All hell broke loose.

  Amidst the tangle of bodies, Wolf, Bear and some other things she couldn’t make out, Harriet saw Nan. She was tied to a chair and gagged, in a circle of light, just like the movies, a spot of calm. She was as big a woman as Harriet remembered in her hazy childhood recollections, but she was old, so very old. Her white hair was in two narrow braids along her face, and she had been stripped of all her necklaces and bangles. Well, all but one ring, Harriet noticed. Nan was looking right at her, through the melee, and Harriet stepped forward, almost as if compelled, drawn to Nan.

  Nan smiled happily, her face lit up around the rag used to gag her.

  How strange this all is, thought Harriet. She walked through a tumult of flying fur and writhing animal bodies. She’d completely lost track of Lucas and Max and still felt protected somehow. She stepped into the circle of light around Nan and went down to her knees to try to undo the gag first, then the ropes holding her.

  Nan looked down at her and said, “I knew it would be you. I saw you, all those years ago, Hattie. I hadn’t known my faith had shaken til I saw you here. I had hoped, but I think I was shaken more than I knew. It is wonderful to see you, child.”

  Harriet smiled. That voice. She felt back in the bosom of safety somehow. “Are you doing this, Nan, making our space so slow and safe? I feel like I’m in a bubble.”

  “Well, it’s the poppet, really,” said Nan with a chuckle as she rubbed her wrists. “Now, let’s get us out of here while the men keep fighting. We’ll be okay, but let’s go while the going is good. Help me a little, will you, baby?”

  Harriet held Nan’s arm as the two slowly marched toward the door. A large Wolf landed in a ball and growled at them menacingly from the doorway. A larger Wolf still, a familiarly tawny one, knocked him to the side so they could leave.

  “That your Lucas?” Nan asked.

  “Yes ma’am, it was,” Harriet answered. Is he going to be okay? Is Max okay? What’s happening in there?

  “Shhh, child, they are all okay. The Wolves holding me were foolish and weak. The leaders are the only strong ones, these fools think they’re strong because they’re charmed.” Nan grunted as they reached the car. “When you are a fool and you compel magic from a witch against her will, that woman is going to choose very carefully what magic she releases. Fools.” Nan almost snarled. “That woman is going to pay, my dear. Mark my words.”

  Harriet raised her eyebrows and said a quick and silent word of thanks that she was on Nan’s side.

  She got Nan settled into the truck and turned back to see Wolves and Bears slowly coming out, looking slightly worse for wear. She saw Max, favoring his left side, hair matted with blood. Bill next, taking up most of the doorway with his bulk. Where’s Lucas? is the refrain that kept running through her head. If she didn’t see him in the next ten seconds, she knew she’d start running, or raving. There he is. And she ran to his side, tears rolling down her face in relief.

  “Oh God, Lucas.” She just put her face in the scruff of his neck and breathed in his wolfy scent. He nosed her out of his way and padded to the back of the truck. She followed along, her hand on his back, reassuring herself that he was okay physically.

  As he shifted back, he was reaching into the truck for pants and tossing them to the other men. He was visibly tired, his eyes heavy-lidded with exhaustion. “It’s not done yet, Harriet, we’ve got to get them out. We can’t leave any of them here to start up again. We did our best not to kill, but it was so dark, there may be some injured that we can’t save. We just need to see. Stay here with Nan. I’ll call you if I need your gift.”

  Harriet leaned into him, hoping she could weave some of her energy into his by shear will. “I love you, Lucas. It’s almost done, Luc.”

  He rested his hands on her hips for a second before peeling off to head back into the building.

  Slowly, the bodies were dragged out, submissive Wolf after submissive Wolf dumped on the ground in front of the temporary prison.

  Nan looked up. “There’s one more, in the back corner, Harriet. Tell Lucas to be careful. There’s a weapon.”

  Harriet called out the information and Lucas and Max as Wolf, headed back in. When they returned, Max had a long gash along his flank and Lucas was dragging the last of the Wolves.

