N. Walters - Finding Chrissten

He dragged his hands over his face. “I’m sorry. I promised myself I wouldn’t do this.”

Chrissten was slightly shocked by the apology. She didn’t think it was something he did on a regular basis. She inclined her head, silently accepting it.

Donovan shook his head. “You’re too much like me.” He glanced at Quinn and then back at her. “You both are. I wish to hell I’d known about you years ago.”

“It’s no one’s fault. Not really.” And it wasn’t. He’d walked away from her mother not knowing she was pregnant. Her mother hadn’t known how to find him, had been afraid to approach the few other werewolves she recognized for fear of how they’d react to her children. The result was they’d grown up without a father. It happened to children all over the world. It wasn’t a complete tragedy. They’d had a loving mother and they’d had one another and Craig.

“Still. If I’d known about you, your kidnapping would never have happened.”

“You don’t know that,” she pointed out. “From what I’ve learned your pack has had problems too. It seems that nowhere is safe.”

Quinn was quiet beside her, taking in the conversation but saying nothing. She wondered how he felt about having to deal with their father.

Donovan looked chagrined as he picked up his beer and took a long pull. The bottle came back down onto the table with a hard crack. “You’re right about that. I may not be able to control the rest of the world, but I can help with this.”

Quinn finally stirred. “Are you saying you’ll help?”

Donovan closed his eyes briefly, but not before Chrissten caught the flash of pain in them. “Of course I will,” he said. “You shouldn’t even have to ask.”

A blast of relief went through her. With Donovan helping to protect her family they would be much safer, and speaking of family. “Where’s Craig?”

Her twin gave her a brief smile. “Where do you think?”

“On the computer.” She should have known. Craig would barely take the time to sleep and eat. He was going to get ill if he kept it up.

“He’s determined to find the rogues so we can stop them.”

Chrissten knew if anyone could do it, Craig could. She turned to her father. “Is Craig included in your protection?” She knew werewolves were suspicious of humans. They might have a right to be but Craig was her brother.

Donovan gave a sharp nod. “Yes, although he probably doesn’t need it. That damn vampire has made it more than clear that he considers Craig to be under his protection.”

Chrissten didn’t know whether she should be thrilled or scared to death by that pronouncement.

She automatically sought out Hank, needing his presence to ground her.

Hank wanted to leave his post at the door and go to Chrissten. He hated the fact she had to deal with her father and brother by herself. He should be by her side. Damn Brian. Damn them all. Frustration ate him while outwardly he showed nothing to the world.

He could tell Chrissten was hungry. Probably tired again too. It had taken an enormous amount of energy for her to make the transition to her wolf and back again. Just thinking about it made Hank hot. She was one sexy she-wolf. But he’d known she would be.

It also made him want to take care of her, which was why he’d sent over the juice. She needed the vitamins and sugar boost. He would have ignored the men totally but that would have only raised more suspicions about them. Not that Quinn would have much doubt by this time. The guy wasn’t stupid. He had to know Hank wanted his sister.

And why wasn’t he feeding her? Chrissten needed food. Hank managed to catch Neema’s attention as she dropped off two orders of fish and chips at one table and a hamburger platter to another. She automatically made her way over to him.

He smiled at her. She was the sister he’d never had and he knew he could count on her. “What’s up?” she asked.

“Chrissten’s got to be hungry. She needs something to eat.”

Neema’s eyes widened and filled with speculation, but all she did was smile. “Does she need anything in particular?”

Hank nodded. “Lean turkey sandwich on whole wheat with lettuce and tomato.” The protein would be good for her. She needed healthy food, not deep-fried. “Maybe a salad too.” He knew she liked garden salad. “With French dressing.”

Neema patted his arm. “You got it.”

“Thanks, honey.”

“No problem. Just be careful, okay.”

“I will.” He’d be careful, but he wouldn’t back away. It was already way too late for that. He knew Chrissten was meant to be his mate even if she didn’t. First he had to get rid of the threat of Brian. Then he had to give her time to accept him and pray that she did. If she decided to walk away from him when this was over he didn’t know if he’d ever recover.

Even from here, he could sense her tension. He wanted to go over to the table and drag her away from the men. Like that would go over well. Donovan and Quinn would both protest, not to mention Chrissten.

The last thought made him grin. Chrissten was an independent, strong woman. But that was okay by him. He’d been watching Meredith run their pack for years. Strong women didn’t intimidate him at all. In fact, unlike most pureblooded werewolves, he found the trait incredibly sexy. Was there anything like the moment when a fiercely independent woman let down her guard, made herself vulnerable and allowed a male in her bed?

His dick jerked in agreement. Hank shifted his stance, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure on his hard-on. Didn’t work. Thankfully, he’d left his shirt untucked and the tails covered the bulge in the front of his jeans.

His head jerked up and he forgot all about his arousal as a blast of power hit him square in the chest. Only one person made him feel like this. “Damek.”

He nodded at the vampire who seemed to appear out of nowhere. He’d never made an appearance during business hours. This was a first.

“What’s happened?” Hank demanded. Something big must have come up if the vampire was willing to leave his lair and come here while Haven was open.

Damek studied Hank with his dark, unfathomable eyes. “Will you give everything for her?”

They both knew who the her in question was. There was no hiding what he felt from the vampire. Hank knew Damek had picked up on that right away. “Yes.” No qualifications. No hesitation. Hank would do whatever it took to make Chrissten safe.

“Good.” Damek looked toward the back of the room where Chrissten was sitting. “We must talk.” The vampire strode into the place like he owned it. People automatically moved out of his way as he walked across the room and headed toward the office. Women’s gazes were drawn to him and several of them started to follow him before catching themselves and stopping.

That was some lure the vampire had going on. He probably had no problem getting blood donors for meals and snacks.

“Shit.” Hank wasn’t about to be left behind. “Watch the door,” he called out to Benjamin. “I’ll send Kevin out.” Kevin wasn’t as physically intimidating at he was, but he was still a half-breed werewolf and could handle any human trouble.

Hank went straight to the back of the room. Chrissten, Quinn and Donovan had noticed Damek. No disguising that blast of power that preceded him. Hank figured the bastard did it on purpose, a calling card of sorts.

They were all on their feet when he got there.

“What’s going on?” Chrissten was chewing on her bottom lip. Hank wanted to lick her poor mouth and then kiss it.

“I’m not sure. But he says he has news.” Hank didn’t wait, but took Chrissten’s arm and led her toward the office. Behind him, her father and brother bristled. Turning his back on potential enemies went against his grain, but Hank trusted them to remain civil with Chrissten so close and with a crowd of humans surrounding them.