by Connor Crowe
The door swung open easily, soundlessly, gliding across the uneven floor like silk. We poured into the hidden chamber as the storm grew closer, and only when I’d closed the door behind us did I have a chance to see what everyone else was gawking at.
The room reminded me of a temple. What little I’d seen and heard of them, anyway. It was a large, airy room with a domed ceiling and a skylight that let in the last rays of sun. Even more impressive, though, was the ornately carved pedestal in the center of the room, eerily similar to one I’d seen only a short time before…in Nox Bay…
A swirling black sphere sat on the pedestal, pulsing with life. I’d seen something like it only once before, but now I knew why it called to me so strongly.
It was another elemental artifact. One of the ‘Keys of Life’, Markus had called them. And it had been here, hidden in our base, all along.
My mouth hung open. Warmth, light, and energy seemed to pulse outward from it, enveloping us all in a soothing, sleepy haze.
I took a step forward, my feet almost moving of their own volition now. There were voices, faint and distant. I didn’t care. I moved toward the orb, my hands itching the same as they did when I came upon a particularly juicy prize.
I had to have it. Couldn’t say how or why I knew, but it was mine.
Another crash sounded behind us but I paid it no mind. All that mattered was the orb, drawing me in, calling me closer…
My shaking hands clasped the pulsating orb, and the world stopped spinning. It felt…I don’t know how to explain it. It felt right. The orb glowed brighter the moment I touched it, leeching its energy into my skin, my body, my soul…
Debris rained down around us. Rocks and dirt crashed and shattered to the ground. Old bookcases, statues, lighting…
It was all falling down. So why didn’t I feel anything?
I swiveled around to face the other escapees and only when I saw their awed faces did I realize what had happened.
As the world collapsed around us, we were somehow…safe. Protected. I looked up. Debris bounced off some imaginary force and scattered away. Harmless.
“What did you…” Tristan started, eyes big as saucers.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled, still high on the energy the orb fed into me. This was so much better than the Eye of the Ocean. So much stronger. While the Eye was just a tool, just a prize for me to steal away, this felt like an extension of myself. Like part of me.
“The door!” Elliot yelped, and the storm roared to life once more. The once impenetrable mass of black stone exploded around us. Shards flew through the air with razor-like edges, threatening certain death…only they didn’t hit us. Nothing did.
Whatever force protecting us held, and I had a pretty good feeling it came down to the powerful orb in my hands.
“The Fist of the Mountain,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. Didn’t know how I knew those words, but they came to my lips as easily as breathing. Where the Eye of the Ocean controlled the powers of water and storm, the Fist of the Mountain ruled the powers of earth.
And that meant…
“Stand close to me,” I warned our group, feeling the tension and power within the orb grow stronger. “I’m going to get us out of here.”
They huddled in around me in a steadfast circle, defending all sides. The trance of the Fist sunk me deeper and I envisioned a way out of here, a tunnel that could lead us to safety.
And Markus too.
And all of Nox Bay.
Into the orb I poured my intention, my wishes, my love. The trials and ordeals I’d endured had prepared me for this moment. That, I now realized. I thought about the fear and loneliness of living in the compound. I thought about how I never knew any better, how I never dared to think there was a way out until I’d gotten the contract to steal the Eye.
I thought about all the young, orphaned omegas who had been used by this organization, had been robbed of their childhoods and put to work against their will.
It made me angry.
No. More than that. It made me furious.
That fury and indignation spilled outward, beating back the storm of the Eye and barreling outward like a wave. The walls shook. Shifted. Gave way.
And then there was sunlight. The smell of fresh grass. Freedom.
We ran for the opening, the orb’s protection following us as we went, and the moment we stepped outside of the compound onto free land, my knees buckled at the sight of the approaching party.
The wolves of Nox Bay, stained with blood and dirt, stood proud around us. In the middle of it all was Markus. He took me into his arms, holding me close, and I finally closed my eyes.
15
Markus
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Felix, my beloved mate, had not only found the Fist of the Mountain hidden within the Black Hands’ compound, but he had retrieved it, and what’s more—used it.
Yes, my little omega was full of surprises indeed.
I rushed forward as soon as I saw them emerge and took him into my arms, his body finally sagging with exhaustion. His forehead was caked with sweat, dirt, and blood, but when he looked up at me, his eyes were clear and at peace.
“Markus,” he muttered, burrowing his head against my chest. “You’re okay.”
I brushed a hand through his hair and whispered to him. “Of course I’m okay, dear heart. I’m yours.”
Felix’s eyes fluttered closed, but he gave me a sated, sleepy smile. “Yours.” He mumbled. “I like the sound of that.”
“You were so brave, baby. So, so brave.” I held him close, reveling in his warmth, his presence, his life. Felix’s heart beat thudded against my skin, fast at first, and finally slowing.
For a terrible moment back there when I saw the black door collapse, I thought they would be trapped there. Entombed forever with no way out.
I thought I’d lost him.
But my Felix had risen above once more. I never should have doubted him.
