Big Bad Wolf Chapter 9

Big Bad Wolf Chapter 9

Head of Intelligence

Javier

With his heightened vision, he could see her standing in the doorframe, dry washing her hands. How could he deny her when she trembled like that? He felt compelled to fix her.

She tugged at him somehow, which made him want to respond, but he didn’t have a clue what he was doing. Best to give her what she asked for.

If it helped her, then he might as well consent. He wasn’t exactly sleeping, anyway. If he couldn’t resolve his issues, he might as well resolve hers if he could.

He rolled so that his back was against the couch, and there was half a cushion of space in front of him. He lifted his blanket and said, “Come here,” as he patted the cushion.

She scurried to him like he was the one place she desperately needed to be. He liked that for some insane reason.

Isabell acted as if she firmly believed he could destroy the invisible monster under the bed. For her, he would try.

She lay down beside him. She fit right next to him. Her face turned up against his chest with her hand on him as she had been hours ago when he carried her to bed. He wrapped his arm around her so she couldn’t roll off the couch.

She felt good next to him, warm and soft. He hadn’t just held a woman like that in so long he couldn’t remember.

It had been a long time since he gave, taking nothing. He felt good. Maybe he could help mend the broken Little Red Riding Hood.

“I’m sorry to bother you. I just feel safer with you. Thank you for helping me earlier,” Isabell whispered.

Javier stroked her hair. He liked how soft it felt to his callused hands. He wanted to always stroke her hair.

“You aren’t bothering me, and I’m happy you feel safe with me. You’re welcome. Rest and heal. Relax and sleep now. I’ll protect you,” he whispered to her.

She snuggled tighter against his chest and after a few minutes her breathing evened out. She was asleep. He yawned and drifted off with her in his arms.

Somewhere around ten in the morning, Fox was shaking his shoulder to wake him up. He looked up and realized Isabell was still asleep in his arms.

He breathed in her scent from her hair. Clean wood smoke from a campfire. He could get used to waking up to that. It was a nice outdoor smell that felt free.

“It’s past ten. I called Luke this morning when I found you. He’s at the land in your place. He didn’t even seem surprised. Do you think you can drive me over in about an hour?” Fox whispered.

He was trying to let Isabell sleep longer. Javier nodded and began stroking her hair again. Somehow, he got lost in the feel of her next to him.

He stroked her hair and studied her. He listened to her breathing and soaked in the warmth between them.

Isabell woke up about fifteen minutes later.

“Good morning sleepy head. How do you feel?” Javier asked in a low voice.

“Good morning and embarrassed,” Isabell spoke but didn’t move away. He liked she seemed content so close to him.

“I have to take Fox over to the retreat site. Will you be okay until I come back?” Javier asked, while reassuring her he was returning.

“Yes, I’m supposed to go with Artie. I better hurry. I hope she isn’t already waiting for me.”

Isabell seemed excited to be going out. She straightened up and stretched, then moved off toward her room.

He felt the loss of her warmth keenly. Waking up with her in his arms had felt right in a way right had never felt before. He shook his head.

He didn’t have time to analyze that. Javier went in search of Fox and found him in the kitchen.

“Fox, can you lend me some clothes and the use of your shower? I seem to be short on both accounts.”

He grinned at the older man.

“Sure, use the master shower. Clothes are in the bureau. Don’t worry, Artie is down by the creek checking out the gazebo. I’ll let her know, so she doesn’t surprise you in your birthday suit.” Fox smiled.

“Thanks. I’ll return the clothes when we get to my cabin.”

Javier walked down the hall and took a shower. He left Luke’s clothes folded in the Mustang’s backseat. He’d given his truck keys to Isabell for her and Artie to take into town to buy groceries and household items.

They arrived at Javier’s cabin a little before noon. He slipped inside and changed into his clothes.

He made a mental note to buy more clothes. Being a shifter was hard on them.

He met Fox and Luke out on the porch. He didn’t think the meeting was going to be as good as the one the previous day had been.

“Spill it. What are we dealing with?” Luke demanded after he clasped forearms with Fox.

Fox pulled out his cellphone and turned on a video, then he handed it to Luke and Javier, who bent their heads together over it to watch.

After about five minutes, Javier walked over to a tree and threw up. He wasn’t even apologetic about it.

Luke and Fox said nothing as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Watching a woman being brutalized like that wasn’t a straightforward task to accomplish. Javier felt protective of Isabell and that made it worse.

He knew the truth, though. Peter Elliot was an enemy, and knowledge was a powerful weapon.

When the conversation came back to Isabell again, Javier had to shake his head at the idea of Isabell being powerful enough to protect the pack.

“She’s broken, Luke. I saw it. She’s so afraid, so small. I know you said she was my problem, but the entire pack will have to work to help her. She’s been alone for too long. Hell, ‘what she is’ tortured her before Elliot’s men ever got to her. This will take time. She seems more comfortable with me. I know you saw it. Still, this is serious.”

He paused, thinking about how to explain before he looked up and met Luke’s eyes.

“She’s not a man like us, to kill when we feel threatened or think someone will harm the pack. Isabell’s not a soldier, not comfortable with violence. She was sorry and upset when she killed the bastard who beat her,” Javier growled.

“What do you think, Fox?” Luke asked.

“Javier hasn’t missed the mark. If she mended, she would be a good last resort weapon. I agree with you about that. Fixing her is going to take time, and it’ll be heaviest on Javier. That little birdie needs us all. I have selfish reasons for wanting to join the pack, but Isabell might die without it.”

“Javier, are you up to the challenge?” Luke asked.

“I might need some time off work for this project, Boss.” Javier grinned. Isabell needed him, and he wanted to help her.

Javier grasped forearms with Luke, and they both smiled.

He would stay at Fox’s place. Isabell would get help, healing, and the protection she needed. He had orders to take care of her and that was even better than simply protecting Isabell. Javier would see to it she wanted to stay.

They spent the rest of the afternoon showing Fox around the building site. Fox offered to buy in and wanted to add things, and the man had some good ideas about educating shifters. God knew Javier needed to learn, so how many others needed that? Probably all of them.

Luke asked Fox to join them as the Head of Intelligence, as Javier expected, and it looked as if it affirmed the pack leadership.

Thank you for your support! Welcome to the dream… Sincerely, -OK

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