by Kym Grosso
“Quintus.” The female lifted her eyes to the vampire. “Please…what’s going on? I’m…”
“Mao…” Quintus shook his head in disbelief.
Gabriella’s stomach turned hearing the woman’s name on her mate’s lips, yet it was the softening of his eyes that stirred her beast. This intruder threatened to destroy the fragile relationship she’d built. She closed her eyes willing her wolf to retreat. Mate. The territorial urge warred with her humanity.
“I’ve been to Hell,” Mao said, her hands outreached. “Please…I need you…”
As she fell to her knees, Quintus rushed to her side. Gabriella held her breath as he scooped the female into his arms.
“Mao…” Quintus gazed at his old lover then looked up to the demon.
“She needs comfort. Give her blood,” Thorn suggested. “Shifters. They’re practically as vulnerable as the humans.”
“What?” Gabriella gasped, shock rolling through her body.
“The trip from Hell. It’s not exactly first class. More like being in the back of the bus.” Thorn brushed his palm over his sleeve. “Suit held up well though.”
“You mean you left her there after you found her?” Quintus growled, his focus on Mao.
“What did you expect me to do? I don’t know who took her or how she got there. For all I know she deserved to be there. Demons aren’t exactly the most forgiving people. I only took her once I knew I could deliver her to a reliable owner.”
“Quintus doesn’t own her,” Gabriella protested. Her blood boiled in anger. A vampire couldn’t have two mates. Her beast clawed to emerge. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. No shifting. No shifting.
“Sorry, love, but look at them. Clearly they were supposed to be together.”
“Knock it off, demon.” Viktor placed his hand on Gabriella’s arm but she shoved him away.
“Don’t touch me,” she hissed, her eyes glowing red. Fire burned hot in her belly. Her wolf desperately scratched at what remained of her human psyche. Nothing could keep her beast at bay. “I’ve got…I’ve got to get out of here.” Gabriella scanned the room, planning her escape, her chest heaving.
“Viktor, take Mao,” Quintus ordered, cradling the lifeless woman in his arms. “I’ve got to get Gabriella outside.”
“No. I can’t do this. You have another mate…no, I don’t want…” Gabriella’s vision blurred as her wolf emerged. Rage drove the feral beast toward the surface, her claws extending.
“You try to do a nice thing and it all goes to shit. Good intentions.” Thorn shrugged with a sardonic smile.
“Shut the fuck up,” Quintus spat at the demon. “Viktor, come take her. Now.”
The room spun as her wolf emerged. Gabriella clawed at the fabric of her dress, the full moon compelling her to shift. She lost control, helpless to thwart the change. The possessive nature of the animal drove her, and within seconds, the pads of her feet hit the ground. With the transformation complete, Gabriella pressed to all fours, her attention set on Mao.
“Easy, bella. You don’t want to hurt anyone,” Quintus warned.
A ripple of his power danced over her fur, but Gabriella reflected it and sent his energy dissipating into the air.
“Settle, Gabby,” she heard Hunter say. Gabriella twisted her head to face him. His commanding voice resonated, yet he wasn’t her Alpha. The only one who she’d given power to had been Quintus.
“What the hell is going on here?” Absinthe asked, rolling her eyes. “I bring you a gift and you shit on it. All of you. I’m done.”
“Where do you think you’re goin’, Princess Pineapple?” Thorn shook his head at the sight of the wolf and shrugged. “Well I suppose it’s time for me to fuck off as well.”
“Who shifts during an event? No control whatsoever. Pfft…and to think I suspected she was a witch. Look at her.” Absinthe took off toward the bar and gazed in the mirror, smoothing the fine hairs around her temples.
Gabriella growled at Mao. Despite the female’s frail disposition, her instincts warned her of the danger. Evil. Deception.
“Quintus…” The female trembled as she roused. “Who is she?”
Gabriella stalked toward Mao, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Sensing Quintus’ disapproval, she sealed off communication with him. She crouched low to the ground and prepared to attack.
“Gabriella, no.” Quintus nodded to Viktor, who knelt next to him, taking Mao into his arms. He lifted his palms, slowly backed away and stood. “I’m not touching her. No one’s going to hurt you.”
