by Aliyah Burke
Bigger than my house and he called it his cabin. Then again, from the size of that house we passed to get here, I guess this would be a mere cabin. Masculine laughter filtered in through the open windows and she paused. It wasn’t Casimir. The dark haired, dark eyed one who seemed to watch her closely.
Regardless, whoever he was, he held rank in the pack. Dyana knew a bit more about shifters than she’d let Casimir in on. Maybe not wolf pack knowledge but, given how it was in the leopard hierarchy and eagles, she figured somewhat similar for the wolves. She’d learned much from Ranger.
They’d had a short stint being sexually involved with one another and given he was a lieutenant in the pack, she’d witnessed a lot of the hierarchy firsthand. She and Ranger were much better friends, they’d never wanted to pursue anything else. So when he had someone else, she was just fine with it.
She blew out a breath. What do you know, I’m married to the Alpha. She dug her phone free and sent a text to Ranger.
See you in CA.
His response was instant.
CALL ME.
She shook her head over his command and sent a reply.
Later. Shopping.
Casimir may have said wait but she was hungry now. Phone in her back pocket, she opened the door. Nothing met her as she looked away from the sight of her car.
With a firm grip on her keys, she made her way down to the vehicle and slipped behind the wheel. Once the engine rumbled she lowered the visor and her throat clenched tight. Another shot of her, Reggie, and Shyla. All of them with a frosted mug of beer in hand, toasting. Shyla’s graduation night, the three of them had a blast until the wee hours of the morning. Never have those again, either.
Her thought brought tears to her eyes as she drove toward town.
He said to wait. Her foot actually came slightly off the gas before she snorted and shook her head. Tough shit. She continued on. She didn’t do blind obedience.
“Call Ranger,” she said at the end of the drive.
“Hey, beautiful,” he answered after one ring. “Can you talk now?”
“I’m heading into town. What’d you have to tell me?”
“What the fuck are you doing with Casimir Lars?”
A light rain began to fall. “I’m in Washington with him to take care of something. Why? What do you know about him?”
“Listen, all shifters know about Casimir Lars and his Tatra Pack, how he left his Pack as a boy and went to the Úlfravaldr Pack to be raised there. Not to mention how he became Alpha of the Tatra.”
“Didn’t he just take over when his father stepped down?”
“Not even close. He’s the third son. Hell, when he was a boy they didn’t talk about him because he was so sick. No one expected him to make it.”
Casimir sickly? There’s an image she couldn’t picture, not given the virile man he was now.
“What happened with his brothers?” She slowed as she entered town.
“He killed them.”
Her heart skipped a few beats and her foot slid off the accelerator for a second time. As the car slowed even more, she replaced her foot and pulled into a store lot.
“Is this conjecture?”
“No. He challenged them for the pack and won. Why are you there with him? He’s not an easy man, Dyana. I’m easygoing most of the time. He’s not. He’s the Alpha.”
“So I’ve learned.”
“He’s fair but ruthless. Our pack’s been starting negotiations with them about some things but they’re hesitating. He’s difficult and private. Which makes me ask again, what business do you have up there?”
Shifters watched her as she sat in the idling car. If they were like Ranger who could hear so much more than she, she needed to drive. Back on the road, she headed up the two-lane road that sliced through the thick evergreen forest.
“I’m his wife.”
“Fucking A. I’m a goddamn dead man.”
“Why? I just found out so he can’t do anything to you. He has a woman he’s been fucking. Hell, she’s the only reason I know because he wants to divorce me to marry her.” Bitterness soured her tone.
“But I slept with the Alpha’s mate. Shit.”
“Don’t worry, Keane,” she said using his real name. “This isn’t like you.”
“War can begin for what I’ve done, Dyana. This is serious. I may very well have killed any chance of having our packs allies.”
“That won’t happen. Look, tell me more about him.”
It was a good three hours later that she drove in the store lot. She leaned against the door and rubbed her leg, willing the ache to go away.
Nearly sunset, she struck off over the parking lot and into the store. Without Shyla wanting to try on everything she had clothes and a large suitcase along with the toiletries she’d need in much shorter time than she was used to spending in a place like this. After paying she headed back to her car, stored the items, and headed to a grocery store. Her venture didn’t take long and she’d gotten something to eat for her dinner.
The return to the cabin didn’t take very long and she’d just lifted the final bag of clothing to carry in when something alerted her to the fact she no longer remained alone. Dyana locked her car and strode inside without showing how near numbing her fear truly was.
She grabbed her salad, opened the top, and set it down to unwrap her silverware. Munching on a bit of the food, she placed the container on the coffee table and began removing the tags from the clothing. She’d seen the washer and dryer the cabin had and was going to use them.
By the time the sun had disappeared, she had one load running as the land was swathed with darkness. She strolled back to the main room eating and froze at the sight of the man standing there.
Casimir stood there, a scowl across his handsome features. The sleeves of his navy blue shirt strained to contain his muscles as he crossed his arms. Her gaze trailed lower over the jeans that did nothing to hide the strength in his legs or the size of his cock.
When she managed to drag her gaze north of his waistband to his eyes, she found his waiting. Damn, damn. Damn.
