Chapter Fourteen

N icole gripped the opening of Jaryn's war room, her legs threatening to collapse beneath her. "Jeff?"

"Surprised? I bet Cooper told you only Jaryn's inner circle knew about this place? Well, that may have been true for a while, but all secrets come to light, eventually. Once I obtained the details from my associate, it was easy enough to lift Cooper's palm print from the station." He stepped aside from the opening and gestured with his gun. "Now move. I have a schedule to keep."

Nicole's mind moved beyond the shock and she remembered the gun in her hand. In one motion, she flipped the safety off and raised the weapon, taking aim right between Jeff's eyes.

Jeff shook his head. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

She had to get in a better position. Gun or not, Jeff had her cornered in the war room, and she was completely on the defensive. Jaryn had drilled into her that anytime she found herself in a situation like this, she had to do everything in her power to shift the status quo.

"And why is that?" She took a step closer and inwardly smiled when Jeff moved back. She tried not to look at the gun in Jeff's hands. If she let him see the fear currently roiling through her body, Nicole knew it would all be over.

Jeff let out a huff. "Let me play this out for you. You'll pull the trigger, I'll dodge the bullet with my superior reflexes and speed, my training will kick in and I'll most likely shoot you before you can blink. Then not only will you be in excruciating pain, but I'll have to explain to my boss why I shot the woman he intends to claim as his mate. Somehow, I doubt that'll go over real well."

Am I supposed to go with you quietly? Not bother defending my home, avenging my friend whom you killed in cold blood?"

"That would be nice, yes. But, I suppose unrealistic." He held up his gun. "I really don't want to hurt you, Nicole. I'm simply doing my job."

"So am I." She squeezed the trigger and the kick of the gun firing vibrated through her palm. Her eyes widened as the six-foot man in front of her disappeared before the bullet found its home in flesh. Instead, she heard a crack as it burrowed into the log wall. A low growl rumbled through the room, and Nicole blinked only to now face a tanned and white wolf whose lips were curled back, revealing his extremely sharp teeth. She screamed and took off running.

Nicole made it to the living room, but her steps faltered as she saw Cooper lying on the floor. A force as powerful as a tsunami struck her back in that moment, leading her to plummet to the floor. She tried to push up, but a heavy weight kept her pinned to the wooden planks. The weight released, and Nicole flipped over. If she was going to die, she'd do it facing her attacker. The size of Jeff's wolf seemed massive from her vantage point. His snout was long and pointed down at her. She could see his teeth, and tears came to her eyes as she expected the sharp points piercing her skin and spilling her blood.

As she lay there, waiting to die, anger took the place of fear. How dare this man betray his pack, his Alpha? How dare he callously take the life of a good man all for the sake of seeking approval from someone as maniacal as Adam Broyles?

A buzzing sound filled Nicole's ear, her vision turned black and white, and every muscle in her body seemed to go into convulsions. Jeff whimpered and padded backwards, then sat on his haunches. Nicole tried to ask him what was happening, but all that came out was some kind of yipping sound. She curled up into a fetal position as pressure filled her body. Her head pounded, and she cried out, but instead of screaming, it sounded more like a howl.

"Jaryn! What's happening to me?"

She felt as though she'd explode if something didn't give soon. She clawed at the floor, trying to escape, but she couldn't move.

"Nic! Don't fight it! Relax and let your wolf take over."

"Jaryn? Oh, thank God! Help me, please. I'm scared."

"I know, baby. I'm sorry I'm not there. Cooper will help you."

"Cooper's dead! Jeff… Jeff's…"

She couldn't finish her thoughts as the pressure built to intolerable levels. Jaryn had said to relax. To let it happen. To let her… wolf? Oh fuck, she was turning into a wolf? But Jaryn had said that their mating wouldn't make her change. Nicole realized that having a mental argument with herself was not helping the situation. The resistance and anxiety only caused her pain. She closed her eyes and calmed her mind. If she couldn't stop this, she might as well embrace it. A flood of warmth filled her, and light seemed to surround her in a bubble in her mind.

