Juan (The Juarez Pack Book 1) Read online

  “Get her to the doctors Harry,” he said.

  Harry yelped and he turned to see a guard aiming a gun on the direction of her and his mate. His change was instantaneous and he leaped for the guard as the gun went off. He felt the burn of the bullet but the guard’s throat was between his jaws and blood rushed out. Getting shot hadn’t been his intention but he would die to save his female. Trying to stand up wasn’t working well and in the end Harry transported him to the medical personnel.

  Before he passed out he saw Amee crying. “Tell me he’ll be okay,” she asked.

  “I won’t know until I get a closer look. His reaction is more than the wound should cause,” the doctor said. Pulling out a radio he spoke into it. “Watch out for poisoned bullets.”

  Barely conscious, Juan wasn’t happy to learn he’d been poisoned. It made sense since they were dealing with supernaturals and they would want to safeguard their prizes. Not sure if he was dreaming or not, he saw Amee holding his hand and crying. Was she crying for him? It was his desire to save her not to make her sad. Was it possible she cared if he lived or died? Harry was talking to her and trying to drag her away.

  “You need to clean up and eat, then I’ll bring you back to see him. By then they might know how he’s doing,” Harry argued as she dragged his mate away.

  It was weird to be aware but unable to respond. Trapped in a body that absorbed the sounds and sights around it but couldn’t give anything back. His father came over next and held his hand.

  “He’s not dead, his body has warmth. Get over here and fix him,” he demanded. It was just like his dad to make demands and expect results.

  “I didn’t say he was dead, I said he was poisoned. Once I know what with, I can look for a cure. Aren’t there any prisoners that can talk?” the doctor asked.

  “I’ll find one,” Ryker promised and took off leaving his dad standing next to him holding his hand.

  Moments later, or so it seemed his mate once again stood near him. She took his other hand and she looked at his dad. “He jumped the guard who had a gun,” she sniffed as she spoke.

  “What happened to the guard?” his dad asked.

  “He’s dead. Juan took him out,” she explained.

  “How are you feeling? I doubt they treated you with much care,” his dad observed.

  “We had hoses to get ourselves water but they didn’t feed us for two days. They didn’t want to spend any of their profits on us. They were planning on making a fortune. Who else came here with you?” she asked.

  “Juan came first with his usual crew, he called in Damon with his crew and a few supplemental soldiers, he also called me and I brought two teams from our pack. Apparently it was enough,” he said with a half-smile.

  Chapter 6

  Recovery

  “What do you mean there’s no cure?” Amee asked.

  The doctor rubbed his chin, looked her straight in the eyes, and explained, “They’ve used a combination of drugs and wolf’s bane. Now wolf’s bane is normally little more than an irritant to most wolves but it does make them sensitive to human drugs. I don’t believe it will be lethal but it is clearly harmful. It will have to leave his system a little bit at a time. I recommend sweating him, giving him as much fluid as you can get in him, and give him a reason to fight the toxic effects of the poison. Time will tell, but I’ve done all I can.”

  Her eyes moved to Juan’s father who looked as discouraged and fearful for him as she felt. “What would they do? Of course they would follow the doctor’s recommendations, but what else could they do? It was hard to believe such a vibrant and energetic wolf lay unmoving on the pallet in front of them. She refused to believe there was nothing to be done. Everything had a cure if you could find it. It was only a matter of finding the person who knew what it was.

  Meanwhile, she would do everything to nurse him back to health and insure her babies would know their father. She had thought about how she would tell him and now he knew. It was still going to be hard to decide how to share the responsibilities and joys of parenthood if they weren’t together. After what he’d done, the temptation to give him another chance was great. There was no doubt had he not saved her, she would have met a fate worse than death and so would their children.

  It wasn’t like she didn’t feel anything for him or even that she wouldn’t ever give him another chance, it was that she had seen a boy instead of a man realizing he had a bit of growing to do before he would be someone she wanted in her life. When he had come to save her, she had seen that he had begun the transformation she had hoped for and was becoming a man. It wasn’t something easy to explain to anyone, but right now she felt he was on the edge where he would either become all she hoped for or fall backwards into being all he once was.

  Sitting beside his pallet waiting for him to be loaded on the plane that would take him home, she prayed to her God and his goddess that he would come back to her and that he would grow and mature from this experience. She’d been willing to take him on at one time, but disappointment had changed her mind. Could it be that he could be the man/wolf she had hoped for when all the dust settled? Two big wolves came in and picked of Juan’s pallet to load into an SUV. Following along behind, she decided to just go along with whatever happened for now.

  The men loaded him into an SUV and one of them stopped to hold a door open for her so she could get into the back seat. Once she was in, she glanced back at her mate to see if he was alright. It was unnerving to see him quiet and unresponsive but there was still hope for him. The driver headed down the road toward the airport. Both men were talking about the raid last night on the auction and how impressive it was that they hadn’t lost a single wolf. Well that remained to be seen but she fervently hoped it turned out to be true.