“I told you to wait and that I would take you shopping.”
She shrugged as if he didn’t set her pulse pounding on so many levels. “So you did, and I told you I don’t follow orders nor am I Pack.”
His eyes went wolf and her slit pulsed as moisture gathered. Holy hell. Deep inside something woke in her and she fought not to react.
One second he wasn’t and the next he stood directly before her, surrounding her with his scent, which encouraged her mind to jump on him and explore the man claiming to be her husband.
The outdoor’s freshness mingled with his own scent. Her nipples hardened and she nearly whimpered.
“You are more than Pack, Dyana.” He stepped closer, somehow maneuvering her to where the wall was at her back. Retreat was no longer an option.
“No,” she disagreed. “I’m a minor distraction. One which I would like to point out, wouldn’t be an issue had you held up your end and had the damn papers ready.”
“Wrong.”
His eyes changed. Not from wolf, but to passion. Her breath hitched as the urge to mark him floored her. Put her mark on him so that bitch kept her hands off.
“How do you figure?”
“Because you’re my wife. My mate. Alpha.” He leaned closer. “Mine.”
Oh sweet Jesus, she was ready to come from his look and tone. “I thought that was Jetje’s position.” Even she couldn’t ignore the sneer that her voice took on with that name.
“No.” He reached out and fisted his hand in her locks. “Say it. Tell me you’re mine.”
Her skin prickled and she wrapped her fingers in the hair around the nape of his neck. “That’s what you want, is it? Me to tell you that I belong to you?”
He didn’t respond, just flickered his gaze to her lips and back to her eyes.
Why the hell not? She may as well take another go at experiencing a kiss with
her husband. Correction, her husband. Making it her choice to put her lips to his. She didn’t believe she would marry again. Not that she knew of the first one.
She pushed up on her toes and before she could figure out exactly how dumb of an idea this was, she placed her mouth on his. For a fraction of a heartbeat he held immobile.
As she pushed her tongue through his lips a low growl rose up from his throat. Her body went on high alert as he lifted her straight up so they were face to face. He broke free of her mouth, touched her lips with his free hand, then reclaimed her mouth.
Devoured her. Engulfed her. In a way that surpassed all-consuming. Down to her veins she felt on fire. Its intensity scared her, not as much as the fact she craved more. Desperately so.
Hooking her legs around his waist, she ground against the large package she knew was there. Their tongues dueled for supremacy, thrusting, parring, twisting, and sliding. He tugged on the hair he held and she trembled as she came in a hard and powerful rush.
Sense struggled mightily against the haze of lust before it penetrated. Dyana wriggled free and landed on the floor, leg spiking in pain upon impact.
“I’m not and do not do that again.”
He barely appeared fazed by her declaration. “You are.”
Sweet hell, she almost came again from that passion drenched statement.
“You’re wrong. In fact, leave me alone until you have the papers.”
Dyana walked away. It was her fault, she was the one who took the leap to kiss him. Hands down this was one of the hardest things she had to do given the way her body clamored for more. At least I know that it’s not an act how the man kisses.
Chapter Six
“Where are the papers, Paps?” Casimir paced back and forth in his grandparents’ large kitchen. His wolf was alert and pissed for leaving Dyana.
Christ, he could still feel her curves pressed against hm. Her breast tight to his chest. How firm her legs held him as he pressed her against the wall of his cabin. The sweet, earthy, all too intoxicating scent of her arousal.
His fangs slid free and he struggled to retract them. The pack, his pack, filled the air with their music. Not even that magic could wrest his attention from the need running over him.
“So there was a mix-up. What’s the harm in having your wife around?”
“We don’t do mix-ups.”
“She doesn’t belong,” his grandmother snarled. “She should leave.”
Casimir whirled on her, a dangerous rumble ripping free of him. “She is your alpha. I meant what I said out there earlier. You go after her and I view it as an attack on me. If you issue that challenge remember I only fight to the death.”
She blanched and backed away. He accepted it wasn’t easy for her. She’d expected to remain in power much longer. Alone with his grandfather, he resumed pacing. The old man had willingly stepped down.
“Why?”
“Huh?” the crazy old man asked.
“Why demand she come here knowing the papers were somewhere else?”
His blue eyes sparkled. “Consider it necessary.”
“Necessary for what? I went, I found her to divorce her, not bring her in to play my alpha for a week.”
Paps stirred his coffee. “She’s not playing anything. She is the Alpha bitch. If you are looking to divorce her perhaps you should stop smelling like her.”
“Forget it.” He stomped to the door needing to run. “I want them here ASAP.”
Paps merely waved him on, completely unperturbed by his anger. Given how the old man had been Alpha before he shouldn’t be surprised, but it never failed to throw him.
Outside he shed his human form and took in the night from his wolf’s perspective. Everything was magnified. Sounds. Scents. His ears pivoted at the first howl. Trotting to the trees, he allowed them to swallow him up before he tipped his head back and howled.
His pack answered him. From all corners of his territory. Not just pack but wild wolves as well. He stretched out and began to run. Kraven’s tan wolf joined him and together they increased their speed, bounding over fallen logs as if they weren’t even there. More joined and soon fifteen of his pack ran along the river snaking its way through his territory.