I've been waiting for you.

It was a voice in her head like hers and Jaryn's link, but this one was decidedly female. Was that her wolf? Jaryn always spoke of his as almost a separate entity. Something that lived inside him…that lived with him. An alternate form with which he shared a symbiotic relationship.

The pressure inside her released in a climax, almost orgasmic in its intensity. When Nicole opened her eyes, the sharpness of everything shocked her. Her color vision wasn't what she was used to, but it wasn't completely black and white either. She lifted her head and rolled so she could stand up. Okay, standing on four legs versus two was a little weird.

Just then, Nicole remembered the exact sequence of events that had taken place right before her world was turned upside down. She turned to see Jeff, now in human form, staring at her with an expression of complete shock.

"Holy shit," he whispered. "How… when…? You're not supposed to be…"

Nicole growled. An honest to god growl rumbled from her chest. It was kind of funny that she could still understand him, even as a wolf. She guessed this was what Jaryn experienced when she talked to him in wolf form. She stalked him across the living room. Each step backwards took Jeff closer to the front door. Jeff shook his head and in a heartbeat, Nicole once again faced his wolf. Man, she was going to have to learn how to change that fast.

They circled each other. Jeff was clearly larger than her, but Nicole didn't feel the fear that she had as a human in this situation.

"Nicole? Baby? Are you all right?"

"Not now Jaryn. I'm about to kill Jeff. I'll get back to you in a minute." "What!"

Nicole shut her mental link to her mate and focused on the wolf in front of her. She watched as Jeff crouched, his eyes boring into hers. His lips curled up and he let out a howl-bark, warning her to back away. Like that was really going to happen. Nicole took a step forwards, tensed the muscles in her hindquarters, then unleashed all the fury coiling inside her in a burst of kinetic energy as she sailed through the air. But before her wolf body slammed into Jeff's, the front door burst open and a human pushed aside Nicole. She skidded across the hardwood floors. She looked up and was shocked to find Kenneth standing in front of her.

"Please, we're here to help you."

Nicole looked around at the young man and saw that Jeff had disappeared. She couldn't let him get away! Nicole growled at Kenneth for his trick. He must have been the one spying on her, feeding the information back to Adam. She dodged around him and took off out the front door. The snow had stopped falling, but the wind blasted against her fur and caused her to squint.

Out in the meadow were two wolves, fighting. Who was the other wolf? She sat on the porch and watched as the unknown wolf grappled with Jeff. Powerful jaws snapped and paws swiped at each other. The guttural sounds of their struggle carried on the snowy night air. The unknown wolf's jaws clamped down on Jeff's neck. Nicole instinctively knew this meant he was demanding Jeff's submission. However, Jeff refused, so with one quick snap, the unknown wolf's jaws closed, and Jeff paid for his crimes with his life. Nicole couldn't seem to find any remorse inside. Something came up beside her and Nicole yipped as an all- white wolf sat down next to her and met her gaze. The wolf rolled onto his back and exposed his belly, submitting to Nicole. She tilted her head down and received a lick for her efforts.

The white wolf got back to his feet and went inside. Nicole glanced over her shoulder to find the unknown wolf standing just off her front porch. His tail and ears were down as he tried to appear smaller and subservient to Nicole. She turned and went back inside, leaving the other wolf to follow.

When she reached the living room, she was shocked to find Cooper pulling his jeans up over his backside. Cooper held up his ruined shirt and shook his head with a sigh, then walked over to the sofa and collapsed onto the cushions. She ran over to him and tried to hug him, only to realize that she was still a wolf when her paws landed on the back of the sofa beside his chest.

Cooper laughed and buried his hands in Nicole's fur. "Well, this is certainly a surprise. You didn't think a little bullet was going to stop me, did you?" He continued to pet Nicole after she jumped up on the sofa beside him. "Although it's probably a good thing your friends here showed up. I'm not quite at my fighting strength yet."

