Wolf Mountain Peak Complete Series, page 74
part #1 of Wolf Mountain Peak Series
Soft beams of moonlight revealed an opening between an elm tree and a cedar tree, as the hour of battle drew near. Raul’s wolf sped past the two trees, and hurtled into the clearing, as the vampires’ hair-raising snarls sent Helena’s adrenaline into the ozone layer. By then, her lungs were beginning to hurt from chugging the cold air. Exhaustion was starting to set in, but stopping was not an option. She was focused on one thing, and one thing alone: to help them win this war. The pack’s ferocious growls and snarls snuffed out every other noise as they burst into the clearing. Their enemies’ eyes were glowing yellow in the darkness when Helena joined them. Using quick bursts of speed, they closed in on the wolves, as she gripped her staff with both hands. The Alpha fixed his gaze on Redfield, his 6’5” counterpart, as he raised his upper lip, exposing sparkling white teeth and fangs. He let off a deep bark, as he leapt onto him. But, it was then that the fight went horribly wrong. A white glow spread around Raul’s foe, just before his muzzle made contact with the skin on Redfield’s throat. It was as if Redfield was surrounded by an impenetrable force field. An agonizing yip erupted from the Alpha, as he was sent flying back across the clearing. The yip turned into a cry of pain, as he tumbled onto the ground. An evil smile formed on Redfield’s face, as he hurried off towards Raul’s wolf. He jumped onto him, the yellow in his eyes darkening, as he grabbed him by the throat. The Alpha squirmed beneath him, letting out more yips, but to no avail. His adversary’s grip was much too strong for him. Just then, however, Dean’s wolf lunged onto Redfield from his right side. His jaws closed around his shoulder, as his sheer momentum sent his adversary reeling to the side. The vampire landed flat and hard on his back, and he started to roll over onto the grass, with Dean’s wolf holding on to him. Raul’s wolf scrambled back up, as Redfield’s body slammed up against a large rock. His cry of agony echoed in the forest, as Dean sank his teeth further into his skin. In a swift, violent move, he yanked his enemy’s arm back, ripping it off his body, as Raul moved around him. He stepped onto Redfield, his eyes smoldering with the desire to snuff the life out of him. A menacing snarl left his lips, as he thrust his snout down. The wolf sank his teeth into his cold skin, and then thrashed, sending small shards of ice across the ground, as he tore his head clean off.
Amid a chaos of snarls, growls and yips, Helena focused her gaze on someone who had been staring down at something to his right. Averting her eyes from him, she figured out why, and who he was, as she headed towards him: Julia’s wolf had only just knocked Melissa’s wolf off balance. Don Greer, one of Redfield’s lieutenants, had taken control of the inexperienced Julia’s mind, setting her will against her own kind. There was only one way Helena could put an end to the situation. Her red eyes glowed darker, as she thrust her staff up at him.
“Nice try,” she growled, her face contorting with rage, as her rival’s feet left the ground. Helena wished she had more time to deal with him. Yet, in the heat of battle, time was a luxury she could not afford. So, she held her staff firmly in her grasp, and lowered it, watching, as Greer’s body floated a few feet above the ground. Her foe began spinning, as she twisted her stick in her palms. With a tap of her index finger on the side of it, she tossed him, so that he flew across the clearing and to the right. Redfield’s lieutenant crashed onto the same rock his Alpha had stopped against earlier. In the blink of an eye, his body was shattered, like a glass falling to a hardwood floor. Helena started a sweep of the area ahead of her, searching for more of her adversaries. Alas, she was not given the time to find one. A huge amount of pressure on her back knocked her off her feet. The witch felt a cold sensation on her skin – her staff slipping out of her grasp – as she dropped to the ground. The feeling spread all over her body, paralyzing her limbs, as someone grabbed her shoulder. She only discovered the identity of her opponent, when he rolled her over. Water was dripping off his jaw. It was Bill Carpenter, Redfield’s last remaining lieutenant.
“Clover Lake came in really handy. It’s so nice and cold.” Irony was dripping off of his tongue, as he lifted his foot. Helena let out a painful grunt, as he pinned her to the ground with a foot in the middle of her chest. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, you whore.”
