Chapter 9
Stinger
Ice pours through my veins. Ava is pushing on my arms, like she wants me to let her go, but I keep holding her. She’s freezing cold, and probably in shock. She needs me, now more than ever.
Of course, she’s my girl. Every fiber of my being tells me she’s mine.
My mate.
I’ve been keeping watch over her ever since I claimed her in my rig. And with every day that passes, I’ve gotten more certain. We might be real different people, but I just need to break down her defenses, show her we’re meant to be.
Whenever I’m not away in my truck, running deliveries, I’ve snuck into Perdue and checked up on her. It hasn’t been easy, since I’m officially banned from the town.
But I’m not about to let that get in my way.
I know the cute little bookshop where she heads to work with a smile every day.
I know the second-floor apartment she shares with a skinny, wired chick.
That’s my favorite place to keep an eye on her.
The top floor of the building opposite is unoccupied, so I sneak in and hang out there a lot.
It gives a good view of her bedroom window.
She closes her curtains when she’s going to bed at night, but there’s a little crack between them, and through that gap, I can sometimes see her getting undressed.
Exposing those lush curves that she once offered to me.
I know it’s kind of wrong to watch her like that, but I can’t help it.
I’m obsessed. Fixated on her. She’s the first thing I think about when I wake up, and every night I fall asleep dreaming of her.
It’s been killing me to not try to speak to her, or touch her.
But I know I’m not good enough for her. She said as much, the morning after. She’s real smart and sophisticated. She talks to people about books all day long, for christsakes. I’m just a trucker. A dumb wolf, too feral to live with the only pack that’s ever given me a chance.
My wolf doesn’t hear these things, though.
All it knows is, she’s my mate.
Right now, I want to explain to Ava that she’s mine. I wouldn’t have mated her otherwise. And I’m never letting her go. Even if she rejects me a hundred times.
But she’s freaked out, of course she is. I need to get her someplace warm, take care of her. Find out what she’s been running from.
“How do you know where I live?” she bursts out.
“I don’t.” A white lie. She might not want to know I’ve been keeping watch over her. “But tell me where it is and I’ll take you there.”
She passes a hand across her face. “I’m gonna go to a bar instead. My friend works there.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
“Stinger, I—” She takes a deep breath, and clouds of condensation pour from her nostrils.
“You look like a baby dragon,” I blurt out.
“Huh?” her forehead furrows in confusion. And then she laughs.
My whole body lights up. Shit. She can’t be that mad at me if she’s laughing.
“A dragon, huh? Well, I’ve met a ton of shifters since I’ve been in Perdue, but I’ve yet to meet a dragon.”
A snarl bursts from my lips. “They don’t exist. And even if they did, wolves are better.”
“Yeah?” There’s a challenge in her eyes now. “How come?”
“More loyal. Not vain. Not materialistic.” My chest puffs out. I can’t help it.
She’s turned to face me, her violet irises glowing with questions. “What were you doing here today? It was like… when I needed you, you were there.”
I swallow hard. “I’ll always be there for you, Ava.”
She gives me a long look, then a little shudder goes through her. “Come on, let’s go.”
When I slip my arm around her shoulders again, she shoves it away.
“I’ll be okay by myself.”
“I’m taking care of you, making sure you don’t slip,” I growl.
She makes a sound of protest, but she quits pushing me away, and my heart swells.
All she needs is a little persuasion.
And I can be a real persuasive wolf.
Ava directs us along the dark streets. I lose track of the route, because every part of my being is focused on the fact that my girl is in my arms. I’m protecting her from anything and everything that could hurt her.
When we stop in front of Sinner’s Refuge, a hum of voices filters through the door. Mainly male voices. My wolf gives off a warning growl, preparing to rip off the head of anyone who even looks in Ava’s direction.
She puts her hand to the door and I help her to push it open. Hot air and the mingled smell of various shifters and humans spills out. At least it’ll be warm inside.
Shoving my beast as far down as I can, I hold the door open for Ava and she slides through. My girl is so graceful, so sophisticated. She doesn’t belong in a place like this. If I could, I’d keep her safe in my home 24-7.
But my home is a truck, I remind myself, and that’s nothing like good enough for her.
I watch as she scans the busy room. Sometimes, when I’m holed up in the building opposite her apartment, I think I could spend all my days just watching her.
There—she spots her roommate on the far side of the room. The little bird is telling some customers to move their drinks off the table so she can wipe it down. I’ve got no opinion of bird shifters, but I see she’s a good friend to Ava, so for that reason she gets my respect.
