Cupcakes Book 01 Ch. 06 - End

They explored the shoreline together, casual and happy in each other's company. Rig found her charming and sweet, a part of Georgia free from the insecurities and worries that usually plagued her. Meeting this part of herself and integrating with it would do her so much good.

The afternoon wore on and they snuggled up watching the sun dipping towards the lake. He curled around her and she lay back against him, snuggling into the warmth of his fur. Rig prompted his wolf that they needed to change back. Georgia had been gone much longer than she had before and was going to be disoriented when she came back. The wolf huffed, irritated.

He lay his huge head in her lap and closed his eyes as she stroked him. Rig felt a pang of jealousy, these two were already completely at ease, he wanted that same bond with Georgia. It would take time, it had barely been a day, he just had to be patient and let things develop.

The wolf relaxed and released control, Rig felt like he was rushing towards the end of a tunnel as he took back over, his body tingling as he changed back. When he opened his eyes he was looking up at the mischievous grin of Georgia's she wolf.

"Why don't you snuggle up here and go to sleep, Georgia will feel like she's waking up from a dream." He repositioned himself, leaning back against a boulder overlooking the water and patting his lap.

She moved between his legs, leaning back against him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you for spending so much time with us today. I can't wait for you to meet Georgia, and for her to meet you."

She lay her head against his shoulder and sighed. They sat there quietly as her breathing evened out, eventually falling into the rhythm of sleep.

Georgia came to slowly, sensations filtering in one at a time. First she felt the warmth of Rig's body behind her and his arms holding her against him. Then she heard the sound of the water. Last she cracked open her eyes to see the sun touching the horizon, making the soft waves look like they were kissed with fire.

"Rig?" She felt muddled, sort of the feeling she expected from a midday nap, but she once again found herself in unfamiliar circumstances. She didn't remember coming down to the shore, the last thing she remembered. . . she blushed thinking of Rig's head buried between her legs.

"Hey sweetheart." He yawned and squeezed her, "Have a good nap?"

"Yeah," she did feel well rested and peaceful, "I feel like I checked out again for awhile, I'm missing some steps between here and there." She waved vaguely toward the picnic table.

Rig chuckled, "Hmmmmm, my skills are that good eh?"

Georgia laughed back at him, "Well, I'll begrudgingly admit that the last thing I clearly remember is a mindblowing orgasm."

"Yep," Rig puffed out his chest, "I'm good."

Georgia snuggled against him and watched the sun sinking. "I feel like when the sun sets I'm going to have to wake up from this and go back to my real life."

Rig frowned, she was right. She'd have to go to work tomorrow at the very least. He felt something like panic well up at the thought of being separated from her.

"At the risk of sounding crazy and obsessed I don't want to let you go." He kissed the top of her head, drawing in her sweet scent.

She lay in his arms, relaxed and warm, her thoughts drifting. This was so easy, so right. She'd resolved to just go with the flow and let things develop, but the flow was moving really quickly. The thought of being away from him was uncomfortable, made her feel anxious. Was that normal? Healthy? Sane?

Rig felt her tense, heard her heartbeat pick up.

"Tell me what you're thinking Georgia." He coaxed.

She took a long moment before answering, her heartbeat getting faster. Finally she cleared her throat, "I am so out of my element here. I know I've already said this but I barely know you. It shouldn't be so hard to imagine separating myself from you." She shook her head and groaned. "I don't want to be alone tonight, the thought of not falling asleep next to you. . . " Her voice trailed off.

"Then don't," He moved from behind her, shifting them so they were facing each other, "Yes it's crazy and it's fast, but why are we fighting this so hard? We both just admitted we don't want to let go right? Let me keep holding you, let me fall asleep beside you, let me wake up to that beautiful smile." He kissed her suddenly, boyish in his excitement, "I'll make you pancakes for breakfast, or scrambled eggs, or whatever it is you want!"

Georgia laughed as he kissed her face, promising food and snuggles and whatever she might wish for. "Ok, ok!" she attempted to fend him off.

"Ok?" He jumped up, pulling her to her feet, "Your place or mine?"

"Are you kidding?" She choked on an incredulous laugh, "Your family is nice but I can't imagine they'd appreciate you bringing home a woman you just met to stay the night."

