by Piper Stone
“Which is bullshit.”
“We are uncertain whether the governor is involved. Up to this point there has been no evidence. Look, I’ve told you as much as I can.”
“You will tell us everything,” Degan encouraged, baring his own canines.
“Jesus Christ. Raven is in danger, but why do you think I have her?”
“Because you were the last to be seen with her,” Degan said as he inched closer, taking a deep whiff. “Her scent is all over you.”
“Okay. I went to her laboratory in order to warn her. I would never hurt Raven. She’s my friend,” Daniel insisted.
“Then why would she believe your fiancée is this woman you seek?” I demanded.
“I’m not sure, other than the initial. G. Rawlings and my fiancée’s name is Gretchen. The woman we are seeking is Gina Rawlings, but she is currently using the name of Gina Atwood.”
I closed the distance once again, able to sense he was telling the truth. “And she is?”
Sighing, Daniel shifted his gaze once again, obviously nervous. “She works at Brexton with Raven.”
Snarling, I reared back, preparing to strike.
Daniel shifted back, keeping his eyes locked onto me. “Look, until recently, I didn’t believe Raven was in any danger until she started asking questions. I was trying to get her out of there because I was the one who helped her get the damn job in the first place against my better judgment, but I knew Raven would help flush Gina out. Unfortunately, things are starting to get out of control. The task force is close to closing in on the operation, but I refused to have Raven in harm’s way. That’s what I was attempting to do when she threw a whole bunch of accusations my way, fleeing into the building before I had a chance to explain anything to her.”
“And you didn’t stop her?” Micah huffed.
“Of course I tried. Then I was refused entrance. By the time I got into the building, both she and Gina were gone.”
“Why didn’t you arrest this woman?” I could barely keep my beast contained.
“We don’t know where she is a portion of the time and we were waiting until we had evidence. Trust me, we’ve been trying to locate her home, which is likely a landing spot given her involvement with the Revolution. Her estate has been watched for months.” Daniel was exasperated. “There are various officers looking all throughout the city.”
I took another deep whiff, allowing him to see my canines as my instinct kicked in. “You don’t have what it takes to find her, but we do. What does this woman look like?”
“I can’t allow you to do this,” he retorted.
I tilted my head, the deep growl the last warning he was going to receive.
He moved toward a desk, retrieving his telescan unit. “Okay, fine. This is Gina Atwood, a woman considered to be the most dangerous and powerful woman up and down the East Coast.”
The moment I glanced at the picture, a bolt of electricity shifted into every cell and muscle. “I will make certain I provide Gina to you for prosecution, but you will abide by my rules and you will have members of your law enforcement do exactly as I say. Is that clear?”
Daniel grimaced before nodding. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Remain with Daniel to ensure that he understands what must be done,” I instructed.
“You can’t do this alone,” Degan challenged.
“You will do as I say,” I snapped. “I will save my mate.”
“You need to be careful, Jabari. Gina is an expert marksman among other things. She also has access to every type of weapon, including those that can end your life,” Daniel warned.
“Understood. I suggest you make certain you explain the situation to your superiors. The time for betrayal is over.” As I began to allow the transition to occur, the fear in the man’s eyes was exactly what I wanted to see.
It was time for the Breeds to take back control.
They would no longer fuck with any of us. For we were the rulers of the land.
Soon, the humans would begin to understand our abilities.
For soon, they would face our wrath.
Every Breed working together.
Every Breed in acceptance of what had to be done.
And we would once again rule.
* * *
There was no time to waste, Raven in danger.
Gina would be waiting for my arrival. She knew enough about the Breeds to understand that I would be coming to claim what belonged to the alpha. What she didn’t understand was the collective power that stood behind me, prepared for an all-out war. As I approached the street, I let off another intense bellow, the cry one that few would ignore. I’d felt their presence minutes before, the various wolves and lions, tigers and bears, jaguars and cougars all nearing the city, the Breeds working with my Claw for both protection as well as providing force as needed.
The Revolution didn’t have a chance.
As I closed the distance to the house, the whiff of the two women inside was strong. Every cell in my body was on fire give my close proximity to Raven. She was still alive, her heart beating rapidly.
Taking another inhale of the night air, I lunged forward, breaking through the glass window with ease. Within seconds, every light was on in the house, the glaring brightness forcing a snarl from my lips. I padded inside, the scent of the other woman increasing.
“Welcome, Jabari. The alpha of the great panthers. Somehow, I knew you would come for her, your beloved mate.” Gina’s voice filtered into the room before she walked in, a weapon in her hand, her arm wrapped around Raven’s neck. She laughed as she peered down, a smirk on her face.
Raven’s eyes were open, her long dark hair spilling over her shoulders, her fingers digging into Gina’s arm.
“How did you know where to find me?” she asked silently.
“Daniel,” I huffed. “He is your friend after all.”
“My God. I thought he was part of this. They are called the Revolution and are poised for an attack tomorrow. They have thousands of members. Thousands of them. This is only the beginning.”
