Jacque growled. “Jean Paul Dupointe should have dealt with this problem.” He glanced at Jesse. “He should have done so when you were born. The pack should never have abandoned you.”

  While he agreed, Aaron couldn’t be sad how things worked out. He and Jesse might never have met otherwise. “He’s not alone.” Everything she’d told him about her sire pointed to him traveling with a few select friends. “Where are the others?”

  “They said they’re in town.” Jacque held up the phone.

  Looking steadily at his father, he asked again, “Where are they?”

  There was nothing happy about his father’s smile. It was calculated and angry. “They are skulking through the woods, thinking they will hide from us. Elias and his boys are trailing them.”

  Those “boys” were grown men, one of whom was a former police detective. All of them were highly skilled fighters. He’d trust any of them at his back.

  “It’s time to have a discussion with Alain.” He pinned both his father and Gator with a steely glare. “Jesse is my mate.” This was his score to settle.

  “It’s time we have a discussion with him.” Jesse shook her head before he could try to talk her out of coming with him. “I need to do this.”

  As much as he wanted to keep her safe, he understood her far too well. To have a future, she had to face down her past. He took her hand, linking their fingers. “Together.”

  Jacque gave a curt nod. “Louis and Armand will stay with the women and children. There’s safety in numbers. They can handle any who might slip by us. We go to them.” When his phone pinged, he checked the message. “That’s Elias. Alain is currently outside my home. I dislike unannounced and uninvited guests.”

  Gator stepped forward, blocking his and Jesse’s path. “I will go with you. For better or worse, Alain is my blood.” He brushed his thumb over Jesse’s cheeks. “I, too, claim kinship.”

  “Appreciate you watching my back.” The distinction was clear. Alain was his. It was up to Gator and his father to ensure the fight was a fair one.

  Jesse released his hand, turned, and addressed the group who’d gathered to welcome her to the pack. “I’m sorry I brought this trouble to your door.”

  Aaron had never been prouder of her. Even in the midst of her greatest nightmare, she was concerned about others.

  “It’s not your fault.” Elise LaForge, Aaron’s grandmother, came forward and hugged Jesse. “There are always men like your father. I know. I was mated to such a man once. You will triumph and we will celebrate.”

  While he appreciated his grandmother’s confidence, getting rid of the intruders was only the first step. She might not have gone beyond dealing with this moment, but no doubt his father had. There was no telling how the Louisiana Pack would react to the deaths of some of their members. They might be troublemakers, but they were strong males. Not something any pack would want to lose.

  “Let’s do this.” His skin was itching, the longer they waited. His wolf was ready to fight, to defend his mate and family. Aaron started down the path toward home, moving faster and faster until he was running. Jesse was right behind him. He trusted his father and her uncle to protect her if things went bad.

  When he burst out into the yard, Alain was sitting on the porch, forearms resting on his knees, hands clasped, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Dark hair fell to his shoulders. His beard was well trimmed. Like most male wolves, he was over six feet tall and strong. Not a bad-looking man at first glance.

  He couldn’t see the family resemblance between him and Gator.

  “You must be one of Jacque’s whelps.” He turned his head and spit on the flowers Aaron’s mother had planted.

  Calm, he reminded his wolf. Anger fostered mistakes. “I must be. And you are?”

  Alain’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like not to be recognized and immediately respected or, more likely, feared. “I’m Alain Rollins, and I’m looking for my daughter.” He slowly stood. He had Aaron by a couple of inches. He likely thought that gave him an edge when it came to a fight.

  Aaron was surprised Jesse hadn’t joined them and suspected his father and Gator were keeping her back, giving him time to dig for answers.

  “Why now? Not like you cared when she was growing up.”

  “That witch who raised her kept her from me. Every time I tried to get to my child, Lottie drove me off, turned her against me.”

  Oh, he was good. He even sounded sincere. If he didn’t know Jesse, he might be inclined to be sympathetic. “Lottie’s been dead some time now. You’ve been trying to kill Jesse. Not sure what family relations are like down there in Louisiana, but up here, parents don’t do that.”