  “All clear,” he said to the assembled men. “Bill? What now?”

  Bill stepped in front of the men. “I’ve called the Council and they’re sending a more secure truck for these ‘men’ who kidnap old ladies. They’ll not be our responsibility anymore. I’m sending Max, Lucas, Nan and Harriet home, and we’ll stay here and wait. Max’s going to need help, Harriet. It’s deeper than it looks, and he shouldn’t shift til it heals up a little more. Get him home.”

  Lucas and Max nodded, heading for the truck Nan was in. Now, Harriet could see how damaged Max was. Not life threatening, but certainly wounded deeply. She got to the truck in time to help him arrange himself in the back next to Nan, his head on her lap.

  Nan was cooing softly to him, “Max, you’re my big boy now, huh? Kids of your own, I see? Mm, can’t wait to meet them, my little one.”

  Harriet sat next to Lucas while he drove. She was tired but so very deeply satisfied. Her brother was okay, and healing. Her Nan, incredibly, was back in her life. And Lucas, the love of her life, was taking her home, again, and forever. Back to Mossy Ridge, she thought. Bring us all back to Mossy Ridge.

  Chapter 31

  Lucas was wrecked. He’d never fought so fiercely and in such tight quarters. He knew he’d have dreams of this day for the rest of his life. He looked over at Harriet as she sat, looking quite stunned herself. She was worth every second of that experience, but it had certainly been intense. He flicked his eyes to the backseat and saw Nan running her hands along Max’s wounded flank while she whispered soothing words. Max had fought like a wild creature. Lucas had felt some hesitation beforehand. This was his pack, he knew all these Wolves. When he saw Max’s viciousness, he had felt the rage creep into him too. They’d taken his children. Good packs do not do things like that. He owed them nothing! The realization that they’d all had a part in taking Riley and Lucy, that the magic they’d been trying to force was from an old woman? They weren’t worth his loyalty. He was out. It had been a moment of clarity, followed by the freedom to fight to avenge himself.

  Lucas pulled into Alice’s driveway. Alice’s mom, Rue, came out onto the porch, trying to see who was in the truck. Her old boyfriend, Jack, was right behind her. Jack had been part of the old pack. Lucas wasn’t sure what his reception from Jack was going to be. “Shit.”

  He had thought bringing Max to his children was the right decision but didn’t know about Jack. He wasn’t sure he could handle another fight right now, and he had two exhausted women in tow. He kept the truck in idle and looked over at Harriet. She had her eyes closed and was very possibly asleep.

  Jack put his hands up, from the porch, and smiled at Lucas. He walked over when Lucas rolled down the window.

  “It’s okay, Lucas. I’m out too. I’ve been hearing an earful about what’s been going on these past few days, and Bill just called Alice and filled her in on today. Looks like we have some shared enemies, son.”

  Lucas sighed a deep sigh. He’d brought Max’s children here to find their pack, he’d brought his own children back here to find their pack, and it looked like he was finally finding his. He looked over to see Harriet gazing at him. He didn’t need to ‘read’ her to know how much she loved him… it was written all over her face.

  Nan spoke up from the back. “Where are all the pups? Max is going to be fine now, he just needs his babies. Let’s get them in here, they’ll bring Max right back to fighting form. He just needs the pack love, that’s all.”

  Jack heard Nan and called back to Rue. Rue called into the house and children piled out of the house onto the porch.

  Joe and Lucy were the first to the truck and they climbed in carefully to be next to their dad, as Wolf.

  Riley and Meg were next. They clambered onto their dad as he tried to get out of the truck, hanging on his arms and leg.

  Lucas laughed and pulled them along until he collapsed on the grass, with the children on top of him.

  Harriet stood watching, laughing with the delight of it.

  This is all worth it, he thought. This is what I’ve been waiting for all my life. A woman that I’m deliriously in love with, happy children, and a pack. This is it.

  Epilogue

  Jack and Rue were going to get married.

