Claimed By The Lycan Read online

  Ignoring him, Torin looked back at Megan. “Mitch is going to die. He’s lost too much blood. Either that or…”

  “Or what?” she asked.

  “He’ll become one of us,” answered Torin.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, puzzled. “I didn’t think that could happen.”

  “Oh, it can,” replied Torin. “I’ve seen it happen.”

  18

  “He’s right,” said Blake. “I’ve also witnessed it. If the victim survives a Lycan bite, he’ll be one himself. But only if they survive.”

  Megan stared down at Mitch, who’d now lost consciousness again. He barely had a pulse and his breathing was shallow. “He will survive,” she said firmly and then turned to Caitlyn. “Do me a favor and go check on Meredith.”

  “I don’t want to go back in there,” said Caitlyn, looking frightened.

  “It’s okay,” said Torin. “Nobody can hurt you in there. The Lycan is dead and I covered her up with a blanket. She probably could use a little comfort, though. From her granddaughter.”

  Caitlyn looked back at Megan, who nodded. “Okay, I will,” she said, walking toward the cabin.

  When Caitlyn was inside, Megan looked at Torin. “We need to help him.”

  “Don’t be stupid,” said Blake, getting angry. “Tell her what a bad idea this is, Torin!”

  “I’m sure he’ll be okay,” said Torin, leaning down. “He just needs a place to rest during the process.”

  “What about a hospital?” she asked.

  “Sure. If you really want that, we can drop him off at one,” he answered.

  “Of course she does.” Blake laughed coldly. “You’ll never change, will you, Megan? Still have the hots for Mitch Falcon. Do you really think that once he’s a Lycan, you two can drift off into the sunset together?”

  “Go to hell,” she said, glaring at him.

  “Oh, I will, but not today. Torin, we need to clean this mess up. Dammit, I wonder where my no-good son is,” he replied, looking into the woods. “He’s going to pay for taking off like this.”

  Torin’s expression was unreadable. “Is that true? Are you in love with this guy?”

  “I was. Once. I haven’t seen him in almost twenty years and… there wasn’t anything going on between us when I left Pine River. Listen, you and I both know that’s not why we need to help him.”

  “Because it’s the humane thing to do?” taunted Blake. “Please. Torin, enough is enough. I need your help with this mess. I’ll pay you extra.”

  “Give me what you already owe me and then I’ll decide whether or not to help you afterward.”

  “I’ll write you a check,” he replied, relaxing.

  “No. I want all of it in cash. Like we agreed.”

  “Fine. It’s in my safe. Let’s get rid of Falcon and take care of Chuck’s body.”

  “Money first,” he replied firmly.

  “Fine. Come with me,” muttered Blake, now heading toward the cabin. When he reached the porch, he paused and looked back. “Oh, and need I remind you that I still have your daughter. Don’t try anything funny, Megan.”

  She grunted.

  Blake stepped into the cabin.

  “I’ll be back,” said Torin, giving her a reassuring smile. “And don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll even help Caitlyn’s father.”

  Megan nodded. “Thank you.”

  After he disappeared into the cabin, she touched Mitch’s forehead, which was hot.

  “You’re going to be okay,” she whispered, staring down at his face. He’d aged, but was still handsome. She remembered that same face staring down at her when he’d taken her virginity. The night that Caitlyn had been conceived, which had also been the night her father was murdered by Blake. She’d loved Mitch so much, or thought she had. Then, after hearing the news about her father, she’d become distant and secretive, which got in the way of their relationship. Then there was the night she’d caught him with that other girl. She couldn’t even remember the name, but it had devastated her. Shortly afterward, she found out she was pregnant and that’s when her mother decided to send her away. That and the fact that Blake had made it known that he was going to claim Megan as his own. If he would have found out she was pregnant with another man’s child, especially Mitch’s, things would have ended badly for all of them.

  “Megan,” whispered Mitch, breaking her out of her thoughts.

