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  He laughed and she froze. “You must think I’m Paul, happens all the time.” He reached out a hand to pull her to her feet. “I’m Blake Nunn, his brother. I got the cool name.” He smiled down at her still holding out a hand.

  She backed up a touch more and then stood on her own still breathing hard. She attempted to slow her breathing and control her nervousness, she felt like a coward. “I’m Bailey but I have to go. It was nice to meet you.” She turned to run.

  “Hey Bailey, you’re going the wrong way. The reception is that way.” He pointed the opposite direction.

  She was hesitant when she said, “I know thanks,” and kept walking. She had to control her breathing. Her vision began to blur and she walked faster, she needed to get far away from everyone.

  Bailey tripped and went down on her knees, vision still blurry. As she fell forward into unconsciousness, she felt someone catch her and say. “You okay lady?”

  *****

  Blake was holding a beautiful unconscious shifter in his arms, and had no idea what to do. He watched her chest rise and fall, admittedly too fast but her lips weren’t blue so she must okay. Next he pushed her wrap aside to check the pulse at her neck and sucked in a shocked, and appalled, breath. This beautiful young shifter had a scar along her neck and down to her collarbone, by his estimation it was only a couple months old. He ran the tip of his finger along the scar and up to her neck to feel her pulse, fast but strong. He was out of things to check and unsure of what to do. Should he call 911 or maybe Jake to help him decide what to do? She knew Paul so maybe he should call him, yeah.

  Blake took out his phone and dialed Paul. “Hey Bro, have you lost part of the bridal party? There is a young shifter woman who’s currently passed out in my arms and in need of…something.”

  Paul growled, “Where are you?”

  Blake began to become suspicious. “What’s going on Bro? You seem…upset. She’s okay, just passed out. We’re in the forest near the creek…”

  Abruptly the woman sat up and her forehead hit Blake in the chin. “Godammit.” She clutched her head as she shot him an irate look, “Why are you touching me? Where are we?” She scooted as far away as she could from him.

  Blake scrutinized her, “You were at a wedding but tried to run away.”

  “Why did you stop me? Who are you?”

  “You’re kidding right? I’m Blake Nunn, we just met. I’ve called Paul, my brother to come and help you.”

  She groaned. “Why? Can’t you just leave me alone? Freakin’ American Canyon Pack is crazy.” She suddenly felt cold, exposed and realized her scar was not covered.

  “We’re crazy? You’re the one that ran away from a wedding, alone and then passed out. I was trying to help.” Blake looked frustrated.

  Bailey wanted to go home and forget this day had ever happened. “Thank you for your assistance, have a good day.” Bailey stood and forced her change, then ran.

  Chapter 2

  Paul stood on the edge of the clearing watching the interaction between his brother and the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. She appeared fearful and he could see the scar on her neck and wondered if she knew she had exposed it. All of the times he’d seen her since the incident, she’d made a point to cover it. His heart went out to her.

  His brother had been trying to get her to relax but she suddenly stiffened, thanked Blake for his assistance, shifted and ran. She was breathtaking in her human form and her wolf was a wonderful grey that was so light she appeared silver. Paul could see that the scar that marred her beautiful skin remained with her in shifted form.

  Blake was shaking his head when Paul revealed himself. “What took you so long?”

  Paul walked up to Blake and punched him in the stomach. Upon hearing his brothers grunt of pain and wheezing breaths he said, “Did you have to touch her?”

  Blake scrutinized Paul. “Are you kidding me? Your friend passed out so I tried to help and you hit me? I’m telling ma.”

  Paul couldn’t stay here. He was worried about Bailey and pissed that Blake smelled like her. Paul warned, “Stay away from Bailey” as he quickly shifted and chased after her scent.

  “No problem, brother, nice to see you too.”

  *****

  Paul followed Bailey in his wolf form. He knew to stay far enough away so that she couldn’t scent him. He watched her chase down a bunny for her meal and clean her paws when she was done. He saw her lying out in the sun and rolling in the grass. She looked so at ease being by herself, so innocent.

