12. Havoc
Havoc
We win.
Barely.
By the time the worst of the active front is knocked down, my body feels like somebody took a sledgehammer to it.
We've got containment where we need it.
Local crews remain on mop-up, checking for hot spots, working smoldering roots and watching for anything that might flare again. The threat to Ember Hollow is over.
For now.
The second that reality sinks in, Monster has exactly one thought.
Gabby.
“Soon.”
Now.
“We smell like a fucking chimney.”
Need. Gabby. Now.
“Christ.”
The ride back to A-Feral feels like it takes six years. My shoulder throbs. My back burns.
Every bump in the road makes me want to rip the suspension out of the truck. Wreck looks like death. Justin isn't much better.
Nobody talks.
We don't have the energy. But as the winding road climbs toward our cabins, the tightness inside my chest gets worse.
Not better.
Because the closer I get to home, the more I need to see her. I haven't seen Gabriella in days. I need to know she's okay.
That's all.
Just check. See her. Make sure she’s fine. Maybe smell her.
Fuck.
Okay.
I definitely need to smell her.
Sick fuck.
Maybe. But Monster rumbles approvingly.
“Don't get excited.”
Mine.
“We're just checking on her.”
Omega.
Mate.
“Shut up.”
Wreck glances over from the driver's seat.
“You talking to yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I frown.
“Good?”
“Means you're not dead.”
“Fuck you.”
His mouth twitches.
Home sweet fucking home.
The three cabins sit across roughly an acre of heavily wooded mountain land, tucked high above Ember Hollow. Justin’s is nearest the ridge, mine closest to the winding road down toward town.
The truck has barely stopped before I'm out.
“Havoc,” Wreck calls.
I keep walking.
“Medical kit.”
“After I shower.”
“You need those burns treated.”
“They're healing.”
“That's not the same thing.”
“Aw, I didn’t know you cared. Now get the fuck home and tell Gia I said happy fucking birthday.”
His expression immediately changes.
Shit. Right. Birthday.
“Oh, and her gift's in my truck.”
Wreck looks offended.
“You left my mate's present in your truck?”
“It survived the wildfire better than I did.”
He stalks toward it. I leave him to his priorities.
My cabin smells stale after days away. I strip before I even reach the bathroom. Gear gets dropped by the door. Boots come off. My clothes hit the floor next.
The mirror tells me Justin wasn't exaggerating. My shoulder is fucking ugly.
Red.
Blistered.
Raw patches stretching across the upper part of my back.
It'll heal. Monster is already pouring energy into the damaged tissue. Another two days and there probably won't be much left besides pink skin.
I turn on the shower. Hot water hits the burns.
“FUCK!”
I nearly punch the wall.
Maybe lukewarm.
I adjust it.
Better.
Soot circles the drain.
Smoke.
Ash.
Sweat.
Days of fire wash off me. I should be bone tired. Should fall right into my bed and stay there for a month.
But instead? What’s on my mind?
Gabby.
Always Gabby.
I can practically smell her even though she's miles away.
Woodsmoke.
September mornings.
That warm female note that makes Monster lose his fucking mind.
I brace my hands against the shower wall, and my hand runs down my body to that part of me that’s already hard and aching for her.
Fuck.
What am I doing?
I picture her eyes. Her curves. Her sweet smile.
And before I can think better of it, I start stroking my cock.
Christ, this is insane.
I know better than this. But I can’t stop.
Not now.
Her image burns inside my mind’s eye. It urges me on.
And when I finish, spraying my cum all over the tile shower, I can hardly catch my breath.
“Fuck.”
She told me she can't do games.
Good.
Neither can I.
But what the fuck do I offer a woman like Gabriella?
I'm a monster Wolf who fights fires for a living. I live on a mountain. I have no idea how to raise a kid.
I've spent half my life avoiding anyone who might need something from me because I've always believed eventually I'd hurt them.
And Gabriella?
She's already been hurt.
I know it.
Maybe not how.
Maybe not by who.
But I know. The thought makes my claws slide out.
“Easy.”
Monster growls.
Protect.
“From what?”
Silence.
Yeah.
That's the fucking problem.
I don't know.
And until Gabriella trusts me enough to tell me, I can't fix it.
Can't kill it.
Can't even fucking identify it.
I shut off the water. And I get dressed quickly.
Jeans.
Black T-shirt.
Boots.
The shirt sticks slightly to the burns on my back.
Don't care.
I need to go. I'm halfway to my truck when Justin comes across the clearing between our cabins.
He stops. Looks me over. His brows pull together.
“Where the hell are you going?”
“Out.”
“You were almost crushed by a tree four hours ago.”
“Wasn't crushed.”
“You're burned.”
“Noticed.”
“You haven't slept in three days.”
“I'll sleep later.”
Justin stares at me.
Dragons can be annoyingly fucking perceptive.
His eyes narrow. Then something clicks.
“Oh.”
I growl.
“Don't.”
His mouth twitches.
“I'm not saying anything.”
“Good.”
“You're going to see Gabriella.”
My Wolf slams forward.
A growl rolls out of me.
“I said don't.”
Justin actually grins.
Asshole.
I open the truck door.
“I got something to check on.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Fuck you.”
“Havoc.”
I stop.
His voice has changed. I glance back. Justin isn't smiling anymore.
“Be careful.”
I look at him like he's lost his fucking mind.
“With what?”
He studies me for a long second.
“Her.”
That lands somewhere I don't like.
Because I know exactly what he means.
Not be careful because Gabriella might hurt me. Be careful because she could matter.
Because maybe she already does.
I tighten my hand around the keys.
“I would never hurt her.”
“I know.”
Something inside my chest pulls tight.
I turn away before the Dragon can see too much.
Monster is pacing now.
Restless.
Impatient.
Gabby.
“Yeah.”
I start the truck. My shoulder screams when I reach for the wheel.
Don't give a fuck.
I haven't seen her in days. Haven't heard her voice. Haven't smelled her. Haven't watched those amber eyes narrow when I piss her off.
And until I put my own eyes on Gabriella Santos and know she's safe?
I'm not sleeping. I'm not resting. I'm not doing a goddamn thing.
I start the engine. Monster settles for the first time all week.
Because we're going to find our female.