Kalen Read online

  Ally tried to stick her tongue out at him, but it just didn’t have the same effect in this form. Not really, but what choice do I have? You’ve already said that I can’t change back to being a full human, she said as she continued to follow his lead. We already know that I don’t have the sense of direction to find my own way home. She snorted. I have to rely on you whether I like it or not.

  Kalen chuckled into her mind and that made her want to kick him. That’s true.

  Her ears perked up at the sound of a car horn. Are we close to a town?

  I believe so. I think we’re close to the hotel you worked at.

  Oh, he probably shouldn’t have told her that. Ally took off, running as fast as she could to see if he told her the truth. She burst from the woods on the side of the road and looked to the right. There it was.

  She could actually hear the buzz of the old neon sign. The lights were lit, the little sign advertising a vacancy. Of course it had a vacancy. They lived out in the middle of nowhere and the rooms were barely larger than the queen-sized beds the motel owners crammed into them.

  Ally frowned when she noticed her little car was gone. Where did it go? My car is gone, she said with a little whine. Someone stole my car.

  I would imagine the police took it after their investigation. Or perhaps the alpha, or one of the others in my team scented you in it and took it back to your home so as not to raise suspicion.

  She spun around and stared at Kalen. What investigation? Fear shot through her like a rocket. Her stomach churned and she felt sick. I haven’t done anything!

  Of course you haven’t, but you have disappeared in the middle of broad daylight. Any security cameras the owners may have did not record anything out of the ordinary, except, perhaps that we carried what they’re going to think is a dog out of Thornton’s room.

  Kalen nudged her shoulder, urging her down the road. Let’s go. We still have a long walk ahead of us and I’m getting hungry.

  Ally turned and snarled at him. Stop pushing me, dammit! She turned in the opposite direction that he wanted her to go. I’m going home. Taking off at a trot, Ally headed back to her house. She knew the way from here and there was zero chance of getting lost unless she decided to try to cut through the woods. Fat chance of that happening. She had no intention of getting lost again, especially when she was so close to home.

  Finally making up her mind what she wanted to do, Ally took off at a run. There was no way she wasn’t at least stopping by her house to pack a few of her things, and Kalen could take her keys and pick up her car since he could change at will. To hell with this walking nonsense. She was damned tired and her feet hurt.

  Chapter Six

  Where the hell do you think you’re going? Kalen asked as he fell in beside her.

  Home.

  Ally kept running in the same direction, no matter how hard he tried to get her to turn around. I swear I’m gonna bite you if you don’t stop that crap. She lifted her upper lip just enough to prove to him she meant what she said.

  Kalen laughed. You’ve done that already and I didn’t turn into a human, or get rabies. I think I’m safe.

  Shut up, you jerk. I’m not diseased.

  I never said you were. Kalen chuckled. I was worried about turning into a full human, though. I like being a were. It’s fun.

  Not from where I’m standing, it’s not. Ally continued to run what must have been all out for her. She was starting to look tired. I’m not stopping until I get home.

  Dammit, Ally. I told you—

  I don’t give a good damn. She did stop, just to look at him, most likely so he could see that she meant what she said. She was quiet for a moment, catching her breath. She looked back the way they came and her expression grew grim. I’ll go with you if I must, but I refuse to go without my things. I need my purse. I never go anywhere but work without it. I need my car. I worked hard for that damned thing. I want it back. And I refuse to wear the same clothes day in and day out. I want to pack some things to take with me.

  Kalen relented with a sigh. If you insist, but remember, if there is anything off about your home, the way it looks, or smells, we’re not going near it.

  That’s fair, I suppose. She turned and continued on at a more sedate pace. I really don’t want to get captured by that nut. He’s already ruined my life. The last thing I want is for him to end it next time.

  That’s a good sign. At least you’re thinking about a future now, instead of wanting someone to kill you.

  I figured I’d give you the benefit of doubt since I can run out in front of a car anytime. Some assholes even aim for dogs.