“Hey Arric?” I called, looking around for my second. He was here just a second ago…
He was there, all right, but his gaze was fixed on something else. His eyes burned with an intensity I’d never seen before, his mouth hanging slightly open. Just what was he looking at?
I followed his gaze and landed on one of the omegas Felix had rescued from the Black Hands.
Oh. Oh my. A smile crept up on me and I held Felix closer still, remembering the deep, spiritual rightness that flooded through me the moment I set eyes on him.
Looked like we weren’t going to be the only mated pair for long.
“Arric?” I called again. Gentler this time. Goddess knew he was in his own little world right now, but I needed him. At least for a little longer.
He snapped out of it and turned to me, clearing his throat and trying to hide his reddened cheeks. “Alpha Markus,” he said, never losing the air of formality.
“Just Red is fine,” I replied with a knowing grin. “Will you take a scout or two and check the perimeter of the compound? We need to begin making our way back to pack lands.”
Arric raised an eyebrow.
I tilted my head toward Felix, now dozing in my arms. “I think we all need some rest, don’t you? Why don’t you take one of our new friends and check the place, make sure we haven’t missed anyone.” I winked. “I bet Elliot would be happy to go along with you.”
Arric sputtered and turned away, but I knew his face was growing even hotter. Oh, this was going to be fun.
“Go on,” I shooed him. “See you back at the pack.”
He grumbled something I couldn’t make out, but it was probably for the best. He grabbed Elliot by the arm and they left, back to the pile of rubble that had once been the Black Hands Headquarters.
I led the rest of our ragtag group into the woods and out of sight, keeping the pull of home in my mind. By nightfall, we’d be back within pack borders. If all went well, we’d be safe.
My thoughts drifted again to t
he omega in my arms. He snored peacefully, making a strange sort of snorting sound now and then. I didn’t mind—it was ridiculously adorable if you asked me, but I was still worried about him.
And our child.
I thought again about the letter we’d gotten from the Black Hands. Was it true, then? Was Felix really pregnant?
One look at his calm, sleeping face was all it took. I knew it in my heart, just as well as I knew Felix would be mine forever. Our love had overcome every obstacle life had thrown at us. Why couldn’t we overcome this one?
As if he knew what was on my mind, Felix’s eyes blinked open, gazing sleepily up at me.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I repeated. “How are you feeling?”
“Hmm,” he mused for a moment, then his face froze in terror. “Where is it?” He hissed.
“Shh,” I soothed him, planting a kiss on his forehead. “Don’t worry, we’ve got it. The Fist is safe with us. Didn’t want you dropping it in your sleep, after all.” I grinned.
“Yeah.” He seemed to relax at that, and then his eyes opened with another question. This time it wasn’t terror that marred his features, but sadness. Loss. Grief.
“The compound…” he croaked. “Is it…?”
“Nothing but rubble,” I assured him. “They will not be able to hurt you, or anyone else, again.”
“The Master,” Felix breathed, wincing. “He was trying to kill you…”
I assumed he meant the particularly savage-looking man who was now bleeding out on the cold, stormy floor somewhere. Master. Even the word left a bitter tang in my mouth.
“He’s not your master anymore,” I promised him. “That was incredibly brave you know, rescuing the others from the compound.”
Felix coughed. “Had to.”
I huffed out an amused breath. Of course he did.
“Guess you’re not such a hardened criminal after all.” I teased him.
“Hey!” He pouted, which was just about the cutest thing I’d ever seen. “Thieves can have a heart too, you know!”
“I know,” I said, kissing his forehead again. “You stole mine the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Felix didn’t have a witty comeback for that one. My foxy omega just sighed, rolled his eyes, and smiled.
“I love you,” I whispered when it came to me, but he’d already lost himself to the peaceful bliss of sleep once more.
When Felix woke up again, we were nearly home. And thank the Goddess for that, too—my arms and feet were killing me!
He caught my attention when he hissed and a hand shot to his stomach, his eyes flying open.
“What’s wrong, dear heart?” I asked him, even though I was pretty sure I knew.
His wince went away just as soon as it had come and he looked up at me with hazy, love-filled eyes. “I’ve got one more surprise for you,” he said, still cupping his belly. “But I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”
“Try me.”
“I’m…” he started, blushing.
“Pregnant.” I finished, the grin stretching ever wider across my face. “I know.” The word filled me with more joy than I thought possible. Felix, growing large with our child. Felix and I, raising a beautiful little pup who’d one day become the heir to Nox Bay. Our own little family. Our own happily ever after. It swelled my heart with such hope I nearly thought it would burst.
Felix blinked. “H-how?”
“Well first of all, I’m your mate. I can tell these things, even when we’re apart. And second of all,” I nuzzled him closer to my chest, “it’s my job to take care of you.”
Felix chewed his lip. “And you’re…okay with that?” He asked, tentatively.
“I’m more than okay with it,” I promised him. “I’ve never wanted something so much in all my life. Will you let me be the best father, and mate, that I can be?”
