Dorthena

By

Sharon R. Barrett

********

Smashwords Edition

copyright 2010 Sharon R. Barrett

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Adult Reading Material

Tag(s) romance, werewolf, paranormal, shape shifter, Suspense Canada

This story is a work of fiction and resemble to person living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are production of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

I want to give a very special thank to my God-daughter Mae Ford, who suggested I write this story and advised me to be more descriptive, Thank you Dorothy Boomhower-Johnston a very special friend and fan of my stories!

This story is about a young female werewolf named Dorthena who job is to dispose of problems some people may have. She finds her way to Canada from the east coast working to protect a young alpha werewolf male.

Prologue

“Come on Cue; let’s go I don’t want to play cards any more. It’s time we moved on remember what we are looking for Cue.”

“Just one more hand Seeker, Cue said with a smile.

“Not for me I am going to have a drink at the bar and head back to my hotel room. That is it for me for the night besides I lost enough money.” Seeker said frowning. Seeker stood six foot, had brown hair, and brown eyes with touches of green and amber in them. When he stood people took notice of him because of his wide shoulders narrow hips and long legs. He was not muscular like a normal alpha male was. He knew he was lacking in physical attributes but made up for it in intelligence.

Seeker walked up to the bar ask for a beer on tap, paid the bar tender. As he was standing there he heard Cue yell I won that pot! One of the men at the table started to cuss!

The bar tender leaned in to Seeker, that guy that is losing, is a sore loser get your friend the hell out of here right now. Do not take no for an answer from your friend.” Seeker nodded his head.

Seeker got up off the bar stool; “come on Cue it’s time to go.” Cue stood five feet eleven inches, had beautiful blue eyes touched with green, and brown hair, he had a beautiful smile. Cue was easy going but didn’t take orders well unless enforced to do so.

The guy that was swearing stood up, “let him stay: I want to win what I lost.”

“Cues give the man his money and let’s go now!” Seeker raised his voice.

Even with Seeker as his alpha Cue refused to listen. “No I will give the man a chance to win back his money if he can.” Cue laughed amusingly.

Cue you’re not listening to me and Seeker growled. Then the man who wanted to win back his money yelled “I’ll kill the bastard if I don’t win back my money.”

Cue smiled, “you haven’t got the guts mister.”

Without a thought, without a care, without thinking the man pulled out a hand gun he had hidden behind his back, stuck in his pants and fired dead blank at Cue’s head. Cue did not have a chance to respond. His body went lifeless and went down onto the hard floor. The bullet entered into his head with leaving half of his head missing in the back. The man dropped the gun and ran in fear for what he had done. Seeker was on his knees holding Cue’s motionless body, yelling Cue’s name repeatedly Seeker knew in his heart Cue was dead. The police came took statements, removed the body. Seeker called Cue’s parents told them what had happened. They were devastated to hear what went on and thanked Seeker for calling them with the news. Cue’s body was shipped home. Cue’s father Melrodger would pick the body up of his son at the airport the next day. The funeral would be held the following day.

The man who killed Cue was found in a low income apartment just blocks from the bar where he committed the murder. The trial took place six long hard months later; he would spend the next ten years in jail, but out on good behaviour in five to six years. Seeker was angry that the man got off lightly. He deserved the death penalty as far as Seeker and Cue’s parents were concerned.

After the trial Seeker couldn’t stay in town any longer; the nightmares of what had happened ate at him day and night. If it was not the nightmares during the night it was the visions he had during the day light hours of Cue’s brains all over the bar room floor. Seeker began traveling towards the west coast. Seeker would learn the hard way he could not out run his memories or the night mares. They would stay with him for ever.

When he reached south of Manitoba he cross the border into Canada. Continued to move west ward; Seeker picked up a guy named Telme he was a werewolf and the two decided to start up a pack together. Telme was six foot one tall and had green eyes touched with brown. His chest was barrel shaped and all muscles. He has muscled legs and arm he would be a threat to anyone who tried to fight him. Seeker would be the alpha and Telme as first beta. Once they reached Saskatchewan another werewolf joined Seeker and Telme. His name was Coal, Coal was the youngest of the three with Seeker at twenty four, Telme at twenty-three and Coal at twenty-one. Coal had black hair, dark chocolate brown eyes, stood six foot, and sort of fit in where ever he was. He had a nice muscular body but not as developed as Telme’s.

Chapter 1

Northern Massachusetts

Dorthena drove up to a large alpha house. It had twelve bedrooms, two dinning rooms, several dens, play rooms; the word magnificence was an understatement when it came to this alpha house. The Courtoreille family had no money problems. From what Dorthena had been told the money had been inherited through the generations. Each generation increased the wealth. The land was thirty two sections or over twenty thousand acres. More then enough room for the three hundred and eighty members pack to move around.

Dorthena knocked on the door, and a man came to the door. He stood five feet ten inches tall. The man’s hair was red almost an orange in color, his eyes brows were grossly over sized for the proportions to his face. They met in the middle and were the exact same color as his hair, and he was covered in freckles on his face and arms. His eyes were hazel and were extremely alert to his surroundings. The entry way in the center had a large chandelier of crystal droplets. It was stunning and it reminded Dorthena of tear drops. The floor was made up gray marble covered a small area of the entry. The stair case going up stairs was oak steps with a stunning circular oak banister it gave off the appearance of prosperity with the graved angels on the banister. The floors were oak, spotless with a scent of polish as she moved away from the entry way.

“Please come in Miss Collins, Melrodger is expecting you. Come this way he is in his office.” Dorthena followed the man down a long hall way to a door. The man knocked twice and waited.

Dorthena had a feeling that she was being watched by hidden cameras. Then the door opened electronically, and the man stepped in with Dorthena walking in behind him. “Welcome Miss Collins my name is Melrodger please call me Mel. Please take a seat!”

Melrodger was a man approximately in his late fifties, grey hair trimmed and styled to perfection, and dark eyes as black as a night sky with no moon in sight. He had a well built body for his age. His barrel chest was muscular. He had a nice smile, but some how extremely cold. She felt as if the cold smile gave a sneak peek into a heart just as cold. Her first impression was he was a cold blooded killer of the worst kind. She would stake her life on the fact he was born between moons, making him evil to the core and more then likely had a death wish. She wondered about what kind of woman his mate was. She would either have to be excessively strong willed or a weak woman who cowered at his feet!

The desk he sat behind was made of Black Gaboon Ebony Wood or Nigerian Ebony extremely expensive. Then nothing in the house was cheap. The desk wasn’t the only thing that was luxurious, every item including the stylish pen sitting on the desk seem to be the highest in quality. She noticed a painting on the wall it was or appeared to be an original by Nicholas Poussin. Poussin hit the top fifty lists of great painters. Dorthena decided she would have to check into getting a desk made of Nigerian Ebony for herself, she really liked it. A computer lap top sat before him in the center of the desk as if he had been doing some thing on the computer and quickly closed the lid to cover up what he was doing. It made her feel uncomfortable, maybe he was checking up on her she wondered. There was not one single piece of paper on his desk other then a file folder.

“Thank you,” Dorthena said with a complacent face. “I understand you have a problem you wish to have taken care! I have done the usual investigations on this particular job.”

“Yes in deed, I do have a job for you. I understand you learned from your father everything you needed to know to become the best at your profession. Your father worked for CISS in Canada. They are the same as the CIA here in the states. I want the best for this job, and you are it. Take the file and open it please.” Melrodger looked Dorthena up and down and liked what he saw her black hair suited her beautiful brown eyes. She had little shape to her body but still she was beautiful. A mole on her face below her lip made him smile the one imperfection he noticed about her.

Dorthena reached over to the desk picked up the file, and carefully opened it. First page was a picture of a man. Dorthena spoke softly, “This man, Michael Claims shot, and killed you’re son Cue, about six years ago if I remember correctly. The picture is of poor quality, the man is better looking in real life then in the picture. He stands five foot nine inches tall has brown hair and brown eyes filled with fear. You want him disposed of? The second picture is of the man who was with your son Seeker Pelrine at the time your son Cue was murdered in cold blood. Nice looking man stands six fool has dark brown hair dark hazel brown eyes not only touched with green, but amber as well, is intelligent, nice smile.”

“Yes I want the man in the first picture taken care of. I want it to look like an accident and I want it clean, I do not want it to come back to me in any way!”

Dorthena smiled, “fee?”

“I understand your fee is extremely high, but it will be well worth it to rid the world of worthless scum like Claims! Here is the first instalment, when the job is done you will be paid the rest.” Mel said with a big smile.

Dorthena felt uneasy and for some reason her inner cat growled, you’ll never get the second payment she thought! A warning she got from her father never trust the one paying you to do the job.

“I get paid in full Mel or I don’t take the job. I guarantee my work one hundred and fifty percent. My reputation precedes me. Have a nice day Mel.” Dorthena stood up to leave.

“Wait Dorthena,” Mel walked over to a safe opened it tossed the cash on the desk. “When will the job be done?”

“Let me do some checking, he’s still in jail won’t get out until Wednesday. When he is released I will find out where he hangs out; then put myself in a place he notices me. I will date him a time or two, and then the job will be done. Don’t put a time limit on me!” Dorthena picked up the cash stuffed it into her brief case along with the file, walked to the electronic door when it did not open for her, turned, and waited for Mel to speak.” Dorthena had her hand on the handle of a gun she had hidden just in case Melrodger had any ideas.

“As soon as possible Dorthena, my patience has come to an end. I have waited six long years for this bastard.” Mel hit a button on the side of his desk, and the door opened. He was hoping she would only take half the money then pick up the other half, “she was smart, get her cash first do the job and walk away clean. This will leave an untidy problem to take care of later,” he said to himself.

Dorthena walked out of the house got into her vehicle. She pulled out on to the paved road, then out on to the major highway. She pulled off the black wig, pulled out the false teeth covering her teeth pulled the fake mole off her face. Then proceeded to undo snaps on her long skirt, did the same with the blouse she was now down to a beautiful blue t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Her long blonde pig tails fall down around her shoulders. She smiled, she hit a button and the license plate flipped from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. All this she accomplished in less then three minutes. She was a pro at changing her appearance quickly; she had to be, it saved her life a time or two. Dorthena then removed the gun strapped to her leg and the strap. Pulled the strap holding a small gun to her arm put them into her purse.

Dorthena had learned from an old boyfriend never trust any one including the person wanting the hit after hearing it twice in her life she kept it in mind every time she was hired to do a job. Her mind step back in time to a tall six foot three and a half man with black hair, light blue eyes, and a smile that took her breath away. She remembered the first time she met him. It was at a party he had walked across the room up to her and spoke her name softly when she turned her heart was immediately his when she looked up into his eyes and he smiled at her. He had been her first, and he was masterful at making love and making her feel everything intensely! Even at the thought she felt wet between the legs. Her heart began to skip beats, her face grew flushed and she suddenly missed him so deeply tears swelled in her eyes. She knew she was still in love with him and always would be love like they shared never truly died.

Two days later, Michael Claims was discharged from prison. No one met him when he was released. He took the bus that stopped out front of the prison back to the same street he lived on before the shooting. No family visited him while he was imprisoned, he would have been out a year earlier if he had not gotten into a fight. Melrodger may have been behind that. His stay in prison was less then ideal for an inmate; the warden took an immediate dislike to the man. Michaels spent a lot of time in solitary confinement.

Dorthena followed him from the prison back to the area where he had his old apartment. Low income people lived in the area was not a safe place to be a lone; not for a woman day or night. One block down was the bar where he killed Cue. Three days she watched Michael, he always came out of his apartment at eight p.m. headed to the bar. From what people had to say about Michael he had grown up on the wrong side of the street. Parents divorced, father was abusive, mother turned whore to put food on the table. Michael had it ruff from the day he was born no wonder he turned out bad. Those that he permitted to get close liked him, sure he had a bad temper, but he was a likeable guy.

When Michael came out of his apartment on the fourth night Dorthena was coming down the street and bumped into him. Making it appears as if it were an accident. Dorthena smiled at Michael. “What have we got here, one foxy lady?” Michael said smiling. Michael needed a shave and a bath as far as her sensitive smell was concerned. Most females probably wouldn’t notice and if they did would not mind the slight odour. To her it was extremely strong smell of perspiration and dirt. Dorthena new it was not from hard work, he didn’t have a job, so it was laziness on hygiene. The damn fool didn’t seem to be all that intelligent with his simple way of speaking. The stories she had heard were true he was uneducated and a fool at times.

Dorthena smiled back, her red wig and brown contact lens’s, long finger nails painted red made her appear cheap, if anyone thought she was anything then a female looking for a good time they would be shocked to find out; she was very wealthy lady with an agenda. She looked at Michael and winked at him.

“Sweet thing why don’t we go up to my room and have a little fun,” Michael grabbed Dorthena by the arm pulled her in for a kiss then said how much?

Dorthena smiled warmly, “Why don’t we go to my place. I am horny has hell and need someone for the night so lets say not totally free, you see to my needs and you get paid with satisfaction. My vehicle is right over there, I have a real nice place, we can take a bath together and see where it takes us for the night, and Dorthena smiled warmly and snuggled into Michael.”

“Sure baby the price is right. I would love to go to your place, it has to be nicer then mine. Can I stay the night?” Michael said with a real big smile on his face. Michael smiled warmly and thought, she is one classy lady, and how the hell had he gotten so lucky to meet up with her? It had dawned on him she had not given her name, he would find out what it was before the night was over.

“Honey you can stay a week if your any good in bed,” Dorthena said, and leaned in and kissed Michael, then nipped his lip gently. Dorthena had to bite her lip to keep from turning her head away his breath smelled of garlic and rotten meat! She wondered what he had been eating besides garlic.

Dorthena walked over to her vehicle it was a rental, sporty type car just for the occasion. She unlocked it and Michael hopped in to the passenger’s seat, Dorthena opened her door and slipped into the driver’s seat. Tell me about your self sweet thing?”

Michael smiled, “I rather play with you baby

Dorthena smiled, winked at Michael, “if you do play we might end up in an accident you don’t want that! Dorthena said with a purr and a smile. “Just wait sweet heart and you won’t be sorry you did. So tell me about your self Dorthena ask again so it would keep his mind off her body.”

I made a mistake spent time in jail. I just got out a few days ago. I am job hunting but no one wants to hire an ex-con. Grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, parents split, and both are now dead. Now tell me about your self” Michael said warmly.

Dorthena drove out of town to the out skirts, drove down a couple of back roads and when she came to the place she had checked out earlier in the day she pulled into a drive way to a vacant house. “Come Michael your going to love this.” Dorthena gave Michael her most charming smile. Dorthena never did answer his question to tell him about herself. Besides what would she say I am here to kill you slug meat!

Michael stepped out of the vehicle he could see a roof just behind some tree’s. When he turned to Dorthena she was gone. Michael thought she must have started to the house with out him. So Michael walked towards the house when he turned the corner he saw and old dilapidated house that was nearly to the ground. Chills ran up and down his body, he knew instantly he was set up and his death was staring him in the face. He tried to calm down the adrenaline rushing through his body as he kept looking from shadow to shadow. “Please don’t kill me! I never did anything to you!” Michael said in a shrill voice.

Dorthena smiled as she smelled his fear, “you killed an innocent man Michael. What did Cue do to you but win a few dollars in a card game?”

Michael began to perspire, “I didn’t mean to kill him I just lost my temper” Michael started to back towards the vehicle, stopped when he heard from a distance the doors locking.

Then he was hit from behind and down he went.

A black panther dug its nails into his neck and back. Michael screamed, he pissed his pants, and then he felt teeth biting down on the back of his neck. His hands clawed at the dirt beneath him trying to grab something he could defend himself with. Large paws flipped Michael over; sharp teeth grabbed him by the throat and hung on. Michael tried to struggle the panther bit down harder. Michael grabbed a handful of fur and hung on. The Black Panther dug its nail deeper into his chest, clawing down ward. When Michael lay dead the Black Panther took its sharp claws and clawed up his body and face to sharpen its nails. The panther started shaking its head from the smell of urine, grabbed Michael’s body and dragged it off the roadway to a small stream. Dragged his body into the water and left it there to be washed cleaned by the rushing water of the stream. Thena walked up stream two yards and began to clean the blood from her fur. She quickly dressed.

Dorthena came out of the trees got into her vehicle and drove away. Put her wig, her false teeth cover she had in her mouth, unsnapped the bottom of her skirt and the length dropped by six inches, unsnapped the top of the dress and the sleeves came off, the front came away and the back dropped down to her waist at the back. She smiled as she drove off to her favorite club and met up with her friends. When she got out of the car she took her items tossed them into a bag and popped them into the trunk of the car. Dorthena walked into the club.

Two of her friends came rushing up to her, Doris we are so thrilled you made it to my party. Dorthena smiled. “I told you I was coming, and here I am!” Doris laughed. After a fun filled night of out with the girls, Dorthena was tired out. She had her alibi for the night and she was all set to go home.

The next day Dorthena turned in the rental car totally cleaned. Two days later Dorthena was at home relaxing next to her pool drinking a nice cold ice tea. She had a nice tan on her body and felt great. The money was in the bank and Michael had been found the day before and it hit all the papers. The police contacted Melrodger asked him where he was at the time of the death, he had been at a meeting with hundreds of witnesses. The R.C.M.P. decided the cause of death was an unknown large cat attack. What the R.C.M.P. could not figure out was why Michael was out at an old abandon house. Michael was buried and that was the end of the story or so Dorthena thought at the time.

Alberta, Canada

Once they reached Alberta, Seeker checked out a small quiet town call Little River. He spoke to the realtors in the town to see if they had land that would be available to purchase. Seeker found a large parcel of land for sale. He paid out the money and purchased the property. There was an old run down house on the property and the three men moved in. Seeker got a job welding, Telme worked at a lumber yard, and Coal picked up a job working at repairing vehicles. They used their money to fix up the large abandoned house, the men decided to fix the roof first especially because when it had rained it was if they were being placed in a shower every night. The windows were next on their list of repairs and within a year the house looked pretty darn good for three men rebuilding the house and turning it into a home, even though it was missing the touch of a woman’s hand. Seeker smiled, the house was finished. They had added more rooms to the house on the right and Seeker made up a small bedroom with bathroom, small office. The house had a new coat of white paint, the bathrooms were redone over and two added. The kitchen had been remodelled. The den was left as it was bare to the bone with just fresh light green paint on the walls. Oak hardwood floors were placed through out the house they were beautiful, the stair case and steps going up stairs were of the finest oak he could purchase. The basement was small and used for storage of supplies. Seeker was darn proud of the effort he and his betas accomplished with the house. An offer had been made on some land that Seeker had heard came up for sale that bordered on his land and expected to buy the land within the next few weeks. Things worked out as he the planned he thought they would then be the proud owner of not just twelve sections but an additional ten sections of land.

Seeker contacted the Lycan registry and advertised a new alpha house opening and all contact information that would be required. He turned to Telme, “Lets celebrate tonight.” With some wolf whistles and laughter, the three went inside went to their rooms and cleaned up and headed into the local bar.

Sammie’s Bar was, a place where the men hung out took their dates out for an evening and fun and drinks. It was just that a bar with a few tables, no entertainment except for a juke box that still took quarters and had songs in it from the sixty’s and seventy’s. A TV was over the bar at one end used for the weather, and sports games. The town was small but sported two banks, three liquor stores, two drug stores, small clothing store, post office and one hotel, one motel, grocery store combination hardware store, three restaurants, two fast food places, hospital, doctor’s, cabins to rent from by one of the local women. The people on the most part minded there own business, stuck to their little clicks or groups of people. For Seeker and his companions it was perfect place to be. Seeker and Telme decided it was a nice out of the way place where no one asked questions and no answers were given.

Telme was dating a different girl each week. Seeker had been down that road and now didn’t feel it was worth another trip at the moment. Sure it was fun, but sometimes hard feelings were also caused, he didn’t feel up to that kind of pressure on him at the moment. He knew he had changed since Cue’s death. He wanted more out of life then just fast dates, and quick relationships. His father had told him that he would change and at the time he had laughed; now he realized just how right his father was.

Seeker was sitting at the bar when his cell phone rang. He walked off by himself to a table nearby where he could not be heard talking on the phone by anyone. Seeker took the phone from his pocket and answered, “Hello you have reached Seeker!”

The woman on the other end of the line spoke softly, “Listen and listen carefully, I can’t give you my name at the moment, but you should know Melrodger is out to have you killed. He contacted me to do the job, but after investigating you, and to find you innocent of Melrodger’s declarations of responsibilities of Cue’s death. Let’s just say I turned the job down!”

Seeker grimaced, “Who the hell is this?”

The woman spoke again, “watch your back I will contact you again soon and keep you informed as to what is transpiring.” The phone in his hand went silent.

Seeker walked back to the bar pulled Telme away from his newest date and when Telme didn’t want to leave Seeker growled. Telme got up off of this stool and they both walked out the front door of the bar and Seeker looked around to see if anyone was near and then be began to speak to Telme “Listen Telme, I got a call from a woman saying my life is in jeopardy, and to watch my back. I have this feeling that this is no joke, and I should be careful. Knowing who wants the hit on me makes it easier on me, because I know what kind of man Melrodger is. I would put nothing pass the son of a bitch. I believe the caller. Seeker proceeded to explain about Cue and what happened.

Telme spoke, “That is unbelievable, Cue refused to leave the table when you told him to, then he is accountable for what had happened to him the blame shouldn’t be placed on anyone else but himself, so why the hell is his father pissed at you?”

“Melrodger feels I should have enforced Cue to leave, if the man was treacherous, then we both could have faced him and then maybe Cue would not be dead now. Cue was Melrodger’s only son and heir to the estate, it is set up in such a way that only the sons can inherit the estate, females are forbidden to inherit anything. Melrodger has two daughters and another son who killed himself by accident or so they say. That in itself is a long story, so to make it short his oldest son was not acceptable and Melrodger turned his back on him so the young man killed himself, the suicide was covered up by Melrodger. That left Cue with being the only son to inherit the estate. I am not sure Cue was all there at times, he was one hell of a nice guy, but he did some freaky shit at times. ”

“Damn Seeker that is the worst. Melrodger must have been a selfish son of a bitch of a hard man to have done that to his own son!”

“Yes it was, and now he wants me dead he feels it was my fault for his son’s death. And the man who killed Cue is now dead, that means Melrodger hired someone to do the job, more then likely it was the woman who called me! Why she is taking an opportunity on losing her own life to save mine has me confused.”

