by Elle Thorne
I’ll remember this night forever, long after he’s only a distant memory.
Sadness pierced her heart at the thought that this would be all they’d share.
She nodded, unable to speak for fear the unhappiness was so pervasive that it would escape from between her lips.
He stepped closer, his broad shoulders and wide chest blocking her view of anything but him. Large hands on her hips pulled her close to his body, so close that they were almost touching, so close that she could feel the heat from his flesh through her clothing.
She looped her hands behind his neck.
“You’re not from around here,” he said, his voice hushed and intimate.
“No.”
How much could she tell him? She didn’t want to say anything. She knew how he’d react the moment she said she was Natalya Solis. He’d jerk back and… And what? He’d probably feel scorn and disgust. She was better off saying nothing more.
Luckily, he didn’t press the issue.
They danced, song after song, not even pausing between songs, not really even noticing that the music had stopped only to start again. Natalya’s tigress chuffed a low, soothing sound in her head while her pulse became one with Lézare’s.
Neither said a word; neither needed to say anything that would ruin the moment.
She couldn’t say when it happened, but she closed her eyes and laid her cheek on his chest, feeling the muscles swell at the contact, hearing his heart beat deep within.
She would have traded anything, any eternity, to have these moments continue.
Sensing a change, a ripple in their connection, she opened her eyes. Like a predator, he studied her face, even with the mask in place. His gaze bored into hers.
Lézare’s head lowered, and her lips parted as if they were controlled by some other force, as if she was watching from far above. His tongue slipped into her mouth, sending coils of sensations coursing throughout her body as it danced with hers, taking her captive, claiming her completely until she was breathless.
When he finally pulled back, just a shade, a gold flash appeared in the depths of his eyes.
His tiger.
In Natalya’s head, her tigress roared a response so loud she was certain Lézare’s tiger would hear it.
The energy between their tigers spun Natalya into a whirlwind of vibrations, leaving her trembling.
“You feel it.” His voice was husky, a low growl.
She never had a chance to respond, to acknowledge what he’d said.
“Lézare!” A voice she didn’t know interrupted them, breaking the spell, searing it closed.
“Sacre bleu,” Lézare hissed. “For the love of all that is holy, this had better be important.” He raised his head from hers and looked off into the distance.
“Callie. She’s in labor.”
Chapter Eleven
Lézare looked at his sister on the balcony, then back at the curvy beauty in his arms. Damn the luck. “Wait here,” he said to Natalya.
She opened her mouth as if to say something.
He put his fingers over her lips. “No. Just wait. I promise, I won’ be long. Let me get her set up with a room and get Doc in there with her. I’m surely not going to stay in the room while she gives birth.”
That was the last thing he wanted to be a witness to, his cousin’s mate giving birth. Pass on that.
“Wait.” He studied her eyes, looking for any sign she wasn’t willing. “Agreed?”
She nodded.
He made short work of the distance across the gardens, then rushed up the staircase to Alexa.
She was studying the gazebo and the woman he’d just been kissing. “Who is that?”
“A guest.” He glanced back at Natalya’s hourglass figure, silhouetted in the black and gold dress. “Where’s Callie?”
“I set her up in a guest bedroom and sent some of the men to find Doc.”
Exactly what he would have done. Was he really even needed? With a last regretful glance back at Natalya, he followed Alexa inside. Masks would make finding Doc more difficult, but it shouldn’t be hard. Mae was in a fire-red backless dress, and Doc would be within arm’s reach, of that Lézare was certain. The bear shifter was loath to leave his mate’s side, unwilling to witness other shifters flirting with her.
Lézare didn’t blame him. He felt the same way about Natalya. Then a thought occurred to him: any shifter could approach her. Maybe he should assign someone to keep an eye on her, perhaps serve as a repellant to any shifter males who might be interested in her.
“Be right there,” he said to Alexa then veered toward his security team.
With a nod, Theo acknowledged Lézare’s approach and met him halfway.
“There’s a woman in the gazebo. Blonde, in a black dress with gold trim.” He knew he didn’t have to spell it out for Theo. They were often on the same train of thought.
“Understood.” Theo made an about-face and, with a speed that defied the lion shifter’s size, was out of sight.
“Lézare.” Vax forked shaky fingers through his hair. “You heard?”
“Yes. I’m going to find Doc. Nothing to worry about, cousin.”
“Humans have a harder time of giving birth to shifter babies, you know.” Vax’s tone was overwrought.
“If there was cause for concern with Callie, Doc would have already told you something. He hasn’, right?”
“Right, but—”
“Doc’s on his way,” Alexa interrupted as they reached the door to the room Callie was in.
Gavin was standing outside. “Layla, Lila, and Veila are in there with her. It’s been quiet.”
Vax put his head against the wall. “This is the first time in my life I’ve felt powerless. If something happens to her…”
“Nothing will.” Gavin put an arm around Vax. “Go be with her. I’ll wait here.”
