by Kimber White
Panting, I rose to a sitting position. I hurt. The absence of Alec’s touch caused me physical pain. Like I’d just had a limb torn from my body.
“What was that?” I said, struggling to form words. I wasn’t a virgin. I’d given in to lust plenty of times. This was different. More powerful. A hunger that left me trembling and clouded my head.
Alec knit his brow together and slowly rose to his feet. He towered over me and looked toward the window. I think he meant to say something else to me. He felt the same pull as I did, but he wouldn’t name it. Instead, he turned and folded his arms in front of him. “We don’t have a lot of time. God. I can’t leave you here like this. I don’t want Kane near you ever again. I don’t care what he does to me. I’ll kill him if he touches you. Do you understand?”
I nodded. “I know. I don’t know how I know. But, I know. Alec, I can’t abandon my brother. I have to find a way to help him. There’s got to be a way. Can you rally the rest of the packs? I mean, now that you know.”
“I don’t know. That’s the problem. I can only guess. I need to talk to Caleb.”
I drew my knees up and wrapped my arms around them. “He’ll never talk to you. You’d be lucky if he didn’t kill you. He never trusted wolves before this. That’s why he was so angry with me when I started seeing Kane. If he has made a pact with Kane over me, you’re not safe around him either.”
“I think I can handle one bear, Olivia.”
I gave him a wide-eyed stare. “Maybe. But he’s not one bear. He’s my father. I don’t want either of you hurt. God, I wish I could just talk to him for five minutes. If he knows Kane has Jaxson too, he’s got to be mad with grief. You don’t know my father. They tell me he was different before my mother died. Calmer. He’s lived like a recluse since she died. He barely talks to anyone now except my brother and me. And now? There’s no telling what’s happened to him since Kane brought me here.”
“Well, we have plenty of mutual friends. I can try and reach out to some of them and get a message to him. Maybe he’ll listen if it’s not coming from a wolf.”
“That’s not a half bad idea.”
“Okay. We’ll play this your way. For now. But I’m not leaving this park, Olivia. I mean it. Brother or not, I need to get you out of here.”
“Until you have help, all that’s going to do is get you and my brother killed. You’re strong, Alec. I know that. Maybe one on one you could take Kane. But not six against one, and I can handle Kane. For now. I’ve been doing it since long before you got here. Let me figure out how to find my brother. I don’t know. Maybe you can follow Kane even. I’m not sure, but I don’t think he’s let the rest of the pack in on where he is.”
“I am not leaving you alone with this pack.”
“I’ve been alone with this pack for six months. Since he marked me, Kane hasn’t touched me. He’s made a big point of not touching me. If you want to help me, help me find my brother. Get a message to my father if you can, but be careful. I have every reason to think he’s mostly . . . uh . . . feral where wolves are concerned right now.”
Alec nodded. And scowled. But nodded again. A chill ran through me as a chorus of howls rose outside the window.
“You’d better go,” I pleaded. “If they find you in here . . .”
Alec took two strides forward and cupped my face in his hands. Heat zinged through me. He kissed me. Quick and strong. It set my blood on fire.
“Be careful. And I’ll be close.” He reached over and grabbed a lemon wedge from the tray Cole had brought me. “And take a bite out of this for as long as you can stand.”
“What now?”
“Kane’s got his nose filled with blood from their kill. And I was with the pack for most of the night, so my scent is already all over the compound. It shouldn’t be a problem, but I just kissed you. This should throw him off.”
I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed another lemon wedge and leaned up to kiss him again. “Then I’ll take one more for the road.”
He stood in the open doorway with the starlight over his shoulder. But, Alec smiled and reached for me. He kissed me slow and deep, taking my breath away for the third time. Then, he shot me a devastating wink, dropped his towel, and shifted effortlessly. His beautiful white wolf stepped forward and nuzzled my leg. I ran a hand over his downy fur and scratched between his ears. Maybe he was part cat too, because Alec purred for me. Then, panting, he turned and ran out into the night.
Chapter Eight
Alec was right. When the rest of the pack returned, each of them, especially Kane had the thrill of the kill on their minds. He suspected nothing about my meeting with Alec. But, it took everything in me to keep my heart still when Kane came in to check on me.
