Chapter Three
Shannon fought back hot tears. Her arms hugged her chest and the police officer who stood next to her cleared his throat, demanding her attention. She turned her head to stare at him.
“Who would do this, Miss Alvers? Do you have an angry ex-boyfriend? Maybe your new boyfriend has an ex-girlfriend who didn’t want to let him go?”
“No.” She winced over the destroyed couch and the way the guts of it had been spread across the room as if it had snowed cotton filling. “I don’t date.”
The cop gave her a disbelieving glance. “Look, lying isn’t an option here. Someone has a lot of rage directed toward you. They tore up all your furniture, broke your tables, and shredded most of your clothes. Whoever did this is dangerous. You need to give us a name. Who is the guy?”
“There’s no guy in my life.” She faced him, hugging her waist tighter. “My last boyfriend moved to Oklahoma three years ago.” She didn’t mention how horrible that relationship had ended or how he’d accused her of being insane. Dating hadn’t ever worked out for her in long-term relationships. “Last I heard, he got married and had a child. The guy before him had to be five or six years ago. He joined the Army and I have no idea where he is now. We both decided it would be best to break up.”
“You date women?”
“No,” she huffed. “Is it really so hard to believe I don’t date?”
The cop gave her a once-over again, his gaze traveling up and down her body. “Yes, it is. You’re an attractive woman.”
“I have sex toys, a body pillow to cuddle with, and a heating blanket to keep me warm at night. They don’t borrow money they never pay back, don’t think I’m weird for any of my habits that they don’t agree with, or argue with me.”
The officer’s mouth dropped open and Shannon blushed, realizing what she’d just sputtered. That was another reason she didn’t date anymore. She had spent so much time alone as a child that she’d never learned to hold her tongue when she grew angry or upset. She just spoke her mind. Words left her mouth before she could halt them.
“You asked. I answered.” She looked away from him. “I don’t know who would do this. I’d tell you if I even had a guess. I can’t afford to replace any of this and I don’t have renter’s insurance.”
“Move,” a male voice demanded loudly.
In seconds a big body filled the doorway and Shannon gaped at the man she never thought she’d see again. Anton wore a black leather jacket that hung open a few inches to reveal a heavy-metal T-shirt. His hair had been pulled back in a ponytail. A pair of furious dark eyes locked on her.
“What happened here? I pulled up and saw the cop car.” He glanced away from her and quickly scanned the room. “Damn.” He sniffed and then sneezed. He jerked his gaze back to hers. “Are you hurt?”
The cop sauntered toward Anton. “Who are you?”
Anton didn’t budge except to put his hands on his hips. “I’m a friend of hers. Shannon? Answer me now. Were you here when this happened? Did anyone hurt you?”
“No. I got a call from a neighbor who’d already called the police after they heard someone breaking things inside my apartment. I came home to find it this way.”
“Who are you?” The officer grabbed Anton’s arm.
Shannon tensed, wondering what she should do, if anything. She feared the werewolf would attack the cop.
Anton glared at the hand on his arm and then slowly reached into his back pocket, withdrew his wallet, and flipped it open to show his license. “I’m Anton Harris. I am a friend of the family. I stopped by to drop off Shannon’s purse. She left it inside my truck the other night when I drove her home. She can’t hold her liquor worth shit and I was the designated driver.”
The cop released him, turned, and glowered at Shannon. “Is this your boyfriend?”
“No. You heard him. He’s a friend of my family. I’ve known him for years,” she lied. She kept eye contact with the cop, hoping he’d believe her.
“Fine.” The cop sighed. “I think I’m done here.” He wrote something on a card and handed it to Shannon. “Here’s the number for the case and my business card. Contact me if you discover anything has been stolen.” He left quickly.
Shannon stared at Anton, watching him frown as he took inventory of every inch of the destroyed room. He finally faced her, still looking grim.
“A shifter did this.”
Surprise jolted through her. “How do you know that?”
“Smell the bleach? It’s to mask their scent.”
“I just figured they spilled it from the bottle in the kitchen.”
“You were wrong. Have you contacted your father’s people?”
“No.”
“Then mine did this.” He walked through the living room and disappeared into her bedroom.
Shannon hesitated and then followed him, stepping over her broken coffee table. Her room had been tossed, her clothes strewn around, and her bed had been shredded and the dresser drawers were pulled out. Anton stood in the middle of her small sleeping space. He turned to meet her gaze.
“Why would a shifter do this?”
Broad, leather-clad shoulders shrugged. “A few of them may be resentful after the beat-down they’ve received for attacking you. They had your purse and access to your address. I guess they didn’t believe me when I warned them that you were under my protection.”
She forced her stunned gaze from his angry one, bent down, and flinched over discovering her favorite jacket sliced up. At first she thought someone had used a knife to do the damage but upon closer inspection, she guessed it could have been done with sharp claws, judging by the spacing of the tears.
“I’m sorry.”
She lifted her chin, seeing sincerity in his eyes. “I’d planned on moving but I need to wait for my next paycheck. I don’t exactly make enough money to keep a savings account so I don’t have anything on hand for an emergency.”