Nicole had forgotten all about Kenneth, in her excitement at seeing Cooper. She looked around the living room and saw him standing beside the French doors leading to the back patio. She leaped off the sofa and cornered him against the glass.

Kenneth held out his hands to ward Nicole off. "Please, it's not what you think. Give us a chance to explain." He looked towards the front door behind Nicole. "Jasper and I…we couldn't do it. We couldn't take you back there. Yes, we fed Broyles information, but most of it was false." He dropped to his knees in front of Nicole. "It's my fault, though, that Jeff was able to get to you. I used my telepathy to read your mate's mind and found out about the secure room when we first got to town." He dropped his chin to his chest. "Jeff got the information out of me. I broke my promise to you. I'm sorry."

Nicole knew Kenneth really didn't have an evil bone in his body. The young man was friendly and had really seemed to care about the other inhabitants. She didn't know what Adam had held over his head, but clearly it was something strong enough that he felt he had no choice. She looked over her shoulder and saw Jasper standing a few feet away. He looked at her, his eyes filled with regret, but also fear, then focused in on Kenneth. Nicole looked back at Kenneth, and something caught her eye. A mark on his neck, one that looked very familiar. She moved her head forwards and sniffed Kenneth's neck. There were two distinct scents mingling on the young man's skin.

Kenneth was Jasper's mate! That's why there was fear in Jasper's eyes. His mate kneeled before Nicole, waiting for judgement. She gave Kenneth a little lick, then stepped back and sat. Kenneth's head rose, and she saw the moisture pooled in his eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"Nicole Marie Holland! You'd better tell me what the hell is going on there or so help me God!"

"Don't worry, mate. Everything has been taken care of."

"You killed Jeff?"

"No, Jasper did."

"Who the hell is Jasper, and did you say Cooper was dead earlier? I just got a comm link from him and nearly had a fucking heart attack when I heard his voice."

"Don't you snap at me! It's complicated, and I really did think Cooper was dead. You have some things to answer to yourself, mister. As soon as you get home, I think we need to have a little talk."

"Um yeah, about that… how do you feel about children?"

"I love kids, you know that. Are you saying you want to have children now?"

"Baby, I can't wait till you're pregnant with our pups, but I was thinking more like in the immediate future. Say when I get home in a few hours."

"What!"

"That talk we're going to have? There are some things that were happening here on Broyles' compound that were kept very secret. He and his predecessor, whom we determined he'd killed about five years ago, have been engineering super- shifters for the past twenty-five years. There are fifteen survivors. They're kids, Nicole, just kids."

"Oh, my God. I don't care what needs to be done. You bring them all here. I'll get on the line with Gillian and we'll arrange foster homes within the pack until we can work out something permanent. I'm sure the council will have some kind of say in this."

"I love you, Nicole."

"I love you, too. Hurry home."

Nicole got up and walked into Jaryn's office. She stared up at the top of his desk where the E-sphere rested, holding within its data chips the communications programme. Well crap! How am I supposed to do this without hands?

Jaryn deactivated the conference link he'd had with the other elders in the ASC, as well as a representative with the COP. He relaxed against the back of the leather seat in the private jet owned by the ASC and closed his eyes. As soon as they'd taken off from Rhinelander, Jaryn had squirreled himself away in the onboard office to change into more comfortable clothes, then brief both councils on the situation.

He'd got both councils to approve keeping the kids in Stonepass before they left Wisconsin, but the chancellor demanded a full briefing on what they'd found in the Northwoods along with an outline of the clandestine research that Broyles had been conducting.

He opened his eyes and looked across the office to the love seat where Kaden and Gavin sat, strapped in. So far in their two and half hour flight, both boys slept peacefully in their carriers next to each other. A few moments ago, the captain had come over the intercom to say that they'd be making their approach into Missoula within a half hour.