“Enjoy your quiet time?” he said as he sat on the bed and gathered my wrists into his lap. He was rough and quick when he unlocked the cuffs. His hand brushed against the sensitive skin on the back of my wrists, and a shudder went through me. His eyes flashed but, thank God, he didn’t recognize my reaction for what it was. Something had happened to me with Alec’s touch. Though Kane had marked me, it was Alec’s touch I craved. Now, when Kane touched me, alarm bells went through me, raising gooseflesh all along my spine and making his mark burn. I had the urge to claw the scar from me. It itched and burned, and I felt my cheeks flush. Without a mirror, I worried I’d broken out in hives.
I moved off the bed and headed for the window to let the cool morning air soothe my skin. “I got a good night’s sleep if that’s what you mean. How was your hunt? Did you show your guest a good time?”
Kane smiled and leaned back on the bed. Shit. It looked like he planned to hang out for a while. I gripped the window ledge and tried to seem casual. I scanned the tree line and what I could see of the compound. Alec was nearby. I felt him. But he’d stayed out of sight.
“I don’t think our guest got much of a meal out of it. We take what we want around here. I think he’s used to getting things handed to him. He’s weak. Just like the rest of the Wild Lake packs.”
I made a noise of disgust. Kane thought it was in agreement. “My father takes what he wants,” I said as an idea formed in my head. Alec was probably right about Kane’s plans. But if Kane got careless, he might just let something slip about some detail that could help us.
It was too easy. Something Alec said slammed into place in my brain. He’d told me turning Tyrannous was like a drug addiction. I could see it. Kane’s eyes flashed dark and his hands shook as he rose from the bed and stood next to me. He took a chunk of my hair and smoothed it back behind my ear. It took everything in me not to recoil from his touch.
“Your father does what he’s told now. He takes nothing unless I give it to him.”
I went somewhere else in my mind. I had to. Otherwise I might have lashed out. But, I’d been around shifter strength long enough to know you don’t provoke them when you’re standing this close. I turned slowly and faced Kane as he kept his hand on my shoulder.
“Won’t you take me to see him? It’s been so long, Kane. I can help you with him.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What could you possibly do to help me?”
“I know my father. He doesn’t do well when he’s all by himself. He thinks he’s better off alone, but he isn’t. That’s why it hit him so hard when my mother died. Now, he’s just got Jaxson and me. The longer he stays alone . . . without knowing what’s happening with us . . . it’s not good for him. I mean, have you tried talking to him lately? Is he lucid?”
Kane smiled and finally took his hands off me. “I tell you what to do, Olivia. You and your father. Not the other way around. You’ll see your father again when it suits me. For now, what you’re going to do is help me get rid of our guest.”
“What are you talking about?” My breath left me.
“He’s overstayed his welcome, and I think you’re the reason.”
I reached out and gripped the window ledge, letting the rough wood cut into my palm. I focused on the pain and
kept my heartbeat steady. Did Kane suspect something between Alec and me? He couldn’t. Otherwise he would have already ripped Alec’s throat out and gotten the rest of the pack to help him.
“What are you talking about?”
“He’s out there. Alec. He wants me to think he just happened to be passing through my lands. But he was sent here. He belongs to Sebastian Lanier’s pack. Bas likes to meddle in things that aren’t his business. Always has. This time he sends his lackey here to check up on me. So, for now, we’re going to play his game. At least, we’re going to let him think we’re playing his game. I took Alec on a hunt last night. So I’ve gone out of my way for his wolf. Next, I’m going to invite him to have dinner with us. I’ll be cordial to the man. And you’re going to sit right by my side and show him how happy you are to be here. Then, he won’t have a damn thing to go back to Bas with.”
I moved away from him. He didn’t know. Didn’t suspect. But Kane was dancing too close to the truth. It was one thing to keep myself calm when Alec wasn’t here. If I had to sit in a room with him and Kane, he’d know.
“I don’t think I’m up for dinner, Kane. And surely you don’t need me to convince another wolf of anything. You said it yourself. This Alec is just a lackey. He’s not even Alpha.”
