and he was in danger. What did she want? He’d tried to talk to her dozens of times since the failed seduction out in the rose garden. Oh, she’d wanted him plenty bad as the dreams she’d been having attested, but she didn’t fall into insta-sex on the first date. Not even with hunk-a-licious men like Soren.

  But it wasn’t first date status anymore.

  And what was the witch talking about? Win? Win what?

  And wait? Did she just call me a cow?

  She wanted to know this man, and in watching him the last few days she felt that she did. Soren was patient and kind when it counted and firm when he needed to be. Hell, she’d wanted to punch that Nichole what’s her face right in the taco, but he’d kept his decorum and instead dismissed her like the bleached piece of trash she was. He stood up for her.

  He even pulled back instead of forcing his attentions on her. Was this why?

  So he had fur issues once a month? Was that so bad? She watched him for a moment. The eyes said it all. He was worth it. Now, it was her turn to fight for him. If she wanted this brass ring she would have to duke it out witch style. She only hoped her powers were enough.

  The woman drew back a fist and clocked him in the muzzle.

  Soren didn’t fight back. He yelped and cowered at the woman’s feet. Allyse’s blood boiled.

  Allyse stepped out of the shadows and let a twig snap underneath her shoe. The dark haired woman swung around an expression of irritation on her face.

  “You dare to trespass…”

  “Get your hands off him.”

  “You? That’s funny.” The woman laughed but there was no warmth.

  Soren offered little resistance after the first initial fight. The wolf-like beast met Allyse’s eyes with a dull stare and she knew what she had to do. This was her fight now. Win or lose. And she didn’t plan on losing. “I hate to disagree, but you‘re holding Soren against his will and in my mind that’s kidnapping.”

  “Get out of my way you fool, or you may end up just like him.” The witch’s eyes flashed fire.

  She didn’t deny it was Soren. But what the Goth looking wench didn’t know what it took one to know one. Allyse’s magic boiled beneath her skin and her fingers curled into fists.

  “No.”

  Allyse kicked off her shoes, her feet sinking into the prickly pine needles and dead leaves. The earth rose up to greet her, a jolt of friendly recognition she’d been waiting for. Her power reached for the plant life around her, and she let loose. The most she’d used it for lately was to spruce up houseplants and she prayed to all the creatures of the Green world to take from this woman what she had taken by force.

  The roots of the trees cracked open the earth and their seeking tentacles reached for the other woman. Shrubs broke free of their earthly shackles and rounded on the witch like angry Pomeranians. She moved quickly, laughing as if Allyse’s spell amused her.

  “Is that all you have?” She jerked Soren by the neck, and he slumped to the ground, the air systematically being choked from him.

  “Fight her, Soren!”

  But he didn’t.

  “He won’t, because he knows if he dies my spell over everyone he loves is at an end. Do you want him to be a dog forever? Without true love, he pays the ultimate price for casting me aside.”

  That was it. The secret he’d kept from her. Her heart broke for the sacrifice he’d been willing to make for those he loved. This was why he needed a wife. His love for her shone in his eyes and this time she met his gaze full on.

  He was afraid. For her. For everyone inside the house.

  Bitch.

  The beating of wings broke through the silent night as Abraham descended on the scene. Two others followed whose names she didn’t know.

  “Abraham?”

  He was unlike any being she’d ever seen. A gargoyle of stone made for battle. He turned to her and nodded, a smile playing across his features. “Claim him, lady. He is yours in this life and the next. As for this one, I think some comeuppance is in order.”

  “Who is she?”

  “A spiteful witch that needs to learn a lesson.”

  “You’re a fool to tangle with me, gargoyle. You and your high and mighty brethren can’t touch me.”

  “If you believe that, then you’re as much an idiot as I thought you were.” He stalked forward, his agents close behind.

  “Fight, Soren.
You are not alone.” Allyse threw her head back and threw a burst of witch fire down deep into the earth. Tree branches raged and swung, chasing the other woman into a dead end, dragging Soren each step of the way. But the plants did nothing to hurt him. Their ire was focused on the witch in front of them. Lashing out, the branches whipped and snapped at her mercilessly. The angry shrubs flanked her until she was trapped against the stone wall of Soren’s property.

