All her gear was packed and ready. She unpacked only what she needed, immediately returning it to the bike when she was finished with it, ready to pull out and leave at a moment’s notice. Whenever she drove to a nearby town for an evening, she hid her belongings. If something happened while she was there, she could abandon the bike, grab her things, and run on foot.

  So far it hadn’t happened, but she was always on guard, always prepared. Never able to let down her guard.

  It was exhausting.

  Standing by her bike, she inhaled deeply, breathing in the sharp tang of pine and earthy scent from the surrounding vegetation. A moth landed on the handlebars of her bike, staying only a few seconds before lifting off again and disappearing into the foliage. The smaller animals had fled when she’d come tearing back from the bar and had yet to return.

  She mounted the bike, but kept the key in her pocket. Why was it so hard to leave? Surely it had nothing to do with the stranger?

  “I’m tired, is all.” Hungry, too. She needed work, and she needed it soon or she’d have to resort to shifting and hunting for her food. Her wolf perked up and gave a playful yip. “I hear you,” she muttered.

  After dismounting, she grabbed some fallen branches and laid them against the bike. It was already behind a rock, but this helped cover it. Not that she expected anyone to walk by. There’d been no scent or signs of humans anywhere in the area, which was why she’d chosen it.

  Even knowing she was alone, she did a visual scan before removing her boots and socks. Her toes curled against the warm ground. She’d spent most of her childhood barefoot. The snakes and gators had given her a wide berth. Sucking in a breath at the almost painful memory, she shucked the rest of her clothes and hid them a distance away from the bike.

  She reached for the chain at her neck, wrapping her fingers around the key hanging from the end. Taking a deep breath, she removed it, tucking it with the rest of her clothes. It was long enough for her to wear while shifted, but she didn’t want to risk losing it. It was the key to the storage locker that held everything from her past. Not that she needed it to get into the unit. Her wolf strength would handle that. It was a tangible reminder that Lottie had believed Jesse would need those things, would have a future.

  Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and dropped her guard. Her wolf sprang forward. In a matter of a heartbeat, her jaw lengthened and her forehead flattened. Fur pushed out from under her skin. As she fell forward, her hands and feet morphed into large paws. When her eyes snapped open, they were the same pale blue. Everything else had changed.

  Giving a good shake, she settled into her skin before twitching her ears. The sound of water caught her attention. She was off like a flash. The wolf’s delight became her own. Invigorated, she ran, splashing through the shallow stream, sending a spray of water over her fur. Shaking, she grinned and kept going. The scent of wild blackberries changed her course. She daintily nibbled them straight off the branches.

  More alive than she’d been in months, she frolicked and played, ducking under branches, leaping over large rocks. Every now and then, the voice of reason raised its head and cautioned her to leave. She ignored it and kept running. The night and the forest were hers.

  If she couldn’t embrace her whole self, what was the point of fighting to stay alive?

  The moon had shifted position in the sky—a reminder that dawn was coming. It was time to go back. The air around her stilled and became charged. Jesse crouched low and froze. Her wolf was excited, sensing another of their kind nearby.

  Adrenaline surged through her veins. Her heart began to gallop. Still, she didn’t move, forcing herself to stay still and silent. Had her sire and his flunkies found her? She didn’t see how they could have but didn’t discount the possibility. The other scenarios were it was a random wolf or the one from the bar.

  I should have run when I had the chance.

  Hindsight was always twenty/twenty. She’d let her guard down and was paying the price. The injustice, the unfairness of it, made her want to snarl and snap. She quivered but brought herself back under control.

  Had he seen her? Had he sensed her? Could she sneak by him?

  She’d spent a lifetime playing cat and mouse in the swamp around her home, avoiding wolves from the Louisiana Pack who ventured too close or when she’d had to go outside the boundaries of Lottie’s land for supplies. Drawing on all her skills, she twitched her ears, seeking.

  There! Off to the left.

  If she could sneak behind the low hill on her right, she might be able to avoid detection. Then she’d run like hell and not look back.

