by Kym Grosso
“You saw her tonight. I know it seems like the wrong thing to do but I’m telling you, she’s losing it because she’s a wolf. I’m her mate…”
“Mao is your mate.”
“No, she’s not. I mean, yeah, she was once. But that was a long fucking time ago. I’ve bitten Gabriella, tasted of her. The bond. I know it’s begun.”
“So Gabriella mated with you? She’s got the mark?”
“Well, no. I mean, I guess it didn’t even occur to me until tonight.”
“She probably doesn’t even know to look for it. She hasn’t been raised in the pack.” Viktor downed the whiskey and slammed the glass on the bar. “But what about Mao? You started the process…I don’t know when. Fuck. I can’t even remember how long it’s been but I sure as shit know she was your mate. When she died…” His words trailed off and he continued to shake his head, staring into his empty glass, and then sent his gaze back up to meet Quintus’. “You almost died.”
“I’d bitten her, but we hadn’t completed the bond.” Quintus plowed his fingers through his hair and sighed. “Look, I don’t know how this shit works. I mean if she survived the fall, why didn’t I feel her life force? I didn’t. It may have been a hell of a long time ago but I remember it like yesterday. It felt like my guts were ripped out. There was nothing. She was nowhere.”
“But she’s not dead. She’s upstairs in the west wing guest room.”
“It’s been a long time, and I’m telling you that whatever bond we’d started…it’s gone. It’s just gone. I don’t know what’s going on. That woman looks like Mao, but I don’t trust the demon or Absinthe for that matter.”
“And our dear little Gabriella? You send her off with an Alpha? What the hell were you thinking? She might never be back.”
“She’s a wolf. She needed to shift tonight. And despite her doing it like she did, shifting right there in front of everyone, I wanted this for her. It’s the first time in her whole life she’s ever run with another wolf.” Quintus grabbed his drink off the bar and made his way over to an oversized black suede chair and fell down into it, propping his feet on an ottoman. The scent of the Kentucky whiskey filled his nostrils as he brought the rim of the glass to his lips. “She’s been alone for a long time. She trusted me to bite her. And more importantly, her wolf, she trusted me. And now this thing with Mao…Jesus Christ, I feel like an asshole for saying this, but I’ve already mourned the loss. She’s no longer my mate. I don’t know how I know this but I just do. Today…”
“Today you were in shock. And truth here…I was not expecting to ever see her again. I mean…she looked fine too. Your girl was in Hell and she looks like she’s been to Cabo, taking a chill on vaca.”
“She’s not my girl.” Quintus’ head snapped up, his focus on his brother. “I need more information about how she survived. That woman upstairs looks like Mao. It doesn’t mean that’s actually her.”
“She’s twinning, that’s for damn sure.”
“Her scent…aside from the slight burnt odor, it could’ve been Mao.”
“Hell. Can’t get the smell out of the skin.” Viktor sunk down into the plush sofa and rested his head back onto one of its pillows. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you. She’s here. In your house. In the flesh. Not dead. Very much alive and my guess is she’s going to be gearing up for making up some time in the next few hours.”
“No. Absolutely not. That isn’t happening.” Quintus shook his head.
“I didn’t say you. I said her. I can just tell by the way she looked at you back there, she’s got lovin’ on her mind. No joke.”
“You need to shut the fuck up because Gabriella’s going to be strolling through that door any minute and I want her to stay.”
“Stay where?” Viktor looked around the room, and gave Quintus a sly smile.
“Here, of course.” Quintus dragged his forefinger around the rim of his glass. “It’s not like I didn’t love Mao. I did. But I grieved. I moved on. And now…Gabby’s a…”
“A complication?” Viktor’s smile disappeared, a serious expression washing over his face. “It will happen to all of us eventually. I can’t say I ever tire of being single but the Goddess…she does what she wants.”
“I’ve tasted Gabriella. I can feel her. The bond has begun. I could deny it…maybe.”
“Vampires have done so. It won’t be easy. No other will satisfy you.”
