His Eternity. Book Two: The Wounded Souls. Queenscliff Chapter

By Leah Sharelle

RIVER

My life took an unexpected turn after an accident that left my hands damaged. Too damaged to continue my firefighting career. Lucky for me, a lifeline came in the form of a year prospecting for the Wounded Souls. My family was friends with the MC, so it took no time to say yes. Becoming a patch gave me more purpose. My injuries didn't matter anymore because I was useful again. Fast forward five years and I was one of five members of a new Souls chapter. Now the enforcer at a new compound, I was far enough away from the malicious gossip that stained my family and, Willow and I were free to be together. Away from the watchful eye of her biker dad, and far enough away that I could get away with living the best of both worlds. Willow was mine during the week, her arms around me at night and I still managed a safe distance between her and my family. Keeping everyone separated was the best option.

How wrong I was.

WILLOW

Growing up a MC princess wasn't as good as it sounded. Not if you called being wrapped in cotton wool and having a plethora of leather clad alpha's watching every move you made. So, when the opportunity to go help set up the new Souls chapter came my way, I jumped on it. I went to war with my dad and with some help from my mum, I found myself the new assistant to the Queenscliff chapter president. Life was finally mine to explore. River was finally mine to love. One problem though, River was hiding his true feelings from me. And, so much more. Why was he hiding me from his family? Why claim me and continue to find reasons to keep me away from the people most important to him? Add a disgruntled prospect to the mix and my life was suddenly a lot more complicated than cotton wool.

If River couldn't see how much I loved him, what the fudge was I fighting for?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leah Sharelle
• Release date: Oct 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201881931

Book preview

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

EPILOGUE

Copyright © 2021 Leah Sharelle

His Eternity

By Leah Sharelle

All Rights Reserved.

Editing and Proofreading: R Corcoran

Photography: Chic Professional Photography

Cover Models: Dustyn Rodgers & Amy Green

Cover Design: Formatting & Design by Jaye

Interior Design: Formatting & Design by Jaye

This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the properties of the author, and your support and respect are appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

DEDICATION

To Handsome, you are a constant source of inspiration. XO

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PROLOGUE

RIVER

Riv, watch the rookie, will ya? Hoove shouted, getting my attention. Whipping my head around to look at the newbie wadding through a large puddle of water that was sitting dangerously close to some downed electrical wires, I turned back to Hoove.

Who said yes to this one? I yelled back, adding an eye roll. Or should I ask?

What can I say, Riv? Your old man has a problem with only seeing the good in a rookie and not that they have any business being at a fire. Not waiting for me to respond, Hoove hurried back outside of the building. Not that he needed me to answer, my stepfather/ brother-in-law was also my boss, and Hoove’s. It was up to Carson who made it on the team and for some reason, he liked to give recruits that showed no natural talent a go.

This guy was the third in less than eight months, and like the other two, I held out no hope for the poor bastard. I don’t know where my old man found these zero chance rookies, but he was going to listen to my opinion on why he should stop choosing them.

Dropping my chin to my chest, I tried to remember what the newbie’s name was…

Paul? No, that was the one before him. Anthony? Possibly.

Oh, fuck it, I muttered, then bent over to grab the axe off the ground by my feet.

Rookie, get the fuck away from the puddle of water, I sighed, completely exhausted. Even mouthing off on a rookie was not all that appealing. Live wires only metres from your left foot. I would’ve thought the electricity had been shut off by now by the energy provider or the fire. Taking note that there could be more currents still running, I quickly covered an unwelcomed yawn behind my gloved hand.

The call-out came just as I was about to grab a kip for a few hours, and as usual, the fucking bell went off.

Ignoring the rookie’s yelp of surprise, I looked around the burnt-out section of the building. Thankfully we arrived not too long after the flames took hold of the mechanic shop, our speedy arrival meant only half of the shop was destroyed. Taking a quick inspection of the workstation, I noted that a lot of tools survived and so did some parts.

Sifting through the debris, I saw a tray of liquid sitting beside a stack of old car batteries. They looked like they had their lids pried off, which was not good.

Taking my radio off my shoulder harness, I glanced at the rookie who had managed to get away from the danger zone and make his way to me.

Hey, Hoove. It’s Rigger here mate, we need the Hazard team brought in. We have opened car batteries and a tray of liquid. My guess is the owner is trying to save money on drain cleaner by draining old batteries. While speaking to Hoove, I knelt down when a larger tray caught my eye, sitting half under the bench. Using the axe, I carefully pulled the tray out enough so I could see what might be in it.

Shit.

Hoove, get a move on with the Haz, I found another one.

