by Aliyah Burke
He could see the bond of friendship between them. The woman was beautiful and didn’t seem to care about all the looks she received. They were the two only black women down there.
The announcer began and Casimir couldn’t stop the grin when the crowd noise swelled at the mention of his wife. At least until it registered it hadn’t been his last name she used, it had been Vance. She’s a Lars. Always has been.
Then it was time for the competition to begin.
αβ
Dyana rubbed the back of her neck and groaned. This was the part she hated, the press. Their questions.
“Can’t hide in here forever,” Shira said. “They want to talk to the potential champ.”
“Some days I feel like a fraud.”
“You’re not a fraud. Now, come on. Get this one done and we have dinner. You, me, and Keane.”
“Okay.” She walked to the door, stopped and looked over her shoulder. Shira was behind her, case in hand. “Thank you for being there with me, today.”
“It was my pleasure, Dyana. You’re amazing to watch.” She neared. “You’re like us in how you zoom in on your target, tunnel vision. It’s all you see, bringing it in closer until it’s everything to you. All you see and want. Then you strike.” She leaned closer. “Maybe you’re part eagle shifter.”
Dyana laughed. “That would be awesome. I would love to be able to fly on the wind like you do.”
Shira touched her cheek. “Now you’re ready for the press. Never let them see anything but what you want them to pick up on. Let’s go.” She held the door and together they walked back out to the room where the press waited.
The flashing bulbs, camera phones, and microphones shoved into her personal space wasn’t anything new. She made her way up to the podium and smiled over the gathered group. Fingers clenched out of view, only when she relaxed them did she put it in view.
“First, let me begin by saying thank you. To everyone who’s always been there in my corner, it was a great competition out there today and I’m blessed to be around so many talented people.”
“How was it at your first one back without your friends?” the question came from the back left.
“While obviously I miss my friends so much, I know they were there with me today. This win today is dedicated to them both.” Tears burned the back of her eyes and she latched onto Shira’s words and kept them there.
“Who was the woman with you?”
“Another friend who’s come to many of these with me, she was my coach today.”
“Are you going to the Olympics?” a guy in the front row asked.
“I’m going to try to qualify, yes. It’s never a shoo-in.”
More question volleyed in her direction and she lobbed them back, effortlessly. She’d never been so grateful as she was when her time was up. With another smile and wave, she stepped away from the podium and walked to the side where Shira waited.
“You did good.”
“Still feel like a fraud,” she commented as they entered the backroom.
“How’s your leg doing?” Shira changed the subject. “I saw a slight limp when you left the podium.
“Sore, I’ll be okay, just need a good hot shower to relax the muscles.” She grabbed her case and together they walked to the door, smiled at security, and headed for the hotel. This wasn’t the main way so there weren’t a lot people and it didn’t take her to long before she was closing the door behind them at her suite.
“Where are we eating?” she asked as she strode to the bathroom.
“Keane said it was your favorite place.”
“The bar and grill. If you want something a bit fancier, we can do that. This is a gouged table, fries in a red basket kind of place.”
“Works for me,” Shira called out. “I’ll just be here.”
Dyana took a long, hot shower, allowing the pulsing water to massage her leg. Thought finding out I was a shifter would mean this wouldn’t hurt so much. Guess that was wrong.
She allowed the tears to fall and be washed away by the shower. When the ache in her leg had faded to a dull pain, she turned off the water and stepped out onto the plush soft green mat. She dried off and slid on the white robe offered by the hotel. Toweling off her hair, she stepped out into the bedroom and padded through to the sitting area where Shira stood by the window, overlooking the view.
“You don’t like being inside, do you?”
“Hard for any shifter to be inside, we like the open spaces.”
“Can I ask you something?” She walked to the mini bar and got herself a drink before taking a seat on the sofa.
“Sure.” She never turned from the window.
“Why do you keep so separate from each other? I mean, why don’t shifters hang out together more of different species?”
“Don’t usually see birds and cats, or cats and dogs, hanging together in nature. We’re a lot like our animals. Solitary, elusive. How often do you see golden eagles flying around your neighborhood?”
“Point taken. But with dwindling numbers, why not band together? And protect each other?”
“Our aerie was desecrated by another group of shifters. They slaughtered the young and very old. Most of the others were out hunting and taking part in what we were under the assumption was a joint operation. It turned out that they wanted them dead. Wanted our land and the feathers from those who could shift.”
Her gut soured. “That’s filthy. But, and forgive me for being insensitive, if they wanted feathers, why didn’t they keep some of the young and make them shift when they were older, to get the feathers then.”
She turned and stared at Dyana, expression solemn. “They did.”
“You?” She covered her mouth. “Oh my God. Shira, I’m so sorry. How did you escape?”
“There were five of us who made it out. We lived off the grid for the longest time, surviving on our own, learning, fighting. When we were found by remaining members of our clan, we were welcomed back, but…” She shrugged. “We’re even more reclusive than the others.”
Dyana walked to her friend and wrapped her arms around her. Shira was stiff for a moment before she returned the gesture. “Those who did this, do they still live?”
