Savage watched as the scientist slid into his car at the abandoned home next door to the bar. He wore his lab coat and a pair of wire rimmed glasses. His sandy blond hair was disheveled as if he’d been running his hands through it nervously. From his position, Savage could already see the fear in the man’s brown eyes.
Savage kept to the shadows, tracking the man as his vehicle turned out of the driveway. He crept along the road for a few seconds before speeding up to make his way toward town. Savage ripped at his clothes, knowing he could run faster in his panther form. He didn’t even fight the shift as his beast took over.
The car came to a stop at the next intersection less than a mile up the road, and Savage made his move, pushing away his panther so he could kill this man with his human hands. His brute strength ripped the door from its hinges and the man inside screamed in fear. Savage’s chest rumbled when his panther tasted the scent of fear on the air. This was what a predator lived for…the hunt. The terror in its prey’s eyes. All of it was welcomed as Savage wrapped a hand around the man’s throat.
“Where is she?” he growled low, his vision taking on an amber hue. “Where is my mate?”
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the scientist stuttered.
“She is mine and you have taken her from me,” he snarled, his canines growing thicker. He felt the panther just on the edge of another shift but sent it back, telling his beast to be patient. This human’s time would end soon enough. “This means that you answer to me.”
“Let me go,” the man ordered.
“No,” Savage spat. The man struggled as Savage began dragging him off into a wooded area. He left the car sitting there, idling at the four way stop. It was the middle of the night and on the outskirts of town. It would be quite some time before the car was noticed.
Savage snarled when the man began to struggle, clipping him in the thigh. The man whimpered when Savage stopped walking and glared into the scientist’s eyes. With one heavy handed punch to the man’s temple, Savage knocked him out cold for the walk back to the pride’s property.
Naked and uncaring, Savage crossed over several country roads, skirted around two farmers’ fields, and crossed over the Coldwater River, all while dragging his prey back to his pride. Once he arrived, he found his way down a slightly worn path after stopping at the shed to gather his supplies.
Savage lived up to his name when he took a piece of rope and wrapped it around the scientist’s wrists. The man was still unconscious from when he’d been knocked out by Savage’s brutal punch. Taking the other end of the rope, Savage tossed it over a thick branch that was about ten feet off the ground. With a grunt, he pulled on the rope, hoisting the man up into the air and letting his feet dangle without touching the ground.
“Wake up, you son of a bitch,” Savage snarled. His panther screamed inside his head, wanting out…wanting blood.
The man gasped, his eyes opening wide. Savage saw the moment he recognized who had him strung up and vulnerable to the beast.
“Where is she?” Savage moved forward, tying off the rope to another branch, ensuring the man wouldn’t get down on his own. As it was, his arms were stretched by his body’s weight and it had to be starting to burn.
“I cannot tell you,” the scientist replied. “I’m already a dead man. They will kill me anyway.”
“Bet I can make you talk,” Savage said menacingly. “Let’s try this again. Where. Is. My. Mate?”
The man looked up at the rope that held him immobile and then back at Savage. He never spoke, just closed his eyes and waited for Savage to end his life.
“Tell me!” Savage roared, feeling the tingle of his panther’s fur coming through his human skin. The shift was upon him, but he would fight as long as he could before his beast ruled. Razor sharp claws punched through his human fingers so quickly, his own blood seeped through his skin.
“Never,” the man said. “You’ll never find her in time.”
Savage lashed out, his claws ripping into the belly of the human male. His screams only lasted for a few moments until the sound was cut off by the gurgling of blood that flowed out of his mouth. Two heartbeats later, the scientist was dead.
“Savage!” Booth yelled.
“I have to find my mate,” Savage snarled, turning around to see his fellow Guardian standing there wide-eyed.
“She’s at Rycon,” he replied. “Talon is on his way there now.”
Savage shifted, letting his panther take over. He was faster in his animal’s skin and he needed to get to the warehouse to save his mate. Whoever had taken her would succumb to the same fate that the scientist had for daring to touch Mary Grace.