  “I haven’t been trying to kill her. I’ve been trying to protect her from some human group that’s locked onto her.” His voice rose as he spoke. He stopped, huffed out a breath, and visibly brought himself back under control. “All because of her association with Lottie. Everyone thought her a witch.”

  Damn, he was really good at spinning his lies and sounded sincere.

  He hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “I just want my girl to be safe.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Liar.” Voice shaking with anger, Jesse shook off her uncle’s hold. She’d heard more than enough to turn her stomach. Her sire had always seemed larger than life, more bogeyman than male wolf. He was as big and fierce as ever. Nothing about him had changed. But she had. She no longer feared him.

  Because I’m no longer alone.

  Would Aaron believe her, or would he swallow Alain’s lies? He sounded totally sincere and utterly believable. Sweat popped out on her brow. Always before, when it came down to fight or flight, she’d chosen flight. Not this time. Whatever happened, this ended here and now. It was time to have faith, to believe in the bond she shared with Aaron. The mark on her neck throbbed, a tangible reminder of their connection.

  “Daughter.” Alain opened his arms and started toward her.

  Aaron stepped into his path. “I wouldn’t, if I were you.” The deadly edge to his voice had her sire halting.

  He held his hands up. “I don’t want any trouble. I just want to take my girl home, find her a good mate. Let her claim her birthright and be part of a pack.”

  Jesse’s blood began to boil. She grabbed the neckline of her shirt and yanked it down. “Unless you’re blind, you can see I’m already mated.”

  Alain glanced from her to Aaron. Anger flashed on his face but was quickly covered by a sly smile. “A happy occasion. It ties our two packs together.”

  This was becoming a nightmare of epic proportions. She could see his mind turning over the possibilities, figuring out a way to turn this to his advantage.

  Over her dead body.

  “You married without permission from your alpha,” he continued. “I can smooth that over. There will need to be compensation to the pack and family. Losing a breeding female is no small thing. I’m sure your new mate understands.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” He was seriously trying to line his own pockets at her expense. While he hadn’t come right out and said it, he was basically putting a price on her. “I’m not for sale.”

  Temper carried her across the yard, where she drilled her finger into his chest, touching her sire for the first time in her life. “I don’t have a pack or an alpha. I don’t have family. Or didn’t until I met Aaron.”

  “LaForge’s whelp took advantage of you. You were alone, vulnerable, after the witch died.” When he reached out a hand, she jerked back.

  “Don’t touch me, you bastard. You need to leave. And take your buddies with you.” When he frowned, she laughed. “You think Jacque LaForge didn’t know about you and them. He’s not a man to be taken by surprise.”

  “You’ve landed on your feet, little girl. Done quite well for an uneducated swamp rat. Got yourself mated into the alpha’s family. Now you think you’re better than me.”

  It hurt to think she was related to this male. “You’re damn right I’m better. I’m nothing like you, old man. You’re always searching for an angle. You understand nothing about loyalty and respect.”

  “And you do?” He shook his head and gave another deep sigh. “That witch warped your mind. Turned you against your family.”

  She snorted. “That witch protected me. You were afraid of her.” Forcing herself to smile, she tilted her head to one side. “I saw you once. You tried to come onto her property, and Lottie stopped you. I hid behind a cypress tree as you argued and yelled and blustered. She did nothing but stare. You lowered your gaze, tucked your tail between your legs, and ran home like a beaten dog.”

  “You little bitch,” he roared. His fist snapped forward.

  Before she could duck, his wrist was grabbed and held in an iron grip inches from her face. “You don’t touch my mate.” Aaron’s voice was so low and guttural it was more animal than human. His arm was rock steady, the muscle flexing.

  Alain yanked his arm away. “That bitch is my blood.” Pure madness flashed in his eyes. “I own her.” He was practically foaming from the mouth, his fangs dropped.

  No amount of time or talking would change a thing. “Nobody owns me.” Her wolf pressed against her skin. She bent her knees slightly, ready to fight.