Ava calls to her, and right away, she stops what she’s doing and shoulders her way through the crowds until she reaches us.
“Ava!” She throws her arms around her friend’s neck. “Good to see you here, girl. What’s up?”
Ava shrugs a little self-consciously. “Just thought I’d swing by for a drink, like I’ve been promising.”
“Awesome.” The crow shifter clasps her hands together. “I’m getting off shift in, uh, twenty minutes. So why don’t you get yourself a seat at the bar, and I’ll catch up with you then—” Her beady black eyes slide over to me, and her eyebrows lift. “This guy with you?”
“Yeah, he’s my—” Ava breaks off and to my surprise, her face goes beet red.
The little bird’s mouth falls open as she looks from Ava to me, and back again. Then she gets a mischievous look in her eyes. Darn crows, too smart for their own good.
“Friend, right?” she supplies, because Ava still seems to be lost for words, while I’m too busy stopping my wolf from roaring that she’s my mate.
“Friends! Yes, that’s it. Stinger is a good friend of mine.” Ava’s voice is full of relief. “This is Elinor, my roommate.”
Elinor narrows her eyes at me. “Any friend of Ava’s is a friend of mine,” she says at last.
I flash a smile at her. I can’t fault her protectiveness towards Ava. I’m gonna make sure she knows I’m a good guy.
“Elinor!” The woman behind the bar yells to her.
“Oh, gotta go.” She darts away.
“Okay, let’s take a seat—over there.” When Ava’s small silky hand slides into mine, my beast rushes to the surface again. Damn. Her touch is electric, but this is the last thing I need right now. I’ve got to keep ahold of myself.
At the bar, I pull out a stool and help her climb up.
Under the spotlight of the bar, I drink her in. She’s even more beautiful than last time I saw her. She’s blooming, radiant, her eyes glowing with health and her lips so red and pretty. My wolf is burning my skin to get at her. Demanding that I take her back to her apartment and mate her.
Put my mark on her this time.
Show her there’s no way she’s getting away from me.
I clench my jaw, shove it back down again.
“Another rum for old time’s sake?” I ask.
“Ava doesn’t drink alcohol.” Elinor breezes past with a drinks tray stacked with empty glasses.
“She used to,” I say, and just like that, my mind floods with the memory of the sweet taste of rum on her lips as we kissed for the first time.
“Not anymore,” Ava says firmly. “Can I get an OJ when you’ve got a minute?” she calls to Elinor.
“Sure thing, hun. And a rum for you, big guy?”
Actually, that would be a terrible idea. Ever since that night in the diner, the smell of rum has driven my beast crazy. “I’ll just grab a beer,” I grunt.
While Ava’s attention is caught up with something that’s going on in the bar, I let my eyes linger on her. I’ve thought about her so much, watched her for so long, I can hardly believe she’s right here in front of me.
Take her home, my wolf insists, scratching up my insides. I’ve spent so much time thinking about that night in the truck. Her beautiful body, all bared to me. How wet and tight she was when I entered her, took her virginity.
Mine. Always. But there’s so much I don’t know about her. I’m gonna fix that, starting with finding out what kind of danger she’s in.
“Are you gonna tell me who’s after you?” I demand.
Her head snaps toward me and she gives me a long look. “It’s better if you don’t know.”
“The more I know, the better I can protect you.”
Her eyes widen. “I thought you said you weren’t going to come back here.”
“I wasn’t,” I mutter. “But—”
“Stinger!” a deep voice bellows, just as a heavy hand comes down on my shoulder.
My heart sinks. There’s only one person in the world who gets to touch me like that.
I turn around and stare into the furious face of my Alpha—well, my ex-Alpha—Vaughn.
“What the hell are you doing here? You know you’re not allowed in Perdue—” As he takes in Ava, his expression transforms with surprise and confusion. He knows her, of course. She’s his mate’s employee.
“Ava, what are you doing with this guy? He’s not—”
“I’m protecting her,” I cut in.
Vaughn’s thick eyebrows tug together. “She doesn’t need your protection. And I warned you what would happen if I caught you here again.”
My wolf swells beneath my skin. “You don’t get to tell me what to do!” I roar.
The bones in Vaughn’s face broaden and his beast rises to the surface, too. “Like hell I don’t!” he bellows. “I meant what I said. If I ever caught you in Perdue again, we’re gonna fight.”
To my horror, my wolf’s roar breaks from my throat.
