"So did you tell her yet?" Mike asked.
"No, I'm going to tell her in the morning after I make her breakfast."
"You think that will help?" Mike asked with a chuckle.
"No probably not but they will be here shortly afterwards so.” He answered with a weak smile on his lips.
"I think I'll leave before they get here." Mike stated.
He looked at the clock and realized it was late and he said his goodnights. Jenni had already left and Mike said he planned to watch a movie or two before going to bed. Curling up alone side Mica; Victor took a deep inhale of her scent. She smelt so good, even with that perfume she wore. As sleep swept him away Mica murmured and whimpered closely to his chest and he wrapped an arm protectively over her.
Victor had thought he only just drifted off as his eyes strained to see the clock. It said it was a quarter to five in the morning. He heard a slight muffled noise and then a thud. His mind raced to understand the sound as he pulled himself from the warmth of his bed. A low gurgling sound was coming from the living room and the metallic smell of blood permeated the air. The heavy sounds of boots on the boat deck made him realize they were being attacked.
He heard the thump near his bedroom door and smelt Mike. His sweat and blood was as clear as the scent of the invaders. He hazarded a glance back at his mate and fear fed his heart. He needed to protect her at all cost. Victor grabbed his rifle from where it rested up against the wall. He opened the door ready to shoot whoever tried to come in.
Chapter 10
Mica awoke with a start as the sounds of a struggle pulled her from her sleep. Blearily she opened her eyes and as she struggled with the covers she smelt blood and wolves. Dickson wolves. The bed beside her was empty. She saw Victor already racing towards the door. The sounds and smells of Mike and another wolf permeated into their room. Her mate looked back at her briefly, his eyes looked afraid then he turned and grabbed the rifle.
As he flung the door open, Mike stood there looking in on them. The retort of a rifle echoed from close by. Mica screamed as part of Mike's face exploded outward in a spray of white, gray and crimson. His body fell lifeless to the floor and Victor suddenly staggered back as another retort was heard. She barely made him as he hit the floor with a heavy thud. The rifle lay near the door where he dropped it. The blood spilled from his chest. It caused her to panic for a moment as she pressed her hands hard against the wound.
"Please Victor don't leave me!” She pleaded as his eyes seemed to try to focus on her.
"Run Mica!” He coughed out. Blood ran from the edge of his mouth and she knew it was bad.
"No, I'm not leaving you!” She felt the tears spill out over her eyelids.
Mica only caught the familiar scent of her dad a second before his powerful arms were hauling her away from Victor. She struggled and screamed to get free as three other Dickson pack members entered the bedroom. Greg walked over to stand beside Victor and he looked briefly at her before turning his attention to her father. "He's still alive."
"Finish him!” Her dad ordered in a throaty growl.
"No!” She screamed as she flailed in her father's arms. She bit and kicked her dad as Greg pulled out his handgun and pointed it at Victor's head. As the loud explosion of the gun reverberated in the room Mica lost her sanity. Victor was murdered right before her eyes.
* * *~~~ * * *
Frank along with his mate and his men stepped onto the dock. The smoke rolled from the burning boat across the water. It wasn’t fully engulfed yet, but he’d a feeling that it wouldn’t take long for the structure to become consumed in the flames. The smell of smoke and blood saturated the air. Ajei, who stood beside him, shuddered all over. Her eyes had turned a milky white and her skin paled. He knew she called on the spirits. In the very dim light of the early morning, he saw the waters moving. The ethereal form of a ghostly salmon erupted from the lake. It was immense in size, almost as big as the boathouse. It leapt from the water, over the burning boat. As it crashed down onto it, the fires were snuffed out.
His wife staggered a bit and he grabbed her to help to steady her. She’d said Victor would die, but nothing more. As she seemed to come back to her senses, her eyes shot to the boat.
“Hurry, we need to get on board now!”
“Why, I thought you said he was dead!” He ran after her as she bolted to go on board. His fears for her being hurt made him move fast enough to grab her.
“Let the men go first.” He snarled.
She seemed reluctant, but allowed him to order his small group to enter first. It took them only a few moments before they were given the all clear. As he stepped inside, he saw a dead body in the living room. The man’s throat had been torn out and he lay in a large pool of blood. His mate moved further inside. The smell in here was nauseating. Bullet holes, blood stains and overturned furnishing were all the evidence need to know the Ferals had been attacked.
They needed to step over another body in front of a bedroom door. The young man had been shot in the head. He knew there was nothing they could do for him either. Within the room lay a man and Ajei rushed to him. Frank was sure there had been nothing his mate could do. He’d a bullet wound in his chest and another on his forehead. He looked just as dead as the rest of the bodies here.
His mate knelt beside the body and he felt the air temperature drop rapidly in the room. The immense amount of power exuding from Ajei was more than he’d ever sensed before. It made his hair rise as his flesh goose bumped. The shivers ran over him as the ghostly shades of earth spirits invaded the room. Never had he seen so many coming to her call for aid.
* * *~~~* * *
Alaric sat at the kitchen table with Jamie and his father. Mica was sedated and now resting in one of the guest rooms, with two of his own pack members standing guard to keep an eye on her.
