by Leia King
“Baby?” she called.
Frowning when there was no answer, she concentrated, listening for the sound of the shower running in the ensuite bathroom. But there was nothing. Just silence.
She sat up and glanced around the room. Rays of sunlight bathed the bedroom. She eyed the clock on his bedside table and saw that it was only five in the frigging morning. She had barely slept then. It’d been an hour only. She knew that Ryan was exhausted, so why wasn’t he in bed with her, getting some much-needed rest? Was something wrong?
Oh no. That had to be it.
She climbed out of bed and hurriedly slipped on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She left the bedroom and quietly made her way down the corridor, careful not to wake their pack. Unlike the other packs, Ryan’s was boarded close to him, their rooms surrounding his.
She concentrated and tried to zone in on Ryan’s scent. Since they’d bonded it had become a much easier task. Within seconds, she had it and she followed it through the winding corridors and out into the rear courtyard.
Her eyes took a few moments to adjust to the blinding sunlight.
And then she saw him a few feet away. The sight of him had her sucking in a breath.
He was in wolf form.
She was about to go to him, when a hand on her arm stopped her.
She spun around to see Josh standing there.
“It’s too risky,” he told her. “Stay here until he shifts back.”
“I’ve touched him before in wolf form.”
“That was different. He’s tense now, because of everything that’s happening. He might not be in control. He’s been growling non-stop for the last half an hour.”
“Growling?”
“Yeah. He’s doing it right now.”
“He is? I don’t hear anything.”
“You won’t. You’re not wolf. It’s a low, pained growl, only perceptible to the ears of another wolf.”
She pulled her arm from his grip. “I’ll be fine. He won’t hurt me.”
“Cora!” he hissed.
“I’m not going to leave him alone in this state. He needs me.”
Josh sighed in frustration at Cora’s refusal to heed his warnings. Dammit. She was so headstrong.
He watched anxiously as she approached the giant white wolf.
Fingering the pistol holstered at his right hip, he grimaced.
He really hoped he wouldn’t have to use it. At least the bullets weren’t silver, something that was outlawed on base. They’d still hurt like a bitch, though. Damn, he didn’t want to pull the trigger. Just thinking about it unsettled him. But, he knew Ryan well. His Alpha would want him to protect Cora at all costs.
He watched Ryan tense as Cora reached him. A warning rumble sounded.
“Baby, it’s me,” he heard her say, softly.
The growls ceased.
Cora knelt down beside the white wolf and reached out to him, starting to stroke his fur.
Josh smiled to himself when he heard what could only be described as some sort of purring sound coming from Ryan, as Cora continued to run her hands over his fur. He was gonna tease him about that later.
And then something amazing happened.
He watched, awestruck, as the wolf rolled onto his side, seeming to be making room for her. Cora took the cue and settled herself down beside him. Ryan’s mammoth paw lifted, and he wrapped it around her, cradling her against him.
“Holy shit.”
Josh had never seen anything like it in his life. The very idea of a wolf allowing himself to be petted in animal form was enough of a stretch. But this? It was incredible.
“I love you,” he heard Cora whisper against Ryan’s fur.
A deep murmur of a response came from the wolf. And then his eyes closed as he tightened his hold around her, and finally allowed himself to slip into a much-needed sleep.
25
“Be careful. It may be daylight outside, but it’s not just the vamps you need to worry about. Don’t forget about Michael’s wolves,” Josh told Ryan as they strode into the garage.
Ryan patted the pistol at his hip. “Don’t worry.”
“Please tell me you’re not packing silver bullets in that thing. You’re the one who outlawed silver on base, Ry.”
“I made an exception, because we’re living in exceptional circumstances right now, J. I’m not taking any chances with Michael’s wolves. I’m not letting their poisonous claws anywhere near me this time.”
“Point made.”
Josh recalled the last time they’d had a run-in with Michael’s wolves. Ryan had taken a brutal hit to protect the pack. His upper body had been severely shredded by their poison-carrying claws. Josh had attended to his wounds and he’d never forgotten the horrific pain Ryan had suffered through that night. He’d never seen anything like it. No one was tougher than Ryan and he’d actually been on his knees in agony.
“I take it that pistol you’re packing is one of Cora’s weapons from her old Seeker days? She’s the only one of us who’d have immediate access to silver.”
“Yeah. It’s on loan.”
“Is she feeling better now?”
The pained look on Ryan’s face told him all he needed to know. Shit.
A few hours ago, she’d suffered an excruciating migraine attack that had left her incapacitated and bedridden. It had come out of nowhere. She’d taken her painkillers, but they hadn’t helped.
Ryan shook his head. “No. I don’t get it. Those drugs the doctors prescribed are strong. The fact that they’re not doing anything is real fucking concerning.”
“Maybe it’s something supernatural then?”
“Given all the changes that’ve been happening to her lately, it could very well be, yeah.”
“You think Shaye will help her?”
Ryan hauled open the door to his truck. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, he said, “She’s a powerful witch. She responded to the message I sent her and gave me her latest address, so she’s willing to help with protecting us during the full moon. It shouldn’t be a problem getting her help with Cora, too.”