“I’ll pay for this.”
He shocked her again. “Why?”
“My pups, my responsibility, and trust me, they are going to pay me back every dime.” He sighed, glancing around her room. “You can’t stay here.”
“I get paid Monday. I’m sure they won’t come back. They ruined everything so it’s not as if there’s anything left to damage.”
Anton had promised to protect her and he’d failed. He could pick up faint scents inside the bedroom where the bleach fumes were faint. The smell of males lingered on the clothes he’d sniffed. He could identify three of his pack who had been in Shannon’s apartment. If she’d been there when they’d attacked… He bit back a growl, furious over even considering what they could have done to her.
The odor of males who were not members of his pack worried him most. He caught the scent of at least two inside her room. Some of his pack obviously had started hanging out with unknown werewolves, came after a female behind his back, and disobeyed his orders. It would be unforgivable if he left and something happened to her.
“Let’s go.”
Her eyes widened and her pouty lips parted. “Go where?”
“My place,” he instantly responded, not sure where else to have her stay. “I’m going to find the ones who did this and make sure they leave you alone before I allow you out of my sight.” Inwardly he cursed, knowing it would lead to trouble. He currently resided in an apartment over a bar inhabited by his pack. “You can have the bed, I’ll take the couch, and it won’t take more than a day or two before you’ll be safe on your own again.” He hoped.
Shannon took a step back, tripped on a torn-up pillow from her bed, and he lunged, grabbing her arm to keep her from falling on her ass. She hissed at him, a reminder that she wasn’t completely human or any part wolf. He growled back instinctively and his hold tightened on her when he saw fear flash across her delicate features.
“Calm,” he ordered her, wincing at the tone of his voice but unable to stop it. “Easy, kitten. I’m not going to hurt you and there’s nothing to climb in here. Don’t try to run from me.”
Anger replaced fear as she glared up at him. “Stop calling me that. You startled me. I’m not going to flee.”
“Good. I’m the only thing standing between you and a bunch of wolves who have decided to play a game of fetch with you. They obviously mean business.”
This can’t be happening, Shannon thought, staring up at the mountain of a man inches from her. She inhaled his masculine scent and forced her racing heart to slow. He’s not going to hurt me. She kept silently repeating that inside her head until her body relaxed. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Instincts screamed at her to fight to get away from the big, deadly werewolf.
“I’m not going to stay with you.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone. They will come back.” Anton eased his hold but didn’t release her.
“I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“You are an enemy to werewolves.”
“I’m not a shifter.”
“I’m aware of that but they don’t seem to care what you are past how you smell and you’re living on the edge of werewolf territory. The nearest pride is a good thirty miles from here. That means you’re easy prey to my kind.”
“Just tell them the truth about me.”
“That won’t help. That would just announce that you can’t fight back. I purposely left out how human you truly are when I ordered the pack to leave you alone.”
“You made a mistake. If you told themˉ”
“It wouldn’t change a thing,” he grumbled, released her, and stepped away. “If they won’t listen when I say you’re off-limits, do you really believe they will give a shit if you can’t shift? I don’t want to frighten you more but some of the wolves who did this aren’t members of my pack. It means another pack is aware of you, or worse, they could be rogues. That means they answer to no one and don’t live by any rules a pack has established. Do I need to spell out how much danger you’re in?”
“I’ll leave.” Shannon blinked back more tears. “I guess moving a few blocks won’t fix this. My mom lives in Ridley. I could go home to her.” She dreaded doing that. Her mom had remarried to a man she couldn’t stand. He gave her the creeps by leering at her sometimes and she always had to keep very aware of everything she did to avoid giving him any hints that she wasn’t quite normal. “I have no choice.”
“You’re going home with me. No one would dare invade my den to go after you.”
The blood drained from her face. “You literally live in the ground?”
“No.” He shook his head, shot her a frustrated look, and his fingers rose to comb through his hair, pulling some of the thick strands free from the ponytail. “It’s just a saying. It’s an apartment over a bar. It’s nice. Wolves don’t usually live in actual dens. Wild ones prefer caves.”
“That’s good to know.”
He shrugged. “Let’s go, kitten.”
“Stop calling me that.”
He frowned at her again, took a step closer, and his eyes narrowed. “Let’s set something straight now. I’m in charge. I’m the one who will be protecting you because you need it. Stop arguing with me, it pisses me off, and just do what you’re told. Otherwise I’ll have someone bring me a duffle bag, toss you in it, and take you out of here the way I would a cat with raised hackles.”
Disbelief held Shannon silent for a few erratic heartbeats. “I didn’t ask for your help and I don’t want it. Leave my apartment.”
He closed the distance between them and Shannon cried out in fear when he grabbed her. Her back hit the wall, bumping it painlessly. He pinned her between it and his big, powerful body. She stared into his angry gaze.
“Do you want me to tell you what those pups would have done to you if you’d been here when they came? You’d have been lucky if they just tore you apart with their teeth and claws while they killed you. They were male and you’re attractive. I smell at least five of them total. Do I need to spell it out for you?”