Jaryn stood and crossed the office to kneel in front of the seat and look at their tiny faces, peaceful in sleep.

"Your mother is going to love you, I promise. And even though we may not share DNA, I will always be your daddy," he whispered.

He couldn't resist reaching out and gently caressing the petal soft skin of their cheeks with his finger. Jaryn smiled as Kaden's face scrunched up for a second, then he turned into Jaryn's touch. Gavin's lips pursed and his little hands tightened into fists.

Jaryn had taken charge of the boys from the start. Charlotte had given him two duffle bags filled with necessities they'd taken from the compound, and just like that, Jaryn became insta-father. It was a good thing he remembered a thing or two from when Charlie was born. The scientists and the rest of the task force were looking after the other children in the main cabin of the plane. He hadn't heard any screams or crashes, so he assumed things were going okay out there.

Most of the kids had been pretty silent since they'd left the compound. Probably in shock as their view of the world went from the isolation of the lab to an immense universe with many unknown variables. They'd have to get these kids some help. Craig and his team had done what they could, but the fact remained that these children had been born and raised in a prison. And while Dr. Guppa had said that the experiments stopped when Broyles took control, he had insinuated that the children underwent experiments before the regime change. He hoped the young ones would adapt pretty quickly, but Jaryn was worried about the handful of older ones. One in particular had caught his eye, the oldest of the group, Bryan. He'd been very vocal in making sure that Jaryn and his team were going to do right by all the children. While they'd still been at the compound, Bryan had cornered Jaryn and asked him all kinds of questions. Jaryn had answered each one, filled with admiration for the young man.

A mewling sound caught Jaryn's attention, and he looked back at his sons. Gavin's eyes opened and his hand reached out. As if sensing his brother's need, Kaden also woke up and stretched out towards Gavin. The tips of their fingers touched and Jaryn smiled. It was obvious that the twins were used to being in proximity and taking comfort in each other.

"Don't worry, boys. We'll be home soon, then you can get out of your carriers. But for now, you need to stay strapped in for your safety."

Jaryn's arms actually ached to hold them again. With their soft bodies tucked into his embrace, the absolute trust they had in him to protect and care for them was awe-inspiring. It was funny, but Jaryn would have sworn that the first time he held them, the lingering discomfort from Broyles' attack had disappeared. Then again, it was probably the adrenaline coursing through him with the events of the night.

He looked out the window of the plane and saw the soft glow of dawn on the horizon. He was exhausted, but knew sleep would still be a long time in coming. Once they landed, the group would have to make the two and half hour drive north to Stonepass. They'd make it to town right in time for breakfast.

The captain announced everyone needed to be secured in their seats for final approach. Jaryn moved over to a club chair and buckled himself in. He glanced over at the boys, who once again had settled back to sleep. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Maybe he could grab a few winks before the plane came to a stop.

Jaryn pulled up to his and Nicole's home and looked at the log, timber and stone Adirondack structure he'd designed. He shook his head slightly.

"What?" Shaun asked, in the passenger seat beside Jaryn.

"I never would have predicted that in a matter of months, my life would change so drastically." He nodded towards his house. "Inside is my mate, who undoubtedly has a lot of questions as to why she changed into a wolf while I was gone, and,"—he looked in the backseat—"now I'm bringing home two sons."

"It's going to take some adjustment, but I know you, Jaryn. You'll make it work."

Jaryn looked over at his Beta and best friend. "Thanks."

Shaun nodded. "You ready?"

"Whether or not I am, there's no stalling now."

Cooper stood on the front porch, waiting for them. Jaryn watched as Cooper jogged towards them and came up to the driver's side window. Jaryn pushed the button and rolled down the glass. The car immediately filled with the cold air from outside and he looked behind him to see if the boys were okay.

"Nicole needs you. Go on inside and I'll help Shaun with the new arrivals."