Telme laughed, “Maybe she has the hot’s for you, or maybe she just likes you, or more then likely she thinks you’re not to blame. Whatever the case is, feel lucky, she called you, and warned your ass!”

The next morning Seeker’s home phone rang. Seeker picked up the receiver and smiled, “Hello!”

Women on the other end whispered, “You’re going to receive a call in a while it will be a couple who are going to want to move into your pack, refuse them or they will kill you quicker.” All of a sudden there was no one at the other end of the phone.

It was just under not even the half hour, when the phone rang again. “Hello may I speak to Seeker Pelrine?”

Seeker felt uneasy for the first time in his life, “speaking, what can I do for you?”

“We would like to join you’re alpha house, our names are Betty and Dylan Cullen and if your available we would like to come to your home and have an interview. We think it is so nice of you to open your home to people and help them get started.” Seeker suddenly realized these people were not werewolves, but ordinary people looking for a free place or free hand outs.

Seeker frowned, “I am sorry but I cannot do an interview any time soon I am leaving the area on a trip that came up unexpectedly. You can wait until I return in three weeks or you can have the interview done by my beta Telme, Mr. Cullen.”

“The timing is off for you I am sorry to hear that, we will wait until your return in three weeks! Where are you off to May I ask?”

Seeker gave the wall a nasty look “no you may not ask it is of a personal nature. Call back in three weeks. Thank you again for calling.”

When Seeker hung up the phone it rang again. Seeker picked the receiver up and spoke softly, “hello!”

The woman on the other end of the phone spoke, “I would like to come and stay at your alpha house for a visit short term make a room ready for me. I will be there in an hour.” The woman hung up the phone.

“What the hell is going on? Seeker did not feel comfortable about anyone coming to his home uninvited. Maybe this woman is here to kill him and he should be more careful of her then of someone else! The other thing that bothered him was she was a take charge kind of female, the kind alpha males were attracted too.

An hour came and went, twenty minutes more, a SUV drove up the drive way. Seeker watched from the window of the living room. The woman stepped out and down from the SUV as she watched her entire surroundings by shifting her head in different directions. She had a long braid that traveled down her back to her slender hour glass waist of blonde hair that shimmered and glistened in the sunlight. She had a stunning shape, and a smile that would melt the coldest of hearts. Her eyes were medium blue, and her cute nose had freckles on it. She opened the back of the SUV took out a suit case and a medium size brown box. She stepped up to the door and was about to knock when the door surprisingly opened. The woman rushed into tossed her suitcase and box in side. Then swiftly stepped into Seekers arms planted a kiss on his lips then hugged him. As she hugged him she whispered, “Call me Thena and you are expecting me, is my room ready?”

Seeker smiled while the knot in his stomach slowly dissipated Seeker pulled her in close and hugged her, then kissed her again and again and pulled her inside the door and closed it. Her suit case and brown box sat at her feet. Seeker pushed her out of his arms by her petite waste and stood there looking at her. Her eyes were as dark blue as the midnight sky with a quarter moon, appearing almost black, yet out side they had been a medium blue, he new with one scent, one look, he was looking at a multi shape-shifter. Seeker smiled, “You’re late as usual sweet cakes?”

Thena smiled warmly, “only because I had to lose someone tailing me for one and for two I set up some electronic devices on your long drive way as I drove in. In truth I was on time you just did not realize it!”

Seeker stepped forward with a big smile on his face, pulled her into his arms to kiss her again and found that she had turned the tables on him. Seeker was suddenly facing the wall with his arm twisted behind him. Thena leaning up against him and rubbing her chest into his back, then she whispered, “don’t touch unless invited.” She released Seekers arm, stepped one foot back and waited for a violent reaction that never came. Instead Seeker turned around with a big smile on his face.

When seeker smiled he looked Thena straight in the eye, he said, “Bang your dead!”

Thena looked puzzled at Seeker, “what do you mean bang your dead?”

Seeker smiled, “Turn around sweet thing!”

Thena turned around and was starring at a man on the stair case smiling with a hand gun in his hand pointing it directly at her!

Thena gracefully turned looked at Seeker, smiled warmly, good thing he didn’t speak he would be dead not me!

Seeker was shocked when he noticed a small silver hand gun inside her light jacket with her hand ready to pull the trigger. Thena turned smiled at Telme, “hi Telme how are you doing?”

Telme was shocked, “how do you know my name?”

I investigated this pack before I came, before I accepted a previous job. Now put the gun away or I will pull the trigger, the chances of you hitting me will be slim at best where I am a professional; I never miss.” Thena said with a big smile on her face and a winked at Telme. Telme never had a woman treat him this way and now he was in love for the first time in his life. She was an independent strong woman even if she was delicate in appearance.

Telme gradually dropped the gun down to his side, smiled and walked up to Thena. “Go out with me to night?”

Thena smiled, “I’ll make us all dinner and we stay in for the night I am expecting company soon.”

“Then what is for dinner?” Telme said with a big smile on his face as he leaned in to kiss Thena as she stepped back. Telme frown disappointed at Thena, and then smiled.

“Where is the kitchen Telme and you will have to wait and see what I decide to prepare for dinner?”

An hour later the table was set, A tossed salad set in the center of the table, Grilled salmon with a hollandaise sauce set to the right of the salad, shrimp cocktails were sitting on the saucers that were placed on their plates, baked potatoes and dark string beans for a vegetable. Hot coffee was poured into the cups. Seeker took his coffee black one sugar; Telme took his coffee with cream, and one sugar. Coal took his coffee black two sugars. Thena had done her home work, and had done it well. After dinner was over Thena cleaned up the table did the dishes. Walked into the den turned on the TV picked up a horror flick placed it in the CD player, the movie was Jaws three. Thena just sat down in a chair that was much more comfortable then it looked. An alarm went off on her wrist. She shut the TV off, turned out the lights, rushed to Seekers office where he was sitting doing paper work, “shut down the lights now! “

Seeker did as he was told. Thena moved from window to window checking out side. She saw nothing. She opened a window slightly telling Seeker to close it behind her and lock it. Thena shifted down into a black panther and moved away from the house. She made a circle around the house found nothing. She moved out and away from the house into a larger circle. She crept silently trying not to make a sound.

Then she heard a male’s voice. “If we intend to kill Seeker we are going to have to wait until his girl friend leaves or he is alone some place. It is far too risky to kill him if someone is around as witnesses against me or us.”

The females spoke, “I agree, however things are not as they seem. I am not so sure about the female being Seekers girl friend. She seems like someone I should know some how. What do you want to do if she doesn’t leave?

The man chuckled, “Then we kill her too, what Melrodger doesn’t know won’t hurt him. She will just be some unidentified female found with Seeker is all? Let’s get the hell out of here before someone finds us here casing the place!”

As the couple moved away and down the driveway Thena followed them just inside the woods moving silently making sure she did not disturb anything in her path. Once the couple was back into there vehicle and drove away Thena ran back to the house.

Thena took her cell phone out of her pocket just before she reached the house made a call to her friend, “Ned, if anything happens to me make sure Melrodger gets the blame for my death. Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to. Great work on the detectors you built for me they work like a charm, and were not even noticed by two intruders. And Ned, do me a favor tell Ry; oh never mind.”

Ned snickered, “I’ll tell him you said hello or good bye which ever the case maybe Thena.” Ned hung up the phone. Ned was worried, he wondered if he should call Ryker or not. Deciding for now he would not call. Thena had been in tuff places before, always got out ok.

She moved from window to window looking in checking each room. Then a shot rang out a whish rushed by Thena’s ear and she dropped to the ground. Thena did not move she laid there, her heart beating quickly, but she never moved a muscle. The lights went on in the house she noticed through her eye lids, the window went up and glass showered down on Thena and still she never moved even when she realized a piece of glass had hit her hand and blood made her skin shiver as it dripped on to the ground.

“Damn,” Seeker yelled, “you shot Thena you damn fool!” Seeker went around to the back door and rushed around to Thena. Checking her out, he found no blood on her body. When Telme rushed up with the gun in his hand, Thena grabbed the gun from Telme and tossed it into a rose bush. Thena looked at Telme and thought he should be the one who was alpha of this pack; he had the built for it, domination attitude so why was he sitting back and letting Seeker run the show she wondered. It was just a matter of time when Telme would take over the pack as leader. Seeker would fail.

“You damn fool you could have killed me, what the hell is the matter with you. Stay the hell away from guns unless you’re sure of your target! You think first then shoot, not the reverse!” Thena picked herself up and calmly walked to the back door and went into the kitchen. “Board that damn window up before you go to bed!” Thena then noticed blood on her hand. “Damn it all! The fool is going to kill someone!” Thena turned on the cold water and ran water over her hand. The hand had been cut when the glass fall from the window, when Seeker opened it. The cut was pretty bad. After checking for glass she bandaged her hand tight to stop the bleeding. Then realized by morning it should be healed. Scar will be gone in another three days.

Turning to Seeker she smiled, “Which room is mine please?”

Seeker smiled warmly, “Come this way,” as they were heading Seeker turned to look at Thena and noticed how pale she appeared, Seeker grabbed her before she fall! Seeker helped her into his private bedroom.

Once inside Thena laid down on the bed, “it’s just the blood; I can’t handle losing blood, because of the nature of my species. Seeker lifted Thena’s leg up and onto the bed”

Seeker looked at her, “then you’re in the wrong profession sweet cakes!”

Thena smiled, “right profession, because I am really good at what I do. Just can’t handle losing my own blood.”

Seeker laughed, “you’re staying in my room, and I won’t take no for an answer. I’ll get you a blanket and you can either sleep under the sheets with me, or use a blanket and sleep on top of the sheets”

“I will crawl under the sheets, but do not expect sex or anything in that nature at least, not if you’re smart that is. I don’t take you for being any where near stupid or a fool. Besides the couple that was here earlier are not sure we are girlfriend and boyfriend and I want them to think we are a couple! It might keep you safer longer.

Chapter 2

The sun was shining bright in the sky it was a nice sixty degree’s out side. The bedroom had cream white walls a picture of an animal here and there the bed was oak head board. The dressers were oak. The hardwood floors of oak were shining and looked freshly polished. Thena woke up snuggled up against Seeker and realized he had been watching her sleep. When she looked at him he smiled. Thena felt very warm and comfortable. She slipped out of the bed with her night gown on walked to the window to make sure someone saw her. Thena then turned towards Seeker asked, “Come over to me and give me a sexy kiss and then pick me up as if you’re taking me to your bed.”

Seeker grinned, “my pleasure sweets heart,” Seeker crawled out of bed and walks over to Thena smiles down at her he took her in his arms, kisses her and picks her up while still kissing her and walked her over to his bed and laid her down. Then he lay down beside her ran his hands up and down her side and deepened the kiss. Seeker had scented that Thena was not far off from coming into heat and it made him randy as hell. When Thena was breathless and her eyes were dilated from being hot and bothered. Seeker moves his hand over one of her breast and Thena quickly removes his hand, and pushed Seeker away. “Please stop, don’t go any further! I do not get involved with clients. Before you ask, no there is no one special in my life. I can’t afford to have someone special in my line of work it would be to dangerous for them and for me!”

Seeker frowned at her then got up off the bed exposing the fact he was hard and ready for her. He walks into the bathroom Dorthena hears the shower start up and then hears, “Damn this water is cold.” Seeker knew it would be just a matter of time and he would be screwing her five or six times a day until her heat came to an end. Seeker smile widen with the thought. Her heat was not far off.

Thena smiled to herself realizing he was taking a cold shower and she also needed one. When Seeker came out all wet, and a towel wrapped around him she stepped into the bathroom turned the shower on, and took a very cool shower, but not cold. After the refreshing shower she slipped on her night grown and walked out into the hall way and down to her room picked up her suit case opened it and slipped on a pair of fresh panties, jeans and t-shirt then a blouse over that.

After pinning up her hair she opened her door walked down the stair case and into the kitchen. Coal and Telme were waiting for her. They had made coffee, but were hoping she would make breakfast. Telme smiled, “are you any good at breakfast like you are dinners?”

“Pancakes ok with you guys?” Thena said with a smile.

Once the men finished blueberry pancakes and a cup of coffee Thena cleaned up the kitchen then realized wait a minute I am here to do a job and it is not cooking and cleaning up after three he-men werewolves.

After breakfast Thena walked around the house checking the area out. Then moved into the woods a ways and shifted down into a cougar. Thena moved around in a circle always moving outward as she traveled in the circle. The area was beautiful with its poplar trees and jack pines. The ground was soft to walk on. In areas that small ponds set in were diamond willows. Once she reached the main highway she moved back towards the house. When she came to the lane she heard a vehicle coming down and she stood in the middle of the lane and didn’t move. When the vehicle came to a stop she shifted back into human form and gave Seeker a dirty look. “Where the hell do you think your going?”

Seeker saw Thena on the road as a cougar and thought she was the most beautiful cat he had ever seen. Her tail was long and sleek her coat was shiny in the sun light. Her eyes were blue not brown like the cat she appeared to be. “To work, where else would I be going on a Friday?” Seeker said with a frown.

“Then I am going with you. I need to protect you so come back to the house while I get ready!” Thena said in anger.

“Like hell I don’t take orders from a female I am the alpha of this pack. Besides I have to get to work with that he put the vehicle in gear and raced off down the highway! Shifting down into a black panther Thena raced back to the alpha house, jumped into her SUV. When she managed to catch up to Seeker a head of her in his vehicle, she was angry she did not have a bullet proof vest on. She only had three guns with her and no extra clips except for one nine mill. She had one wig with her! She was angry beyond words. When she watched Seeker pull into where he worked she smiled with relief. She sat in her vehicle the entire day. She was reading a book when five o’clock came and Seeker finally came out of the shop he worked in. He was black and dirty and she smiled. Thena checked around the area several times and was even ask by one of the men out on a date. The problem was she was never asked to come, she was never asked by him for her protection. And decided if he wanted to get himself killed then she would not try to stop something he did not want stopped.

Seeker had been angry with Thena thinking he was not capable of taking care of himself. Hell he was an alpha male. His anger stayed with him for a while and even snapped at one of the men he worked with. Seeker had to back and apologize to the man giving the excuse he had not slept well.

Thena drove slower on the way home she did not keep up with Seeker he was flying home at high speed. When she reached the drive way she slowed down turned in and drove slowly up to the house. She sat in her vehicle for a few moments and finally made up her mind on what she was going to do and how to handle the situation. She stopped in front of the door, walked to the door and opened it went up the stairs to her room packed her bag and headed down the stair case. Seeker came out of the kitchen looked at Thena, “Where the hell are you going?”

“I am heading out of here and back home where I belong. You made it very clear today with your actions that you do not wish my protection. And I realized also today you didn’t ask for my protection I just sort of walked in and offered it. With that said, I am leaving right now and heading home!”

Seeker frowned then looked at her, “the choice is yours you can either stay or you can leave. I can certainly take care of my self.” Seeker really did not think she would leave.

Thena smiled, “I’ll go you really don’t want my help, have a nice short life!”

Thena walked to the door opened it up, and went to walk out when a shot rang out and Thena went down. Seeker hit the floor and worked his way behind the door grabbed Thena’s hand and dragged her from the door way shutting the door at the same time. “Thena are you alright?” Thena didn’t answer his question he looked at her body and she was bleeding from her left shoulder. The bullet had to have gone in below her collar bone but went out through her shoulder blade. “Damn,” Seeker swore, “she is hurt bad.” There were no more shots fired. Coal and Telme rushed down from up stairs. When they saw Thena on the floor bleeding and Seeker beside her, Telme sneaked into the kitchen and got a couple of towels and put them in front and behind on Thena shoulder. Telme moved around from window to window checking but found nothing nor did he see anything.

Seeker rushed her up stairs to his private bathroom placed Thena in the tub shut the door. This did not leave the bedroom in total darkness. He worked on stopping the bleeding. The bullet had gone straight threw her shoulder. Once he picked out some of her cotton t-shirt out of the wound, he added salve and bandaged her up tight. Thena had lost a lot of blood this time and it would take time for her to replace the blood she lost. He shut off the bathroom light removed the towel, opened the door. Telme was standing there waiting for orders. “Turn down my bed she will have to sleep in here where I can keep watch over her.” Telme rushed to do what he was told to do. Seeker was proud of Telme, he did what he was told and never questioned an order. Once Thena was in bed Seeker removed her clothes slipped on her night grown since Telme brought up her suit case then covered her up.

While Seeker took off Thena’s clothes and put on her night grown Telme could not help but admire her beauty. She had the perfect shape! He felt his shaft growing hard and discomfort began to become unbearable.

Telme looked at his alpha and wondered if he was falling for Thena. “Darn, this means she won’t be cooking tonight, and I was so looking forward to her cooking, and not ours. Oh well it can’t be helped, once she eats my cooking she will get well real soon, and want to do the cooking.” Telme laughed, and walked out of the bedroom.

Seeker sat down in a chair next to the bed he looked at Dorthena really close. He thought to himself, “She is really pretty, not movie star pretty, or model pretty, just pretty as can be, light blonde hair with sandy dark strips in it that glistened in the sun. Her nose was small and cute. She had a beautiful smile, when she smiled which was often. She has a slim waste nice round hips her weight would be around one hundred and fifteen pounds or one hundred and twenty pounds. Her breasts were just right size for her shape. She was a heart breaker that was a given.” Seeker decided he wanted her and was going to do his best to make her understand his feelings for her.

Seeker sat there for two hours when Telme came up with a plate of food for Seeker. He looked at the dish and smiled, “ok it is not bad he thought macaroni and cheese, fried steak and bake potato, hot cup of coffee. Certainly not the kind of fair that Thena would have made, but it will work for me. “Thank you Telme, I appreciate the meal more then you know.”

At around ten that evening Seeker undressed down to his under wear, slipped into the bed next to Thena pulled her into his arms, and fall into a light sleep. During the night Thena moved so that her injured shoulder was up, but quickly shifted back to her back when her shoulder shot through her with pain in protest. Crying out in her sleep, Seeker pulled her towards him, and whispered to her, “you safe, sleep sweet cakes.” Thena quieted down, and slept deeper.

When the sun came up Seeker awakened and looked at Thena she was pale in appearance, she was not running any temperature, but she was weakened by the blood lost. She was sound a sleep, and resting peacefully. Seekers leaned over and kissed her lips. He could not seem to resist kissing her full lips. Even with her pale she was still beautiful especially to him. He decided he was going to take advantage of her weakened state, he knew in his heart it was wrong, but he could not stop him self. He placed his hand over one of her breasts, and moved it around the beautiful soft globe. Thena’s lips opened to Seekers tongue pressed against her lips. Thena kissed Seeker back, then put her arm around him, and pulled him into her body. Seekers lips softened against hers and his tongue gently caressed the inside of her mouth. Thena moaned softly pressed her breast into Seekers chest. Seeker pulled Thena in closer, but was gentle not to hurt her shoulder. Seeker ran his hands up and down her side around to her back as he kissed her breathless. He slipped up her night grown to her neck. His mouth claimed one perk nipple, then the other sucking them until they stood up and were hard. Seeker rubbed his hard shaft against Thena to let her know of his great desire for her. His shaft was hard and desired Thena like no other female before her. Seeker moved his hand down to her panties, and slipped his hand inside, and touched her core. Thena moaned and spread her legs wide a part. Seeker moved one finger in side of her. Then two and worked in and out of her working her G-spot until he felt her orgasm. He removed his fingers and licked them and smiled. Then he removed her panties slid off his boxer shorts, and slid down her body and put his tongue on Thena’s clitoris. Seeker nipped at her with his teeth it was sensitive and Thena lifted herself to his mouth. When she began moving with him he moved up her body licking, and kissing, and nipping his way up. Quickly Seeker reached for a condom put it on. When Seekers shaft reached her tunnel he drove himself fully in side of her, and she cried out with a deep longing. Seeker was medium size and hard and she took him in one long thrust. Seekers lips took over hers as he worked in and out of her causing her to build once more, and when she came all over his shaft he released his seed. Seeker quickly removed the condom and tossed it into a waste paper basket near the bed. Then he pulled Thena into his arms, and held her. She put a small smile on her face.

Her heart broke a little as she realized what she had done; she had been dreaming of her old boy friend, she even at one point thought it was him who wanted to make love to her. When she realized it was not him it was to late to stop what was happening to her.

“I need a bath if you don’t mind!” Thena said with a slight smile.

“Awe a bath for the lady, be right back”. Thena watched as Seeker slipped out of bed walked to the bathroom totally nude, he had a small ass. His legs were not very muscular, not what she expected an alpha to have, or not what she had seen in her past. Seeker was not much too really be pleased about. She heard the water running, and he came out. “Come sweet cakes and have a bath with me?” Seeker smiled warmly.

When Thena went to get up she felt a little dizzy and sat back down. Seeker moved quickly to the bed picked Thena up, and walked into the bathroom with her. Seeker stepped into the tub set Thena’s feet down, and then holding her he sat down, and placed her between his legs. Carefully he washed her all over except the shoulder and bandages, then rinsed her off. Helped her out of the bath tub dried her down. Then he stepped back into the bath water heated it with hot water, and took his bath. When he had finished he found Thena lying across his bed she was fully covered with a sheet lying over her body.

“You look pretty laying across my bed covered with a sheet Thena, you belong there!” Seeker said with a smile.

“I should have a smile, don’t you think Seeker, or am I wrong?” Thena wasn’t sure why she was lying to him, he was an ok lover.” Thena thought once you have had the best every thing just isn’t worth bothering with second best. Thena thought to herself, major alpha males usually were better built then Seeker and also had larger male parts. Seeker was not an alpha male by birth, he was a male trying to be an alpha male, and he would fail. Suddenly she felt sorry for Seeker. She had heard of such things before but never met a male like this before. Well not to her knowledge any way. She knew why Cue had not listened to his alpha and had done what he wanted. Cue knew Seeker was not an alpha male. Worse yet Melrodger would have known as well. That is why he blamed Seeker for his son’s death.

Seeker smiled, “any man or werewolf knows if you don’t make your lady happy a man doesn’t get it to often. A man has to take the time to be sure his woman comes. I intend to get it again and again from you, that won’t happen if you’re not happy. Shape shifters can’t do that with the binding ritual. A female can’t fake anything the male automatically knows from reading the females mind. Females are not that difficult to satisfy in truth, just takes a little time. Myself I like to spend the time, making love for at least forty five minutes to an hour lots of playing first! Seeker smiled at Thena. “Come I’ll make you breakfast.”