  Her wolf protested, wanting to play with the other one. The beast was as lonely as Jesse, deprived of others of her kind all her life.

  Not safe, she warned. Her wolf clearly didn’t agree but didn’t fight her decision.

  Belly low to the ground, she inched toward her goal. She listened for movement, but heard none. Where is he? What’s he doing?

  The silence was unnerving. Even the wind had ceased, as if sensing something more powerful than itself in its midst.

  Stop being melodramatic.

  She kept up a steady internal dialogue to keep herself from bolting. Fear led to mistakes, which led to death. Something she really wanted to avoid.

  The hill was inches away.

  I’m going to make it.

  Resisting the urge to hurry, she kept her snail-like pace, not disturbing a leaf or rock to give away her presence. Nearly there. Just a little farther. She rounded the far end…

  And ended up nose to nose with an enormous male wolf.

  Startled, she jumped back and growled, showing her fangs. The male calmly sat and tilted his head to one side. She’d never seen a wolf this big before. It would take almost two of her paws to make one of his. His fur was a combination of rich browns with a hint of black. His eyes were sky blue.

  She backed away slowly. He stood, walked a few steps toward her, and sat again.

  What’s his game? Not about to wait to find out, she whirled around and took off. It was folly to think she could outrun him, but maybe she could lose him.

  Taking a straight line back to her bike, she ran like the hounds of hell were after her, her paws barely hitting the ground before they were in the air again. She risked a glance behind her. No sign. Maybe her luck was changing.

  Her lungs were close to bursting when she charged through the brush. Her bike was just ahead. She broke from between the trees and stopped so fast she tumbled, her back end flipping over her front. She twisted midair so she landed on all fours facing him.

  He’d gotten around her.

  The big bastard wasn’t even breathing hard while she was panting and sweating. The fury she’d suppressed for years surged to life, shoving aside all reason. The need to hurt, to punish someone for all she’d endured, roared to life.

  Snarling, Jesse leaped at him.

  Chapter Three

  Holy shit, he’d found her. Stumbling across her path had been a complete fluke. Maybe he’d headed in the direction he’d chased her, but to actually find her was the last thing he’d expected. Both he and his wolf were delighted. The female wolf, not so much.

  He’d done his best to appear nonthreatening, not easy given his size. He’d obviously failed because she’d fled before he could shift and talk. She was fast, but he was faster. Keeping an eye on her, he’d put on a burst of speed near the end when he’d scented her belongings.

  She was gorgeous, her coat as black as midnight, without a single shade of brown or gray, rare in a wolf. Even the streak of purple that was in her hair didn’t show in her fur. Her blue eyes were filled not with fear but determination and fury. It was the last that could be a problem.

  Before he could decide how to handle it, she snarled and attacked. Grateful for all the training he’d received, he reacted without thought, dropping flat so she sailed over him. Pivoting, she leaped again, her fangs coming dangerously close to his neck as he flung himself to the side.

  He shifted and held his hands out in front of him, hoping to calm her before things got out of hand. “I don’t mean you any harm. Fuck!” he yelled, as she came at him again. He was a bit too slow this time, and sharp claws dragged down his left arm.

  She was out of control, her anger stealing any hope of reason.

  Her paws hit the ground and skidded through the dirt and moss before she gained traction. She whirled around and jumped. Anticipating her actions, he spun out of the way and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He took her down to the ground, using his greater weight and strength to hold her so she couldn’t inflict more damage on him, or herself.

  “Stop it. I don’t want to harm you.”

  She continued to struggle, growling and snarling and whining. God, her desperation brought tears to his eyes. What the hell had she gone through that meeting another of her kind brought such fear?

  “Shhh, sweetheart, stop fighting. You’re hurting yourself.” He talked himself almost hoarse before she finally went limp. He wanted to release her, but he didn’t trust her not to attack again. Pretending to give up was a good strategy, and she’d already proven to be clever and resourceful.