"They'd be thrilled but I understand if you aren't comfortable, I'm more than happy to stay at your apartment." He turned his full charm grin on her.

Georgia gave him a doubtful look, "One way or another let's get packed up, it's getting dark out here."

They quickly packed up their picnic, then spent several minutes hunting for Georgia's panties. Rig had no trouble finding them with his heightened sense of smell, but let the hunt drag on as they giggled together over the memory of him flinging them aside. He finally plucked them out of the grass and held them up, smiling and winking as he tucked them into the pocket of his jeans.

Georgia blushed and protested but the way he claimed her panties, like some kind of trophy or prize, gave her an odd thrill of pride.

Rig glanced around as he opened the driver's side door. Jason was still lurking out there, he'd have to go have a chat with him when he got back to the house and warn him off from further peeping.

As they pulled out of the parking area Jason moved back from the treeline where he'd been watching them and shifted. He ran back through the woods, getting home just a couple minutes before Rig's truck pulled up.

Jason watched from his living room window as Rig hopped out and helped Georgia down. It looked like she got a phone call because she waved him on and put her phone to her ear.

He had no idea how this human mate thing worked, but he knew most humans had no idea werewolves were real and found the idea terrifying when confronted with it. The way Georgia so casually interacted with Rig when he'd shifted was a shock. Hadn't they just met? How was she accepting all this so quickly?

Despite the Alpha's assurance that everything was on the up and up Jason couldn't help being suspicious. Rig was up to something, maybe trying to gain rank by pretending to have a human mate? He needed to find out the truth for the good of the pack. Alpha Miller would be grateful for his initiative when he exposed Rig's plot.

First things first he had to find out a little more about this human woman. Was she comfortable with weres in general or was it something her and Rig were scheming? He watched her pace in front of Rig's truck as she spoke on the phone. Now was a perfect opportunity, while she was alone. Jason watched until she hung up, then jogged towards her.

"Hi!" he called, smiling and waving in a friendly manner as he approached. Georgia looked startled but returned his greeting.

"So you're here with Rig eh? Everybody is really excited he finally found you."

Georgia felt her stomach flip, like she was on the edge of a very steep drop. Was she the topic of some kind of town gossip? What were they saying about her?

"Oh, well, I don't really know what to say, I'm sorry." She looked toward the house, willing Rig to come out.

"I'm Jason by the way." He held out his hand.

"Georgia." She hesitated a moment before shaking his hand.

"I must say you seem to be adapting quickly. From what I understand most humans freak out when they find out about us."

She felt an icy chill sweep from her head down to her toes. This wasn't like the kids playing pretend, there was something big and ugly here that she couldn't quite grasp, but her intuition was screaming at her that it was dangerous.

"Uh, find out?" Again glancing at the house, screaming in her mind for Rig to please come out already.

Rig was chatting with his mom as he packed a bag. Zipping it shut he felt a sudden wave of panic and an urgency to get to Georgia.

"Something's wrong." He straightened and moved quickly out of his room.

"RIg? What is it?"

"I don't know but I think Georgia needs me." He sprinted down the stairs as the panic hit him again. His mom trotting after him.

"Yeah, the whole werewolf thing." Jason gestured nonchalantly, "So is he the only wolf you've seen so far?"

Georgia backed up a little, hitting the fender of Rig's truck. She wanted to dismiss this guy as a harmless crackpot but she couldn't stop the panic that had her firmly in its grip.

"I'd be happy to show you mine, give you some perspective. I know the movies like to make it look real dramatic and painful and all that but it's really easy and painless once you get the hang of it." He pulled his shirt off as he spoke, noting with interest the way Georgia was shaking her head and pressing herself against the vehicle at her back.

Rig flew through the house, whatever was happening was freaking Georgia out enough that she was transmitting panic to him even through their tenuous bond. What could be scaring her so badly in his front yard?

He threw the front door open and ran to the driveway just as Jason shimmered and shifted. Everything ground to a halt, moving in slow motion. Georgia screamed, the high pitched, all out scream of someone completely terrified.