  Brutally she wound the leash tighter until Soren twitched and moved no more.

  “No! Release him!” There could be no happy ending without her beast. Allyse had to save him, no matter the cost. Roses. She would give him roses so he would know her heart was true. “Red to red and let life go to find it where the blood does flow…” She breathed a kiss and released the spell knowing it could cost her everything.

  The witch cackled and dropped the leash. “Take him then. His life is over.”

  His form unmoving, she feared the witch’s words were truth.

  “No.” A sob burst from Allyse’s lips. “Soren…I love you.” Salty tears fell to the earth.

  Power crackled from Allyse’s fingertips and the ground begat new life. Tendrils of roses, their vines heavily laced with thorns raced toward the witch, capturing her arms and legs before she had a chance to react. Her blood ran in rivulets, sprinkling the earth with crimson droplets. The vines kept coming. Where blood flowed a red rose grew slowly forming into a thicket against the wall.

  Abraham and his enforcements secured her as the vines wrapped around her body, unflinching as thorns scraped against their stony flesh. The plants chittered and sang as they strangled and closed in.

  “Roses? You plan to succeed by giving me flowers? How nice.” The other woman struggled against her bonds but the thorns only dug in deeper, the vines tugging her down toward the earth.

  “Not just roses.” Allyse wiped an angry tear from her cheek. “Life. Death. I take back what you have taken from me and I give it to the earth.”

  Roots from the hungry new plant tugged the witch down methodically wrapping tighter and tighter.

  The witch screamed as the tendrils burst from the earth, dragging her down into the waiting soil. The sound of bones cracking and the gurgling wet screams that tore from the witch’s throat filled the night air until at last there was silence.

  The vines tugged and pulled until Allyse could no longer see the witch. Blood seeped from beneath the green but nothing was wasted. Hungry and beautiful, the roses erased the witch’s evil and replaced it with life and a symbol of her love.

  She raced to Soren tore at the collar. With shaking fingers, she removed the leash from around his neck. Fear clawed her belly and she realized it may well be too late. He hadn’t moved from where he’d fallen.

  “Soren!” Tears slid from her eyes as she pressed a kiss against his soft muzzle praying against all hope that he would awaken.

  Chapter Eleven

  Her lips pressed against him and with that kiss Soren’s world splintered apart. First with pain as the air rushed back into his lungs, then with hope as his body transformed back into his human form. His limbs elongated and his body shifted, moving from the beast into himself once more.

  “Allyse.” His voice was gravelly even to his own ears. His eyes left hers momentarily and he nodded toward Abraham. “Thank you for helping to keep them safe.”

  The other man smiled. “You should thank your lady. It was she that battled the witch.”

  “Oh my God, Soren.” She pressed her lips against his and gently helped him into a sitting position. “I thought you were lost.”

  “I haven’t been lost since the day I met you.”

  She wiped a tear from her cheek. “You almost died.”

  “But I didn’t.” His heart swelled with pride at the beautiful woman before him. A woman who had risked everything to fight for something he’d all but given up on. In this beauty he had found the ability to tame the lonely places of his heart and that was the most magic thing of all. “You thought of roses. Why?”

  “I…” Allyse paused and nibbled on her lip. “You kissed me the first time in a rose garden and instead of the bloom, I saw only the thorns. It was my way of saying I’m sorry and that I love you, beast or no.”

  Soren wiped the tear that slid down her face. “I love you, too.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t stop to listen. I…”

  “Help me up?” Soren’s throat burned but his heart was full. If she would have him, he would make her the happiest woman on earth. But first he needed some pants.

  ***

  “Mr. Stinky, you get down from that window ledge before you get a spanking.” Allyse waggled a finger at her very persistent Chihuahua. His new sister, Hailey, danced at Allyse’s heels.

  Soren’s heart swelled at the sight, his home filled with life and love. Correction. Their home.

  Mrs. D. chortled at the new arrival. “A funny little man, this one is.” Mr. Stinky snorted, his little tail curling up in protest.

