Protecting What's Hers (To Love And Defend Book 2) Read online

  “Thank you. I’ll call.”

  Mandy hung up and held her phone to her chest. Although she was terrified and sick with worry, she felt some hope too. She hoped her mom would recover. She hoped her mom would kick cancer’s ass completely. And she hoped to make it out to Toledo. She’d never been there before, not that she really wanted to see the city. She just wanted to see Brent but only if her mom was recovering.

  6

  June was a terrible month. Mandy’s mom was sicker than she had ever been before. She could hardly sleep, eat, or walk. Mandy just knew that her mom wasn’t strong enough. This was it. This was the end.

  Every night, Mandy had a choice to make. She could either cry herself to sleep as quietly as she could to keep her fears and worries hidden from her mom. Or she could call Brent and distract herself.

  More times than not, she called Brent. Often, he was out driving and loved having the company to keep him awake.

  Soon, Mandy didn’t just want to have Brent’s voice be the last thing she heard every night. She wanted to talk to him first thing in the morning. Although they had only spent a few hours together, she felt so close to him. Somehow, she felt as if she had known him for so much longer than she actually had.

  One night, Mandy couldn’t sleep. She went down to the kitchen and was startled to see her father there. He sat at the table, a mug in his hands. Coffee by the smell of it although he hadn’t taken a sip yet. No steam rose above the dark, roasted liquid, leaving her to believe he’d been sitting there quite a while.

  She pulled out a chair and sat beside him. “You okay?”

  Her father slowly, robotically shifted to look at her. He’d lost some weight too these past few weeks, and the bags beneath his eyes were as dark as his coffee.

  “I’m taking a leave from work,” he said.

  Mandy gasped and gripped the table. Her fingers nearly turned into claws, and she struggled to rein in her fear, her worry. She had been a little girl the last time she shifted unintentionally. Now wasn’t the time.

  But did this mean that her mom and the doctors had been hiding from her? The month wasn’t quite over yet. Sure, her mom didn’t seem to be getting any stronger, but there was still reason to have hope, right? Her mom hadn’t been giving a countdown until when she’d died, had she?

  Her throat closed up, and she couldn’t ask any of the terrifying questions bubbling in her mind.

  Her father loved his job. He was a prosecutor and a damned good one. No one wanted to go up against him. Sometimes, he joked that he should’ve been a cop instead of a lawyer, that one look from him would scare the bad guys into going straight. Her father did have a commanding presence, and only two people could get his wolf to seem more like a teddy bear. Mandy and her mom.

  Mandy opened her mouth but shut it.

  “I don’t know what will happen,” her father said quietly. “I don’t know what the future holds, and that terrifies me. I want to be married to your mother for a hundred more years. I want us to grow old together. I want her to not be in pain. I want to be there for her, and I won’t have my work keep me from being by her side when she needs me the most.”

  A few tears slipped down Mandy’s cheeks. She always knew her parents shared an amazing bond. So far, her father had been trying to juggle work and help her mom as much as he could, which resulted in him getting maybe three hours of sleep a night. He couldn’t sustain that for long. It was already eating away at his health, which was saying something. Outside of cancer, werewolves didn’t get sick or run down.

  “Mom will love that,” Mandy said, although a small part of her was deathly afraid. Her mom might see this as a sign that the end was near.

  Her father stood, took two long strides to the sink, and dumped his coffee. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’ve cut your own hours back to part-time.”

  “It’ll be fine,” Mandy lied.

  Actually, her boss, although understanding, was human. If Mandy didn’t start taking on more shifts, there was a distinct possibility she would be fired.

  Most werewolves worked with other werewolves. Humans tended to recognize that something was off about werewolves, something they couldn’t place. It made humans wary and distrusting of werewolves. Oftentimes, humans subconsciously had a bias against their werewolf workers.

  Just like her dad loved her mom enough to stop working, Mandy loved her mom too. The future was terrifying to think about because of its uncertainty, but Mandy knew one thing for sure. She’d spend as much time with her mom as she could, and she’d continue to hope for the best.

  7

  The short treks to the hospital for long treatments sessions wore on Mandy. She could only imagine how they were for her mom.

  But something was different now. Something was happening. Something was changing.

  Not that her father was able to stay by his wife’s side constantly, for the entirety of her treatments instead of an hour here or there, her mom was responding better. She was even smiling and laughing, and one time, Mandy saw her blushing. Mandy did not want to think about what her father had just whispered to conjure that. No thank you.

  After a week of this burst of energy and happiness on her mother’s part, the doctor pulled Mandy aside.

  “Your mother seems to have turned a corner,” he said.

  “Do you think she’ll do it? Beat the cancer? Go into remission?” Mandy asked excitedly.

  “It’s too early to say just yet.”

  “It’ll be July next week,” she protested, confused and dismayed.

  “If she continues at this pace, she’ll be fine. I do believe that.”

  “But?” Mandy prompted, dread and fear returning for the first time in days.

  Her mother seemed so happy. She was walking just fine now when her father wasn’t around, the few times he would go to get her food or to sneak out and buy her a present when she was napping. When her father was around, her mom would hang desperately onto him, but Mandy knew that was just an excuse to be close to him.