Thena looked at Seeker he was boasting where he should not be boasting, “you do know that there can be nothing emotional between us. So don’t fall in love with me, sex is sex but that is all it can be!”

Seeker looked at Thena, “sure just good times love them and leave them with you, just out for entertainment and self satisfaction for yourself right?”

Thena detected a tinge of anger in Seekers voice and realized this was not going to work out at all. She would move herself into another room. The last thing she needed was a new angry want a be alpha trying to push her around because he doesn’t know that persuasion works better then force. Thena could be persuaded but she could not be pushed, not one inch. Her last boy friend discovered that when it was far too late.

Rising slowly off the bed she slipped into clean clothes from her suit case and walked with Seeker down stairs. Thena was still weak, but she refused to five in to it. Saturday was a day for working on the house and Coal and Telme were working on a shelf in the kitchen. Coal had a level and Telme was holding the shelf once it was level Coal drove the shelf into place and nailed it up. Coal and Telme turned and smiled at Thena and asked, “How does it look?”

Thena smiled, “it looks just great nice piece of oak wood.”

“Thanks, Coal said with a smile. “Now why don’t you just sit down right here, and let me make you breakfast. This morning we are having French toast, with butter and syrup, hazel nut coffee with sugar.”

“Sounds great so when is this breakfast going to be made?” Thena said with a smile.

“As soon as Telme and Seeker sit down, and get out of my way it will be made.”

Two chairs were pulled out rapidly, and both Seeker and Telme sat down in a flash with big smiles on their faces. Twenty minutes later breakfast was finished. Seeker smiled, “let’s talk now. We have to do something about someone trying to kill me. We cannot wait around for another try at me. So what do you have in mind Thena?”

I put electronic warnings along the drive way, we need to add more to the surrounding area. I will work on that today. Coal I will show you how to install electronic devices on all the windows first. Once you see one done, you will know how to do the rest. I will also give each of you the code to the alarm system, to set and reset it, but I won’t give you to code to shut it off. Should it get damaged it will send a signal out to the local law enforcement agency.

“You have thought of everything,” Seeker said with a smile.

“No, not really if I had I would not have gotten myself shot. The thing is was it meant for me or was it meant for you Seeker? A question that requires answered and soon. In the meantime stay away from the windows. And do you have a bottom door small one to escape out of in this house once you shift down?”

“No we never thought of doing something like that,” Coal said with a frown.

“It would not be that difficult to put one in but it needs to be put in a place of concealment for example behind a bush close to the house!” Thena said softly.

“There is a rose bush on the south side of the house, and there is a snow ball bush on the west side of the house, both are close to the tree line if we had to leave in a rush we could make the trees and maybe not be seen.” Telme said with a big grin.

Seeker smiled, “and both would be easy spots to place a door. You realize that a door large enough to permit a wolf to get out of would be large enough for a man to get into so the door could only work one way out and not in, how would we do that?”

“Is there a way of placing pins that bend one way?” Thena said with a look of dismay.

Coal looked at the other three and smiled, “how about welding something Seeker?”

Seeker looked at Coal, “no that would not work, be to stiff and no one could get out or in.”

“If anyone thinks of a way of doing it then we will do it other wise we will just have to take a chance! Keep the doors lock from the inside.”

The day was filled with work by the time lunch came, and went Thena had all the motion detectors in place, all were signalling fine. Motion cameras were up and in place and hooked into a lap top Thena brought with her. Coal and Telme put all the window movement detectors in. a circuit is broken the alarm goes off. After lunch flood lights were set up in trees and on the house all worked on batteries, and were well out of the reach of the average person, but not for a large cat. When one light went on they all went on if one light was damaged they all came on, all done by signals. Several traps were set and trip wires were set up.

Coal helped Thena make dinner, a noodle salad, lasagna, and mashed potatoes, and sweet baby string beans, ice cream for a treat with a hot apple sauce. And hot apple cider to drink. Lights were kept down low for the evening. When ten p.m. came Thena said she was going to bed.

Thena went up the stairs picked up her suit case out of Seekers room and moved down to the room he had given her earlier. Walked to the bed slipped off her clothes laid them in a chair and put on her pj’s to sleep in. Thena was nearly a sleep when the door flew open and Seeker walked in! “What the hell are you doing in here?”

“Simple I have changed my mind, I don’t think you can handle love them and leave them at least not with me Seeker! You know it and so do I.! Your reaction was anger kept tight inside of you, and controlled when I told you there could not be any emotional ties between us. This is for the best Seeker.” Thena was dismayed at the anger Seeker was showing on his face. His face was red, his lips were pressed closed, and his eyes were slits, the nerves in his jaw twitched slightly.

“I know no such thing! You’re coming back to my room, and it will be over when I say it is over!” Seeker thought she would just obey his orders he was the alpha of the house and she was staying in his house, and if she refused punishment would come swift and hard.

Thena saw the anger, she new exactly what he was thinking and it was not going to work, not on her! “Listen to reason Seeker, we can never be together, I don’t have the feelings for you that you think you feel for me! I kill people for a living, my fee is one million dollars a hit, and I am one of the world’s best! It would be to dangerous for you to even being near me once this is over with, and you’re safe and sound! It would be wise not to try any thing with me Seeker! I won’t give up my job for you or anyone, at least not right now!”

Seeker grinned at Thena, and as fast as she could bat her eyes once he was on her. He had her pinned down on the bed, he ripped her pj’s from her and when she lay naked and he had her hands and arms pinned above her head. Seeker smiled, “don’t try anything with you?” Seeker laughed, “what do you intend to do now that I have you just where I want you at my mercy Thena?”

Seeker expected her to fight and he looked forward to it. Instead he watched her eyes fill with tears looked away from Seeker and relaxed her body, she was not going to fight. “She whispered, “If it makes you feel so almightily in control! The big strong alpha of the house; go a head and rape me!” A true alpha male wouldn’t have to resort to rape remember that Seeker. Tears ran down from her eyes onto the sheet beneath Thena. Seeker licked at the tears, and kissed her when she did not respond at all to his touch, to his lips. Seeker touched her between the legs and began rubbing her clitoris still she refused to respond. It was then he realized a woman had to want it to respond. Seeker undid his pants and pulled his shaft from inside and tried to push his shaft inside Thena and still she refused. Seeker new he was defeated and she didn’t even have to fight him off to win.

Seeker rose up and off of Thena looked at her laying there totally defeated and he placed his shaft back inside his pants turned and walked out the bedroom door. Seeker walked to his room he felt his anger turn to distaste for his actions. Seeker realized a true alpha male would never have attempted rape of a female. If Thena didn’t leave he would be surprised. Some how he knew she would leave. He had done something beyond apologies. Just maybe he could convince her that it would never happen again and that he would not touch her again if she would only stay. Seeker would if he had to convince her to stay one way or the other at least until he had enough of her or who ever it is taking pot shots at them is captured or killed. Then maybe he could convince her he loved her and she would want to stay. It did not matter to him if she didn’t love him, she would eventually break down and want to stay with him. His life would be perfect.

Thena waited until she knew everyone in the house was sound a sleep, and then she dressed leaving her torn pj’s on the bed she picked up her suit case walked out of the room and never looked back. She shut down the alarm system she had set up. She felt sick and weak figured it was just from lost blood and then the chance of rape all were wearing on her. Tears ran down her cheeks when she drove out of the drive way when she had realized how close she had come to getting raped she had to leave.

In the morning Seeker dressed. He had made up his mind he would make sure Thena remained for the time being. He walked towards the stair case noticed Thena’s door was still closed; he walked down the steps to the kitchen. Coal and Telme were sitting eating scrambled eggs and toast with bacon. Coal looked up, “Thena still a sleep?”

Seeker looked at Coal, “maybe one of you should go wake her she is in the room at the top of the stair case.”

Telme smiled, “I’ll go and get her up.”

Ten minutes later Telme came down with a frown on his face. “She is gone, her suit cases are gone, her torn pj’s were on the bed, her bed is made with fresh sheets and I looked out side and her vehicle is also gone.” Telme had his suspicions of what might have happened, but said nothing. He was disappointed in Seeker. Telme realized the time to take over was getting closer and closer by the second as he watched Seeker failing at being a strong independent leader of a pack. It might be why they had not gotten any calls on anyone joining the pack.

Seeker bit down on his lip, “Damn it all to hell! Reset the all the alarms make sure they are all working.”

Chapter 3

Thena lay in bed at the motel in Little River. She had made a mistake she swore she would never make the same mistake again, that was getting involved with a client. Well if truth be known he really wasn’t a client. You felt sorry for the guy, he did the right thing at the right time, and now Melrodger wanted him dead for it. There is always a price to pay for each action taken, or not taken. Sometimes the price is just too high or not fair at all. And in this case Seekers price was not fair and way to damn high. Then it nearly cost her more then she was willing to pay; being raped was far too high a price. She was lucky she got out of that one so easy. Thena swore to herself never again, this time she meant it. Men were now no part of her life.

She knew she had to pull in a favor or two, and there was no time like the present. Picking up the cell phone she dialled a number. When the man answered she smiled, “Hi baby, I need a favor, and I am willing to pay more then the normal fee lets say double. I want any and all illegal information you can get me on Melrodger Courtoreille and I need it like yesterday!”

The man on the phone smiled, no problem at all for you Thena, I can leave tomorrow morning and get back to you as soon as I have something to report. I am not busy at the moment and some extra money for the pups would be nice.”

Dorthena smiled, “give Alexis and the pups my love will ya sweetie!”

“You know I will Dorthena, and take care of yourself if you messing with Courtoreille you messing with someone extremely dangerous. Bye Dorthena,”

“Good bye Zand remember be careful, yourself.”

Zand called Alexis in his mind, “Pack me a suit case, leaving first thing in the morning sweetheart, I love you, all during the afternoons and evenings into the nights.” The smile she had on her face when she walked into Zand’s office made his heart jump and his eyes sparkled with desire.”

Thena decided to get dressed first a quick shower and check out town see whose vehicles are in the motel and hotel parking lots. Thena was still not feeling one hundred percent. Her body had not replaced all the blood she had lost. Thena decided to see what people are saying in town. Before leaving the room she put on a brown wig, light blue contacts, slipped in some false teeth to make her teeth appear longer then normal and she padded her hips a little, put on make up to cover her pale complexion, walked out the door with key and purse in hand.

She moved around the parking lot making mental notes of any vehicle she thought didn’t fit into the area. Then she walked down the street checking out the stores even went into the grocery store picked up a bag of chips paid for them. Went into a store for clothes called Millie’s picked up a t-shirt, the woman said it would not fit her, she informed the lady it was a gift not for her. She purchased a skirt as well, she liked it with a few adjustments she could change it to suit her needs. There was a small sewing store in town and she headed in there purchased some snaps, Velcro strips of black. Then purchased half a meter of material to suit, then saw some material she knew would be perfect and purchased three meters of it. Then she went to a small restaurant had a bacon and lettuce sandwich with tomatoes and mayo and a cup of coffee. It was Monday and not too many people were in town. Which to, Thena made it nice to snoop and talk to people. She found out that there was a couple in town stuck to themselves, were not friendly at all seem to be real nosey about the house out in the woods with the three men living there. The three men were well thought of; most said they were very kind, generous, and always helpful, worked hard, other wise stayed to them selves except on Friday nights. Friday nights were spent at the bar called Sammie’s where they usually drank and watched sports or had dates with one of the local girls.

Thena headed back to the motel room keeping very vigilant to her surroundings when she saw the couple come out of there room. She watched them with interest in a casual way. They appeared to be exactly the same couple as she had seen in the woods at Seekers place. The woman did not seem to be using any wigs since the guy grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back for a kiss and she laughed. Thena knew immediately who they were, they were a couple who worked together, played together and stayed together, they both did hits and were well paid for it. They were straight out of the states once worked for the CIA special OPS. Now they were just hired to do a job and they did it. Seeker was in trouble and in trouble deep with these two, the name Cullen came to mind. It was going to take everything she learned over the years to stop the two of them from completing there mission! The only good news out of it all was they were not werewolves, or were’s of any kind they were all human.

When Thena reached her room she used the key listened carefully as she turned the key, and opened the door staying off to the side, when she realized it was safe she walked in to her room. She needed help she knew that, but to make the call to the one, who could help her most, was out of the question. She made that call she knew what it meant, she would owe him and he’d collect when the job was done. Deep in thought and wondering what her next move should be her cell phone rang. “Hello Thena speaking.”

“I new I would catch up with you sooner or later; are you coming home soon?” Ned said with a smile. Ned was her right hand man for electronic gizmo’s and such. Ned knew computers and electronics like most people new the back of there hands He could hack anything dealing with government. If you wanted a bomb built and didn’t want anyone to know it was a bomb Ned was the man for the job. She knew he did work on the side for other people and she really didn’t mind as long as they were not after her. Ned lived in her home had a basement apartment; he had a girl friend, the same one for the past five years. She moved in last year was working out perfectly. Thena was hoping Ned would marry Melissa they were perfect for each other. Melissa was kind, generous and loved Ned deeply.

“To tell the truth no I won’t be coming home soon Ned, I am in deep and in over my head, dealing with the Cullen’s Ned not sure what to do right now I just need time to think. I will call you back in a day or so! Tell Melissa I said hello and to take care of herself, and Ned marry the girl.”

Ned didn’t like how Thena sounded on the phone he was worried. She was in over her head she needed help and she needed it now not in a day or so. The last time he has spoken to her she wanted him to tell Ryker something and then changed her mind. He knew the story between the two. They worked together for a while, and then got emotionally attached, they were lovers, then when she couldn’t make the call that would cost him his life and she almost lost a client instead, that was the day they parted. The blow up was spectacular to say the least. They had actually gotten into a fight that came to blows she stood up to Ryker in the end she lost, but not before she left her mark on Ryker. Ryker never dated, didn’t have anything to do with women emotionally. He was still in love with Dorthena and she was still in love with Ryker. Ned thought they were the perfect couple. Oh he new Ryker saw a whore or two when the need arose, and Thena had one affair usually a one night stand and it was over. Thena would not let anyone get close to her, no emotional ties with her. Ned realized that Thena had said for him to marry Melissa, Thena never got involved in his life, now he was really worried. Ned had made up his mind.

Dialling the phone it rang twice and a deep baritone male voice came on, “Ryker!”

“Ryker its Ned I need to speak to you, Thena is in over her head and needs your help!”

Ryker scowled. “Did Thena ask you to call me Ned?”

Ned puckered his brows, “No damn it; but you know damn well she won’t call you, get over your damn pride and help her out Ryker!”

“When Thena calls I will step in, and help her other wise I can’t do that, and you know damn well why!” Ryker said in resentment.

“If you change your mind she is in Little River up in Alberta, Canada and if she is in over her head then there are other hit men on her ass one named Cullen; so think about not ever seeing that cute ass of hers again! Can you live with that Ryker? Know this Ryker she never got over you!” Ned slammed down the phone down and the cradle cracked. Ned swore over the phone cracking, not that it bothered him purchasing another one he had a line of credit thanks to Dorthena. But that he was experience extreme anger he had not experienced in years he kept it under tight control. Dorthena took good care of Ned, he did what he loved most in all the world, the pay was exceptionally high and truth be known he loved her like family. There was nothing they would not do for one another.

Ryker swore under his breath, “Oh what the hell I am not on a job right now any way. Cullen damn now they were a pair and Thena couldn’t’ handle them both. If I keep out of sight she might not know I am there, and I can help her out with out her knowledge. Awe shit, damn me, she’ll know! Ryker packed up his stuff, called a cab. Ryker lived in a penthouse apartment on the thirty first floor, a private elevator had to be used to get to his apartment only he know the combination to operate it other then Thena. As Ryker walked out the front door he was picked up and taken to the air port. Ryker hoped into his plane after packing it up with necessary items to do the job. He would fly out tonight do a lay over and start again in the morning reach Little River by early evening.

Ryker called Ned the next day on the phone, “Ned I am on my way I’ll be in Little River by tonight don’t tell Thena I am in the area. I am flying in and I have a new plane so Thena won’t know it is me. I will rent a vehicle and get a room at some hotel or motel. Where is Thena staying at?”

“She is staying in the only motel in town room twenty-three so that leaves you cabins or at the hotel.” Ned smiled. “Thanks Ryker I appreciate your being there for her! Ryker I haven’t been able to contact Thena this morning, I am worried!”

“Well like you said Ned, I could not live with myself if I never saw that cute ass again.” Ryker laughed and hung up his cell phone, stuck it in his shirt pocket.

Thena was in the shower she was thinking of Ryker. Thena could not get over him no matter how hard she tried. His face would come to mind and she would feel hot between the legs. She wondered why she was thinking of him so much lately. She just was not sure if it was the danger she was in or if so many things lately reminded her of him. After a long hot bath Thena blew her hair dry, brushed her teeth, put on clean clothes and stepped out of the bathroom to find a gun pointing at her from the side of the door. Thena threw up her arm knocking the gun out of the woman’s hand, punches were flying from both women, and Thena put up one hell of a fight, two night tables fall over, small table to eat at had two broken legs. The Cullen woman pulled a knife and sliced down her arm. Then Thena was hit from behind and down she went. When Thena woke up she found herself tied to a chair with a rope made of hemp. Cullen the man was standing over her. “Where is Seeker?”

Thena looked up at him, “Don’t know where he is, do not fucking care either!” The son of a bitch tried to rape me! So I don’t fucking care?”

Cullen slapped her hard across the face with the back of his hand, “Not the right answer Thena, where is Seeker?”

Thena looked at him, “does it make you feel like a man to slap around a woman Cullen? I don’t know where he is?”

Cullen only reply was a punch in the face. “Lets start again bitch where is Seeker?”

“I don’t fucking no, what part of I don’t fucking no; don’t you understand ass hole?” Thena said.

Cullen pulled back his fist and slammed it into Thena’s face.

Cullen turned to his wife, “get some water she is out cold again sweet heart!”

Cullen’s mate smiled warmly, “sure baby right away.” Cullen’s wife leaned over and gave him a kiss.

When Cullen dumped the glass of water all over Thena’s face she came too. Thena spit water and looked at Cullen through one eye, the other one was swelling shut. “Ryker hears what you did to me your dead meat Cullen.”

Cullen began to laugh, “He doesn’t give a rats ass about you any more Thena, the last time I saw Ryker he had a whore sitting on his lap. Now bitch were is Seeker?” Cullen said with a smile.

“I don’t fucking no so fuck off you bastard!” Thena said through clinched teeth. Thena was stubborn when the mood stuck her and it had stuck her full force. The harder Cullen pushed the more she refused to answer his questions.

“Cullen said I think I can get you to talk bitch.”

Cullen reached down ripped Thena’s top slightly.

Cullen reached in to one of her breasts and pinched down hard on one of her nipples, Thena cried out in pain. “Now talk bitch!”

Thena began to cry, “I don’t fucking no!”

Cullen lost his temper and slammed the butt end of his gun down and across Thena’s jaw!” Thena was out cold. Cullen’s mate tossed water on her it didn’t do any good. They would have to wait for her to come around on her own. Cullen’s temper was lost and he slapped Thena around blackened her other eye, split her lip. Then he sat down and waited for Thena to come around.

Betty smiled at Cullen, “Cullen make love to me baby I need it, all this has turned me on. Please stick that big cock of yours in me baby and drive me crazy. Cullen smiled.

Cullen watched Betty walk to him he pulled her down on the bed and fucked Betty long and hard until she screamed his name and came all over his shaft. Then Cullen worked it a few more times and came in side of her. Slowly they dressed and smiled at each other. Cullen smiled, “sex is always at its best with you Betty when we are working.

An hour later Cullen looked at his watch damn it’s nearly seventy thirty already. Thena moaned and moved her head.

Cullen stood up, “Now Thena why don’t you be a real sweet heart of a girl and just tell me what I want to know and I will walk out of here letting you live if you keep telling me to fuck off I am going to kill you! Now sweet heart where is Seeker?”

Thena couldn’t see a thing her eyes were both swollen completely shut, her jaw ached something awful, her head hurt beyond anything she ever felt before. She began to cry silently. “I don’t know where Seeker is I left him yesterday he did not tell me he had travelled plans.

Cullen screamed, Wrong fucking answer,” Cullen slapped Thena across the face.

Ryker landed his plane at seven thirty and rented a crew cab truck loaded his stuff into it and drove into town. Ryker decided to rent a cabin near the motel so he could watch Thena. He left the rental truck parked out side the cabin.

Once he was settled in he decided to take a walk around town. It was hard to not be noticed Ryker was six foot three and a half, had coal black hair, blue eyes, perfect set of teeth, and a smile women seem to love about him and found irresistible. His body was well muscled he knew women appreciated it physical attributes. He was however missing part of one ear lobe, a nick in his right ear. It would get itchy when it got cold, he scowled Thena had nicked his ear with one of her claws and tore off a piece of his ear lobe. Suddenly the fight came back to him and he stopped walking while waiting for a light to change from green to red.

He never dreamed she would try to stand up to him that day they parted. They had both lost there tempers and both of them had a bad one, it was seldom lost once it was, it was out of control. They argued over putting a client in danger, and saving his hide. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he had, he dislocated her shoulder, and had broken her arm in the fight. When screaming and yelling at one another got lost tempers flare and Thena shifted into a panther. He shifted down into a werewolf then had to shift so that he was between the two to get the best of Thena. He felt disgusted with himself for his actions. In return she had nicked his ear, cut him up with her claws pretty bad, and when it came down to losing blood it was him not her. She had shifted down into a cat and he was a werewolf Ryker learned quickly never fight with Thena unless you mean to kill her. Ryker started walking again, then a girl came up to him, mister got a cigarette?” The girl said with a smile.

Ryker smiled, “No don’t smoke,”

The girl smiled “I am Faye thirty dollars will get you laid, a blow is twenty, or I can jerk you off for ten bucks” she said with a smile.

Ryker looked down at the girl, she could not have been more then eighteen, she stood about five feet tall, had big brown eyes to large for her face, he smiled, and she was not at all that good looking. He thought actually it might work if the guy kept his eyes closed. One second thought he wouldn’t screw her if she was the only woman left on earth. Humanity would be doomed! “No thanks got a wife.” That was not true but it usually made the young girls disappear quickly. And it worked well. Ryker smiled this time it worked like a charm. Unfortunately it didn’t work on the older whores, they didn’t care if he was married or not. Then a stern no damn way usually worked on them. Ryker came to the motel looked at the room number Ned had given him. Room twenty-three the lights were on. He could not see in side the room from a distance the curtains were closed, but an uneasy feeling came over him. Ryker’s inner wolf growled. He walked silently up to her door and listened. He heard what sounded like a slap, then a voice, “where the hell is he bitch?”

