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  Not five minutes later, a small plane or a large jet lands in the distance. Dad never said anything about giving them clearance to bring a private jet.

  If they had a jet all this time, why wouldn’t that have been their transportation the whole way to and from the chosen location?

  Something is definitely wrong here. I don’t need my wolf senses to tell me that.

  Darien’s two men, whose names I discovered to be Garrett and Ryan, grab my two bags out of the trunk. If I had known we would have a private jet, I may have packed a few more things.

  Darien takes my arm a little too roughly and hurries me toward the jet. I pull my arm free, but keep his hurried pace just so he won’t try to touch me again. Though he gives me a hard glare, he lets it go.

  He rushes up the ramp before me, and with his back turned, I play with the idea of running again. Suddenly Garrett is behind me, reminding me that I am definitely not alone. Not that I couldn’t outrun them all, but I have a job to do.

  Are they really just going to leave the hummer stranded out here? Oh well, I guess it doesn’t concern me. Apparently, I wasn’t privy to all of the details of this arrangement.

  With a defeated sigh, I continue up the ramp.

  “Are we ready for takeoff?” I hear Darien ask the pilot as I step into the cabin.

  “Almost sir, I just need to double check a few things and top off on fuel, and then we will be off.”

  “Fine, just hurry up,” the Alpha dismisses him. Asshole. “Come sit, my pretty,” he calls to me from the luxury bench seat.

  Instead of obeying, I just stare at him like he is out of his mind, which he is if he thinks calling me stupid pet names is going to work for him.

  Strong hands push me from behind and deposit me on the seat beside Darien. Damn. This man handling shit needs to be dealt with and soon. Clearly these men think they can push me around, and I was going to play cute and innocent, but I won’t stand for this treatment.

  “You are a feisty one aren’t you,” he smiles wickedly. Yes, I am, and I want to scratch your eyes out right now. I settle for just glaring in response.

  Apparently, he took that as a sign for him to straddle me. His movement catches me off guard. I try to push him off but his weight pins me down.

  Gathering my strength, I prepare to knock him off using one of the moves that my uncles taught me, but Ryan and Garrett grab my arms from each side as Darien holds my face still. His disgusting breath hits me at full blast.

  “You were going to be a gift to my son, but sadly I will have to give you to him used. I’ve never had a woman quite as spunky as you, and I just have to try you out. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a virgin. Don’t worry though, he’s not a virgin either.”

  What? Since when does Darien have a son? He definitely isn’t old enough to have a son near my age, that’s for damn sure.

  Then everything begins to make sense; the Hummer they abandoned, the tense atmosphere since we left my home, the fact that he definitely doesn’t look like he’s in his twenties, and now the unplanned jet. I don’t know how it is possible, but this is not Darien Shield. Shit.

  Darien

  “Which trail is theirs?” I sniff around in anger. I should have been happy about this turn of events. I should be thrilled that she is gone, and let things be as they were. After all, she isn’t my problem, but for some reason, I feel like it is. Spoiled brat or not, no one deserves whatever she might be going through right now.

  “What are you doing?” Alpha Wilder questions me.

  “What does it look like? I’m going after them. Now, which trail is theirs?” I ask impatiently.

  “This is it,” one of his wolves’ call, and I hurry over to check it out. I pick it up easily as it is the strongest scent from being the most recent.

  It’s obvious that the woodsy, berry scent must belong to the female. My wolf rumbles in approval. He is angry that they took what is his. I shake his thoughts from my head.

  My eyes search the darkening sky. Hopefully the snow stays at bay to keep from covering up their fresh tire tracks.

  “You would do that? You will go after my daughter?”

  “I’m sure going to try,” I start undressing and find the Alpha’s confused gaze. “I will be faster on four legs in this weather and terrain,” I explain to him.

  “Take my two best men, Charles and Niko,” he calls them to attention, and I don’t argue his request. “I would go too, but if we both go as the wolf, one of us may not make it back. I will follow behind you shortly.”