  The pulled up right next to the plane to minimize the distance he would be carried. The stewardess came out to help get him settled and fussed over him as he lay there helpless. It was clear she felt she had some claim to him and Amee wasn’t surprised. The bigger surprise was probably that there wasn’t a mob of females fighting for the right to sit at his side holding his hand. His father approached her.

  “Stake your claim, he doesn’t have a relationship with that she-wolf,” he observed.

  It was decision time. Amee was sure his father would know and she was his mate. She walked over to where the female sat holding his hand. “Excuse me, you’re not needed here and you are needed inside,” Amee said.

  “What gives you the right?” the female looked up and noticed her condition. Her eyes widened but she didn’t drop his hand.

  “I’m his mate and that gives me the right,” she insisted.

  “If he were awake, I’m sure he would prefer my company to yours,” the flight attendant insisted.

  “Do you know why we’re here?”

  “Juan was injured in a fight.”

  “He came here to get me back and he risked his life to convince me to stay with him. If that doesn’t show who he prefers, I don’t know what would.”

  She huffed as she left the back of the plane. Amee watched her leave wondering how many times she would have to go through this again. There were many females who would use this opportunity to attempt to claim him. She-wolves were pushy and tended to take advantage of situations just like this. Could she continue to go through proving herself over and over? Weary, Amee slid onto the bed next to Juan and waited for sleep. It was just too much after what she’d already been through and what she saw was ahead. Maybe when she woke up things would be better. Once rested, she would be stronger and better able to deal with all the problems she could foresee headed her way. The babies settled down to allow her to sleep or because they sensed their father was near.

  Amee did feel better when she woke and she saw she’d slept a good while. She ran her hand down Juan’s cheek as she’d done a hundred times since he’d been struck down but this time was different.

  “Amee,” he breathed low and his eyes flickered with effort.
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  Chapter 7

  Bonded

  He hurt all over but he felt a warmth rushing through him and he realized his mate lay up against him. Thinking back, he thought he’d been shot but he wouldn’t swear to it. It was like a dream, he felt a burning sensation and his jaws had locked around a throat. The thrill of his enemy’s blood had gushed into his mouth and he’d known he’d delivered a fatal bite just before everything had gone black. Bits of conversation had filtered in and he’d tried to figure things out. The most important part was his mate and his pups were safe.

  If this malady refused to leave him and he died, he could go in peace knowing his mate and their babies would be safe. His father was here and he would see to it. If he had a son, he would be pack alpha one day if he could hold the position. With a mother like Amee and his grandpa to guide him, his son would be just fine. Juan drifted back to sleep feeling the best that he had since being shot. Was he recovering or was it just that his mind was settled now, he couldn’t say.

  Cool, clean water was trickling down his throat. Expecting to look up and see a nurse, surprise and hope coursed through him when he saw his mate. Someone had found her fresh clothing and she’d cleaned up. Her dirty, mistreated appearance from the last time he’d seen her was only a bad memory. Looking down, she caught his eyes.

  “Can you talk?”

  “I think so,” he said his voice hoarse and barely audible. Her smile warmed his soul when he realized she cared if he lived or died. It was a start and if he got another chance from her he’d not throw it away as he had the first one. Struggling to stay awake to enjoy being coddled, he lost the good fight and went under again.

  Next time he woke he was being moved and the fresh air hit him as he was carried off the plane and placed in a vehicle of some sort. The scent of his mate nearby soothed him and he just lay there opening his senses so he’d understand what was happening. Joy washed over him as he picked up the familiar smells of home. There was no place better to recuperate and no one he’d rather have with him than Amee.

  The vehicle moved and twenty minutes later they stopped. Unloading him, he was put in his room and Amee accompanied him. A feeling came over him and he knew deep down in his heart that he would recover and that his mate would give him one more chance, but there was also a sense of impending danger. There was something he needed to be watchful for and he didn’t know if it was something he’d overheard or just something he knew.

  He was aware when his dad came in to check on Amee and him. “How is he doing?” his father asked.

  “I can sense a slight improvement. It’s not what I had hoped for, but it’s better than it could be.”

  “He loves you, are you aware?”

  “How can I be sure after everything?”

  “You just have to feel it with your heart.”

  “Things are never that easy.”

  “Love can be if the two of you agree.”

  “There’s so much that’s been said and done. All I can do is wait to see what happens.”

  “If you just give him a chance I think you’ll be amazed by what happens. I actually had a reason for coming to see you. I spoke to Damon and several of the top leaders of Los Lobos escaped. Stay in the house and trust no one until they are caught. That’s my plan too, so you can find me nearby. Damon said they can be vindictive and you’ll be their top target. They have died before in order to seek revenge and that makes them the most feared rogues there are.”

  “They steal me away, neglect me, try to sell me, get caught, and they’re mad? What kind of sick bastards are they?”

  “The worst, so please just be careful and think of the babies too. The Los Lobos have no heart.”

  “Why has the council not dealt with them before this?”