Helena reached her hand out towards her staff, in the hope that she could escape this terrible fate. Her fingertips brushed the top end, pushing it slightly away, but enough to destroy every last shred of that hope. Shutting her eyes, she tipped her head back, exhaling hard, as she realized that her fighting days had come to an end. But then the sound of a roaring fire forced her eyes open, making her heart flutter in her chest. A huge fireball lit up the night, flaming away the vampire who was about to kill her. Her gaze followed the fiery trail, as a gust of wind scattered her foe’s ashes. It led back to a flamethrower, in the grasp of a man in a black uniform and a helmet. He wasn’t alone; one more stranger was a few feet away from him, using the same weapon to end another vampire who had made the mistake of attacking him. The stunned Helena breathed a sigh of relief, as he offered her his hand. Whatever surprise she had felt though was nothing compared to the shockwaves that the image of the utter devastation sent down her spine. Almost all of the grass in the entire clearing had been flattened. Vampire bodies littered the ground. Their arms, legs and heads had been scattered around them. Alas, the battle had taken a toll on the pack as well. Three wolves lay dead among their rivals. Raul was standing over one of them, yipping in sorrow, as he sniffed his comrade’s body.
Helena’s teeth were rattling, as her mystery savior let go of her hand. He tossed his flamethrower down on the ground, as she took a hesitant step towards him. But, when the man in question pulled his helmet up and off his head, the awe and confusion that ran through her like an electric current froze her to the spot where she stood. His black hair was messy, but the lines on his face were crystal clear, even in the pale moonlight. It was Cliff Daniels.
“H-how...?” Helena stuttered, her brows popping up, as she stared at him in sheer disbelief.
“First of all, let me introduce you to Frank Bullard,” he said as he pointed over at his partner. “He’s been my best friend since kindergarten. Majestic, the book I showed you back in my office, describes wars between shifters, witches and vampires very well. It says fire is the best way to kill one of them. Your little stunt up in Shandaken just confirmed it. We came in prepared.”
“To-to help me?” stuttered Helena yet again, struggling to believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.
“I’d be damned if I let those bastards hurt the woman I love,” Cliff uttered, his voice a soft whisper, as he leaned closer to her. “She might have lied to me, but she did it to protect her own. Her tears were not fake tears. Her kiss felt too real. Her touch was too tender.”
The cold she was feeling in her bones melted, with each one of his kind, sincere comments. Helena gazed up into the greenness of his eyes, as waves of joy stormed into her senses. He was back. She wasn’t doomed to solitude. Tipping her head up, she snaked her arms around his waist, as he rested his forehead on hers. Cliff’s kiss, the small, comforting ritual that she had so dearly missed, sent her heart into a flurry of wild beats, as he dropped his helmet onto the ground. His masculine scent flowed through her, as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Nevertheless, this was more than a mere kiss. As seconds went by, she thought that it was an intoxicating serum, designed to pull her out of her misery, and into the world of true love. Helena was not going to reject the journey that Cliff was so freely offering her. She wanted it from the bottom of her heart. She desired it with every molecule of her being. His lips moved over to her cheek, as he slid his arm up her back. Planting two more kisses on her skin, he held her near, as she put her head on his chest.
“I love you,” she breathed, as tears of bliss blurred her vision.
“I love you,” he whispered once more, as he threaded his fingers into her hair.
“Ok, last question,” Helena spoke, her voice wobbly, as she tightened her grip around him. “How did you know where to find me?”
“Well…” Cliff snorted in amusement. “You’ll be surprised how visible your glow is from a distance. I was driving out of Shandaken, when I spotted it. It wasn’t bigger than a flare, but it was enough.”
Raul’s gray wolf ran past her, as Cliff caressed her hair. Moving around a dead vampire, he jumped onto the higher ground in front of him, as he gazed up at the moon. The victorious Alpha ran along the edge of the clearing, hackles raised, tail straight out behind him, bringing a smile of happiness to her face. His quick footfalls slowed down at a spot between two, towering elm trees. The Alpha threw his head back an instant before his howl of pride rose into the air and reverberated through the night, as a tear streamed down Helena’s cheek.
