Bee's Enraged Beast (James Pack Book 4) Page 4

  “You…came…for me.”

  Her words were slow and sluggish as if she were having trouble getting her lips and tongue to cooperate. I tried to respond, but nothing came out but snarls and rumbles, reminding me I was still in my wolf skin.

  “Stay with her,” Cici ordered, rising and pulling her phone from her pocket. “I’ll call Simon again. He’s with the James Pack. I told them where we are. They should have been here by now. Where the hell are they?” Her gaze moved around the room, cataloguing everyone. “I’ve got to head outside. My phone isn’t getting a signal in here. I’ll run out to my car and be right back. I’ve got some spare clothes for you, too. I’ll grab them.”

  I barely paid attention to her, other than to note she was calling the James Pack again. Which meant she’d reached out to them, though she obviously hadn’t waited as I’d ordered her to. She and I were going to have another long talk when this was over.

  My mate groaned, pulling my full attention to her. I nudged her shoulder with my snout then licked over her cheek, getting another taste of her blood. Soon, we’d mate. When she was stronger, healed.

  She blinked her beautiful, blue eyes up at me. Eyes clouded with pain. I growled low in my throat, the sound vibrating through my chest as anger surged anew within me. She reached for me with her good hand while the other lay cradled along her stomach. Her lips opened and closed several times before she managed to force out a word.

  “You…” The single word rasped from her throat. I laid my muzzle over her lips to silence her and felt the kiss she gave me all the way to my soul.

  I shifted, taut skin and bulging muscle replacing fur until I crouched beside her. I wanted to lift her in my arms, to carry her away from here to a safe place where she could shift and let her wolf heal her. Instead, I reached for the chain, snapping it open with my bare hands. They’d chained her like a fucking animal.

  “Shh,” I urged when she tried to speak again. “We’ll get you out of here. Let you shift.”

  “Can’t.” Short, staccato, and filled with pain.

  “You can,” I assured her. “You’ll have to.”

  It would be the easiest way for her body to begin mending. The activation of our wolf DNA triggered advanced healing. It hurt like a bitch, but it worked. Some injuries took longer than others to heal. Some even a wolf couldn’t repair. Those wolves were usually close to death.

  My mate was injured but not about to die. Makers had kept his promise and left her bruised, bloody, and beaten, but my mate had returned the favor. I glanced over to make sure Makers was still unmoving before returning my gaze to my mate.

  Christ! I didn’t even know her name yet.

  Belinda.

  The name filled my mind, and I knew she was telling me. How was it that I could hear her in my head, even though we hadn’t mated? I’d never heard of a couple creating a link before they’d fully bonded.

  “Han…”

  “Hannibal Craig,” I gave her my name “But most people call me Beast.”

  “Mate…”

  “Yes,” I agreed. “You’re my mate. I’ve been searching for you.”

  “Han, the guy you left outside by the door isn’t there any—”

  Cici’s words were lost as she screamed. I jerked my gaze from Belinda’s face to focus on my sister. Mullins, the wolf she’d claimed was missing, had her by the throat, feet dangling inches above the floor. She clawed at his hand as he moved farther into the warehouse with her.

  “Benji! Where are you?” Mullins was as naked as I was, and I knew he must have forced a shift to begin healing the damage I’d done to his knee. I’d forgotten about him. I’d been so lost in my mate that I’d neglected to ensure the safety of my sister, and in doing so, I’d put both women at risk.

  “Let her go!”

  “Not a fucking chance,” he snapped, giving her a shake for emphasis. She choked for breath, her face flushed with color as she struggled.

  I took a step toward them, and he wrapped his other palm at her belly, claws fully extended.

  “One more step and I’ll gut her and let her bleed out while you watch.”

  I forced myself to stay put, afraid he’d carry through on his threat.

  “Benji!” he yelled again.

  “Let her go, and I’ll let you take Makers and leave,” I offered.

  “Bring him to me,” he commanded, the order making my wolf quiver with the need to rip out his throat.

  I strode over and grabbed Makers by the leg, tugging his unconscious form behind me as I moved toward my sister.