“Only two.” The tone was cold and heartless with a sharp edge to it.
Her translation, they were only breathing until she found them again. “What kind of shifters were they?”
“Wolf.”
“And you still like me?”
Shira gave a wan smile. “I liked you before I knew you were a wolf shifter. So that doesn’t change the facts. You have proven yourself to be a friend, one I’m lucky to have in my life. And one I’m keeping in my life.”
Dyana smiled. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. So before I get mushy and do something like kiss you, I’m going to go change. Then, we eat.”
Shira stepped back and returned to the window, fingers spread along the glass.
Their dinner was loud and fun but Dyana was ready for the quiet of her room at the end of the meal. The trio was outside in the back, beside one of the fountains in the courtyard. This part had been shut off to the others because of renovations but she’d gained special privilege to be there. They all held tumblers of whisky and stood facing each other.
“Thank y’all for being here with me. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“It’s our honor to be here with you.” Ranger lifted his glass.
“And our honor to have known them.” Shira raised hers as well.
“To Reggie and Shyla. Your presence here on earth will never be forgotten. Hold down the fort until I get there. I miss you both.”
They clinked glasses and Dyana dumped some of hers on the ground before drinking the rest, the burn threatening to push those lingering tears free. She hugged Shira and turned to Ranger, the second his arms closed around him, a deadly growl filled the area and he was tossed away from her, as she was jerked up against something strong and sol
id. Or rather someone.
“I’m going to fucking kill you.” Casimir’s words fell ice cold.
Dyana stared at Ranger, who’d landed on his feet, hands partially changed, ready to battle. Shira had moved out of the way but her expression showed she was ready to join in if necessary.
Sliding her attention to the man, currently pushing her behind him, she gulped at the sight of his fangs descended. His eyes were hard as flint.
He cut his gaze to her, fury radiating alive within it. “You’re mine, and he will die for touching you. We will not work with a clan who touches the property of others.” He gave Shira a fleeting glance. “You should leave, human.”
Holy shit, it does work, he doesn’t know she’s a shifter. “Look, hoss,” she began.
“Quiet, mate.” He barked the command and she growled herself.
Chapter Thirteen
The blood in his veins had been replaced by rage. On his way to meet this Keane at the bar, he’d paused, scenting not only a leopard shifter but also his wife. Attraction was in the air and nothing else mattered but getting to his wife. And killing the one who’d touched her.
Seeing the leopard reach for her had been too much. As the man landed on his feet further away from him, he recognized him from the image he’d been sent. Fangs down, he snarled at the cat. No alliance.
The woman he kept behind him smacked at him and shoved free. He clamped his hand around the nape of her neck, holding her still.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she snapped, punching him in the side.
“Killing your lover.” Betrayal swelled in his stomach.
“Ranger isn’t my lover. He’s my friend and we were doing a farewell tribute to Reggie and Shyla before you came in here all cock-assed and stupid.” She struggled. “Fucking let me go, hoss.”
He released her and stared at the one she called Ranger. “You’re Keane that I’m supposed to meet with?”
“I am.” The cat still watched him, eyes leopard, cautious.
“Wait a minute,” Dyana broke in, now she advanced on the feline, him the focus of her anger. “You knew he was here and didn’t tell me?”
“I was going to meet him after this, my alpha told me to talk to him about the pact between our clans.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Casimir snapped. “Not now. You should have thought of that before you touched my wife.”
“Fuck you!” Dyana shouted. “Where the fuck do you get off condemning him for something which had no bearing on anything? You were fucking the bitch who just tried to kill me. Ranger and I had a thing years ago. Years. You were fucking your whore until you found out about me and if you’ve forgotten you came to find me to get a divorce so you could marry that thing.” She clenched her fists and stepped toward him, her anger like a pendulum had swung back to him, however, now it seemed to have stuck there. “So don’t you fucking dare stand there and pull that excuse. If this is good for your Clan and Pack then sit down and act like adults. Let’s not forget I’m not a piece of property and don’t belong to you. Then there’s the fact that Ranger is my friend. He was Reggie and Shyla’s friend. So thank you, so much, Casimir Lars, husband, for ruining this farewell to them.” She stomped off leaving him alone with the feline.
He wasn’t sure when the other human had gone inside. And honestly didn’t care.
“Are we doing business or should I report back to my alpha you changed your mind?”
“How about I gut you, cat, and then call him for you?”
Keane gave a sardonic smile. “That’s not going to win you any favors with Dyana.”
“If you care to continue breathing you’ll never mention her name again.”
“She’s my friend. I’m part of her life. Have been since for the past seven years. I’ll say her name when I want.” He shifted his weight without relaxing his guard. “You can listen to her or you can lose her.”
“Are you telling me how to keep my wife?” Fresh anger rushed through him.
“No, I’m telling you how to make sure she accepts being your wife. I agreed to speak with you because my alpha commanded it. But Dyana is my friend and I love her. I won’t see her hurt.”
“You don’t need to love her.”