“No.” Her voice shook, her body trembled, and horror spread through her at what he implied.
“Good.” He blew out air, released her as quickly as he’d grabbed her, and backed up. “I’m going to make sure no one lays a hand, fang, or claw on you. I’ll stop calling you kitten when you stop acting so na?ve. I’m trying to do what I promised. Work with me.”
“I don’t know you,” she stated honestly. “My instincts tell me not to trust you and I’ve been warned my entire life how dangerous shifters are.”
He hesitated and something in his expression softened. “I always keep my word and you’re safe with me. I won’t hurt you. I may growl and snarl a bit when I’m angry but I’ve never killed a woman in my life.”
She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. “I don’t know what to do.” It made her feel vulnerable to admit that.
His hand lifted slowly until his fingers lightly caressed her cheek. “I understand.” He brushed her hair away from her cheek before he dropped his hand to his side, taking another step back, to put more space between them. “If it helps, I’m determined to keep you safe whether you allow me to or not. You can fight but you won’t win. The decision isn’t yours any longer. I couldn’t look in a mirror if I just stood by doing nothing while I knew you were in danger. My pups did this and you’ve become my responsibility now.”
Something clicked in Shannon’s mind. “You have called them your pups before.” Her tongue darted out to lick her dry lips. “Are you their alpha?” Please say no, she thought. Alphas were supposed to be the most brutal and ruthless werewolves of any pack.
He shook his head. “No.”
The tension eased from her body and it gave her hope that he just happened to be a nice guy after all, albeit still a werewolf. His next words dashed that feeling as if he’d dumped cold water on her.
“I’m the son of their alpha and I’m the first in line to take over the pack when he steps down or dies.”
Her knees threatened to collapse but she fought the fear that surged as she locked her legs to remain standing. They watched each other silently for long moments before he glanced around her room.
“Let’s go.”
“My clothesˉ”
“Are all destroyed.” He stopped at the door. “Stop wasting time. The faster I get you where I know I can leave you safely alone, the quicker I can go handle this mess by tracking them down. I’ve got clothing you can borrow until we’re able to buy you new stuff.”
Shannon hesitated but then moved, stepping over the destroyed pillow in her path. She tried not to flinch as she took in the damage to her living room again. His pups were methodical in their destruction, not leaving anything untouched.
The apartment manager stood talking to the neighbors as they left. She opened her mouth to speak to the man but she never got the chance.
“I’m Anton Harris, a family friend of Shannon’s.” He directed an intimidating scowl at the manager. “I’m taking her to a safe location until they catch these punks. I expect you to have that door fixed immediately and guard her property until it is. I’m holding you personally responsible if anything else happens.”
Her mouth dropped open and she intended to apologize but Anton chose that moment to reach back, grab hold of her limp hand, and gently lead her away from everyone. He walked her to the curb where a big black motorcycle was parked, released her, and climbed on the beast of a bike. He straddled the machine and arched an eyebrow at her.
“I know you can hold on tight.” He leaned over a little, his hand reaching for something on the other side of the bike, and then held out a helmet. “Close your mouth and climb on behind me.”
Shannon considered refusing to leave with him. She could make a scene and he wouldn’t dare force her onto his bike with so many witnesses around. He’d flashed his license at the cop, giving away his identity. She stared into his eyes while he held out the helmet and made a decision. He hadn’t hurt her so far and someone definitely had it out for her, as her poor apartment, full of damaged possessions, could attest.
“Okay, but I’m holding you to your word.”
“Good.” He gave her a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m the only chance you have of staying safe. You’ve got nothing to fear from me.”
She didn’t totally believe that but accepted the protective headgear and carefully put it on. It startled her as Anton reached up to secure the strap under her chin. Their gazes met and held until he finished.
“Ever ridden a motorcycle before?”
“No.”
Amusement flashed on his handsome, rugged features. “You’ll enjoy it a hell of a lot. Just wrap around me, don’t let go, and trust me.”
Shannon hesitated. “The only person I could ever trust has been my mother.”
He looked away, his gaze flickering anywhere but at her. “Sorry to hear it. Get on, kitten.”
Irritation flashed at his nickname for her. She had asked him to stop but he refused. She stepped off the curb and lifted a leg, awkwardly climbing onto the wide, long seat, grateful her loose skirt was easy to tuck firmly around her legs. It felt surprisingly comfortable to straddle the bike. Anton turned his head to peer at her over his shoulder while he lifted a second helmet.
“Stop calling me that.”
“I told you why I do it.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
He hesitated, tightening the strap under his chin, but never looking away from her while he did it. “I’m attracted to you and I think you’re cute. It would be flat-out stupid if I didn’t remind myself of that every time I feel my body respond to yours, considering that, by blood, we’re sworn enemies.”
His brutal honestly left her speechless. He winked and turned away. The motorcycle started, the loud engine stopped whatever conversation they could have had. She reached forward, hesitated, and then wrapped her arms around his waist. She had to press her body firmly against his broad back to lock her fingers together. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and clung when he pulled away from the curb.