Booth slid into the driver’s seat of his truck and whistled loud enough to get Savage’s attention. The panther leapt into the back of the truck as the Guardian rushed off the pride’s land. Savage fell to his belly and lowered his head, waiting until the moment they arrived.
The truck slowed as it approached the side road not far from the gate that surrounded Rycon Industries. When Savage’s panther looked over the side of the truck, he saw his alpha and the rest of his brothers. The sheriff was there, but he was standing back from the group of men who were watching his every move.
His padded feet didn’t make a sound as he jumped out of the truck. The panther prowled toward the group, snarling its agitation. In this state, the panther was in control. Savage’s human mind was almost nonexistent.
Talon’s calming magic was no match for the beast as he took a running leap over the barbwire fencing. All of the Guardians cursed when Savage took off at a dead run for the side of the building. He felt them at his back just a moment later when he shifted to his human form.
As a beast determined to find his mate, Savage felt his panther surge under his skin, wanting to be released again. His canines punched through his gums. Blood from the scientist had dried on his face and arms, but at the moment, he didn’t care. When he approached the facility Mary Grace was being held in, Savage didn’t think twice about marching forward as if he were nothing but a knight there to rescue the princess, willing to give his life to save hers.
The metal door was no match for his strength as he pulled it open, the lock destroyed from the force. A man in a lab coat was startled when Savage snarled in his face, “Where is she?” When the man didn’t answer, Savage delivered a blow to the man’s temple, knocking him out cold.
He stopped in the hallway and inhaled deep. It took only a second for her scent to reach him and when it did, Savage’s panther pushed so hard against his human skin, the black fur of his panther seeped out of his skin, his fingers returned to razor sharp claws, and his face half shifted to that of his panther. His canines were as thick as when he was in his panther form and his nose had recessed in his face. With the partial shift, Savage could scent his mate’s tears…and that was when all hell broke loose.
The door at the end of the hallway opened and a man in black combat gear rushed toward Savage, his gun raised high. “Freeze!”
“Fuck you!” Savage jumped for the man’s throat, but fell to his knees when the gun went off and the bullet hit him in the leg. “You are going to die for that.”
The man’s eyes widened as Savage slowly raised to his feet, wrapping his hand around the barrel of the rifle and ripping it from the man’s hands. The beast lunged, his thick canines latching onto the guard’s throat. With one crushing bite, Savage tore the human’s throat out, spitting it to the floor.
The door the man had come through hadn’t closed all the way, so Savage pulled it open. He followed the stairs down into a basement, opening the door at the bottom. There were cages lined up down the middle of the room. Desks were lined up in front of each one, computers with cameras sat in the centers.
The roar from Savage’s chest exploded through the air. He marched forward, his arms shifting, elongating. Razor sharp claws extended from his human fingertips as his mate came into view. She was cowering in a corner, a male hovering over her body.
“Savage!” she cried, shaking as she tried to stand. When the male in the cage made a move to assist her, Savage growled low in his throat. When his strength wasn’t enough to pull the door open to the cage, his beast went wild when he couldn’t get to his mate.
Guardians rushed into the room, all of them cursing when they saw Mary Grace in the cage with a male that wasn’t her mate. Blood spotted the hospital gown she was wearing. The inside of her elbows were bandaged and the exposed skin all over her body was either bruised or red from contact by an unmated male.
“Get her out!” Savage panicked, pulling on the cage door again, but it still didn’t budge.
“Keys!” Talon ordered, reaching for the handle as well. Both men pulled and the lock still didn’t budge.
“Found them!” Winter hollered, rushing over from the unconscious body of a man in a lab coat. Savage took the keys from his brother and stuck each one into the lock until it popped free.
The moment he was inside, the male moved to the opposite corner and hung his head. Savage snarled, wanting the male’s blood, but his only concern was for his mate. Mary Grace shivered when his arms wrapped around her, carefully picking her up from the floor. The scent of chemicals and medicines tickled his nose as he tucked her face into his neck.
“Don’t kill the male,” she mumbled, tightening her hold.
“He touched you,” Savage snarled. “He’s a dead man.”
“No!” she yelled, coming alive. “No, Savage! He protected me!”