Ranger shrugged. “Are we talking business?”
Pack came first and Dyana had a valid point, so he gestured him to the door. “Fine.”
Another assessing look before Keane, moved by him to the glass door. Deep inside, his wolf snarled and he fought to keep it contained. Pack had to come before his own pleasure and needs. He was the Alpha of his Pack. Sacrificing his own wants was necessary to ensure the future of his Pack. His wolf didn’t agree for it wanted its mate.
The men walked to a vacated table and sat across from each other. Casimir put his back to the wall so he could view the room. Keane signaled for a drink and sat back.
“My alpha said you had some questions about the offered liaison between our packs.”
He blinked once, trying to get the image of this man rolling around with Dyana out of his mind. His wolf raced back up and he clenched his fists, accepting without a grimace the claw bite in his palm.
“Yes.” He firmly locked the issue between him, Dyana, and this Ranger/Keane guy into a corner. I should have put it together sooner, she mentioned knowing a Keane who was a leopard shifter.
The dislike was on the other man’s face and not much respect either. “Let’s get it done then.” He thought about the Western Clan and made a note to speak with them as well. They had to stop the infighting amongst themselves and be prepared when more humans found out and decided they didn’t want shifters around them.
αβ
Casimir strode down the hall of the hotel’s top floor, his mate’s scent strong in his nostrils. He stopped at her door and banged on it. It irked him that he’d also scented Ranger up on this floor.
No answer so he knocked once more. “She’s not there.”
He whirled around at the intrusive voice. A bellhop stood there.
“No?”
“She left about twenty minutes ago.”
“To where?”
He shrugged. “She didn’t tell me and I didn’t ask. There was another guy around here, he is waiting for the elevator, maybe he knows.”
Jealousy rumbled inside him again and he nodded before making his way back to the elevator bay. Two men were there, human, and they both had holey jeans, black boots, and some heavy metal band shirts on.
“I thought you said you knew her,” one grumbled.
“I said I did, she must not have recognized me, is all.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “We’ll just go find her at her massage and I’ll remind her that she knows me.” He looked over his shoulder and frowned at Casimir. “What are you looking at?”
“Two dead men if they insist on bothering Dyana Vance.”
That comment brought the other’s head around as well. “She doesn’t have a bodyguard. So who the fuck are you?”
His wolf raged and he stepped forward, allowing it to leak free. “Her husband.”
It hit him, the scent of a shifter. He whirled to take out the man who’d been creeping up behind him. The bellboy who’d sent him down here. No lingering scent of human on him, pure shifter only.
Bear. The scent hit him strong and he snarled as he dodged the first strike, his own fangs and claws sliding forward to rend and tear. He defended without mercy, killing the bear and turning to the other two who ran for the stairs.
One burst through while the other partially shifted and lunged. Lion. The cat’s attack never made it to him, for a leopard of deep golden color sprang by him taking the half-shifted lion to the floor. Keane.
With a nod, he ran after the one heading down the stairs. Taking them three to four at a time, he caught up to him and slammed him into the side of the wall. “What the fuck do you want with her?”
His sweat stank of boar. “She was just a pawn,” he gasped. “We wanted you ou
t in the open, away from your pack.”
“Who did?”
A door one floor down opened and closed. The pig in his grip squealed and the others thundered up the steps toward them.
“We did,” he laughed.
Six men came at him. In the narrow stairwell, they couldn’t all get to him at once and he wasn’t afraid to fight. He was pissed. Someone had used Dyana to lure him out. He was tired of this pussy game. Come at him straight. With a low rumble, he launched at the nearest two, the one he’d had against the wall, slumping down, dead.
They tumbled down the stairs, as he killed, his rage flowing free. He only needed one for answers. When there were two left they’d gone down to the sixth floor. Above him, he smelled Keane and below him, he scented one of his own. Seconds later, another died, his broken neck snap filling the air.
Around the corner of the stairs, came Tora. Her gray eyes hard and cold. She ran her gaze over him. “Alpha,” she said.
“Tora.”
Her attention flickered up to Keane before returning to her leader. “I’ll begin clean up.”
“Call Kraven, I want him here as well. Keane will help you.”
For a moment he thought she’d argue with him on that but instead she nodded. He gave Keane a slight bob of his head before he hastened down the rest of the stairs. By the time he pushed back into the main of the hotel, he didn’t look as if anything were out of place, and he walked to the spa.
αβ
Dyana lay face down on the table, body relaxing as her masseuse worked out the stress in her leg. Strands of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings filtered through the air, mixing with the compilation of her oils. Deep cedar, sage, rose, and a hint of jasmine.
Vera focused on the back of her thigh where the tightness grew after a day of shooting in competition. She wasn’t sure how come it hurt more after a day like this as opposed to when she went out and shot on her own for the day. After the confrontation with Casimir, she needed to just calm down.
What the hell is he doing here? Why now? In the back of her mind she wondered if he actually wanted her in his life then scoffed.
“You okay?” Vera asked, her strong fingers digging into the flesh of her leg.