Jaryn looked over at Shaun, who made a motion to shoo him off. "Go on, we've got things covered here."

Jaryn climbed out of the Jeep and ran towards the front door. He'd kept the pathway to the cars as clear as possible before he left, and as such, he literally ran through a corridor of snow that came up to his hips. However, his feet sank into the near foot of freshly fallen snow that had blanketed the pack lands since his departure a couple of days before. Wetness soaked his trousers above where he had tucked them into his boots, but he didn't care. His mate needed him.

Jaryn opened the front door and looked around the living room. Sitting beside the fireplace was a wolf. He skidded to a halt and slowly approached the animal. He knew instantly that it was his mate.

"Oh baby, you're so beautiful." He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her neck. Nicole whimpered. Her paws pranced on the floor and her tongue sneaked out to lick him. Jaryn leaned back and rubbed his hands over her head. His mate's fur was a dark reddish brown, and her face was black, which made her forest green eyes stand out all that much more.

"Did you do this to surprise me, baby? Don't get me wrong, I love seeing your wolf, but I'd really like to kiss my mate right now."

"I don't know how to change back, Jaryn. I've tried and tried all night."

Nicole's wolf frame trembled under his fingers and he scented her fear. "It's okay. I'll help you. I'm so sorry I wasn't here."

"Why did this happen? You said I wouldn't change when we became mates."

Even through their link, Jaryn detected Nicole's hurt. She thought he'd lied to her. He quickly petted her to calm her nerves.

"It's not from our mating, Nic. Broyles did this to you." He let out a long sigh. "He did a lot of things to you, and I suspect they all took place during those gaps in your memory. But don't worry. We'll get through everything together. I promise."

"The scar. It has something to do with my scar, doesn't it?"

"Yes. Now, what do you say we get you back into your more familiar skin?"

"Please. I have this unrelenting urge to go chase down and snack on a furry woodland creature. That's just… eww!"

Jaryn laughed so hard tears came to his eyes and he landed on his side on the rug beside Nicole.

"Glad to see I amuse you."

He sobered and wiped the moisture from his eyes. " Don't worry, baby. You'll get used to it. In fact, in time, you'll come to love chasing things down. We'll run under the moon together, and I can't wait to hear your howl echo along with the rest of the pack."

"Now all you have to do is picture your human form. Hold that image in your mind. This first time, it will take a little longer, but eventually you'll be able to shift in a matter of seconds."

Jaryn sat back and watched as the air around Nicole shimmered for a few moments. Then his mate's nude body came into focus on the rug beside the fireplace. He knew Cooper and Shaun would be inside with Kaden and Gavin in probably a matter of seconds, so he scooped her up and carried her to their bedroom.

He shut the door with his foot then walked over to their bed. He laid her down on the sheets and leaned down over the top of her. Nicole's legs spread and her arms came around his neck. Their heads tilted and lips fused. Being in Nicole's arms was the best welcome home Jaryn could ever have imagined. He opened his eyes and looked down at his mate.

She was perfection. Satin white skin with tiny freckles dusting the surface. Pale rose nipples tipped her firm, round breasts. His hands looked dark and rough as he cupped the mounds. He dipped his head to hide the tears that came to his eyes as he thought of the danger she'd been in the previous night. He could have lost her. Jaryn's lips opened over her breast and sucked gently. His mate's tang danced over his taste buds and Jaryn moaned. His hands slid down to her rib cage and curved around the delicate circumference. He pulled her tightly against him as he feasted.

The scent of Nicole's arousal filled the air of their bedroom and Jaryn's cock, already filling in his trousers, hardened to full strength. He looked up her body, at her dark burgundy tresses spread out on their sheets. Her head fell to the side and her pulse was visibly pounding right beneath the fragile skin of her neck.

He moved up her body, covering the surface in kisses, nipping and suckling at all his mate's erogenous zones till he once again met her lips. "We have guests, baby. This is going to have to be quick, but I have to have you… now."

