Stefan's Salvation, page 3
Patience was the key to survival. She kept her breathing light and even as she held herself steady in the dark. Settling against the corner of the house, she waited until the man near the shed hurried closer to his friend. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Laurel Rose slipped around the corner and crouched behind an old iron washtub filled with flowers.
Both men were almost to the front porch. It was now or never. The sound of the rifle being cocked echoed across the yard. “Stop right there.”
It was almost comical how quickly they stopped. The smaller man yelped and rammed right into the back of the larger one. When the larger man moved, she caught the gleam of the rifle in his hands.
Holding her rifle steady, she kept her aim on the bigger man. “You’re trespassing. What do you want?”
“Now, Laurel Rose, that’s no way to greet your neighbors.”
Her fingers flexed around the gun, but her aim remained steady. Now she knew who her unexpected visitors were. The big booming voice belonged to Aaron Higgins, so that meant the smaller man had to be Clem Simms. The two men were cousins and Clem was Aaron’s shadow. Had been for as long as she could remember.
“It’s a little late for a neighborly call, Aaron. What do you want?” Her right leg was starting to cramp and she stretched it as best she could, but there was no way she was moving from out behind the tub. She didn’t trust either of them any more than she would a rabid animal.
“Now, Laurel Rose,” he continued in a condescending tone that was beginning to grate on her nerves. “We heard you had some trouble and came to see if we could help. A woman all alone up here is vulnerable. Anything could happen.”
The threat was loud and clear. “I’ve had no trouble that I can’t handle. I can deal with any varmints that come my way.” There, take that. She could see him stiffen and knew he hadn’t missed her barely veiled insult.
Clem hovered behind his larger cousin, keeping himself out of the direct line of fire. As always when they were together, Aaron did the talking.
“With a sharp tongue like that, it’s no wonder you don’t have a man. A man might have overlooked your lame leg and scarred-up face and married you for the land, at least, if you were soft-spoken and a bit more womanly.”
Pain welled up inside Laurel Rose, but she beat it back down. Aaron knew right where to strike. Like a rattlesnake, he struck suddenly, hitting her where she was most vulnerable. But there was no way she’d give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d achieved a direct hit.
“If it only takes a sharp tongue to scare off a man, then he’s not much of a man to begin with,” she shot back.
Aaron swore under his breath and swung his rifle around until it was pointed in her direction. “All I’m saying is that working the land alone is hard enough for a woman who’s healthy and whole. You might want to consider that you may well be safer and happier somewhere else.” He turned his head and spat on the ground. “Yup, a woman alone might get injured and might even die before anyone found her.”
Laurel Rose’s heart was pounding in her chest. Now that was definitely a threat she couldn’t ignore. “You may be right, Aaron. But then again, a body trespassing on another person’s land could find himself shot. Maybe his remains would never be found.”
“You threatening me, bitch?” He took a menacing step toward the porch. Clem stepped forward with him, his rifle still pointed toward the ground.
“No more than you were threatening me. Just making conversation.” The muscles in her lame leg were starting to knot from being in such an unnatural position for so long. Pain radiated from calf to thigh and her knee throbbed. She had to move.
Standing slowly, she tried to act nonchalant as she leaned against the side of the house. In truth, it was the only thing holding her upright, but she knew you never showed weakness to a predator.
“Me too,” he laughed. “Just consider it some neighborly advice.”
Laurel Rose snorted. “Thanks, neighbor, but I like it right where I am.”
Aaron shrugged. “Your choice. Just something to think about.” He took a few steps toward her, his rifle still held out in front of him.
Sweat rolled down her back, chilling her even though the evening was fairly warm for October. Both her legs were shaking with the effort to keep her upright, but her spine was straight and the rifle in her hands still rock-steady. “Stop right there.” She couldn’t let him get close enough to see how vulnerable she was.
Aaron laughed as he took another step toward her. It wasn’t a pleasant sound. Her finger caressed the trigger as she aimed at his leg. Her heart was pounding so loud that she could barely hear anything else above the sound. Clem was trailing behind his cousin. Both of them were getting closer.
They all froze as a menacing growl vibrated through the air. As silent as a ghost, a huge silvery-gray wolf emerged from the darkness and into a small circle of moonlight. The moon illuminated a silver patch on its chest. It was a magnificent animal, strong and heavily muscled but with a fluid grace that was spellbinding.
Aaron whirled and fired at the animal, the gun bucking in his hands. Clem’s shot was a second behind his cousin’s. Laurel Rose stifled a scream, expecting to see the body of that incredible beast lying in the dirt. But it was gone, disappeared into the shadows.
“What the hell was that?” Aaron blustered as both men slowly backed away.
“I ain’t seen a wolf like that before,” Clem whined.
The growling started again. This time it was off to their left, near the edge of the woods. Both men raised their rifles.
The shot ripped the ground in front of them, kicking up dirt and rocks and making them jerk backward. Laurel Rose cocked her rifle again. “That was the only warning you get. Now get off my land.”
Both men glanced from her to the woods, where the low growling continued. Obviously deciding that it was better to retreat and regroup, they started to back away, heading cautiously but quickly toward the dirt road that led to her property.