My mate blushed a delightful shade of pink, but nodded. “Yes. I just have one more question, though. What about your pack?”
One of the Nox Bay men stepped in and talked over us. “After what we’ve seen here today,” he said with pride, “any member of our pack would be honored to call you family. You have displayed bravery and loyalty worthy of our pack name.”
“What about the others we rescued?”
“We are here for you. All of you. What you went through was vile and criminal. We can’t undo that, we can’t hope to. But if you and your men choose to stay with us, we can promise your our protection and support as long as you live.”
“I’d like that,” Felix agreed. “I’d like that a lot.” He gazed at me for a moment, then said those magical words I’d whispered to him in his sleep. “I love you.”
And there it was. The guarantee that I’d made the right decision. The sealing of my fate and the future of my pack. It all started here, with my foxy little omega. “I love you too, dear heart.”
Felix tried to stretch, and failed. “Now put me down! I’m getting a cramp!”
We laughed, enjoying the newfound feeling of communion and family. Who could have predicted that my sworn enemy could become my mate?
Arric was right. Fate sure had a way of surprising us.
Wanna know what happens next?
Felix is pregnant with a wolf-fox hybrid, Arric is going to have his hands full (just wait till you meet his fated mate!), and the former Black Hands adjust to new life in Nox Bay.
More romantic adventures await you!
Tap the cover to check out book 2, Protecting His Heart
Protecting His Heart
Nox Bay Pack Book 2
Connor Crowe
1
Arric
I was going to kick Markus’s ass.
He knew—knew—what he was doing to me, and he didn’t care. In fact, he was probably laughing about it right now.
Asshole.
I sighed and scrubbed a hand over my face. There would be words later, but for now? Looked like I had a job to do. We had a job to do.
“Keep up.” I threw the words over my shoulder and kept walking. Footsteps quickened behind me as Elliot put on a burst of speed. Yeah, I was taking big steps. I was a big guy. He could keep up or get left behind.
Anything was better than the racing heart and the tingling, almost nauseous sensation that washed over me the second I laid eyes on him.
Why now? Why now, of all the times?
I clenched my teeth together to hold back a growl. Whatever I felt, no matter how much my wolf cried out inside of me, it didn’t matter. I didn’t have to listen. I was a grown man, dammit. And what Elliot didn’t know couldn’t hurt him. Right?
“What are we looking for?” Elliot asked. While I’d been thinking he’d pulled ahead of me, and now crouched near the collapsed entrance of the former Black Hands compound. He picked through the rubble, the scent of burned stone and wood still cloying and dank.
I blinked and shook my head, trying to clear it. Didn’t work. I jogged a few paces to Elliot’s position and crouched next to him.
“Anything that might help us. Any books or files that survived. Any weapons. We are also checking for survivors.” My throat clenched at that last word, even though this was nothing new. Something about this omega, though, had my every sense on edge.
You know what it is, my wolf taunted me. All you have to do is listen. Take him. Claim him.
“Shut up,” I muttered, and too late I realized I’d said that out loud.
“Huh?” Elliot asked, turning to face me. His features were soft and cherubic, far too pure for the rough and tumble Nox Bay Pack.
And yet…
“Nothing.” I straightened and set off in the opposite direction, more so he couldn’t see my face than anything.
Letting out a breath, I refocused on the task at hand.
There wasn’t much to see. Not much left by the fire and the collapse of the building, anyway. We’d gotten out just in time. Still, though, I felt the presence of…something. Couldn’t quite tell what it was, but it
was like being watched from behind. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I wasn’t going to leave until I figured out what it was.
I gathered up a few old ornaments and candelabras, stuffing them into a bag. We could use all the raw materials we could get. I was about to move to the next room when I heard Elliot’s voice again.
“Sir?” He called, his voice warbling. I froze for a split second with an inexplicable fear. Was he in danger? Was he hurt?
“What is it?”
“There’s something...er, someone...”
I pushed him aside. No time for his stuttered speech. When I saw what he meant I sucked in a breath and held it.
He was right. An arm stuck out from the debris, its fingers clenched in a final grip around a small cylindrical tube.
The skin had already gone pale. The fingers didn’t move.
“Dead,” I pronounced. “But let’s see what our friend thought was worth dying over.”
Carefully, I peeled each of the dead man’s fingers away. He had a surprising grip, even in death. Elliot looked on with some mixture of fascination and horror, wrinkling his nose at the smell.
With a final crack the tube came away. I peered at its length, looking for some kind of latch or release. Couldn’t see a thing but smooth seamless stone.
“It’s a document case.” Elliot spoke up at last. He stepped toward me and held out his hands. “We...er, they...used them for confidential communications.”
I turned the cylinder over in my hands. “Do you know how to open it?”
“Duh.”
I shrugged and handed it over to him, trying not to notice the spark that passed between our fingers when we touched.
If he noticed anything, he didn’t say it. Simply kept his eyes focused on the mysterious tube. Elliot tilted it and placed a finger on each end, pressing inward. With a small click, a compartment opened.
