by Piper Stone
“Were there any other alphas in the group at this zoo?” Degan asked quietly. He’d been the only one to accompany me back to my house, promising protection for Raven as well as his support as necessary.
“Not that I could tell.” My answer was met by another rumble in the crowd.
Micah huffed. “Then why were they captured? What the hell was the point?”
“It is my belief this group is also working on developing a serum for saving the human race, only using Breeds against their will. If as byproduct they realized their drug disabled our abilities, that will make it much easier to begin a community-wide extermination.” While I offered the explanation, I had a gut feeling there was even more to whatever they’d been working on.
Still, the information had the effect I’d hoped. They were listening.
And they were afraid.
I was eager to get back to Raven in order to learn if she’d found any useful information regarding the owner of the facility. Whether or not her attempts at perfecting a serum were possible, I refused to venture a guess. It wouldn’t matter if an extermination procedure was put in place.
“We must free the Breeds.” Traeger flanked my side. “That is our duty.”
Micah laughed. “At whose command?”
“At mine,” I snarled, my voice booming into the room. I waited until the realization fully sank in before continuing. “There are at least twenty Breeds being held. However, these humans will have guards established at the location given my escape. We will need to be extremely careful. Traeger, prepare a group of thirty. Upon nightfall, we will go hunting.” I would need to talk with the other Breed leaders as soon as possible. My thoughts drifted, wondering if the entire situation with Raven’s arrival had been nothing but a ruse, the possibility she was being used as a pawn.
“Will do and I need volunteers to help free the other Breeds,” Traeger stated, making certain he glanced at several of the panthers, expecting their full compliance.
“If we do this, the other Breeds will owe us,” Micah stated with his usual tone of arrogance.
“We will do this because we have honor. At least the majority of us.” I was sick of being questioned. “If you don’t want to participate, Micah, you are not required. However, it is something that I will remember in the future. I suggest you keep that in mind.”
As I walked out, I could hear another round of admonishment beginning. So be it. They would soon learn they had no choice.
I was the alpha.
Chapter Twelve
Jabari
Moonlight.
I’d always enjoyed hunting under the glow of a giant orb in the sky. As she stood in the darkness, staring out the window, my keen eyesight was able to decipher every beautiful detail of her face and long neck, slender arms and the kind of voluptuous curves that could destroy a man. Even her lips were a thing of beauty, so full and the color like the soft petals of a blush-colored rose highlighted in the sunlight.
While I wasn’t a romantic man, the notion of the gyrations humans often went through in their art of mating, Raven provoked a different side of me.
My human side.
While the realization was thought-provoking, it was also disturbing as fuck. Had I fully embraced the fact she was my mate? I wasn’t entirely certain. Perhaps I never would be. What I knew without a doubt was that I was stronger with her. Another unnerving thought.
She seemed to sense my presence, her body tensing, her chest lightly rising and falling. Even her heartrate was rapid, the pulse in her neck ticking.
I licked my lips as I closed the door, moving to turn on one of the lights. The warm glow further illuminated her tense stance.
I shifted toward my makeshift bar, pouring us both a tumbler of bourbon. The day had been arduous. I feared the next day would begin a battle that the Claw could be destined to lose. At least my call to Luca had gone as expected. He’d heard enough about the rumblings in and around the city to warrant bringing a group of his soldiers.
The various discussions with the other alpha leaders hadn’t gone as well. They were pissed, furious that I’d ignored members of their kind before making my escape. However, we would all come together to formulate a plan.
While she remained silent, even attempting to keep her mind as blank as possible, I could smell her fear. The second I handed her one of the glasses, our fingers touching, a bolt of electricity shot through both of us. We were so damn connected, more so than I could understand. At least our tether was getting stronger.
“Will I turn?” Raven finally asked in a whispered voice.
“Into a beast?” I asked, uncertain how I wanted to answer her.
“I understand that your great lion’s mate has the ability.”
I snorted as I pulled the rim of the glass to my lips, taking a swallow of the smooth liquor before answering. “That is correct, although I have never met her.”
“And she can shift at will?”
“Yes, or so I’ve heard. Don’t be afraid, Raven. When the time is right, you will embrace your beast.”
“Which means you’ve already marked me.” As her hand moved to her neck, I could easily read her inflamed anxiety at the thought.
“The truth is I’m not certain if you will obtain the ability or not.”
“Don’t be afraid?” she countered rebelliously, purposely moving away from me. “How the hell am I supposed to do that, Jabari? I have no idea why I’m so incredibly attracted to you that I can barely breathe when you’re in the room. I continue to try and figure out why I was targeted by some unknown asshole who led me down a slippery slope with threats and promises. Meanwhile, I feel the burden of attempting to finish my scientific tests in order to help every single Breed finally move out of the dark curse you’ve been placed into. On top of that, my entire life is about to change, and I have utterly no idea how I’m supposed to handle that. I’m not just afraid. I’m terrified.”
“Your terror will keep you safe.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “If you say so.”
I could see her hand shaking, the glass clinking against her teeth as she attempted to take a sip. I loathed being unable to give her the comfort she needed. “What have you learned?” The question was one I had to ask.