Lies. Gabriella snarled.
“Damn, I didn’t think wolves cared about vampires. You learn something new every day.” Thorn opened the door, and paused.
“I don’t know how the hell this can be,” Hunter commented. “Vampire, she’s really yours?”
“Of course she’s mine,” Quintus answered.
“Even the wolf didn’t know you’re mates.” Thorn smiled as he turned, giving a wave with his hand as he walked into the dark hallway.
“Jesus Christ, Quintus,” Hunter mumbled under his breath.
With her hackles raised, Gabriella poised herself to pounce. She snapped her jaws, a loud growl reverberating throughout the room.
“Gabriella, I’m ordering you to back off now,” Quintus told her.
It wasn’t as if she didn’t hear her vampire command her, but incomplete, the bond he had wasn’t strong enough to bend her will. The wolf drove her decision. Mao threatened a mate she’d hadn’t yet claimed. Nothing else mattered.
“Gabby, as Alpha, I’m commanding you to retreat,” Hunter said, his voice stern.
Electricity shot through Gabriella as the Alpha spoke. She’d never been commanded by another wolf, submission wasn’t in her nature. The unrelenting order constricted her, but she fought him. Not my Alpha. Not my pack. Lone wolf. She crouched to the ground, whimpering as pain tore through her body.
“Jesus, Hunter…leave her be,” Quintus said, stepping forward to help her, but she went wild, gnashing her teeth together.
“She’s out of control. How the fuck can you have two mates anyway?” Hunter kept his eyes trained on the black wolf.
Gabriella glared at Quintus, refusing to allow him into her mind. He never cared about me, she thought. If he already had a mate, there was no way he belonged to her. No matter what he’d said about bonding, he’d been wrong. She never developed a mating mark. Stupid Gabby. He was never yours. Without giving warning to the others, she made the decision to run.
Charging through the door, she tore through the darkened hallways. The scent of sandalwood incense filtered through the air, and she suspected the witches were spiking the air with a spell. Instinct drove her escape, recalling her way out of the building. She dodged bodies in the darkness. Shadows and magical energy blended together in a kaleidoscope of colors. The blood-scented fragrance coated her nostrils.
Sensing no wolves in the din of the crowd, she suspected they’d already left to run. Distraught, she’d find solace in the moon’s healing light. Her magick renewed, she’d have the strength to fight to keep hidden from the coven.
Feral with grief, she burst through the open doors, her claws gripping the gravel as she tore into the darkness. She’d never run in a city but it hardly mattered. A clear night, the bright streaks of moonlight bathed the streets. Jealousy burned hot in her soul, her wolf mourning the loss of her mate.
She pressed on hard with no regard to the few humans who stood warming their hands around a steel can fire. Like a flash of lightning, she disappeared into the shadows.
Running, running, running. Her spirit soared, the flare of anger still fresh in her mind. The wolf ducked into a park, and she imagined the forest, the leaves rustling, but the blare of a train’s horn reminded her she was in the city. Cool air carried a hint of moisture, drawing her toward the river. When she finally reached its pebbled beach, she loped to a slow pace. Panting for breath, her head tilted toward the stars. Releasing a tortured
howl, her wolf lamented until her throat grew raw.
Her magick renewed by the moon, Gabriella shifted to human form and collapsed onto the sand. Hot tears streamed down her face as she curled onto her side. Why did I trust him? He lied. Just like the coven. Just like everyone I’ve ever met. No one cares. I’m alone. With an unexpected fervor, she heaved for breath, crying, her stomach cramped in knots.
“He has a mate. He has a mate. I can’t do this. I can’t do this,” she repeated.
She’d tried to deny it, but her connection to Quintus had been strong. Confusion swept through her as doubt seeded in her mind. How could he not have known she was alive? How could he lie to me?
A cold breeze iced over her skin, but she barely noticed. She coughed, lying naked, trembling and curled into a ball. Simple spells she’d used to conjure clothing eluded her as her thoughts raced. Why is this happening? Tragedy followed her wherever she went, and she couldn’t seem to shake it. Her mother’s horrifying murder. Running from city to city. Imminent death had come and gone so many times she’d lost count. Discovering she had a mate who wasn’t wolf. Losing him before they’d completed the bond.