Jason froze, the look on Rig's face was pure murder, he knew without a doubt he'd just made a huge mistake. He turned and bolted, praying Rig went to his mate first and gave him a head start.

Georgia turned, blindly and ran, colliding with the passenger side mirror on his truck and falling backwards to the pavement. She landed on her tailbone with an audible crack, then her head hit the pavement and she lay still.

Rig was at her side, his mom and sisters following quickly behind him.

"Call the clinic, let them know I'm bringing her in!" He directed over his shoulder as he knelt beside her. His hands hovered uncertainly, wanting to gather her up but afraid to do any more damage.

He heard his mom on the phone, explaining that Georgia had fallen and was unconscious and they were bringing her in for treatment. She was having trouble getting them to accept that she was human and it was ok for her to be here, finally directing them to the Alpha for any further explanation.

He knew her tailbone was broken, he'd clearly heard it when she hit the pavement, but he wasn't sure what else might be injured. Gently he put an arm under her knees, then under her shoulders. Helen reached to support her head, crying out and pulling her hand back covered in blood. Her eyes met her brother's, both scared and unsure.

"Rig I'm not sure we should mover her, what if we make it worse?"

"I don't see how it can be much worse. Can you drive while I hold her?"

"Yes, yes of course." She helped rest Georgia's head against his shoulder as he scooped her up. Maria hurried to open the passenger door, shutting it gently behind him once he was settled.

"We'll follow in my car Rig, she's going to be fine." His mom called after them as they pulled out. She hugged Maria against her. They all knew humans were fragile in comparison to themselves, but how fragile? Claudia and Maria stood watching the truck for a moment, before gingerly stepping around the pool of blood that smelled so strongly of Georgia and pulling Helen's car out of the garage.

Rig felt like he was coming apart. Georgia was limp in his arms, her pulse weak and thready, The smell of her blood was terrifying as it soaked into his shirt. She was so soft, so. . . breakable. What the hell had happened?

"I wasn't imagining it, Jason fucking Miller shifted in front of my mate?" Rig growled from between tightly clenched teeth.

"Uh, yeah, he was already running by the time I got out the door. What the hell was he up to?" Helen darted a look at him.

"I hope he's somewhere praying Georgia is ok, because I already want to tear his head off. If she's not ok. . ." Rig choked, holding Georgia more tightly against him and kissing her forehead.

Helen had never seen her brother so affected. Anxiety, fear, was rolling off him in waves and his eyes were bright with tears. She thought about her mate, Chris, their wedding just a week away. What if he were hurt, unconscious, bleeding? Her foot pushed down on the gas, speeding them more swiftly toward the community clinic.

Will walked swiftly into their office, responding to the distress he sensed from his mate. Karen was on the phone, pacing, she looked up, her brows drawn together and gestured him over.

"No, no, I assure you we know and we've given our blessing." She put her hand over the mouthpiece and explained, "Georgia's been injured, she's unconscious, Rig is taking her to the clinic."

"Yes, I'm well aware it's an unusual situation." She answered the tinny objections from the other end of the line, "We are headed over now, just treat her as best you can." She hung up decisively and shook her head.

Will gave her a quick hug, "I haven't even met this girl but she's sure making things exciting around here."

Karen snorted, "We'd better hurry to the clinic to smooth things over, the doctor was having a conniption."

Helen pulled into the clinic parking lot, trying not to bounce Georgia any more than she had to. She put the truck in park and jumped out, running around to open the door for RIg. As she helped him step down the doctor and a couple nurses came rushing out with a gurney.

Rig reluctantly lay Georgia on the gurney at the doctor's insistence. He hated to let her go, but he knew she needed help he couldn't give right now.

Helen took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly as they rushed after the medical staff. One nurse hung back as the gurney pushed through a set of swinging doors.

"I"m sorry but you can't go back right now, you'll have to wait while they evaluate her." She was gentle but firm, directing Rig and Helen to the nearby waiting room.

She disappeared for a moment, returning with a clean scrub top. "Why don't you change into this while you wait, I think you'll be more comfortable." She held the shirt out with a sympathetic look.

Rig looked at the scrub top, then his own blood covered shirt. The color drained from his face and he sat down heavily. Helen rushed to his side, taking the scrubs and helping him change shirts.