“Leaving Gabby to Hunter tonight…” He shook his head and lifted his glass to his lips. “It was so Goddamn hard. She needs to submit to me…not the fucking Alpha.”
“She submitted to him?” Viktor asked, surprise in his voice.
“No. Well, how the fuck am I supposed to know? All I do know is that there’s bones in France that can possibly be used to lift the hold on the Salem witches. Whatever’s going on with those bitches is spooking everyone in New York City. They’re coming for Gabriella. I want to get this thing…whatever the hell it is and get back to New Orleans. It’s time for all this bullshit to end.”
“And Mao?”
“I don’t know. She could go back to China. Or stay here…” Quintus blew out a breath in frustration. There was no way Gabriella would ever accept his ex-lover living in the same city.
“Yeah, probably not the best idea.”
“I’ll figure something out.” Quintus’ thoughts drifted back to his little wolf. “Gabriella shut me out tonight, but I’m not going to let her do it again. This business of running. She’s going to learn submission.”
“Well, that should be interesting because even I could feel her power tonight. She’s not the shy little wolf she pretends to be.”
“Witch.”
“Whatever. I’m just saying, that there’s something about her power.”
“I’ve felt it too. She’s young. She’s learning her power.” Quintus looked to his brother. “This thing with Mao. I need to deal with this tonight.”
He set his drink on an end table, and retrieved his phone, tapping on its screen.
“What’s next?”
“Paris is what’s next. Taking the private jet.”
“The PJ? No flashing?”
“If it were just you and me? Yes. With Gabriella? No. She’s just getting used to…” Quintus stopped short of finishing his sentence as she entered his building. Gabriella.
As the elevator door slid open, Quintus caught sight of Hunter, the sheen of his sweat on his bared body. The small black wolf trailed behind him.
“Thank you for returning her safely,” Quintus said, his attention on Gabriella.
Viktor remained seated and rolled his eyes as Hunter approached, a small smile forming on his lips. “You know I’m down for commando any day of the week, but I never get how you wolves give zero fucks about strolling around buck naked in front of other people. Just letting it swing free in the wind. Nice.”
“I’m a wolf, jackass.”
“Yeah, I get that. Windmill away.”
Quintus ignored both his brother and Hunter, transfixed as Gabriella shifted back to her human form. Her long caramel locks tumbled over her shoulders, brushing over her nipples.
“I’m here,” she said, her voice steady.
“That you are, bella.”
“These wolves are…” Viktor began but Quintus cut him off.
“Not a word, brother. I can assure you this isn’t the time.” Quintus reached for Gabriella but she stepped backward, avoiding his touch.
“I need to go shower. Then I’m leaving. I know I asked you to help me but…”
“You’re not going anywhere. We’re flying out in the morning.”
“You don’t need to help me,” she insisted. “No, it’s more than that. I don’t want your help anymore. I’ll go myself. I’ll get the bones of the first witch. I’ll learn the spell or ritual or whatever it is I need and then I’ll go.”
“Gabby.” Quintus stepped forward, removing his jacket.
“No, please…” Gabriella held up her hand.
“I’m just going to…” Quintus’ chest tightened, sensing her confusion and pain. Pain that he’d caused. Mao.
“I can’t stay here anymore,” she whispered. Her voice shook.
“Gabby.” Quintus gazed into her teary eyes, his heart heavy.
“I’m leaving.”
“I promise you it’s going to be all right.” His lips grazed her hair as he set his jacket around her shoulders. “I’ll deal with this situation and then we’ll go to Paris.”
“Quintus…I can’t.”
“I know you need some time, little wolf. Take a shower. Get some rest. We’re leaving in the morning.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll sleep in the guest room.”
“No, you’ll sleep in my room where you’re best protected.” Although tempted to flash her away, he didn’t want to traumatize her any more than she already had been. Quintus set his palms on her shoulders and closed his eyes, sending his power to her, attempting to calm her wolf. She didn’t shut him out, yet her thoughts remained clouded.
“I can find it by myself,” she said.