“Not as much as I’d hoped. The owner of the zoo has done damn well hiding her identity. It would seem the property has been in a holding company for longer than I’ve been alive, likely after falling into ruin after the last war. While the guard at the zoo indicated the owner is a woman, the only name I found attacked was exactly the same as I noticed on a sign at the entrance to the property. G. Rawlings. That’s pretty much where the trail ended. As far as the tests performed, the drug that this organization produced is complex, but from the limited tests I was able to run, it’s another method of altering DNA.”
I walked closer, a low-slung growl rolling up from my throat. “Then you have some answers.”
She laughed as she tipped her head in my direction. “Hardly. While Shannon was extremely helpful in providing assistance as well as some extensive molecular knowledge, neither one of us were able to break down the molecular code enough to provide any concrete answers. Shannon simply doesn’t have the right equipment. What I do know is that the effects seem to be wearing off, as if the hold on your molecules slowly releases, allowing your abilities to return.”
I thought about her answer and sighed. “And your serum?”
“There is no way I can test the use of the freaking plant Mr. Anonymous Caller provided here. It simply can’t be done. However, what concerns me is the fact that the serum I injected you with should have at minimum destroyed the properties of the other drug used. From your reactions, it would seem my serum only masked the effects of the other drug.”
“Meaning even if this plant performs exactly as stated, the other drug could be far too powerful.”
Raven nodded as she walked toward the couch, easing down and raking her hand through her hair. “If I had
to guess, the experiments this dissident group has been performing on the Breeds will continue until the perfect concoction is found. You have to know they are attempting to destroy you, all of you.”
“They can’t attack all of us at once.”
“That might not be true.” She finally looked me in the eye, hers swimming with moisture. “The little I have been able to determine is that the properties could allow for mass use with a concentrated dose.”
“How?”
“The air. Water supply. I should know more when I’ve been able to isolate the components.”
My grip on the glass became firmer, a slight cracking sound fueling my anger. “These dissidents have either the intelligence or the equipment and capabilities to perfect something of this nature?”
She moved off the couch, crowding my space. “That’s just it. From what I’ve been told by a very reliable source, these dissidents are very dangerous given their access to weapons and their willingness to hunt down every Breed, but they aren’t a funded organization. At least yet.”
“They are the muscle for the organization.” While I was aware of her ties to the Police Integration Task Force, I doubted they were completely aware of just how organized the dissidents had become.
Or how deadly.
“Exactly. Think about it, Jabari. If this property is owned by a trust, it’s entirely possible that this G. Rawlings is a very wealthy individual, especially if the zoo allows for donations from those within the upper echelon. Plus, their tests could have been ongoing for years, not just since the president allowed for the freedom of the Breeds. However, they are taking a significant chance. From what I’d read about President Wilkes as well as because of his press conferences, he won’t tolerate anything of this nature. He has committed to the Breeds maintaining their freedom, returning to the wild if that’s what is decided.”
“Remember that things aren’t always as they seem, Raven. Those we hope we can trust often turn against us.”
Her gaze drifted off. “That’s just about what the mystery caller told me. So you think promises were made a year ago that the government never intended on keeping?”
My thoughts shifted to Governor Aldridge and his hatred of the Breeds. While the man certainly had the power to develop an organized plan of extinction in and around his city, unless he was backed by the full authority and blessing of the White House, he could be placing his political career in jeopardy. I certainly didn’t like the odds either way.
However, I would hunt him down and find out.
“I think that there is a darker web of deceit than simply a single group performing heinous tests for their own personal greed. You have no idea how this caller learned what you were working on?”
“None. I haven’t told a soul. I keep everything locked down and never work on my experiments while others are in the building.”
“Is it possible that there are hidden cameras?”
Biting her lower lip, she closed her eyes. “I guess it’s feasible, but I’ve seen the results after the facility is swept for any listening or visual equipment. Plus, my boss is an honorable man.”
Even though she uttered the words, I could tell she had doubt. “Either way, you have become a valuable commodity, which means that you are going nowhere.”
“That’s not possible. I already told you that I must get back to the lab in order to find answers. No one knows what happened at that damn zoo. The people I work with aren’t going to suspect a thing.”
“But what about your mysterious caller? He will likely know you succeeded, but maybe not in the way he intended. If he’s working with this organization, he will send others to capture you or worse. I will not allow that to happen.”
“You’re not my keeper,” she rebutted, taking a step away from me.
I grabbed her arm, dragging her against the heat of my body. “You will obey me.”
“That’s not fair nor is it a good idea, Jabari. While I might not understand your culture or the loyalty you have to your Claw, I do know from Shannon how vital it is that you become the alpha. That’s the only way you can protect your kind.”
“My soldiers will protect our village. Only I can protect my mate.” I swept the glass out of her hand, placing both on the fireplace hearth before fisting her hair, tipping her head until I could gaze into her eyes. “You are our salvation. You are the method of bringing life back to this Claw. How or why no longer matters. You. Are. Mine.”