  Bailey heard several twigs snap, something was brushing over the grass coming towards her. She placed her belly down on the ground and waited for whatever was out there to reveal itself. Bailey smelled a familiar scent, of sweet clean lemongrass before another wolf came into her line of site. Shit, the one person she‘d been trying to avoid for months.

  Paul approached Bailey gradually watching to see if she was uncomfortable. They had no way to communicate because they were in shifted form so Paul proceeded with extreme caution. He moved to her un-scarred side and rubbed his muzzle against her neck. Bailey remained motionless while Paul took in her scent and marked her with his. He was scenting her neck when he got a sudden desire to nip her. He opened his mouth and let his fangs put pressure on her scruff. Bailey stiffened and tried to pull away but Paul held her in place.

  At Bailey’s growl he released her, but stayed close by, snuggling up to her side. He was content to simply lay next to her being warmed by the sun.

  What was she doing letting this strange wolf burrow under the shield she’d erected to protect herself? He was annoying and pushy, but he smelled so…refreshing. He smelled innocent and honest, pure. Yeah right, he was probably some pervert that enjoyed cuddling before eating his prey. She wasn’t some meek bunny; she was going to make it known.

  Bailey rubbed her muzzle down Paul’s side and back up until she was at his scruff. She licked him, and felt his shiver, before opening her mouth wide and biting down hard. She tasted blood; it was the sweetest thing she had tasted in a long time. Paul made a joyful noise. She thought she was going to surprise him with a bite of pain, but was pleasantly surprised that their connection was passionate and electric, odd.

  She decided this was exactly where she wanted to be. No expectations, no rules, no pressure. Bailey was glad that Paul was with her, she felt safe and content. Unfortunately, the feeling wouldn’t last.

  Bailey felt her brother attempt to connect with her, she opened her mind to him and she felt his shock and anxiety. Something was wrong. Bailey jumped up and began to run towards the wedding reception. She needed to see what was upsetting Dante.

  Bailey could feel Paul at her back and instead of feeling anxious she felt protected. She arrived on the back porch of the home the wedding was at and she saw Dante fighting with their mother. Her mother was being held by her new friend Blake. Great, this was going to be one of those days…

  Dante saw Bailey approach in wolf form and cocked his head in question. Bailey shifted back to her human form and walked boldly up to her family, noticing Blake’s eyes widen and then quickly look away from her naked body. He was probably appalled by her scars. “Mother, what do you want?”

  The prim and proper Victoria’s eyes strayed boldly to Bailey’s scarred imperfect form. “For God’s sake child, cover yourself.”

  “Why would I want to do that? You made me this way so you can just deal with it. Once again, what do you want?”

  Victoria took in a deep breath and sighed, “I don’t want to be a lone wolf. I belong in a pack.”

  Bailey heard Dante growl and looked past her to someone, satin wrapped around her body. She saw Paul who answered her brother’s growl with his own as he held Bailey’s dress over her. Apparently, he thought she was unsightly too, great for a girl’s ego.

  Dante spoke. “Mother, you have been banished from our pack. If you don’t want to be a lone wolf, you need to find a pack that will accept you. We do not.”

 
Victoria looked outraged for a moment before she clutched her chest and appeared to be having a difficult time breathing. It didn’t look like a panic attack; Bailey was fairly familiar with those symptoms. A few moments later her mother’s eyes rolled back in her head and she went down.

  Blake was still holding her so he guided her to the ground. “I’m sick of swooning women!” He looked pointedly at Paul and Bailey.

  Bailey went down on her knees and checked her mother’s pulse-gone. Shit, she yelled at Dante, “Go get Shana and the AED (automatic external defibrillator). Hurry up.” Bailey could hear Paul behind her calling emergency personnel.

  Bailey had some training. She pulled her fisted hand above her head and slammed it into her mother’s chest-nothing. She raised her fist to do it again when Paul grabbed her arm. Bailey turned on Paul, “Get off me so I can save this bitch.”