“I need to care for you,” he choked out, seeing the marks on the inside of her arms. They were almost healed, which told him that it hadn’t been long since they’d taken her blood…or shot her up with something.
“I’m okay,” she said, trying to be strong.
Jesus! She should be terrified.
“No, you’re not,” Savage snarled, marching toward the stairs, and then stopped to look over his shoulder. His brothers were detaining the male who was in the cage with her; all of them circling him. “Don’t touch him until I return.”
On their nod, he continued up the stairs, only stopping when he reached Dane’s truck. The sheriff was there with four of the guards. Someone had removed the man in the lab coat and dropped him next to the men in all black.
“Let me see you,” Savage said, his voice unnaturally calm as he placed her in the passenger seat.
Mary Grace sighed in relief when Savage wrapped his arms around her body, trying to touch every inch of her skin. When he pushed back, she made a sound of protest, but otherwise stayed quiet.
“Our babe is okay.” Savage breathed a sigh of relief as he placed his hand on her stomach. “I can sense him and he isn’t in distress.”
“Thank God,” she cried, finally letting the entire event crash down over her. His mate scrambled to climb into his lap as he jumped up into the Guardian’s vehicle. He closed the door to block out the cool night air and just held her, his eyes closing in a silent prayer.
An older model sedan arrived a few minutes later. The healer exited the car, holding his black bag. Savage opened the door and signaled for Harold. The male set his bag on the hood of the truck and pulled out a pair of gloves.
“Mary Grace,” he announced, his voice soft. “I need to check over you.”
“I’m fine,” she mumbled against Savage’s neck. “I’m fine.”
“Let the healer look at you,” Savage urged. The last thing he wanted to do was let her go, but he needed to make sure Mary Grace and his unborn babe were truly okay.
Mary Grace nodded and sat up in Savage’s lap. He wanted the healer to look her over, but he needed to make sure she wasn’t in pain. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms while the healer checked her feet and legs. The exam was quick, but thorough.
“You’re very dehydrated.” Harold frowned. “I’d like to take you back to the pride and give you some fluids by I.V.”
“Can you take her back to the pride house for me?” Savage asked, knowing that if his mate was safe, he would be able to take his vengeance out on the male inside the building and the men who were being detained by his alpha. He set her on the seat he’d just occupied and slid out of the truck.
“I’m not leaving you here,” Mary Grace cried. “You’ll kill that male.”
“You’re damn right I’m going to kill that male,” Savage growled, feeling his panther demand blood.
“Savage,” she snapped, touching his arm. When Savage didn’t look directly at his mate, she snarled and called his name again. “Savage! Look at me.”
“I will deal out justice to those who harmed you,” he vowed, pushing back from the door of the truck. “Go home with the healer. I’ll be there soon.”
“Oh no you don’t, Savage Corvera,” Mary Grace cursed, coming alive. She slid out of her seat and pushed a finger into his chest. Savage looked down, then back up at her in disbelief.
“You need to go home, now,” he ordered.
“That male in there was protecting me from the scientist,” she stated, not backing down. Her eyes still glowed amber because her panther was present. “He was taken from his pride and is weak, but he still placed himself in front of me when they would come take me. The only time he didn’t was when they sedated him.”
“He touched you!”
“He’s half crazed, Savage. They drugged him and he didn’t know what he was doing,” she cried, grabbing his arm. “Please help him!”
“I won’t kill him,” Savage conceded, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Please go with Harold, and I will be home soon.”
She searched his face for a moment before nodding toward the healer. Once Savage had her in the car, he turned for the warehouse. He needed to be with his mate, but he also needed to find out what information the lab had gathered so he could destroy it.
The male was dressed when Savage returned to the basement of the warehouse. Talon was sitting on a chair as he talked to the male who’d been locked in a cage with his mate. Both men looked up as he approached. Talon stepped away so Savage could talk to the shifter.
“What’s your name?” Savage demanded.
“Kraven,” the male replied.
“You touched my mate,” Savage stated, his panther prowling beneath his skin. The animal inside wanted more blood.