A wolf ran beside him and he snarled when the familiar markings of Jetje’s sable tried to nip his neck. A move she’d done plenty of times in the past but today he wanted no part of it. She fell back but ran ahead of some others. After all, she was also a lieutenant of the pack.
They split off in their own directions after a while and he found himself approaching the cabin Dyana had been placed in. His wolf urged him inside to reawaken the passionate woman who hid behind a shell of uncaring attitude. The one who worked his last nerve with how she called him ‘hoss.’ The one who was weakened by injury.
The one who made him nearly come in his pants with that kiss. The one who’d made him lose control in a way Jetje couldn’t come close to. Hell, one kiss and he was ready to mark her.
He paused by the tree line and stared. The living room light was on but he couldn’t see her. Sense her? Sure. But no visual reparation for his craving.
Casimir walked away and shifted as he stepped up on his porch. The cabin was a good distance away but he could see it with his eyesight. The lone light snuffed out and he rested his hands on the railing of his porch. Was she in bed? Was she naked? Were her fingers plunging between those powerful thighs, becoming coated in her cream?
A sharp crack snapped his wanderings and he swore. “I just splintered my damn railing.”
He entered his house, slamming the door behind him and striding to his bedroom. After he showered he pulled on a pair of sweats and headed to get some food. As he heated a large plate of food he realized she’d only had a salad. If she were here I could make sure she ate.
He was at the front door ready to head down there when Kraven stepped to the door and knocked.
Yanking open the door, he faced his second in command. “What, Kraven?”
“We need to discuss your protection,” he said, pushing into the house.
“Kraven,” he rumbled. “I’m not in the mood.”
“You never are but that’s why you have me. I’ve assigned Irina and Traver to your wife. I don’t want Jetje on you because I think she’ll be distracted. I’m on you as well as Jensen, Dylan, and Tora.”
He narrowed his eyes. Kraven shook his head.
“Don’t start, Alpha. I am dead serious about keeping you safe.”
For that reason alone, Casimir didn’t continue to argue. “Why Tora and not Jetje?”
“I told you. Jetje may be distracted and I’d never put her on your mate.”
“But you put Traver there.” His voice had gone wolf.
“I put him there because he’s mated and is steadfast in his devotion to you. He’ll keep her safe.”
Or die trying were the unspoken words.
Casimir sat down in the living room, food before him, and ate. Kraven declined any but sat with him.
“Jetje will have to be spoken with.” Kraven hooked his ankles. “I know you want her as your mate, however, until that time arrives she needs to stop being so hard on everyone. She’s not Alpha yet.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’ll have a chat with her. How are talks going with Silva clan? It would do us good to have the leopards as allies.”
“Things are coming along. I’m optimistic. Let’s face it and call a spade a spade. Relations between us have been stressful. The misbehaving pups or Jetje’s attitude toward them haven’t made any of it go easier. Then there is your reputation and the fact that the leopards are just so damn secretive.”
“We need the alliance. I also want you to find a way to contact the Eagle clan. Humans know about us and for the most part there aren’t issues. But they are weak to us and that knowledge can create fear. We may need the other shifters as our allies also.”
Kraven sat forward. “Eagle? How do you propose I do that? Hell, they ma
y not even exist anymore.”
He swallowed. “They exist. My mate is friends with one.”
His black brow rose with a quirk of his lips. Casimir scowled. “Mate now? I see she’s moved up.” Kraven held out his hands. “I’ll ask her. See if she will give me some help.”
“I’ll ask,” he growled.
“No offense, man, but she doesn’t seem to like you in the slightest. Perhaps I can get somewhere.”
He trusted Kraven more than anyone in the world. The man was resolute, yet even so he didn’t want him around his wife. It rankled him to the point near anger to think she may like Kraven better.
“Leave her alone.”
Kraven didn’t push it and their talk turned to the cubs and how they were coming along. When Kraven headed to his home, Casimir shifted and headed out to patrol his land. He missed the fertile soil beneath his paws. As he neared one border he slowed as a familiar scent penetrated his nostrils the smell around him—and his wife—since he arrived in Georgia. The one which lingered after the bombings.
His ears flattened back as he kicked into protective mode. Fully alert he tracked the scent to a small clearing where it disappeared.
He retraced his steps twice more only to end up with the same result. How the hell did he vanish? More importantly who was this person and what were they doing here?
The sun had risen and he’d summoned some of his lieutenants to the first place he’d scented it. They were all dressed in a variety of attire but all were extremely capable.
“This scent. Do any of you recognize it?”
Everyone aside from Tora replied in the negative. She didn’t comment, just crouched to the heels of her black boots, touched the ground, then sniffed her fingers.
“It holds a masking agent. I have smelled him around town before.” She rose with her soft spoken statement. “I will find him.”
Tora was one of his best. She epitomized silent and deadly. He shared a glance with Kraven then focused back on her. She hadn’t moved, waiting for him.
“By your leave, Alpha.”
“Go.” The order fell. She pivoted. “Tora,” he said moments before she vanished from sight. “I want him alive.”
