Between Witches and Wolves

Chapter 17: Problems

Nate

I made it back to the cabin in only twenty minutes. I’ve never driven that fast in my life. I figured if I crashed, I could shift and run the rest of the way. Nothing mattered more than getting to that cabin.

I try to mind link Alex, but nothing is getting through.

Damnit, what is going on over there?

I race up the driveway and jump out of the truck. I slam open the front door and yell, “Ellie! Alex! Where are you?!”

No one is in the living area or kitchen, but the bedroom door is closed. I knock on the door.

“Are y’all in there?”

And then I hear something that makes my blood run cold.

I can hear Ellie moaning.

Ash immediately takes over, ripping our clothes to shreds, and barges into the room. Ellie is on the bed, naked and m**********g. Ash immediately looks around the room.

Where the f**k is Alex?

I hear a noise come from outside. Ash darts out of the room and around to where the noise is coming from.

There he f*****g is.

Standing in the tree line is Alex. He notices Ash staring him down.

“There you are! f**k me, it took you long enough.”

Now that Ash realizes there is no actual danger, we transform back into our human form.

“Why the f**k have you not been answering me?! You told me to get here but didn’t care to f*****g explain the situation! When I heard her... I thought... I thought you were...”

I can’t even get the words out. My blood feels like it’s boiling.

“I didn’t touch her. There was an aphrodisiac in the drug mixture. I had to completely shut Void out, and that includes the link, so that I wouldn’t hear her. You know how hard it is to hold back when a female is begging for relief. I’m out here to protect her from myself.”

That explanation just pisses me off more. I know rationally that when a female, wolf or not, is aroused, that smell speaks to our wolves and can damn near put us in a rut if the woman smells good enough. And then there is no stopping until we can knot in her two or three times. For a human, that can be a death sentence.

But just the thought of him doing anything to her, even just touching her skin, pisses me the f**k off.

“Okay. Fine. But what do we do now? We can’t leave her like that. We would be risking her life if one of us goes into a rut.” I take a breath and think for a moment. “I’ll call Emily back. She can help, and we can take a run into the mountains until she comes out of it. Mikey will just have to lend us his mate a bit longer than expected.”

“Sounds good. I’ll mind link her once I get a mile away. Void is already on edge, so I’m going to jog out before transforming and get some distance.”

With that, Alex turns and runs into the forest.

He better stay the f**k away from her.

I can hear Ash growling. He has gotten very possessive over her and is just as pissed at the thought of them together.

Fuck! What is wrong with me?

I just don’t understand why this human girl means so much to me and Ash. This isn’t normal. I haven’t been able to get her off my mind since I first saw her in that damn club.

I punch a nearby tree and watch as leaves fall. I need to snap out of whatever this is.

I am trying to keep my distance from the cabin because the last thing I want to do is hurt her by going into a rut. But it also hurts so damn much to know she is suffering in there and I can’t do anything to help.

Without realizing it, I drift to the window outside the cabin.

“Please... Pleaseee... Someone... I...”

I can hear her moaning, and I hear the bedsheets rustling as she is writhing in bed.

Then I see a car pull up.

It’s Emily.

I run up to her as she gets out.

“What happened?” she asks.

“Aphrodisiac in the drugs that is now in full effect, and our wolves are wanting to respond and rut.” I quickly explain the situation while walking her to the front door.

“Okay, I got it from here.”

She walks in, and I can smell Ellie’s arousal from here, and goddamn, she f*****g smells amazing. I immediately have a b***r and a strong urge to go inside.

Instead, I go back to the window outside and listen in.

“I’m here, Ellie. It’s me, Emily. I’m here to help. Permission to touch?”

Emily was a good choice. She is so kind.

“Please! Help me. Make it stop.”

I can’t see what is happening, but I can still hear Ellie moaning, and my b***r is starting to f*****g kill me.

But it doesn’t stay that way long because, as Ellie reaches a climax, she calls out for someone.

And it wasn’t my name.

“Ohhhh... Alex... Yes...”

WHAT THE f**k?!?!?!?

Ash immediately takes over, and we rip our clothes again during the transformation. Ash darts into the woods, sniffing for Alex’s scent. As soon as he catches the scent, he is hot on the trail.

Ash is out for blood.

Why the f**k is she saying his name? What did he do with her before I got here?

DID HE f*****g TOUCH HER?!

Kill him! I will rip his throat out! Ash screams at me with a guttural growl.

I’m just as pissed as he is, but we have to be rational. We can’t kill our brother. I try to calm him down, but I swear it’s like talking to a brick wall.

I don’t give a f**k who he is! I will kill him for touching what is mine! he declares boldly.

But that’s just it, Ash, she isn’t ours! We have no claim on her. She’s a human. So calm the f**k down. Also, he is your future alpha, remember?

I can feel us gaining on Void, and I want to get Ash’s murderous rage calmed down before that happens.

He stays silent. I guess I struck a nerve because he comes to a complete stop, breathing deeply. Then he starts walking in circles.

I can feel his indecisiveness. He’s pissed, hurt, and confused. He doesn’t understand this just as much as I don’t.

Why is a human having such an effect on us?

It’s confusing as hell.

She called his name, Ash says in a low growl.

And I promise we will figure out why, but we won’t get answers if you kill him.

He finally nods in agreement.

Can I still beat his ass? he asks me.

Fuck yes.

I can’t just let Alex get away with whatever he did, even if he didn’t do anything. She still called his name, and we can’t let that slide.

Ash goes back to tracking Void, but we don’t have to look far since Void is coming to find us as well. Ash circles around to get the jump on Void.

As soon as we notice that Void has caught our scent, Ash pounces on him.

There you are! Thought you took long enough. Void, or rather Alex, mind-links me.

What the f**k did you do to Ellie?!

Ash is growling and showing teeth. His hackles are up, and he probably looks menacing. Void starts to react to Ash’s anger as well.

What do you mean? I didn’t do anything. I told you that.

He must think we are stupid because now that I’m close enough, with Ash’s sense of smell, I can smell her on him.

BULLSHIT! Then why do you smell like her, huh?!?!?

Ash snaps at him, and we start circling each other.

Because I went to check on her, and she pulled me into a hug. Get over yourself, Nate.

The way she called for him, though- I know he isn’t telling me everything.

THEN WHY THE f**k DID SHE CALL OUT YOUR NAME?!

I can’t hold back the anger anymore, and neither can Ash. He lunges for Void, and we start to tumble.

Bites here and there, claws digging into flesh.

We fight for a moment and then start circling again, somewhat calmed down now that we see Void take some damage.

She called out for me, huh? Why does it matter? It’s not like she’s yours.

Wrong f*****g thing to say.

Ash lunges again, and this time, he goes for the throat.

He misses Void’s throat but bites deep into his shoulder. A howl of pain can be heard coming from Void. We toss him to the side and go in for another bite.

But we hear Emily mind-link us before we get the chance.

The aphrodisiac is out of her system. She’s taking a shower, and I’ve got everything in the wash. Should be safe for y’all to come back.

Without thinking, Ash takes off toward the cabin.

He wants to see her.

Needs to see her.