  Paul sent her a questioning look when she pulled her hand away from him and pushed him back on his ass. She raised her fist and slammed it back down on her mother’s chest-nothing. “Dammit old lady.” Bailey ripped the front of her shirt open and started CPR. She dry heaved as she felt her mother’s ribs crack under the force of her compressions.

  Bailey pounded at a furious rate and heard Paul behind her. “Do you want me to take over?” She didn’t answer, “Bailey, do you need me to take over?”

  Bailey was sweating and breathing hard but she managed to shake her head. Dante ran back carrying a red box. Bailey yelled, “Open it and turn it on. Take out the pads and put ‘em on ma.”

  Dante’s hands were shaking and he dropped the pads twice before Bailey stopped her CPR and took his place at the AED. She pushed the power button, ripped open the pads and slammed them on her mother’s chest and then plugged it. Bailey pressed the analyze button and yelled. “Step back.”

  Dante stepped over to her side. “You smell like…him,” nodding to Paul.

  “Not now, stupid.”

  The automated voice said, “Analyzing rhythm…Shock advised…step away from the patient.”

  Bailey scooted back and pressed the shock button and watched her mother’s body convulse. As soon as the shock was done Bailey began CPR again. She was getting tired, her arms feeling like Jello when she felt a hand push her away and saw Paul start compressions on her mother while telling her, “Cover up.”

  Bailey picked up her fallen bridesmaids dress and held it to the front of her body, ensuring her scar was covered. She took over breathing while Paul did compressions until she saw the paramedics run around the corner. They began to take over the treatment of her mother. She saw Victoria’s eyes flutter and she wondered if her mother would survive.

  Bailey went to her mother and whispered in her ear. “Thank you for giving me the skill to save you, however, I should have let you die like you were willing to do to me and your innocent grandkids. You may have forgotten but I never will.” Bailey turned and walked away.

  Bailey knew Dante had heard her and followed her but she wasn’t in the mood to talk right now. She was running on adrenalin and had no more energy for fighting or even talking. She turned, “I’m serious Dante; I don’t want to do this with you right now.”

  Dante stepped out from behind a tree. “What is going on Bailey? You seem upset, tense. Is it that stupid sheriff?”

  “Are you kidding me? I just did CPR on our mother and I was naked. I can’t believe you’re doing this right now. Nothing is going on with me and sheriff Nunn. In fact I want to go home, now.”

  Dante looked shaken. “If that’s what you want, we’ll go right away.”

  “Will you please tell me what’s going on with you, I feel like you’re hiding something from me.” Bailey knew that he was hiding something from her, ever since she woke up in the hospital. She couldn’t remember much of what happened.

  “I just want to take care of you Bailey. You’re my sister and I’m your Alpha now, I want you to know I’m here if you need me.”

  Bailey felt provoked at his innocent statement. “Yeah, thank for all of your love and protection Dante but where were you two months ago or even before that? I tried to convince you to take over the pack long before your children were taken. You left me to be sacrificed when you could have prevented it.”

  Dante suddenly understood her recent distance from him. “You blame me for what happened? I admit I should have been there for you but-”

  She cut him off, “No Dante, I’m sorry I don’t blame you. I’ve just had a really hard day. I’d like to be alone.”

  “Bailey, I’m so sorry. Please let’s just talk about things. I know I’ve done wrong but…”

  She couldn’t take it anymore, “No, stop! I don’t want to talk to you or hear your excuses. It’s not your fault; I should have left a long time ago.”

  “Leave? I forbid you to leave. You’re my sister and you’re fragile. I want to protect you!” He growled the last.

  “I’m pretty sure I’ve proven I can take care of myself. Here is your notice, as Alpha, that I will be looking for a new pack. I can’t stay in Sacramento.” She turned dismissing him and walked towards her car.

  Chapter 3

  Dante stood on the side of the house worrying over his mother, and even more alarmed by his sister. He’d never realized she held so much resentment towards him. He couldn’t be mad because she was right, he had been a coward, and she was the hero; yet all the respect went to him as Alpha. He knew if he tried to up her position in the pack or demand respect for her, she’d be furious.

  Paul approached Dante, who seemed to be deep in deliberation. “Penny for your thought?”