  Alice couldn’t believe it. Her mom had been swearing the single life was better for most of her adulthood. The changes in Jack, since he’d had all magic removed, had been enormous. He was so content now that he had asked Bill to take him into the Lawson’s pack, and Bill had agreed instantly. The pack needed more elders, Bill had said.

  There were lots of mated couples in Mossy Ridge, but few who decided to go through a marriage ceremony. It was a formal and public celebration of the union, and not deemed necessary by the younger crowds. For Jack and Rue, however, it was how they wanted to celebrate all of the changes that had occurred in them and between them.

  The days leading up to the celebration were full of preparation. Harriet worked with Lucas, Bella, and Lila, as well as Kurt when he could get free, to do all of the decorations. The Lawson’s were unusually busy this season and Kurt could only slip out occasionally. The backyard of Alice’s went up into the hills, and Rue and Jack were to be married along a spring. The terrain was a challenge, but Harriet fully expected the woods to be full of Bears and Wolves, and kids, who would have zero difficulties with terrain. The rest of the celebration would be on flat land, allowing for dancing, which Harriet was thrilled about. She was still getting to know the man she loved, and she couldn’t wait to see how he danced. If his ways in bed were any guide, he’d have the moves of Astaire.

  Harriet stood on Alice’s porch, looking out over the festive area, bustling with kid action. Lucas came up behind her and held her around the waist, kissing the back of her neck softly. He knew how much she loved that.

  “You know what I just found out, Harriet?” Lucas whispered.

  Harriet turned to tuck her face into his chest.

  “The Lawsons are building Jack and Rue a house. That’s where they’ve been this month, and why they’ve been so busy. Can you believe that? A house!”

  Lucas still couldn’t believe his good fortune to have found this pack. It was an incredible community to be a part of. They were supportive to an insane degree, and the mix of Bear and Wolf seemed as smooth as could be. He’d been working steadily with Jack, Max, and Harriet to try to figure out what was happening with the old Wolf pack up north. Nan had been able to fill in a lot of the missing gaps because of her time with them. They’d been dealt an enormous blow with Nan’s rescue and the capture of so many of their members after the fight. Everyone was hoping there would be a good long lull in their ability to cause trouble.

  Nan was doing well too. She had settled herself into a little house in town and seemed to be friendly with Bella. She was a center of the lives of the children in town. She’d plop herself down on her porch when school got out and it seemed as if every child in town would make it past her porch to say hello on their way home.

  Harriet nodded into Lucas’ chest. “The Lawson’s are amazing, Lucas. We’re all amazing, we’re all a part of it now, you know? I’m not a Lawson, but I am, at the same time. So are you, now. And the kids, definitely. I’ve been amazed at how quickly Riley and Meg have settled in here. They are absolutely thriving. Can you see Meg out there? She’s up in the maple, with Lucy, I think.”

  Lucas laughed. “Yep. I see her.” He paused. “Harriet, I am so happy that I’m a little scared by it. I don’t know how I got this lucky, but I’m keeping you. I’m keeping all the happy I’ve found here, and I cannot even begin to tell you how good it feels to hold you, lady, knowing you feel the same way.”

  Harriet smiled and squeezed him tighter. “I love you too, Lucas Sargent.”

  ***

  Thanks so much for reading Taken by Her Wolf! I hope you loved it! If you did then I’m pretty sure you will love another series we have, this one called the Bridge Hollow Shifters, from Samantha Leal…

  Click here to read the Bridge Hollow Shifters Complete Collection, here on Amazon.

  Trouble is coming to Bridge Hollow - a strange mountain town full of mystery...where nothing is as it seems…

  With a six week break to fill and plenty to run from, timid teacher Amanda decides it’s time to break the mold and go on a random road trip with her best friend to the mysterious town of Bridge Hollow.

  Bridge Hollow is famous for its strange happenings and shifter legends, but skeptic Amanda just wants to chill out for the summer and catch her breath after a particularly rough breakup.