“Thanks.” Vax put his own arm around Gavin’s shoulder and brought his forehead to rest against his best friend’s.
Lézare knew they’d been friends since childhood, that they’d been there for one another through the roughest of times. He could relate to that—it was like his friendship with Theo.
Doc and Mae appeared within seconds.
Mae ripped her feathered mask off; she was beaming from ear to ear. “It’s been so long since I’ve been at a shifter’s birth, and even though it’s not in my valley, I can’t help but feel we’re adding to my own family.” She clapped her hands together, and a deep blue gleam flashed in her eyes. In the window a flash of lightning crossed the sky, created by her elemental.
Doc’s mask was already off. “Does this room have a bathroom attached? I’ll need to wash up. I need towels, and some hot water. Lézare, have someone bring my bag from my cabin, would you?”
Lézare nodded to one of the men who had followed him up the stairs. At the same time, his phone vibrated in his pocket. When he pulled it out he saw a text from Theo.
Theo: She’s leaving the gazebo.
He texted back. Follow her.
Natalya had watched Lézare leave almost an hour ago. She wanted to stay, but he’d been gone so long that a part of her wondered if he hadn’t already figured out who she was and had decided to never return.
She fought the wave of depression that threatened to overtake her.
I’m such a fool.
She took her phone from her sequined clutch. It was after midnight. Surely he wasn’t returning.
That was when she noticed the text. Monica again.
Claudette is being given last rites. She’s asking for you.
Tears sprang into Natalya’s eyes. The text was from an hour ago. It would take her a good seven or eight hours to make it back to the shelter.
Natalya glanced at the house, where the sounds of merriment were still going strong. There were people on the balcony—some by themselves, some in couples. But not a single one of them was Lézare.
He’s not coming back.
She chastised hers
elf for being foolish enough to think that he was.
Claudette needed her.
She texted a reply.
Tell Ms. Claudette I’m on the way.
Chapter Twelve
Lézare paced up and down the hallway outside the room Callie was in. His phone vibrated in his pocket, signaling an incoming text. He glanced at it.
Theo: She’s on Interstate 10.
He texted back, Stay with her until I get back to you.
Was she going home? Returning to Austin? Surely not. He shook his head and glanced at the door. Callie’s low moans and the sound of Doc telling her to push were coming from behind the heavy wood.
Downstairs, the sounds of the ball continued, laughter, music, and the sounds of glass tinkling and flirty voices.
And Natalya was gone.
Damn this. Damn. Damn. Damn.
Then he heard another sound.
A baby’s first cry.
Oh, boy. That little shifter sure sounds angry.
Lézare wondered if he should go in and check.
Gavin looked at Lézare and smiled. He smiled back as the door flew open and Mae motioned them in.
In a corner of the room, a sweaty, red-faced Callie was holding a bundle wrapped in a sheet. Vax stood next to her, an expression of wonder on his face.
Veila and Lila had tears streaming down their faces even though they were smiling and laughing.
“It’s a boy.” Vax’s tone was reverent.
“Of course it is,” Callie said. “Isn’t that what you said all along?”
“Yeah, well, I had no way of knowing. And truthfully, I didn’t really care.”
“Now you need to pick a name,” Lila said, her hand on her own stomach.
“We have one picked.” Callie looked up at Vax.
Vax cleared his throat. “Elias.”
Gavin snapped to attention. “After my brother?” His voice was choked.
Vax nodded. “Elias Rafael, after your brother and mine. We’ll call him Eli.”
Next to Gavin, Layla released a sigh and held her mate’s hand.
“Congratulations.” Lézare hugged Vax. A part of him felt a twinge of melancholy. He wished…
Ah, that was dangerous ground…
The wishing thing. He shoved the thoughts away.
Callie pushed herself up to a more comfortable position. “I hate that we interrupted the party.”
“Oh, you didn’t interrupt it at all,” Alexa assured her. “It’s still going on, just as it was before. I should get back.” She looked at Lézare. “We should.”
“About that.” All the eyes in the room turned to him. “I need to go.”
“Not again,” Alexa huffed. “Valencia won’t make it until tomorrow, I don’t know where Evie is, and now you want to leave.”
“Oh, come on. It’s nothing you can’ handle. Or will it keep you from spending time with a certain wolf?” Lézare smiled when her mouth dropped open.
“Oh, do tell…” Veila said.
“Yes, do. Who?” Lila echoed.
With that, Lézare slipped out of the room. He gave Vax a final glance as he crossed the threshold.
Vax nodded. He understood, even if he didn’t know what was happening.
Lézare pressed Theo’s name on his phone’s screen and put the phone on speaker.
Theo answered.
“How’s she doing? Where are you at?”
“She’s going well over a hundred. She’d better watch out. We’re past the speed traps, but you never know.” Theo told him where he was. “Where are you?”
“Less than an hour behind you. I’ll catch up.”
“Any idea why she’s fleeing from the hounds of hell?”
“None.”
But I aim to find out. He punched the gas pedal with even more vigor.