  “Wait!” the wolf yelled. “Is he alive?”

  “For the moment,” I offered.

  “Better hope he stays that way or your human dies.” He sliced through the front of Cici’s T-shirt, exposing her tanned belly. She kicked, managing to nail him above the knee with her boot. It was the same one I’d taken out earlier. He grunted and dug in one claw hard enough to draw a drop of blood. I watched it trace a path down her stomach and gritted my teeth in a bid to hold back my growls.

  I’d fucking told her to stay away. Not because I didn’t trust Cici but to prevent something like this from happening. To protect her. As much as I bitched and groused, she was the only sibling I had, and I treasured her.

  “Careful,” I warned, lifting Makers by my grip on his calf. “I could return the favor.”

  “Looks like you already have,” he snarled. “Maybe, I should be returning the favor.”

  There was no holding back the growl then. He paled, and the hand braced on my sister’s belly shook slightly. I found no comfort in his fear, though. Fear often made people stupid, and stupidity could be dangerous.

  “You’ve been following us,” he said, watching my movements like a hawk as I dragged Makers closer. “Why? Who the fuck are you?”

  “A very pissed off wolf,” I warned, letting my growl saturate the room. Enjoying the way his fear permeated the air. One glance told me the other wolf I’d left alive was still out cold, and the woman was either dead or had passed out. I felt sorry for her, but there wasn’t anything I could do for her. My focus was already split between my mate and my sister. I couldn’t splinter it any more.

  Cici gave me a wink, and I felt a chill go down my spine. I wasn’t sure what she was up to, but I already knew it was a bad idea. I was shaking my head when she moved. She kicked him again, somehow managing to pull up her foot so she connected with his groin this time. At his cry of pain, she thrashed against his hold then gave a cry of her own when he jerked his hand from her belly to land several punches along her temple.

  I roared then, ready to spring forward as he let her fall unconscious to his feet. Before I could reach him all hell broke loose. Six shifters burst into the building. If I wasn’t mistaken, I was looking at the James Pack, my mate’s pack. Finally. One immediately ripped out Mullins throat then bent to sweep my sister into his arms, inhaling deeply before turning and heading out the door.

  “Wait!” I bellowed. “Where are you taking her?”

  The one holding her glanced toward me with a look of loathing. I saw him exchange words with the man holding open the door. Then he was gone. The others fell on Makers and his remaining friends, securing the one still breathing, while another checked on the woman. I wanted to go after my sister, but I had to trust the James Pack wouldn’t hurt her. I’d heard they could be brutal, but nothing I’d discovered made me think they’d kill an innocent. I also knew none of them would answer my question.

  “Belinda!” the one at the door yelled as he moved inside. My gaze briefly snagged on his. Rage, barely controlled, poured from him. This was the alpha. Bastion James. I didn’t need an introduction to know that. And my mate was important to him.

  “No!” he screamed as he shoved his way around me.

  I automatically turned to follow his gaze. I’m not sure what I expected, but the sight before me almost knocked me on my ass. Where my mate had been, there was nothing but a trail of blood and the broken cha
in. She was gone.

  “No!” I roared, shoving James out of my way. A heavy blow struck the back of my head and put me on my knees. I shook my head as a second blow fell. Why were they attacking me? Hadn’t Cici told them I’d be here?

  I struggled against the arms that held me, attempting to focus as I took more hits. Darkness flickered at the edge of my vision. I fought with a desperation I’d never known, doing my best to deflect the hits while landing a few of my own. These guys weren’t Makers and his ilk, though. They wouldn’t be easily dealt with. I should have called James when I’d first arrived here. There would have been no misunderstanding then. No fighting amongst each other.

  Even mid-blow, my mind was fully engaged on only one thing. My mate was gone. Who the fuck had taken her?

  Chapter Five

  ~Belinda~

  “Wake up, Bee! I need you to wake up!”

