Untamed Hearts (BBW Biker Werewolf Romance) by Catherine Vale Page B

her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back. He covered her hands with his and they stood for a long moment, the quiet of the cabin surrounding them.

Chapter Eight
    G unner led Claire back down the mountain path. When they came to the spot where Adrian had dragged her, she hesitated. He turned and saw the fear on her face as she scanned the forest.
    “I can see him, all bloody and deformed, hiding behind every leaf and branch. I half expect him to lunge out and attack.”
    “He’s not here, Claire. You’d be able to smell him. And stealth isn’t his style, you know that.”
    She didn’t look reassured by his words, but she moved on down the path.
    He left her while he made his way through the brush to his motorcycle. As he came around the corner on the bike, he saw her standing by the side of the road, looking down at the skid marks Adrian’s car had left. Her arms were wrapped around her body, her face drawn and pale. They hadn’t talked about what he’d done to her or said in the car. She hadn’t offered, and he didn’t want to push her. When she was ready, he’d listen.
    He pulled up and she wordlessly climbed on the bike. Then he turned the bike around and they headed back to the city.
    “I want to see Reece.”
    They’d stopped at a rest stop. Claire stood on the grass, working the kinks out of her back. Shading her eyes against the sun, she looked at him for a long moment.
    “I don’t have anywhere else to go. My apartment...” She shrugged. “I’m never going there again.”
    Gunner pulled out his cell and made the call. The relief in the older man’s voice was clear, and Gunner felt a pang of distress. It hadn’t occurred to him that Reece would be worried, and for a minute he was overwhelmed by the thought.
    The bike shop was dark except for a dim light at the back of the shop. Gunner took the bike around the back, parked it in the alley, and together they headed to the side door of the building.
    Reece was sitting behind his desk, a half-empty bottle of whiskey and a glass in front of him.
    “Hey, Gunner. You’re a sight for sore eyes. Claire, I’m glad you’re safe.” He came around from behind the desk, engulfing Gunner in a bear hug. There was a brief, awkward moment where Reece looked at Claire, then pulled her against him in an equally strong embrace.
    “Sit down.” He motioned them toward the wooden chairs in front of the desk as he sank back into the chair behind his desk.
    “I expect you two have questions. I’m not sure I have any answers that are going to help, or if you’re just going to end up more confused by the end of it at all, but I can tell you what I know and what I’ve learned from Malone.”
    “You’ve had some of these answers for a long time, Reece. I think it’s time I know everything there is to know. It’s my history, you know?”
    Reece waved his hand and nodded. “Yeah. I know. Been dreading this conversation since you called.” He poured whiskey into his glass, tossed it back, and set the glass back on his desk.
    “I don’t really know where to start. None of this is easy.” He looked at Gunner and Claire and rubbed his hand across his eyes. Gunner thought Reece suddenly looked twenty years older.
    “You know Victor’s a powerful Alpha. And Adrian’s his son...only he’s not Victor’s only son.” Reece pointed at Gunner. “You’re his kid, too. Adrian’s half-brother.”
    Reece set his elbows on the desk. “You never knew your mother. None of us did. We knew your dad...the guy you thought was your dad...knew his whole pack. Never had any problems with them. Then, your dad turns up dead. Hell, the whole pack turned up dead. And you...there you were, with no home. So Malone took you in.”
    The glass was full again and Reece took another drink, staring for a minute into the empty glass. His voice was distant with memories. He went on, almost to himself. “You were a hellion, no doubt. Took off as soon as you could, but you