Free Hellbourne by Amber Kell

him with complete trust as Luc spread his hands across the wound.
    “Shhh. I’ll take care of you, sweetheart.” Closing his eyes, Luc internally focussed, drawing out power to heal. He imagined the energy flowing from the centre of his body, down his arms and into his hands. Blue flames burst from his palms, slamming into the man lying on the bed.
    Luc’s eyes snapped open. He directed the fire into the werewolf’s skin, pushing out the bullets and healing the wounds. Bran’s body shook. Flesh sprouted fur then receded. Although healed, Bran’s body retained his human form as he dealt with the trauma of injury.
    Luc collapsed on the small portion of bed not taken by the large were. He was tired. Between the stress of taking care of Jerrod and worrying about his love life, he was worn down.
    Familiar fingers stroked his head.
    “Even after everything, you came to save me.” Bran’s voice sounded rusty and painful.
    Luc looked up to see the alpha gazing at him with a familiar loving expression. A painful knot formed in his throat. How he’d missed his lover.
    “I’m sorry, my love, for everything.” Gentle fingers traced his cheek. “If you’ll come back to me we’ll work something out. I swear.”
    Luc could hear the sincerity in his ex-lover’s voice as a painful yearning filled him. He looked into Bran’s beautiful face so dear to him, even now. “I don’t think we can work out the fact you want to have sex with a woman and have her pups.”
    He wouldn’t cry. He wouldn’t. Luc blinked rapidly, looking away. He started to slip out of bed, but Bran’s large hand wrapped around his wrist, stopping his exit.
    “We can have a baby together. We’ll find a female willing to be a surrogate. You’ll be there the entire time.” The alpha took a deep shaky breath. “My wolf needs its heart.” He tilted Luc’s chin up until he was forced to meet the alpha’s eyes. “And my human half needs its soul. Come back to me, baby, and we can rule the Pack together.”
    Luc could feel Bran’s sincerity. It shrouded him like a warm blanket. Before he could think of a response to Bran’s words, the bedroom door slammed open.
    “What’s he doing here?” Betsy screamed.
    “Hello, Betsy.” Luc’s heart hammered in his chest. He didn’t want to fight an angry she-wolf. It was bad enough that he’d invaded her territory and tempted her man.
    “Why can’t you leave us alone? You’re tearing the Pack apart.” Her fangs dropped in anger, a low growl rolling up from her chest.
    Shit.
    Behind Betsy in the hallway, Luc saw Sal appear, but he was slower than the blur that rose from the bed and took the alpha bitch down.
    A thud echoed in the room as Betsy hit the ground hard, buried beneath the large alpha’s body.
    “Don’t ever talk to my mate like that,” Bran growled, his voice low and dangerous, his hands shifting into claws.
    “I’m your mate.”
    “You’re nothing.”
    Luc winced. Subtle, Bran wasn’t. This was not going to be good for Bran’s allegiance with Betsy’s pack.
    Sal slipped into the room and patted Luc’s shoulder in a silent message of support. A low whine filled the air. Betsy had converted to wolf. She was baring her neck and stomach to the alpha. With a low growl, Bran stood up between Betsy and Luc, in a protective stance. With a sharp bark, Betsy ran down the hall.
    “You’ll start a pack war if you send her back to her pack,” Sal said with a sigh.
    Bran shrugged. “Bring them on. She was a pain long before I learned we weren’t compatible.”
    “I’ll make sure she leaves. You’ll have to talk to the Pack soon and let everyone know what’s going on.” Sal kissed Luc’s cheek before walking out the door and shutting it behind him.
    Alone with Bran, Luc was uncertain what to do next. For a long moment, he stared at the closed door not sure of what to say.
    “Luc.” Bran’s voice held a familiar note of longing.
    He reluctantly turned to face the alpha wolf.