Copy that Rigg, better get the rookie out of there. Make sure your equipment is secure, let’s not deal with a rookie chemical burn tonight, hey.

Adjusting my face mask, I sat back on my feet and bounced in place.

Rookie, get moving back to the tanker— Suddenly, I was shoved forward, a body falling over me, knocking me forward off my feet. Instinctively, I put out my hands to stop me from falling face first to the concrete floor, forgetting about the large tray of acid right where I was falling. With the weight of the rookie on my back, I had no choice but to fall onto my hands.

Burning as I had never felt before travelled up my arms as my gloved hands disappeared into the tray. Instinct took over as I heaved the body sideways and rolled away from the puddle to my back. My hands felt like they were on fire as I brought them to my chest and doubled over.

Get help, I screamed at the man child, who was sitting on his arse looking put out by the way I tossed him.

Get fucking Hoove and Axe in here now, I ordered through gritted teeth, the pain was now so excruciating black spots were starting to dance before my eyes.

Other than my dad, I only trusted two other men completely.

Three men.

My heroes.

I didn’t want anyone else.

Listening to the rookie grunt and pant as he righted himself, words became very hard to get out. Questions whizzed around in my head as I rolled around on the ground in agony. My hands buried against the thick protective material of my turn-out coat.

Was I going to be able to hold a hose again?

Swing an axe and break down a door?

I wasn’t stupid. Being a firefighter for as long as I have been, I’d done all the training on all aspects of the job, including chemical burns. I’d seen what acid did to soft tissue, knew that even a slight contact could cause untold damage. I estimated my hands had been exposed for no less than three seconds.

Noise from the south of the building, sounds of men shouting and running almost made me weep.

River! My dad’s voice penetrated through the fog of pain enough that I opened my eyes to see Carson looming over me.

Move Carson, Hoove yelled, getting down on his knees, a large first aid kit in his beefy hands.

Above me, I felt Hoove working on inserting a needle into my arm. Pain relief.

Thank God.

My dad was already dousing my hands in water, neutralising the acid, getting them ready for what was coming next.

Riv, Dad whispered into my ear, you’re going to be fine, mate.

He was lying, but I appreciated the gesture. If the acid ate through my gloves enough for me to feel pain, then the damage was done.

Twelve years and my firefighting career was over with one little slip.

Will you stop with the fucking rookies, I muttered to Carson, then I closed my eyes. The bliss of the pain meds taking over the pain and clearing my mind of everything except my imploding career.

What was out there for me other than firefighting?

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CHAPTER ONE

RIGGER

Prospect! I yelled the second I turned off the bike’s engine, swinging my leg over and dismounting.

Yo. Fist came running over to me, his expression guarded, no doubt because I sounded pissed off.

And I was.

Where is Battle? Looking over to his empty parking spot, my anger multiplied.

After the get-together at the Ballarat compound, I had visited my family, which meant Battle happily volunteered to take Willow back to Queenscliff on his bike. The tight leather of my gloves bit into my palms as I clenched my fists at the memory of seeing her sitting on his bike, holding onto my brother just the same as she held onto me on the trip to our hometown. It didn’t escape my attention that Battle enjoyed getting a rise out of me every time he spoke to, stood near, or got Willow on the back of his bike. The prick was a cagey bastard. Loyal–I had no doubt about that, but he had a tormenting side that rubbed me the wrong way, especially when it came to my Low.

My Low. Not his.

He isn’t here, Fist said, then stopped when I suddenly reached out and grabbed him by his cut. He hasn’t gotten back yet?

My grip on his cut slipped, making him stumble a step or two backward.

Hey brother, no need to get all worked up. Low is inside with Meagan and Thayer. Battle dropped her off over an hour ago, then took off for his shift on security duty. Instantly, relief washed through me, but my anger was still palpable. No amount of relief knowing she was safe inside the compound could push aside the vision of her on the back of my SAA’s bike. I fucking hated the memory and why she had to go with him and not me. That was all on me, but still, it fucking ate at me that it had to be that way.

Feeling bad for being an arsehole, I gave Fist my hand to shake.

Sorry, Fist, I apologised. It’s been a fucking long day. And it’s Willow, got it? I growled, pissed off that I had to tell yet another person not to call her Low. I had no choice when it came to her brothers, but I did when it came to prospects and fucking annoying club brothers.

No worries, brother. All good. Turning on his heels, I watched the prospect walk back to the club’s mechanic shop.

Fucking get a grip, I muttered as I walked slowly to the compound’s main door, waging an internal battle not to run and find Low.