  She forced a smile. “You’re awake,” she said, pushing the hair out of his eyes.

  He licked his lips. “Yes, but I’m in a lot of pain. I think… I may need a hospital.”

  “I know. We’re going to get you there.”

  There was a howl in the distance and Mitch tried sitting up. “Have to get out of here. Werewolves. It’s dangerous.”

  “Lycan,” she said, looking around the woods, wondering who it was. Megan looked back down at him. “Werewolves are different and far more volatile.”

  His eyes searched hers. “You know about the Lycan?”

  She smiled sadly. “Yes.”

  “They’ve been murdering the kids in town,” he said, gritting his teeth from another wave of hot pain. “Crazy bastards.”

  She sighed. “You’ve got that right.”

  He let out a ragged breath.

  “Just relax,” she said, rubbing his arm.

  He closed his eyes and opened them. “The girl. Is that your daughter? She looks like Meredith.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted to tell him that Caitlyn was also his, but knew she couldn’t. He wouldn’t understand and it would just make everything worse. “Yes. She’s my daughter.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine.”

  “Good.” He closed his eyes.

  “You’re going to be fine, too.”

  “Okay,” he whispered before passing out again.

  “Dammit,” she said, looking toward the cabin. What was taking so long?

  A loud scream from inside made her jump.

  “Caitlyn!” she gasped, standing up quickly. Megan ran to the cabin just as her daughter burst through the front door, holding a gun.

  “What’s going on?” asked Megan, grabbing it out of her hand. “How did you get this?”

  “They’re fighting. Blake kicked the gun out of his hand and it landed next to me, so… I grabbed it.”

  There was a growl from inside and then a loud thump.

  “Okay, listen to me, I want you to run over to that car over there,” she said, pointing toward Torin’s vehicle. “Get inside and lock the door. Then get down, so nobody sees you.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m going to get my mother,” she said with steely determination.

  “I’m so scared,” Caitlyn answered, her lower lip quivering.

  “Everything is going to be okay. Here. Why don’t you take the gun back, but hold it this way,” she said, showing her. “When you get to the car, put it under the seat for now and whatever you do, never point it toward you or anyone else you don’t want to shoot.”

  “I know,” said Caitlyn, holding the barrel down. “I’ve watched movies.”

  More noises exploded from inside of the cabin.

  Megan nodded toward the car. “Get going and be careful with that gun.”

  “Okay.”

  She watched her daughter make her way to the vehicle and get safely inside. Then she rushed into the cabin.

  “How dare you cross me!” raged Blake, who had shifted into a Lycan, as had Torin. They were circling each other in the great room, which was now in shambles. “I gave you a job to do and now you’re going to screw me over?”

  “You’re the one who has crossed lines,” growled Torin, ready to spring. “Stealing her child and mother. That’s despicable.”

  Blake noticed Megan and smirked. “Who are you trying to kid, Torin? We both know that you’re no angel. Hell, you’re the one who helped me locate Megan and her daughter in the first place.”


  Megan was stunned. “What did you say?”

  “Let’s just say that without Torin’s help, I wouldn’t have known that you were heading back to Pine River. He’s been tracking you for the past few weeks.”

  “Is that true?” she asked Torin, her stomach twisting in angry knots.

  “I didn’t know what he was up to,” he said, trying to explain. “Had I known that he was going to go to these extremes, I would have never helped him find you.”

  “Bullshit. You knew I wanted her and was willing to do anything to claim her. And you didn’t care because you needed the money.” Blake turned to Megan. “Don’t let him pull the wool over your eyes. He’s a lying cheat as well as a gambler, whereas I’ve never lied about who I am. At least, not to you.”

  “You’re not only a liar but you’re also murderer,” spat a voice from the front door.

  Megan turned around and saw a young Lycan with dark fur staring coldly at Blake.

  “Lucah,” said Blake. “Well, look who finally decided to join the party? Where in the hell have you been, boy?”