“I didn’t know,” the male cried. “They drugged me. I didn’t know she was with young until the medicines wore off. After that, I tried to protect her. I really tried, but they would drug me when I wouldn’t mount her. I refused.”
“Oh, God!” Savage swayed. “They wanted you to mount my mate?”
“Yes,” Kraven replied, looking toward the floor. “I didn’t touch her in that way, but I understand if you must put me down. I have failed a female of my race.”
“You didn’t fail my mate,” Savage said, walking up to the male. As much as he wanted blood, he realized that this male was worthy. “Where is your pride?”
“North Carolina,” Kraven answered.
“I’ve contacted them,” Talon announced as he walked in the room, dropping his phone into his back pocket. “They are on their way to pick you up.”
“Where is my alpha?” the male asked, then frowned. “I called for him, but he never answered.”
“Kraven,” Talon sighed sadly, retaking a seat in front of the male. “They killed your alpha. A new alpha has taken the reins. Without his blood and oath, you didn’t have an alpha to reach out to for help. I’m so sorry.”
“Jesus,” Kraven said, running his hands through his short, dark hair.
“You are allowed to stay at our pride until they arrive,” Talon offered.
“I appreciate it, but I don’t know if I can be around the female,” Kraven admitted, glancing at Savage. “My guilt from not protecting her is too much.”
“You may see my mate after the healer has attended to her,” Savage said, feeling sorry for the male. The guilt in his eyes made Savage’s heart hurt. No male should live with that feeling. The females were precious to them and a mate who was with young was most cherished.
“Are you sure?” Kraven asked, his eyes clearing just a little.
“I’d like to have my healer take a look at you as well,” Talon interrupted.
“As soon as I apologize to your mate, I will stay in a hotel room until my pride arrives,” he promised.
“Let’s get out of here,” Savage said, holding out his hand to the male.
Kraven took Savage’s hand in a firm shake. It was over. The shifter was saved and the ones involved were being taken care of by the pride.
Now, he needed to get home to check on his mate and his unborn babe.
“Is my baby okay?” she whimpered. The entire event was finally coming down on her. She was trying to be strong, but the tears just kept leaking out of her eyes.
“Your young is healthy,” the healer promised, putting away his things in a black bag on the dresser. “I would advise you stay on bedrest for a few days. You’ve been through a trauma and your body needs to heal.”
“Okay,” she sighed, wiping at her cheeks. “I think I can do that.”
“Let that I.V. do its thing, and I’m sure you’ll feel even better after a good night’s sleep.” Harold smiled at her. The older man had a gentle bedside manner and she was thankful he was there. She felt at ease with the pride’s doctor.
As the healer started to leave, Mary Grace heard the heavy footfalls of her mate coming down the hallway. Harold stepped outside the door, leaving it open wide for Savage to come through. As soon as he saw the tube hooked up to her arm, his eyes sparked amber, but he didn’t snarl. However, his eyes did glaze over as moisture welled up in the corners.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice cracking slightly.
“I’m going to be fine.” She grinned, relieved that he was there and unharmed.
“Our babe?” His hand rested softly on her belly and she covered his hand with her own.
“Is fine, Savage,” she sighed, stopping herself from rolling her eyes. He’d already told her that he sensed their baby wasn’t harmed, but she figured he wanted the healer to confirm it.
“What can I do?” he asked, looking a bit lost.
“Can you get me some food?” she asked, giving him something to do.
“I’ll have one of the females bring it up,” he said, texting someone from his phone. “What did the healer say?”
Well, that didn’t go as planned. She thought that giving him a task would put him at ease, but it looked like he was going to be a doting mate for the next few days.
“He wants me to rest for a few days,” she admitted.
“Good.” Savage nodded, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, careful of the I.V. attached to her arm. “I need to hold you.”
She didn’t speak as she sat up, allowing him to slide in behind her. Savage pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his massive arms around her, kissing the top of her head. There was no way she was going to tell him to let her go. Not after the craziness of the last several hours.
It didn’t take long before there was a knock on the door. Savage called out for the person to enter the room. Mrs. Shaw, Talon’s mother, entered, setting the tray on the bedside table. “Please let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Shaw,” Mary Grace said, smiling at the woman.