  The doctor hesitated and wouldn’t make eye contact.

  “But?” Mandy repeated critically.

  “But it is possible for some patients to have a spark, a surge before they…”

  “No.” Mandy shook her head, her hair whipping about. “No, that’s not the case.”

  The doctor managed a small smile. “I hope you’re right. I think you’re right. But only time will tell.”

  A nurse called the doctor away, and another one rushed over.

  “Oh, don’t listen to him,” she said. “I’ve been with your mom the entire time, and I know exactly what is going on. Doctors, even werewolf ones, like to put all of their stock in medicine and science, but that’s not how the world always works.”

  Mandy smiled at the nurse. Daisy Porter was the bubbliest nurse she had ever met.

  “What do you think is going on?” Mandy asked, confused but curious. She needed to hear any bit of good news. It was hard to hide her depression, her sadness from her mother.

  “Not think. Know. A lot of people don’t believe in soul mates, but I do. Your mother needed your father. She needs him more than the treatment. Sometimes, love can be miraculous. Love can be healing. I’m sure the doctor will think it’s just medicine that will make her pull through, but it’s not just medicine. It’s the treatment and his love. Believe me. I’ve seen this before.”

  Mandy smiled and blinked back tears. She hoped the nurse was right.

  She peeked into her mother’s room. Her father was sitting beside the bed, leaned over so their foreheads were touching. There was such a measure of peace and love and hope in the room that Mandy didn’t dare go inside. Regardless of what the future held, she would not disturb that moment for them.

  Time would tell if love and modern medicine would be enough.

  8

  July sixth, a day Mandy would never forget for so many reasons.

  “The last scans show that the cancer is gone now. I’ll ha
ve to continue to monitor you over the years to make sure it doesn’t come back but—”

  “She’s in remission.” Mandy’s father gasped.

  The doctor nodded.

  Mandy glanced out the door. The nurse, Daisy, was smiling broadly before scampering down the hall to tend to another patient.

  Her dad and the doctor continued to talk, and Mandy slipped by to stand by her mother. She hugged her tightly, thrilled beyond compare.

  “I’m so—”

  Mandy’s cell cut her off.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, flustered and embarrassed. “I thought I had it on vibrate.” She yanked it out of her pants.

  Before she could hang up, her mom swiped the phone. “Brent. The guy you can’t stop smiling about when you talk to him.”

  Mandy’s embarrassment grew. “Yes…”

  “He lives in Toledo, right?”

  “Yes.”

  A few times, Mandy had talked to Brent in the hospital room while her mother was sleeping. Or when she had thought her mother was sleeping. The two of them had talked about Brent almost as much as Mandy talked to Brent.

  “Why don’t you drive out to visit him?” her mom suggested.

  “Now?” Mandy blinked in shock.

  “Yes, now. Go. Have fun.”

  “But we need to celebrate!”

  Her mom glanced at her father, and Mandy shook her head, trying not to be disgusted by the thought of her parents wanting to celebrate alone.

  “If you’re sure,” Mandy said slowly.

  “I’m sure. Go have fun and stay safe.”

  They embraced one more time, and Mandy raced home to pack. Toledo wasn’t super far away, but maybe she would spend a few days there. Maybe. She didn’t want to get ahead of herself.

  Speaking of getting ahead of herself… Mandy grabbed her phone and called Brent. He’d left a message from his missed call, but she was too excited to wait and listen to it first.

  “Brent? Hi. Are you in town? Busy? Say no. You aren’t, right?”

  He laughed. “I’m sitting on my couch. Just got back from a long trek. I’m bushed.”

  “Bushed?” She giggled.

  “You sound so happy.”

  “I am.”

  “Does that mean you’ll make it out here for the concert?”

  “It means I’ll make it out there in under two hours.” She sucked in a breath.

  “That would be amazing. Does this mean—”

  “Yes! My mom’s better, and she’s the one who told me to go, and I have to give her what she wants. She just beat cancer. So…”

  “Come out to me,” he murmured.

  She grinned. “I’ll be there soon.”

  9

  The drive wasn’t terrible at all, and Mandy made the trip in just over an hour. Brent’s house was a small place, a two-bedroom bachelor pad.

  When he opened the door, Mandy fell into his arms. Feeling him hold her was amazing. It didn’t matter that this was the second time they were in the same proximity. All of the phone calls, all of the pep talks, all of his being there for her, supporting her, helping her through this rough time had brought them so close together.

  Slowly, Brent pulled back and lifted her chin. His eyes held a question, and she nodded. His lips pressed against hers again and again.

  Mandy couldn’t help herself. She wasn’t the type of girl to kiss on a first date let alone do what she was considering now, but it felt right. He felt right. There was something about Brent that made her feel loved and accepted. Maybe it was insane of her to feel that way, especially since they hadn’t talked about that. Or maybe Brent was her soul mate, like her dad was for her mom.

  Mandy did not want to think about her parents right now.