"Will you be able to answer some questions for me?" The nurse asked kindly.

"Yes, what do you need to know?" He rubbed his face then raked his fingers over his scalp.

She picked up a clipboard and asked a series of questions, most of which Rig didn't have the answers for.

"We just met really, we barely know each other." As he said it he sent a silent prayer that they'd still have the chance to change that. He rested his elbows on his knees and hung his head.

While she was getting as much information from him as she could his mom and sister came in, followed by Will and Karen. The nurse bowed her head respectfully to the Alpha's and slipped through the double doors to join the team working on Georgia.

"Rig," Will clasped his shoulder, "Do you feel up for telling me what happened?"

"Yeah," Rig took a deep breath and straightened up, "I'll tell you as much as I know."

Karen chatted with Claudia and her daughters, they were giving her what information they had. Maria bounced on the balls of her feet, full of anxious energy.

"We spent the day out at the lake. We got back to the house and were going inside but she got a phone call from her job. She said she'd just be a minute to go ahead and go in. So I went inside and she was standing in the driveway." Rig scrubbed at his face, "I was talking to my mom when all of a sudden I felt this panic hit me and I knew I needed to get to Georgia."

Will and Karen exchanged a glance, Karen cocking her eyebrow.

"You were sensing her panic?" Will prompted.

"Yeah, I guess so, it wasn't clear what was going on just that she was terrified. I ran down the stairs and out the front door." He clenched his fists and his face went red as he remembered coming around the corner of the garage. "Jason Miller." His voice was deadly.

"Jason Miller?"Will sounded surprised, "What did he do?"

"He shifted in front of her! She panicked of course and tried to run. She ran into the mirror on the side of the truck and went down hard." The anger drained out of him as he remembered Helen pulling back a blood covered hand from under Georgia's head. "I know something's broken, her tailbone I think, and there was so much blood." He shook his head. Claudia sat in the chair beside him and took his hand, holding it between hers.

"She's a strong girl Rig, she's going to be fine."

"I'm going to go check on things." Karen moved towards the double doors with a nod to her husband.

"Where is Jason now?" Will asked, irritation clear in his voice.

"He ran off before I got out the door," Helen offered, "I'm sure he must realize he screwed up big time."

"What was he thinking?!" Claudia asked, "What could have possessed him to shift in front of a human?"

"He knew she was Rig's mate, he'd called me this morning concerned that Rig had brought a human on pack land, Not that that explains it, if anything it makes less sense because he should have known to stay clear of someone else's newly found mate."

Karen came back through the doors, trailed by the strong scent of Georgia's blood. Rig tensed as she joined them.

"No real news yet but the doctor said none of her injuries are life threatening. She's likely got a concussion and a broken bone or two, but she should be just fine." Rig let out the breath he'd been holding and sat back in his chair. "They are doing xrays and a CT scan now to get a better idea of where the damage is and how extensive. He should have something in an hour or so. As soon as they have her stabilized and in a bed you can go back and sit with her." She hesitated, glancing at Will, "She started to regain consciousness so they sedated her. They were concerned what her state of mind will be when she wakes up and want to keep her calm."

Helen recruited Maria to help her get coffee and food, Will and Karen moved away to the other side of the room to discuss what to do about Jason. Claudia sat comforting her son, like she had countless times for problems big and small.

"I told you she'd be ok." She teased him gently.

"Yeah mom," He pulled her against him and kissed the top of her head, "You are always right. Is that what you want to hear?"

"That is exactly what I want to hear. Make sure and say it again when your father gets here."

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Jason had run until he was exhausted, finally slowing and stopping in a part of the forest he didn't recognize. He was far out of pack land at this point, driven by panic and fear he'd just wanted to get as far away as possible.

He shifted and sat against a tree, trying to breath deeply and organize his scattered thoughts. He couldn't get the look on Rig's face out of his mind. Jason knew without a doubt Rig would kill him if he saw him again.

Rig,already living a charmed life in his opinion, had somehow lucked upon a human mate. The Alpha's probably wouldn't even listen to his side of the story, they'd give Rig approval to kill him in retribution for killing his mate.