  “He owns you.” He pointed at Aaron. “You wear his mark.”

  “I chose to wear it. He didn’t have to force me.”

  “A real male doesn’t need to own his woman.” Disgust echoed in Aaron’s voice. “A real wolf respects his mate. Wants her happiness above all else.”

  “Weak.” Alain sneered. “You’re all weak. You’re not half the wolf your grandfather was.”

  “You finally got one thing right. My father is nothing like my grandfather and neither am I. I’m grateful for that every day of my life.” Aaron’s calm confidence bled into her. Her heart was racing, but the trembling in her limbs had disappeared.

  “Even now, your father hides.” Alain ripped his shirt off as he continued to shout. “You think I can’t smell you? You think I am afraid of you, LaForge?”

  The trees seemed to part with the power of his presence, and Jacque stepped into view. “Non, but you should be. You come onto my land and threaten my family.”

  How could Alain not see the danger he was in? His obsession with her had dulled his instincts and stolen what sense he possessed.

  “She is my daughter.” He pounded his chest with each word, working himself into a frenzy.

  “That’s not how she tells it.” Jacque stayed where he was, venturing no closer.

  “She is lying. Her mind twisted from years with the witch.”

  “Funny, I don’t remember Lottie as mean or vindictive.”

  “What do you know? You tucked your tail between your legs and ran away, like a coward. Took my worthless brother with you.”

  “You were always jealous, Alain.” Gator seemed to appear out of nowhere. If Jacque was pure power, then her uncle was pure stealth. Aaron had both traits.

  “Of you,” he scoffed, but even she could tell it was forced. “You are nothing.” He spat on the ground again. “Less than nothing.”

  “I have what you’ve always wanted—a son.”

  She took the blow, wondering if she’d always feel inadequate.

  But Gator wasn’t done. “You don’t value what you have. A mate who gave you two daughters. And yet fate blessed you again with this amazing woman.”

  “Daughters only have value for making alliances. I will have grandsons. They will be strong, like me. Not like this generation of cowards you are raising.” He curled his lip at Aaron. “Will you fight me for my daughter—or will you flee like your father, like my brother?”

  Aaron slowly unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. “Oh, I’ll fight. If you’re waiting for your buddies to join us, you’ll have a long one.”

  The others had either detained or killed them. She couldn’t think about the repercussions of that. Not now. If she lived, she’d find a way to make things right for the Salvation Pack. They wouldn’t pay for the sins of her past. She toed off her boots, moving slowly. Not that their attention was on her. No, the men were too intent on each other.

  “I need no help to kill you, whelp. It will be my pleasure.”

  Aaron had already fought and killed for her. This was on her. “Hey, old man.” His head snapped, his features contorted in a snarl. “You can challenge him. If I don’t kill you first.” Jesse yanked her T-shirt off and shifted in one motion, shaking her pants off even as she leaped.

  “Jesse!”

  Ignoring Aaron’s roar, she rammed into her target’s chest and took him to the ground. He was faster than she’d anticipated and was shifting even as he fell. Larger than her, he rolled, using his greater weight to pin her to the ground. Saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth. Hatred burned in his brown eyes. She was glad she didn’t share the same color. She had her mother’s eyes and spirit.

  Sharp teeth snapped at her neck. Giving a twist, she wiggled out of the way just in time. Powerful jaws snapped shut on nothing but air.

  I’m not dying. Not here. Not today. She had too much to live for. Shoving her paws beneath him, she pushed, raking her claws over his exposed belly. Blood, hot and sticky, ran down her fur. The metallic scent clogged her nostrils.

  A huge paw swiped down her left flank. It gouged deep into her fur, through the muscle, all the way to the bone. Pain rolled through her, leaving her breathless. She went hot and then cold. Numbness spread out from the area to the rest of her limbs. Whimpering, she tried to roll away. She was losing blood too rapidly.

  Is this how it ended? It didn’t seem fair.