Gabriella reached inside, determined not to give up, grasping the only strength she’d ever known. Moonlight bathed her bared body, infusing her with renewed courage to face another day. Her wolf rested, calmed by the soothing lunar energy that radiated around her.
I’ll do it without him, she told herself, fresh tears brimming from under her lashes. She didn’t know how she’d become so close to Quintus. She knew wolves could walk away from their mates, but she’d heard it drove them mad, forcing them to go rogue.
The crackle of broken branches caught her attention, and within seconds his familiar dominating presence registered. Her attempts to block his energy were thwarted as he drew closer, her name on her vampire’s lips.
“Gabriella, you’re going to be all right,” Quintus said, his voice calm.
“Go away,” she managed. With her forearms pressed to the cold sand, she lifted her head. Her wolf howled with pain as he continued to approach. She yearned for the mate she’d thought was hers.
“Please. Gabby. We’ll figure this out. Let me take you back home.”
“No, don’t come closer. I’ll shift. I’ll run.”
“I’m not certain she’s really my mate. Once upon a time, yes…a very long time ago…”
“No, don’t say it. I don’t want to hear about her. I don’t care. I should have never come to you. Just so you know, I would have done it anyway. Saved you. But I’m so stupid asking for your help…all this. I let you bite me…” Her words faltered as she began to cry.
“I just need a little time to sort this. It’s possible she isn’t…”
“No!” Gabriella pushed away from the earth but struggled to stand. She fell to her knees, defiantly staring at him. “Don’t touch me.”
“I didn’t want to do this the hard way, Gabby, but I’m taking you home one way or another,” he told her, his tone stern.
“No…I’m not…” Gabriella went silent as the Alpha’s power unexpectedly washed over her. Hunter approached through the brush, infusing her with his healing powers. Her wolf cowered in submission.
“Gabby.” Hunter gave Quintus a nod as he crouched down so he was on eye level with Gabriella. “It’s all right. What you’re feeling right now…that energy. It’s me claiming you as my pack. I know you’re hybrid but your wolf feels me and I feel her. I can’t say I know all of what’s going on between you and the vampire, but I do know you belong with pack. I’ll protect you.”
“Like hell you will. Gabby, we’re going home…” Quintus’ focus shifted as Viktor materialized.
“Hey Quint. This sitch is getting a little…uh, complicated.” His brother glanced to Gabriella then back to Quintus.
“Can’t you handle things? I’ve got my hands full here.”
“Yeah, she’s not in good condition. I really think you need to get back here. Hunter and I will take care of Gabby.”
Quintus blew out a breath. “Goddammit. Okay, look, Gabby, we’ve got to go. Just let me flash us both out of here. You can’t stay here.”
“You mean she needs you.” Gabriella gave a soft sigh, then a laugh, and shook her head. “You can’t have two mates. It’s okay. It didn’t make sense anyway.”
“I’m going to give you three seconds,” he warned.
“And what?” She gave a sad smile. “I’ll go back to your house to get my things, but I’m not going with you.” Her eyes landed on Viktor’s. “I’m not going with you either.” Rubbing the back of her hand against her mouth, she sighed in defeat and nodded toward Hunter. “The Alpha. I’ll go with him.”
“What the hell…” Quintus began.
She gave a sad laugh, her eyes finally settling back on Quintus. “I’m a wolf. You saw me. You all saw me. This is my nature.”
Quintus reached for her but she flinched, quickly transforming to wolf. She released a low growl, warning him away.
“Hunter,” he said, never taking his sight off of Gabriella. “You can bring her to my home. I don’t give a shit what the rules say about mates. This woman, this wolf…she’s mine, are we clear?”
“You haven’t completed the bond,” Hunter challenged. “If she doesn’t want you, that’s her choice.”
“We’ve already begun the bond.”
“You have a problem on your hands, my friend,” Hunter said.
“Don’t worry about me,” Quintus replied. “Just bring her back to my house safely.”