Muffled words sounding like, “take a fast shit for your self Cullen.”

Cullen leaned into Thena, “Where is Seeker bitch?”

“Thena said in a voice that did not sound like hers, “Fuck off!”

Suddenly Cullen grabbed her slapped her and then, dragged her across the room, pick Thena up laid her across the top of a long dresser. “Sweetheart,” Cullen said to his wife, “get a pitcher of water and let’s see if she can breathe water. When she finds out she can not maybe she will answer my questions!”

Cullen’s wife walked into the bathroom and came out two minutes later with a pitcher of water and a hand towel and slowly pinned Thena’s head down so she could not move it, and drained the pitcher of water over Thena’s face. Thena tried to move her head to avoid the water but couldn’t Thena began choking and spitting up water!

Ryker heard muffled words that sounded like fuck off by a female’s voice, and another slap in the face. Ryker listened closer to the door he heard muffled sounds like some one being dragged a short distance. Ryker moved towards the window and looked in through a small slit in the curtains. The room was a mess, it appeared Thena had put up a good fight tables were on there sides some were broken. He saw Thena up on a dresser with a towel being put over her face, and then a woman came out of the bathroom and started dumping water over her face she either took in the water or could not breathe. When they stopped the towel was removed and Thena threw up water, and was choking. Ryker had seen enough he had to act and act now or they were going to kill her. The man was screaming at Thena, “Where is he you fucking bitch?” Cullen said while digging his fingers into Thena’s arms.

Ryker went to the door and knocked no answer so he knocked again. The room was silent he walked back to the window and Thena was on the floor being held down with a hand over her mouth, he could not see the female figured she was either behind the door or had slipped out of sight in the room. He went back and knocked again. Nothing so he pretended to leave the area making loud noise as he walked away. Then Ryker slipped back silently to the window and looked in. Thena was sitting in a chair her hands were tied behind her back, she had two black eyes, which were swollen shut, a split lip that was bleeding, nose was bleeding and her jaw appeared to be swollen. She also had a few black and blue marks on her arms, her right arm had been bleeding. He looked closely at Thena then at the man. The man had blood on him, his face was clawed up bad, and he limped slightly as he moved around the room. Ryker watched as the man gave Thena a shake and when she tried to looked at him he asked her,” where is Seeker?” When she told him to fuck off again and he punched her in the face the blow had knocked Thena out.

Chapter 4

Ryker went to the door and hit it hard landed on the floor rolled and fired his nine millimetres with the silencer on it and the man went down, the woman was not in sight. Where the hell did she go? He checked the room top to bottom and decided she must have gone out the open window in the bathroom. Ryker untied Thena got a cloth and put it over her nose and lip. Ryker tied a piece of the sheet on her arm. Once the bleeding had stopped Ryker picked her up carried her to the cabin he was renting, removed her clothes washed her body of blood with a warm cloth and placed her in his bed. He noticed a red mark on her shoulder turned her over and another one was on her shoulder blade. She had been shot and from the looks of the wound lost a lot of blood and it had been within the past day or so since the mark was still visible. Suddenly he was filled with anger that ran deep inside him and it wanted to burst forth. Ryker hit the bedroom door with his fist. He felt better then!

He then walked the block to the motel room collected all of Thena’s clothes and items including guns and carried them back to his room. When he went back the third time he picked up the man who lay dead on the floor and carried his body to the truck and drove off. Once the body was disposed of he drove back to the cabin. Ryker had been gone for over an hour. As he drove back to the cabin he wondered how Thena was. It was good to see her again, he had missed her, and it was like part of his heart had gone a stray and now it was back where it belonged.

Ryker used his key and opened the door to the cabin. Walked in silently and worked his way to his bed room. Thena was still out cold in the bed. He smiled she was still beautiful, her eyes were swollen shut, she had a fat lip, and her jaw was swollen and he could not get over how beautiful she still was in his eyes. He thought to himself; too think her beautiful in the condition she was in it had to be nothing short of pure unadulterated love of the purest kind. It had been a year since they parted, he had mellowed a little, missed her like hell.

He whispered to her, “there has been no one else but you love. There never will be; we belong together, I just wish you would realize it.” He would not force her to come to him, she had to come to him on her own terms, and he would wait even if it took forever, or the time never came at all.

Ryker smiled, he had been born on the rise of the full moon. His Father was an alpha male had a small pack in the states. If his mother had waited another three days he would have been born on the full moon. He was a leader, take charge kind of guy, he loved deeply, would always be faithful no matter what; would think before he acted. He had a temper, but lost it so seldom most thought he did not have one. However, when he did lose it, damn the world he was a bull in china shop. When push came to shove he shoved back and he shoved back hard. Ryker was very manipulating alpha male. He would if he could manipulate destiny when possible. He was romantic most times with the female he was with, always buying flowers, or candy or taking them out to eat, always remembered anniversaries. He was also a patient lover making sure the female enjoyed herself as much as he did. He had to admit since Thena and him split, he didn’t make love he just had sex for the release and didn’t care about who he was with, or if they were satisfied or not. The whores he was with wanted it over quick get there money and leave which suited him.

Slowly and carefully he slipped Thena’s night grown on to her body. Walking back to the living room he smiled, “she needs me right now, whether she likes it or not.”

Ryker fixed himself a sandwich and some soup and a salad. As he sat there and ate he decided it would be wise to sleep on the couch such as it was. After looking at the couch for about three minutes he decided against that. In stead he made up a bed on the floor out of some quilts and blankets and spare sheets, shut off the lights, crawled in with a t-shirt on and a pair of briefs. The bed was made up next to the door so all he had to do was reach out and grab someone trying to leave or enter the bedroom. He made sure that with the lights off he could not be seen from any direction. He appeared to be nothing more then a shadow on the floor.

During the night Ryker woke up to hear, Thena crying and calling his name. Ryker got up and walked into the bedroom and listened to her cries, she was moaning half the time, and crying the other half. In side it all she was calling to Ryker, at one point he heard her say, “I love you Ryker now and always have loved you.” Then he heard, “no Seeker don’t do it, no please don’t Ryker!” Thena’s words disappeared in a quick inhale and her tears.

Ryker wondered who the hell is Seeker, why was she begging him not to do something what did she say raw don’t ray. Hell that doesn’t make sense. Don’t’ rap, suddenly his fist hit the door and wood splintered he tried to rape her, I will kill the son of a bitch. He won’t live another day if I find out he actually raped her! Thena never heard his fist hit the door, nor did she hear Ryker swearing.

When Thena fall back into a deep sleep Ryker stood there frowning at her, “so you never stopped loving me sweetheart. Well then this might not be as difficult as I thought it might be to get you to see we belong together.” Ryker turned got back into his make shift bed and fall a sleep while wondering who Seeker was and how he was going to kill the bastard, and what else had he done to Thena.

When the sun light came into the window, he woke looked around it took him a minute to realize where he was then he jumped up and looked in the bedroom door. Thena was still in bed a sleep thank goodness. He looked at her and his shaft grew hard and bigger then normal and he had to get his shaft down before Thena woke and saw him. He rushed off to the bathroom, used the toilet and took a quick shower, a cool one and came out. He stretched his arms and legs and muscles to work the kinks out of them from sleeping on the floor.

Ryker checked on Thena and she was still a sleep. He wondered about that since she was an early riser so the fact that it was already eight in the morning and her still in bed had him concerned. He walked into the bed rested his hand against her forehead it felt fine, cool to the touch. He listened to her breathing and it sounded a little rattled, but that did not surprise him with having water forced down her throat and nose. He placed his hand under the sheets and touched her leg and it was warm. He pulled his hand out and looked at her face and smiled she was just a sleep. He should not have been surprised with the lost blood from the gun shot wound and after last night it will take a little time for her too recuperate from the ordeals. Cats may have nine lives he thought, but it takes them a little longer to recover then werewolves. But she was also a werewolf, but leaned more towards the cats.

Just then Thena’s cell phone rang and he picked it up and said, “Hello!”

Hi Ryker old man; how you doing this is Zand,” Zand said with a big smile.

Ryker smiled deeply, “Zand I am great and how about you, and that glorious mate you have? How did you know it was me?”

“Alexis is just fine and so are the two pups. Ryker your voice would be recognized by anyone it is such a deep baritone. Thena asked me to do some checking around on Melrodger Courtoreille, and I have the word on the street for Thena.”

Damn Zand you now got two pups’ last I heard you had your first one on the way. Time flies when you’re having fun!” Ryker laughed! “What is it Zand I need to know to help Thena,” Ryker said with a knitted brows.

“The word on the street is that Melrodger wants not only Seeker killed, but he wants Thena dead as well, she is the only tie in to Michael Claims death and Melrodger connection. Seeker is the man who was with Melrodger’s son Cue when he was killed. Get Thena to a safe place Ryker you your welcome to come up to the alpha house with Storm and Wind take residence in one of the cabins, if it is to far there is also Rain Walker and his mate Amethyst’s place they also have vacant cabins you can use. Storm and Rain are brothers; both will certainly lend you a hand if I asked.”

Ryker smiled, “I’ll have to get back to you on this one, it’s pretty dangerous situation I just killed an ex-CIA OPS working for the highest bidder. His mate is still around I am sure and she is dangerous beyond words. It might be a situation where Melrodger may have to be removed from the picture all together. I would be more then happy to take care of that problem myself. I had a run in with him fifteen years ago when I was a young kid. And let’s say I lost that one and I don’t intend to lose a second time as far as Melrodger is concerned. I have learned plenty over the years on how that alpha operates.”

“The name on the couple would not be Cullen would it?” Zand said with a worried looked.

“Zand that is the name of them alright, don’t tell me anything concerning them unless it is something I would not know of which would be something recent; such as in the past year or a little more. ”

“Recent news is they were behind the killing of the Hart family in Florida, the killing of Sam Douglas in Detroit and Marshall Wilcox’s son Steven, they did some mercenary work in Asia for a month or two, nothing else knew.”

“Zand do me a favor and find out who this Seeker is for me and don’t let Thena know I was asking you to find out about him for me please? Zand I intend to kill the son of a bitch the reason is my own.”

Zand thought, “ok will do see what I can find out tell me where he is staying?

“In this area I believe Zand.” Ryker said with a deep frown on his face. Ok I’ll keep you informed thanks for a job well done, and I might get back to you on a safe place to stay. Problem is I don’t want to endanger others. And you know me I always put others first.”

Zand figured that Seeker must have done something awful for a man like Ryker to want to kill him and he figured it had something to do with Thena. Now what would make a man like Ryker want to kill another man, he must have forced himself on Thena that was the only answer. Zand hit the steering wheel of his truck, he felt like taking pieces out of Seeker as well. No damn alpha would ever attempt rape no matter what. They had more control then that.

Ryker hung up the phone walked to the refrigerator opened it up; looked in side. “Damn not much to eat a bag of chips from Thena’s motel room. Better then nothing.” As he sat there eating the chips at the table he heard Thena moan and got up quickly and rushed to the bedroom.

Thena sat in the middle of the bed tried to see out her eyes but they were swollen shut completely. Her head ached beyond belief. Her jaw was aching like hell. Her lip felt like it was on fire. She wanted to cry, but was beyond tears. Her nose was tender and felt stuffed up. Then she heard someone in the room, she froze, “who’s there?” She reached under the pillow and came up with no gun, where the hell had she left one of her guns? She knew she left one under her pillow, who ever was in the room had to have taken it. Turning she leaned her head back as far as she could trying to see, but saw nothing, “Please tell me who is here?”

“Thena it’s me Ryker,” his deep baritone voice seeped into body, “settle down in the bed you’re badly hurt and need to recuperate from the hell you went through last night.” Ryker looked worried. Then he new from the look on her face what was coming next.

“What the hell are you doing here? I never ask you to come! Get the hell out of my motel room! I can handle the situation just fine without your help! I don’t want you here! Get out or I’ll call the motel manager!” Thena tried to reach for the phone by the bed and found no table. Thena began to scream at Ryker. “Ryker where is the damn table and the phone, where is my gun from under the pillow? Damn it, Ryker answer me right now or so help me you will regret it! Answer me Ryker, where the hell am I?”

Ryker never said a word he just let Thena rant and rave on and on until she couldn’t rant and rave any more. When she threw herself back into the bed she waited silently as tears ran down her cheeks, Ryker spoke softly, “I am here, because Ned called me. I know you didn’t ask me to come, but I am here now. We are not in your motel room; you were in no shape to be left there to tend to yourself. As for the handling the situation love, I think you were doing great up until last night! The man Cullen is dead I killed him one bullet to the head took care of him. Since I am here now, I am staying as for lending you a hand if you want it fine I’ll help, if not fine, I have another job to do! There is no phone in this cabin we are staying in and your gun is under the mattress on your right.”

Suddenly sitting up Thena was glad she could not see Ryker’s face with some self satisfied smirk on it. Or the, I told you so look! Truth was there was no smirk or I told you so look, just a worried frown. Thena laid back down in bed she felt defeated, tired, warn out, and half dead inside. Come to think of it she felt half dead inside since her and Ryker split a year a go, she was not going to tell him that. Here she was twenty six years old and she felt like a hundred years old. Thena turned on her side and shut out the world.

Then it crossed her mind what day it was. She turned in bed and smiled, “Ryker,” when he walked into the room Thena sat up, “Happy birthday Ryker your thirty today. I hope you have many more, “With that Thena laid back down turned on to her side and shut out the world and tried to fall a sleep. Sleep would not come easy not with Ryker in the same cabin. Thena felt desire shoot through her body but was too weak to do much about it.

“Ryker smiled, she had remembered it was his birthday, Ryker slipped out of the cabin locked the door walked down to the local store purchase some groceries, two candles and two candle holders, a box of chocolates, an apple pie stopped at the liquor store and purchased a bottle of wine! Ryker walked back to the cabin unlocked the door and walked in. Closed the door behind him and started dinner for the two of them. When the steaks were cooked both loved them medium done, wine opened, salad and mashed potatoes and sweet corn he walked to the bedroom.

Thena looked a lot better, her eyes were not swollen shut any longer, but they were a beautiful color of reds, purples, yellow and even black, more then likely still tender. Her color was extremely pale and didn’t like the pasty look she had about her. It was not just her face but her arms and legs as well. He walked to the bed; Thena wake up love dinner is ready. Thena had slept the better part of the day away.

Thena turned onto her back from her side and looked up at Ryker; he was still so handsome her heart skipped a few beats. His smile warmed her heart, and she felt warm between the legs, desire shot through her body. She wanted him, yet was so scared to let him know her desires for him still ran strong with in her body. Her body remembered the satisfaction Ryker could give her. The long hours of love making; and her body demanding more, what was she to do now with these feelings racing through her body?

“Come dinner is ready your steak is getting cold.” Ryker said with a big smile as if he had read her mind. He had not but his mind was racing along the same lines of thinking. And his shaft was growing hard. Dismissing the uncomfortable feelings he waited for Thena.

“Slowly Thena moved the covers from her and slid her legs over the side of the bed. She sat for a moment feeling dizzy then got up. Ryker took her by the arm and led her to the table. When she was seated he put wine in her glass, lit the candles turned down the lights, served up steak, potatoes and corn. Thena said little at the table almost scared to say anything it might ruin the dinner. Ryker talked on about jobs he had done over the year, he didn’t mention any girl friends and Thena would not ask. He did not ask her about men friends which was fine with her since there had only been two with Seeker being the most recent if you could call it anything but one morning sex.

When dinner was over he cut her a slice of apple pie and gave her a box of chocolates. Thena set the chocolates aside. They were her favorite chocolate covered nuts. When dinner was over Thena suggested she do the dishes but Ryker said absolutely not, she needed her rest and wanted her to go back to bed immediately after dinner.

Thena got up from the table and started for the bedroom when she was half way to the bedroom door Thena felt funny and she stopped walking leaned her head off to one side as if she were listening. Thena began to sway slightly back and forth. Then suddenly Ryker was picking her up off her feet and carrying her to the bed. He laid her down, “Are you ok Thena? You do not look to well!”

“Just need time to recover is all I have lost a lot of blood in the past few days.”

“How much blood have you lost Thena? Damn it answers me?” Thena was unconscious in his arms he laid her back.

“Rushing to Thena’s cell phone he dialled Zand, “Zand here!”

“Zand it’s Ryker I need a doctor and a doctor fast, who can I call?”

“Zand gave Ryker, Paige’s number and he dialled it.

When the phone rang, “Jake and Paige, what can I do for you?”

“Please let me speak to Paige Zand gave me her number.”

Jake turned yelled, “Paige it is for you honey.”

Paige came to the phone, “Hello.”

Paige my name is Ryker I am a friend of Zand’s please help me?”

Paige smiled; certainly I will help what is the problem.

Ryker smiled, “Woman twenty six, multi shape-shifter mostly cats. Lost a lot of blood from two different situations one from being shot, bullet went through the shoulder. It is now healed, beating last night nose bleeds, mouth bleeding, cut on arm was bleeding, a lot of swelling she is unconscious feel it is from lose of blood.

Paige looked worried, “she needs a blood transfusion right away must be a werewolf’s blood human blood will not work Are you a werewolf or multi shape-shifter?”

“Yes I am a wolf!”

“Then you need to give her blood right away. Is there someone there to help you?” Paige said with authority.

“No I am a lone but I can do it. Ok run a needle with a tube from your vein to the females arm. Make sure you arm is up higher then the females, you should be able to go to a drug store and purchase what you will need say it is for a horse just purchase smaller needles. Call me and let me know how you make out!”

Ryker rushed off to the drug store and when he got back Thena was still out on the bed. Half and hour later Thena was resting comfortable and sound a sleep. Her color looked so much better. He had given her a pint of blood and his werewolf blood was coursing through her veins healing her and helping to reproduce blood. Ryker undid the needles and tube. He had sneaked out to the local hospital and managed to get a bottle of IV for Thena, and set it up for her. Ryker was exhausted and laid next to Thena on the bed sound a sleep.

Chapter 5

The sun was up and it was sixty thirty in the morning. Thena woke up her arm was sore, but other wise she felt great. She had not felt this good in a long time she thought. Must have been that steak dinner last night, must eat more steak she thought. She straighten her arms out and felt someone next to her she turned her head and Ryker was sound a sleep he was laying on his back on top of the bed. Thena smiled, she suddenly wanted him so badly she could cry. He smelled so good, like musk, warm breath of air on the face in the summer time, he smelled of leaves and the woods, her inner wolf growled. Suddenly she could stand it no longer and she purred with desire. She ached in her tummy and between her legs, she felt wet between the legs. She sat up leaned over Ryker and kissed him hard and deep. When he returned the kiss she began to undo his shirt, his pants, when they were gone he flipped her over onto her back and looked at Thena her eyes were black from desire, her body was hot, she pulled him in but he refused, she cried out ,. “Ryker I need you, I want you know! Please! Thena ran her hand down to his shaft it was hard and large. She rubbed him until the need inside of her was out of control.”

Ryker looked at her scented her, “no Thena. We are working together, no relationship.

She tried to pull him towards her he refused again. She tore at her night grown until it was gone!

“Damn it Ryker I need you now please! I am on fire for you, please Ryker!” Thena said as her body was hit with a wave of heat.

“Thena listen to me your starting your heat likely in day or two, we can’t do it, and we are not a mated pair. I’ll get you some medication or you will have to bear this week out, please don’t beg me again.” Ryker got up out of bed picked up his clothes and walked out of the bedroom.

Thena screamed, “Damn you Ryker if you don’t then I find someone else!” Thena dressed quickly walked out of the bedroom marched across the room and went to open the door. Suddenly she was grabbed from behind by Ryker and he held her tight. Thena began rubbing her butt into Ryker and she felt him growing hot and hard. She purred she tried to turn but he refused to let her move. Then undid the front of her jeans and let them fall to the floor. She bent over rubbing her butt against his shaft.

Ryker held Thena to him his desires were growing beyond what control he had, His inner wolf wanted to dominate Thena and take her. He hoped it was just from the blood transfusion and it would pass. Thena shifted down into a wolf turned on Ryker he shifted down as well. He snapped at Thena trying to gain control over her. She snapped, growled, and snarled, bearing her teeth. Ryker knew she meant business and he had to get the upper hand on her now or it was over between them. Ryker hit Thena with his body knocked her down grabbed her by the throat and put pressure on her until she whimpered in defeat. When Ryker released her Thena shifted back to human form got up and rushed to the bathroom crying. She turned on the shower got in clothes and all, the cold water helped and when she was shivering she turned off the water crawled out of the tub. She wrapped a towel around herself walked to the bedroom and dressed. She knew that cold water nothing would work to help once she got into the heat.

When Thena walked out of the bedroom she looked at Ryker with big sad eyes. Picked up her purse and keys and walked to the door.

“Where the hells are you going” Ryker said in anger.

“I have a job to do and I am going to go do it.” With that she marched out of the cabin and up to the motel she knocked on the door of the motel that Cullen’s were staying in, no answer she opened the door stepped back, and to the side. When she did a small explosion went off and Thena was thrown ten feet landing in the parking lot. Thena jumped up looked around in a daze.

Ryker came rushing up to her. “Thena are you alright?”

Thena looked down at her denims, brushed them off. Checked her self over and walked away from the scene. She walked over to her vehicle, noticed the passenger side door unlocked the rest of the doors were locked. She moved away from the vehicle bent down looked under the SUV saw a bomb attached. Ryker saw her and got down and looked he crawled over to the vehicle and took the bomb out from under the vehicle. Cut the wires and tossed it in a garbage container.

Thena walked back to the cabin grabbed a couple scanners from a box walked back to her vehicle starting at the engine she scanned the vehicle found three more bombs and disabled them. Once that was accomplished she got into her vehicle and drove away leaving Ryker standing in the parking lot.

Ryker was angry with him self she wanted him and he turned her down that was a mistake maybe, once they made love maybe she would have hated him for taking advantage of her. Or she might have hated her self for coming on to him. Either way it would have been a mistake, now she is off by herself and nearly in heat and more then likely looking for a male once she gets hit with another wave of desire. He also knew that if she was in heat there was no female she could not destroy. Females were known to be very jealous when in heat, and they saw there mates as there’s alone.

Thena drove out towards Seeker place of work. When she arrived she saw Seekers truck. She walked up to it ran a scan over the truck. She found two bombs and quickly disposed of them as fast as she could. Then moved her vehicle out of the way and out of sight, but where she could watch his truck and the door he existed out of.

