Talon (Rise of the Pride, Book 1)

by Theresa Hissong

  A plan formed quickly in her mind…she just needed to get away to make it happen.

  Talon found Kye pacing in the foyer, his boots covered in mud. “What the hell is going on?”

  “I need to speak with you,” he growled, his younger brother’s eyes glowing amber.

  “Calm, brother,” he said, pushing out his alpha powers to control his panther. When Kye’s shoulders slumped, he knew it was okay to touch the younger male. “Come to my office.”

  Talon waited for Kye to remove his boots and then hurry to his office. He knew his brother was holding on by a fine thread, but he needed to not go out on a vengeful campaign to find her. He’d end up getting Evie hurt, along with himself.

  “We will find her,” Talon promised, leaning against his desk. He wanted to be on equal footing with his baby brother. A young panther didn’t have their emotions in check and could lose their temper quickly.

  “I need to go…alone,” Kye stated, his voice firm. “I have to find her and I don’t want you to hold me back.”

  “You will do as you are told, Kye,” Talon ordered, pushing out his alpha powers, but he also felt a little push back from his brother, who was growing into being an alpha of his own. Someday, Kye would leave and start his own pride in another area. Talon knew this, and would make sure his brother was prepared before letting him go off to lead a group of people.

  “Please,” Kye faltered, one knee buckling, and Talon reached out to steady the young man. The anguish in his eyes made Talon’s heart clench in sympathy. The thought of someone taking Liberty would push him into the same mindset.

  “You can lead a group to go look for her,” Talon began, but held his hand up for Kye to not run out the door until he was done with his orders. “You do this under the cover of night if you are using your panther to track her scent. In the daylight, you are to stay in human form. We do not want the humans involved.”

  “Okay,” he sighed. “I promise.”

  “Grab Booth and Dane,” he suggested. “And you are to report back to me anything that you find.”

  “I promise,” his brother replied, some of the worry leaving his features.

  “Be safe, brother,” Talon said, giving him an approving nod. “I’m going out with Savage to check the river. I want to see if they are using the cover to the northeast of town.”

  “What about to the south of the property?” Kye asked.

  “Why don’t you take that and report back to me,” Talon said, very proud of his brother for making the call. He would’ve checked the uninhabited areas up and down the river himself, but he left part of that open to see what his brother would say.

  “I’m leaving now,” Kye said.

  “So am I,” Talon replied.

  Chapter Twelve

  Talon and Savage walked slowly along the banks of the Coldwater River, using their keen eyesight to look for anything out of the ordinary and their sense of smell for anything familiar. So far, they’d been on foot for a mile and they hadn’t found anything.

  The dense vegetation along the river slowed their progress, but eventually it opened up when it skirted a few farmers’ fields that were full of corn, almost ready to be plowed for the season.

  “Wait.” Savage froze, throwing his arm out to stop Talon from taking his next step. “Look.”

  Talon squatted down, seeing a broken branch and what looked like a large paw print. There was no scent to prove what his mind was telling him, but he knew.

  “Fucking wolves,” he snarled.

  “That print is too big to be a natural wolf,” Savage observed. “Hell, we don’t even have them in this area.”

  “We don’t have werewolves either,” Talon cursed. “Call the Guardians. Warn everyone that we have a problem. Keep the women and children protected.”

  Savage barked orders into the phone while Talon took a moment to get a hold on not only his emotions, but his panther. Never had he wanted someone’s blood as badly he did from these wolves that had taken a child from his land.

  “What about Liberty?” Savage asked.

  “I’ll call Winter and we will go to The Deuce,” he said, standing to his full height. He pulled out his phone and took several photos of the print. The damn thing had to have been as wide as his own panther’s paw print. These werewolves were in his territory and that couldn’t be good.

  Thinking back, the scent at Liberty’s was…different. It was a panther, he was sure of it, but could he have been wrong? “Tell the Guardians to be on alert. They may be masking their scent somehow.”