The witch of Paxton had never felt more complete. Her family had emerged unscathed from this battle. The man of her dreams had come back to reclaim her, once again proving to her that his nobility knew no bounds. Helena had not been true to him; but, that night, she vowed to herself to honor the love of her life, to cherish him like no other, and to always be honest with him. In his arms, she understood how wrong she had been when she believed that Roman Bradford was the only one that she could ever love. The siblings’ grandfather had failed her. Now that she had found her significant other, she was going to prove to him just how much she valued his love for her: the love of kindness personified; the embrace of temptation itself; Cliff Daniels, her savior, her mate.
*** The End ***
Book 7: A Wolf’s Journey
Sarah J. Stone
Chapter One
“My head is buzzing: my knuckles are sore; my back is killing me; but, it is worth it. Helena and Cliff are worth it.”
Exhaling a long breath, but with a smile of contentment and pride on his face, Dean set his drill down on the ground, keeping his gaze up at the brothers’ creation: Helena’s brand new cabin. After six weeks full of endless hours of work: arguments; setbacks; blood, sweat and tears; it was finished. Still, the construction was not the only thing that they’d had to worry about. Spring was just around the corner. Orders for new motorcycles were pouring in from Paxton as well as from neighboring towns. They had to split their time between building Helena’s cabin and their own business. Never before had the Bradford’s been so busy. At the same time though, they were in bliss, savoring a hard-earned peace. They had emerged victorious from their war against Redfield’s vampire clan, and they were merely enjoying the fruits of their effort.
“It’s ready,” Dean announced, casting a satisfied glance down at Helena. “What do you say at times like this?”
“I’d say ‘mazel tov’, but I doubt you’d appreciate it,” Kate winked down at her.
“And you’d be right,” Helena agreed, nodding at the same time. “Keep religion out of such occasions. Speak straight from the heart. It’s more original.”
“In that case, let this cabin be filled with fond moments between you and Cliff,” he stated, turning to his left to face her: “and never let sadness creep through your door.”
“Awww, thank you so much, second son,” Helena sighed, closing her eyes, as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Not just for the beautiful wish; your gesture is so kind.”
“Ahem…” Kate cleared her throat.
“Yeah…” Dean gave a short laugh, looking down at her over his shoulder, as he eased back out of the witch’s embrace. “It was your idea. We know.”
“It doesn’t hurt to say it, every once in a while,” Kate returned his smile, as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Too bad Cliff isn’t here. When is he coming again?”
“Tonight,” Helena replied, as her eyes sparkled with excitement. “He has to report for duty in Shandaken police station tomorrow morning.”
“Are you guys sure you made the right decision?” Kate wondered, a hint of disapproval in her voice. “I mean, sure, you wouldn’t see each other much if he’d kept his job at the FBI, but wouldn’t it be better if we had someone who could tip us off, in case the government found out about us? Plus, isn’t it a huge step down for him?”
“Oh, he doesn’t mind,” Helena waved her hand in front of her face. “I’ve been asking myself about that ‘government’ thing you mentioned, too. I told him about it, when he mention he was considering quitting. He said that even if the FBI did start an enquiry on Paxton, the only agents with knowledge of it, would be the ones carrying it out. Unless he was one of them, he’d be kept out of the loop. Anyway, would you like a tour of the house?”
“You go ahead,” Kate urged, as she unfurled her arms. “I’ll be with you in a minute. I need to talk to my man first.”
“Ok,” Helena chirped, turning her attention to her new home. Dean’s smile broadened to a grin, as she turned her back to them. He had seen her happy before, but this Helena was beyond happy. She was overflowing with joy. A woman more than a century old, seemed more like a child with five new playmates and ten new toys.
“It’s amazing,” He told himself, as she made her way to the front door.
“I hope you’re referring to me,” his Siren’s teasing voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Look at her,” Dean pointed up at Helena. “Chirping, laughing, relaxed… She looks reborn.”
“Well…” Kate started, tipping her head up, as she sauntered towards him. “She’s got a loving boyfriend, five wolves who would put their lives on the line for her, friends who love her…” She added, tapping her index finger on her chin in mock skepticism. “Should I go on?”