Three hours later she was hit with another wave of desire when she thought of Ryker and had to do something, she pulled her vehicle out and moved away from the buildings and down a side road when she came to a mountain stream she walked out into the water and sat down and cried. When she was shivering and could not stand the cold water another second she got up and walked to her vehicle. Got in soaked to the skin and drove back to where Seeker was working. When she got there she realized that it was after five and everyone had left work. She drove back to the cabin, walked up to the door still wet and cold. When she reached the cabin door she listened and heard nothing. She tried to open the door found it locked. She walked behind the cabin pushed open a window and crawled in. She was shivering and in bad condition she picked up fresh clothes from her suit case and walked to the bathroom taking a gun with her. She turned on the hot water when the tub was full she took off her wet clothes, stepped into the tub and sat down. A half an hour later she was still shivering. The mountain stream had been below freezing she knew, and only stayed in long enough to cool her body down; it must have been to long. She put a bath robe on instead of getting dressed, walked to the tiny kitchen put coffee on and sat down shivering waiting for it to perk. Two cups of coffee, the sun was going down and she moved to the bed in the bedroom, slipped on pj’s and put the bath robe back on took two quilts added them to the bed and crawled in. Breathing was getting difficult and she propped herself up with the two pillows. She fall into a deep sleep, but was still shivering.

Ryker came in around midnight with one job completed. He had hunted down Mrs. Cullen, by tracking her in wolf form. Betty told Ryker that they were only hired to kill Seeker, not Thena. She knew nothing of the bombs in the vehicles except for Seekers truck those she planted. She said she did not plant any bombs in Thena’s vehicle or anyone else’s. She claimed that she had been hired by Melrodger to kill Seeker only. Betty Cullen tried to escape and in the process Ryker killed her and then disposed of the body.

Ryker opened the door to his cabin and felt cool air coming from his bedroom. He slowly walked toward the bedroom noticed the window open and looked at the bed Thena was in bed shivering, no wonder he thought leaving the damn window open. Ryker walked over to the window and closed it. Walking back to the open area of the cabin he made himself a cup of hot chocolate and drank it. Ryker started a small fire in the fire place with the wood that was left beside the fire place by the people who owned the cabin. Ryker walked to the bedroom and noticed Thena was still shivering, she had removed the blankets and he put them back over her. He walked over to her and felt her forehead she was hot; when he put his hand on her under the covers she was perspiring profusely. Her breathing was rattled, he knew she was congested from the water in her lungs and she needed something to bring down her temperature and to clear up her lungs. He rushed out of the cabin to the local hospital explained the situation talked to a doctor and he got into the vehicle with Ryker and went to the cabin. When he looked at Thena took her temperature, he gave her something to bring down the temperature, and put her on IV and antibiotic’s told Ryker if she was worse in the morning to bring her to the hospital immediately. The doctor left a prescription and another IV bag to change over on once the one on Thena arm was empty. The doctor had said call me if things change for the worse. The doctor left with a thousand dollars in his pocket.

At six in the morning Thena was much better he put the new IV bag on her any way, gave her two of the pills the doctor gave him to give her in the morning if she was better. Ryker kept the fire going all day and by evening Thena was back to herself. Almost except for the fact she was one day closer to being in heat and his life was getting harder and harder with her scent to stay away from her sexually. The more into the middle of her heat she got the stronger the scent was. Once it hit its high then it would decease to no scent at all at the end of her heat. She was not speaking to him either which did not help. Unable to take a cold bath she stayed in bed tossed off her covers and cried and took her anger out on the bed.

When the next day came Thena woke up at forty thirty in the morning. Thena was hot, so hot she felt as if she was going to burn to death. She cried, she hit the bed then her pillow, she got up out of the bed drove her fist into the door, blood seeped from her wrist, and then she shifted down into a cat and began screaming like a panther in heat looking for a male. And when Ryker came up and out of his make shift bed she snarled at him, she hissed, and he knew, he could do nothing, a cat would not take orders from a werewolf. The one she would listen to was a male multi shape-shifter. That would be the only one who could handle her now. She slinked to the door and clawed at the door screaming to be released. Ryker could not handle any more he had to do something. Her scent was driving him crazy his shaft was stretched to its limits and he growled at Thena. Thena turned towards him hissed and he walked over to her so she could scent his arousal and she shifted back to human form purred her way into his arms reached down tore his briefs away releasing his male shaft. He picked her up walked her to the bed on the floor laid her down. He kissed her deeply stroking the inside of her mouth with his tongue. He kissed and nipped her neck until she cried out for more. He ran his mouth down to her soft breast and squeezed them gently and then sucked them until her nipples were standing. He moved down her body nipping and kissing and sucking here and there until he reached the apex of her legs. Thena spread her legs open to him and he stuck a finger inside of her and she moaned and lifted herself to him. Slowly he worked his finger in and out of her until two fingers went in then three making her ready for his shaft. Ryker could never remember ever being so large or so hard, yet he had never made love to a female in heat either. Ryker knew it was her scent that was driving him into the mating Thena making him larger then normal and harder then normal.

Thena tried to lift herself to each stroke of Ryker’s fingers but he held her down, dominated her completely it turned her on even more. Thena worked her hands up and down the bed she purred, or she cried out for more. Ryker knew what she wanted but would not give it to her. Then he touched her clitoris with his tongue and she spread her legs wider lifted herself to his mouth he stroked her with his tongue nipped at her gently. She was hot and wet and ready for him and he moved up to her kissed her lips as she took his shaft in her hand and guided him to her, she spread her legs more lifting them so he would have full access to her. Ryker drove his shaft into her and she cried out. He filled her so deeply so fully at first it was painful then uncomfortable, but she had to have him or she felt she would die. The heat wave began again this time heating not only her body but his. She worked his shaft in and out of her pushing hard against her clitoris, banging it over and over again, she screamed out when she orgasm all over his shaft.

Still he was turned on he could not stop pumping it into her tunnel and when she came a second and a third time Ryker released his seed deep in side of her. He lay deep inside of her still hard and ready for another mating. He moved slowly inside of her. Thena pushing her self up to meet him with each deep thrust inside of her and then Ryker was pulling himself nearly out and driving it into her again. When Thena orgasm took over her body another couple of times Ryker released his seed into her. When his shaft relaxed he pulled from her and pulled her into his arms. He looked at the clock it was now six thirty. Thena cuddled into his arms up against his chest and purred. She was still purring when she fall a sleep. Ryker noticed a small cut on her wrist it was not bad or deep but was seeping blood; he pulled a knife off the table next to him, cut his wrist and put it together with hers. Ryker whispered, “As our blood flows together we are one, purity, love, respect and honour are yours. I love you Dorthena now and always!” Ryker held his wrist to hers making sure her blood mixed with his. He was not sure it would be enough but he hoped it would be. The knowledge was the two bloods must mix to make one. Ryker lay there trying to reach out to Thena’s mind and he felt the connection building in him. He whispered in her mind the ritual again, and then he heard Thena whisper back the ritual to him. “As our blood flows together we are one, purity, love, respect, honour, and obedience are yours. I love you Ryker now and always. I have always loved you, I will always love you Ryker.

Ryker smiled, the connection was made, he tied their wrists together and fall a sleep. Three hours later Thena woke she felt odd as if she was not alone. Ryker was not in bed with her and she knew some how he was not in the cabin either, yet he was there. She opened her mind and she could feel Ryker, he was happy, contented, sexually satisfied. He felt stronger, more in control of everything around him; he was so filled with joy and love, love for her. Thena frowned, how would I know this then she heard Ryker in her mind, “I am almost to the cabin went out and brought you something special.”

Ryker had felt Thena in his mind. When the little tinkle began in his mind it made him smile and he opened to her telling her he was almost to the cabin.

When Ryker walked into the cabin he was all smiles until he saw Thena standing in the door way of the bedroom looking at her wrist she saw the scar and knew immediately what left a purplish scar on a wrist. She was crying not just crying silent tears, she was sobbing out loud and her face was soaked. She looked up at Ryker, “Why Ryker, Why?”

Ryker’s smile left his face, “You wanted it Thena, you said the words to the ritual to me, and I thought it was what you wanted as much as I wanted it. Don’t tell me I read you wrong you said the words to the ritual, you wanted it Thena.” Ryker said almost in a pleading voice.

Thena realized suddenly it would not have worked if it had been one sided, it had to be wanted by both sides for the bond to work. The mental connection had to be agreed upon one mind could not reach out without the other responding or reaching out at the same time the ritual was done. She looked at Ryker, “we are mated now for always until one or both of us dies.” Thena said sadly.

Ryker growled, “You don’t have to look like you have been condemned by the universe to be my mate.” Ryker said with deep pain in his voice.

Suddenly Thena felt awful she had hurt Ryker deeply. She wanted him to be happy she wanted him to smile at her. “Ryker, it was such a shock to me. I do not feel as if I have been condemned to be your mate. Actually I am proud to be your mate, I truly do love you, and it’s just that I wanted it to be romantic; I wanted us to be making love when we did the ritual. Tears ran down her cheek. It was a foolish, childish dream of mine is all.

“Honey come to me, I love you so much, I have for so long and there has never been anyone else but you since we met. I thought our ritual mating was great you know what a romantic I am honey. If you want to redo it we can my love. I am more then willing.”

Thena rushed into Ryker’s arms and cried, ‘you truly love me Ryker?”

“Yes honey I do love you more then words can express just read my mind and you will see it all so clearly.”

Ryker opened his mind to Thena and she searched his mind openly and when she found what he was saying was the truth, she broke down and cried, “I love you Ryker have since the moment I laid eyes on you at that party in Sweden when we first met.” Thena opened her mind and Ryker read the truth in her words, he smiled crushed her to his chest.

“I brought you something I think you might like.” Ryker said with a big smile.

He reached into his pocket pulled out a small box handed it to Thena. Thena opened the box and she took a deep breath. It’s beautiful please put it on my neck. Ryker took out the two wolves that stood nose to nose made of gold with a small diamond on each one for eyes. On it was graved the date of there mating. Then he took out a bracelet that matched and placed it on her wrist. She smiled up in Ryker’s face then pulled him down for a kiss that set the world on fire. After two hours of love making they both dressed and headed to a local restaurant the most expensive in town serving the best foods.

Ryker ordered steaks for them both; they had the special home made ice cream. They laughed over silly things; they smiled at one another all through dinner. And both of them could not wait to get back to the cabin and make love again.

When dinner was over they drove the short distance to the cabin. After stepping out of Thena’s SUV Ryker pulled Thena up short next to him and stopped. Then scented the air, leaning down as if to kiss her he whispered, “Someone has been here and may still be here.”

Slowly Thena opened her purse pulled out a gun and hid it behind her purse. Then she scented the area then smiled, “Ok Zand come on out you devil!”

Zand stepped out of beside the cabin and smiled, “Hi you two how are you doing?”

Ryker said “Zand you could have gotten yourself killed.”

Zand laughed, “Not possible I new that Thena would remember my scent. In any case I have information for you since I am on my way home I thought I would deliver it in person. Zand leaned in to give Thena a kissed noticed the necklace, and smiled so you two finally got mated, its damn will time you both got smart, and realized you belong together. Zand kissed Thena on the cheek, and took Ryker’s hand pulled him in for a hug.

“What’ the news you have for us Zand?” Ryker said with a smile.

“The hit on Seeker has been removed; apparently the elders talked Melrodger out of that hit. He is the man who was with his son Cue when he was killed. They are still trying to get him to remove the one on Thena, but he won’t move on that one and he hired someone new in the field his name is Ben Wright. I talked to Rain and to Storm both and your both welcome to go to one of their cabins and stay until this mess is cleared up. What would you like to do guys?”

Ryker looked at Zand, “which would be the safer?”

Well if you come to Storms pack and stay in one of his cabins your better off, because I am a beta for Storm, and I know the locations and there is one perfect cabin for the both of you to stay in.” It is in the middle of no where, the pack can make checks on both of you. Food can be waiting there for you so you won’t have to go into town for anything and supplies can be dropped off to you when you need them.”

Ryker smiled, but going into hiding is not our style we would rather face what is coming and get it the hell over with!”

Zand smiled, “Sweetheart you had better talk to Ryker and tell him it’s better to go to a place where you can fight and win then stay in a place and fight and lose!”

Thena turned to Ryker, “Zand is right sweet heart and with my condition it might be wise to get us a little time together without fighting for our lives at this time. So far I am only into this heat one day now. I think the desire I had for you was just the heat starting up.”

Ryker smiled, “Let’s pack honey and move out of here we will follow you Zand.”

Chapter 6

Half and hour later Ryker turned in his rented vehicle paid rent for his plane to stay at the air port for a while, and followed Zand to Storms place. The drive was a good eight hours and they would stop a long the way get gas and eat. They could have taken the plane, but that would have left them without a vehicle. Zand had made it clear they would need one. Starting out in the dark would help Thena because she would sleep hopefully through some of her first day’s heat.

Four hours into the drive they pulled over got gas, Ryker picked up some sandwiches, treats, and a gift for his new mate. She was a sleep in their vehicle. When Ryker pulled out behind Zand, Thena woke up half an hour later, she was feeling hot, and she needed attention and she needed now. Ryker gave her an ice pack to put on her head and one to stick on her tummy but they didn’t work to well. In the end Ryker was driving and rubbing Thena between the legs he had her clitoris swollen and hot, when she came she cried out lay back with her legs apart and smiling at Ryker. “Ryker I need you to come in me this will not last long. I need to be joined with you. I need your hot hard large shaft inside of me Ryker.”

Ryker smiled, “I know honey we will be there in another three and half hours if you can just hold on until them. In the meantime my fingers are going to have to do.” Ryker smiled sheepishly.

“Well if worse comes to worse find a creek for me to sit in for a few minutes that will cool my body down and then I can mange it for a while it is not going to work for long I am now into my second date of heat. Thena stated firmly.

Two hours down the road and Thena was crying, begging for Ryker to take her. “Please Ryker take me now. I need your shaft deep in side me. Damn it Ryker give it to me, drive your shaft into me please make me come all over you. She was screaming at him, Ryker if you don’t give it to me now I swear I will jump out of this vehicle and go find some one,” she screamed “Ryker I hate you, your punishing me; me your mate, damn you Ryker if you don’t screw me now I swear she screamed like a Panther! Give it to me please and Thena began to cry. Her body was on fire and she was burning up. Please Ryker please she begged”. Ryker tried using his finger on her and when she came she cried more please. Ryker I need you in side of me not your damn fingers. She tried to crawl on to his lap while he was driving and that didn’t work. Thena looked at Ryker. “Pull the damn SUV over Ryker now and give it to me. Thena burst into tears and crying out really loud began to beg Ryker to take her. Ryker felt sorry for her she could not control what was happening to her.

Ryker picked up the cell phone called Zand. “Zand I need a creek real fast is there one near?”

Zand frowned, a creek for what? Then it dawned on him why, yea there is one about two miles up the road I think or is it three miles. See if Thena can control her urges for a few more minutes”. Zand could hear Thena crying and begging to get laid. Ten minutes later Zand pulled over and so did Ryker. He went around opened Thena’s door picked her up she tried to undo Ryker’s pants. He rushed her to the creek before she had his pants completely down and dumped her in the cold water. She landed with a big splash and was soaked to her waste in the water. As she sat there Zand felt sorry for her, he remember Alexis and how she had a hard time dealing with her first full out mating heat. It seemed once a female was mated the heats were out of control of the female! When they had there second heat is more controlled and the female knew what to expect and it made it easier on them he was not sure if the urges were not as great as the first heat or the males were available more because they understood what the female was going through.! He could not let them go off into the woods and mate they might not come out for a few hours or it might take entire day.

Thena picked her self up out of creek shivering and Zand went to his vehicle got a blanket out of the trunk and gave it to Ryker. “Get her warmed up we have another hour and a half maybe a little more, before we reach our destination. Another fifteen minutes we are on Storms land.

Thena crawled into the back of the SUV leaned over the back seat and opened her suit case pulled out a pair of Pj’s and a towel. She stripped herself down and dried herself off slipped on the Pj’s. She sat there not knowing what to do.

Ryker realized it was getting more and more difficult to resist Thena. Her scent was driving him into a sexual height of sexual awareness he didn’t know existed. Ryker was finding hard to control. Ryker looked in the mirror at her, she looked so unhappy so miserable. “Thena come up here honey I have a surprise for you. I think you will like what I got for you.”

Thena crawled into the front seat and burst into tears, “I am so sorry for all the mean things I said to you it was like I had no control over my mouth or my feelings.”

“It’s alright honey I’ll take good care of your problem once we get to the cabin Zand is showing us. Here open this box; I found it in that small store, they had a little jewellery section. Ryker was thinking maybe he should have purchased a vibrator it might of helped her with her heat.

Thena smiled, and when she opened the box her mouth dropped to her chest. In the box was a pair of ear rings. They were little tiny wolves made of sterling silver. Thena hugged Ryker and kissed him. Then she took out her diamond stud’s put the wolves in check the mirror on the passenger’s side and smiled. “I love them Ryker they are so sweet. They match my necklace and bracelet of gold.” Thena leaned into Ryker and he put his arm around her. “They are so perfect Ryker. You’re so thoughtful, so romantic. I love you darling.” Thena was all smiles and contented.

Ryker at that moment felt like a King, Thena always had a way of making him feel special and loved. She started rubbing him in all the right places. Her hand slipped inside his shirt she rubbed the hair on his chest and smiled. Then asked, “what is to eat I am starved.”

Ryker smiled, “in the bag on the floor behind you”

Thena turned reached down picked up the bag and smiled, she licked her lips when she saw turkey sandwiches, potato chips, chocolates, cold drinks, slices of pie and a small box at the bottom. She pulled the bag up front and smiled, “another gift Ryker.” You’re going to spoil me rotten. You know the cats inside me love turkey now another gift.

Ryker looked at her, “what no, no more gifts not at the moment sweet heart!”

Thena lifted out the sandwiches, chips, chocolates, cold drinks and pealed back the bag and looked at the box. “I don’t remember having this box do you Ryker”

Ryker leaned over looked into the bag, “toss it out now!”

Thena leaned over opened the window and tossed the bag, when it hit the ground it exploded! She looked behind her out through the back window, “Damn, that was to close for comfort!”

Ryker frowned, “Don’t swear honey! That was close!”

Thena pushed the button and up went the window Zand saw the explosion in his rear view mirror, kept on driving and Ryker was close behind him.

Thena opened one of the sandwiches handed half to Ryker and she took half, then opened the chips and stuck one in Ryker’s mouth. After they ate she fed him chocolates all the cream filled ones she ate the ones with nuts and cherry’s. Ryker ended up with more chocolate then she did, but she was having fun feeding him.

Ryker saw Zand slow down and then pulled over; he figured they had half an hour more or less to go before reaching there destination. So he pulled over as well when Zand pulled off someone came out of the woods on the other side walked up to Zand’s vehicle they had some conversation. Zand stepped out of his vehicle and Zand and the man came to his window. Ryker opened the door and stepped out.

Zand smiled, “Storm this is the friend I told you about Ryker and his mate in the vehicle is Dorthena, call her Thena. Ryker this is my alpha Storm!”

Storm put out his hand to Ryker and smiled. Ryker took his hand in greeting shaking it firmly. Storm smiled, “You have some trouble and I have a cabin you can use for as long as you need it. Storm leaned down and looked into the vehicle, “hello Thena I am Storm Walker. Thena smiled at Storm and thought wow much man like Ryker. Both men were over six feet with Ryker half an inch more. Both had black hair and blue eyes, with Storms much darker then Ryker’s. Ryker also had a day’s growth of beard on his face and Storm was clean shaving. Thena decided she would ask Ryker to keep a days growth it made him really handsome looking and she desired him to the core of her being.

Ryker, Zand and Storm stood talking along side the road and Thena was getting warm again and she needed attention, she bit her lip, then growled the men leaned over and looked at her, Storm smiled, “I think your mate needs some attention Ryker and the sooner the better for her,” he said to Ryker. “Zand you had better show them the cabin it is twenty minutes from here. I will see you Zand back at the alpha house, Alexis and the pups are there with Wind they had been out shopping today for the pups.”

Stormed moved off the road and thought with a smile the times Wind had been in heat it was exciting, thrilling, and a lot of work well worth it. He didn’t get out of bed for the first heat at all. The second heat was not as bad as the first but almost.

Zand walked up to his vehicle and got in Ryker started the SUV up as he did he noticed Storm shift down into a wolf and took off running. He smiled to himself he wanted to do the same thing.

Ryker was trying to drove down the second back road and not get lost by making a mental note of where he was. Thena was perspiring and was hot again. She was right in the middle of her second day of heat and this would be next to the worse day for her. The sun was up and he was tired from driving, but knew he had to take care of Thena first once they got to the cabin.

Ryker drove another fifteen minutes made a couple more turns and was now driving down a path. Suddenly it turned to the right and their sat a brand new cabin never been used. Zand pulled his vehicle around in a circle got out handed the keys to Ryker, “see you in a couple of days everything you need is in there.”

The cabin was made of cedar logs, cedar shakes on the roof, large glass windows it looked like a cabin he saw in Switzerland years ago.

Zand got into his truck and drove out. Ryker looked at Thena and she had pulled off her Pj’s bottoms and had her arms out to Ryker, he walked up to her and kissed her. After an hour of driving his shaft into her wolf style she seemed contented for the moment. Ryker had to admit he was really getting into enjoying this mating heat. It made him larger, harder, and crazier for Thena.

Ryker started taking things out of the vehicle with Thena’s help and finally had everything in the cabin. The cabin had a large living room, kitchen off to the right it was large and open, Fire place in the living room, a small den off the left and a stair case that went up stairs to what appeared to be six rooms up. There was a bathroom down under the stair case. Ryker walked up stairs with suit cases in hand checked all the rooms, one full bathroom connected to master bedroom, and four other bedrooms, and a bathroom. He put the suit cases down in the master room. Thena was in the kitchen eating again the sandwiches had not filled her up. They were using up a lot of energy mating and he headed for the kitchen as well. Thena had opened the frig found all kinds of sweets, vegetables, meats, the cabinets held boxes of food, canned food, the freezer had ice cream, and frozen meats of all kinds she noticed two large packages of Salmon and she opened them both, put butter on them placed them on a plate put them under the grill of the oven and turned it on low to defrost and on grill to brown the salmon. Thena smiled at Ryker and he smiled back winked at her which made her laugh.