  My body was on fire. I didn’t think there was an inch of me that didn’t hurt. One minute I’d been lying on the warehouse floor, fading in and out of consciousness, then I’d heard the whispered warning of someone as they tugged at me. Someone had half-dragged, half-carried me outside. It wasn’t my mate, though.

  “Bee! Wake up! Your brother is seriously losing his shit right now, and frankly, so am I.”

  Raina. It was Raina’s voice beside me as she ran skilled hands along my body.

  “Wrist is broken, but everything appears in place. I’m going to have to set your leg. When I do, I need you to work on not passing out. Focus on your wolf and allowing the shift to occur. Focus, Belinda. We’ve got to get you healed up before Bas starts killing people. Starting with that big bastard in there.”

  “Mate…” I forced the words past my lips.

  “Yeah,” Raina agreed, obviously not understanding what I said. “My mate is seconds from burning this place to the ground. Good news is he might be more pissed at me than anything else. He ordered me to stay put as if I wasn’t coming to help you.”

  I tried to shake my head, but knew I barely moved. Still, it was enough to grab my sister-in-law’s attention.

  “What is it?” she asked. “Did they…” She paused, visibly swallowing as she looked over my body again.

  “My…mate…”

  She gave me a confused look, then her brows lifted high on her forehead. “The big guy? He’s your mate?”

  My expression must have been enough of an answer for her.

  “Fuck, Bee! They were beating the hell out of him.” She glanced around. “Fuck! If you want to keep him alive, we need to get you healed. I’m setting the bone in your leg. Don’t pass out. His life might depend on it.”

  I gritted my teeth as her fingers moved along my leg. I had to get back to Hannibal before Bastion allowed something bad to happen to my mate. I needed to—

  All thought left me as Raina’s soft hands sent blinding pain ripping through me. Had my vocal chords been willing to cooperate, I would have screamed. But everything seized in that moment.

  “Now,” Raina ordered. “Let your wolf free, Bee.”

  I fought my way through the haze of pain. My wolf nudged me, ready to step in and take over. I let her, saving what remained of my strength for the brutality of the oncoming shift.

  I heard Bas’ voice, and Raina’s snappy retort, but it was distorted as if carrying through a thick molasses. That’s the thing about shifting. It’s not easy, and the pain is something that takes time to adjust to. Your bones literally break and reform as you go from human physiology to wolf. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s excruciating the first few times you go through it. Some black out during their first shift. I’ve always been made of sterner stuff. Plus, my brother would have never let me live it down if I’d passed out. And Bas’ opinion mattered to me.

  The problem with shifting when your bones are already broken is twofold. The first part of the shift is to repair the damage to my human side. Imagine getting the equivalent of surgery with no anesthesia. Bone and muscle and tendon knitting back together. It’s an unimaginable hell. Then, when you can finally breathe, everything is breaking again and reforming as your wolf steps forward. That’s when the final stage of healing occurs. The blood of my wolf flowing strong in my veins, strengthening me from the inside out.

  I took a few tentative steps, getting my feet under me. I felt the echo of the damage Benji had inflicted, then I was free. I was ready to turn and sprint when I saw them, Taylor and Gabe, dragging my unconscious mate between them. Dragging him as if he were unworthy of lifting. I moved before I was fully aware, snapping at Taylor’s hold then turning to do the same to Gabe.

  “What the fuck, Bee?” Taylor shouted, losing his grip and letting Hannibal fall to the ground.

  He was bleeding. They’d beat the hell out of him. This man who’d come to save me. My mate. I lunged at Gabe again.

  “Enough,” Bas ordered, and I did something I’d never done in my life. I turned and growled, my teeth inches from his fingers. “Bee, enough!”

  I shook my head and positioned myself over my mate, front paws spread wide, muzzle lowered as my growl filled the air. I wouldn’t let them touch him again.

  “Bee…”

  I didn’t know what else my brother planned to say because Raina stepped up to him, drilling her finger into his chest.

  “Don’t yell at her. I told you he was her mate. I told you, and you still let them drag him out here as if they were taking out the trash. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Raina.”

  My sister-in-law cared as much for his warning tone as I did.

