Jax (Immortals of New Orleans Book 7)

by Kym Grosso

  Katrina turned her head, averting her gaze. She wouldn’t give him the gratification of telling him that what he’d suggested had worked.

  “No need to answer. I can already feel it.”

  “She’s almost here.” Katrina blinked, eyeing Mick out of her peripheral vision as he approached from behind.

  “But the wolves, shifting into an animal is quite difficult. It takes a great deal of magick. Alpha magick. It’s not easy to kidnap and keep an Alpha, as proved the case with Jax. But Katrina? You’ve been so easy to catch. Like a little fishy, I capture and release, capture and release. The only trouble is…ah, Katrina, these past couple of years…must you have been so difficult?”

  Mick yanked her braid, jerking her head backward so he could glare into her eyes. The stinging pain to her scalp came swiftly. Her eyes widened in disgust as his lips crushed on hers. The stench of his rancid breath rushed into her nostrils, the sour taste of him choking her as he forced his tongue into her mouth. She shoved at his chin with the heel of her hand, thrusting him away, but not before his teeth bit at her lip, drawing blood. She thought to use the ring to slash at him but Samantha wailed, diverting her attention.

  “Get your fucking hands off of her,” Jax growled, his body half freed.

  Mick’s evil laughter echoed in her ears, and she willed herself not to cry. Unwilling to give him the satisfaction of her tears, Katrina spat iron-tinged saliva onto the dirt, and focused on her task, carefully guiding the baby into the world.

  “Don’t worry, Kitty Kat. You’ll die soon enough. I think, maybe I’ll fuck you first. After seeing your little display at the club, I’ve got some plans for you. That’s right, you know I’m good at the torture. I was very satisfied up until recently.” He cast an ugly stare at Avery, who clutched at the wall for support. “I can think of at least a half dozen things I’d like to do with that pussy of yours before I kill you.” Mick glared at Katrina, his eager eyes watching as the witch labored. “I’ve always planned on killing you, but then sometimes a plan comes together perfectly. My dear Samantha, you’re ripening for me. Birthing a first witch. So I thought ‘why just take Katrina and the Alphas when I can kill the child and take her magick too?’”

  “Don’t listen to him, Sam,” Katrina said, her voice strong and calm. She’d die before allowing this asshole to take the child.

  Samantha quietly chanted as she pushed.

  “Your spells won’t work here, witch. The only reason I taped that pretty little mouth shut was so I didn’t have to hear you cry.” He sniffed. “After tonight, I will have all the magick I ever needed to be able to shift into a wolf. A true wolf, not just their human form. Whenever I want, wherever I want, I will run as beast. Taking over the packs will be a challenge but as I teach other worthy mages, it will happen. Humans. Vampires. Witches. Wolves. There will be no domain that is not under my control.”

  “You’ll never get away with it.” Jax struggled for freedom, his legs twitching.

  “Let’s see.” Mick tilted his head and held two fingers to his temple. “I’ve located a very special wolf. The daughter, sister and mate of an Alpha. I’ve stolen her magick…learned how to siphon it and store it. Now, I’ve captured two Alphas and a witch. I’m able to transform into multiple beings at once.”

  In a flash, seven men appeared. All different ages and races, their eyes empty orbs, black pits. Demons. He snapped his fingers and they dissipated. Katrina fought the bile that rushed up her throat. The beings that had tortured her were all part of Mick.

  “That’s right, Kat. I’ve become very powerful.”

  “Neat trick, asshole, but tonight you’re going to die,” Jax yelled, attempting to redirect his focus away from Katrina.

  Samantha gave a final guttural scream, and Katrina eased the baby into her arms, tears streaming down her face. In the midst of evil, the child’s newfound magick thrummed, the innocence in her energy rushing through her skin.

  “You did it, Sam. Oh Goddess, she’s so beautiful.” Katrina cleared the infant’s mouth with her fingers, and she began to cry for her mother.

  As she leaned to put the newborn into Samantha’s outstretched arms, Mick stomped toward them. Katrina quickly rested the child onto the witch’s chest, and moved to place herself in front of them. Fumbling with the ring, she never took her eyes off of Mick. She flicked at the latch and released the small lancet. You want me, bastard? Come closer.

  Unexpectedly, Avery ran to Mick and shoved at him with her palms. “No. You promised to leave the baby alone. You swore, just the wolves. Just the wolves!”

  Katrina screamed as Mick transformed into the scaly creature she’d witnessed under the docks. Its shiny bladed tail whizzed through the air, slicing straight through Avery’s frail neck. Her head whirled across the cavern, blood spraying in a circular motion. The sanguine flecks splattered across Katrina’s cheek.