Lézare was pushing the speedometer well past the range of getting himself pulled over, and then some, but he didn’t give a damn. He’d pay any and all tickets as long as he could reach Natalya before she could sequester herself away in her father’s home, or wherever she intended to hide from him.
Shit! Her father!
He needed to call her father and let him know his daughter wasn’t in any danger.
He glanced at his watch. No. It was probably too late.
And if that were my daughter, would I be sleeping now? Or would I be up all night worrying?
He knew what he had to do. Lézare dialed her father’s number.
“Arceneaux. Any word?”
“She’s fine. One of my men has his eye on her. I’m going to her right now. She’s not far outside Austin.”
The old shifter exhaled a sigh of relief. “Thank you again. I owe you.”
You never know what I may want as payment. “No need to dwell on that right now. I’ll touch base with you later.”
“I know she’ll be in good hands.”
Lézare ended the call with a quick tap on the screen.
Good hands?
Maybe not.
But my hands, hopefully.
Chapter Thirteen
Please let her be alive. Please. Please. Please.
Natalya sent silent prayers to any entity that might listen and grant her prayer that Ms. Claudette hadn’t died.
She pulled into the shelter’s parking lot, scrambled out and locked her car. She was still in her party dress. That didn’t matter. Nothing mattered.
Well… not exactly nothing. Lézare mattered. But this was oh so very different.
Monica opened the door for her.
“Is she—” Natalya couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
“She’s alive. And awake. It’s the weirdest thing…”
“What?” Natalya thought she was braced for anything and everything when it came to Ms. Claudette, after the shocks she’d already had.
“She woke up five minutes ago, and the first thing she said was, ‘Natalya is on her way.’ Then she asked for a Manhattan.”
Did Allynne know, somehow, that Natalya was nearby?
Monica was walking too slowly for Natalya, so she stepped around her and rushed toward the main sleeping area.
“No. Not there,” Monica said. “We didn’t want her to be in the community sleeping area, not if she… not while she…”
“Where is she?”
“In the infirmary.”
Natalya made a sharp left and headed down the long corridor. When she reached the infirmary she opened the door slowly, without knocking.
Ms. Claudette was lying propped up on a bed, her eyes closed. As soon as Natalya shut the door behind her, Ms. Claudette’s eyes flew open.
“I knew you’d come. I told Allynne you would. What took you so long?” Her voice was a croaking whisper.
“Ms. Claudette.” Natalya took her hand. “I told you I’d be out of town.”
“I needed you.” Ms. Claudette’s voice had a little-girl quality to it.
“She’s regressing,” Allynne said, appearing as a flash of blue in Claudette’s brown eyes.
Outside, a clap of thunder made the windows vibrate.
“Is she… they told me… she doesn’t have long to live?” Natalya hated saying the words, even though Ms. Claudette’s mind didn’t seem to be present.
“That was my doing.”
“Why?” Natalya stared at the blue gleam, trying to separate her mind from the notion that there were two souls in one body.
“I don’t know when she will go. She cannot die here. I cannot be here when she passes. I need another…”
“Oh, my God. You want me to help you find a new host.”
“Please don’t say it like that. It’s not that simple.” Allynne’s voice was sad.
The blue flash vanished from the liquid brown pools.
“You have to help her.” It was Ms. Claudette’s voice.
Lézare pulled up next to Theo’s car and jumped out of his own car in one smooth motion, eager to find Natalya. “What the hell is this? A homeless shelter?”
“That’s where she went in. That door right there.” Theo pointed to a side door.
“What the hell is she doing here?”
Theo shrugged. “No clue. But she hasn’t come out. I scouted the building. There’s only one other exit.” He indicated another door, clearly within view. “She hasn’t come out. I assure you of that, Lézare.”
Who was Natalya, really? He thought of the screaming, petulant shrew he’d first met, and realized that he’d been attracted to her, even when she was at her worst.
He thought of the woman he’d been with a few hours ago. He’d sensed something different in her then.
He remembered her father’s words: “She hasn’t been the same since she returned from… your place. She’s been concentrating on her studies. No parties. Nothing. She’s a different woman.”
Okay, fine, he was willing to concede she was a different woman now. But… a homeless shelter?
“I’ll take it from here,” he told Theo. “Go on home.”
“You sure?”
Lézare nodded.
On the other side of the building, a crack of thunder erupted and a gust of wind blew.
Chapter Fourteen
Natalya studied the pale face with its fine, delicate lines. The elderly woman had come to mean so much to Natalya. She hated the thought of leaving her.
I know what I’ll do. I’ll take her home.
Okay, that would never work. Her father… all the questions…
Fine, I’ll get an apartment for her.
She could do that. She could use her credit cards, and she had an account that her father put money in, money she had hardly touched in months. Gone were the days of Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, and Armani…
The sound of the door opening, then closing with a soft click, caught her attention. Probably Monica, here to check on Ms. Claudette. She wanted to thank Monica for making special allowances for the old woman.
Natalya turned around.
Lézare.
