Pack Gems by Kuro Kusai, WhiteWolf Aura (free ereaders TXT) 📖

was all very painful. It felt unnatural. I was at least half-drugged all the time for three months. I guess that's why I freak about needles."

Axel just stared at her, disbelief obvious on his face.

~Taylor's POV~

He looked up at her with what she assumed was his best puppy dog eyes,"Resting. I wasn't making a sound."She narrowed her eyes and his smile grew.He got her there. She hadn't specified that but it was clearly implied.

"Get away from me." She hissed scathingly.

Mason was undeterred as he replied with a "No."

She was about to push him off when he remarked,"Besides…I don't like when you get that look."

Taylor turned her eyes questioningly back to him.Certainly he wasn't this astute was he? Could he read minds?

"You look upset. Troubled," he reached up to gently tug a strand of her hair that was hanging inches above his face.

"I'm…thinking." She offered finally.

"About what?" he twirled the strand around his index finger, bringing her closer to him.

She knew at this point she had to word her sentence very carefully, "Kaden."

She left the rest open-ended hoping he would think it was about Kaden's abduction.

"Ah." He mumbled, not really looking at all interested in her answer anymore; his gold eyes lingering on her lips.

It was then Taylor realized she was in dangerous waters.

If she pulled back, she would lose a good chunk of her hair.

She liked her hair.

"It scared me." Taylor offered quickly to distract him before he could advance the space between them.

His eyes refocused on her own— his face losing some of it's initial heat, "I'm sorry to have put you through that."

He let her dark brown locks glide through his fingers before setting his hand back on his stomach.

Taylor felt a flare of irritation burn through her.Flicking his forehead in a scolding manner she glared down at him.

"Ow! Always the head with you!"

"Don't start a pity party; you had nothing to do with Kaden's kidnapping. So stop."

He studied her expression for a heartbeat before turning his head into her stomach and inhaling.

"What are you—What the hell?!" Taylor tried to push him off but he wrapped his arms around her waist and wasn't budging.

She could feel her shirt get hot and cling to her skin because of his breath.

She swore.

Really, how did she find herself in these predicaments?

.::. Kaden's POV .::.

"Here you are." The host placed a big platter of cheesy, beef nachos on the table, and walked off promptly.

"What about you and Gaby?" Kaden asked, feeling a change of subject to be in her best interest.

Axel exhaled, "She's a very important part of the Pack, she's the only one in North America."

"Only what?"

"Wolf sorcerer."

"Wolf sorcerer?"

"Wolf sorcerer."

Kaden was astonished. So Gaby really could be a glass half full of poison, "How the hell—?"

"Short story? She had grown to be a powerful witch, and a big enemy of some pack in the northwest territory. They mauled her and left her for dead—But she wasn't. I rescued her and turns out she's a wolf now. It's quite the edge."

They had talked for a bit more, laughed and made jokes, and not too long after the main meals arrived.The steak was juicy and delicious, the fries fresh and crunchy, and the beer tasty and refreshing. The rest of dinner went pretty well, except for Axel getting forked.

That's what he got for trying to swipe some of her steak.

After paying for the food and tip, they left the restaurant with three more steaks for the wolves back home. The meat wouldn't last five minutes, Kaden guessed.

As she walked out, she felt like she was putting something aside but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She shook her head at her foolishness, grinning. She was just about to open her passenger door when Axel grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.

Axel towered over her.

"What are you doing?" She asked, feeling the booze with such a quick turn.

"Why don't you want to be mine?"

"It's…I mean. It's not you, Ax…it's just…I don't know, okay? Please don't ruin this night. I had fun, as friends, you know."

Kaden didn't have the same "thing" against men as Taylor did, but her desire to stay single was still pretty strong.

"Why?"

"I don't like being controlled, okay? I like the freedom I've got, and you're a Pack Alpha. You're as dominant as it gets."

"I can protect you. Give you a good life. I know how you live, no different from any other rogue, you're lucky you haven't gone mad. Not staying in any place for too long, eating only what you can afford. No moment of peace." Axel stepped closer to her, trapping her between the car's steel frame and his rock hard body.

Kaden had to admit that having a good life had its appeal, but she was too set in her ways to just walk away, especially since she'd probably have to leave Taylor behind.

"I want to take care of you."

For the first time ever, she was speechless.To compensate, she tried to get out of the sandwich Axel had made out of her, but he pressed against her harder, taking her face in his hand and making her look into his eyes.

"I won't let you get away."

~Taylor's POV~

She felt Mason draw in a large breath while rubbing a circle with his forehead on her abdomen.

"You weirdo—!" She shook his shoulders roughly.

"You know I have to leave soon, my pack needs me. But I need you." Mason's muffled voice murmured into her shirt.

"Excuse me?" She tried tugging on his hair, not understanding his mumbling.

"I said," he pried himself a centimeter from her middle, "Thank you."

No, he didn't, but she let it go."Can you get off me now?"