  Her eyes widened in amazement as the ancient vampire flashed into view. Katrina jumped to her feet and tore off her jacket, waving it at Mick. Diverting the creature’s attention, she lured it toward her, its clawed feet scraping the rocks.

  “About fucking time,” Jax grumbled.

  “Sorry, amico.” Quintus reached for the silver netting with his gloved hands and shoved it aside, freeing Jax and then Jake. “Wasn’t a picnic getting in here. Lucky for you I’m smooth with the ladies.”

  “Fuck,” the Alpha breathed and promptly shifted, needing to clear the poison from his system.

  “Well, yes. Fucking is usually how it’s done, but sometimes I can just ask nicely. Some witches can be quite friendly,” the vampire quipped.

  “Hey, over here, asshole,” Katrina yelled at Mick. Slicing the blade down her hand, she concealed the pain. She fingered the gem until it flipped open and smeared the white powdery substance inside over her palms and the knife.

  The creature turned its head, realizing the Alpha had been freed. Its tail whipped toward the wolves, and Katrina seized the moment, lunging at its back. Wrapping her legs around the creature, she held tight and brought the ring to its neck. The small but deadly lancet carved through the rough scales like a laser. Katrina slid the ring off her finger, embedding it deep into the beast’s throat. It screeched in pain and bucked at the intrusion, flinging her into the air. She landed on the dirt with a thud. Her lungs burned as she shook off the shock, but was given no reprieve as it lunged for her.

  Jax leapt onto the demon, his jaws lodging into its neck, tearing at its flesh. It retaliated, scoring the Alpha’s back with its talons. Jax howled in pain but refused to let it attack Katrina. Jake struggled to embed his fangs in its legs, and it whipped its tail at the wolf’s paw, forcing him to release.

  Katrina screamed in horror as its razor sharp tail slashed past Jake, narrowly missing his neck. The savage beast hissed as the poison took hold. Wheezing and spurting blood, it swung its tail at Katrina. Although she’d partially shifted, it caught her torso, slicing its blade clean through her abdomen.

  Struck by the searing demon, she stumbled back onto the rocks and fell to the ground. Her magick leaked out with her blood, and she surrendered, helpless to fight as Mick siphoned her essence away. Despite the demon’s attempt to heal itself with her energy, it continued to thrash, its form shifting from beast to man and back to beast once again. Lying immobile, Katrina blinked, watching in fascination as the creature squealed in agony. Splintering, it crumbled into hundreds of pieces, falling into the pit. She smiled as Jax’s familiar blue eyes came into view.

  “Kat, baby. No, don’t leave me…I need you. I love you. Please Goddess, no,” she heard him tell her.

  Don’t cry, my Alpha, she thought, his tears warming her face. With no discernible spirit inside her wolf, Katrina submitted to the inevitable. Death beckoned, its peaceful blanket embracing her in its arms.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  Final words, she would never regret giving her life for her Alpha, for the child. As the light called for her, she prayed Ja
x would find love again.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Jax gingerly placed Katrina’s body onto the grass and cradled her head to his chest. The turbulent spring weather had calmed, the sky clearing, stars shining bright. His wolf howled uncontrollably as the grief crushed his chest. Being Alpha was all Jax had known up until the moment he’d met Katrina Livingston. He’d never anticipated the soulful connection he’d forge with his mate. A life-altering experience, the incredible female now consumed his thoughts.

  “I love you so much.” Numb, he rocked Katrina, whispering in her ear as if she were still alive. Her wolf completely gone, there was no detectable magick left within her beautiful spirit. Ignoring Jake’s plea to release her, he’d lost track of time, refusing to let her body go.

  A baby’s cry broke his trance, and he lifted his gaze to the redheaded witch his mate had died saving. Samantha carefully knelt beside him, Luca supporting her arms as she joined him. Wrapped in Katrina’s leather jacket, the infant quieted in his presence.

  “She needs her,” Samantha stated.

  “Kat’s gone.” Jax turned his focus back to his mate, brushing his lips to her cool forehead.

  “Kate. We named her after Katrina,” she told him.

  Jax sucked back a sob. While he appreciated the gesture, he couldn’t bring himself to say a word. His thoughts spiraled. After he buried his mate, he’d step down as Alpha and become a lone wolf. There was nothing left for him to give anyone. Not his friends, not his pack.

  “Katrina needs her. Please Jax,” Samantha pressed.

  “I…I can’t right now,” Jax managed. His bloodshot eyes met hers, tears fresh on his face.

  “Her magick…”

  “It’s gone. She’s gone,” he cried. “Sam, look, I need to be alone with her and say goodbye. Please…”

  “Katrina needs Kate,” Samantha repeated.