“I’ll be up in a few minutes,” Quintus told her, opening his eyes. He knew it was a lie; he’d need time to talk to Mao and send her to safety. “It’s going to be all right, Gabby.”
“I…Quintus…” she sighed, without finishing her thoughts. “Forget it.”
Quintus released her shoulders, and she averted her gaze as she stepped around him. Her sad smile hinted at her disagreement, but he refused to let her simply walk out of his life. Refuting the bond would be difficult for him, but for Gabriella, a shifter, she’d likely not survive the loss of her mate.
He watched in silence as she walked away and headed toward his bedroom, his thoughts interrupted by the sound of Viktor’s voice.
“Quint, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Mao…you’d better get up there.”
“I’m going to go talk to her now.” He blew out a breath and looked to Hunter. “Alpha…”
“I’ve gotta get back to the pack,” Hunter began.
“I need a favor. I’m leaving in the morning, and I hate to ask you this but I’m thinking Mao isn’t safe here in New York. I could ask another vampire to take care of her but she’s a shifter. I’m thinking if we can get her to Kai…maybe she can help her through this transition.”
“I’m going out west in a few days. I’d be happy to keep her at the pack house. Finn’s coming back tomorrow so between the two of us, we can keep an eye out.”
“I’ll text Jake to make sure it’s okay but I’m thinking after everything Kai went through, she might benefit from being around another pixiu. I know they don’t have packs but she’s new to the whole shifter arena.”
“Look Quintus. I know this might not be easy for someone like you. As old as you. But ya gotta go easy on Gabriella, okay? She’s nearly a pup. You did the right thing letting her run with me. I’m sure you could feel it but just in case you vamps can’t, I didn’t ask her to submit to me. That’s your place, not mine.”
“I don’t want to see her hurt any more than she already is,” Quintus responded, his face serious.
“Hey man, I’m not mated but I know the score. When this shit happens, the last thing a wolf, Alpha or not, wants to do is get in between unmated wolves.” Hunter’s eyebrows rose as he shook his head. “But you’ve gotta tread lightly, vamp. Because that girl of yours…something about her. She’s young but the magick is strong. I could feel it tonight and there’s something…I can’t put my finger on it.”
“She’s a hybrid.” Something about her magick was special. Quintus kept the thought to himself and continued, “It doesn’t matter. I know what you’re saying. I owe you one for helping her. And I’ll owe you again for Mao. But the thing is, with her…”
“I’ll do my best but you know she’s not wolf, right?” Hunter asked.
“A very long time ago, she was my mate. We’d begun the bond but didn’t complete it. Our pairing was rare.”
“It’s rare for a vampire to mate with a wolf. Or a witch,” Viktor interjected.
“Everyone has been misled to think we only bond with humans, but it happens. We find other supernaturals every now and then. All I know is that I don't want to see Gabriella hurt,” Quintus said, reflecting on his choice to help her.
“I’ve got to tell you, I’m not sure how or if Mao was your mate before…it just seems like, with wolves anyway, that bond, it’s not something that simply goes away. Not for a minute. Not for one thousand years. Wolves only have one mate.”
“I don’t have answers. All I can guess is that something may have happened to her in Hell. I’ve been walking around on this earth for years and never once after she went over the cliff did I sense her. My guess is whatever found her…”
“Whatever took her,” Viktor corrected.
“They must’ve done something to her. Or the bond. Something happened. I need time alone with her to know for sure. Back there with Absinthe…I knew it was Mao from the second she walked in, but I can’t explain it…my craving, everything about the pull on my soul…this bond…it’s Gabriella, not her.”
“If it’s any consolation, wolves go through this shit all the time. Take me for example, I’ve gone a long time without complications. I’ve been lucky. Tristan. He went down like a deck of cards. But that’s usually how it happens.”
“I can’t say what’s happening or why. All I do know is that Gabriella belongs to me. Whatever happened with Mao, it’s over. I feel like we all need to be cautious. Both of you need to be careful around her.”
“She might hear you,” Viktor cautioned.