“That’s right.” Kane moved quickly to my side and curled his fingers around my upper arm, cutting into my skin. “And I’m your Alpha. If I want you to sit next to me at dinner and put a smile on your face, that’s what you’re going to do. The day after tomorrow. I’ve got some business in town. Wade’s going to stay here to take care of you. But, when I get back, you’ll do exactly what you’re told.”
“Or what?” My words burned hot like acid. It was foolish of me. I know that. But as Kane’s wolf eyes flashed, something rose up inside of me. I may not be a shifter, but I was still Caleb Lord’s daughter.
But, Kane just smiled. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. My heart beat wildly inside my chest. I couldn’t take it again. If he showed me those pictures of Jax I thought I might die.
“I’m a patient man, Olivia. You know that. I’ve been fair with you. I promised you I wouldn’t force you, and I haven’t. I meant what I said about the next full moon. For now though, I’m willing to try a different method of persuasion. I’ll tell you what. If you behave, I’ll let you talk to him.”
I reached for the phone. Kane held it just out of my reach.
“Kane, please. I promise. Let me talk to Jax. I’ll do what you ask. I’ll help you convince Alec everything’s fine here. You win, okay?”
“I always win.” He started to put the phone back in his pocket.
“But now. You have to let me talk to him now.”
“I have to?”
“Please. You have all the advantages. I know that. And I will come to you willingly at the next full moon. I’ll help you with Alec. But, I need a show of good faith from you. Right now. Please. It’ll cost you nothing. Five minutes. Let me talk to him for five minutes so I know he’s okay. And it will benefit you too. I know my brother. He’s probably half crazed wondering if you’ve hurt me. We haven’t been apart like this for this long our entire lives. It’s been six months. If he hears from me, he’ll be less trouble for you. Think about that.”
Kane smiled and took his phone back out of his pocket. Oh, God. He was going to do it! He was going to let me talk to Jaxson. I swallowed hard as Kane brought the phone to his ear.
“Put him on,” he said.
“Now?” I heard the gruff voice on the other end of the phone and recognized it. Wade. God. So Wade knew where Jax was. I didn’t know how yet, but I might be able to use that later. Kane smiled held the phone out to me. But he pulled it away when I reached for it again.
“Remember, Olivia. I’m going to hold you to all of your promises.”
I shook my head and held out my hand. “Please, Kane.”
He handed me the phone. With shaking fingers I took it and pressed it to my ear. “Jax? Are you there?”
Movement. The shuffling scrape of metal against concrete. Then I heard my brother’s harsh, ragged cough. “Liv?”
Oh, God. I walked to the bed and sank down on the edge of it. “Jax? It’s me. I’m here. Are you okay? Are you badly hurt?”
“You sound so far away.”
Something was wrong. Jax’s voice had a dreamy quality about it. Like maybe he didn’t realize he wasn’t dreaming.
“I’m sorry,” I said as the tears sprang into my eyes. I swallowed past a lump in my throat. I had a thousand things to tell him. But Kane stood before me and I couldn’t risk saying any of them. It had to be enough to convince Jaxson that I was alive.
“I’ve been looking for you, Liv.”
“I know. God. I know. Oh. Jax. I’m okay. Do you hear me? I’m okay right now. Kane didn’t . . . hurt me.” I locked eyes with Kane and he gave me a satisfied smirk. No. He hadn’t technically hurt me. He’d just ripped everything I cared about away. For now, though, I needed Jaxson to stay strong and stay alive.
“They keep giving me something. It’s making my brain foggy. My bear is gone, Liv.”
I shuddered and closed my eyes. It had to be a drug. He couldn’t drive Jaxson’s bear away for good. That wasn’t possible. Was it? My fierce, strong older brother. My protector. He was there in that hellhole because of me. My bad choices. My misplaced trust. And I knew I was the only one who had any hope of bringing him back.