  It wasn’t humans who’d taken Evie. It’d been wolves, and they were unstable in best of times. He needed to head back to the pride and then check on Liberty.

  “Everyone has been alerted,” Savage announced, slipping his phone in his pocket. “What’s the plan, boss?”

  “Make sure our females are safe,” he said, turning to his Guardian. “And get Evie back to the pride where she belongs. And let’s pray that we are not too late.”

  They were less than a mile from the pride’s property when Talon’s phone rang.

  “Kye?” Talon answered.

  “I found wolf tracks too,” he snarled. “No scent.”

  “How many?” Talon asked, afraid to hear the answer.

  “Three sets,” Kye cursed, his voice strained.

  “Get to the pride,” he ordered. “Now, Kye.”

  “I’ll be there shortly,” he promised. “Talon?”

  “I know,” he replied, hanging up before his brother had a chance to express his fears. The last thing he needed was to have his brother’s possible mate killed by werewolves. The death of a mate was one of the hardest events in a panther’s life. It was something that was inevitable, and they all knew that at some point age would take the life of the one they loved, but it still sent the one left alive into a depression. If Evie died now, Kye may never know if she was truly his. His brother could go rogue and become unstable. Talon shook the dark thoughts from his mind. He didn’t want to think about having to put his brother down before he was old enough to even live.

  As he cleared the wooded area and entered the back yard of his house, the pride had already gathered, their faces grim. The wind picked up, scattering dead leaves across the yard. Talon’s eyes landed on Evie’s parents. Marie wasn’t holding up well and her mate had his arms around her, whispering into her ear. When she looked up into Talon’s eyes, the female squared her shoulders, but the tears still trickled down her face. She wanted to look strong for her alpha, but Talon would not have faulted her for breaking down. He was on edge already as it was.

  “I’m sure the Guardians have already informed you that we have found werewolf tracks to the north and south of the property. Their scent is nonexistent. I’m going to say that they have somehow learned to disguise their stench so that we cannot detect them.”

  “Oh God,” Marie trembled.

  Talon stepped forward and stood in front of Marie before continuing, “I will find her. This I promise to you and your mate as your alpha.”

  In a move that no one in his pride had ever seen, Talon dropped to his right knee, allowing his canines to grow in his mouth. Lifting his right wrist to his mouth, Marie gasped, but didn’t make a move to stop him as he bit into his vein and held out his arm, letting five drops of his alpha blood land at her feet. “This is my promise as your alpha…your leader. I. WILL. FIND. YOUR. DAUGHTER!” At that, all of the Guardians roared in their agreement, dropping to one knee where they’d been gathered at the alpha’s back.

  “Thank you, alpha,” Marie cried, turning her head into her mate’s chest.

  “Take your mate to your home,” he ordered, rising to his feet. “I will be in touch.”

  He watched as the pride left to return to their homes. He gave orders to the Guardians who were there. Kye shifted nervously as he awaited his orders.

  “You are to stay here,” Talon ordered, holding up his hand. “I will have a plan by tonight. I need to check on Lib
erty.”

  “Talon,” Kye choked out. His little brother was on edge. Hell, they all were.

  “No,” he growled, using his authority to get his point across. “I will return shortly and then…we hunt.” The Guardians separated, preparing for the mission to recover one of their own.

  Talon pulled up to the bar, his eyes scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary. When his eyes landed on the Sheriff’s car parked by the door, he felt his panther lunge forward. That man wanted his Liberty, and Talon would make sure that Sheriff Lynch knew she was off limits.

  He didn’t even think twice as he yanked the door open to the bar, causing the patrons to turn sharply toward the noise. Talon’s shoulders filled the door frame, the setting sun sending his shadow out before him into the little entryway of the building.

  “Talon?” Nova asked, walking up to greet him at the door.

  “Liberty? Where is she?” he demanded.

  “Ah, she’s in the office,” Nova replied, her eyes wide. “But you need to wait out here.”

  “Why?” he snarled, searching for the sheriff. He wasn’t anywhere in the bar.

