She seemed surprised when I answered, he answered mentally, testing me and I heard him exhale when I blinked. You can hear me. It was a statement but I dipped my head in acknowledgement anyway. Talk to me, he pleaded, our faces separated only by the bars of the cage I’d placed him in.
“I thought we had been talking,” I replied, continuing to speak aloud.
Not what I mean, he chided and I pressed my lips together, knowing what he wanted. Please.
“Why does it matter?” I asked, feeling desperate as the moment grew more intimate. “There’s no need for me to speak to you telepathically.”
You do it with your sister, he retorted, his lips twisting to form a pout, and I flattened my mouth before a smile could escape.
“Out of necessity,” I reminded him, keeping my expression severe.
You could do it with me, he cajoled and I shook my head again.
“Why does it matter?” I repeated.
It’s something Pack mates do, he answered.
“Something we’re not,” I was quick to point out. He ducked his head, and I sucked in a shaky breath at his nearness.
We could be more, he claimed, the thought a gossamer strand linking us. My eyes drifted shut as a fierce pang of longing shot through me. It wasn’t often I thought about the things I’d missed out on, but somehow he managed to stir up memories I’d thought long buried.
“That,” my tongue darted out, moistening suddenly dry lips, “That would be a mistake.”
Would it? He questioned, his voice sounding far away. Warm breath drifted over my forehead. What’s your name? My eyes popped open at the abrupt subject change and his cheek creased, revealing a dimple. Come on, you know you want to tell me.
“Actually, I don’t think I do, Captain America,” I retorted, straightening my spine. “You won’t be around long enough to use it.” His eyes narrowed the tiniest bit but his next question took me by surprise.
“What’s with the Captain America?” He glanced down at himself and I was hard-pressed not to do the same. “Do I look like a solider boy to you?”
“You got the boy part right,” I sniped and his lip curled up in amusement. “But it’s more the blond, blue-eyed, corn fed look you have going.”
“Ahh,” he nodded understandingly. “I can see everything but the corn fed bit.” He leaned forward confidingly, our foreheads almost brushing. “I’m more a meat eater to be honest.” I bit the inside of my lip to keep from smiling and he squinted, angling his head. “Are you? Is that a smile trying to escape?” I shook my head the tiniest bit and he hummed. “Not sure I’m buying it, Princess.”
His condescending nickname wiped any hint of a smile from my expression as I glared at him. “What did you call me?”
“Prin-cess,” he enunciated helpfully, nodding. “Since you like nicknames I thought I’d give you one.”
“And that’s the one you came up with?” I rolled my eyes, glancing off to the side. “How original.”
“Captain America,” he stated, wrinkling his nose. “I think we’re gonna have to call it even on the originality, Princess.” His arms snaked through the bars, hanging on either side of me like some sort of twisted embrace. He shrugged, “I mean, if you want to tell me your name….”
“No,” I snapped, dropping my hands as I prepared to step away before I did something truly stupid, like tell him. He stirred up feelings, emotions I’d never felt before, and knew better than to act on. His eyes were bright in the dark cell, glinting happily even though he was locked in a cage. I could almost swear he was content to remain here. “I should go,” I muttered, backing away when one of his long arms snagged my baggy shirt, stopping me. “What are you doing?” I asked snappishly, almost sighing at the attempt to delay me. The thought of being afraid didn’t even enter my mind since I knew I could easily get away.
“Making the best mistake of my life,” he answered cryptically, his mouth stopping the automatic question about to escape me. My parted lips gave him an advantage as he caught my lower lip between his teeth, sucking lightly. Stunned disbelief held me frozen as I experienced my first kiss at the hands of this intruder, a prisoner whose life would be forfeit if my grandmother knew what he was doing.
A sharp sting had me jerking my head back as blood welled on my lip. “What the hell? What have you done?” I hissed, as I gingerly prodded the swollen bite mark. Red smeared the tip of my finger as something slammed into my mind, unstoppable and irrevocable. “What have you done?” I choked, staring at the blood on my hand. I looked up at him then and saw the apology on his face.
