N. Walters - Alexandra's Legacy

Alex was curled on her side with one hand tucked under her head, the other wrapped around the gun. Her silky brown lashes were resting against her cheeks and her mouth was parted ever so slightly as she emitted a soft snoring noise. He smiled, imagining that she’d deny the fact she snored. And it wasn’t really snoring. More of a soft whistle. It was actually very cute.

Tossing his shirt over the back of one of the chairs, he stood and stared at her for the longest time. In less than a day, this woman meant everything to him. How the hell had that happened?

He had no answer. He only knew deep in his gut that she belonged to him. They belonged together. Reaching down, he carefully removed the gun from her grasp and placed it within easy reach on the bedside table. She made a snuffling noise, but she didn’t wake.

Turning off the light, he eased down on the bed beside her and gathered her into his arms. She came easily, settling against his chest as if she’d been doing it for years. He sifted his fingers through her short hair. It was soft and silky, clinging to his fingers as he continued to stroke her.

Contentment filled him. He took a deep breath and felt his entire body relax. Even the wolf within him was content. All it took was this particular woman lying in his arms. There was no doubt in his mind that she was his, and he’d move heaven and earth itself in order to claim her.

James leaned back against the outside wall of the roof of the apartment building where he was currently situated. He glanced down the fire escape that led from the roof to the first floor, making sure it was still clear. The brick was hard and warm against his back even though the sun had gone down a while ago. He’d been hunkered down here most of the day. Watching. Waiting.

After he’d eaten breakfast at the diner this morning, he’d made his way back home using a roundabout route. Making sure no one had seen him, he’d gone into the rundown apartment building across from the garage and climbed up to the rooftop. Avoiding broken glass and some abandoned patio chairs, he’d settled in. Then the long day of surveillance had begun.

As he’d suspected, there had been a few werewolves dispatched to keep an eye on the garage just in case he or Alex returned. They had all been in human form, but James knew them for what they were. It was in the way they watched and waited, patient and cunning. There had been some comings and goings throughout the day as various customers dropped by and left again with perplexed expressions on their faces. It was obvious something had happened, but it was a testament to the kind of neighborhood it was that nobody called the cops.

He’d been sitting here for almost twelve hours now and all but one of the watchers had gone. They’d left one behind skulking in the alleyway just beside the garage. James would have to take care of him first.

One slow inch at a time, he rose to his feet. Even though he’d been in one position for hours, there was no hesitation. All his concentration was on the task ahead. He had to dispose of the bodies from this morning’s fight, lock down the garage and head out of the city.

If all went according to plan, in less than twenty-four hours he’d be in Wolf Creek with Alex.

He swallowed hard as he eased the door to the roof open just enough to slide through, closing it gently behind him. Loping down the stairs, he tried not to think of his daughter. She was the light of his life and her safety was in the hands of another man. He didn’t like it, but he knew it was necessary. It was also time. He’d had Alex to himself for twenty-two years. It was time for her to spread her wings, find a mate and start a family of her own. Things would be different from now on regardless of what he wanted.

He moved silently down the stairs and out the back door of the building. He knew this neighborhood like the back of his hand, had prowled it for years. That gave him a distinct advantage over his pursuers. The sky was clear, the moon visible. It wasn’t full, not yet, but it was close. It hung in the sky like a beautiful yellow orb, beckoning to him, calling him to run wild and free. Soon, he promised himself. As soon as this was over he’d run long and hard.

The smell of the alley assaulted his nostrils as he stalked toward his prey. After all these years, he still hated the scent of garbage and human waste that seemed to permeate the city. It was also the reason he’d settled in this area. All these noxious odors buried his own distinct scent, throwing off any who came searching for him. And there had been a few over the years. This was the first time anyone had ever been successful though.

His boots made no sound on the loose gravel as he moved quickly and silently. He kept to the shadows, the action as natural to him as breathing. Narrowing his eyes, he sighted the young wolf peering out onto the street at the far end of the alley. He was one of the men who’d attacked them this morning.

Like a wraith, he covered the distance between them. His thick, muscled forearm went around the younger man’s neck and he gave a quick, hard twist. The crack sounded unusually loud in the hush of the alley. The man was dead before his mind even had a chance to register he was in trouble. He went limp and James caught him easily, dragging his body into the shadows. He’d deal with this one after he’d finished with the mess inside.

Keeping his eyes and ears open, he sniffed the air. All the usual smells were there, human sweat and garbage and the underlying odors of booze, drugs and desperation. The street looked as it always did this time of night. The bar at the far end of the street was doing a brisk business. The door slammed open and a drunken fool staggered out. A lone, rusty, beat-up car filled with young men cruised up and down the street looking for action. They yelled and hooted at a couple of women who were walking down the sidewalk as they passed by. All in all, it was a regular night in the neighborhood.

His spine tingled as he prowled toward the garage door. Someone was inside. Reaching beneath the tails of his shirt, he withdrew his gun, praying he wouldn’t have to use it. Not that the sound of gunshots was all that unusual, but he didn’t want to do anything that might attract unwanted attention to the place.

He placed his hand on the door handle, turning slowly. It wasn’t locked. Taking a deep breath, he released half of it and sprang into action.

Bending low, he went through the door fast, rolling behind the large metal toolbox that stood just inside the door. It was about four feet high, three feet wide and on wheels. He knew the metal was thick enough to give him some protection.

“I’ve got a gun.” The hoarse voice was familiar. It was also female.

“Divine?”

“James, that you?” He heard a scuffling sound at the other end of the room.

“Yeah, it’s me. You alone?” He could smell her now, sex and heavy perfume, overlaid with cheap whiskey. The scent of death also hung in the air, reminding him of the bodies still to be dealt with.

“I’m alone.” A dim light came on over the workbench. Divine stood there, her face pale beneath the thick coating of makeup, a snub-nosed revolver hanging from one hand. “What the hell happened, James? Where’s Alex?”

James stood, brushed off his jeans and tucked the Glock away again as he strode toward her. “Alex is safe.”

“I don’t understand.” Divine licked her lips, smearing her bright red lipstick. “Otto from the bakery came and got me this morning. I hadn’t even been to bed yet. I was still enjoying the coffee that Alex had given me and having a smoke while I read the paper to unwind after the night. I like to do that you know.” The last was said defensively as if she expected him to scoff or laugh at her.