N. Walters - Isaiah's Haven

“Do you think I want to live in the city? I hate the crush of people, the stench and the lack of fresh air to breathe. I live for the woods, the wide-open spaces. Freedom.

“My younger brother, Joshua, is in charge of pack security when the job should have been mine. Want to know why?”

She slowly nodded.

“I had a sister,” he began.

Meredith gave a small cry.

Isaiah nodded. “Hunters got her. Rachel was only fifteen. She was in the woods alone.” He gave a bitter laugh. “I was going for a run and she wanted to go with me. I told her no. I never knew she followed me and got lost. By the time I returned that night the pack was in an uproar. She was gone. That was thirty-five years ago, but I’ve never given up looking for the hunters that took her.” He heaved a sigh of frustration. “For all I know, I’ve killed the sonofabitch who took her. I’ll never know for sure.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Meredith whispered. She slid her arms around his waist, hugging him to her.

He closed his eyes and savored her touch and the caring behind it even though he didn’t deserve it. Opening his eyes, he pinned her with his dark gaze. “It was my fault and I’ve had to live with that. It’s why I refused to take over as protector of the pack after my father was killed. My family is everything to me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep them safe. I couldn’t put the pack ahead of them.”

He buried the relentless feelings of helplessness and fury that filled him whenever he thought of his baby sister. “But your safety comes ahead of all of them. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. And since your children are an extension of you, that protection extends to them.

“You asked me what I wanted.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and took a step back. “I want you as my mate. Forever. But even if you say no, I’ll be watching out for you.” The corners of his mouth quirked up. “We’re neighbors. I rented an apartment down the road.”

Meredith didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Isaiah was so brash, so male, so everything. She couldn’t believe he’d rented an apartment in her neighborhood. She’d figured for sure he’d leave the city as soon as his pack business was done, and now he was telling her he was moving in, had already moved in.

The story of his sister tore at her heart. It had happened many years ago, but the anguish tearing at him was as raw as if it had occurred only the day before.

She pulled him closer, unable to let him bear such pain alone. Meredith had a feeling he’d spent too much of his life alone. And for a wolf, that was the worst punishment of all. Pack life was everything.

Her heart was pounding, her blood racing. She hadn’t expected Isaiah to put everything on the line—his heart, his pride, himself. He’d held nothing back. She could only do the same, praying she could be as honest and brave as him.

“I was mated once,” she began. Isaiah tensed, every muscle in his big body rippling. She told him the story of her mating, the way Maxwell had taken her when she was in heat and too weak to refuse him.

His jaw tensed and a nerve pulsed beneath his eye. “I would never do such a thing to you, Meredith. It is your choice.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat and asked the final question she needed an answer to. “What about Hank, Teague, Kevin and Neema? They’ll always be half-breeds.” As much as she loved Isaiah and wanted to be with him, she wouldn’t do anything to put her kids at risk.

Isaiah snorted. “So what? My sister-in-law is a half-breed. All wolf pups are to be protected.”

A huge weight slipped off her shoulders and she laughed. “Just don’t let any of them hear you calling them pups.”

He shrugged. “That’s what they are. They might be a few years past adulthood, but they have a lot to learn.”

She sobered. “That’s my fault. Maybe I’ve protected them too much. Living in the city certainly hasn’t allowed them to explore their werewolf side as much as they should.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Isaiah’s expression was fierce as he curled his hands into fists by his sides. “You’ve protected them and loved them. You’re a hell of a female, Meredith.”

Her decision was so easy to make she knew it was the right one. Smiling, she held out her hand to him. “Come with me.”

Isaiah took her hand and allowed her to lead him away from the bar area toward the back stairs.

Michael passed them on the way, a roll of tape and some butcher paper in his hand.

“Don’t worry about the club. I’ll handle things and start the cleanup.”

“Thank you.” She was so proud of her son. His acceptance of Isaiah and her choice warmed her. She was under no misconception that things would be easy. Isaiah was definitely an alpha male. But her sons needed a male to look up to, to teach them, and Neema needed to see that there were werewolves who would accept and embrace half-breeds.

She still couldn’t believe his sister-in-law was a half-breed. If only she’d known earlier. It would have helped ease some of her fears. No matter. He was here with her now. The threat was behind them and the future loomed before them, more positive than it had been in a long time.

Isaiah’s fingers squeezed hers, the heat of his hand seeping into her skin as she led him up the stairs to her apartment. She could hear the voices of the others, muted as they talked. They all knew Isaiah was here. Michael would have told them.

Meredith pushed open the door of her apartment, pulled Isaiah inside and closed it behind them. The silence was deafening. The refrigerator hummed. A garbage truck rumbled down the street. Isaiah’s breathing was deep and slow.

She started toward the bedroom, but he dug in his heels, stopping her. Turning, she raised her eyebrow in question.

“Give me the words,” he commanded.

He was so big, so tough. His battle-scarred body was a testament to his strength and determination. His dark hair framed his face—the broad forehead, slightly crooked nose and stubborn jaw. His lips were full and sinful and very talented.

A shiver skated down her spine and she licked her lips. His deep brown eyes followed the motion of her tongue, his chest expanding with each breath he took.

He braced his legs slightly apart. The denim of his jeans hugged the thick muscles and curved lovingly around his erection. She wanted to touch him, taste him.

“The words, Meredith,” he growled.

She realized he’d meant what he’d said. It was her choice. Unless she asked him to mate with her, he would walk away.

She felt lighter than she had in years. Like a young female tempting and enticing her chosen mate. And he was her choice. Unlike her first mating, this was about what she wanted.

Isaiah was a male with honor. He was stubborn and possessed a deep streak of protectiveness, which would probably drive her crazy on occasion. But she wouldn’t change anything about him. He was perfect for her just as he was.

“I love you, Isaiah. Mate with me. Share my pack.”

He didn’t move, didn’t twitch. His eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. Then he pounced. He moved so fast she had no time to react. She was in his arms and he was barreling toward the bedroom.

The door slammed shut and the bed was in front of her. He lowered her, starting to strip off her clothing before her feet had barely hit the floor.

“I’ve got to have you naked,” he gritted out from between clenched teeth. His desperation was infectious, and she jerked at his shirt. She needed to see his bare flesh.

They both tugged and pulled. Fabric ripped and then the cool air hit her skin. They were both naked from the waist up. Isaiah gave a low growl, dipped his head and captured one of her straining nipples between his lips. His tongue curled around the bud before he suckled.