  How many times do I have to tell you?

  Ally laughed. I know. I know. I’m not a dog.

  Kalen stayed by her side as they continued on for another two or three miles. When he heard Ally groan, he glanced at her, worried. She looked distressed, rings of moisture surrounded her eyes, and she had begun to pant. Please tell me we’re almost to your house.

  We are, she said on a groan, but I don’t think I can make it. It’s about another mile in this direction.

  Run then.

  I—I can’t. Ally’s legs gave out and she fell to the ground with a grunt. At least I don’t have so far to fall in this form. I’d laugh about it, but it hurts too much.

  Kalen could almost feel her pain. It tingled just on the edge of his consciousness and he frowned. He shouldn’t be capable of feeling her pain, unless… He shook his head in denial. He didn’t want a mate. In fact, he wasn’t sure he ever wanted a mate.

  Still, he stared at Ally for a moment. He could do a lot worse. Ally was beautiful when she wasn’t being difficult. His cock stirred as he remembered what she looked like in her human form, naked.

  With an ease borne of repetition, Kalen pictured his human form, meticulously remembering what it felt like to be human, with two arms and legs, ten fingers and toes and his clean-shaven face. His bones popped and cracked, his organs reshaped themselves and he grew in stature until he towered over Ally as she lay on the ground still in her wolf form.

  “Reach for it, Ally. Reach for your human side. Don’t fight it. It won’t hurt as much if your mind helps your body shift its shape.”

  You make it look so simple, so easy.

  “It is simple.” He continued to talk to her, unwilling to use the telepathic connection they had. He wanted to bring her out of her other form as quickly as possible to prove to her that she would have less pain if she reached for it.

  All right. I’ll try it, just this once, but if you’re lying to me, I’m gonna kick you right in the balls when I’m human again.

  Kalen winced at the thought, then chuckled. “I guess it’s a good thing I’m telling you the truth, then, isn’t it?” He watched her as she writhed on the ground, showing him just how much pain she went through during the change. “Remember, you must concentrate on your humanity.”

  I’m trying, dammit. It’s not easy concentrating on that when I’m in so much pain. All I can think about is how much it hurts.

  “Try to push that into the back of your mind.” He unhooked his carry bag and pulled their clothes out. “I wish I could help you, but our connection isn’t strong enough. If I could connect with you mind to mind better than I did before, I might be able to block some of your pain.”

  I think you can. I’ve felt…something brush at the edges of my consciousness since I bit you and I’ve blocked it. If I reach for you, will you try?

  Shit! Kalen would have shouted the word, but he didn’t want her to know he was upset.

  What’s the matter? Did I say something that upset you?

  Hell, if she could hear him when he didn’t want her to, it didn’t bode well for his freedom. Kalen immediately slammed a barrier down on his thoughts. Dammit! He didn’t want a mate. “No. You didn’t say anything to upset me.”

  Good. She groaned. Because if you’re going to help me, now would be the time. It’s getting to the point where I can’t bear it.
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br />   With a sigh, Kalen lowered the barrier he had erected and reached for Ally’s mind. The pain hit him almost immediately, driving him to his knees. “Hell, Ally, no wonder you can barely think of anything else.” Taking a deep breath, he managed to help her block the pain. Even then, what was left was excruciating. He knew, because his mind was still linked with hers, blocking what he could of her pain.

  “I think we’ve done the best we can. Now, think of what it’s like to be human.” He waited a moment while she imagined her arms and legs, smooth legs, he noticed. He also noticed how she remembered her slim body and the way she looked fresh from the shower.

  His cock hardened at the thought. As much as he was sure he didn’t want a mate, he wondered what it would be like to come home to this woman every afternoon, to make love to her every night. His breathing grew shallow as he thought of their bodies pressed together, his lips against hers. What would it be like to sink his cock deep inside her?

  “You’re a pervert, Kalen,” Ally said as she curled up in a little ball. “Did you think I couldn’t pick up on your thoughts while you were so tuned into mine?”