  “I’m two seconds away from shifting and standing guard with her.”

  He growled, frustration pouring off him.

  “Do the right thing,” Raina commanded, and I wasn’t surprised when he moved. Bas was the alpha of our pack. His word was law. Except to Raina. She called him on his shit and went toe-to-toe with him. And my brother would do anything to please her.

  “Go inside and make sure Cyan and Michael have everything else covered,” Bas ordered, and Taylor and Gabe headed in without another word. “Move, Belinda.”

  I stared at him for a long moment, baring my teeth.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “I’m not going to hurt him. I promise.”

  I took a step to the side but remained close enough I could intervene if needed. Not that I had any clue what I’d do to protect Hannibal if Bas decided to hurt him. I knew I’d try, though. I’d do anything to protect my mate. I’d die for him.

  Bas bent and moved Hannibal, so he could lift him over his shoulder. He stood, holding my mate as if he weighed nothing. Then he turned to Raina.

  “Why don’t you shift and run back to the house with Belinda. She could use the run to finish healing up.”

  I growled. He wasn’t separating me from my mate.

  “He’ll be fine, Belinda. Promise. When he’s awake, we’ll talk. Figure this out.”

  There was nothing to figure out. He was my mate, and he’d be staying. Or we’d leave together. That thought caught me by surprise. I’d never considered leaving my brother. I’d known my mate was looking for me, but I’d always planned to stay here with him, as part of the James Pack. I’d never once considered a different outcome.

  Raina nudged me with her nose as Bastion walked away with Hannibal.

  “I won’t hurt him!” Bas yelled over his shoulder as if he knew the question filling my mind. I’m sure he did. Not only was he my alpha, but he was my brother. The only person who’d always been there for me. No matter what. I’d trust him on this. He’d always done right by me.

  I took off with Raina tight behind me. If I beat Bas there, I could make sure Hannibal was all right, make sure no one laid a hand on him. I started to blame myself, but that wasn’t true. This was all Benji Makers’ fault. Simon and Gabe should have let Taylor kill him when he’d had the opportunity. Then again, if Taylor had, maybe I’d have had to wait even longer for my mate to find me. Why was l
ife so damn complicated?

  The run felt good. Any other time, I would have luxuriated in the feel of the wind, the crush of dirt and debris under my feet. Instead, Hannibal filled my thoughts. Was he okay? Would he hate me for what my brother and our pack had done? Would he regret the woman the universe had chosen as his mate? Refuse the mating? Walk away from me? I couldn’t let that happen. He was mine, and I wasn’t giving him up without a fight. Even if it meant leaving Bas.

  Even at top speed, my brother beat us back to the house. I shifted as soon as we hit the porch and burst through the door. Normally, Simon would have popped out from somewhere, holding a blanket or towel or one of his shirts, but he wasn’t there this time. Bas was. He tossed me a blanket then crossed and jerked one of his shirts over Raina’s head as she entered behind me. Her laughter tickled the air.

  “Where is he?” I demanded, glancing at the pack members who remained in the house. My gaze narrowed on Gabe. “Where’s my mate?”

  He glanced toward Bas as if to ask his permission before saying anything to me. I knocked him on his ass.

  “Damn it, Belinda!” Bas snapped.

  “Where is he?” I faced my brother, blanket held loosely in front of me. I didn’t care if I was naked. I’d learned to be comfortable in my own skin a long time ago. Just as I’d accepted that no matter what I said or did, no matter who my brother was or wasn’t, some wolves would never accept me. “Never mind. I’ll find him.”

  I opened my senses, homing in on Hannibal’s scent. I turned and headed toward the basement. He’d taken my mate to the basement? That was where interrogations and punishments were meted out. What the hell!

  “Belinda, wait!”

  I heard Bas moving behind me, but I didn’t stop. I tore down the stairs, blanket dropped somewhere on the steps. I shoved my way past Taylor, no easy feat as he was almost as massive as my mate. It probably helped that Bastion snapped orders behind me, telling them not to lay a hand on me. I dodged Cyan, who would have snagged me for my brother.