Our relationship, such as it was, differed from any other I have ever had before. For starters, we were yet to have sex—my choice, not hers. If Willow had her way, we would be burning up the sheets at every opportunity. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to be balls deep inside my beautiful Low because I did. Desperately.

Coming to the door, I reached out to open it when it pushed open from the other side, my pres coming into view, his son and fiancé with him.

Hey, brother. Good ride back?

Fucking cold until I reached Geelong, I mumbled absently, looking over his shoulder to see inside, which was hard considering how Doc is so tall.

She is in there, Rig, Doc assured me in a low voice, he rode back with us, dropped her off, then had to head to work. Handing Max over to Meagan, Doc whispered something to her, then guided her back into the main room, closing the door to leave just him and me standing there.

Pres? Doc was the kind of president that took an interest in his brothers, he cared about more than the patch and the leather. Just like Booth and Shiloh, he worried.

It hurt her; you know. To come back with Battle and not go with you. Typical Doc, always getting to the point, no small talk, just straight into it.

I know, I know, I muttered, dropping my head and feeling the weight of my decisions.

I don’t get it, brother. I know you aren’t afraid of Creed, and after all you’ve seen with Meagan and me, I don’t get why you haven’t claimed her.

Doc, don’t please. Holding up my hands to stop him from going any further. The last thing I wanted was a lecture on my feelings for Willow when my mind was still stirred by seeing her leave with another man. Brother or not, I didn’t appreciate Battle’s mind games or possible intentions towards Willow.

Rigger, I’m not into getting into anyone’s love life. What I am about is making sure my club brothers are okay. Are you okay, Rigger?

Was I okay? Who the fuck knew? For over a year now, Willow has been special to me. We became friends while I was still at the mother chapter, her beauty pulled me, but her shining spark attracted me first. Her endless cheerfulness, empathy for others and talent to create utter joy for others just by walking into a room.

I knew then that I was a goner. Then, I got picked to help with the new chapter here, and panic set in. Not being able to see Willow every day cut me deep, but turning down a request from Booth himself was never going to happen. It was a big deal to start a second location for the Wounded Souls, and being part of that meant something to me. So, I agreed. Preparing myself to say goodbye to Willow, only to find she had decided to move to the new compound too.

That was the best and worst day. The best because I wasn’t going to lose her, and the worst because … of the fear that I was going to lose her anyway. Eventually.

I will be once I get eyes on her, Pres. Giving Doc a chin lift, I moved around him and opened the door, knowing Meagan was going to be on the other side waiting.

Hey Mea, hey little dude, I greeted Meagan and Max, then gently moved past her.

Rigger, Doc clipped, making me look over my shoulder at him. The hairs on the back of my neck pricked, goosebumps travelled down my back and arms.

Willow.

She was watching me.

Every single time, I felt her before I saw her.

You have to get your claim on her; otherwise, she is a free agent leaving her to—

With all due respect Pres, that isn’t going to happen, I gritted out, my fist clenched so hard, the puckered skin of my palms started to protest.

What? Her going to him, or you claiming her? With that last parting shot, Doc took Meagan’s hand and pulled her carefully to him, helping her transfer Max back into his arms. Without another word, I watched my pres walk off with his family. The past month, since he and Meagan got together, he had moved back to live permanently at his house, only staying at the compound overnight once or twice a week.

The urge to punch him was enticing, but I held my anger in check. Just.

He won’t be getting her, trust me on that.

I inwardly groaned when I saw that Willow was sitting with Thayer. My mood was not good, in fact, it was downright menacing. Adding Thayer to the mix was a bad idea. Briefly considering bypassing the women and going straight to my room or the bar, I found that my heart and body had other ideas as my feet headed straight for Low.

Approaching the area where there were ten or more beanbags, my eyes drank in the gorgeousness of my Low—blonde, tiny, svelte and so damn pretty. My mouth dried as I got closer to her, her melodic laughter lighting my heart enough to push aside some of the residing anger directed at Battle.

Hey you! Willow breathed, smiling at me when I reached her sitting on one of the beanbags, Thayer sitting beside her on the same one.

Hey, honey. The softly spoken endearment left my lips as easy as breathing. Her hold on me was that strong.

Attempting to climb out of the beanbag, Willow giggled when her movements dislodged Thayer as well.

Automatically, I reached out and took her small hand in my gloved one, helping her to her feet.

How was the ride back? Willow asked me, keeping her hand folded in mine. Her dark eyes seeming to be looking deep into my soul. More goosebumps, more prickling hairs.

My constant reaction to her.

It was cold, but I am more interested in your ride back. Giving Thayer a chin