Wolf In Shining Armor

JAVIER

“Your voice… you were at the auction,” she sputtered, her eyes widening in fear as she stepped back into the cage.

“You don't have to be scared of me, I'm not gonna hurt you,” I coaxed.

“No, get away from me!” she shrieked.

“I told you we should have busted her out when she was still at the auction place. Now she doesn't trust me!” I snapped at my brother, Ivan who was behind me.

“You would have ruined the whole mission. And it was unfortunate we didn't have enough cash to buy her when she arrived,” Ivan sympathized.

I scoffed, “You don't understand what it feels like to know that she's terrified of me. I can smell her fear.”

“We don't have time for this, Javier, bring her and we will explain to her on the way.”

“No! I'm not going anywhere with you guys. I'd rather stay here,” she snapped.

“Stay here? He was going to use a hot poker stick on you,” Ivan scoffed.

“Don’t talk to her like that, she’s stressed!” I snapped at him.

I stared at the terrified girl standing in front of me and my heart broke at the kind of fright she must have gone through.

“Are you alright?” I asked her, my smile faltering when I saw her split lips.

“Don’t even think about it,” Ivan’s voice stopped me from bashing the already passed-out man.

“Let me go,” she said to me.

“Fine. Only after we've taken you far away from here,” I assured her.

She stared at me for a few seconds before she nodded and showed me her chained wrists and ankles.

“I don't know where the keys are,” she sighed.

I grinned, “Keys aren't necessary.”

With a single yank, I broke the chains that held her wrists and ankles.

“How did you do that?” she asked her eyes a mixture of amazement and fear.

“I’m your Knight in shining armor, love, I have my ways,” I grinned.

“More like a Wolf in shining armor,” Ivan snickered, causing her to glance at us.

“Never mind, my brother, he's funny,” I said, glaring at Ivan who kept snickering.

“How are we getting out? How did you guys get in?” she asked.

“Uh…” I scratched my clean-shaven jaw and glanced at Ivan.

“We came in through the roof,” he shrugged.

“Through the roof? How?” she asked, curiously.

I facepalmed, “Really, Ivan?”

Ivan chuckled, “She’s gonna know soon anyways.”

“Know what?” she asked.

“I will tell you once we leave here but we really don't wanna be here when Leo wakes up,” I replied.

Mostly because I didn't want her to see me smashing his face from what he did to her.

Ivan led the way and we followed closely. I could tell she was still scared a little but at least she was with me so I knew she was safe.

We got outside and I opened the car door for her. She looked skeptical but got in before Ivan drove off.

“So, what were you guys doing at the auction if you're not as vile as that man?” she asked.

“We could start with a little introduction, don't you think?” Ivan countered.

She frowned, “My name is Mia, I was kidnapped and sold by my uncle when I went to figure out how to save my mom.”

“That’s a good summary, I'm Ivan, Javier’s older brother,” he said smugly.

I scoffed, “You are older by a few years, don't be smug about that.”

Mia fixed a questioning stare at me and I frowned.

“I introduced myself first. You can call me Javier, Knight in shining armor, or Prince Charming,” I grinned.

She scoffed but she smiled a little, “You wish! Now answer my question.”

“We intercepted the auction today so we could get a lay of the land and know how to make our next move by destroying the illegal auction house,” I explained.

“So you're telling me you and your brothers are the good guys?” she asked, skeptical.

I nodded, “Yes. That's why we were able to save many girls today but we were a little short on cash when it got to you and signing a cheque would expose us.”

“Why? Do they know all their client's names?” she questioned.

“Eh… more like our name is famous,” I explained.

Her brows furrowed in confusion, “I haven't seen you both before if your names are famous.”

“Like he said our names, not our faces,” Ivan said.

“Whatever, I wanna go back to the hospital,” she sighed.

“You can't go back to your previous life, Mia,” I said.

“Why? I have you both as witnesses. We would inform the police and have my uncle arrested then I can save my mom’s life,” she stated.

Ivan laughed, “You’ve got your hands full with this one, Javier.”