“Like I said, a woman alone could get hurt. All kinds of animals up here.” With that parting shot, both men disappeared into the night.
A few minutes later, she heard the distant noise of a truck engine rumbling to life. Still, she didn’t move from her position until the sound of the vehicle faded off into the distance.
“Oh, God.” Now that the danger had passed, her hands began to tremble. Slowly, she lowered the rifle and tried to move. Her legs could no longer support her and she slid down the wall until she was sitting on the porch. Laying the gun next to her, she used both hands to straighten her right leg out in front of her. The muscles beneath her skin rippled as they knotted. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she began a slow, steady massage. It was the only thing that helped when she’d stressed the limb this much.
She was so intent on her leg that she didn’t hear him until it was too late. The click of toenails against wood was the only warning she got. A second later, the wolf was standing right in front of her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him. He was so big and muscular, with an innate animal grace that was beautiful to watch. She was afraid to move. Instead, she opened her mind and reached out to him, trying to reassure him that she was no threat.
At first she sensed nothing at all. That confused her. She usually had no trouble connecting with animals. It was people that were difficult to read.
His eyes seemed to bore into her, searching her face. She concentrated harder, all her focus on the wolf. The strain was beginning to give her a headache, but still she persevered. There was no way she could move from her position if he didn’t leave on his own. Doubling her efforts, she tried to reassure him, tried to read him.
Then, gradually, she sensed him. The large animal radiated calm. He meant her no harm and certainly did not see her as a threat. The relief she felt almost overwhelmed her.
Chalking her slight difficulty in reading him up to the pain in her leg and the stress of the ordeal she’d just been through, she finally began to relax. The two men who’d just left were more of a threat to her than this wolf. Tipping her head back against the wall, she closed her eyes and concentrated on taking one slow breath after another.
Chapter Four
Stefan fought his animal instincts. Part of him wanted to chase down the two men from the bar and rip their throats out for daring to threaten Laurel Rose. The human part of him couldn’t bear to leave her side.
In his own vehicle, he’d followed Aaron’s truck from the bar parking lot as it wound around a long, twisting road that gradually snaked higher into the hills. Keeping his distance, he’d tracked them easily through the dark. His perfect night vision had enabled him to drive with the truck lights off, so they’d had no idea he was following them.
When they’d turned off the main road and up a dirt one, he’d followed until he found a good place to pull his truck off the road and into the woods. Satisfied that the black pickup was well hidden and couldn’t be seen from the road, he’d gotten out and stripped off his clothes, tossing them on the front seat.
Taking a deep breath, he’d inhaled the fragrant mountain air, embraced the night, and allowed the change to come. Immediately his body began to alter. Bone and muscle rippled and reformed as his hands and feet changed into paws. Falling to all fours, he waited as thick hair sprouted on his body. His face transformed itself and within seconds the man was gone. In his place was a huge silvery-gray wolf.
Moving quickly, he’d sped through the forest. Keeping his nose in the air, he easily scented the exhaust fumes from the truck and followed it farther up the hillside. At any other time, he would have enjoyed the beauty of the forest around him, but not tonight. Tonight he was focused on his prey. They would lead him to her.
Laurel Rose.
He’d rolled her name over and over in his mind, not quite able to form a picture of her yet. But he would. And soon.
Tracking them was easy. He stopped at the edge of the woods, watching and waiting as the two men crept closer to the house in the clearing. It wasn’t a large place, but it looked well tended.
He’d smelled her first, an elusive scent on the wind. A hint of lavender coupled with the tang of fear. Keeping track of the two men, he’d waited for her to appear. He knew she was outside on the porch. He’d heard her almost soundless movements as she crept along.
When she’d turned the corner of the house and crouched behind the old iron tub, he’d almost lost it. The animal in him wanted to tilt its head back and howl at the moon, announcing to all within hearing distance that this was his mate. His heart pounded and all his senses went on alert. Every male instinct within him demanded he go to her and claim her.
She was the one.
For hundreds of years he had searched for her. For the last century, he’d all but given up hope. This was the one woman, the perfect woman for him. The only woman who could complete him. The only woman he would ever love.
Dalakis men loved only once in their existence. It was their gift and their curse. Some of his ancestors had given up their search in despair and had faced the killing sun rather than live any longer without finding their true love. Others had done the same after being rejected by their mate. Some had joined their one true love in a human lifetime, following them in death when the time came.
Only the strongest of the women had agreed to attempt the transformation. It was dangerous and sometimes they died. But if they survived, they were reborn as vampires, mated to a Dalakis male for eternity.
Fighting for control, he’d watched the scene unfold in front of him. Pride filled him at the way she handled herself. She showed no fear even though he could sense it within her. Standing there with a rifle trained on the two men, he thought she was the most magnificent creature he had ever seen.
He’d been so entranced and overwhelmed by everything—her looks, her scent, the sound of her voice—that he’d ignored the threat to her for almost too long. When Aaron had stepped closer to her, Stefan had caught the surge of her fear and reacted immediately, stepping out from the woods to confront the men.