“I want her to hear me. The Alpha’s right. Bonds…matings…they don’t just get broken out of nowhere. I have a lot of questions about what she’s been doing in Hell. I’m not saying it was her fault, but I’d like to know who put her there. Something off about this whole situation.”
“I’ll be back in a few hours,” Hunter said as he turned toward the foyer.
“Thanks for your help tonight,” Quintus acknowledged.
“You’d better go talk to Mao. I can stay here if you’d like,” Viktor offered.
“No, I’ll handle things.”
“I’ve gotta shower.” Viktor sniffed. “Fucking demon. I can smell him on me.”
“Thanks for tonight.” Quintus gave a sigh and walked away, turning down the hallway.
He’d detected a hint of sulfur in the air. Mao. When Absinthe and Thorn had presented her, he’d been shocked at the sight of his former mate, but the love he’d once felt had been dulled. A distant memory, she wore an emptiness in her teary eyes. The connection they’d once shared no longer existed. He neither sensed her thoughts or emotions. Bonds could be ignored to a point but never broken.
Years ago, he would have trusted Mao with his life, but as he reached for the door handle and Hell’s scent grew stronger, his suspicion spiked. Even though his wards prevented demons and black magick, he’d willingly brought her to his home.
The hinges creaked as Quintus turned the knob and opened the door. He stepped into the room, concealing his disgust at the distinctive odor lingering in the air. He caught sight of Mao’s small figure in the corner. With her eyes lowered, she slowly turned to face him.
“You don’t trust me.” She raised her gaze.
“I don’t trust what happened to you,” he responded, studying the contours of her face. Her damp black hair brushed over her pale cheeks, deep brown eyes staring at him. Her small body swam in the white terrycloth robe. She was exactly the same as he remembered her, yet altogether different.
“I haven’t forgotten,” she began, her voice soft but steady. “That day…your master…”
“I’m so sorry. I couldn’t hear what he was doing to you.” Guilt haunted him. He’d been tasked with watching over another one of Baxter’s fledgling vampires in the forest and hadn’t been in her village. When he’d heard the screaming from afar, he’d gone to save her but was too late.
“I’d thought after he raped me, that would be the end.”
“I was weak. By the time I reached you. Fuck, Mao. I’ve thought about that day a million times and what I could have done differently. It was my fault. Baxter. He was a sadist. I knew that when I got involved with you. I knew how he tortured others. Hell, he tortured me for as long as I was with him. When he threw you over that cliff, I died that day with you.”
“After I fell into the canyon, I shifted. I began to fly.”
“You died,” he countered, stepping closer.
“My kind is rare. The demon who traded me to Hell claimed he’d made a fortune on me.”
“I failed you.” Quintus’ instinct warned him away, but his heart propelled him forward as he took each step toward her.
“There was nothing either of us could do. He was stronger than both of us.”
“But I should have protected you. We’d almost completed our bond.” As he said the words, he was reminded yet again that he felt nothing. Although tempted to comfort her, take her in his arms, doubt rooted in his mind. “I saw your body hit one of the rocks. But then you disappeared. I couldn’t reach you.”
“It was the first time I’d shifted. I don’t remember much. I flew into a web of magick. The demon took me that very night.” Mao licked her lips, and closed the distance, coming within inches of Quintus. “For over a thousand years I’ve been locked away. Tortured. But I never forgot you. Or us.”
As she reached for him, Quintus accepted her into his arms. Her small figure fit into his embrace, the memories rushing over him. Their first glance. First kiss. Making love. But even with her close to him, no emotion curled in his chest.
“Mao…” Quintus shook his head, pulling away from her. “I’m sorry…you must know…our bond…”
“I can feel you.” Mao untied her belt, revealing her bared breasts. She reached for Quintus’ hand and brought it toward her chest. “They tried to break me…to break our bond. But it’s still there…feel me.”
“Mao…” Quintus tugged his wrist away. “I can’t. I’m sorry. The bond. If this is…” If this is really you. He stopped his errant thought, cautious not to hurt her any more than she’d already been. “You’ve been traumatized.”