  “I’m not buying it, sweetheart. You’re not the type to give up that easy.”

  Her head whipped around. He jerked back as powerful jaws lunged toward him. Her breath fanned his face. Way too close for comfort.

  It would be easier if he wasn’t trying to keep them both from sustaining injuries. “Stop it. I only want to talk. I don’t know what you’re so afraid of, but I’d never hurt a woman, human or wolf.”

  She gave a snort and wiggled in his grip.

  “I’m trying to keep from getting my head bit off. Your claws sank deep, little wolf.”

  She sniffed the air and went still. The wounds on his arm were already healing, the bleeding stopped, but the scent of blood was rich in the air.

  “Think about it. If I meant you any harm, I’d have done it after you raked my arm.” Taking advantage of this quiet moment, he kept talking. “My name is Aaron LaForge. I have a place not far from here. Just me. No pack. You’re welcome to shelter there as long as you need.” Maybe it was crazy to offer her sanctuary after she’d attacked him, but desperation had a smell, and it clung to her. “Let me help you.”

  When her body began to shift, he released her and stood, so she wouldn’t feel trapped or crowded. She pushed to her feet and glared at him. “Why would you want to? What’s in it for you?”

  ****

  It was the stranger from the bar. Up close, he was even better looking. Bigger, too. His biceps rippled as he dragged his fingers through his dark hair. A slight shadow of a beard on his jaw added an element of danger. As if he needed it. His legs were thick as tree trunks, his chest heavily muscled. She kept her gaze from dipping toward his groin. Or tried to. Wasn’t easy to avoid. That part of him was as impressive as the rest.

  Swallowing heavily, she looked away, her gaze falling on his arm. The dried blood made her slightly ill. She’d never actually attacked anyone before. Lottie had taught her to avoid confrontation and then to run.

  “Why wouldn’t I help you?” He seemed honestly perplexed. She wanted to believe him, but life had taught her there was always a cost.

  “We’re strangers.” She inched toward the bush hiding her clothes. Standing naked in front of him was unnerving, even though he hadn’t made any untoward advances. Yes, he’d held her down, but he hadn’t actually fought her.

  One corner of his mouth quirked up, and a dimple flashed in his cheek. Heat pooled in her belly and spread to her limbs. Ignoring it, she reached down, grabbed her shirt, and yanked it over her head.

  “Tell me your name and we won’t be strangers anymore.”

  Ignoring his request, she dragged on her jeans and boots, forgoing her underwear in favor of speed. She stuffed the chain with the key into her pocket for safekeeping. “You don’t need to know it. I’m leaving.” She tilted her chin up and headed toward her bike.

  “What are you running from? Who are you running from?” The softly spoken questions hit with the force of a baseball bat to the stomach, almost doubling her over.

  “None of your business.” She tossed branches aside and eased her bike into the clearing.

  He stepped in front of her and grabbed the handlebars, the muscles in his forearms tensing. “No female, human or werewolf, should be as afraid as you are.”

  Pride pricked, she squared her shoulders. “I’m afraid of nothing or no one.” That was true as far as it went, but she couldn’t face those hunting her alone and not lose.

  He inclined his head, as if to grant her that point. “That might be true, but you’re on the run. Whatever it is, let me help.”

  “You know what they say about things or people that seem too good to be true.” She couldn’t allow herself to believe and then be disappointed or worse.

  His dimple flashed again. “I’m sure my parents and brother would disagree with me being too good to be true.”

  Her stomach tightened. “You said you lived alone.” He was no different than the rest. He’d lied to her.

  “I do. They’re back in North Carolina. I bought a place not far from here. Used to belong to my brother’s mate. Long story.”

  Confused, she leaned against the bike. “Why live alone?” Wolves always lived in packs, unless… “Are you an outcast?” A chill shot through her, freezing her to the core. Outcasts were the worst of the worst, criminals among their own kind.