Now they were gone and she was here alone with him. More than anything, he wanted to change back into a man, take her into his arms, and mate with her, dominating and claiming her for eternity. But his mind told him that would be a mistake. He didn’t know anything about her, but he sensed her ease with his wolf form. She was accepting of the animal where she would fear the man.
When she slumped onto the porch, he’d bounded up the steps. Had she been hurt? He came to a halt in front of her, watching her intently as she rubbed her leg. It seemed to be an old injury, not a new one.
The probe at his mind shocked him. He immediately threw up a barrier, stopping it. Carefully, he probed back. It was coming from Laurel Rose. This was interesting. Not many humans had the ability to read another’s mind or sense their emotions. Catching a hint of her unease, he sent calming thoughts to her, taking care to keep them as basic as an animal’s.
As simple as that, she accepted him. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the wall and relaxed.
Tipping back his head, Stefan howled. Long and low, he sent his call into the night and across the mountains, warning all within hearing distance. This was his woman and he would protect her at all costs.
His call startled her and she sat up straight again, scooting slowly to the side. Stefan heaved a sigh and sidled closer to her. Lying down next to her, he put one paw on her leg and lowered his head to her lap.
• • •
Laurel Rose wasn’t quite sure what to do when the big wolf gave a deep sigh, lay down beside her, and stuck its head onto her lap. Ever so slowly, she raised her right hand and laid it on his side. She’d never seen anything quite like him before. Some parts of the state were trying to reintroduce the red wolf back into the woods, but they were all on reserves. And this animal certainly wasn’t anything like that. He looked more like a timber wolf, but that was impossible. Most likely, he was a half-breed, a cross between a wolf and some large dog breed.
Whatever he was, he was absolutely stunning. And he’d helped drive off Aaron and Clem. “Thanks for your help.” She kept her voice low and calm and tentatively moved her hand along his side. The dense fur coat was soft and warm under her fingers. As she stroked him, thick muscles rippled beneath his skin.
He heaved a sigh, as if reluctant, before slowly raising himself back into a seated position. His large body crowded next to hers. Turning his massive head, he stared straight into her eyes before inclining his head slightly, as if in acknowledgment. But that was impossible. Now she was just being fanciful.
She could sense his concern for her, and for some unknown reason she found herself talking to the large creature. “I just don’t know what to do.” Unconsciously, she raised her hand and began to stroke the wolf’s head. “I can’t be certain, but I’ll bet that Aaron and Clem are behind the problems I’ve been having lately.”
Relaxing against the side of the house, she gazed out over the yard. It was bathed in the moonlight. The trees and mountains were little more than a dark silhouette in the distance, but the view never failed to stir her soul. “There have been McCaffeys on this land since just after the Revolutionary War. My however-many-greats-grandpa was granted the land from the government. This is my home.” She paused and sighed. “And now someone wants to take it.”
The wolf perked up his ears and gave a low growl as if encouraging her to continue. It felt good to voice her concerns. She’d had no one to talk to and just saying things out loud was helping her to sort through her thoughts. “I know that I’m the last McCaffey unless I marry and have kids, and that doesn’t look likely. Unless I can find some distant relative to leave the land to when I die, it will fall out of the family’s hands forever.
“Maybe it doesn’t matter.” The wolf growled low and harsh as if to disagree. His disgruntled tone made her laugh. “I know and I agree with you.” She ruffled the fur on his neck. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. This place is home. It’s . . .” She struggled for words. “Well, it’s everything to me.
“I know why the land developers want it. This is prime land for building a fancy spa and resort and they’ve already bought out so much of the land around here. Maybe it would mean more jobs for the area and maybe I am standing in the way of progress, but, damn it, this is my home and I plan to stay.” She nodded decisively. “They can build next to me or around me, but I’m not budging.”
Laurel Rose closed her eyes as exhaustion claimed her. The adrenaline crash from the confrontation and just voicing her fears aloud had taken what energy she had. There was nothing else she could do tonight, so it was time to try and get some rest.
Dawn would come early and, with it, another day filled with challenges. She took her pleasures where she could because they’d been so few and far between lately, but now it was time to end her visit with her new friend and send him back out into the night.
Bracing one hand on the side of the house and the other on the porch floor, she levered herself up onto her feet. She picked up the rifle and limped to the front door. The wolf padded silently at her side, watching her every move. She knew most folks would think she was nuts for not fearing the animal, but then again, they already thought she was crazy, and she didn’t feel threatened at all by his presence.
She opened the door and stepped inside, turning back to the animal waiting patiently on the front step. “After your help tonight, you’re welcome in my home any time. But you’re obviously well fed and well looked after, so I suspect you have a home to go to.”
He stood there on the porch, staring up at her with his big, dark eyes. She wished she could see them better. In the moonlight they looked almost green, but that was impossible. Wolves didn’t have eyes that color. The more time she spent around him, however, the more she was convinced he had to belong to someone. “Go on now. It’s time for you to go home.”
Although she knew sending him away was the right thing to do, when he turned and loped back toward the woods, she almost called him back. The wrenching loss she felt as he disappeared was almost overwhelming. Her heart pounded so hard that her chest hurt and she nearly burst into tears.
