Luke lunged at his father, and they went down in a flurry of fur and legs. One of them yelped, and they broke apart, both panting as they faced off.
I searched the ground for something to use as a weapon. I darted over to hide behind a patch of trees, where I found a stick that resembled a baseball bat. A grin almost burst out. I’d been on my high school softball team. Champions three years in a row.
I motioned for Eli to stay where he was and crept forward, doing my best to stay out of sight. The wolves were circling each other and trading off quick lunges with flashing teeth, but Luke was limping, favoring his back leg. He clamped down on his father’s leg, tearing the skin when his father twisted out of his hold. I waited for them to circle around so Luke’s father had his back to me.
I rushed out of the trees and swung my stick, aiming for the leg Luke had just bitten. A crack sounded, followed by a pained yelp. The wolf stumbled to the side, leg crumpling beneath him.
I prepared to swing again, aiming for his head, but he ducked and turned on me, snarling. I waved the bat in front of me, keeping him at a distance. He continued to advance toward me,forgetting about Luke, who used the distraction to pounce on him from behind.
They rolled around on the ground, teeth showing as they each tried to get hold of the other, trading dominance. Several minutes later, one wolf lay pinned to the dirt, the jaw of the other firmly around its throat.
I looked frantically, trying to see the patch of white that would identify Luke, but both their chests remained blocked. The wolf on top bit down harder until the wolf beneath him turned his face away in submission. The hold loosened enough for the pinned wolf to shift back, revealing Luke’s father.
Luke stood over him, growling. Guarding him.
“I’ll get some rope.” I ran to the truck, picking up the ropes that had held me earlier. I kneeled beside the man. “I would suggest not moving. Luke looks like he’s ready to take a piece out of you.”
Luke’s father glared at me as I tied his wrists, making sure they were tight enough that he wouldn’t get loose. Then I tied his ankles, just to be safe. He moaned in pain as I jostled one of his legs.Guess the break carried over from his wolf form.
Luke shifted, and Eli burst out of the trees. “That was awesome!” He grinned at us. “I’ll get Luke clothes.”
He ran over to Luke’s truck and dug around in the back seat. He returned holding a pair of sweatpants in his right hand and a cell phone in his left. “Want me to call the ranch?”
Luke gingerly slid the pants on, hissing as he moved his battered body. “That would be great, Eli.”
I tried to hold myself back, not wanting to hurt him further, but I couldn’t help myself. I threw my arms around his waist and rested my cheek against his chest. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
His arms came around me, holding me close. “I can say the same thing about you.”
He pressed a kiss against my head, and I leaned back enough to brush my lips against his. He followed, kissing me deeper, almost as if he wasn’t sure he’d ever get the chance again.
Eli made a sound of disgust. “Ew. Kissing.”
“Give it a year, kid.” Luke spoke the words against my lips, seeming loath to part with them.
“Whatever.” He scoffed. Then the call must have connected, as Eli spoke in a rush, telling whoever answered everything that had happened. He ended the call by reciting our coordinates.
“Good job, Eli.” Luke tucked me under his chin, still embracing me, both unwilling to let the other go. “I’m proud of you.”
The teen ducked his head, but I saw his grin in my peripheral vision. I slipped from Luke’s arms and gave Eli a hug. “Me too. You were very brave.”
He traced circles in the dirt with the toe of his shoe, cheeks flushed from the praise. Then he tilted his head and gave me a grin, eyes sparkling. Words burst out of him, “I shifted on my own!”
I smiled down at him. “That’s great, Eli.”
He told me all about it while Luke secured his father to the truck. Then Luke joined us, taking my hand in his. We shared a smile before turning back to Eli, who was more animated than I’d ever seen him.
Exhaustion settled over me as my adrenaline waned. I leaned my head against Luke’s shoulder. He slipped his arm around my waist, providing more support.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead, whispering so only I heard. “I love you, Katie.”
TEN
Luke
My brothers arrived, preventing Katie from replying to my declaration of love. Then Sheriff Danvers showed up, grumbling about how we were busy causing trouble again. He would never be a fan of ours, but at least he was dealing with my father.
My father was bundled into the back of the sheriff’s truck after his leg was splinted. I couldn’t hide the smile that crossed my face at the memory of Katie swinging that stick at him. She was not one for taking a back seat, obviously, and it had proven to be a perfect distraction, allowing me to gain the upper hand with my father.