  “No, sweetheart.” She ignored the way the endearment made her heart skip a beat. “I just needed time alone to try to figure out my place in the pack. Everything and everyone is changing but me.” There was no bid for sympathy, just a matter-of-fact statement.

  She could relate. “Change isn’t easy.”

  “What changed for you?” He appeared totally relaxed, as if conversing while naked was a normal occurrence. She wasn’t nearly as at ease as he was.

  Her throat tightened. She shook her head. Her emotions were too close to the surface. All the violence, anger, and running she’d survived in her lifetime had only fired her determination. This tiny bit of kindness from a stranger threatened to break her.

  “It’s okay. Whatever it is, things will look better after a good night’s rest and some food.”

  Even as she shook her head, her stomach growled.

  The corners of his lips turned down and his brow furrowed. “You’re hungry.” It sounded like an accusation.

  “Not easy to work when you’re running for your life,” she snapped. Then she clamped her mouth shut, wishing she could call back her words.

  The temperature around her plummeted. She half expected icicles to form in the air, even though it was summer. He seemed to grow larger before her eyes. “Who is after you?”

  Wow, talk about intense. This male was a force of nature. If she wasn’t careful, she’d be swept along in his wake, and that wasn’t happening. She was master of her own fate, the decider of her destiny. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “Oh, it matters very much. Is it your pack?”

  Done with sharing, she mounted her bike and brazenly glared at his hands, which were still wrapped around the handlebars. She couldn’t exactly go anywhere until he got out of the way, unless she wanted to run him over, and she was strangely unwilling to do that.

  When he raised a brow and stared, she struggled to keep from squirming. “It’s none of your business.” More silence. The air grew more charged with each passing second. His eyes glowed, his wolf close to the surface. The guy should work for law enforcement. Lawbreakers and suspects would crack and spill their guts without him having to say a word.

  “I don’t have a pack.” Shame washed over her, followed by anger. It wasn’t her fault. She’d done nothing wrong, except be born. To not be part of a pack was the worst thing for a wolf. She expected him to shun her. Figured he wouldn’t be able to get away fast enough.

  He slowly reached out and pressed the pads of his fingers against the curve of her jaw. That small contact blasted her world to pieces. She closed her eyes and tried to swallow, but the lump in her throat was too great. No one had touched her since Lottie had died.

  “You do now.”

  Her eyes shot open. “You’re crazy,” she whispered, unwilling to believe.

  “My brother would likely agree with you. Maybe my folks, too. I’m alone. You’re alone. Come home with me.”

  Hope dissolved. “Sex is the price.” It wasn’t surprising. A male wolf had a healthy sex drive. He wouldn’t mate someone like her, who brought no connections or power or pack, but she was good enough to fuck.

  His fingers tightened around her jaw. “I won’t lie. I’m attracted to you, but there’s no price. I’m offering you a room of your own and food. A safe haven.”

  Totally confused, she stared at him. Was she even considering this? As dangerous as it was to trust a stranger, she was damn close. Her wolf was rubbing against her, happy to be with him. The creature had excellent instincts, constantly warning her against danger.

  “Let’s start with something simpler. I’m Aaron LaForge.” He let his fingers slip from her face. She almost grabbed his hand and put it back, already missing the brief contact. “I’m pleased to meet you. I didn’t mean to scare you back at the bar.”

  “I wasn’t scared. Wary.” That sounded better.

  “I stand corrected. I didn’t mean to make you wary.” He held his hand out.

  It was big, the fingers long and thick. She slowly slid hers into it, letting the heat from him seep into her. “Jesse Broussard. Jesse with an ‘e’ not an ‘ie.’”

  The dimple flashed in his cheek again. “Pleased to meet you, Jesse Broussard.” He released her hand and leaned forward. “What do you say about coming home with me? Give it the night, at least, have a hot shower, sleep in a soft bed, and have a good meal in the morning before you make any more decisions. If it makes you feel better, we’ll have a chaperone. Not a person,” he hurriedly added before she could object. “A cat. I call her Bast. She moved in one day and decided to stay.”