Chapter 5 of Wolf Shield

Keep reading this Paranormal Romance featuring a curvy FMC and a Big Bad Wolf...

📖 Ready? Chapter 5 of Wolf Shield

His female was wounded and in a strange place, but she wasn’t afraid. That was a good sign, he noted with some pride.

Her brown sugar and almond scent filled his room, and he knew it would leave its mark on his sheets. Might as well get used to this semi state of arousal he grimaced as he tried to sit next to her and found his pants a bit snug.

It was hard enough wanting to lay claim to her with increasing urgency every second they spent together, but now that the Vampire was in his room, he damn near lost control.

Byram was a good man. He was a Guardian before Storm and they’d worked beside one another for nearly a century. But he couldn’t help it. He did not want the suave aristocratic bloodsucker near his mate.

Shit. Guilt filled him at the unkind thought. When he took his pledge, Byram vowed he would never drink from an unwilling donor. He got his blood from a bank, actually. Storm knew this, but his Wolf wasn’t as politically correct as the man.

“Easy, brother,” Byram said in a low voice as he carefully opened his medical bag.

“Will it leave a scar?” Fergie asked interrupting their little convo.

“No,” Storm answered her before Byram could.

It was more promise than threat, but Byram still snorted at the implication. Good. Fucker should be aware if he hurt her, Storm would be hurting him.

“My dear, I will be gentle I promise. Let me see your arm, please and thank you,” he said.

Storm always wondered at the traces of his British heritage that sometimes lingered in his accent and cadence of speech. He knew it had been hundreds of years since the Vampire had set foot in the place of his birth, but still, he often wondered at it.

“Ouch,” Fergie gasped then giggled.

“I haven’t removed the bandage yet,” Byram said and smirked.

“I know I was just getting ready. Hudson? Will you hold my hand?” she bit her lip, and he moved closer to her.

It was good that she wanted him for comfort. A sign that maybe she was feeling some of the same formidable attraction he was. Mating fever affected humans, he knew, but he’d never seen it or experienced it before.

“Here now, he won’t hurt you,” Storm took her small hand in his and held it as she’d asked.

Such a platonic touch, and yet he felt it all the way down to his marrow. The healthy bronze glow he’d noted in the dark parking lot was a bit paler now after the incident and her consequential wound. Byram unwrapped the bandage carefully, he had to give him credit.

The scent of antiseptic, blood, and Gila Shifter venom reached his nostrils making his Wolf pace in agitation. Something was wrong. The wound was not healing.

“Is it bad? Do I need stitches?”

“No stitches, but I am afraid it’s infected,” Byram’s steel gaze met Storm’s, and he knew immediately there was something wrong.

“You know, maybe you can help me? You see, Hudson here hasn’t answered my questions yet, but maybe you can,” she narrowed her eyes at the deep gauges on her arm.

“If I can,” Byram nodded, ignoring Storm’s warning look.

“What were those guys who attacked me? Some kind of role-playing groupies or something. Were they in costume? I mean I know some people have strange fetishes. I once saw a picture of some guy who had these little plates implanted underneath his skin so he could resemble a freaking dragon, you believe that?” she was rambling nervously, but Storm couldn’t help but think she was adorable.

“Uh, actually, maybe Storm can better answer your questions when he gets back, I need him to help me get some things from my room to treat this,” Byram nodded at him.

“Sure,” Storm answered.

He needed to do something to keep his mind off the fact that she was lying in his bed. His eyes glanced down as he pictured the way his hands had roamed over her lush curves just minutes ago.

“Storm?”

“Yes, I will be right there,” he said to Byram as the Vampire stood to leave, “You will wait? I can have food brought?” he asked her.

“No, I’m fine,” she said a little too brightly.

Storm narrowed his eyes, but he had little choice. She might not know she was his mate, but he did and he had a duty to her. One he relished.

He followed the trail the Vampire left down the hall to his room and Storm entered without knocking.

“Well?”

“Oh, you’re welcome, Storm, it is my privilege to help your mate,” he snorted as he rummaged through vials in the medicine locker in his room.

“I apologize, Byram, of course I am grateful, but what is wrong?”

“What’s wrong is her blood is infected. Something is not right with the Gila Shifter’s venom. I don’t know how, but it seems to have increased in potency tenfold.”

“That’s impossible. The mucus those Shifters make should have only a mild effect on even normals,” Storm growled.

“Yes, well, this poison is much stronger than anything we have ever seen. I’ve never come across the likes of it. She will need help fighting otherwise she could lose her arm, and worse than that.”

“No, I won’t let that happen.”

“I understand, Storm, but can I ask why you haven’t just told her what she is to you? Your bite would be of more help than anything I have here.”

Storm growled and paced the room. He knew his bite would heal the lovely creature that was his mate, but fucking Kingston and his damn rules. But the Dragon had lived longer than any of them. He had suffered losses none of them had ever known. He was the glue that kept their unit together. Storm owed him obedience.

“I am forbidden to claim her until she knows everything.”

“I see,” said Byram, “well, Kingston knows best. I have some elixir made from evening primrose and devil’s weed which should help slow the venom until you get that all sorted.”

“Are you sure it will help?” Storm’s worry increased, and he zeroed in on the man.

“You needn’t search me for deception, Storm, I would never hurt what is yours,” Byram spoke calmly, but Storm could feel his hurt.

Shit. He didn’t mean that. Storm knew his words were truth, but he was out of sorts when it came to Fergie. Did having a mate make all men mad? Probably. But it was worth it or so he’d been told.

“She is special, Byram. I can’t explain it exactly, but she brings new meaning to me and my Wolf.”

“I understand, brother,” Byram said, “let’s get this to her.

The sounds of feet running and a squealed scream met Storm’s ears, and he hurried to open the door.

“What the hell is going on here?” came a roar he knew to be Kingston’s followed by a thud.

By the time Storm rounded the bend he saw two things, Furio splayed on the floor with his head in his hands and his little mate wielding the baseball bat he’d had hanging on his wall signed by Don Mattingly in 1985 when he’d received the American League award for MVP. That was a fun year for baseball if he recalled correctly.

Of course, that had nothing to do with why his mate was currently barefooted and swinging said bat against his fellow Guardian’s head. Storm grimaced. That was going to leave a mark.

“Oh my God! Why’d you sneak up on me like that?” raged Fergie at the Horse Shifter who seemed dazed.

And no wonder, thought Storm as he took in the lump forming on his forehead. His gaze shifted to his mate’s, and he frowned. Her color did not look good.

She swayed a little as she stood one her feet and closed her eyes. Storm ran to her side. He took the bat from her fingers, supporting her frame while she clung to him.

“What happened?”

“Oh, thank God!” she gripped his arm tightly and he could see she was looking a little peaked.

“Byram, can you help Furio?”

“On it,” the Vampire said, and sounded as if he was fighting his own laughter as well.

“Come on, sweet,” he bent and scooped her in his arms, taking the bat from her hands as he did so.

“Really, I’m too heavy for you to keep picking me up like this,” she swallowed after she finished speaking.

Storm frowned. He knew she was feeling dizzy again. The effects of the venom were getting worse. He needed to do something, but first he had to set the record straight.

“You are not too heavy,” he stated.

In fact, he rather liked the feel of her slight weight in his arms. She was perfect for him. The Fates had designed her so, and he was more than grateful.

“I, uh, think I need to lie down.”

Her mouth was close to his as she spoke. So close he couldn’t resist brushing against her lips with his.

Mine, his Wolf growled.