“Witches can be fickle, Ry.”
“And I can be very persuasive.”
“But you’re married now. Be careful how you choose to persuade her.”
Ryan smiled. “Watching out for my wife, are you?”
“She’s your mate. She’s one of us now.”
“Good. I’m glad you feel that way. Take care of her while I’m gone. Promise me.”
“Of course,” Josh said. “I’ve got it covered. Just watch your back out there.”
“Will do.” Ryan slammed the door closed and started the engine, giving him a chin lift, before he peeled out of the garage.
Good luck, brother.
Josh rushed into Ryan’s bedroom.
He’d heard Cora’s screams all the way over on the other side of the base, while he’d been checking in on the other packs. Everyone had heard them. Wolf hearing was acute, extremely heightened. They could hear a damned pin drop in the middle of a noisy nightclub.
As a result, his pack had come running and followed him to Ryan’s room. They barged into the bedroom and rushed with him towards the bathroom where Cora’s pained screams were coming from.
He threw open the door and was shocked by what he found.
She was writhing on the tiled floor, screaming, and clutching her head.
The sight of her in so much agony, of one of their own suffering, was horrifying to witness.
“It hurts… help me,” she pleaded, straining to look at him and the pack.
“Ryan’s getting help right now. He’ll be back soon, sweetheart.”
“Too… long,” she rasped. He watched her remove one of her hands from her head. She fisted it and slammed it down on the floor, cracking the tile beneath. And then a silver glow emanated from it.
Oh, shit. She was out of her mind with the pain. She was gonna use her power!
He lunged at her and grabbed her han
d, forcing it palm-down to the floor. “No. Calm down.”
She struggled against him. She was so strong. He remembered how she’d bested Roy, their strongest wolf, aside from Ryan, a few weeks back in the mess hall.
“Ben! Roy! Guys! Some help here!” he called out, struggling to keep a hold on her to prevent her from striking them with her magic. “Someone go to the armory. There’s a wooden box in there engraved with faery markings. Bring it to me. She blasted through Luca’s power like it was nothing back at his mansion. She’s strong. Her power could blow this place apart. Hurry!”
She screamed and struggled against him and the other three wolves trying to hold her down. She was wild, completely out of control. Whatever was causing her so much agony, was also driving her to the brink of insanity.
“Cora, try to hear me. I’m gonna take away the pain. Just hold on, sweetheart.”
“What are you gonna do?” Roy asked.
“You can’t knock her out,” Ben added.
“I know. I’d rather keep my head.” If he struck her, he couldn’t even imagine what Ryan would do to him. Knocking her out was a way to take away her pain, at least for a little while, but, fortunately, he had a better way of doing it that didn’t involve hurting her at all.
“Here!” a voice called.
He held out his hand behind him and felt the wooden box being pushed into his hand. He released his hold on Cora and told the three other wolves, “Sit her up.”
Despite her powerful struggles, they managed it.
Josh opened the lid and scooped out some of the glowing purple powder inside. He ignored the murderous stare in her eyes and blew it at her. It gravitated towards her and she coughed and sputtered.
“Hold her head,” he ordered the boys.
He blew more of the powder at her and the wolves held her steady, forcing her to inhale all of it.
He closed the box and clutched it tightly as he waited. Come on. Come on.
A few seconds passed before it finally happened. The fact that it had taken so long told him just how powerful she really was. The effects were supposed to be instantaneous.
Her eyes finally grew heavy. He could see her trying to fight to keep them open, but she couldn’t resist it. Her eyes closed and her body relaxed, going limp in the hands of the wolves.
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. We’re good. Return the box,” he said, holding the box out behind him for someone to take it back to the armory.
The wolves released her, and Josh gathered her in his arms and climbed to his feet.
“What was that stuff?” Roy asked.
“A sleep inducer. It can knock out any supernatural being. It should keep her asleep for a few hours. But, just in case, we need to move her to a secure location.”
“The holding cells?” Ben asked, incredulous.
Josh nodded. “I’m gonna need blankets and pillows. Despite the circumstances, we can at least make sure she’s comfortable.”
Without another word, he carried her out of the bedroom and down the winding corridors of the base. He kicked open the door to one of the holding cells.
He put her down gently, propping her up against the wall.
“I’m sorry that I have to do this,” he said, reaching for the chains screwed into the wall above her.
He cuffed her wrists. He couldn’t risk her waking up and trying to use her power against them. He had to protect the base in Ryan’s absence.
He turned at the sound of someone entering the cell to see Roy hurrying in with a pile of blankets and pillows in his arms.
“Thanks. Get her settled in. I need to call Ryan and give him a heads-up about this.”
26
Ryan glanced at the spectacular works of art lining the walls of the long corridor as he was led along by two members of Shaye’s coven.
