Page 65 of New Blood

A sob tried to work its way up from her throat, but she forced it down.

“I knew he would kill her. I was blind with rage. I had no control over myself and my wolf. I couldn’t stop… I only realized what I’d done when he lay there… bloodied, lifeless, unrecognizable. I tore him to shreds.”

She felt Jude’s hands on her shoulders, pulling her closer, but she resisted.

“That’s not all.” She sniffled. “My mother and I left that night. She became the main suspect in his murder, and they suspected that I was an accessory. When she died in a car crash a few months later, the police were notified. They finally had a lead on where she’d been hiding all this time, and even though she was dead, they didn’t give up their search for me. I found out through the news that my mother’s DNA wasn’t a hundred percent match to the DNA they’d found in Carl’s wounds. It was only fifty percent. That’s when they realized that I’d killed him, not my mother.”

“You had to,” Jude said. He put his fingers under her chin to force her to look at him. “You saved your mother. It was self-defense.”

His words were a soft balm for her wounds, but Jude wasn’t aware of the consequences of her actions.

“Jude, I’m a murder suspect. They’re still looking for me. It’s only a matter of time until they’ll find me and arrest me.”

Jude pulled her into his arms.

“I won’t let that happen. Nobody is gonna take you away from me. You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

She appreciated his words, but she was a realist. One day, they would find her.

“Where did all this happen?”

“Carl and Mom and I lived in Washington State, in Tacoma. The pack we joined after that was in California. Mom died in Riverside, which means the police in California probably know by now that I’m a fugitive. I haven’t even dared to get my driver’s license renewed in fear of giving away where I am.” She shook her head. “I should have never dragged you into this mess. I’m so sorry.”

“I’ll handle it.”

She shook her head. “Oh, Jude, there’s nothing you can do.”

“There is.”

His voice sounded different now: confident and determined.

“The Werewolf Alliance has the means to create a completely new identity for you. We’ve done it before for other werewolves in situations where law enforcement has gotten too close to our secrets. The Alliance has specialists for that. It’s essentially what the government does with people who have to go into witness protection. We’ll do the same for you. You’ll be safe.”

He could barely believe her ears. But there was still one other thing she needed to know.

“What about you and me? Can you still trust me after this?”

A smile spread on his face, and he brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

“Oh, Danielle, nothing has changed between us. What you did only shows me that you’re willing to risk everything for the ones you love. You’re a fighter. Your compassion and loyalty make me love you even more. I know you’ll fight to protect our children, our family, and our pack. You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of. You’re strong, you’re fierce, and you’re mine.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

He wiped away a tear that was rolling down her cheek.

“My love, you deserve so much more. And I’ll do my best to give you everything you ever wanted to make up for the pain you went through in the past. I’ll protect you with my life, and I know you’ll do the same. I know what’s in your heart. I can feel it.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he murmured and captured her lips, kissing her softly.

37

Showered, Danielle took a deep breath at the door. It was time to face the pack. She’d slept well in Jude’s arms, but Eve’s accusations and the embarrassment of being caught in the middle of having sex were things she had a hard time forgetting. Even now, in the light of day, she felt her cheeks flush, but she pulled herself together. As Jude’s mate, she was in charge of the house now, and she had to act like it. She couldn’t allow herself to show weakness and hesitation, or her position in the pack would be undermined by women like Flora and Eve. Love had placed her in this position, and now she had to embrace it, no matter how intimidating it was.

Danielle left the bedroom while Jude was still in the shower. She almost bumped into Parker, who stood outside the door.

“Morning,” he said with a slow nod.