I’m sorry. I didn’t just see his sincerity, I could feel it as I stumbled away from him, shaking my head.
You shouldn’t have done that, I thought, unable to speak past the fear threatening to choke me. My heart raced frantically, each beat telling me to run.
I’m sorry. It was the only thing I could think of to make you give me a chance.
My eyes flashed to his at that and the way his head jerked back, I knew my single blue eye glowed white. “You should have thought harder,” I managed to grit out, the words barely audible but I knew he heard them as his Adam’s apple bobbed. I stumbled up the stairs before falling on all fours and crawling the final steps. His regret was a balloon filling my head until I couldn’t hear my own thoughts and out of desperation, I shifted.
Bones cracked and tendons shredded as my body twisted in on itself, but the excruciating pain pushed him from my mind as my body knitted itself back together in the form of a slender golden wolf, one blue eye and one amber eye shining in the dark night.
Smells bombarded me instantly, his scent overwhelming, and my legs moved before my mind could form a thought, powerful strides taking me down a familiar path as they carried me far away from my mate.
Chapter Six
Caleb
Regret swelled as she disappeared from view, her thoughts an anguished knot that threatened to do me in. A sharp pain distracted me, growing into a burning agony that finally broke the connection my bite had formed between us and I collapsed on the hard ground, panting as it felt like every bone in my body was trying to heal itself from imaginary breaks.
I rolled onto my back as my chest heaved, jerky breaths escaping me. The night sky shined above me between the iron bars of my cage and I stared at them until the pain eased, leaving only a glowing ember in my mind, and I could feel it getting further away as her wolf ran.
I stared at the sky above, guilt flooding me as I contemplated what I’d done. Dom’s voice filled my head, the memory of one of his many lessons reprimanding me, “A good leader doesn’t force his will on those under his protection. He guides them and gives them the choice.” Remorse threatened to choke me as I remembered her face, the horror as she stared at the blood on her finger, and asked me what I’d done.
I rubbed my chest, the weight of a thousand anvils pressing down, as I admitted to myself that I’d forced my will on her. I didn’t need to try and imagine Dom’s disappointment because it couldn’t compare to my own. The memory of her face tormented me and I rolled myself up, yanking off the shorts in one smooth motion before I started the shift. The air shimmered and a sandy colored wolf appeared, bright blue eyes still cloudy from human thoughts.
I shook myself, thick scruff jiggling as I stretched in my new form, my human emotions fading as my other senses took over. Her sweet scent hit my sensitive nose and I couldn’t help the whimper that escaped. I wanted to crawl on my belly, bare my throat so she would understand how sorry I was for forcing the mating claim without her permission. My paws itched with the need to run, to chase her down, and let our wolves solve the problems our humans had created.
I paced instead.
The cage growing smaller with each turnaround.
Until a strange scent marred the damp air, the smell of gunpowder and ozone mingling and causing my nose to twitch.
She appeared, silent as a ghost and equally terrifying, and it was all I could do not to roll over an
d show her my belly. My head bowed under the weight of her stare as my fur stood on end. Power, subtle but strong, pulsed from her, crackling in the air between us.
“I should have known,” she spoke aloud, vitriol dripping from each word. “Are you here to steal another of my children?” There was no mistaking her question as anything but a dare and my head lowered further as I panted, trying not to fold under the command she wielded. “You won’t succeed. That I can promise you.” She crouched, her bearing regal, and familiar ice blue eyes examined me, strands of silver hair floating on currents of static electricity, as she sneered, “There is nothing here for you but death, wolf.”
I raised my eyes, my lip curling as I bared my teeth, drawing on the long dormant power of an Alpha as I met her gaze, refusing to bend to her will. Her stare sharpened at my show of defiance and her mouth twisted.
“You cannot win,” she snarled and her eyes glowed as my front legs buckled, sending me crashing to the ground. She leaned close, only the bars separating us, but I couldn’t even snap at her as she hissed, “Don’t fear, wolf. Your death won’t be in vain. I’ll hang your carcass from the trees to warn any others who may attempt to cross our borders.”