As the Salmon was cooking Ryker was hard and uncomfortable from Thena’s scent he grabbed Thena pulled her into his arms stripped off her clothes and started kissing her, he set her up on the counter pulled her legs apart and she wrapped them around his waste, he dropped his pants drove his shaft into Thena as she rested on the counter. Ryker then pulled her legs from around her waist and pulled them apart and up over his shoulders, he grabbed her by the shoulders pinned her down and drove his shaft as hard and as fast and as deep as he could into her spilling his seed deep in side of her. He stood there for five minutes until his shaft relaxed inside of her. Ryker smiled, “Thena you driving me crazy to mate you. I cannot seem to stop myself from dominating you and taking you. I want you as much as you want me.”

Thena smiled, “that was great got to do it again after we eat!”

After they ate both cleaned up and headed up to their bedroom for the night. Ryker was a sleep in seconds and Thena was a sleep in half an hour. They slept half of the day, made love several times, ate and slept until early in the evening Thena woke she was hot and she wanted Ryker right then and she was going to have him. She slipped out of her clothes purred and nipped at Ryker he turned over on his back. She pulled the covers down and used her tongue on his neck and she nipped him, then she ran her tongue around his belly and down his sides to just retrace the spots again. Then she ran her tongue over the tip of his shaft that was now hard and ready for her, then she slipped up and on top of Ryker placing his shaft inside her tunnel and she began to work up and down on his shaft until she cried out, Ryker flipped her onto her back and drove his shaft into her for another half an hour making Thena orgasm five times. After ward he walked to the bathroom filled the tub and called Thena to come in and she was there in seconds. She purred and stepped into the tub in front of Ryker sat down and he rubbed her chest, and then worked his hands down between her legs rubbed her clitoris. Ryker leaned in, “I can smell your arousal Thena it turns me on. I can smell your heat and it’s driving me crazy for you. He pushed her away got up out of the tub lifted Thena up put a towel on her back picked her up higher until he could enter her and he pushed her up against the door, and drove himself deep in side of her after she came twice he set her on the edge of the sink pushed her back so her back was up against the wall pulled her legs apart and up and over his shoulders and he drove his shaft into her over and over again until Thena cried out. After he released his seed deep inside of her he slipped the two of them back into the tub turned on the shower and rinsed them off. When the water ran without soap he turned the water off. Thena eyes were dilated and she was ready for more sex. Ryker smiled as he watched his shaft grow hard with her touch. He carried her to the bed used his tongue on her until she cried out. Then he used his fingers on her G-spot until she screamed and came all over him then he drove his shaft into her and spilled his seed deep inside. Ryker felt her muscles clamp down on his shaft and hold him deep in side, when she had worked his shaft with her muscles she came again and Ryker released more seed deep inside of her tunnel. Both fall a sleep on the bed with nothing on.

Half an hour later there was knocking at the door Ryker dressed walked down the stair case walked to the door looked out and saw Storm standing there. Ryker opened the door Storm walked in with Wind behind him just in case she needed protection. Storm smiled, “this is my beautiful mate Wind. Wind this is Ryker!”

Ryker smiled said, “hello.” and then mentioned, “Thena would be down in a minute.” As he turned to close the door Thena came down the steps. Ryker smiled, Thena this is Wind she is Storms mate, and Wind this is my mate Thena.”

The females went off to fix dinner for the males while the females did that Storm talked to Ryker, “once the problem is taken care of would you and Thena consider staying on. The cabin could be yours and Thena’s.” Storm told Ryker. “I am always looking for good men to join my pack. I only have twenty six members so far and want a pack of around fifty approximately not including pups, before I would shut down the pack for new members. I am very careful to whom I chose to join and since you are newly mated you and Thena would be welcome to start your family as part of my pack.”

Ryker looked at Storm, “Do you realize what I do for a living and what Thena does for a living?”

Storm looked Ryker straight in the eye, “Yes I know what you do for a living. I also know from Zand that you do not just do a job for the money, the reason has been a good one, and you usually work for the government.

While Storm was working on Ryker about staying Wind was doing the same thing with Thena. Wind told her, “we have a wonderful doctor Paige and she is up on everything new. Zand’s mate Alexis is my best friend and I would love for you to join me and Alexis for a special lunch we do each week. Then there is Rose who is Williams mate and she is wonderful young woman she travels with Alexis and me some times.

Thena said I have known Zand for years, I honestly didn’t think he would settle down. Alexis must be very special to have won his heart. I have spoken to Alexis on two occasions, but have never met her in person. Our conversation was strictly business with Zand.”

Ryker promised Storm he would talk to Thena and Thena had agreed to talk to Ryker about staying on, but would not force either one into staying if one was against it. The decision would have to be agreed upon by both of them not just one.

Thena walked out to the living room smiling, “Dinner is served gentlemen.” Dinner consisted of baked stuffed pork chops, baked potatoes, cream corn, fresh garden salad, hot coffee and a bottle of wine, dessert was cherry supreme pie. During dinner Storm talked about the land, “I want to purchase some land that has come up for sale consisting of seven sections. The asking price is reasonable at two million dollars.

Thena smiled, “two million dollars for how much land Storm?”

Storm smiled, “seven sections of land or four thousand four hundred and eighty acres of land.” It will make bordering on my brother Rains land run from fifteen miles right now to approximately twenty two miles.

Thena looked at Storm, “I’ll be right back,” Thena walked over picked up her purse took out a check book wrote out a check to Storm Walker in the amount of five million dollars and signed it. Thena walked over to Storm, “Merry Christmas and if you need more I have more.”

Storm looked at the check on the table next to his plate, he picked it up then said, “I can’t accept this you have not agreed to be apart of my pack. Until you do I can’t acknowledge this check. Ryker talk to Thena she can’t just write out a check for five million dollars with out your agreeing to it. You’re mated now and without you agreeing to both I just can’t accept this check!”

Ryker looked at Thena in his mind he was saying, “Are we going to become part of Storms pack honey?” The check is fine with me! Hell you should have made it ten!”

Thena laughed, “If you want to become part of the pack its fine with me. I think we need a bigger place this cabin is a little to small. We can build our own if Storm doesn’t mind then lets stay and you can always make a check out for five million to Storm too you know Ryker.”

Ryker turned to Storm, “cash the check its good, once our problem is taken care of we will become members of your pack. If either one of us dies consider it yours any ways.”

Thena if we move up here we are going to have to combine our accounts into one, what’s your balance?”

Thena looked at Ryker, in her mind she said, “My bank account balance with the five million gone is around sixty million, how much is your balance Ryker.

Ryker smiled, “well you got me beat honey, and I only have fifty eight million in the bank.”

Ryker turned to Storm, “if you need money you know where to come! If you can get more land let us know and we will just buy it for the pack. We do have a condition before we will stay. Thena and I will need a larger house then this one.”

Storm smiled, “well that takes care of the land that is coming up for sale. I will take the check to the bank tomorrow get it into the account and then write out a check to the government for the land. You want a larger house then yes by all means build a larger house.”

Dinner then progressed into small talk and Storm and Wind left around ten since the pups had to be put to bed and Storm didn’t want anyone in his private rooms except the pups and his mate.

Thena and Ryker smiled at one another, she ran up the stairs to the bedroom and Ryker was running right behind her shutting down the lights. Once they reached the bedroom Thena began a slow strip tease for Ryker’s benefit. He smiled as he sat on the bed totally nude watching his mate drop each piece of material down to her panties and bra then she turned on some music and began to dance for Ryker when she had finished she looked at Ryker licked her lips wiggled her way to him, and before she had a chance to get onto the bed Ryker pulled her down. When he had her lying across the bed, he smiled then kissed her, Honey you’re going to enjoy what I am going to do to you. He slowly took two fingers and placed them up in side of her and began working his finger tips over her G spot faster and faster he worked with his other hand he worked his finger tips back and forth over her clitoris and when she screamed out his name, and her orgasm covered his hands he smiled, now honey relax, he went got a wet cloth came out wiped her down, then started again but before she came this time he stopped drove his shaft deep in side of her from behind her then rubbed her clitoris in five minutes she was screaming Ryker’s name, and she couldn’t stop her body from jumping or trembling Ryker released his seed in side of Thena and he stayed with her until the orgasm stopped completely.

“Where in the name of the Universe did you learn that? That is about the best experience I have ever had in my life. It completely blew my mind. I couldn’t come against now to save my life.”

“Honey I knew how to do it for a long time I just never used it on you, because we were not mated. Some how it felt right to do it now we are connected by our minds and I could read your mind honey the entire time and I felt it as well. It is amazing to make you come like that. I love you and I want you to experience the most you can with me. That is what being mated is full out total committed sexual freedom desire fulfilled in one another. I bet I can make you come again and drive you crazy.”

Thena crawled into Ryker’s arms go a head make me come again like that. So Ryker worked her G-spot used his tongue on her clitoris and she screamed and her body wiggled, and trembled and was shaking, when it was over Thena fall a sleep. She was exhausted and completely sexually satisfied to the very core of her inner being.

The week was spent making love, running the woods, having fun. They were so connected by the end of the week that each knew what the other was feeling and thinking in seconds. Both kept there minds open to one another. They laughed and talked, Ryker had called Storm required groceries and William and Zand brought out what was on the list of items needed. Thena never looked more beautiful, her heat had come to an end. She was all smiles she had on a pair of cut off pants cut off above the knees, she had a t-shirt on. She was planting flowers around the cabin from seeds that were in the cabin. She laughed over the silliest of things, she cried over stupid things, and desired Ryker when it hit her. Two weeks had passed since her heat ended and she was almost relieved in some ways and in others wished it had not stopped.

When Zand and William came up to the cabin with the truck started unloading and Ryker came out of the cabin and helped take in groceries. Thena planted flowers when she finished she came in washed her hands and started putting groceries away. She smiled when she saw all the groceries, she turned to Zand, “how much do I owe you guys for the groceries?”

Zand laughed, “Compliments of Storm and Wind and a thank you; the deed to the land was handed over this morning to Storm.”

William said, “Let me help you put groceries away!”

Thena smiled, “that would be nice I think Ryker wants to speak to Zand any way.” As they put groceries away Zand and Ryker walked off by themselves.

Zand looked at Ryker, “ok what is it you want to see me about Ryker.”

Ryker frowned, “I want you to take care of and protect Thena while I am gone. And before you say anything I want you to know I am going after Melrodger’s and putting an end to this once and for all. Thena is carrying my pup right now I don’t think she knows, but I have noticed changes in her scent as her hormones are changing.”

Zand frowned then growled, “if Thena is carrying your pup then you need to stay here with her and take care of her, and protect her more so now then ever before.”

Ryker looked at Zand, “I have to go now; more then ever before, I cannot have Thena killed while she carries my cub I have to stop it now. Ben Wright is out there waiting for her to make the wrong move.”

Zand looked at Ryker, “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning and Thena doesn’t know and won’t know until I am gone. I want you and Alexis to come by and pick her up tell her you want her to go shopping some place a few hours from here. Suggest she needs clothes or needs to get out and away and relax for a while.”

Zand said ok, I’ll do it, but if she asks I won’t lie to her, we have been friends for to long to have it destroyed in lies.”

Once the groceries were put away Ryker and Thena went for a run in the woods. He laughed at her stunts, made her take it easy. When they went to bed that night he whispered in her ear that her scent was changing and he thought she was pregnant. She needed to buy some clothes and some items she wanted and to have some plans done up for their new home. She smiled and they talked and made love slowly gentle love making, Thena was a sleep quickly. Ryker held her in his arms all night.

Chapter 7

Morning came and Alexis and Zand drove in. Thena was doing breakfast dishes. Ryker, and her were talking about how beautiful the weather was. “Oh look Ryker, Zand and Alexis are here. I wonder what they want,” she said with a great big smile.

Thena and Ryker went to the door, when Alexis came up onto the porch she smiled, “Thena I thought maybe you would like to go shopping with me, and I need to get some items for the pups and it would give you a day out.”

Thena smiled, “Ryker lets go it would be fun to go eat out and have some fun.”

Ryker smiled, “I can’t go honey I have an appointment with Storm in about two hours and you should go it will do you some good.”

Ryker smiled at Thena, “you would truly not mind my going Ryker?

“No not at all go and have fun.”

Thena turned to Alexis and smiled, “I’ll be ready shortly.” Thena rushed up stairs put on a wrap around skirt, a blouse and a pair of sandals. Added a little lip stick and smiled. Walked down the stair case with a smile, and then frowned when she saw Zand and Ryker whispering harshly to one another. Ryker turned around and looked at Thena, “you look beautiful, have fun honey. I love you.” Thena kissed Ryker long and deep, didn’t know why she had to do it, but she did.

When Thena was in the back seat of the truck she turned and looked around she did not see Ryker and she opened her mind to him, he was in the kitchen having coffee. Alexis began talking about the pups what she needed and then ask Thena what she needed, and they chatted freely.

When Ryker could not feel Thena in his mind, he turned rushed up stairs packed a suit case and walked out to the SUV tossed in his suit case, and started it up and drove out of the yard.

Eight hours later Ryker was putting his suit case into the plane, William was going to drive the SUV back to the alpha house and Jake was going to follow him. Ryker would fly the plane back to the alpha house because there was a small air port in the local town of Rock River. He would call the alpha house and one of the men would pick him up when he got back.

He handed the keys to William and smiled, “see you later William.”

Thena called Ned ask if he would ship her personal things to her, he said he would do no later then the weekend. Thena and purchased about ten out fits and three pairs of shoes, she purchased gifts for Ryker, a nice black western shirt, some western pants. She purchased him a new watch that cost a small fortune at four hundred dollars. She purchased lunch and snacks for everyone. She had a great time. Alexis was a sweet heart of a woman. On her way home she tried to reach Ryker in her mind, but he wasn’t home. She began to worry. A half and hour from home she knew he had left her. She wasn’t sure how she knew she just did.

She turned to Zand, “Ryker’s gone he left me she began to cry. Zand never said a word.

When they reached the turn off Zand slowed, “do you want to come and stay with Alexis and me or go to the alpha house?”

Thena said, “No take me back to the cabin I want to be alone please.”

Zand drove her up to the cabin they took her things into the cabin and Zand and Alexis left because Thena had told them to leave. Thena knew deep inside that Zand and Alexis knew Ryker was leaving her; they were the diversion for him. Thena went up stairs to the bedroom crawled into bed and scented Ryker on his pillow and cuddled it in her arms and cried herself to sleep. During the night Thena woke to hear some one down stairs. She slowly reached under her pillow pulled out the gun she had there. She silently placed pillows in the shape of her body in the bed covered it with the blankets. Slowly she made her way to the door and hid behind it and waited.

The foot steps came up the stair case and down the hall, the door knob slowly turned and the door opened gently, when the door was open almost half way a hand with a gun was stuck in, and two shots rang out. Thena pushed on the door as hard as she could and the gun dropped trapping the arm between the edge of the door and the edge of the door frame. Thena shot four shells through the door, and then she opened it. A man lay on the hall way floor, then a shot rang out and Thena dropped. The bullet hit her and grazed her head. As the woman walked up to Thena and looked down and smiled, Thena pulled the trigger twice to her gun and the woman dropped to the floor dead.

Ryker got into his plane and taxied out to the run way, and in ten minutes was lifting off the run way into the air, he made his turn from the air port plotted his course and relaxed and let the auto pilot take over for him. In seven hours he would be landing in Toronto, Ontario and he would hunt down Melrodger’s and kill him.

Half way to Toronto he felt sick suddenly, something was awful wrong. He was not sure what it was. He searched his mind to reach out to Thena, but there was nothing. Maybe she was a sleep and dreaming about him, or she shut him out, because she was mad as hell at him he wasn’t sure, he just had a bad feeling. It was to late now to turn back.

The flight went extremely well he reached Toronto in the six hours, because of a tail wind. He landed, and pulled up to a hanger. He parked the plane the name Dorthena One was on the side. The name was put on the plane six months after him and Thena split, he just could not help himself, then the numbers to the plane appears after the name Ryker then anchored her down, walked a short distance picked up a rental vehicle.

Ryker drove north heading to a small resort town in upper Ontario, he did not want to fly, because he did not want a record of landing any where near the resort. He knew Melrodger went to this resort every year for three weeks. He had been here a week now if he stuck to his usual plans.

When he was about four hours from the resort Ryker pulled over and slept in his rental for a few hours. When he woke he drove to the nearest town got gas for his vehicle, had something to eat. He tried to reach Thena again, but there was nothing. He wondered if he should call Zand and ask him to check on Thena. Yea that would be a good idea. Ryker pulled out his cell phone the battery was dead. “Damn I forgot to charge the damn phone.” Ryker would just have to trust Zand to take care of Thena if she would let him.

Once Ryker had finished eating, he went out to his vehicle got in to drive the rest of the way to the resort. Once he was fifteen minutes from the resort he parked his vehicle in a dead end road made sure it was out of the way for anyone wanting to turn. He then sneaked his way up to the resort without being seen. He waited and he watched for Melrodger. A week had gone past and he had not done the same thing twice. Ryker was getting angry by this time; he thought the job would have been over and done with by now. Each day he tried to reach Thena in his mind and got nothing back. When the last and final week began he noticed that the second week was in line with the first week and that on Thursday Melrodger would go for a walk up the side of a trail that was five miles long. There Ryker would be waiting for him.

Thursday came and Ryker was at the two and a half mile marker waiting for Melrodger. By ten in the morning he could see Melrodger coming up the trail. When Melrodger reached a certain point Ryker shifted down into a wolf and leaped at Melrodger. Melrodger hit the ground and shifted into a wolf. The two wolves were in a fight to the death. Both wolves knew that only one would walk out this day.

Melrodger jumped at Ryker bit down hard and pulled with is jaws and muscle, Ryker yelped and turned and rolled freeing himself from the older wolf. Ryker then jumped grabbed Melrodger by the throat bit down with all his strength and ripped fur, skin and flesh. Melrodger was bleeding badly. But turned and bit at Ryker. They were growling and ripping at one another. The furry of the fight was draining them both. At one point Melrodger shifted into human form and so did Ryker. “So Ryker we meet again. How long has it been fifteen years you have learned much in the art of fighting since you were a boy. Oh by the way I just got word yesterday Dorthena is dead!” Melrodger laughed, Ryker shifted down quickly made a leap at Melrodger and tore out his throat, and then he tore out another large piece of his throat.

With that Ryker ran as fast as he could towards his vehicle. He finally had to rest once he got to the vehicle. He unlocked it cleaned himself up so there would be no blood on him, changed his clothes and drove back to his plane. He tried to reach Thena and there was nothing. He was certain she was dead now and tears filled his eyes as he drove. The miles flew by time stopped for Ryker. His heart was breaking with each second that past.

No he would not believe Zand had failed to protect Thena. There was no way in hell Zand and Storm both would have failed. Storm had agreed with his leaving. They both knew if the threat against Thena remained it also put his pack in danger. Neither one wanted that for the pack. No he would not believe Thena was dead there had to be another reason why he could not reach her. Maybe it was because they connection made at the ritual was done with less blood on Thena’s part then on his. Yes that had to be the reason the connection would not be completed at such a distance away.

Chapter 8

When he reached the airport he turned in his vehicle unanchored his plane and taxied out to the run way when he was told it was his turn and flew west towards home. He set the auto pilot and sat in shock. Thena dead, no she can’t be dead. No way in hell she was to smart to wise to anyone who would try to kill her. She would take special care she was carrying his pup. If she was dead then so was his pup. Tears filled his eyes, and his heart broke. When he reached the alpha house he flew low over the house nearly hitting the tree tops. When he saw William came out of the house he waved. William jumped into a truck headed for Rock River and Ryker was making his approach at the airport. He taxied in off the run way. When he got the plane anchored his suit case out William pulled up in the truck. Ryker rushed over jumped in, “how’ Thena?”

William turned the truck rushed out of the air port and back to the alpha house not to the cabin. “Ryker Thena has been shot the bullet hit her in the head. She lay in the cabin for two days before Alexis and Zand found her. Two dead bodies were also found next to her. She put up a great fight, appears she shot the man four times right through the door, the woman was shot twice both times in the chest she died quickly. One bullet hit her heart.”

Ryker looked like death had claimed his heart and sole, “The pup is the pup alright?”

“At the moment yes as far as I know, but then I didn’t know she was carrying a pup.”

Ryker frowned, “where is Thena now?”

“She is in the clinic at the main alpha house. Wind and Alexis have been taking turns sitting with her and talking to her. Storm sang to her one evening. Storm talked to her told her he needed more money to buy more land and she had to get well to write the check. But there has been nothing now for almost two weeks. Storm even demanded she wake up as alpha of the pack and she didn’t wake.”

As William drove into the alpha house yard, Ryker jumped out and rushed into the clinic. Paige was sitting at her desk, and she smiled, “Can I help you?”

“My name is Ryker you have my mate Thena here?” Ryker said with a worried looked.

Paige frowned, “Yes she is here in the clinic come with me.”

Ryker followed Paige into a room then in the next room were beds. Thena lay in one of the beds, she was hooked up to IV bags, she was pale, and her head was not bandaged. She showed Ryker where the bullet skimmed across her skull. There was little damage done, and Paige had no idea why Thena was unconscious for so long a period.

Ryker sat down beside Thena, “honey I am here come back to me baby. Thena it’s me Ryker honey come back to me. Melrodger is dead. Your safe now and always will be with me honey. Ryker talked to Thena for several hours. Storm and Wind came in sat down asked Ryker how he managed. Ryker told of how he killed Melrodger and that no one would think it was him. Ryker told Storm how he wore a scar on his leg for years because of Melrodger but it was none gone

Wind was speaking to Thena softly, “Thena Ryker is home he is waiting for you.” Nothing came of Winds talking to Thena.

Storm took a turn at speaking to Thena but nothing. When midnight came Ryker fall into a light sleep, he was drained but knew Thena needed him. He opened his mind to her and left his mind open as he slept.

Thena’s mind was moving around in a white mist, she was lost, she felt half a live. Then she heard this tiny female voice deep inside of her. “Mommy you have to wake up now. It’s time to wake up mommy, daddy is home I can hear him speaking to you mommy please wake up!

Then Thena heard a baby crying and Thena cried out, “don’t cry baby mommy is here, I’ll try to wake up for you baby girl. Mommy’s here baby girl.” The baby cried harder, “don’t cry baby I am going to wake up soon.”