  “That is the question, isn’t it,” he said, moving into the cabin slowly. Another Lycan walked through the door. “You remember Milayna, don’t you, Father?”

  Blake looked surprised. “Milayna. What are you doing here?”

  The female Lycan smirked. “I came for a visit. Just like you did, a few weeks ago.”

  Realizing that she was there for revenge, Blake stood up on his hind legs. “Get out of my house. Now.”

  “Or what?” she goaded.

  “I’ll rip your head off,” he growled.

  Another Lycan stepped inside the cabin, this one almost as big as Blake. “I’d like to see you try it,” he snarled, ready to spring.

  “Who are you?” asked Blake.

  “He’s my son,” said Milayna, smiling triumphantly. Her eyes narrowed. “My pride and joy. Just like Lucah was Trayna’s.”

  “You do remember my mother, don’t you?” growled Lucah, so angry he could barely get the words out. “The woman you murdered out of spite.”

  “So what if I did?” snapped Blake, glaring back at him. “She was a lousy mother, not worthy of producing any more of our kind. Look at the horrible job she did with you! You are careless, selfish, and have no respect for an alpha, especially for your father.”

  “You killed her. Whatever respect I may have had for you died with her,” he said with hatred.

  “If I were you, I’d leave,” said Milayna, looking at Megan. “So we can finish up with our family reunion.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” said Blake. “I’m the alpha here. I’m in charge of this region. If you think that you have a chance against me, you’ve got another thing coming, bitch.”

  “I’m getting my mother,” mumbled Megan. “Where is she?”

  “In the bedroom down the hallway,” said Torin, turning back into his human form.

  Not looking at him, Megan headed toward the bedroom. When she walked inside, she saw her mother sitting up in bed.

  “Megan,” she cried, opening up her arms.

  Megan rushed to her mother and hugged her. “Mom,” she choked, closing her eyes. It had been so long. Too long. “Thank God you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine,” she said, releasing her. “Almost fully healed. Can we leave now?”

  Torin walked into the bedroom, buck naked.

  “Well, hello there,” said Meredith, blushing. She looked at Megan, a question in her eyes.

  “This is Torin,” said Megan, still furious with him. She needed his help, however, and decided to be cordial, at least until they were away from the cabin.

  He walked into the bathroom and grabbed a towel. “Hi, Meredith. I’ve heard all about you from Megan,” he answered from inside.

  “Nice to meet you. I can’t wait to hear all about you,” said Meredith, smiling slyly at Megan.

  There was a loud crash in the next room, followed by the sound of Blake growling.

  “We need to get out of here,” said Torin, tying the towel around his waist.

  “Did you get your money?” asked Megan dryly.

  “Yes,” he answered, trying to meet her eyes. “Look, I know you’re mad –”

  “Save it. You don’t know anything about me. Now, let’s get out of here,” she snapped, helping Meredith out of bed.

  “I’m okay, honey,” said Meredith, tucking the sheet around her body. “I just wish I had some clothes.”

  “We’ll be home soon and you can get dressed again,” said Megan.

  “You could loan her yours. It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked,” said Torin.

  “Hope you enjoyed it because that was the last time,” she said, glaring at him.

  Meredith covered her mouth with her hand.

  “I guess this means you’re still pissed off?” he asked.

  “I don’t want to talk about it right now. I just want to get as far away from Blake as possible.”

  “So do I,” said Meredith as the sounds of violence in the next room increased. “What’s going on in there, anyway? Is Caitlyn okay?”

  “She’s fine. She’s hiding in Torin’s car,” said Megan, opening the bedroom door. She stuck her head out and saw a flash of fur being thrown across the room down the hallway.

  “Let’s go out the back,” said Torin, moving around her. “This way.”

  They followed him outside and then headed back over to Mitch, who was still unconscious.

  “Can you help me carry him?” she asked Torin.

  “I’ve got him,” he said, bending down. He picked up Mitch like he weighed no more than a loaf of bread, and began walking toward the car.