I snarled and inched closer as I thought about what she was saying. “An attack during the president’s visit.”
“They want President Wilkes terminated,” she murmured.
“Of course they do.” I dragged my tongue across my canines, the longing to finish the hunt growing stronger. I sensed Raven had been given a tranquilizer of some sort, a portion still in her system.
Gina pressed the barrel of the laser against Raven’s temple, jerking my mate closer. “There’s nothing you can do to stop us, Jabari. If you’d like to trade your life for that of your... little pet, that can be arranged.”
Pet. I growled threateningly as I lifted my head. “She will attempt to kill you.”
“And you won’t let her.” Raven’s eyes shimmered, her entire body shaking.
“I know you can understand every fucking word I’m saying. You are coming with me, Jabari, and you’re going to make certain you call all your alpha buddies. It will be such a joy to eliminate every alpha one by one. Then we’ll move to your little Packs and Prides, whatever the hell you call them. Soon, there will nothing left of you, no interference in attempting to steal our power.” Gina laughed again as she studied me. “So, what’s it going to be? Her freedom for your life or the knowledge that her death will bring about the demise of your entire species?”
I’d run out of patience, my anger to the point of being difficult to control.
I determined the best course of action and within seconds, I sprang toward her, catching Gina off guard. While the surprise forced her to loosen her hold around Raven’s neck, my mate tumbling forward, Gina recovered quickly, able to fire off a single shot, the aim off by mere centimeters.
“Get out!” I commanded Raven, moving in front of her.
“I’m not leaving you,” she said out loud, her voice just as rebellious as always.
Gina reared up, prepared to fire another blast, her aim in the mid
dle of my chest.
“No!” Raven screamed, only her bellow was no longer entirely human. I could instantly feel her anguish as she began to shift for the first time, her body convulsing as she attempted to get control. She had no ability to understand or slow the shift. The first experience would be horrific, but she shouldn’t be able to make the transition. Degan was right. We weren’t fully mated.
“Breathe,” I offered.
“How is this...possible?”
“I don’t know.”
Raven crumpled over as the sounds of her body being forced to change permeated the air. Her body twisted, cracking and reshaping, her howls becoming more intensified.
Gina stood in awe, her body shaking, the smell of fear intense. “Oh, my God. How... No. No!”
The explosion of glass drew Gina’s attention again, her actions not fast enough to avoid Micah’s powerful lunge from the outside.
As everything shifted into slow motion, I sensed a powerful loyalty sweeping through Micah.
Then I heard a cry of agony as a second blast electrified the room.
* * *
There was nothing more powerful than the feeling of having my mate by my side. Although I’d wanted to forbid her from coming with me to free the captured Breeds, there was no concept of leaving her alone. Raven remained terrified of her new form, although as she raced through the forests and streets, her adrenaline boosted her exhilaration at the absolute freedom.
As soon as the shot had rung out, an entire group of Breeds had descended on the Gina’s house, some remaining in human form. Micah had refused to follow my orders in his effort to protect his alpha, his honor to the Claws something that would not be forgotten.
As long as he survived the blast.
Although critically wounded, I was forced to leave him in another soldier’s hands until our return. At least Daniel had made good on his promise, Gina arrested not long after our departure. The information had been relayed to me as Raven and I descended on the zoo.
Within minutes, the Breeds had been freed, the number of soldiers ordered by Luca to provide assistance able to break through the steel bars holding them. Soon after, law enforcement had arrived, claiming the property and breaking into the buildings. What they’d found had been horrific, the bodies of several Breeds kept in containers for fear of being discovered. The horrible stench had been determined.
As we were prepared to leave, Daniel was waiting, scanning the darkness. I could feel his rapid heartbeat as we drew close, his anxiety heightened.
“He is a man of honor, although he put your life in danger. For that he should face my wrath,” I communicated to her as we approached.
“He is my friend, Jabari. He came to warn me. Don’t forget that,” Raven growled as she looked into my eyes, hers filled with a combination of excitement as well as sadness. “What’s going to happen?”
“We reclaim what rightfully belongs to us. We learn to live once again.”
She pawed the ground before shifting closer to Daniel, tipping her head and staring into his eyes.
Daniel sucked in his breath as he gazed down, reaching out then fisting his hand as he lowering his arm slowly.
In response, Raven padded closer, rubbing her face against his leg.
While I knew that there was only a fraction of humans who were truly our enemies, a part of me would never forgive any of them because of what they’d done, the wretched treatment that continued on a daily basis. But for tonight, I would revel in the fact that a certain portion of humans would always attempt to do the right thing.
When he finally had the courage to reach down, a smile crossed his face, a moment of recognition settling in. “Raven.”
She took a step back, once again lifting her head and allowing her true beast to cry out into the night. Her bellow was more beautiful than any other sound I’d heard.
My mate.
The love of my life.
The woman as well as the beast I’d die for...
* * *
“She is beautiful, son, and truly one of us.”