  But of course anything she gets involved in is bound to be “complicated”, and this town – and town alpha Dean - are no exception. From a wildlife die off to the volatile locals tempers flaring at the slightest provocation – there is definitely something strange going on in this paranormal tourist trap.

  As Dean pulls his pack together to avert a firestorm, will Amanda be his 'ace in the hole' or a weakness he can't afford?

  Here is a brief preview of Alpha Daddy Bear, the first story in the Bridge Hollow series…

  Bridge Hollow – Present Day

  The woods were dark as the two men made their way across the bubbling stream. The rocks were slippery underfoot, the water flowing fast, and they steadied themselves against each other as to not to lose their footing.

  “It’s cold out here,” David said as he stopped and exhaled. He couldn’t fully tell with there being so little light, but he thought he may have seen a wisp of icy air clinging to his breath as he spoke, and it sent a chill right down his spine.

  “I’ve never seen it like this,” his companion, Ben, said as he stopped and hitched his gun up onto his broad shoulder. “Maybe that’s why we’re not getting much luck…” he clicked his teeth and sighed as he looked back down the stream, towards the folds of trees that were bending and dipping across them from overhead. The branches were thick and full of green, but even with that considered, these two hunters were used to this forest. They knew it like the back of their hands, and both could tell that there was something strange happening there around them.

  This day, something was very, very different indeed.

  “It’s the middle of summer,” David said. “This place should be crawling with deer.”

  Ben shrugged and reached into his back pocket for a pack of smokes. He clamped one between his teeth and reached for a lighter.

  “Oh, that’s a great idea,” David snorted with a wry smile. “That’ll really attract the animals.”

  Ben rolled his eyes and lit up anyway. He sucked in deeply and exhaled before he turned and climbed up and over the rocks, onto the muddy side of the embankment and out of the chill of the water.

  “Thing’s ain’t been right round here for a while,’ he said as he crouched down and ran his fingertips into the ground. The earth was threateningly cold, with a force he had never known before. It wasn’t just the cool soil in the shadows, this was something deep from within. Something menacing and raw.

  “This fucking town,” he whispered. “If it’s not crazed tourists flooding the streets looking for Bigfoot or whatever the hell they believe, it’s the locals slowly going insane with the rumors and legends.”

  “Well maybe it’s high time we stopped coming here then,” David said goadingly. “But I think we all know what brings you to these parts. You can mock the tourists all you want, but what you’re looking for is your own juicy piece of the pie.”

  The men looked at each other knowingly and Ben took one last drag before he stubbed out his cigarette on the base of his boot, threw the butt into the gush and pull of the stream and started to laugh.

  “May as well,” he winked as he let his rifle drop to the floor beside his feet and then he sat with his legs dangling over the ridge.

  David climbed up beside him and the pair sat together looking around. For a summer’s day the forest was bleak and freezing. It was not long past noon, and they were right to be wary. It was clear to them both, as seasoned hunters, that something was amiss out there.

  “Do you think it’s Bigfoot coming to get us?” David joked as he reached for his water bottle and took a long, deep sip.

  “Don’t be foolish,” Ben replied. “It is something though, alright.”

  The sun was nowhere to be seen, but there didn’t appear to be a cloud in the sky. The break in the trees above showed blue, but there was something strange about it. Something other-worldly. The air was still and chilly, like a veil had descended and trapped them there in their own little bubble.

  “Come on,” David got to his feet and stretched before he reached down and scooped up his rifle and slung it back over his shoulder. “We may as well get out of here. It’s a lost cause. If we go fast we’ll get the best part of the afternoon over in the bar instead, the wives don’t need to know a thing.”

  Ben laughed and nodded. David helped him up and they began to walk further into the forest.

  The men crunched over the earth and when Ben looked down he was sure he saw a frost forming. As they got further into the trees and closer to the center which would allow them to cross back over to where they had parked on the outskirts, the woods got darker still and the air became prickly and vengeful.