Unwillingly, my eyes closed and I fought as unconsciousness tried to take me, only succumbing when the acrid scent disappeared and I know she was gone.
***
Up….You! Wake….now! Words attempted to penetrate the fog, each one distant and I grasped at them, trying to make order from them. Something nudged my side and I rolled reflexively. Finally! Wake UP! The last was a scream and my eyes jerked open to see an angel standing above me, hands on her hips, as she proceeded to kick me with one foot.
“Ow,” I grunted, moving out of reach of her sharp strike. Stop! I ordered when she went to swing again. What are you doing? I asked, recognizing the white haired girl methodically kicking the shit out of me.
Saving your life, she answered, tossing her hair. I see you met Gran, she paused, chewing her lip, again.
Gran? I questioned, wondering if she could possibly mean the terrifying old lady who’d put me on the ground without lifting a finger. That’s your – grandmother?
Paige nodded, leaning down to grab the pair of shorts I’d discarded the night before, Yep. The one and only. She tossed them on my lap and I reached for them. You should just go ahead and shift, she commented, glancing over her shoulder. I hesitated, not remembering shifting back into human form.
Why are you in here? I asked again, seeing the door was wide open and Paige didn’t look too concerned. Aren’t you supposed to be guarding me? I nodded to the open door. I could escape.
She gave me a pitying smile. That’s kind of the point, not to state the obvious here. She tapped her fingers nervously. You need to hurry. I’m not supposed to be down here.
Why not? I questioned, getting to my feet as she kept her eyes firmly fixed on the wall. You were here yesterday.
That was before Gran decided I might fall for your handsome face, Paige replied nonchalantly as I choked. Her head tilted as she gave me a considering look. You are good looking, but you’re kinda old.
I’m twenty-eight, I protested, wondering when that had made me old.
She gave a surprised laugh, muttering to herself, Wait till Dru finds out you’re younger than her.
Dru? I questioned sharply, wondering if I’d finally found the name of my elusive mate. She suddenly became evasive, shaking her head.
You need to go. She made a shooing motion with her hand and I crossed my arms, not budging. Seriously, Dru told me to come let you out. You’re supposed to follow her scent off our lands and then go home.
Where’s your sister? I demanded, reluctant to go anywhere without seeing her. Paige’s chest heaved with a long suffering sigh.
She waved at the door. Making a path. For you. Her stare tried to make it seem like I was an idiot, but the small hitch in her voice caused my eyes to narrow. Okay, fine, I don’t know exactly where she is, but I’m sure she’s fine. She stared at me impatiently. Trying to save you, she reminded me, motioning to the door, growing more nervous as time ticked by.
A scraping sound drew my attention and I glanced up. Someone’s coming, I muttered idly, but her reaction was anything but as she dashed to the door, drawing it closed gently as I watched. She ran to the corner and squeezed into a niche in the rock I hadn’t seen previously. I knew she was there, but the longer I stared the harder it was to see her. My gaze kept skimming the spot where she hid, but I was soon distracted by a large man stomping down the stairs.
His head swung around, and I held my breath as his gaze went right over where Paige hid, exhaling as he squinted at me. “Thought I heard talking,” he barked, his squint daring me to deny it.
“I got lonely,” I said, spreading my hands. “When I get lonely, I talk to myself.” He scoffed at my admission but still I stuck my hand through the bars. “Caleb Bradshaw, member of the Navarre Pack.” He sneered at the sight of my hand and I curled my fingers into my palm. “Take it you’re not a fan.”
“You’re not welcome here,” he grunted and my eyebrows lifted.
“You don’t say.”
“If was up to me, I’d lock you up and throw away the key,” he added and I shook my head as he stared at me through the bars. His nose wrinkled as he sniffed the air. “You smell that?”