  “She’s talking to Sheriff Lynch,” she admitted, moving out of the way when Talon charged forward. He ignored Nova’s curse and made his way through the bar and down the hallway to the office.

  If that man had his hands on Liberty, the law would have to bury him under the jail, because he’d rip that human to shreds. Just the thought of another male touching his mate sent his panther into a frenzy…demanding blood.

  “Talon!” Liberty shouted, holding a hand to her chest as she stood up from her spot behind the desk. Talon searched the office and relaxed slightly when he found the cop standing in the far corner of the room, looking out the window. At the commotion, he’d spun around and removed his gun, pointing it at Talon’s chest. When he realized there was no threat, the cop placed the gun back in its holster at his side.

  “Sorry,” Talon mumbled, keeping his mouth closed to hide his thick canines.

  “The Sheriff was just here to talk to me about Terry,” she said, quickly explaining why they were alone in the room.

  “I haven’t touched her,” Sheriff Lynch announced, causing Talon to growl low in his throat. “What I’m trying to say is that Liberty explained to me about the mating. I would never do anything to her to cause her pain.”

  “Good,” Talon said, narrowing his eyes. “She is mine.” He didn’t want to tell him that he would kill him if he ever hurt his mate.

  “I’ll get out of here,” the sheriff offered, heading toward the door.

  “Thank you.” Liberty nodded toward her desk. “I’ll call you if he shows up.”

  Sheriff Lynch left the room in a hurry, closing the door. Talon walked over and turned the lock, ensuring no one would be bothering them.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, stalking toward his mate…slowly. Her eyes widened, but quickly smoldered when his mating scent drifted across the room.

  “Mmhmm,” she hummed, inhaling deep. “Um, Terry…Ah…he’s not allowed here anymore.”

  “Good,” he replied, walking around her desk. He froze for a moment when he noticed she was wearing a dress that reached her ankles. Her hips flared just slightly, making the material there pretty snug, and that caused his cock to swell in his jeans.

  “You’re wearing a dress,” he observed, licking his lips.

  “Oh,” she giggled, looking down at the light blue dress clinging nicely to her lush body. “Yeah, I thought I’d be comfortable today.”

  “I like it,” he smirked. “Easier for me to take my mate.”

  She yelped when he lifted her up, spinning their bodies so that Liberty was pinned to the wall. His lips found the mark on her neck, and she moaned when his tongue licked over the wounds he’d made there. Her hips rotated, her sex rubbing against the hardness behind the fly of his jeans.

  “Your tongue is rough,” she moaned, tilting her head back as he traced a path from the mating mark to her jaw, and then to her lips.

  “My panther,” he growled around his partially shifted mouth.

  Liberty didn’t reply as his tongue pressed forward, claiming her mouth. Talon could taste his own mating scent when he kissed Liberty, and that just urged him forward. With one hand, he pulled the long dress up, gathering it at her hips that were tipped to keep her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. He unsheathed one claw and managed to rip her panties just enough to so that he could grasp them in his hands, tearing the shredded material from her body. Her arousal hit him full force as she deepened the kiss.

  Her hands tightened on the tops of his shoulders as she rubbed herself against his body. Talon reached between them, tracing the wet folds of her sex with his finger. “You are already so wet for me.”

  “Always,” she moaned. “Please, Talon?”

  “Don’t ever beg me, mate,” he ordered, releasing the button and zipper on his jeans. His cock sprang free and found its way home, buried deep inside his mate. His Liberty.

  Her channel tightened and released him as he thrust deep, taking her almost savagely. He didn’t want to accidentally release his full power on her. He had to keep remembering that she was human.

  “I’m not going to break, Talon,” she panted, kissing a path from his lips, over his jaw, and finally to behind his ear. He felt his cock swell inside her, but he held back. He was enjoying her warmth wrapped around him too much to let it end that quickly.

  “You feel so good,” he purred, stretching his neck. He wanted her bite. Talon wanted to feel her canines break his skin…to feel her accepting his blood in their mating ritual. “Fuck!”