  Kalen pulled from her thoughts and gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry about that. I think it was your image of yourself, fresh from the shower that did it.”

  “Ha! If I remember correctly, you got hard at my legs, you degenerate. Now, give me my clothes and turn around.”

  Kalen did as she asked. He didn’t need to watch her dress with the image of her naked still fresh in his mind. “I think it may have had something to do with the way you smell as well.” He grinned. “It may have been my thoughts that took you there, but you can’t deny the thought aroused you.”

  “Yes, I can,” she sniped as he listened to her pull his shirt over her head. “Okay. I’m as decent as I can get, I suppose. You can turn around now.”

  Kalen turned back to her, his gaze traveling up from her feet and pausing at her thighs for a moment as he wondered if they were as soft and creamy as they looked.

  “Hey, lothario, my face is up here,” Ally practically snarled as she waved her hands in his face.

  She may deny her feelings, but Kalen knew she was just as attracted to him beneath that veneer of indifference. As she mentioned his arousal, so did he sense hers whether she cared to admit it or not.

  Kalen allowed his gaze to linger a bit longer before he raised his gaze to hers and smiled. It wasn’t the easy grin he gave everyone. The smile was the one he practiced in the mirror to catch the attention of any female he wanted, and while he hated to admit it, he wanted this one. His wolf was impatient to feel her submission. It seemed that, like it or not, Kalen had just lost his freedom.

  “Let’s go.” Kalen held out his hand. “The sooner we get there and leave, the better off we’ll be.” Who knew what Richard Thornton had in mind? If she was lucky, he would forget about her, but Kalen doubted it.

  Nothing about Dr. Richard Thornton was predictable. He was like an injured and hungry animal, traveling with no real destination in mind until he heard from his henchmen about a safe laboratory where he could again set up his experiments.

  If Kalen and his friends had their way, that would never happen. In a perfect world, they would finally apprehend and eradicate the rabid doctor with extreme prejudice. As far as he was concerned, no one deserved it more.

  Ally stood looking at his proffered hand for a moment before she gingerly rested her hand in his. He looked down into her beautiful violet gaze and wondered how long she would continue to push him away.

  Now that he had come to terms with the fact that she was his mate, whether he thought he was ready for one or not, he planned to jump in with both feet and take their relationship wherever it would go.

  Apparently, she still didn’t want it to go anywhere. While the human half of Kalen might have been okay with that, his wolf demanded its mate. It had waited long enough and planned to claim her, come hell or high water.

  “Let’s try to keep out of sight, shall we?” He pulled her gently to the edge of the woods where they walked until he noticed her discomfort. Looking down, he cursed. “Why didn’t you remind me you had no shoes?” Bending, he swung her up in his arms, cradling her to his chest.

  “Because I knew you would do something like this and I didn’t want you to feel obligated to be my taxi.” She crossed her arms and relaxed against his chest. “I can walk, you know.”

  “I know, but it causes you pain. You aren’t wearing shoes and there are thorns and sharp rocks around here, among other things.” He moved deeper into the woods, knowing now that as he carried her, her rear was exposed on the side toward the road. While he might like looking at her nicely rounded ass, it didn’t mean he wanted the entire town looking at it.

  Kalen rolled his eyes at the thought. This was ridiculous. He was even acting jealous already. What was it about him that drew him to her so unerringly? Was there some mystical connection between mates as his mother once suggested, or was it coincidence that he met her now?

  Whatever it was, it stirred his wolf’s interest and caused it to insist on the claiming. He fell deeper and deeper under her spell the more he held her, scented her and merged his mind with hers. His wolf wanted its mate and demanded he take her here, now. Since he was in charge and not his wolf, he refused to be so base. Yet, there would come a time when he wouldn’t be able to control his other self if he didn’t either mate her soon, or leave her.

  One thing was certain. He wouldn’t leave her alone any time soon with the threat of Richard Thornton out there. Especially when the other man had the knowledge that she was now a were and capable of giving him the infants he so desperately craved.