  Dante tried to control the instant fury at hearing his voice. “Why does my sister’s scent linger on your skin? I told you to stay away from her.”

  “I tried Dante. She went into the woods and fainted. My brother Blake caught her and tried to help her but she ran off. I was worried so I followed her to make sure she was safe.”

  “That is my job as her Alpha and brother. You should have notified me immediately.”

  Paul was beginning to become annoyed. “She is not anyone’s job. It was my pleasure to care for her and I’ll do it again whenever I feel it’s needed, or whenever she lets me. Funny, but if I didn’t know better I’d say you have a direct connection to your sister through the bond I saw today. Ever think about using it? She’s in pain, fearful and scarred.”

  Dante grabbed Paul by the throat. “Don’t you ever presume to tell me how to treat my sister. She will be fine…she is fine.” Who was he convincing, Paul, or himself?

  “I’d like your permission to court Bailey.”

  “Not a chance.”

  “I can’t stop thinking about her.”

  “Try harder.”

  Paul sighed. “I request a transfer of pack to the American Canyon pack for Bailey.”

  “Denied, she’s the only one who can make that decision, and I hope you’ll not suggest it to her or risk my anger as Alpha and all of the trust our pack’s share.”

  “You don’t get it! I’m not worried about you or pack politics. I want her to be safe and happy. I’d like to get to know her.”

  “Forget it. Stay away.” Dante turned away from the simmering anger he felt for Paul and directed it toward his sister and mother. Women?

  Paul knew he was pushing his luck but he couldn’t stop the words from coming out at a yell. “She’ll not be happy without me.” His voice softened to a whisper but he knew Dante could hear him, “I think we are fated.”

  Dante stopped dead in his tracks. He thought he had maxed out his anger but a fresh wave of fury overrode all his thoughts. He turned towards the man he found assaulting his sister when she was at her weakest. “If that is the case I will happily end you so that she may be free. I doubt she wants someone as perverse as you. So you know, as long as she was under Allen’s tender care,” sarcasm noted, “She has remain untouched. Maybe a better word for it is un-licked because your lack of tongue control was evident when she was laid out in the
hospital.” Dante didn’t know if he could prevent himself from hurting Paul. “Bailey is a special person and I will not allow you to hurt her.”

  Paul flinched. “I would never hurt her. I want what’s best for her. She’s independent and beautiful and strong.”

  A furious voice from behind Dante bellowed, “You don’t even know me! Neither of you know anything about me. Stay away from me, both of you.”

  The men turned to see a red faced Bailey shaking with anger. She wanted to change and run far from these people who assumed they knew what was best for her, but she’d used up her magic for the day. “I mean it. I’m leaving.” She looked over at a shocked looking Dante and added, “Without you.”

  Paul could see she wanted to change. Shifters have a great deal of magic but it seemed as if Bailey had maxed hers out. She must not be caring for herself. She was vibrating with her anger and resentment. She wanted control of her life just like everyone else. What was it like, he wondered, to always be under someone else’s thumb?

  Paul walked over to Bailey and briefly wondered if what he was going to do would work. He reached his hand out touching her shoulder and felt his magic drain as she gently pulled it out of him with a surprised expression. He pulled back with a small smile on his face. “Enjoy your run. If you have a need to leave this place my Pack will assist with your needs.”

  It was the hardest thing Paul had ever done; turn his back on Bailey while she was upset. He saw the alarmed look on Dante’s face before he walked past him and into Pack house. He needed to talk to someone, but whom? He felt wetness to his hand and looked down to see a wide eyed beautiful wolf nudging his hand with its nose.

  Bailey was amazed. She’d never known someone to care enough for her to lend her their magic for the day. Paul must have seen the desperation in her eyes. How was he able to read her so easily? She went to him and rubbed her nose on his palm and gave him a small lick. He smelled great and tasted even better, she found herself wildly attracted to him. She wasn’t sure if her reaction to him was hers or because she was currently borrowing his magic. One thing she did know was that she wouldn’t be controlled or live in fear anymore. She wanted to be independent.