“Tomorrow morning we will hold the Bonding Ceremony.” Jamie said.
“Should we do it that soon.”
“Yes there is no sense in waiting. I have a home and she won’t be able to run. We’re pretty isolated and we would track her within a matter of minutes if she did.” Jamie explained.
“Well if you’re sure you’re willing still.” Alaric said.
“Yes, she looks like she will do nicely.”
Alaric didn’t like his wording, but this was already agreed upon and the accord had been signed. He looked at the younger man and then to his father. This would be for the best. He knew his daughter wouldn’t willingly go through with the ceremony. That he was sure of, and they had already planned their way around that. She’d be sedated for it; there really was no other way.
“Will you be staying for the bonding?” Jamie asked.
“Of course.” Alaric said. It seemed like a strange question to ask.
“Well we have accommodations prepared for you and your men.” Derrick stated. He looked pleased about how this had all worked out.
“Thank you. Before I go, I think I will check in on my daughter first if you don’t mind.”
“She’s sleeping, you can see her tomorrow.” Jamie said a little too curtly.
Alaric looked at him and was about to demand he be allowed to say good night to Mica. The cold steely gaze that met his eyes left his hairs standing on end. He chalked it up to Jamie’s many years in the military. Alaric assumed after all a man of his rank was used to men listening to his every command.
As he left, his mind was on the past twenty four hours. Alaric had broken the Laws. He’d ordered Mica’s mate killed in cold blood and it was something that would have him in a lot of trouble if it was found out. No other pack would ever deal with him or his own pack if that came out. For some reason it didn’t bother Derrick or Jamie Timber in the least.
He left there feeling a bit divided. Part of him was still so angry with Mica, yet, he still wanted to be able to keep her safe. The safe part she now was, Victor Feral was dead and wouldn’t be able to touch her again. That was a relief. Mica would get over it, and mayb
e forgive him when she saw he was only doing what was best for her and the pack.
* * *~~~* * *
Mica awoke in a strange bed. Her head was pounding and her hand hurt. She lifted herself up, and looked around. The walls were a burgundy color, the room very nicely decorated with oak furniture, hardwood floors and paintings on the wall of hunting scenes. The bed was a king-sized, and it was covered in a gold and burgundy spread. This was not her bedroom, nor her room at her fathers.
Her mind tried to sort out the events of what had happened. She looked at her hand, it was wrapped in a bandage. The fleeting images of a blurry night crawled in her head. A bonding ceremony had taken place. A wave of nausea rolled over her. Victor was dead. She saw a door which was opened and made out the vanity to a sink. She bolted for it, making it just in time.
After she finished being sick, she washed her face with cold water. Mica was numb. How could her father do this to her, she thought. The pain that filled her heart was crushing. She wanted to die herself. Mica imagined she would too, if not for the life growing inside her. Her thoughts turned to escaping here and as she wobbled toward the door, it opened.
The large man who filled out the doorway snarled at her. She stepped back. His steely eyes looked her over as he stepped in. He walked with an air of power, his short cropped hair reminded her of someone from the military. His body was all muscles, littered with scars and he wore only a pair of pajama pants.
“Good you’re finally up. Go make some breakfast.” He growled.
“Excuse me!”
“I said go make breakfast, I’m hungry.” He demanded as he loomed over her.
“Make your own,” she snapped. It was a mistake.
The painful backhand left her sprawled across the bedroom floor. She was stunned by the slap. “Get up girl.” He snarled and she was dragged to her feet by her arm.
“Let go of me!” she yelled.
“Listen to me,” he yelled back. “You will do your wifely duties around here!”
“I’m not your wife.”
His eyes narrowed and the air moved around her. She hit the wall with enough force to knock the air from her lungs. Several ornaments shattered against the hardwood floor as well as a couple of pictures from her impact. She crumpled to the floor, trying to draw in a breath. The large shadow fell over her, she looked up to see a balled fist moving towards her.
When Mica came to, she hurt everywhere. Jamie was no where’s to be seen and she tried to move. It hurt too much and she simply lay there on the floor amid the broken glass and blood smears. The swelling in her face made her skin feel tight and it hurt, so did the fat lip. She was positive he’d broken her ribs as breathing was extremely painful. She prayed the baby was okay.
As the days went by she learned to avoid Jamie as best she could. He was ill tempered, demanding and a control freak. His military outlook had spilled into his normal daily life. Everything had to be done a certain way at a certain time. When it didn’t, he lost his temper and she became his outlet. It left Mica a nervous wreck, never knowing when he was going to blow up and lash out at her.
As she was setting the table, she heard his heavy footstep enter the kitchen. She stiffened.
“Supper smells good.” He said as he walked to the stove and lifted the lid off the pot.
“Mm, stew I hope there’s bread to go with it.”
“Yes.” She said in a meek tone.
“Good, you might just make a descent wife after all.” He snorted as he sat down and wait for her to serve him his food.
As she spooned the thick stew into a bowl her tummy turned. It smelt good but for some reason she was getting sick more often. She forced the feeling away, if she was sick in front of him he might figure out she was pregnant.