Thena moaned her head ached something awful, the pain like a distance memory shot through her head. The baby continued to cry. Thena tried to get up, but she couldn’t get up something was holding her. Thena cried out, Ryker get our baby girl she’s crying I can’t reach her.

Ryker shot up out of the chair looked around. The chair hit the floor when it fall over backwards. Thena had not changed, but yet he heard her. He was positive her heard her tell him to get the baby girl. Ryker kneeled down picked up the chair and sat back down.

Ryker opened his mind, he heard Thena, “Ryker get our baby girl she is crying for me I can’t reach her.

Ryker looked at Thena, “wake up Thena the baby needs us, wake up honey.” Riker knew there was a connection to a pup and the mother before birth that they could communicate.

Then Ryker didn’t hear anything more, Thena was breathing easier, but deeper, and he asked Thena, “is the baby still crying honey?”

Thena whispered, No Ryker she is sleeping now, I need to sleep.”

Ryker walked out to the office Paige wasn’t there so he went to the back door of her apartment and knocked. Paige came to do the door in her dressing grown. Ryker smiled, “I hate to bother you Paige, but can you check on Thena please something has changed in her.”

Paige smiled, “I would be happy too, I must admit I am worried about her if she does not wake up soon I don’t know what to do. Paige walked in the room with the beds and looked, where is Thena?

Ryker said, “what do you mean where is Thena, he looked the bed she was in was empty and the IV bag was on the floor, the needle had been removed and she was gone.

Paige quickly rushed to the phone and dialled one. The phone rang about a dozen times before Storm answered it, “hello!”

“Storm this is Paige, Thena is missing we have to find her.”

Storm frowned, “how long has she been gone, no more then ten minutes at the very most.”

“Where is Ryker? Storm asked calmly.

Paige spoke up a little harsher then she intended, right here in the clinic.

Ok I’ll get dressed get a couple of the men to hunt her down,” Storm said in frustration.

“After two hours of searching for Thena and no sign of her, everyone returned to the alpha house. Ryker take the SUV and head over to the cabin you were staying at. William take one truck head towards town the south way, I’ll take another truck and head directly east see what we can find. Jake call Zand get him over here with his sensitive nose please. Zand was there in ten minutes scented the clinic then walked out side. Zand turned to the group you’re looking for Thena in cat form she has shifted down. Zand said, “Shift down,” running in wolf form he followed the trail. Ryker reached the cabin, but there was no sign of Thena. He started calling her. He would listen for a few moments then call again. Nothing!

Thena was in cat form she was running she didn’t know where she was running just running. She was frightened; she had to protect her cub she was carrying. Someone had tried to kill her and had failed now her pup was the one she had to protect at all cost. By dawn she was exhausted and climbed a large rock near a large jack pine and lay down. She slept for several hours then woke to what sounded like dogs; no wolves.

She snarled and hissed, she made a long leap off the rock second jump had her swimming in a stream for ten feet. When she crossed over she ran, as she ran her fur dried. When she could no longer hear the wolves she laid down closed her eyes, she needed rest. What she truly needed was help. Thena looked around then climbed a large jack pine tree when she got up as high as he could get she looked around, she saw a cabin about five miles south and west of her locations. Carefully descending the tall tree she worked her way south and west.

When she reached the cabin she looked at it oddly then shifted into human form. She crept up to the door and tried the door knob it opened. She peeked inside and saw it was a large cabin made up of one room with a kitchen and living room; there was a bedroom in the back, bathroom with a tub. She smiled, closed the door behind her and locked the door. She moved off to the bathroom took a warm bath and crawled into bed, under the covers and fall a sleep. Two days had passed and she was making the cabin a home. There were dirty dishes in the sink, not many just a plate and a cup and glass. The bed was unmade, so unlike Thena’s normally keeping things clean. The food in the cabin was plentiful. During the day she walked around the area getting to know it. At night she stayed in side kept the windows closed, and the curtain shut and the lights on low.

Every time she felt like someone was in her mind she shut her mind down and went to sleep.

Ryker was nearly crazy by now it was working into the third day and still no sign of Thena. Finally Storm mentioned that they should check out the other cabins that were vacant. Ryker and Storm started out by the end of the third day they had all but five cabins checked. They would start in the morning and check them out.

Zand said he was going the next day with Ryker and Storm. Four cabins were checked leaving one. Well Storm said, “If she is not at the next cabin I don’t know where the hell she could be and we won’t find her until she stops shutting you out Ryker.”

As they pulled into the last cabin Storm stopped the truck put his hand out for no one to move. Storm put down his window and scented the air. I smell food cooking, smells like steaks. Slip out here and let’s walk carefully up to the cabin. When Storm looked in he could see Thena in side she was at the stove cooking. Suddenly he heard a hiss sound then a snarl. “Damn she scented him.”

Moving away from the window he moved back to the truck. Ryker Thena is inside the cabin walk up and calls her by name. Zand move around to the back of the cabin and I will take the other side that has a window in case she jumps out a window.

Ryker walked up towards the cabin and called “Thena,” he called her again and again, but no answer.

Sudden a window broke and Zand was facing Thena in cat form. Thena scented Zand crouched down and hissed at Zand then snarled again. Zand didn’t move, “Thena baby it’s Zand you remember Zand back when we worked a job together don’t you baby.”

Thena scented Zand, snarled peeled back her lips and bared her teeth at him. Still Zand spoke to her. Finally Thena purred and stood up on all fours she walked over to Zand and rubbed herself against his leg. When Storm and Ryker came around the cabin Thena crouched and snarled at them.

Ryker spoke first, “Thena honey it’s me Ryker you’re mate. I have been searching for you for days now. I love you Thena.

Thena backed away towards the woods slowly. Storm and Ryker never moved one inch. They did not want her running off again at least if she was at this cabin she was safe and there was always a chance Ryker would reach her mind. Then suddenly Thena was off and running full out.

Ryker was about to shift down when Storm yelled, “No do not chase her, let her go! If she is chased she won’t come back here again. If she stops and you fight the pup might be in danger. Or worse yet you will never see her again.”

Storm moved back to the truck called Paige explained the situation to her. Paige told him what he was suspecting any way that Thena can’t remember them. Storm moved back to the cabinet shut down the stove, the men cleaned up the cabin and then left.

Another two days and Thena had not returned to the cabin. It was being watched and there had been no signs of Thena coming back.

Chapter 9

Thena was on the move again. She had been sleeping where she could find shelter. She found a second cabin, it seemed like she should know the place. She looked around it was dark, there was a SUV parked near the cabin. It was very late at night. One of the darkest nights she had ever seen the sky was over cast and there was no moon. She scented flowers at the porch. The scent of the vehicle when she walked past it seemed like she should some how know it. Then she picked up a scent and she purred. She was not sure why the scent was calling to her, but it was. She hissed. She moved up onto the porch walked around the cabin from the back of one side to the back of the other side crossing the front of the cabin. Thena shifted into human form turned the door knob then shifted down into the Black Panther again. She pushed the door with her face and front shoulder. She moved in side the scent was stronger. The scent was driving her crazy she wanted to mate with the scent she began rubbing herself again area’s in the living room that had the scent on it. She moved to the kitchen looked around, yes she knew this room.

She moved towards the stair case and was half way up the stairs and the scent was stronger. She needed that scent, she wanted it, and she desired it. She purred with delight. Slowly she reached the door at the end of the hall way, suddenly the light in the room went on. Thena moved back away from the door sneaked down the stairs and rushed out the front door.

Ryker lay in bed for a moment he knew he had heard something then it was gone. Finally he got up out of bed and walk down the hall he saw the door opened and wondered how it opened; then he could scent the odour of a cat. Thena had been here, he had to wait for her to come to him that was what Paige had said, her memory would return in time.

Ryker walked down the steps and closed the door. The next morning he looked for signs of Thena and found them in the dirt by the flowers Thena had planted. He did not try to reach out to her; he did not want to frighten her away. He sat on the porch most of the day looking into the shadows of the woods. He would go in fix something to eat and then come back out to the porch. He had called Storm and asked that no one come calling, because Thena was prowling around. Storm had agreed that no one should show up there that he would not send anyone over unless it was important.

Thena lay on a branch in a large jack pine watching the man on the porch from a distance. He seemed to be lonely, sad and searching. She liked his scent it made her tummy feel all warm inside. Then a tiny memory reached her, that man was kissing her. Then the memory was gone. Thena felt this ach down in her female parts.

After dark Thena climbed down out of the tree found a small stream and drank water then began playing in the water with one of her paws. She was killing time until the man on the porch went to sleep. A memory flashed of the man making her come all over his hand how great it felt. The desire to mate with him grew in side of her.

The moon was high in the sky, not much light because it was a new moon sliver. Thena crept up to the porch scented the man were he sat most of the day; she rolled on the spot trying to gain his scent into her fur. She walked one end of the porch to the other. When she reached the door she leaned against it and it opened she hissed at the door. When nothing happened and she heard nothing she slipped her head inside and looked around she saw nothing. She moved further in side the house moved towards the kitchen a sandwich was left on a plate and she jumped up on the table grabbed the sandwich and quickly ate it. She licked her lips, turkey sandwich tasted so good. She was still hungry

Thena moved into the living room and rubbed herself against the sofa. The male scent was stronger then last time. Thena purred she checked out the entire cabin down stairs, then she moved up stairs to the hall way. She hissed no sound, no movement. She crept down the hall way and pushed against the door of the bedroom it opened slightly, she scented the air the male was in this room. The scent was strong, and desire shot through her setting every nerve in her on fire. She couched down and looked around. She moved towards the bed so silently. The scent was growing and her nose flared, she licked her lips. Then she stopped suddenly.

Something changed she wasn’t sure what changed but something changed. A memory a flash of mating with the male, she snarled and cried out with a loud panther cry. The man in the bed jumped up, she hissed at him, her teeth were showing, another memory a fight, a fight she lost with this male.

She screamed again, and she hissed she backed away from the male; her right paw came up and slashed at the air. She back up until she backed herself into the closet instead of out the door. She was trapped, the male made no move towards her.

Another memory she was being beaten to death someone tried to drowned her. Another memory flashed a gun firing she screamed and hissed at the male. Still the male did not move. He stood on the bed just staring at her.

Then another memory her clothes being torn from her body, a male pinning her down trying to force her to mate. The male was not this man. Thena snarled, her claws dug deep into the oak flooring, the scream that came from her was so filled with pain even Ryker’s heart was bleeding for her.

Another memory a ride in the SUV that sat out side, she was screaming and begging this male for something. She screamed again and hissed she moved from the closet towards the door. She crouched down looked at the male side ways. Another memory flashed in front of her the male dumping her in a creek. She screamed at him again. She went down on her side and both front paws came up and slashed at the air. Her teeth were showing and she snarled, and growled at the male. Still the male did not move.

Memories were flying past her mind, a gun shot a bullet had flew pas her ear and she tried to duck.

Another memory flashed in her mind, he left her this male left her, he left her unprotected, and she screamed and hissed.

Ryker watched Thena he knew memories were flashing in her mind she was coming back to him or he would lose her for good one or the other he hoped she was coming back. He could see the memories then remembered that was what Thena meant when she cried out in her sleep for Seeker not to do something; he was going to rape Thena. Suddenly Ryker wanted him dead that second. Thena must have read his mind because she stopped looked around, and then stood staring at Ryker. Suddenly she hissed and her left paw came up and clawed at the air.

Another memory flashed in front of her a gun firing at the bed she turned looked at the door, memory of a gun pointing at the bed, then she fired a gun shot the man he was Ben Wright she killed him with her gun. Another gun fired she was on the floor she scented the floor she could just scent a slight odour of blood. Then she looked up at the door again memory flashed of her firing a gun at a woman and killing her. Ben Wright’s woman was an ex CIA special OPS unit member. Then there was no memory. Thena made a man dash towards the door and the male yelled, “Thena I love you honey come back to me please honey.”

Suddenly Thena dug her claws into the floor and she turned around the man was standing at the door only five feet away from her. He had nothing on but a pair of briefs. His scent reached her nose and desire shot through her.

Then suddenly lights flashed and Thena lay down on the floor looked around. A vehicle had come to the front of the cabin. Thena hissed and snarled, and the hair on her back stood up.

When Ryker looked away from Thena; Thena moved down the hallway to the other end of the cabin shifted and opened a door and close it behind her.

When Ryker looked again Thena was gone. Where the hell had she gone he wondered?

Thena looked around the room it had a bed, closet dressers and a window. She crawled into the closet and listened.

A mans voice was saying something at the door, the man in the bedroom said something and then the man at the door got into his vehicle and drove away.

Ryker wanted to punch Jake in the face, beat him to an inch of his life. Thena was gone and with it maybe his last chance at winning her back. Ryker shut the door and shut off the light and walked up to his room sat down on the bed. He put his head into his hands and opened his mind to Thena and she was suddenly there in cat form but she was there. He whispered, “come back to me honey. I love you”

Thena heard his words and was touched to her heart. She moved out of the closet, shifted into a human form opened the bedroom door and slowly walked down the hall way. When Ryker looked up she was standing in the hall way in human form totally nude. She was breath taking; beautiful in all her glory. Ryker stood up put his arms out to her. Slowly Thena walked towards Ryker, she could not believe he was there in there bedroom waiting for her. She had to be dreaming. Yes that was the answer she was dreaming he had left her. Thena stopped at the door. He had left her, tears filled her eyes. She spoke, “you left me, why did you leave me Ryker, you left me and our pup unprotected” she began to cry.

“I had to go honey I had to kill Melrodger or he would have killed you. Don’t’ you see honey I had no choice; it was the only way to protect you and our pup once and for all. Zand and Storm were supposed to protect you while I was gone. Jake who was just here got word from Storm. Storm said he got a call from Zand; Zand told him that the hit has been called off of you now that Melrodger was dead. You’re now safe; we can settle down have our family.”

Thena looked at Ryker and screamed, “Get out.” Her head was aching and she needed something for her headache. Her head felt like it was about to explode from all the memory flashes. Tears filled her eyes, suddenly her heart was aching and she could hardly breathe.

Ryker yelled back, “no not this time Thena, I am staying, I am not walking away from us we belong together we are blood bonded by the ritual and we are staying together. I won’t lose you again, and I won’t fight you either like the last time.”

Thena looked at Ryker she shifted down into a black panther and she screamed at him. Ryker stepped forward you want to kill me is that it go ahead I am not leaving here a live. She crept towards Ryker and couched. Thena snarled and swung her right paw and slashed at the air with her claws. She leaped and hit Ryker in the chest and he went down landing on the bed. Thena was on top of Ryker he refused to fight back she dugs her claws into his chest and still he wouldn’t fight back. Thena leaped to the floor and shifted back.

Thena could not kill Ryker she loved him, loved him with all her heart. “Get out Ryker it won’t work between us!”

Ryker stood up looked at his chest; blood was seeping from the claw marks, and then looked at Thena. You and I both know there is no divorce once we say the ritual and do it. If I leave and walked out that door we both know that living will be hell on this earth. And I am not going any where.

Thena marched back to the bedroom she came out of earlier, opened the door closed it behind her and locked the door. She crawled into bed. For hours she laid there in bed, getting no sleep.

Ryker was pacing the bed room floor in his room he couldn’t sleep either. Ryker knew he had to wait for Thena come around he couldn’t go down the hallway walk into her room and force her to accept him back. By morning both had not slept a wink. Ryker picked up the phone called Storm, when Storm answer Ryker told him Thena was back, so was her memories in post part, but that she was not accepting him. Storm said he was coming over maybe him and Wind could help.

Thena heard Ryker go down stairs when he did she marched to his room got some clothes put them on. She walked down stairs just in time to answer the door. Wind was standing there with a big smile. “Wind what brings you over for a visit?”

Wind smiled, “may I come in please?”

Wind stepped in and Ryker came out of the kitchen, Ryker Storm would like to see you out side for a few minutes I believe he has a job for you to do. Thena you are looking well compared to the last time I saw you at the clinic.” Wind chose not to mention Thena’s return she felt if Thena wanted to share with her how she came back then she would listen otherwise she would mind her own business.

“I am feeling better my memory is back sort of, well not completely I am still missing something’s.”

“Like what are you missing Thena maybe I can help?”

“I am missing why Ryker and I split the first time.”

Wind looked at Thena for a moment, “from what Storm told me, you put a client in danger trying to save Ryker’s life he got angry and the two of you got into a awful fight, then went your separate ways for year, then got back together when he heard Melrodger had a hit out on you.”

“How long was I in this cabin with the bullet to my head?” Thena said sadly.

Wind smiled place her hand on Thena’s arm, “Zand said two days, before he found you. He tried to call you the first day figured you were angry and would not pick up the phone, but by the second day he knew something must be wrong. Zand and Alexis rushed over and found you up stairs in your bedroom on the floor unconscious.

“Wind can you take me over to the clinic I am not feeling well please.”

“Certainly right away, Wind opened her mind to Storm, and when she felt him there in her mind she said,” come quickly Thena is ill. Thena was pale in appearance.”

Storm came back, “what’s wrong with Thena?”

Wind said with a worried mine, “I think it is the pup.

Storm turned to Ryker, “Thena is ill she maybe losing the pup.”

Storm and Ryker rushed into the house Thena was sitting on a chair leaning over with her head between her legs. She felt weak and sick to her stomach. And was extremely pale looking and tears filled her eyes.”

Ryker picked her up and carried her out to Storms truck Thena grabbed her tummy and cried out in pan, once they jumped in; Storm drove like a made man to get Thena to the clinic. He hoped she would not loose her pup. If she did he knew it would be a terrible thing for her to live with.

Ryker carried her inside the clinic and rang the bell and Paige rushed out. Put her on the table and leave her to me. Thena doubled over and cried out.

Ryker wanted to stay but Paige refused him. An hour later Thena was resting comfortable in one of the beds; she was no longer sick to her stomach nor was she in pain. Paige walked out to find Storm, Wind and Ryker sitting in her office. She smiled at Ryker, “the pup is fine and so is Thena. From shifting into a panther and remaining in the Panther state for so long a periods of time has caused some complications with the pup. She stays calm and does not shift any more until after the birth of the pup everything should be fine. But she must be kept calm and she must not shift, regular meals would also help she is eating for two! I mean what I say I want her to be kept calm, no arguments, do you hear me Ryker? I have told Thena this as well and she has given me her word she will remain calm and not shift. So with that said you may take Thena home in a couple of hours. I want her to sleep for a couple of hours since she told me she did not sleep at all last night, she told me all she had was a turkey sandwich since yesterday. ! Ryker make sure Thena eats four meals a day, small ones in the beginning.

Storm smiled and looked at Ryker, “She is going to be just fine Ryker. I will have some food sent over for the both of you to eat.

Wind stepped over and hugged Ryker then moved to Storms side, “Ryker be patience with Thena she is still missing parts of her memory. It is going to take her time to come around, but she will I know she loves you more then her own life.

Two hours later Thena sat up in bed she was eating a piece of Salmon and a little mashed potato.

Ryker was in the kitchen at the alpha house having a steak. Storm smiled, “I am sure Thena will come around Ryker. Wind says she only wanted to speak of you when she was in the cabin. I can see the love in her eyes when you carried her out to my truck Ryker.

Ryker smiled, “Storm she is my life, without her I don’t want to go on.”

Storm looked off as if into the distance past, “I could not live with out Wind now so I know what you’re feeing. There is nothing in the world like belonging to that one special love in your life to be connected mentally, bodily, and spiritually, to a female. To know each day you can only grow closer to that one person is unbelievable. I wake in the morning and I look at Wind my heart swells inside filled with love, and to know from our union we have three wonderful pups. Life can’t get any better Ryker. You will have it just give Thena time.”

Wind walked over to the clinic leaving Storm and Ryker to talk. She needed to talk to Thena. As Thena sat eating her lunch Wind walked in. Wind sat down beside Thena’s bed.

Thena looked up and smiled, “thank you for bringing me over to the clinic. I thought for sure I was losing the pup.”

“Wind looked Thena straight in the face, Ryker loves you Thena, his heart is breaking that you have turned your back on him. Thena listen to me for one minute please then I will leave. There is nothing in the entire world greater then the love a male and female share. It grows each day and becomes all consuming. When that union brings forth pups then that couple is finally complete. The mental bonding, the spiritual bonding, and when the bodies bond, becomes so consuming it is like a fire that never burns out. Think about it Thena, think hard on it, don’t toss it out over what Ryker did to protect you.”

Two hours later Storm drove Thena and Ryker back to the cabin. Thena thanked Storm and walked carefully up on to the porch opened the door to the cabin and up stairs to her bedroom. Sat down when Ryker walked into the bedroom he took out a suit case put some items into it and Thena looked at him, “walking out on me again? Leaving me again Ryker, your so good at it, well practice makes perfection for you doesn’t Ryker? You’re so perfect at walking out on me!”

“I am only going as far as one of the other bedrooms!” Ryker said with patience he didn’t feel he was angry and had to control it.

“Well in that case before you move your things into another room do you think you can stop long enough to make me something to eat; please I am hungry!” Thena stated in anger.

Ryker looked at Thena for a long moment then he walked out of the bedroom while he was down stairs making sandwiches, turkey her favorite. He had to keep calm; he could not fight with Thena even if she wanted to. The pup was at risk, he had to do things her way until Thena was stronger. Then things would change he would see to it come draining the ditch or high water which ever came first.

Thena emptied Ryker’s suit case and stuffed the items back into his dresser drawers, then opened the window and tossed the suit case out. She went to the closet reached in picked up two more suit cases and tossed them out the window. Now you can’t just walk out on me. If you do you won’t be taking your clothes Ryker, she thought, then laughed! You just wait until you get back to this room Ryker and we will see if you’re leaving this room any time soon.

This time Ryker saw a suit case falling past the window when he walked into the living room. Ryker went out the front door turn left and around the side of the house to pick up the suit case and found three of them empty. “Well, apparently she has decided I am not moving out of the bedroom, not with clothes any way.” Ryker said out loud, and then he smiled. He looked up at the bedroom window stuck the smallest suit cases inside the next largest one and then added them to the next largest one. Ryker walked back into the cabin set the cases down and walked back towards the kitchen picked up the sandwiches and started towards the stair case again. He walked up stairs to Thena’s and his bedroom, walked in; Thena was in bed resting Ryker set the sandwich down on the night table next to her. Ryker reached into his back pockets pulled out two cokes and sat down on the bed. They ate there sandwiches in silence, Thena had a small amount of coke to wash down the sandwich. When Ryker finished his Thena pulled herself over in the bed to the center of the bed and then cried out.