As I pulled her onto her toes, she struggled in my hold, pressing her fists against my chest. Up until now, I’d taken her like a beast. Tonight, I would take her like a man, satisfying the burning hunger that refused to be denied.
Moaning, she took several shallow breaths as she clung to me, the shimmer in her eyes enrapturing as fuck as her longing increased. We were simply unable to resist the animal attraction, a draw that refused to be denied.
Within seconds, her resolve seemed to sweep away, her body leaning into mine. I captured her mouth, taking my time to enjoy the taste of her. Even her soft purrs into the moment of passion further ignited the flames. While the panther inside of me remained close to the surface, the man wanted to consume her, exploring every inch of her gorgeous skin.
Every nuance.
Every curve.
Every hole.
I ground my hips against her, my cock pushing hard against my jeans. Even my heartrate had increased. I was famished, every cell screaming with need. When I finally slid my tongue between her lips, her body trembled. The scent of her drove me wild; so sweet and exotic, warm spices and a hint of the forest. A simple inhale pushed me into a heightened level of intoxication.
The second she undulated her hips, grinding back and forth, there was little I could do to hold back my needs. I sucked on her tongue, taking it into the dark recesses of my mouth. I eased my hand down the length of her back, cupping and squeezing her bottom. When she whimpered into the kiss, my entire body began to shake.
Every muscle was tense, my blood pumping wildly. When I broke the kiss, I cupped her face, rubbing my thumb back and forth, breathing a swath of hot air across her skin.
Her lips were pursed, her face shimmering in the dim lighting. Even her eyelids were half closed. I nipped her bottom lip before pressing kisses along her jaw, slowly making my way to her neck.
Raven tensed, pressing her palms against me. “Oh, Jabari.”
I continued my exploration, dragging my tongue along her collarbone. Frustration drove into me, the need to have her completely naked. Growling, I eased back, ripping the shirt over her head and tossing it aside, exposing her beautiful breasts. Hunkering over, I kneaded both before swirling my tongue around first one then the other hardened bud.
She moaned, the sultry sound filling the air. As she ran her hand down my side, shifting until she was able to stroke my cloth-covered cock, I was unable to stop the series of guttural sounds. Trembling visibly, she rubbed her hand up and down slowly, driving me to the point of savagery.
I sucked on her nipple, taking the tender flesh between my teeth as I pinched the other, twisting until she cried out in pain.
“Oh. Oh...”
The dark and filthy things I wanted to do were undoubtedly sinful, yet there was no holding back. I would take her brutally and without hesitation.
Raven fumbled with my belt, fighting to unfasten the buckle, soft murmurs erupting from her mouth. When she finally managed the task, she shuddered, a smile crossing her face.
“I’m going to feast on every inch of your luscious body, lapping every drop of your sweet cream. Then I’m going to fuck you. Hard.”
Unable to take any additional teasing, I jerked back, yanking her over my shoulder. I had difficulty focusing as I stormed toward the bedroom, kicking the door open. When I tossed her onto her feet, I pulled the shirt over my head as I studied her, my mouth watering from the sight of her fully erect nipples.
She dropped her gaze in a provocative manner, a sly smile crossing her face.<
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“Undress,” I commanded as I slowly removed the leather belt from the loops, savoring the way she studied the action, her lips pursed.
“What if I don’t?”
“First,” I said as I yanked off my boots, “I will rip the clothes off your body. Then you will be forced to remain naked at all times. For my pleasure. For my use.” I peeled away my jeans, sliding them over my hips. My cock continued to ache, the throbbing matching the beat of my heart. The tip was fully engorged, my balls screaming for relief. When I was completely naked, I swept my hand down my chest, wrapping my fingers around the base of my cock. Her eyes never left me as I rubbed up and down my shaft, squeezing the tip.
“After that?” she asked, her voice little more than a husky whisper.
Retrieving the belt, I folded the strap in two, slapping it against my hand, the hard crack giving her a sexy little smile.
“Then I promise you that I’m going to whip you with my belt, which is exactly what you deserve.”
“Why?”
“Because you refuse to obey me. Because you think you’re in charge. Because...” I allowed the word to linger. “I am your master.”
A subtle yet nervous laugh pushed past her lips and she dared to defy me, taking a long stride backwards.
I stood at my full height, studying her every move as my beast continued to claw at the surface. Several growls rolled up from the darkness, the sound reverberating in the room. She didn’t seem fazed by my beast, her lust-filled gaze continuing to fuel the fire. I took another deep inhale, allowing the scent of her wet pussy to filter into my nostrils. She was fully aroused, our electric desire unstoppable.
“You are one bad girl and there’s something you should know,” I huffed.
“What’s that?”
“I always keep my promises.”
My actions swift, I closed the distance, easing the belt onto the bed. She squealed as I ripped at her clothing, but within seconds, she stood fully naked in front of me. I basked in the glory of her beauty, able to catch a brief glimpse of her swollen pussy lips. Resting my foot on the bed’s platform, I dragged her over my knee, immediately snagging the belt. When I brought it down against her rounded bottom, she didn’t react other than muttering a single moan.