  It is true that we are both close to reaching our limit. I can’t help but wonder why he would go after her. Though it’s not strange for a father to want to protect his own daughter, it is not protocol. She was no longer his responsibility once he handed her over. It must be because of the fact that he had been deceived. I couldn’t see my parents doing the same for anything other than that reason alone.

  I can’t help but wonder what is so special about this girl that he has kept her untouchable until now?

  Before anything else can be said, I change into my wolf form and sprint at full speed down the trail with four wolves on my tail as we set out to rescue the Alpha’s daughter; my future mate if I can get to her in time.

  There were many possible situations I could have come upon, but I would have never guessed in a million years that this is what I would find. I am amazed that we even got here in time, but I am even more amazed by the scene that’s taking place in front of me.

  Chapter 5

  Ari

  “Who are you?” I question the asshole gripping my face between rough hands. Panic sears every cell in my body. I am alone, up against at least four wolves, though I have no idea if there is another pilot that I didn’t see.

  “Alpha John Flint of the Canadian pack, Miss,” he laughs as he moves in to sniff my neck and I try not to faint with repulsion.

  “What do you want with me?” I try to distract him.

  “I want your land little pup. I want my land back. Plus, I heard that you, the Alaskan Alpha’s infamous daughter that is too good for everyone, was going to be part of the deal. It was so perfect that I just had to interfere. You are my bargaining chip, my dear. Without you, the PNW US pack can’t join forces, and I can get Alaska to surrender to my will,” he laughs like a maniac, but he is surprised when my own laugh joins his. He stares at me as if I have gone mad.

  “You think they will surrender just because of me? You are even stupider than I thought!” I continue to laugh but am cut off by a sharp pain against my cheek. I move to retaliate, but the two goons keep me pinned in place.

  “I think you have done enough talking for now. Obviously, your dad has some soft spot for you, or else he would have given you to me a long time ago. I will get what I want, and right now that’s your body, sweet Ari,” he growls before tearing through my favorite top, leaving me in just my bra. Big mistake.

  From the moment this prick showed up today, my anger had been ignited. The flames burn hotter and hotter with every passing second. First the princess comments, the manhandling, the slap, and now this. The only thing keeping me cooperative was the fact that he is supposed to be Darien Shield, which he apparently is not. Even if he was the real deal, I have officially been pushed over the edge. Enough was enough. It’s time to show them the real Ari.

  This time, I catch him off guard as I slam my head into his nose, causing blood to gush down his face and onto my bared skin. I then remember that two dominant wolves are still here, and hold my arms hard enough to leave bruises.

  Fuck it. I don’t care if I die fighting. I will not let them have their way with me. These meatheads messed with the wrong girl.

  Alpha Flint howls in pain and I watch as he struggles to keep his wolf under control. Ryan and Garrett pull me to my feet. Just what I needed, I smile to myself. I use the momentum to do a split jump, kicking both legs straight out. I make contact to each of their stomachs, causing meathead one and two to release
me, though they about pull my arms out of socket as they fall.

  Catching myself on one knee, I am back up in an instant. Garrett reaches me first and I land a hard punch to his face, followed by a swift kick to the groin.

  Thankfully a lot of males underestimate me for being a female, or else I might not get such easy shots. I use my training and search for a weapon, but the space is clear of objects aside from a couple of pillows. Unless they are going to lie down and let me smother them to death, I am stuck with my fists alone.

  I leap for the door in order to create more distance, but the pilot’s return catches me by surprise. My fist thrusts out reflexively, effectively knocking him back down the ramp. He is definitely a submissive wolf. He stood no chance, even when catching me off guard. If I had told him to fling himself down the ramp he probably would have. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

  Yanked back by my hair, I again use the momentum to slam my back into my attacker, throwing elbows and aiming for the soft spots.

  He grunts, releasing me, and it turns out to be Ryan that I have knocked down, but he will be up again soon.

