“That’s all well and good but I already knew what kind of man my brother is. Why are you here?”
“I, that is we were hoping you would help us.”
“Help you to do what?” Nafarius knew he wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Help us to get free of your brother.” Natasha continued to be evasive.
“And how am I suppose to do that?”
“Welcome us into your pack.”
“Anyone is welcome to join us my mother knows that.”
“I know, but we need your help getting people out. We also need to know that you will defend us when he comes for us.” Natasha sighed. “Nicholas won’t be able to stand such an insult. The fact that his pack members leave will be bad enough but the fact that they come to you, is enemy will be the ultimate insult.”
“Why are you coming to me? If you know that this will cause basically an all out war why not go to some one else?”
“Because you are the only one strong enough to protect us from him.”
Nafarius stood with his arms crossed over his chest looking basically pissed, which was exactly how he felt. “I protect what is mine! If you and others of your pack decide to join with me then I, along with my men, will see that you are kept safe.”
“What about me?” Natasha was afraid that because of her connection with his brother that Nafarius would turn her away.
“You are also welcome. Sam will see that you are settled in better quarters than these.”
“Thank you but first I must go back and talk to the others.”
“You will do no such thing!” That order came from the doorway. Turning Sam saw Roland standing just inside, his hands fisted at his side. “It was that bastard that beat you and left you for dead, wasn’t it?”
Embarrassed, Natasha looked away. “He didn’t know I had gone.”
“How did you come to be in the northern woods?” The question came from Sam but everyone was curious.
“Nicholas and I had an argument, I waited until after he had left to go hunting and then Elizabeth helped me to escape. We both knew that something needed to be done. Nicholas is getting worse. He strikes out at everyone in his way, even his own men have started to fear him and a few have already deserted.”
“You still haven’t told us who beat you.” Roland wanted to hear her say it. He still remembered the sight of her broken and battered in the woods. He could still smell her blood in his nostrils and remembered watching has his mistress fought to save her.
“Nicholas.” Natasha stood and brushed the dirt of her skirt. “He’s a beast and a bully which is why I won’t just sit here while the members of my pack are systematically destroyed.”
“Natasha, I want you to stay here with Sam, Roland and I will handle this. I promise you that we’ll get the rest of your pack out safely, at least those that choose to come with us.”
Natasha struggled against saying something. She wanted to go but Nafarius had agreed to help and she knew it was best to let him handle it. “There are only a few that will remain with him, however, if any of them should find out what you are doing they will warn Nicholas. I suggest finding your mother, she’ll know who to pass the word to so that all is in place.”
Nafarius nodded in dismissal and watched as Sam and Natasha slipped out past the curtain. “How long have you known?”
“She told me right before you called for her. Sam forbid me to accompany her to the meeting or else I would have been there to speak for her.” Roland gave a slight bow. “I am sorry that I did not come and find you as soon as I found out. I was… worried that you would overreact and banish Natasha without first hearing her out.”
Nafarius ran his hands across his face and sighed. “Which is exactly what I started to do.”
“Why didn’t you?” Roland had heard about the events that morning.
“I suddenly remembered how Sam had saved her. I was afraid that if I let Natasha go and Nicholas had sent her she would report back and he would eventually come looking for her. You and I both know how powerful of a weapon controlling another’s animal could be. With my brother’s pence for violence he is the last person we want exploiting such a thing.”
“What are you going to do now?” Together the two men walked back to the common area. The evening meal was being served and after gathering their bowls the two men found a place to sit. Roland couldn’t help but watch as Natasha helped Sam serving the stew and making sure that everyone had enough bread and something to drink. He gave Nafarius his full attention despite the fact that his eyes never left her.
“We’ll take several men north, contact my mother and arrange a place to meet with all those that want to return with us. I figure it won’t take long for Nicholas to figure out where they’ve gone. He’ll move to attack but we’ll be ready for them.”
Nafarius watched Roland watching Natasha. “You really care for the woman?”
“Yes. I’m not sure how it happened but I guess finding her the way I did I now feel a sense of responsibility towards her.”
“We mate for life.” There was more than just a warning in that simple sentence.
“I know.” Roland set aside his bowl and went to speak with Natasha. A few minutes later the two of them disappeared.
That night Sam stretched out beside her mate, her head resting on his shoulder while her hand swept across his chest. She touched him gently, softly bringing him to a low state of arousal and making him aware of her. He had been staring off into space most of the night and she decided it was time to give his brain a rest.
Rolling over on top of him she pressed her breasts against his chest and settled her knees on either side of his thighs. In this position she could feel his manhood pressed firmly against her flat stomach and by shifting slightly she was able to stroke up and down the length of him.