Mia scoffed at him, “What is that supposed to mean? Why do you keep talking to me like I'm a naive girl who doesn't know anything?”

Ivan smirked, “That’s because you're naive.”

“I’m a twenty-one-year-old young girl who's gone through hell these past few years. I won't hesitate to add murder to my list of offenses!” Mia threatened.

“Calm down everyone!” I groaned, “No one is murdering anyone, Mia, and Ivan stop talking to Mia with such a condescending tone, I won't tolerate that.”

Ivan scoffed, “Whatever. You’re on your own here buddy.”

Mia stared at me, her frown deepening, “What is his problem?”

“He’s been like that for a while. He’s a douche,” I replied, glaring at Ivan.

In response, he laughed and increased the speed of the car causing Mia to scream. I facepalmed, wondering how to explain to Mia and how to deal with Ivan’s nonchalant attitude.

“So where are you taking me now? I wanna go to the police station,” Mia demanded.

“You’re in New Orleans, Mia. I don’t think you were kidnapped from here,” I said to her.

Mia gasped, her eyes widening in shock, “I was in Houston yesterday.”

“Welcome to New Orleans, sweetheart,” I smiled at her.

After what felt like hours, Ivan pulled into the penthouse driveway and Mia was still mulling over how she had moved from home to here in less than twenty-four hours.

I helped her out of the car and took her to the last floor of the penthouse, getting her settled in the guest room so she could freshen up and feel better.

“I have loads of questions when I'm done,” she said.

I nodded, “Yeah, I have some mind-blowing answers too.”

I left the bedroom and went to the sitting room where I saw Ivan sipping vodka.

“You’re drinking already,” I said.

“Join me. You've got a lot on your plate right now,” he laughed.

I frowned, “It’s not funny.”

“I just wanna enjoy watching when you explain to a human that you're a werewolf and you're her mate. So she's doomed to spend her life with you whether she loves you or not,” Ivan laughed.

“Shut up!” I snarled.

“What’s he talking about?” Mia’s voice came from the doorway.

I groaned inwardly, I had been so focused on Ivan that I didn't hear her coming.

“Yes, Javier, what am I talking about?” Ivan asked, laughing.

I hated that he turned out like this but I didn't blame him. He had lost his mate three years ago and it didn't drive him crazy or kill him so I would take douche Ivan over dead or crazy Ivan.

“So… uh… the main reason I came back for you was because you're my mate,” I stuttered.

Damn! I was a powerful Alpha wolf and I was stuttering trying to explain to my mate how she was connected to me!!

“Mate? What do you mean by that? Only a few animals have mates and humans don't mate,” she said, causing Ivan to chuckle.

“I’m a werewolf, Mia, I don't know how you got to the auction place but everyone there is a werewolf,” I finally said.

I waited for her reaction as she watched me with curious eyes. Then she burst into laughter, clapping her hands and squealing like a kid. In truth, she looked adorable but I frowned because it felt like she was mocking me.

“That’s a wonderful story, Javier, but I didn't take you as someone interested in paranormal stuff,” she laughed.

“This is real, Mia, the man who bought you is the Alpha of rogue wolves, he's a very dangerous werewolf. He’ll be looking for you now, that's why it's not safe to leave yet,” I tried to explain.

Mia glanced at Ivan, “Do you believe what your brother is saying?”

Ivan laughed and replied sarcastically, “I’m sure he's telling a fairytale.”

Mia laughed again, unable to detect his sarcasm, “Thank you. At least one thing we agree on.”

“Fine, I’ll prove it!” I snapped.

“Don’t, Javier, I don't think she's ready,” Ivan said.

“Oh, so now you wanna be helpful?” I snapped at him.

I went down on all fours and Mia frowned.

“What are you doing, Javier?” she asked.

The cracking of bones filled the air and a few seconds later I stood before Mia in my huge black Wolf form.

She stared at me for two seconds before a terrified scream escaped her throat and she fainted.

“Nice. Classic Wolf in Shining Armor move, Javier,” Ivan laughed.