They were both blondes, their long hair cascading down their backs in waves, glistening under the light of the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. They looked like they’d just stepped out of one of the paintings lining the walls. Their corset gowns swept along the soft carpet as they walked. They looked like Renaissance royalty. Shaye had always had particular tastes. He knew that one of the main reasons she’d been drawn to him was his royal heritage. She enjoyed the proximity to power. What witch didn’t?
The women came to a stop outside a door right at the end of the corridor. One of them pressed her hand to it. She smiled, telling him, “She would like you to come inside.”
They giggled amongst themselves and looked him up and down, making their interest known. He ignored it and brushed past them. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, tensing when he heard it shut behind him.
It was dark, but it barely took his eyes a second to adjust to it. A perk of being wolf. He walked further into the room, but a sudden wave of sexual desire had him stopping short in surprise. Fuck me. It was so potent that it took him a moment to blow past it.
His eyes snapped to the source.
A mammoth bed in the corner of the room.
Hundreds of candles surrounded it, illuminating the red, silk sheets and the scene playing out on them.
And there she was.
Shaye.
She was sprawled out on her back, her striking, white hair fanned out over the abundance of pillows beneath her. A naked woman knelt between her thighs, lapping at her pussy frenziedly. Another straddled her and Shaye pumped two fingers in and out of the naked beauty’s pussy and suckled at one of her tits.
Her sun-kissed skin glistened with sweat and her hips started to buck furiously, the woman tending to her driving her to orgasm. He heard her familiar scream of pleasure echoing off the walls.
“Leave me,” her velvety smooth voice ordered the women moments later.
They clambered off the bed and hurried to the door, hesitating when they noticed him standing there.
“He is not for you,” Shaye called out.
They giggled and ran out of the room.
When Ryan turned back to Shaye, she was tying a silk robe around herself, thankfully doing him the decency of covering up in his presence. She gestured for him to follow her to a seating area over on the other side of the room.
“I would’ve waited outside, Shaye.”
“You didn’t enjoy the show?” she asked, smiling coyly. “You always used to.”
So, she’d done it on purpose then. Jesus. Ryan slumped onto one of the couches and eyed her as she sank gracefully onto the one opposite him. “That was a long time ago, Shaye.”
“I remember. Neither I, nor any number of my girls, could sate your appetite, Ryan.”
“Like I said, it was a long time ago.”
She leaned back against the couch. “Ah, yes. Now you have found your mate. The White Realm Princess. The only woman who can leave you feeling fully satisfied.” She smiled sweetly. “I am glad, Ryan.”
“Thanks.”
“The supernatural world is rife with talk of you. Your union with Cora Black and the return of the Wolf King. I haven’t heard this much chatter in centuries.”
“Luca threatened the wolves. I had no choice.”
“Are you ready for the dire consequences that such a war between vampires and werewolves will bring? Blood will spill, Ryan. A great deal. It won’t just impact wolves and vampires either. Other supernatural creatures will take sides. Many could become your enemies.”
“And where do you stand?”
“I am a white witch. Normally, I would stay out of it because vampires and wolves are Dark Realm creatures, not a white witch’s concern. But this war has one significant difference. The White Realm Princess is caught up in it. I must stand where she stands.”
“Then you’ll help me?”
She nodded. “I can cast a field of protection strong enough to withstand an attack from Luca’s vampire army and Michael’s wolves that will protect your wolves during the full moon. But Michael is powerful, Ryan. Even with me drawing on the entire power of the coven, my magi
c will only hold for a few hours. You must limit your time outside the base. It will be difficult for me to hold it for the normal length of time encompassing a run of the wolves.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
She nodded and rose to her feet.
“Wait, Shaye. I’m not done.”
She looked at him in surprise and returned to her seat.
“Cora is in pain. I don’t know how to stop it. Her head… the drugs aren’t working.”
She looked more than a little shocked by the emotion he’d failed to hide from his voice. He’d never shown her any vulnerability before. Hell, he’d never had any. But his love for Cora was such that all of that was changing.
Shaye sat forward and took his hands in hers. She closed her eyes for a few moments before opening them and announcing, “Good. Her blood is strong in you.”
“What?”
“I need something of hers to be able to reach her so I can see what the issue is, what is causing her pain. Her blood coursing through your veins is enough to make a connection. Don’t let go,” she instructed, gripping his hands tighter.
Ryan watched as her eyes glazed over, her pupils dilating to the point where they were solely white. He could feel the powerful energy coursing through her and into him as she channeled her magic, using Cora’s blood in him as a sort of magical compass to find her essence and tap into it.
She gasped and he felt her tense. The warm energy coursing through him became painful, scorching. He grunted from the effort of maintaining contact. Her hands started to shake furiously.
She screamed and pulled back.
“What? What is it?”
Her eyes snapped open. “Her power is great. Beyond mine. I couldn’t connect to her for long. But I felt it.”
“Felt what?”
“Her agony and… something else. Energy. Dark energy. The White Realm princess doesn’t possess such energy. She is purely the light. It’s them, Ryan. They are there with her now. She is too weak with pain right now in reality to cast them out in her dream state.”
“What? Who’s in her dreams? Luca?”
