Wolf Six's Salvation

Jackson's hand rubbed small circles across Chloe's back as she watched the firelight flicker across her brother's face. She was sure at any moment men with guns would come barging through the windows to take him away.

"You okay?" he asked quietly. His hand felt good on her back and she could feel some of the stress from the day fading the longer he touched her.

"Yeah," she said slowly, releasing her legs and cuddling into Jackson's strong chest. He felt safe. "It's been a crazy day."

Jackson kissed her forehead softly, still rubbing her back. She turned her face to look up at him. The firelight reflected in his brown eyes, his brows relaxed as he smiled at her. Chloe closed her eyes and kissed him, feeling his warmth spread down into her toes. He was so handsome. She was sure this was all a dream. There was no way that this handsome man was holding her and that her brother was safe.

His tongue slipped into her mouth, teasing her with softness. She moaned slightly and he smiled as he kissed her further, nibbling on her bottom lip and tasting her sweetness. His fingers kept their slow circles on her back. Her fingers touched his jawline, feeling the masculine stubble.

Jackson kissed down her jaw, down the angle of her neck, sucking gently at the sensitive skin. She shivered with delight and then promptly let out a jaw-cracking yawn.

Jackson laughed softly, kissing her forehead again and cuddling her into him. "I just can't seem to get enough of you," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. "Go to sleep. I'll keep watch on them."

Chloe yawned again before nestling her head into the hollow of his shoulder. His heat and the gentle crackle of the fire had her asleep before she finished closing her eyes.

Chapter 27

Chloe awoke warm and in a strange bed. She sat straight up and promptly bumped her head on the bed above her. She swore and held her hand to her head as she carefully maneuvered out of the bunk bed. The fire still crackled in the fireplace next to her, but sunlight shone through the high windows of the cabin, filling the room with morning light.

The door with the crescent moon on it was indeed

a bathroom, which Chloe took her time using. She even found a comb and managed to coax her hair out of the giant rat's nest it had become and back into a usable ponytail. She found her coat and shoes stored neatly by the front door and stepped outside.

Snow had continued to fall through the night and the entire camp sparkled with fresh snow. The trees wore blankets of thick white and the ground glittered in the sun. Chloe took a deep breath in of clean, winter air and smiled. Today was going to be a good day.

She could hear the sounds of laughter and yelling, so she followed a path beaten into the snow by other feet. In a clearing just beyond the cabin, the four soldiers were playing football in the snow while Quent and Arthur watched.

The two soldiers, Chloe realized she still didn't know their names yet, were shirtless in the snow. Steam rose in tendrils from their muscular bodies as they ran to catch the ball. Jackson and Blake were in nothing but plain white t-shirts, the fabric already soaked and clinging to their skin.

Chloe licked her lips as she watched Jackson throw the ball to Blake. The wet shirt clung to his skin like a transparent lover, accenting the curves and lines of his chest and abs. His army pants hung low on his hips, hugging his perfectly sculpted ass. Everything about him was curves and strength and she could feel her core heating to see him.

"You sleep well?" Arthur asked without turning around as she joined them from where they watched the others play.

"Yes, thank you." She stretched her hands above her head and quickly pulled her arms back down as an inch of skin between her jacket and gloves exposed to the cold air. "How are they not freezing? It's gotta be a bajillion degrees below zero out here and those two aren't even wearing shirts."

"How else are you supposed to play shirts vs skins?" Quent quipped.

Arthur laughed. "They're Weres. The moon is full tonight and we tend to be a little restless. Those four are just burning off extra energy. I doubt they even feel the cold," Arthur explained. Chloe realized that neither Arthur nor Quent were wearing coats. They both had on short sleeved shirts and neither seemed bothered by the cold. She tucked her gloved hands inside her coat. Despite the men's reaction, she was sure it was still cold outside.

The blonde soldier had control of the ball now and was passing it to the dark-haired soldier. Jackson slammed into the blonde's waist as he let the ball fly, the two of them landing in the snow with a thud. They were both up in a minute, shaking the snow from their skin and chasing after the ball. Steam rose from both their shoulders and combined with their breath before disappearing into the sunlight.

Arthur turned, his blue eyes bright under bushy brows. "Chloe, there's something very serious we need to discuss with you."

Quent fidgeted in the snow with his foot for a moment before turning to face her. He put both hands on her shoulders, his eyes dark. He took a deep breath. "Chloe, your brother isn't human anymore."

Chloe snorted and nodded in the pointed her head in the direction of the football game. "They're playing shirts and skins in below zero weather and aren't cold. I think I got that one."

"Chloe, it's more serious than that." Quent frowned at her and she put her gloved hands over his bare ones.

"I know. He's a wolf now. I understand."

"It's more than just that. He's dangerous now," Arthur added. Chloe shook her head.

"No, he's not. I mean, yes, he's bigger and stronger and can hear stuff from a mile away, but he's still my brother." She smiled at the two men reassuringly. "I taught him how to swim. I was the one who made sure he didn't get beaten up in elementary school. He would never hurt me."

"He would never mean to hurt you, but... accidents happen." Arthur's eyes were calm and sure as he looked at her. "It's happened before."

"So I will be careful." Chloe looked back and forth between the two men. "Quent, you've known me for years and you've never hurt me. Jackson's hasn't hurt me either."