“Love! What the hell does love have to do with anything?” Riley took a threating step forward.
Maddie stood and dropped the gardening tool she had been using. Fear started to break out along her skin and she could feel the animal within her responding. “I refuse to marry for politics. If you had hoped to get closer to Sam and Nafarius through me then you were mistaken. I will not allow someone to use me that way nor would I do that to Sam and Nafarius.”
“Why you stupid…”
“I think you had better leave.”
Maddie turned in surprise to find Alex walking out from between two trees. She had no idea how long he had been standing there but it was obvious that he had heard at least part of her conversation with Riley.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Riley growled and baring his teeth he slowly lowered himself to the ground.
Maddie saw the signs of an impending attack and moved so as to put herself between Alex and Riley. “Alex, you shouldn’t be out here.”
“Sam suggested I get out and get some sun. Considering that I have no idea where I am Nafarius figured it would be safe enough and that I was unlikely to try and escape.” Alex didn’t like the looks of things. He had no doubt that Riley was willing to take by force what he couldn’t have.
“I suggest you keep walking. This is none of your business; you don’t belong here.” Riley didn’t even bother to try and fight it. His animal surged through to the surface forcing him to change.
Alex watched with absolute fascination as Riley shifted before him. Where once there stood a man now stood a large, dark brown wolf. Even on all fours, Riley’s head came to chest level on Alex. Alex wasn’t a short man.
He saw it coming but was powerless to do anything about it. One moment Riley was standing across the clearing and the next he was air born. His lips were curled back, his teeth bared and a low threatening growl coming from his throat. Just when Alex though enough to move a large, light colored blur shot out from his right.
Maddie caught Riley in mid air. Sinking her teeth into his shoulder she knocked him out of the air and onto his side. Riley recovered quickly and was on his feet shaking the small woman off. Maddie was barely half Riley’s size and she wasn’t use to fighting but her fear for Alex drove her on.
With both of them in animal form Riley saw his opportunity and moved in. But instead of attacking he moved to cover Maddie’s body with his own. If he could join his body with hers then she would be powerless to do anything about it.
Maddie sensed Riley’s intent and turned so that they were face to face. They circled each other and still she waited. Finally, Riley made his move only before Maddie could do anything about it another large shape moved out from the forest and went after Riley.
Growls and the distinct sounds of a fight had drawn her attention. Before reaching the clearing Sam had been able to discern the situation and knew that both Alex and Maddie were in danger. With decisive action she knocked Riley out of the clearing and followed him to the ground where she wrapped her jaws around his neck. When he tried to move she issued a loud growl in warning that had him holding still.
Nafarius, still in human form, arrived a second later. He left Sam to take care of Riley and went to see that Maddie was all right. Already back in human form she was breathing heavy but other than a few scrapes and bruises she looked to be in good shape. “What happened?”
Nafarius wrapped her naked form in his arms and held her. Maddie couldn’t stop shaking. She’d never been involved in a fight before and certainly never with a male member of the pack. “He wouldn’t take no for an answer. When Alex tried to intervene Riley went crazy and attacked him. I couldn’t let him hurt Alex.”
Nafarius looked up to where Alex still stood at the edge of the clearing. “It seems I owe you a thank you.”
Alex seemed to sense that Nafarius wouldn’t be put off. “You’re welcome. Is she okay?”
“She will be just as soon as we get her back home.” Nafarius stood and helped Maddie to her feet. “Can you walk?”
“I’m fine.”
Nafarius looked from Maddie to where Sam still stood with Riley firmly planted beneath her paws. Torn, he wasn’t sure whether he should escort Maddie home or take care of Riley. He was afraid of what Sam would do if left alone with the young man.
Alex stepped in. “I’d be happy to help her home if you’d like.”
“Thank you.” Nafarius transferred Maddie to Alex’s open arms and went to deal with Riley. Neither Alex nor Maddie spoke on the way back to the cave. Once there he helped get her settled before returning to his own alcove. Only one guard remained and Sam assured him it was more for his safety then to prevent his escape.
The next morning Sam wasn’t surprised to see Alex approaching. “Sam? Can I talk with you?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Well, first I was wondering what happened with Riley?” When Sam just stared at him, saying nothing, Alex realized that he wasn’t going to get that information so he moved on to his next question. Taking a deep breath he jumped in with both feet. “What would I have to do in order to approaching Maddie?”
“To what end?” Sam crossed her arms over her breasts and waited. She already suspected but wanted Alex to voice his intent.
“As her mate.” The words came out on a rush of air. Having said them he felt ten times better. He’d spent the night thinking things through and had come up with what seemed like a perfect solution.
“Why?”