  “Ah, my dear girl, you know why. The last council was filled with corruption. My best guess is a few key council members were paid off. Damon wanted to go after them, but he was pulled off the case. They were careful about who they took mostly the unwanted and the unknown. Now the council is rebuilding, but their attention has been locked on Chief. His drugs poison our world leaving death and misery every step of the way. Resources are limited, loyalties are challenged, and even though the stakes are high, it’s been a political game.”

  “You’re right, I did know all that but the witches have been stepping up with the hunt for Chief. Pissing off one of the strongest witches was not a smart thing for Chief to do. He’s barely a step ahead of them.”

  “That was true before they were all pulled to rescue you and decimate the Los Lobos. The problem is that while they culled the rank and file of those too stupid to run, the leaders and the wilier soldiers of their cause ran away and live to fight another day.”

  She sighed and Juan suspected she felt unlucky. Now she was stuck in his house and he lay there in need of constant care. There was little she could do, of course she could ask for a computer, since hers was probably gone. The Los Lobos had either sold it, gave it to a member, or if it was password encrypted, threw it away. It was almost as if she’d read his thoughts.

  “Is there any way I can get a computer so I can work?”

  “Of course, my dear, just don’t overdo it. You need to eat right, get some light exercise every day and get plenty of rest.”

  “You forgot drink plenty of fluids,” she said and he sensed sarcasm.

  His father just laughed. “I guess the doctor spoke to you too.”

  “Is there any update on Juan?”

  “He thinks the poison will work its way out. The more fluids he drinks and the more he sweats, the quicker it will happen. That poor young witch with you was very upset with him. She was about to spell the guard when Juan jumped him.”

  “It was a very tense moment and Harry can’t be sure that it would have worked. Juan also had no way of knowing she could do that or that she would react quickly enough.”

  “Of course you’re right and with his mate and his pups at stake, there was no way he could take the chance.”

  “I just wish he hadn’t been hurt.”

  “Because it would have made it possible to keep running away?”

  “Maybe. I’m still trying to understand what this is that’s’ between us.”

  His dad patted her on the shoulder. “There are couples that are still working that out and have great grandchildren,” he said as he left the room.

  Juan was listening and trying to come up with a master plan to keep his mate and children at his side. Right now she felt grateful that he’d saved them, he wanted more than that. He wanted her to love him the way he loved her. In his heart he knew that he would never hurt her again. Learning from his mistakes, he would never repeat them. It was so frustrating to lie there while the world went about its business. Wanting to hold his mate, he wished there was some way he could speed up the process and regain use of his body. His finger twitched.

  Amee was in the corner pounding away on the laptop a young wolf had brought her. She wasn’t watching or she would have seen his reaction. Breathing deep and concentrating, he began to isolate his fingers and move them one at a time. Feeling victorious after moving all his fingers, he started on his toes. Maybe by tonight, he would be able to stand. He relaxed and started to fall asleep from all the exercise. Amee came over and caught his hand and held it.

  “You’re not a hard man to love, Juan. The problem is you’re a hard man to stay with and I’m not sure I can.”

  Did she know he could hear her? Was she saying goodbye before he was ever able to talk things out with her? What was so hard about staying with him? He would treat her like a queen now that he’d come to his senses and knew she was his soul mate. She walked out the door leaving him wondering if she was going to come back to him as he fought and lost to the need for sleep.

  When he woke it was with a greater ability to move and he moved his hands and feet. He was close to beating this and then he would lay claim to his family. Amee wasn’t getting the last word on that and he kne
w he could convince her to stay. She had to feel he bond he felt since she was a wolf too. It might not be nice but he would use that against her. He worked his body moving his arms and his legs and then he sat up. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done and he was drenched in sweat by the time he was sitting upright.

  “Thank the goddess, my son,” his father said from behind him. “You look like what the cat dragged in.” He observed with a chuckle as he came around to where he could see Juan’s face. Humor from his father wasn’t usual and right now it wasn’t appreciated.

  “I feel like shit so it’s not surprising I look like it too,” Juan grouched.

  “At least you’re alive,” his father growled. “You’ll get to hold your mate and your pups one day, if you handle things properly.”

  It was true that he was alive and had a chance to improve his circumstances. “She’s still here?”

  “She wanted to leave but the leaders of Los Lobos are not only still free, but several were seen heading this way. I told her to consider the pups and she relented. Her thinking is still too human for her own good. The term pups seems to offend her but what else do you call little wolves?”

  “Humans prefer the term babies,” Juan observed.

  “Humpf,” his father snorted the odd sound. “If only you knew half as much about human females as you thought you did, you’d be happily mated now.”

  Juan started to answer but found he had nothing to say. His father was right in a way, he’d really made some big mistakes when it came to his sweet mate Amee. There was no way to erase the pain he’d caused her but if she would just agree to move forward, he would never male those kinds of mistakes again. The goddess could strike him down if he was lying. The need he had discovered for his mate was as great as the need to breathe air and if he got another chance he would never turn from her again. How could he prove his devotion when she didn’t want to be near him? Waves of longing cascaded through him at the thought of his mate and his pups.