I didn’t smell a thing but I wasn’t about to admit that to this meathead. “Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but yes.” He grunted, as Paige yelped, What are you doing? I ignored her as I went right up to the bars. I motioned for him to come closer and he lumbered forward. “Just between us,” I said confidingly, “You reek. Like a dead rat locked in a box for a month under a hot summer sky.” He growled, his fist flying much faster than I would have anticipated for such a beefy guy and striking me right through the bars. I reeled back, laughing as I spat blood on the ground. “What? Can’t take a joke?”
A glob of spit landed at my feet as he muttered, “I’ll be glad to watch you die.”
“You and everyone else,” I commented. “Sounds like you need a new source of entertainment around here.”
You might be the stupidest man I’ve ever met, Paige spoke up, sounding impressively awed. Strickland is my grandmother’s right hand man.
Now you tell me, I groaned as he waddled up the stairs. You don’t think you could have mentioned that sooner?
I didn’t know you were going to poke the bear! Paige popped up in front of the bars, startling me. She swung the door open and this time I exited. Finally, she sighed in relief. I actually like you.
I paused. What do you do with the ones you don’t like? She pressed her lips together, pretending she hadn’t heard and I shook my head. The pair of you worry me.
Just go home, she pleaded, her gaze darting around the room. Things will go back to normal when you do. I wasn’t sure what to make of her idea of normal but I definitely wasn’t going home. I wasn’t sure where home was anymore. The only thing I was sure of was one little she wolf.
I’m going to find your sister, I replied and Paige’s face fell.
I don’t think that’s a good idea, she protested hastily and my smile turned wolfish.
The best ones never are, I replied with a wink, leaping up the stairs as I left her there, a puzzled expression on her face.
A deep breath at the top of the stairs told me zilch so I dropped the shorts I was holding and shifted, raising my nose as I inhaled, the first rays of sunlight peeking through the trees. Her trail was impossible to miss and I let my wolf take the lead, stretching our legs after the confinement of the cell.
I weaved through the forest, pausing periodically to see if there were any other scents, but strangely hers was the only one. I followed her trail until I came to a fork. Her scent went both ways, with the fresher trail going left and I suspected that was the one I was meant to take.
I eyed it, knowing it was the smarter choice. There was something going on here that I didn’
t understand and staying might cost me my life. Dru had made it clear she wanted me gone and at the moment I couldn’t blame her.
My head swung right and I trotted forward, my nose to the ground to pick up the weak scent trail. After a while, I could see where a faint path had formed and my strides lengthened, instinct driving me forward.
The forest ended abruptly, golden light almost blinding me after the dim woods. She sat cross legged on a large flat rock, looking out over a deep valley, her hair shining in the morning sun. She shook her head, calling over her shoulder, “How did I know you’d take the wrong path?”
I shifted, walking forward to find a pair of loose sweatpants folded neatly on the ground. I quickly dragged them on, scratching my belly as I studied her. She was more relaxed than I’d seen her and I had a feeling she came here often. “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference,” I quoted and a chuckle escaped her.
“Frost.”
“You know your poets,” I commented.
“I know that one line,” she corrected. “And only because my father read it to me as a child.”
“I met your grandmother,” I mentioned and her eyes closed as she shook her head ruefully.
“And yet, you still followed me.”
“I admit, she didn’t seem to like me, but I feel like I could get her to warm up to me eventually.” A choking sound filled the air and I stepped forward in concern, but then a peal of laughter rang over the valley and I realized she was laughing at me. I stopped, stunned by the sight of her smile and the fact that I had put it there.
“You truly are a fool,” she cried in the midst of her laughter. “Trust fate to give me an insane mate.”
“I prefer confident,” I retorted, padding forward as her head swung toward me. “I can be very charming. Some even say diplomatic.” She propped her head on her palm, her hair swinging forward to cover her blue eye, and I took a chance, hopping up to sit next to her. “You’re not going to push me off, are you?” I cast a wary glance down, just now noticing the sheer drop off.
Lone Wolf (The Pack Book 5) Page 3