  Determined to go down fighting, she gathered what strength she had. If a wolf could smile, her sire did. He brought his paw down again. She raised her front ones to protect her vulnerable neck and chest area.

  A howl ripped through the air. A massive brown-and-black wolf rammed into her attacker’s side, catapulting him into the air. Her sire twisted in midair, but there was no avoiding the oak tree in his path. The thick trunk cracked under the force. The snap of bones was loud and unmistakable. He hit the ground with a thud.

  Aaron lowered his head and nuzzled her face, his familiar blue eyes overflowing with worry. She licked his muzzle to reassure him that she was okay. She only prayed she wasn’t lying. Her wolf was struggling to heal her wounds. They were deep, and she was losing a lot of blood.

  A movement behind Aaron caught her attention. Her sire was shaky but back on his paws. Why wasn’t Jacque intervening or warning his son? Where was her uncle? A tiny growl was all the warning she could give, but it proved unnecessary.

  Faster than even she could track with her preternatural vision, Aaron shifted back to human form, meeting his opponent head-on. Her mate took him to the ground, flipping him onto his stomach in a smooth, practiced move. The strength it took to accomplish such a feat was enormous and should have been impossible. Her sire was not only older, he was more experienced a fighter and larger in both forms.

  He was no match for Aaron.

  Her sire clawed at the ground in desperation, churning up the dirt. Fear scented the air, along with sweat and blood. He bucked and shoved, but Aaron was unmovable.

  “All you had to do was leave her alone.” He looked to his father, who nodded. Then his gaze snared hers. “This is for Jesse.” Bicep bulging, forearm taut around the wolf’s neck, he twisted.

  Bone cracked. The large wolf went limp in his arms.

  The nightmare was over. The monster that had hunted her for her entire life had been vanquished. Jesse closed her eyes, heaved a sigh, and dropped into darkness.

  ****

  “Jesse.” Ignoring the dead wolf at his feet, Aaron scrambled to his mate’s side and ran his hands over her flanks, horrified when they came up bloody. “Why isn’t she healing?” Yes, the wounds were deep, but she was young and healthy and a full-blooded wolf.

  Gator dropped to his knees and shoved him aside. As he probed the wounds, her blood covered his hand. “Fuck, he nicked an artery. We need to move her. Now.”

  Gathering his mate in his arms, Aaron stood. She was so still. All the energy and vitality that surrounded her was growing dimmer. The cold fist of fear clenched in his stomach.

  “Don’t you fucking die on me.” He was afraid to look away from her face. Scared to death she might drift away while he wasn’t looking. Terror gripped his heart.

  They went not to his home, but Gator’s. The possessive part of him wanted her in his bed. The smarter side realized the best medical supplies were here.

  “Put her down.” Gator had disappeared into another room and returned with a large medical kit. Trained as a paramedic, he’d kept up his medical studies online. With half-breeds and a human in the pack, he worked tirelessly to keep up on all the latest healing techniques.

  Rather than totally release her, Aaron laid her on the bed, then scooted up and sat behind her, his back resting against the headboard and her head in his lap. “She’s so pale.” Her cheeks were chalky, almost to the point of being gray.

  Gator muttered as he laid out instruments. Picking up what looked to be metallic tongs, he wedged the wound open. “Jacque, hold this.”

  Without any hesitation, the alpha of the pack fell to his knees and followed the order. Aaron swallowed heavily. There was no other pack like his. Jesse needed to live, to be a part of it.

  Blood kept welling up and spilling. She was slipping away from him.

  Leaning down, he brushed his lips over her forehead. “You have to live, sweetheart. Otherwise, he wins.” She didn’t even flinch when Gator clamped off something and began to stitch. Not exactly a sterile surgery, but there was no time to waste.

  The quickest ways to kill a werewolf were to remove the heart, cut off the head, or break the neck. Fire worked, too, reducing them quickly to ash. Any other wounds? They’d eventually heal, even if it took time. The only other way was catastrophic blood loss. And she was bleeding out too fast.