"Yes, Jaryn. Please. I need you."

He kissed her hungrily. Their tongues danced back and forth, and Jaryn groaned. He needed to feel his mate's bare skin against his. Needed to feel the rasp of her hard nipples against his chest. The humidity of their bodies pressed together, creating slick skin. He slid his hand down Nicole's torso, then slipped his middle finger into her pussy. The wet, soft heat that greeted him made his cock throb. Her inner muscles sucked at his finger and Jaryn nearly howled in pleasure.

He quickly pushed up from the bed and stripped his shirt over his head. He shoved his trousers and briefs to the floor. Jaryn forgot about the damn combat boots he wore and swore when his pants tangled around his ankles. He sat on the bed and bent forwards to undo the laces, but Nicole's small hand firmly pushed on his chest and he sat back up. He frowned… had she changed her mind? The boots would only take a second or two. His frown disappeared when Nicole moved to straddle his lap.

Her hand gripped his hard cock and when her wet labia surrounded the crown, Jaryn's head fell back, and he gripped her hips. Nicole descended on his hard flesh, her heat surrounding him in perfection. She rose on her knees, then sank down in one hard plunge. From that moment, they were off to the races. Nicole braced her hands on his shoulders as she rapidly rode him. Jaryn braced his hands on the mattress behind them to stabilize their bodies. Their harsh breaths panted in the room. The morning sun shone through the skylight, giving Nicole's skin a golden hue.

Jaryn tensed his ass as he thrust up to meet Nicole's downward movement. God, he was in fucking heaven. Nicole's pussy spasmed around him and Jaryn groaned, then gave over to the orgasm curling in his gut. His body shook, and he pulled Nicole close so their chests melded together. A bright, hot flare of pain pierced the juncture of his neck and shoulder. Jaryn's eyes went wide as he realized Nicole had bitten him. She'd given him her mating mark! A bolt of lightning streaked down his spine, through his balls, and out the tip of his cock. His cum jetted out in long streams.

He held his mate tenderly, panting. Now their mating bond was complete. In the future, he'd only knot inside Nicole when she was fertile, but he still savored the moments after their couplings when he'd stay buried inside her body till nature forced their separation. He couldn't stop touching her, and his hands smoothed up and down her bare back. Her face nuzzled against his neck as they both calmed. Eventually, his heart rate slowed, and he got his breathing under control. He felt a slight trickle of blood slide over the curve of his neck towards his collar bone. Frankly, it amazed him there was any liquid left in his body, as it had felt like he'd spurted liters of cum when Nicole bit him. A soft sigh came from her. Her fingers ran through his hair in a light caress.

"Lick me, sweetheart. It will seal the wound."

She did, and Jaryn couldn't stop the slight tremble at her caress. His cock jumped, still held in the warm cavern of his mate's body. There was a knock at the door.

"Yes," he called out.

"Sorry, Alpha, but there are a couple of hungry mouths out here, and neither Cooper nor I know nothin' about feeding no babies."

Nicole's head shot up. "Babies? Did Shaun say babies?"

"Yes, love. Kaden and Gavin are twins from the compound. I brought them home."

Nicole jumped up off Jaryn's lap and he instantly missed the warmth of her body pressed against him. She scrambled around the room, pulling clothes out of the dresser. He'd never seen her dress so quickly.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Sorry, your beauty and the feel of you distracted me in my arms."

Nicole smiled as she pulled a sweater over her head. "Nice save."

Jaryn grinned. "I thought so." He stood and pulled up his trousers, tucking everything away. After he got his pants back on, he held out his hand for Nicole, who thankfully took it immediately. He locked their fingers together and took a deep breath. "There's something you should know."

Nicole's smile disappeared, and she looked up at him with wary eyes. God, it'd been a tough couple of days for both of them. He couldn't wait till the four of them could settle down and really begin their lives together as a family.

"A scientist we found at the compound told me that Kaden and Gavin are your biological sons."