  Chapter Seven

  Ally let Kalen carry her without a fuss. Her feet hurt and she was just plain tired. Heck, she was fairly certain she had run thirty or so miles since she jumped out of the van. She wanted nothing more than to take a shower and go to bed, but she couldn’t.

  There was no doubt in her mind that Kalen wouldn’t allow her to stay even one night in her own home. She could understand his apprehension, but what if that crazy doctor never contacted her again? This would all have been for naught. Still, she supposed he knew best. He did seem to have all kinds of experience.

  Apparently, this kind of thing was what he did for a living. What exactly that was, was still a mystery, but she was sure he, or someone else, would tell her sooner or later. They were nothing if not willing to share the information about themselves with others of the same kind.

  It wasn’t hard to guess that there weren’t many of them. If there were, the crazy man who called himself doctor wouldn’t have had to come up with a serum to breed his super soldiers. He wouldn’t have had to go any further than kidnapping a few weres to make them breed.

  She looked up at Kalen’s unreadable face. She didn’t know what it was, but something had changed about him when he helped her shift shape. He suddenly became more attentive or something. It was as though he couldn’t get the image of her naked out of his mind.

  His entire attitude about her had changed. Before, it seemed as though he resented her presence. Now, though, he seemed almost nice. He paid special attention to her needs. She even noticed how he moved deeper into the woods when he lifted her into his arms. She had hoped he wouldn’t carry her so close to the edge of the woods with her butt hanging out from under his shirt the way it was and he’d moved.

  She wasn’t sure if it was a conscious effort on his part, or if he’d merely felt her desire for him to carry her deeper into the woods. Either way, he was being nice, or they were still connected. Whichever it was, he no longer treated her with the slight hint of rudeness he had displayed almost from the start. Whatever it was, she decided she liked the more charming side of him.

  Maybe his lack of manners had something to do with the fact that she’d bitten him so hard in the hotel room, but she doubted it. Heck, the wound had already healed over. How could he still be angry over something that had already he
aled to the point that it left no trace?

  No. Something else bothered him and it had something to do with seeing her naked. Ally frowned. She knew she wasn’t perfect, but she’d never had a man get angry because he saw her in her birthday suit. A few had gotten angry because she wouldn’t let them see her sans clothing, but that was understandable. This was not.

  Ally stole a glance at him. His expression still grim, Kalen carried her through the woods growing closer to her home. She watched as they approached, looking for anything out of the ordinary. She saw nothing other than the gardening tools laying in a heap in Milly’s front yard. She frowned. That was unlike the older woman. Usually fastidious with every area of her life, Milly never left anything undone, even if it meant putting her gardening tools away with a broken bone.

  “Something’s wrong.” She wriggled in Kalen’s arms, wanting him to put her down.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked with a groan.

  “Look, if I’m too heavy, put me down.” Geeze, the least he could do was let her stand on her own two feet before he started groaning about her weight.

  “You aren’t too heavy.” He winked at her before adding, “Do I look as though I’m straining to hold you? Do you see perspiration? Are the muscles in my neck bulging?”

  “Well…no.”

  “Then shut up about your weight. You’re perfect.”

  “Uh… I wasn’t fishing for compliments either.”

  Setting her down, he turned to face her. “I know that. I also know that whatever is wrong, you’re right. Something doesn’t smell quite right.”

  Ally took a deep breath. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

  “Something here reminds me of the hotel. I’m not sure what. I only know it isn’t you.”

  “Oh.” Ally bit her lip and stared out at Milly’s house. “Whoever, or whatever is setting off your inner alarm has something to do with Milly.” She pointed to the right half of the yard in front of their duplex. “See that pile of gardening implements?” At his nod, she continued, “Milly never leaves anything like that undone. She would have put them away before going inside. Even if it was just to go to the bathroom, she never would have left them in the middle of her yard like that.”