“Jaxson, listen to me. Okay? Just get well. Rest. Stay strong. I’ll see you soon. I promise.” I shouldn’t have, but I sensed it was what he needed to hear. Without access to his bear, Jax was in real danger. He’d be no match for Wade or Kane or any of the other wolves. I worried he’d try to take one of them on anyway. I just needed time. And I needed help.
Before I could say any more, Kane ripped the phone out of my hand. “That’s enough,” he said and clicked it off. Tears slid down my face and rage replaced the sadness in my heart. I decided something in that moment and found clarity.
I looked up at Kane and let my face break into a genuine smile for the first time since he marked me. I got to my feet and slid my hands around his shoulders. “Thank you,” I whispered. “That meant everything to me.”
I went up on my tiptoes and kissed him as cold rage settled in my heart. Kane didn’t understand it. He kissed me back and slid his hands up, tracing the lines of the scar he gave me on the back of my neck. It flared hot beneath his touch and made his wolf eyes shine. It flared all right, but not for the reason he thought. As Kane leaned down to kiss me again, I didn’t have to hide my feelings. My heart had already turned to stone. I was sure of one thing and one thing only.
Before the next full moon, I would find a way to kill him. Even if it meant the end of me.
Chapter Nine
For two days I kept my thoughts hidden. I cooked for the pack. Washed their clothes. Bore Wade’s scrutinizing gaze, hostile words, and rough grip as he walked me to my cabin at the end of the day. Kane must have left orders for Christian and Cole to stay away from me because I didn’t see them either. I got through it all with the knowledge that soon I’d see Alec again. He kept himself well hidden, but somehow I knew he was watching. The pack knew he was nearby too. They wouldn’t talk about it openly in front of me, but they knew. It bothered Kane that he couldn’t do anything about it for now. Not without causing repercussions with the rest of Wild Lake. Alec stayed far enough away not to violate the boundaries of Kane’s territory. But just.
On the third day after the full moon, Kane returned. His gray wolf stalked through the camp, eyes flashing. I stood on the porch of my cabin, gripping the railing. Kane stood in the center of the compound with his back arched and tail high. The rest of the pack came out to greet him, shifting at once when they came in sight of him. A shudder ran through me. Alec warned me that Kane might try to control the pack by keeping them in their wolves permanently. Marked as I was, I felt a faint echo of the pack’s mood. Naked aggre
ssion bubbled through Wade and Brandon as they took their positions at Kane’s right and left. Christian and Cole felt fear and revulsion. They hadn’t wanted to shift. Daniel stepped into view. His wolf seemed pensive, pawing the ground. If it came to a fight, I wasn’t sure where Daniel’s loyalties would fall. He’d be the swing vote.
Then Kane turned his attention to me. I wasn’t a shifter. I was human like my mother. Still, an urge roiled through me under the intensity of his golden gaze. It might be some latent shifter gene buried deep in my DNA. If I could shift, he would have made me. I had the sensation of wanting to crawl out of my own skin. My mark burned hot, and I stepped off the porch, drawn to Kane by some invisible cord I wanted desperately to sever. Was there a way? Or was I doomed to walk in Kane’s shadow forever?
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as another urge coursed through me. Standing in front of Kane and the rest of the pack, I sensed the danger. Alec’s wolf stepped through the trees, and my body didn’t feel like my own. Kane exerted his will over me, keeping me rooted to the spot. But desire flared through me. I turned quickly to Kane. Let him think it was for him.
Alec’s gleaming white fur cut a stark contrast with Kane’s pack of gray wolves. It made them look dull. Almost brown. Wade snarled, and his low, rumbling growl vibrated through me. Kane snapped his jaw once and Wade went instantly quiet. Kane wanted the pack to keep up a cordial charade. I couldn’t help but smirk. Oh yes, Kane. We’re all playing pretend tonight.
Kane growled at me and tossed his head to the side. It was my cue. He wanted me to take my place in the dining cabin while the rest of the wolves shifted, dressed, and talked business. I gave him a nod and stole a glance toward Alec. His blue eyes flashed and he moved, positioning himself between Kane and me. It was a subtle gesture. One Kane and the pack didn’t pick up on. But, I did. Alec was here. He was watching. Kane could posture all he wanted, but Alec would never submit.