"No." He placed his face back against her, making her sigh in annoyance.Her hands that were tugging hard on his scalp turned to gentle glides through it.

He really did have nice hair. Very silky, not too long but long enough to run her fingers through.

It was unfair men never took care of it and it seemed to do well enough.

She felt his shoulders relax in her lap bringing the thought why he was outside alone.Was he worrying about something too?

Feeling his hands grip desperately to the back of her shirt had her thinking yes.

Fine. She'd allow him this.She owed him for his supply of manpower in rescuing Kaden anyway.…although that was probably evened out thanks to last night...Her hands tightened into fist just as he gave a light sigh making her forget her rage.

"Oh Alpha, what has you sighing like that?" She kept her tone lightly teasing as she resumed playing with his hair.

"You have no idea." He rolled unto his back, letting go of her waist and staring vacantly upwards.

"You feeling better?" Taylor arranged his bangs out of his eyes.

"Much. Thank you." He gave her a slow, grateful smile while refocusing his stare on her.

In one swift moment, she stood; the action making him roll off her lap and unto the ground.

"You're welcome." She smiled down at him as he eyed her warily, making no move to pick himself up, "Glad I could help."

And with that, she started her walk back to the house alone.

.::. Kaden's POV .::.

Axel kissed her softly, like he'd been waiting for this moment a long time.

Kaden's eyes widened as her mind caught up with her reacting body and she tried to push Axel away, but as a result he slid his hand around her hip, gripping her tightly.

She had to stifle a moan as his tongue flicked inside her mouth, he pulled back and looked down at her in happy triumph.

Kaden's breath caught in her throat, as she realized she wanted more. And it was at that moment, Kaden caved and went for what she wanted.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back, now fiercely. His hands now snaking up her sides, along with her shirt when Kaden suddenly pulled back—a painful jab racked through her body.

Her semi-drunk mind didn't register what was happening until it happened again. The constant bell that had been going off as she'd left the restaurant.

Taylor was in trouble.

Chapter 25: Unexpected Savior

~Taylor's POV~

"That was unnecessary!"

Taylor heard Mason called in the distance, still probably wallowing in the dirt where she'd left him.

She turned around to give a sarcastic reply when she spotted a golden streak in the distance, zigzagging around the birch trees and racing straight for Taylor.

"What the—?"

It was then she was aware of the soft puffs of air coming from somewhere behind her.

A quick glance behind showed her Lucas, one of the wolves from Mason's pack. Lucas looked quite ragged, his jacket sagging down one of his arms, ripped open in the front and missing a zipper. Dirt, scratches and leaves decorated his face and hair.

The strange noise sounded again, drawing her eyes to his hands, there—a gun, complete with a small silencer.

"Luke???"

"Get back!" his eyes didn't leave his initial target past her clueless form.

Then who was he shooting at?

She looked back to see that the golden blur of fur hadn't slow down at all and had made up surprising ground—faster than she'd expected.

Only mere feet away, was Audrey; her blonde fur darkened by blood, probably her own.

Before Taylor could react, Audrey had already launched herself in the air, her mouth baring opening in fury.

Taylor was aware of another puff, signaling another shot fired off by Lucas and Audrey's body recoiled.Audrey's muzzle closed in what would have been a grimace if she'd have been in human form.

Her large body, still flying in a large arc, crashed into Taylor; knocking her body to the ground with a bone jarring thud.

"Taylor—! Lucas! What the fuck is going on?!"

Taylor was vaguely aware of Mason's voice as his rapid footsteps took him nearer to them.

It was hard to breathe.

Audrey was crushing her body with her 300 pounds of wolf muscle. It had felt like a boulder slammed into her—actually, a boulder might have at least broken and gave a little bit. A werewolf's bones in wolf form were as tough as steel and felt just as peachy getting rammed against with.

She was pretty sure she broke her wrist and maybe another stray bone or two…

Lucas came closer to her and ignored Mason's rant.He peered down at her—no, he was looking at Audrey, Taylor realized.

Was Audrey dead? Did she really care at this point?

"Taylor!? Let me help you up." Mason started to move forward and reach for Audrey when Lucas stiffened, although she was sure Mason didn't notice.

"Lucas?" Taylor used what little air her lungs had left in them.

Lucas snapped to attention, barely sparing her another glance while staring down Mason.

Mason seemed to sense something was wrong after his eyes left Taylor. He retracted his arm and gave the command, "Lucas, give me the gun now. It's over."

Lucas raised the gun from his side.

And then—Taylor broke out in chills. It wasn't a subdued expression Lucas was wearing, but one of madness.

He raised the gun higher, barrel pointed outward, safety still off and finger still on the trigger—then he smiled.

Everything went in slow motion. Despite the burning in her wrist, Taylor shoved at Audrey's unmoving form, trying to get more of her body free to reach Lucas' ankles.

The click of the trigger beginning to be squeezed filled her ears and she screamed an angry, desperate howl.

A form