  “Talon…please,” Liberty panted, leaning back against the wall. “I need…”

  He didn’t have to be told what she needed. He reached between them, adding pressure to her clit. “Come for me, mate.” His voice was deep, his canines making the sound deadlier, but Liberty didn’t scare that easy.

  “Yessss!” she breathed, her sex milking him. The moment she began to scream with her release, his mouth crashed down on hers, swallowing the sound. He didn’t want anyone hearing her pleasure. That sound was meant only for him.

  “Shhh,” he whispered, feeling her shivering in his arms. He let his cock slide from her body, but kept her in his arms as he took a seat in her office chair. Liberty curled up on his lap and melted against his chest.

  “You can come to my work anytime,” she giggled. When she raised her face, he leaned in and kissed her softly.

  “I’ll be by tomorrow,” he said, then winked.

  “Let me clean up,” she said, unfolding herself from his lap. She quickly washed up and returned to the office.

  She pulled him from the chair. “Are you hungry?” she asked, walking toward the door.

  “For you,” he smirked, “Always.”

  “Come on, big guy,” she laughed, and the sound was like music to his ears. This beautiful woman was his…he knew that now.

  He stopped her in the hallway by pulling her back to his chest. Lifting her face with just a crooked finger, he captured her lips in a kiss that seared his very soul.

  “Hey, Nova,” Liberty called out, catching her sister as she left the kitchen.

  “What’s up?” Nova paused. “Are you okay? You don’t look well.”

  This was going to be easier than she thought. “I don’t feel all that great. Do you mind closing up?”

  Talon had left hours before. There was going to be a search party sent out to find Evie. She just hoped that she could get to the young female before they got their hands on Talon. She kept telling herself that if he was gone, his pride would suffer. She knew this was the right thing to do.

  “No,” she said, squeezing Liberty’s hand. “Go on. I got this. I’ll have Winter take me home.” Shit! She forgot about Savage being at the house. Maybe she could get to the meeting place before they realized she was missing.

  “Thank you,” she said, grabbing her sister into a tight hug.
“I love you, Nova.”

  “Um, I love you, too,” she replied, looking at Liberty like she’d just sprouted a purple nose. “Have you been drinking Moe’s homemade hooch again?”

  “No!” she scolded. “Nova!”

  “Sorry,” her sister chuckled. “Go on home.”

  Liberty hurried out the door. She had thirty minutes to get to the place where the note said to meet. She checked the gun at her side as soon as she locked herself in the car. She had a clip full of ammo and a prayer. Hopefully, they would have Evie and she could trade herself for the young girl. Liberty squeezed her eyes closed, pushing away the horrors she imagined could have happened to the girl.

  She started the car and pulled out of the bar slowly, taking the road north toward the main highway. As soon as she was far enough away, Liberty pressed hard on the pedal, hoping she wasn’t making a mistake.

  No, she wasn’t. She knew in her heart that this was the right thing to do.

  As she turned into the lot, there were no cars waiting. She breathed a sigh of relief that she had actually arrived before the people who had kidnapped Evie. She put the car in park and went to reach for her gun, but the door was ripped open and she was yanked from the car. Her foot caught in the seatbelt and she screamed when she felt a pop, causing searing pain to radiate up her leg.

  “Where’s the alpha?” a man hollered.

  “Let me go!” Liberty yelled, reaching at her hip for her gun. She slid the cold metal free and jammed the business end of the weapon into the man’s gut. “You heard me!”

  “Unless you have silver bullets in that gun,” he paused to laugh, “You won’t hurt me. Go ahead…pull the trigger, bitch.”

  “Fuck you,” she snarled, pulling the trigger…twice. To Liberty’s astonishment, the man hissed, but remained upright, his hold on the back of her shirt never easing up.

  “You’re going to regret that,” he growled, punching her in the eye.

  Don’t pass out! Don’t pass out! She kept repeating the demand in her head, but her vision narrowed. Her body hit the ground and the gun was jerked from her hand by a man twice her size. He leaned over her and she could barely make out his features.