  “I forgot how strong they are,” whispered Meredith as Torin’s towel fell to the ground. Staring at his toned buttocks, she grinned. “And my, oh my, this one looks to be in prime shape.”

  “So what? He’s a… cad,” said Megan, as they followed him toward the car.

  “A cad?” repeated Meredith, amused. “I haven’t heard that term used in years.”

  “The other term I had for him would have warranted soap in my mouth,” mumbled Megan. “And he’s definitely not worth it.”

  Meredith smiled.

  19

  After a few awkward minutes of Torin driving naked, with Meredith riding shotgun, and Megan, Caitlyn, and Mitch riding in the back, they reached the cabin in one piece.

  “What now?” asked Torin, looking back at Mitch who was still unconscious. “What do you want to do with him?”

  “We take him to Alex and Anna Marie’s,” said Meredith, getting out of the car. “After I get dressed. They’ll know what to do.”

  “Who are they?” asked Megan, following her out.

  “They’re Lycan,” replied Meredith, walking toward the porch. She turned around and looked at her. “Don’t you remember Anna Marie St. Charles?”

  Megan thought back and an image of a short blonde teenager came to her. “That’s… right. She’s a couple of years younger and I guess that I just… forgot. Does she still live in Pine River?”

  “Yep. She moved away for a while and then came back after marrying Alex Spencer. He’s from Wisconsin and also a Lycan.”

  “Whose pack are they with?” asked Torin, grabbing some clothing out of his trunk.

  “Anna Marie’s parents didn’t run with a pack and she basically followed suit. I think Alex still keeps in contact with his old brethren, though. I think he said they’re in Madison.”

  “They’ll take care of Mitch?” asked Megan. “Anna Marie and this guy?”

  “Oh yes. In fact, I’m surprised they haven’t come to his rescue yet. They both work with him and must know that he was headed to Blake’s.”

  “Mitch doesn’t know about them?” asked Caitlyn.

  “No,” replied Meredith, looking toward the dark woods. “Let’s go inside. Mitch will be fine, sleeping in the car. I just need to change.”

  Caitlyn and Megan followed her in as
Torin opened up his trunk for some clothing.

  “Listen, why don’t you two stay here and get some rest while I leave with Torin? I know Caitlyn could use a break from everything,” said Meredith, when they walked into the foyer.

  “I think we should just all get out of here,” said Megan.

  “I doubt we’re in any danger now. You saw what happened back at Blake’s.”

  “We didn’t see squat,” she replied. “Hell, for all we know, he could be finishing them off right now.”

  “God, I hope not.”

  “Just go up and change. We’ll figure it out when you’re back down here,” said Megan.

  “Okay,” replied Meredith, walking up the stairs. “I’ll hurry.”

  The front door opened and Torin stepped inside. “We need to talk,” he said, looking at Megan.

  Frowning, she looked at Caitlyn and noticed how dirty her clothes were. “Why don’t you go upstairs and change, too? I left a suitcase upstairs with some clothing.”

  “Okay,” said Caitlyn, looking exhausted.

  “When you’re done, you and I are going to have a talk, too,” called Megan, worried about her. She’d been through so much and seemed to be taking it well. Almost too well.

  “Yeah, I know,” she said, walking up the stairs.

  When she disappeared around the corner, Megan folded her arms under her chest and turned to him. “Okay, so talk.”

  “I want you and your family to come to Dublin with me.”

  She stared at him in disbelief. “What?”

  “My family owns a castle there. You’ll all be completely safe.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “I’m dead serious. Your lives are all still in danger, you know. Probably more than ever.”

  She felt the same way but hearing it come from his lips made her combative. She was still angry about his deceit. “Blake is probably dead.”

  “Even so, his pack is going to seek revenge and the shit is going to really hit the fan. Not only are they going to come after Lucah, but every other Lycan in this town.”

  “His pack? How big is it?”