Ryker jumped up what’s wrong? Do you need to go to the clinic again? Ryker started to get up.

“No no rub my leg I have a cramp in my leg please rub my leg.”

“Ryker quickly moved the covers off of Thena’s leg and began rubbing.

“The other one Ryker the other one,” as he was rubbing her other leg she let the covers slip away from her nude body.

Ryker asked, “Is that better now?” Not noticing that the covers had fallen away from Thena.

Thena didn’t say a word when Ryker looked up at her he noticed she was nude, her eyes were dilated and she wanted him. Ryker slowly slipped off his clothes crawled in to bed pulled Thena into his arms. Ryker’s shaft was hard and Thena pleaded for him to take her. First he kissed her lips and until they were swollen from kissing her. He nipped at her throat and down her side. He rubbed each breast as if it were soft pillows of desire. He ran his hand down between her legs and stuck his two fingers inside of her. She was hot and wet and ready for him. He slipped over onto her spread her legs and lifted them up. He took her hard and fast and until she screamed out his name and the orgasm took over her body, soul, and mind. Ryker then made love to-Thena again as if it were the first time for her, slow, gentle and warm, filled with love at first then dominated her once she was beyond her own control. Thena slept in his arms for a little while and he smiled and held her close, he would never let her go. When she woke two hours later she wanted sex again, not love but pure unadulterated mad all consuming satisfaction sex. Ryker new what she wanted and he worked her G-spot rubbed her clitoris until she screamed out like a panther her body trembled, jumped and was shaking the orgasm consumed her, he was wet from her orgasm and he smiled.

“I love you Thena now and always.”

“I love you Ryker now and always.”

Chapter 10

Ryker was sound a sleep it was going to be a warm day, the sun was up and Thena lay in bed she had been awake now for an hour, wanting to get up but wanting to stay in bed. Finally she decided it was time to get up. She rolled to her side moved to the edge of the bed put her feet down on the floor and stood up. She went to the bathroom then didn’t want to get dressed just yet she wasn’t sure why. She was edgy as well; she was due to whelp any time she figured that was season enough to be edgy.

Slowly she walked down the stair case of her new home. They had moved in two months ago. Thena was contented and happy. She walked into the kitchen started breakfast, once she had it cooked her stomach turned over and she wanted to throw up. She dumped the breakfast in the garbage and walked towards the front door, out onto the porch and smiled. A stream ran behind the cabin just thirty yards away, it was not deep only a couple of inches but it were enough to enjoy.

She felt a slight pain and her tummy got hard. She thought a contraction well it’s about time little one. Then Thena was hit with a severe pain she cried out.

Ryker woke up wondered what woke him he turned over and Thena was not in bed, she must be up making breakfast. Then he heard Thena crying out. Ryker rushed out of the bedroom pants in hand and down the stairs calling Thena.

Thena cried out again and Ryker rushed out onto the porch. Thena’s water had broken and there was blood. He quickly picked Thena up and rushed her to the clinic ten minutes away. Once there Paige had Ryker put Thena on the table. Ryker was asked to leave, an hour later Paige came out. Thena is in labor if she doesn’t have the pup in the few hours I will have to do a C section and deliver the pup. An hour later Thena cried out and Ryker heard the pup crying. Ten minutes later Paige came out, “the pup is a female and is doing just fine. Thena needs blood transfusion and she needs it now. I have gotten the bleeding stopped but need to replace the blood. I am going to check her blood type then ask for donors. Two hours later Ryker had given a pint of blood and so had Jake. Thena was resting comfortably and smiled weakly when she saw her little female pup.

When Thena was sleeping Ryker asked about Thena having more pups. Paige had recommended that she skip the next heat and not get pregnant after that everything should be fine. She explained that the cord from the mother to the pup had torn and that was why the bleeding. Once it was removed the bleeding for the mother stopped. The pup was fine because she had clamped off the cord to the pup in time. Unfortunately by the time she had taken care of the pup Thena had lost a lot of blood. Paige did a scraping of her uterus and she would be perfectly fine. Ryker smiled lifted Paige up swung her around and kissed her cheek. Paige laughed and Ryker walked in to check on Thena she was a sleep he stopped at the tiny bed where his daughter lay looking around and when her eyes settled on Ryker he smiled. Her name was to be MaeSky. She looked like her mother her hair was light her eyes at this time were blue like his. She was beautiful. Ryker wanted to pick his daughter up, but instead touched her tiny soft cheek. She was so small so warm, and so beautiful. She smelled so sweet; his eyes took in all of her and his heart burst with love for his daughter. Ryker thought what a beautiful miracle.

Thena tried to move and couldn’t, she was being held down by someone. Then someone slapped her in the face, she cried. She was holding MaeSky to her chest trying to protect her. The dream made her cry out in her sleep for Ryker. Ryker was there telling her she would be fine and MaeSky was fine. Thena smiled and slept peacefully.

Two days in the clinic and twenty visitors later Thena was ready to spend some alone time with her pup and her mate.

Ryker took her out to there home, Ryker carried Thena things and baby gifts, into their home. The phone rang and Ryker answered it. Thena smiled at her desk that sat in the office as she passed it, Nigerian Ebony, the wood was so black and beautiful. Thena went up stairs the ride home had put MaeSky to sleep she gently placed her into the bassinet her and Ryker had picked out. A crib was in the room as well, but she would not be placed in the crib for another three months. It was a one of a kind crib on sale and they purchased it six months ago.

Thena moved from the bassinet then she turned with a smile on her face towards the door expecting to see Ryker standing there. Thena froze she didn’t move, Seeker stood in the door way. He had a frown on his face. “I finally found you Thena. It took me a while to find you.”

Thena looked at Seeker, “what are you doing here Seeker?”

Thena you know damn well I’ve come for you!

“Come for me; why?” Thena said with a frown.

“I love you Thena and you’re going to be my mate. See I need a mate for my alpha home and pack, you are perfect! I’ll even take our pup and all Thena; I know the pup is mine Thena. I am not a fool look at her she looks like you, her smile is like mine, the shape of her eyes are like mine Thena. You didn’t have to hide her from me Thena. I love her already I would have loved her when you told me you were having my pup.

“Your crazy Seeker, I can’t be your mate I am mated to Ryker! We have been mated now for almost ten months. MaeSky isn’t you’re pup she belongs to Ryker.”

Seeker laughed, “Don’t’ say I am crazy! You’re lying to me Thena, and you had better be lying to me.” He back handed Thena across the mouth and laughed even deeper.

“Where is Ryker?” Thena reached out to Ryker mentally calling to him.

“Who the hell is Ryker? Damn it; don’t tell me your damn fucking mate! You’re not mated! You would never mate another and try to pass my pup off as his! You got to damn much class for that shit. So your living here a lone damn it!”

“Seeker go back to your pack, fined a nice female, advertise for one at the registry! You’re a smart guy, your sweet, kind, warm, and loving!” Thena said with a small smile as she lied to him. Thena knew she had to keep calm for her pups sake, losing her temper right now could cost her not only her life but MaeSky’s as well. That price was just too high! Some place back in her mind she heard a cat voice say to her Karma is a bitch isn’t when it bites back! Is this how she was going to pay for all the people she killed over the years? To lose her life and her daughters; the thought disturbed her deeply.

“Smile Thena you’re so beautiful when you smile.”

MaeSky began to cry; she felt her mother’s uneasiness and needed comforting! Thena moved to the basinet smiled down at her daughter and picked her up.”

“Good she is a wake now we can leave. We are going back to my alpha house Thena. I fixed it up real nice for you. The kitchen is nicely out fitted with everything you will ever need! We can do up a nursery for our daughter.” Seeker said with a smile. She is beautiful Thena! What did you name her Thena?”

“Her name is MaeSky, the Mae comes from my mothers name and Sky comes from then she lied because of the blue of her eyes is like the sky out side.” In truth the Sky came from Ryker’s mother’s name.

“I can’t go with you Seeker, I can’t leave Ryker!” Thena once again called to Ryker in her mind, what the hell is going on Ryker she screamed in her mind.

Finally Seeker had enough he walked up to Thena pulled a gun on her, “move out of the room and down the hall, down the steps to the back yard, my truck is parked half a mile from here down a path to the back of the house. Don’t think I haven’t learned how to use a gun.”

Thena carried MaeSky in her arms close to her chest she had to protect her at all cost even the at the cost of her own life. She walked out the bedroom door down the hall down the stair case out the back door of the kitchen. She walked towards the path, walked careful not to trip or fall with the pup in her arms. Tears began to fall down her cheeks with each step. Thena screamed in her mind,” Ryker Help!”

Storm had been out for a run and had come across a truck not far from Ryker’s place. He called Ryker and they met where the truck was sitting unattended and the two were talking about the vehicle. Ryker said he didn’t know who owned the truck, but was concerned over it being so close to his and Thena’s home. Ryker heard Thena in his mind and he knew what was happening. He knew that Seeker was coming back to his vehicle.

Ryker turned to Storm, “Thena is in trouble Seeker has her. They are on their way back to this truck coming down the path I took to get here. We have to wait here; he can’t leave with my mate and pup.”

Storm nodded his head, got under the truck reached up with a stick and pulled several wires from the spark plugs; Ryker flattened two tires on one side. They waited in the trees. When Ryker heard Thena scream his name this time he answered. “I know baby keep coming towards the vehicle Storm is with me. The vehicle won’t start two tires are flattened, stay calm honey don’t do anything foolish!”

Thena looked at Seeker with tears in her eyes, “Stop Thena,” she turned around when she did Seeker slapped her hard across the face; her lips split and began to bleed. “Stop your damn crying you’re more of a woman then that.”

“I am sorry it’s just my hormones are screwed up I can’t help it. MaeSky is only two days old.”

Seeker slapped her again this time harder and Thena went down with MaeSky in her arms. When she fall she made sure she did not land on MaeSky. Thena sat up looked at her daughter, she was not crying, it was as if MaeSky knew to be silent at that moment.

“Don’t ever back lip your alpha again Thena or you’ll get a hell of a lot worse then a slap or two. Maybe a good beating with a belt will wise you up? I should have raped you that day and tied you to the bed until you agreed to be my mate. I won’t be a fool twice Thena.” Seeker reached down and grabbed Thena by the arm and jerked her up, “walk Thena down the path stop crying or so help me I will punch you next time. Then I will carry you to the truck.”

Thena moved down the path wiped her eyes of tears; she tried to keep pace up, but not to fast, nor to slow. She didn’t want it to look like she was in a rush, but was following Seekers orders.

Thena turned to Seeker, “please let me go Seeker, you can find another female who will love you in return.”

Seeker lost it at that moment he struck out and Thena ducked, kneed Seeker in front of his legs and tried to run. A shot went off the bullet hit just a head of Thena on the ground and Thena stopped. Seeker walked up to Thena and slapped her so hard her head snapped side ways and down she went. Blood ran from her mouth and her nose. One eye was hurting from a clip of one of Seekers finger nails. MaeSky began to cry; she was crying hard, the poor pup was terrified. She wasn’t hurt just scared. Her mother was in distress and she felt it, she felt he danger.

Thena heard Ryker, “just another twenty yards sweet heart come to me, don’t anger him any more then he already is honey, now get up Thena another twenty yards, I am waiting for you! Storm is working to get behind Seeker so if you hear anything do not pay any attention to it.”

Thena got up off the ground she took her sleeve wiped away the blood from her nose then pinched it tightly to stop the bleeding. She put her head down and walked down the path. “That’s much better Thena, you will be a lot happier if you just obey me, and after all I am your alpha now!” Seeker said with a big smile. When they reached the truck he pulled the keys out of his pocket, pushed the button to unlock the doors. Thena walked over to a tree leaned against it and started throwing up blood. The last fall she had not gotten hurt but she didn’t feel well, MaeSky was crying, she pushed her top open and put MaeSky’s lips to one of her nipples. MaeSky stopped crying. Thena leaned over again and threw up some more. Seeker seeing her sick laughed turned his back away from Thena.

Suddenly Seeker went up against the truck the gun flew out of his hand landing about six feet from Thena she moved over picked up the gun. When Seeker came around he expected it to be Thena and was shocked to see it was a male! The smile left his face and Ryker hit Seeker so hard his head bounced off the truck window breaking it. Storm rushed down the path and over to Ryker grabbing him by the arm that was back and ready to swing a second time at Seeker, “Ryker stop! We will let the authorities handle it.”

Ryker let Seeker go and Ryker walked towards Thena, suddenly the gun she had in her hand came up and was fired. Seeker dropped to the ground with a gun in his right hand. Thena moved towards another tree and threw up again. The blood from her nose had hit her stomach once again and was causing her to throw up large blood clots. When Thena stopped throwing up Ryker helped her up. MaeSky was wiggling to get free of her blankets, but would not let go of her mother’s nipple with her mouth. MaeSky had what she wanted and she was keeping it. To MaeSky it was a lift line to her mother as long as that life line was connected MaeSky was contented feeling secure in her mother’s arms.

Seeker moaned and Thena moved towards him, “let me see my daughter for the last time Thena.”

Thena stood there looking at Seeker trying to make a decision on telling him MaeSky was not his or just say nothing. Finally Thena decided on saying nothing he didn’t listen the first time he won’t listen a second time. Thena leaned over so that Seeker could see MaeSky. Then Seekers eyes glazed over from the death stare. Thena moved away from Seekers body. Thena wept as she walked over to a near by jack pine tree and sat down. Thena had enough of death, and killing and others trying to kill her, she decided she was going to retire once and for all, no matter what life would bring her now. She cried for Seeker, she cried for herself, her daughter, and all the misery she had felt in the past year.

Ryker stood there starring at Thena, “was MaeSky Seekers daughter and not his he wondered,” Ryker’s inner wolf growled and stated firmly “she is ours and ours only.” Ryker growled “if she is ours then why did Thena take our daughter over to let Seeker see her? Why had Thena delayed and held back in the woods instead of following Seekers orders and go directly to the truck, was it because he was waiting for them?” Ryker stood across from Thena about ten feet away and starred at her. Ryker’s mind was going in directions he hated to admit it was going. Ryker couldn’t stop his mind from questioning the child’s parentage.

Storm rushed back to Ryker’s home got the keys to their truck drove down and over to Seekers vehicle. Ryker help Thena get into the vehicle Storm and Ryker put Seekers body in the truck box.

When Storm reached their place Ryker got Thena out of the truck up to the bedroom, pulled down the covers put Thena and his; MaeSky into the bed. He kissed Thena said he would be right back after he got rid of Seekers body.

Two hours later Ryker came back to his home, walked in and then rushed up the stairs; Thena was in the bath room cleaning up. MaeSky was sleeping in her basinet. She smelled like all newly cleaned up pups smell of baby powder, fresh diapers. Thena came out of the bathroom looked at Ryker and rushed into his arms and cried. With having MaeSky, just getting out of the clinic and with Seekers death and the fear she felt for MaeSky’s safety had taken its toll on Thena and she could not help but cry her heart out. Ryker held her until she stopped crying. When she had stopped Ryker walked her over to the bed. Ryker wondered if she was crying, because she knew MaeSky was not his or that she felt bad over Seekers death or was it just the whole ordeal in it’s self. He knew her hormones were all screwed up right now. Thena sat down on the bed.

Ryker cleared his throat, “I will only ask this once, and I won’t ask again Thena. I have to know the truth is MaeSky mine?” The hurt look that crossed her face, the pain he felt in her heart was answer enough for him, or was it. MaeSky was his somehow he truly knew it in his heart, but for some reason he wanted that question answered so the question would not keep eating at the back of his mind.

Thena walked over to the phone called Paige up. She explained things to Paige and ask that a test be done immediately. An appointment was in half an hour so they drove over to the alpha house blood was taken from Ryker then little MaeSky and she screamed over the tests that were done to her. MaeSky protested over the tests for a couple of hours. No matter what Thena tried to do to comfort her daughter nothing worked she refused to stop crying, at the end of it both MaeSky and Thena were crying. Ryker tried to comfort MaeSky but she only screamed louder when he held her. Ryker felt worse then a dog, but he had to know the truth. He had forced pain on his mate and his daughter who was only two days old. What kind of werewolf was he?

Thena slept extremely well and at peace never woke up once during the night except when Mae Sky needed changed and fed. Ryker could not say the same he tossed and turned and finally got up and went down stairs. Ryker drank four cups of coffee, he dreaded what the next day would bring it would either be great joy or some sorrow, If MaeSky was not his what could he say to Thena, they were not mated, were not dating, hell they were as far a part as two people could get at the time. He would accept MaeSky as his own; he loved her already in his heart. She reminded him of his sister with her eye color. Had he not visited several whores during the time they were apart. Finally Ryker went out and sat down on the couch and fall a sleep.

In the morning the phone rang it was Paige. Thena asked “Do you have the results” Thena knew MaeSky was Ryker’s daughter, but she didn’t want him questioning every time he looked at his daughter.

Paige replied, “Yes I have the results do you want to hear them yourself?”

Thena starred at the wall, “No I already know the answer to the question!”

“Ryker the call is for you, it is Paige.”

Ryker picked up the phone down stairs, Ryker said, “hello Paige!”

Paige came back with, “Ryker I have the results on MaeSky and she is one hundred per cent your daughter.

Ryker hung up the phone rushed up stairs and grabbed Thena and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Tears ran down his face he walked over to MaeSky’s basinet and she was looking up at him and frowning and he kneeled down beside her picked her up and held her close to his heart and wept. His inner wolf growled at him for not seeing the truth that lay in his arms.

MaeSky protested being pulled in so tight to Ryker’s shoulder. When he released her a little so that she could move she stopped crying and made sucking sounds. MaeSky was hungry.

Thena came over to Ryker kneeled down beside him, “I slept with Seeker once I was shot and weak I needed someone Ryker, he wore a condom I know they are not one hundred percent for sure safe.” Besides Seeker there was one other one night stand four months before we got back together. Before that it was you. Ryker never said a word he just hugged his daughter. When no reply came Thena began again. “I was not in heat and you know I could not have gotten pregnant with out being in heat first Ryker. Hell Ryker you didn’t live the life of a monk, did you use a condom every time?” Thena began to cry, “It is coming out all wrong, and I should not have to defend my actions to you or anyone. I was free; we broke up just as you were free to be with who ever you wanted to be with. I truly thought we were over!” Thena burst into tears and cried.

Ryker looked at Thena, “Don’t you understand it doesn’t matter to me! Thena I love you we belong together I would have accepted MaeSky no matter what, we are mated now, your mine, now and always; there will only be me Thena!” Ryker was angry at Thena for trying to defend herself when he did not ask her to, nor did he imply she had done anything wrong at all. Hell he had been with a dozen whores since him and Thena had split! Worst yet he had not used a condom every single time, at least Thena had.

Thena smiled through her tears, “Yes Ryker now and always only you!

Ryker placed MaeSky in her basinet and turned to Thena and kissed her laid her back on the floor he kissed her lips until they were kissed swollen then nipped at her neck moved his hands over her breasts and down to between her legs he wanted to pushed two fingers inside of her and find her hot, wet and ready for him. He spoke softly to Thena, “I would make love to you if we could, but it is too soon since you had MaeSky we have to wait a week my love. I promised next week we will make love for an entire day. Ryker whispered in Thena’s ear, now and always Thena.

Thena smiled and whispered back, now and always Ryker!

MaeSky chose that time to cry out to let her mother know she was hungry or wanted held in her daddy’s arms. Ryker leaned up, reached in to the basinet and placed her in his arms and she immediately settled down and sucked on her fist.

Thena smiled, “Daddy’s little girl; she will be Ryker’s little girl.” she laughed.

****

The next day Telme was notified that he was now alpha should he want to be, of the pack and that Seeker would not be returning. He had been killed trying to protect Thena. The lie was so small a one and Telme thought a lot of Seeker. Thena wanted him well thought of by everyone that knew Seeker. Thena figured that something snapped in Seeker the day Cue was murdered before his eyes. It was the right and just thing to do for Seeker. Telme notified Seekers family his parents swelled with pride that there son had been so brave to protect a female with a pup. Seeker would be buried with full honours of an alpha pack leader and be well thought of always. Seekers mother was delighted, and Seekers father was shocked that his son who he thought would amount to nothing amounted to something after all.

Telme choose to become alpha pack member, he was far more suited to be an alpha then Seeker ever was. Telme had permitted three new families’ to join his pack and was enjoying the alpha of the pack experience. Something in side him changed that made him take his authority of the pack serious and in time would become one of the best known alpha pack leaders in Canada.

When Thena’s second heat came along she was put on medication as Paige had advised, but the best laid plans always go a stray. The birth control pills didn’t work. And Thena was expecting her second pup in the spring. She was feeling wonderful. Ryker was off on a job for Storm doing some investigation work with Zand he was contented and happy. MaeSky was a bundle of joy and happiness at a year old. She was almost walking. Thena sat at her Nigerian black ebony wood desk with a smile on her face. Everything for once was perfection. Ryker and Thena had taken vows and were married by law in the eyes of the Canadian government. They had redone the binding ritual and both wore two scar’s on there wrists. They had done it while making love as Thena had wanted the first time. When she thought of Ryker he was their in her mind. Thena for a while had lost the ability to shift into a cat do to the blood transfusions of the male werewolves but it returned as her body produced her own blood. This led to research being done by Paige on the blood of werepanthers’s and its effects on other were’s

####

About the author

I joy reading a story with twists, and turns, never knowing who is going to end up being the bad guy, who will help whom, make interesting reading for me. I get board with a story that I know who the bad guy is from the start to finish, the ending is expected. I wanted more details in stories about the phrases of the moon and how they affect werewolves. Not just turning them into killing machines on the full moon. The moons affects on werewolves in their daily lives, there temperament, what they will be like when grown up. That is why I mention what moon each cub is born on it gives the reader and idea of what that cub is going to be.

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. born Sharon, Pa. went to school in Oil City, Pa and graduated Erie, Pa. moved to Canada, wrote poetry for a while. Did some dog training for a few years until the economy caused a fall in operations. Told kids stories to entertain them, made them up out of my mind. They always seem to enjoy the stories even was ask to put together a small book for a girl for her daughter, but never got around to it. So I decided to put some of these stories into books. Each book has a little slice of me in each story.

On line Contact:

E-mail sharwy@mcsnet.ca

Discover other titles by Sharon R. Barrett at Smashwords.com

Amethyst https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29945

Storm http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29962

Paige http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31090

Daynight http://www.smarshwords.com/books.view/31265

Zand http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30034

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10