“Are you not eating?” He asked as she set his bowl down and made to leave the kitchen.
“Yes, I just need the washroom first.” She said not looking back at him.
“Well hurry the hell up, I hate eating alone.” He snapped.
Mica rushed to get an antacid into her and took several long slow breaths to calm her tummy. As she stood in front of the bathroom vanity, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her swollen black right eye had just started to disappear; now her left one was a dark purple and almost sealed shut. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could handle this, but at the rate Jamie kept hitting her, she might not live long anyway.
Chapter 11
Collin looked at his phone. It lay on the floor on the other side of the office where he’d smashed it against the wall. He’d just learned that Mica was pregnant and had been taken. That his brother had been killed and it all had happened nearly two weeks ago. His contact was a bit tardy in getting a hold of him, but seeing as he was overseas he’d overlook it this time. This just wouldn’t do. He marched out of the room and headed toward the elevator.
After he went down the three levels to his command center, he knew just the men for the job. As he walked into the room several of the well trained men looked up at him from the table they were playing poker at. All of his men had been specially picked; all had a secret or a problem they had needed to disappear. The price for his help was their undying loyalty. Mind you it was held over their heads as he always ensured they knew he could make the issue that lead them here return if need be.
“Lt. Adams I need to speak with you as well as Grant.” He said as he motioned to them. This man was one of his more priced investments. His specialized training was in several different fields. It made him particularly invaluable.
“Saved by the bell Scott.” One of the other players said as the tall blond mountain of a man stood up.
He guided them back up to his office. A plan was already working its way in his mind as he thought about how to deal with the Timber pack. This would actually work to his advantage in the long run, he thought.
“Have a seat gentlemen.” Collin said. “I have a special assignment for you. You will need to scramble a retrieval team and be prepared at a moment’s notice.
“A mission Sir?” Lt. Adams asked.
“A retrieval. There is a young woman I need brought here. She’s a Lycan and is pregnant, so the uttermost care needs to be taken in obtaining her.”
“A pregnant Lycan?”
“Yes, it’s of the greatest urgency to get her back here as soon as possible.
“Yes Sir.”
After he briefed them of his plan and then shooed them off, he called his military connections at the pentagon. This would be an excellent time to start part of his plan. Causing a rift in the Lycan packs by taking out an entire community of werewolves and their kin would cause an uproar. The shock waves would be felt all the way to the Florida glades.
* * *~~~ * * *
Mica crashed to her hands and knees. The side of her face stung from the blow he dealt her. Jamie was raging again and with a snort he reached down and hauled her back to her feet by the hair of her head.
"You will do well to listen to me!” He yelled.
"Let go of me!" Mica struggled in his grip uselessly. He was twice her size.
"You're trying my patience girl. When I tell you to do something you do it...I'm your mate!” He snarled as he pushed her back towards the pile of clothing needing to be washed.
"I'm not yours!” She snapped back.
"Clean this pig sty up or so help me god...” He let the threat hang. Mica knew already what he’d do. What he’d already done and she tried to stand tall and unafraid in front of him, but even she could smell her own fear. Her body still bore the evidence of his violent nature.
She knew what he was capable of even though she’d only been here two weeks. Jamie was so full of rage that at times she’d thought he’d kill her. Now he was mad because she hadn’t cleaned the house, however, she didn't tell him why. That would have him in a blinding fit and then he’d drag her to the Angel maker. Jamie hadn't consummated their marriage thus wasn't her mate. He was waiting for her cycle to start to ensure she
didn't carry Victor's pup in her womb.
Tears were beginning to line her eyes and she turned her head from Jamie and began stuffing clothing into the washer. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her cry. His heavy hand grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. His other hand gripped her face and forced her to look up at him. He was smiling cruelly. "I think it's time we mated, then you'll do as I tell you.” He snarled.
That thought had her mind reeling. She didn’t want him to touch her. There would be no way she’d be able to stop him if that was what he wanted. He’d beat her into unconsciousness and take her anyway. Her tears streamed down her cheeks as her lip trembled. Please god no. She prayed. The red dot playing across his forehead confused her for a moment as he continued to glare at her, his fingers biting into her cheeks.
The slight sound of breaking glass was followed by a red crimson shower that splashed over her and part of his head was gone. She stood there as the meaty thud of his body slapped against the stone tile on the floor. A scream sat in her throat unable to escape as the kitchen door exploded inwards. Everything happened so fast as three men dressed all in black came rushing in pointing short barreled rifles at her.
"Take her!" a thick rich voice ordered from one of the men wearing ski masks.
Her scream reverberated in the room as one of the men pointed his rifle at her. Mica turned to run just as the retort of the weapon filled the house. Something slammed into her back and she took ten more steps before she fell to the floor. She stared foggily up at the three men and felt fear. As one of them knelt beside her, she caught the scent of humans.
"Pretty thing isn't she” He said as he gently swept her hair from her eyes. She saw his through the opening in his mask. An intense cold grey. It was strange, but to her they looked kind.
The Lycan Wars- Revised Edition Page 7