“I’m offering her sanctuary with my wolves. Jax’s pack would seem logical but he’s not here and I am.”
“Look at her. She’s scared, but she’s not yours.” Quintus’ face softened as he gazed upon his angry she-wolf. “Hunter…just bring her back. I need some time to deal with this situation. It’s only a matter of time before the Salem witches catch up with Gabby and I’m not leaving her.”
“But if you’re not her mate…”
“I am,” Quintus insisted, his voice certain.
“But…”
“Don’t test me Alpha. I’m not a fight you’re looking for.”
“I’m Alpha for a reason, vampire. You’re not a wolf. Gabby is.”
“I don’t give a shit where you think she belongs. I know where she belongs and it’s with me. She’s confused…” Hunter’s lips tightened with anger.
Gabriella growled, incensed by Quintus’ insistence she was his. None of it mattered if he had another mate. She forced her feelings for him away, refusing to let them influence her. She turned to bolt when the call of the Alpha seized her, thwarting her escape. What is happening? As she attempted to block Hunter, Quintus’ voice played in her head. Little wolf. It’s time to go home.
“You can’t run forever, Gabriella,” Quintus told her, his voice softened.
“You can’t block both of us at the same time,” Hunter cautioned. “You might be getting more clever with Quintus but he’s not a wolf. What you’re feeling is just a sliver of my power.”
“I told you not to hurt her,” Quintus warned.
“I’m going to shift now, and then we’re going back home,” Hunter said to Gabriella. “It’s not a good idea for you to be around Jax’s pack.”
Quintus sighed as the wolf stripped off his clothes. “Don’t touch her, wolf. As much as I appreciate your help, I won’t think twice about killing you if she’s harmed.”
As Hunter shifted, Quintus’ focus went to Gabriella. “You get a pass tonight, but this conversation is far from over. Next time there will be no running. The only things saving you are the moon and the Alpha. I don’t care what you think just happened back there, but you belong to me.”
Gabriella set off running into the brush, his anger sweeping over her. Run little wolf run…you’ll always be mine. She shoved his words to the recesses of her mind, unwilling to give her heart to someone who’d never be hers. As the Alpha joined her, she gave in to her feral natur
e, forgetting everything and everyone except the call of the moon.
Chapter Nine
Quintus had grieved Mao’s death for centuries. The guilt had nearly caused his own demise, but he’d prevailed, finally accepting that life went on without her.
“Goddammit,” Quintus growled under his breath as he flashed into his living room. The second his feet hit the floor he caught sight of his brother’s face mere inches from his.
“Hey brother,” Viktor quipped, materializing directly in front of him.
“Jesus. I told you not to do that.”
“You’d think after a few hundred years of annoying your ass, it’d get old.” He shrugged with a smile. “But no. Just as good as it was the first time.”
“Contrary to what you believe, tonight isn’t a fucking joke.” Quintus strode behind the bar and retrieved a bottle of whiskey. “You’re supposed to be watching Mao. Where is she?”
“She was taking a shower last I saw her. She’s a hot chick but I didn’t think you’d be down for me sticking around to watch, so I flashed. Room’s warded so she can’t get out if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“She’s a fucking pixiu. If she wants to get out, she’s going to tear the damn house apart.” Quintus blew out a breath, slid two glasses across the bar and began to pour. “Well that night certainly went to shit pretty fast.”
“Gabriella,” Viktor said, accepting the drink from Quintus.
“I can’t believe she went with Livingston.” Quintus took a long draw of the liquor, exhaling as the golden nectar burned down his throat. “Fuck.”
“I’m surprised you let her go with the Alpha.” Viktor raised an eyebrow and cocked his head.
“Don’t fucking say it.” He poured another shot.
“So let me get this straight. Your girl turns into an animal. You guys find her and then let her run off with the wolf.” Viktor laughed, shaking his head. “An Alpha at that.”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
“What the hell are you doing? No don’t tell me. Look, Quint. You’re one of the toughest mofo’s I’ve ever known. This woman is turning you inside out. There’s no way in the past you’d have ever given up on a woman…let alone one who’s your mate. What the actual fuck is going on?”