  It takes a lot to keep a dominant wolf down, which is why I would not live to see another day again. Fighting my pack mates, I learned their fighting styles, but these are new opponents, and these intend me serious harm. It’s because of that, that I would not deceive myself into thinking I could make it out alive tonight. I will definitely be giving them hell though. I wanted to see real battle, and I am getting my last dying wish, and enjoying the shit out of it.

  I turn my attention to my other attackers just feet away from me and move back into fighting position. Instead of charging me, I find them glaring at the open door to my back left. They almost look nervous now. I let my gaze follow theirs.

  In the doorway stands a large man, easily a head taller than me, with dark brown hair, and bright, emerald green eyes that seem to glow with intense anger.

  He is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. He looks dangerous. Those emerald eyes seem to burn brighter when they meet mine. My wolf eyes surface to meet his. I realize then that he is buck ass naked, and I make an effort to keep my eyes on his face and no lower, even if my traitorous eyes do want to wander.

  Deep down in my soul, I know that this man is the real Darien Shield. That fact scares me more than the three dominant wolves I’m fighting off. This is the actual man who is to become my mate. How the hell did he find me here?

  Hearing movement behind me, I quickly drop down and kick out a hard sweep, knocking Garrett on his face. Before I can move to strike again, the real Darien is on him, quickly knocking him unconscious before leaping over me toward the now wolf form of Alpha Flint.

  I barely get the chance to take in his dark gray wolf with those piercing, ice blue eyes before Ryan is back up and moving to help his Alpha. However, four more men suddenly appear and it takes two of them to get him outside of the small cabin. Was that Charlie and Niko?

  Now that I have been kicked out of the fight, I am very aware of my state of dress. Dammit all to hell. That was my nice outfit too. And the real Darien didn’t even get to see it. Why do I care? The excitement of the fight must be getting to me, or maybe I’m annoyed that his first image of me is in shredded clothing and covered in blood. I’m not used to showing so much skin.

  I try to shrink into myself and cover up, though I don’t know what the big deal is, when my soon to be mate is as free as a jay bird.

  Us wolves get over the nakedness pretty quickly, but since I avoided everyone, no one has ever seen me naked. Not passed the age of like two anyways. Now I kind of wished someone had just so that this wouldn’t feel so damn awkward. My shyness is a hindrance on my current situation. Who would have thought?

  In the blink of an eye, Darien shifts into his wolf form. He is even more massive now, with fur so dark, it is almost black, and his eyes really are glowing now. His wolf form is beautiful, and the sheer size of him is intimidating. Not only that, but I can see the absolute fury in his eyes as he faces off with the other Alpha. Even after appearing to have run all the way here, he still has enough energy to take on another high-ranking Alpha.

  They both move with great force and incredible speed. Darien is obviously the stronger of the two as he backs the gray wolf into a corner, but he is blindsided by a swift bite on the arm before being tackled across the jets cabin. Cheap shot, Alpha Flint.

  I am too busy watching Darien get back up to realize that Alpha Flint is now charging to attack me. To kill me.

  Before I can retaliate or move out of the way, Darien’s body takes a protective stance in front of me, and he braces for impact. My eyes widen with fear. Fear for Darien. And that terrifies me even more. Why on earth do I care?

  Darien

  We had crept quietly up to the unmarked jet in the middle of the field. If we lose the element of surprise, this rescue will not be much of a rescue at all.

  The other men and I change back into our human forms so that we can climb the narrow ramp without our claws scraping at each step. Hell, they probably smell us by now, but they haven’t peeked out the open door yet. It’s as if something is distracting them. I’m afraid to find out what that distraction might be.

  As I am about to start our climb, a man, a werewolf, is flying down the stairs. Backwards. I prepare to attack the enemy, but he isn’t moving. Unconscious. What in the hell is going on up there? I hurry up the stairs and take in the scene before me.