  She slipped off her coat, her lips still attached to his. His tongue darted out, and she parted her lips to accept him. Although she hated to pull away, she did but only to remove his shirt. His skin was so warm, his pecs huge, and her fingers and lips kissed their way down his chest to his stomach. She licked the ridges of his abs and then realized what she was doing and hesitated.

  “Are you okay?” Brent asked, his voice husky.

  “I… I don’t know what came over me.” Flushed with embarrassment, she stood back up, staring at his chest instead of into his eyes.

  “We don’t have to if you don’t want to.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

  Even that touch against clothing instead of bare skin left her reeling.

  Slowly, she lifted her gaze. In his eyes, she saw only love and acceptance. This wasn’t lust. This was something real. Yes, some would think they were moving fast, but she knew that she loved him. She needed him. And she wanted him.

  Mandy lifted onto her toes to kiss him. Although she was tall, he was that much taller than she was.

  Instead, he cupped her cheeks and stopped her. “I love you, and I would never pressure you into doing anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

  Hearing those words broke Mandy. Between her being thrilled at her mother’s recovery to the realization that she had found love, she was overwhelmed by emotions.

  “I love you too,” she whispered. “Now let me show you.”

  Mandy stepped back and slowly removed her shirt. Brent’s gaze stayed firmly on her face as she removed her bra. While she appreciated that, she was giving herself to him.

  “You can look,” she whispered as she unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans.

  With a groan, Brent helped push down her jeans and panties until her ass was free. He gripped it and pressed against her. His pants were so tight against his member she thought it would rip.

  Easily, Brent picked her up and carried her over to the couch. He laid her down and made short work of his pants and boxers. He eased on top of her and then jumped up.

  “Be right back.”

  Many giggled as he rushed away. He hadn’t planned on them having sex. He wasn’t prepared, hadn’t had one waiting in his pocket. And her mom’s words Stay safe rang in her ears. Her mother knew Mandy loved him before Mandy even realized it.

  Brent was back not even a full minute later, and she took the condom from him and placed it on him, enjoying the feel of his length in her hand. He climbed on top of her and eased himself in.

  “You okay?” he asked, holding still.

  “Never better,” she assured him, wriggling her hips. “Now move!”

  He did move then, pumping slowly, rocking her world. It did not take her long to cum, but he wasn’t done yet. His stamina shocked her, and already, the start of another orgasm was building.

  “I… love you,” she whispered.

  “Yes,” he groaned against her neck. “I… Yes!”

  Her walls rippled around him, as their orgasms hit. Mandy’s heart raced furiously, her heartbeat thudding so loudly that she could barely hear herself gasping down air.

  “I love you so damn much,” Brent said, tucking her hair behind her head.

  “Just think,” she said, cupping his face. “If I hadn’t stopped to check on you, none of this would’ve ever happened.”

  “Do you believe in destiny?” he asked.

  “I believe in a lot of things I didn’t before,” she said honestly, reflecting on the term soul mates. She wasn’t about to mention that to him, but she definitely did consider them to be soul mates.

  “I knew I had to pull over there. I can’t explain it, but I just knew I was meant to. And then you passed me and parked. You came over, and it’s as if we were meant to be.”

  Brent shifted them. Now, he was lying on the couch with her on top of him. His heartbeat pulsed against her ear, strong and powerful, just like him, just like her love for him.

  “Meant to be,” she repeated.

  “Like we’re meant to be together.” Brent’s smile held so much promise and hope.

  She buried her face in his chest. The future was still uncertain although no longer terrifying. Would she be willing to leave her pack, leave her parents and friend
s, and join Brent’s? It was far too early to tell, but she did know she was going to enjoy her time spent here in Toledo. She also knew that she didn’t care about Mark or any of the other werewolves back home, especially not the alpha. Getting away from him would be welcome. Yes, she would miss her friends and her parents, but her parents did have each other. Besides, Toledo wasn’t that far away. She’d still be able to visit them and them her.

  Mandy kissed Brent and settled back down, relaxing, ready to sleep. Soulmate or not, even though Brent wasn’t her first boyfriend, he was her first wolf, and she loved him more than she loved the moon.

  Her Lonely Howl

  Grief has touched Mandy Davis’ life. Losing the love of her life devastates her. Years pass, and despite her friends trying to get her to date again, to move forward rather than move on, she can’t bring herself too. Will she remain forever alone? Will no one join her in a howl?

  1

  Mandy Davis stared up at the nighttime sky. Clouds blocked the moon. Figured. The sight of the moon always served to soothe her, and right now, she needed to be soothed.

  Not that it would truly be possible.

  Her life had changed drastically the night she met Brent Davis. Everything had turned around. She had gone from being depressed from her mother’s cancer and being lonely, feeling lost to being happy and gaining another best friend. Her mother’s cancer went into remission and never returned, and Mandy and Brent started to date. She fell hard and fast, he did too, but they both knew it was the kind of love meant to last a lifetime.

  But her werewolf mother wasn’t the only one to have cancer. Mandy met Brent when she had been twenty-five. They married before she turned twenty-six, and she’d left Hazel Park, Michigan for Toledo, Ohio. For three years, everything had been perfect.

  Until cancer struck someone else that Mandy loved, only this time, the cancer won.