I was surprised to hear my father’s voice, but I was glad to have his company. Grinning, I studied Raven as she stood over Micah, the hospital doctor giving her permission to attend to him in her own way. Nothing else had worked, just as I’d already known. The laser had ripped through his kidney and spleen, causing significant internal bleeding. There was little chance of survival.
“Is there anything you don’t know, Pops?” I asked quietly, my heart aching.
“You forget that I have been the leader for a very long time. There is little that gets by me, even if I am an old man. She is very powerful in her own right.”
“Yes.” The word seemed to choke in my throat.
“Tell me, how was she able to shift without your full mating?”
I laughed softly. “She suspects that because I bit her during the time I was injected with both drugs at the zoo that it also altered her DNA structure slightly. She’s going to run tests. Perhaps it will provide some additional answers.”
“How is Micah?”
“He’s stable but nothing more.”
“Is there nothing that can be done?”
“There is one thing.” I studied Micah’s supine figure through the oversized window. He’d been brought to a human hospital, something that we never allowed to occur. However, it was his best chance at survival. I’d issued a command, one to my beloved mate and one she’d fought in responding to.
My father turned to look me in the eyes, a slight smile crossing his face. “You are a very giving beast, Jabari, and I am very proud of you. That being said, your life is the most valuable of our Claw. There must have been another way.”
As I looked at him, I could tell he was able to glean information from my mind. “There is still time for the scientists to find a cure.”
“But you are dying.”
Exhaling, I gave him a slight smile. “There isn’t anything you don’t know. I am certain something can be done.” There’d been a single injection left that Raven had produced secured in the bag she’d refused to let out of her sight, all the others destroyed by Gina before she planned Raven’s capture. While the effects might not be strong enough to provide the aid Micah needed, it was the only option.
As far as continuing her research, she could be forced to start from ground zero, but she was determined to re-create her findings, enlisting Shannon to work with her. There was a question about the scientist she called Mitchell as well as a small disc that she’d been given by another member of the Condor. There were too many questions left unanswered, which kept me on edge.
“When did Raven administer the injection?” he asked.
“Thirty minutes ago.” Unfortunately, the length of time was worrisome, the prospects looking grim. However, I refused to give up on the possibility.
He patted me on the shoulder. “Have faith, my son.”
“Faith is a human concept.”
“That’s where you are wrong. Faith is a healing force, capable of providing comfort and something to hope for. At least when it’s held in your heart.”
“Is that what happened to my mother? Did she lose the faith?”
He seemed surprised, sadness instantly appearing in his eyes. Then he smiled as he thought about her. “Your mother was young at heart, capable of seeing the best things in everyone, including humans. She would scold me for not accepting the joys that being human provided. To answer your question, yes, she lost her faith.”
“Why?”
As he inched closer to the glass, I could see a single tear sliding down his cheek. Another human trait. I’d yet to shed any tears. “You almost had a sister.”
“What? You never told me that.”
“She would have been your older sister. We named her Destiny, a very human name that your mother insisted on.”
“What happened?”
My father wiped the tear away, keeping his stare on Micah. “We had little understanding
of births at that point, so few cubs born. When she was unable to shift into her beast, she suffered distress with the cub during her pregnancy. We were forced to come to a human hospital, where she believed a miracle would occur. Sadly, the doctors weren’t able to help her. While she loved you dearly, she was never the same after the miscarriage. Eventually, her sadness became too overwhelming. However, she did call you her little miracle because she was told she could never bring another cub to full term. You were her blessing. She also knew you were the alpha from the second you were conceived.”
“How do you know when an alpha is about to be born?”
“You don’t, at least not usually, but your mother was certain and she was right. You are a true leader and I am very proud of you. Your mother would have been overjoyed at what you’ve accomplished.”
I had no words of comfort, but I felt his heartache as well as that of my mother’s.
“Remember that life is precious, son. Do not take it for granted. Whatever the gods have in store for you and for your mate, enjoy the time you have.”
As he walked away, his feet somehow heavier, I made a promise that I would savor every moment with the woman, the panther that I loved.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she waited by Micah’s side, checking his vitals every few minutes. I was beginning to lose the very faith my father had talked about. I closed my eyes, allowing her face to remain in the forefront of my mind. Raven wasn’t just my salvation. She was everything good in life.
And I loved her dearly.
When I felt a shot of electricity surging through me, I lifted my head as she glanced in my direction. The moment I entered the room, I could feel Micah’s heartbeat getting stronger. “What is it?”
“He’s healing. My God, he’s actually healing,” Raven half whispered. “We’re not out of the woods yet, but I think he has a chance.” She shifted around the hospital bed, taking careful steps until she flung herself into my arms. “I’m glad but I’m so afraid.”
“Have faith, my beautiful Raven. You will find a way. Of that I have no doubt.” I eased a finger under her chin, lifting her head. “You are magic.” As I captured her mouth, for a few seconds the weight of our predicament was no longer on my shoulders, the love I felt for her replacing the heartache and worry. The taste of her was a strong reminder that she belonged to me.