“No,” He shook his head in amusement. “You could have just used that song you sang to me by the lake. Do you remember it?”
“Of course I do,” Kate emphasized, halting in front of him, as she intensified her stare. “That’s the power of love,” She sang, assuming her sweet, cheerful voice.
“Fantastic,” Dean praised, leaning over to her, as he snaked his arms around her shoulders. “I went by Clover Lake yesterday. The ice is gone. What do you say we…”
“Hold it right there, Wolfy,” Kate interrupted, lifting her hands up to his chest. “The ice might have melted, but it’s still a little chilly for a night out at the lake. Besides, I have a gig tonight, remember?”
“Oh, crap!” he grumbled, banging his head in a spasm of frustration. “I’m sorry, Kate; but, with all this work, I…”
“You forgot,” she finished his sentence. “It’s ok. It’s no big deal. We can go to my apartment, though.”
“By the time your gig is over, you’ll be exhausted, and I’ll barely be able to keep my eyes open,” Dean complained, as he dropped his gaze down to the ground. “I can wait.”
“Well, I can’t,” Kate lowered her tone, as she slid her hands up his chest. “I’ll tell you what. As soon as I’m done, we’ll get a nice bottle of wine. We’ll put it in the freezer while I make us some Mac and cheese. How about we, uh…” she whispered, nudging the tip of her nose on his chin. “Drink it in bed? Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall asleep.”
“You’re on, Siren,” Dean breathed, feeling chills rippling across his skin, as her fingers reached the sides of his neck. His beloved witch could always come up with new ways to entice him, and this case was no exception: a whisper; a look of desire; a kiss; or a caress was more than enough. He might have not appreciated the fact that his plans for a romantic night in Paxton were overthrown; but, for him, the location was of little importance. What really mattered was that he would be with the love of his life.
Chapter Two
Dean had never hidden from Kate, or anyone else, that he preferred Paxton for romantic dates. Still, he couldn’t deny to himself that he had missed her concerts. Due to his workload, he hadn’t attended any of them in nearly two months. His mate mesmerized the crowds. Her fans adored her deep, melodious voice so much that nobody would speak during her performances. More than anything though, whenever he saw her live, it reminded him of what transpired on his first visit to “Tommy’s Pit”, her workplace, and his promise in her apartment, later that night. He saw through her pain, and conquered her, body and soul. After that, she became the woman he desired, the single focus in his life. She enchanted him, and the Alpha’s brother did not abandon her, even when they discovered, together, that she was the daughter of a very powerful witch.
As usual, “Tommy’s Pit” was almost full, as Kate walked on the small stage. Willing to keep a low profile, Dean sat at the table in the upper left corner. A short round of applause filled the hall, as she bowed before the customers. His mate seated herself at the piano, and set her sheet music down in front of her, as she smiled to herself.
“Good evening, everybody,” she greeted, speaking through her microphone. “On my way over, I remembered just how beautiful New York is in spring. Greenery, fragrances, tons of colors, people in a good mood… But, then suddenly, I realized why this spring felt better to me; it’s because I’ve been blessed with meeting my special one. He’s colorized my life, like the best painter that’s ever walked this earth. I’m going to dedicate this song to him, in the hope that we will spend all of our springs together. Here is Queen’s ‘Love of my life.’”
Exclamations and a few cheers followed after her last sentence. The lights were dimmed, as Dean struggled to recall that particular song. However, his quest came to an end rather quickly. The beautiful, slow introduction gave him the answer for which he had been searching. For a moment, he wished that he could be closer to her so that he could view the veins in Kate’s delicate hands as they caressed the keys. He would love to catch a glimpse of all that tension on her face as the lyrics came out of her mouth. Even so, listening to her sing that magnificent ballad was guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience; a memory that he would cherish, for the rest of his days. Dean leaned his elbows on the table, as his mate parted her lips. Kate’s smoky, passionate voice reverberated through the hall, as she enchanted her audience. Keeping her eyes shut throughout the song, she sent wave after wave of emotion washing over him, taking him to a trip across the stars of their love, as each and every lyric intoxicated him.