Mrs. Shaw nodded and backed out of the room. Savage reached for the tray and, with one hand, brought it in front of her. She didn’t waste time digging into the food. She was so hungry.
“After you are released from bedrest,” Savage said once she was done eating, “I want to show you our new home.”
“It’s ready?” she squealed, smiling wide.
“It will be tomorrow.” He laughed when she giggled.
“Yes, I can’t wait to see it.”
“Good,” he said, pulling her back to his chest. “I’m ready to move in and start our life together.”
After she ate, Savage held her as she napped against his chest, relishing in the soft purr coming from his chest. The sound was comforting and his warmth helped relax her into a light sleep. The healer came by at some point and removed the I.V., saying that he’d be around if needed. It was hours before a knock on the door woke her. Savage protested, but she called out for whoever was on the other side to come in. Talon opened the door and smiled warmly at him.
“How are you feeling, Mary Grace?” he asked, standing in the doorway. He didn’t make a move to enter.
“I’m feeling much better,” she answered.
“The male who was with you is wanting to see you to apologize,” Talon announced.
“Apologize?” She frowned at Talon. “For what?”
“The male is dealing with a lot of guilt for his part in causing you pain,” Savage explained. “He was given drugs that made him unaware of what he was doing.”
“Oh my God, Savage,” she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “He shouldn’t feel guilty.”
“He is a worthy male, sweetheart,” Savage said, shaking his head. “Any male would be eaten up with sorrow and guilt for harming a pregnant female.”
“Can I see him?” Mary Grace asked, looking to Savage and then to her alpha.
“Only if you feel up to going downstairs,” Talon said, giving her a hard stare.
“I’d like to see him,” she said, then froze. “I don’t even know his name.”
“His name is Kraven and he is a Guardian with a pride in North Carolina,” Talon said, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. “He and his alpha were ambushed when they arrived back at their pride. Kraven was taken and his alpha was killed.”
“That’s why his alpha wasn’t hearing him,” Mary Grace said, wiping at a tear that leaked from her eye.
“They have appointed a new alpha and they are on their way to pick him up,” Talon said. “They should be here in a few hours.”
“May I see him? Is he here?” she asked.
“Come downstairs and put the male at ease so he can go home and start over with his new alpha,” Savage urged.
Mary Grace took Savage’s hand and followed Talon down the large staircase. When they approached the living room, Kraven was sitting in one of the high back chairs by the fireplace, his head hung over his clasped hands. The moment she stepped down into the sunken living room, his head raised and Mary Grace wanted to reach out and hold him. The pain and guilt in his eyes tore at her heart.
“Kraven?” she asked, approaching the male. He looked nothing like he did while in the cage. He’d obviously showered and someone had given him clothes. His jet black hair was combed back away from his face, his ice blue eyes stood out against his tanned skin.
“Mary Grace,” he choked, standing to his full height, but in a move that shocked her, fell to one knee. The male was weak, but this was a sign of respect. Somehow, she knew this. “I am so sorry for laying my hands on you and causing you pain. The drugs they’d given me made me unaware of the things I was doing.”
“You have nothing to feel guilty for,” she told him. “Please, stand up, Kraven.”
“Your mate is a very lucky male,” Kraven said as he nodded toward Savage.
“I am the one who is lucky.” She smiled when he finally stood up from his kneeling position.
“My pride is coming soon, and I thank you for allowing me to apologize in person,” he said, but froze when Savage stepped forward, extending his hand.
“I thank you for protecting my mate,” Savage said, his voice deep and solid. “You saved not only the mate of my heart, but my only babe.”
“No one should ever harm a female,” Kraven declared, his eyes flickering to Mary Grace’s stomach. “I’m just thankful that I was able to shield her when I could.”
“If there is anything I can ever do to repay you, Kraven,” Savage offered, standing tall. “Please let me know.”
“I think I will just go back to my pride and mourn the loss of our alpha,” he answered.
Talon’s phone rang and after a few words, he announced that Kraven’s pride had arrived. The male nodded and walked out the door.
At least his head wasn’t hung in shame when the door closed behind him.