No, not now. Not when I’m trying to show Ava I can be civilized.
“I’ll tear your throat out. I’ll fight you to the death!” I bellow. Every word that bursts from my lips sickens me. But I’ve got no control over them. It’s been that way my whole cursed life.
“I’ll take you out if I have to, Stinger!”
My hands go to my jacket and I’m ripping it off. “Let’s go outside.”
Somewhere in my peripheral vision, I’m aware of Ava’s face, pale with horror.
The dismay in her eyes. And I’m disgusted, too.
I wish desperately that I could get ahold of myself.
But that’s far, far out of my hands now.
My beast is in control and I’ve got a feeling it’s not going to stop until either I or Vaughn are taken out.
“You really gonna do this, Stinger?” Vaughn roars, getting all up in my face.
“If that’s what it takes—”
“Hey, hey!” A small, soft hand is pressing against my chest, and suddenly, Ava is between us.
I go still, while Vaughn rears back in surprise.
Both our wolves are half out. Fur, teeth, crazed eyes.
She’s a brave human to get between us when we’re like this.
So tiny, so vulnerable, but the expression on her face is enough to knock a grown wolf senseless.
“This is not happening!” she yells. “Vaughn, I get that you two have history, but Stinger is a good guy.”
“Stay out of this, Ava,” Vaughn growls. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“Maybe I don’t, but he deserves another chance.”
Vaughn snorts in disgust. “I’ve given him every chance in the world, and he’s done nothing but let me down.”
Ava’s nostrils flare as she takes a deep breath. “When did he last let you down?”
Vaughn scowls and shakes his head like he’s not willing to engage with the conversation.
“Vaughn, you and Lily have been so good to me since I arrived here, and I appreciate that more than you know. But can you just give me this one last thing? Please?”
She’s looking at him so sweetly and beseechingly that it’s making my beast mad and possessive all over again, but I force it back.
Vaughn growls and snorts a few more times, then he plants his fists on his hips. “Back in summer. When he challenged me, yet again. He ambushed me when I was bent down, working on something. Tore a chunk outta my back.”
I drop my head as shame pours through me in waves. Now Ava’s gonna know what a beast I am. How I’m not worthy of her. I can’t look at her.
“So, that was more than four months ago, right?” Ava says in her sweet, low voice.
“Yeah, more than that.”
“Well, three months ago, Stinger rescued me from a blizzard after my car slid off the road, and then he saved my life. So, I know he’s a pretty good guy.”
Vaughn blinks. He’s taken aback. Didn’t think anything could surprise my ex-Alpha, but there it is. That feral beast, Stinger, doing something good for a change.
Sparks fire in Ava’s eyes, like she’s thinking something over. Then she folds her arms. “If he can’t stay in Perdue, then neither can I.”
And I feel like a knife just pierced my chest. Ava loves her job in the bookstore. Every morning, she leaves her apartment smiling, and her smile is even bigger when she returns. I know—in the way that I know she’s mine—that it means the world to her.
Vaughn raises an eyebrow. “You’d quit your job and leave your whole life here, because of Stinger?”
“Yes,” she says, with no hesitation. “Yes, I would.” She’s trembling a little, but her voice is fierce. And I want to snatch her up in my arms and kiss her senseless. My brave, loyal, incredible mate.
Vaughn’s eyes are narrow as his gaze sweeps from her, to me and back again.
He’s a fair guy. A great Alpha. I can acknowledge this in my sanest moments, even as my beast is bent on challenging him for dominance.
“I sure hope Stinger is worth your loyalty, Ava,” he says at last.
Her beautiful red lips part. “D-does that mean you’re not going to kick him out?”
He gives a deep nod. “Yup. But this is on you. If I hear that Stinger has so much as growled at someone who’s minding their own business, then he’s out. And I guess—if you’re a woman of your word—so are you.”
She gasps out a breath. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Vaughn. You won’t regret this.”
“I just hope you know what you’re doing, Ava. There’s a whole lot more to Stinger than you know.” Then he turns to me. “I’m not letting you back in the pack. I can’t take that risk. And you’re not working here, either. But you can park up your rig in the old supermarket lot.”
I bow my head. “Thank you, Vaughn. I won’t let you down.”
“Better not, Stinger,” he growls.
I turn back to Ava. Her face is pale and there are blue shadows beneath her beautiful eyes.
“You need to go home, don’t you?”
She nods. “It’s been a long day.”
“Let’s go.” I reach for her hand, and this time she doesn’t pull away.