  Blood is everywhere. The one I assume to be Alpha, due to his substantial size, is soaked in the blood, while the others each look a little worse for wear as well.

  I search for the culprit who caused the gore and my eyes land on a lean, muscled masterpiece of perfect curves, rocking jeans and sexy combat boots.

  When she turns, and those hard, hazel eyes find mine, I feel like I am having an out of body experience.

  The fight around me is nonexistent and for a split second, it is just me and her. The woman before me is absolutely breathtaking. I can’t help but memorize every detail of her luscious dark lips, bright eyes, and brown hair that I want to run my hands through.

  As I look her over, I notice that she has no shirt or jacket, but is wearing blood, and matching bruises on each arm.

  My anger comes swift and wild and I am moving the moment I see one of the males make a move toward her. Before I can reach her though, she is down low sweeping the males feet out from under him.

  I am on him the instant he hits the ground and land a blow that I know he won’t be recovering from anytime soon.

  Wasting no time, I am up leaping over the fierce woman before the Alpha can reach her. No one is going to touch her like that ever again.

  Tackling the gray wolf away from my mate, I simultaneously shift into my wolf form. My mate? Strange how easy the word comes to me in this moment, but somehow it feels right.

  Mine, my wolf growls. Shit. The Alpha catches me during my revelation and tackles me away, leaving her wide open, and she isn’t watching him, but me. Is that worry in her eyes?

  The gray wolf makes a b-line for her and I am up in a flash, moving faster than I ever have before. Blocking his path, I shield her from him, and brace for impact. After this hit, I’m going to need my men to help me finish him off.

  No one is more surprised than me when her hands grip my fur. She uses my body to leap over me and lands a clean kick straight into the wolf’s face. It is enough force to keep him from slamming into me, but not enough to take him out, and he is already going after her again.

  He has her pinned in an instant, a claw digging into her bare stomach. Fury erupts in me like white-hot lightning.

  I don’t know how or when it happened, but the Alpha’s throat is suddenly in between my teeth and I am seconds away from ending his pathetic life, like so many Alpha’s before him. He snarls at me, but I can feel his fear as he desperately tries to free himself.

  “Wait! Darien!” I am caught off guard by hearing my name from her lips. S
he knows that I am the real Darien? “If you kill him, you will start a war.”

  I growl in response. Like I care after what he almost did. Her eyes bore into mine and I can feel the strength she holds.

  “Trust me, I more than anyone agrees that he needs to die, and would love to kill him myself, but think about your pack. I won’t stop you from killing the bastard. He is more than deserving of death. I just want to remind you why you and I are here. To prevent a war; not start one,” she soothes with her hypnotizing voice.

  Before I can consider her words, she lands a swift roundhouse kick to the Alphas head, narrowly missing my face, but something tells me she would have hit me too if she wanted to. My wolf’s excitement is unlike anything I have felt through him before. He wants her now.

  The Alpha now lies unconscious in my grasp and I harshly toss his body aside. My, um—ah hell, who cares—my mate is rubbing at the bruises on her arms and I involuntarily move towards her. She stops when she sees me take notice.

  I sniff her sweet scent, in search of hidden injuries. She has a large wound on her stomach from the claw mark, but it’s already healing. The majority of blood I noticed when I first found her, I can smell is thankfully not hers, but the Alphas. When I find nothing life threatening, my nose presses against her belly in relief. I immediately regret it when I startle her and she flinches away from me. What am I thinking?

  I turn and growl as two men that aren’t mine run in, but they stupidly ignore me and head straight towards the girl.

  My snarl cuts off when I realize it is the men who were sent with me by Alpha Wilder. Their scent was not recognizable at first because they appear to be wearing the Canadian wolves clothing since they had shredded theirs in their shift.

  “There’s our girl,” they snatch her up, and I have to fight to keep myself in check. Maybe it is time for me to find some clothes and shift back to something a little less hostile than my amped up wolf right now. Normally I have perfect control on my furry half, but I don’t feel so in control at the moment.