  “Come on now. Off with you both. Your parents want some alone time.”

  “You tell them. They won’t listen to me.” Allyse laughed. “Naughty.” Allyse reached down and gave her puppy a kiss on the top of his head. The three months that had passed since the wedding had gone so quickly, he still couldn’t believe it had actually happened.

  “What are they up to now?” Soren watched from the doorway to the library, a contented smile tugging up the corner of his lips.

  Roxy poked her head out of his den, a flushed Abraham close behind.

  “And what are you two doing?”

  “Um…going over your ratings for the show. It seems like the one-night special hit the ball out of the park.” Roxy beamed.

  “Good.” Soren gave her a smile.

  “I knew it.” Allyse tugged a wriggling Mr. Stinky into her arms for a quick hug and then sat the indignant Chihuahua back down on the floor with a chuckle.

  “Everyone loved your tumble in the kitchen. Now they want to do a show with the two of you at home. They want to call it Doggie Dynasty. What do you think?” Roxy wiggled her eyebrows.

  One look at the horrified expression on his wife’s face was enough of an answer. “Tell them no but maybe Carrick has a new show idea he’d want to pitch.”

  “Oh… Sir.” Abraham blanched as he followed Roxy back into the office. A moment later Soren heard two separate phone calls with a lot of fierce whispers going on.

  Soren held his wife close and glanced around. It never ceased to make him beam seeing the two dogs play and the sexy dimple that played on his wife’s face. He couldn’t wait to show her the newly built greenhouse and built out rose garden. She’d been so busy with work and taking her mother on errands the past week she hadn’t seen the progress on his secret project.

  Ah…life.

  “That’s mean.” Allyse kissed him and reached down to brush something off her pants leg.

  He couldn’t wait to show her the secret part of the garden he’d created just for them. Crafting her statue was the hardest. He had her image crafted in bronze and paired together with his own. A beautiful maiden with her arms wrapped around the savage beast. If only she knew he was putty in her very capable hands.

  “Will there be anything else, Mr. Rochester?” Reggie waved from the hallway, a pink flush darkening his cheeks as he saw Allyse. The boy still hadn’t forgotten his stint as a cocker spaniel. They’d returned to the house after Shelby’s defeat to find him locked naked in the garage wearing nothing but the collar around his neck.

  They still didn’t speak of it. Ever.

  “No, Reggie. Thanks. If you wouldn’t mind stopping back by after you drop off Allyse’s mother, I wanted to talk with you about a job in the back garden.”

  “Ummm.” Allyse wrapped her arms around him and pulled Soren’s mouth to hers. “What pray tell are you doing in the garden?”

  “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Soren winked, drawing her into his arms fo
r a very thorough kiss.

  Hailey darted from the room after Reggie, an indignant Mr. Stinky on her heels.

  “Now that we’re alone…” Allyse slid her hand down the front of Soren’s jeans. “I want you to make me howl. And you can forget the roses…this time I want the thorns.”

  Epilogue

  Allyse gasped as Soren pulled her to him, his eyes wild in the moonlight. She’d come outside for a moment of quiet away from the pups and staff and hoped to find him in the newly revamped garden. And she had, his dark form a shadow against the lunar light.

  “I was waiting for a moment alone.” She pressed her lips against his and groaned at the erection pressed against her stomach.

  “Take me. Here. Now.”

  Soren chuckled. “My goodness, wife. You have become a wild one.” His fingers slid beneath her dress and she knew exactly when he realized she wasn’t wearing panties by his sudden intake of breath.

  She fumbled with his jeans, and in moments, his cock was in her hands.

  “Soren…”

  “Come here.” His voice had grown deep with desire and he led her to a more secluded alcove away from prying eyes. The small ivy laden space held a bench and was the perfect spot for a quick moment of passion and she guessed he might have had something like that in mind when he’d designed it.

  “The dogs will be out in a second.”

  “I know…” Allyse hitched her dress up and wiggled her ass in the air. She leaned against the ivy strewn wall and grinned.

  “Saucy wench.”

  Soren didn’t wait. He captured her hips and ran his finger between her legs, exploring her slick folds.