  With no fight left, confusion twisted through him as she reached for Katrina’s hand. Her limp arm rolled onto the grass and he choked as her lifeless fingers touched the ground.

  “No…what are you doing? You need to leave her alone,” Jax pleaded.

  “Just please, let me do this,” Samantha told him, her voice calm.

  Jax licked the salty moisture from his lips, perplexed by her actions. She unwrapped the child and kissed her forehead. Samantha smiled up at Luca and gently placed the baby onto Katrina’s chest. As the infant cooed against his mate, he immediately sensed the surge of magick tingling through Katrina’s fingertips.

  “What is she doing?” He wore a stunned expression, his eyes widening at the sensation.

  “Our little Kate is very powerful, much more powerful than most witches suspect. But Mick, he must have done his research. He knew what kind of magick our special miracle would bring to this world.” Samantha set her palm to the Alpha’s cheek. “It’s true that Katrina’s magick was siphoned. But our little Kate, she didn’t let him have it. She took it. It’s inside her. And now,” she smiled to Katrina, whose chest rose in a shallow breath, “her magick has been restored.”

  Jax, too tired to argue with Samantha, closed his eyes. Emotionally and physically exhausted, he threaded his fingers through Katrina’s, a scant quiver of life flittering over his skin. Jax jolted upright, observing his mate’s eyelids flutter.

  “Jax,” Katrina breathed, a loud gasp escaping her lips.

  “Kat,” Jax cried. His palm grazed over the baby’s back in amazement. “How did she do that?”

  “She’s a very special child. A first witch. An old soul.” Samantha scooped the infant into her arms, giving him a broad knowing smile. “Luca and I are going to have our hands full with little Kate.”

  “Sam…tell me this is real,” Jax blinked, terrified to believe his own ears and eyes.

  “It’s okay, Jax. She needs to shift. You’re her Alpha. Call to her.” Samantha focused on her infant, playing with her tiny fingers.

  “Baby, can you hear me?” Jax gave a small laugh as Katrina squeezed his hand. A small smile formed on her lips. “That’s it. Oh Goddess…”

  “My Alpha…” She wheezed, a hand moving to her bloodied abdomen. “I feel awful.”

  “You need to shift,” he told her.

  “Help me,” she managed.

  Jax carefully removed her clothing. Shocked Katrina was alive, he lifted her into his embrace. Skin to skin, their energies merged. He smiled as she opened her eyes, his chest tightening in emotion.

  “Let’s go for a run, little wolf.” With a gentle kiss, he breathed in relief as Katrina shifted. The small white wolf gave a bark and he laughed.

  “You’re beautiful,” he told her and transformed, freeing his beast.

  Elated, he sprinted, quickly catching up to Katrina. Full of life, she pranced under the moon, her shiny coat reflecting its light. Within seconds the pack surrounded them, and concern they’d challenge her so soon after her recovery surfaced. Establishing her rightful rank within the group, Katrina stared down each and every member. Her ears and tail erect, she stood firm, refusing to back away. Asserting her dominance, she ran a circle around her mate. Jax gave a bark and was pleased as his wolves lowered their bodies in submission to their Alpha pair.

  Satisfied, he howled in celebration, but his exhilaration was short-lived as an unfamiliar wolf answered. Katrina took off toward the rustling leaves, in search of the intruder. He cursed, promising to continue her lessons in submission. Within seconds, he surpassed her stride, and was not surprised at his first scent of the wolf. Tristan.

  Jax hesitated, seeing the great brown wolf tear through the forest. Although Tristan was formidable, the Alpha knew he’d crush him. Jax glanced back to Katrina. The joy in her eyes was soon replaced with fear as her brother ran directly toward her mate, and she realized he planned on attacking.

  The black Alpha growled in warning but it didn’t deter Tristan. The Lyceum wolf lunged at Jax, and they both barreled down an embankment. As they settled at the creek’s edge, Jax’s nature demanded he take action. Tristan attempted to lodge his teeth into the Alpha’s neck, but Jax easily maneuvered out of reach. Refusing to back down, Jax had little choice but to force him into submission. Leveraging a strong paw into Tristan’s flank, he shoved his opponent into the mud, his fangs settling into the soft fur of his throat. Katrina would never forgive him if he killed her brother. He exercised restraint and snarled rather than tearing open his skin.

  “Let him go!” Jax heard the panicked voice of his mate call to him.

  His eyes darted up to Katrina, who had taken on her human form. Wolves from both packs stood on alert, but didn’t dare to intervene.

  “Tristan, stop this. He’s my mate.” Katrina cautiously walked toward them and held her hand to her brother’s snout. Tristan sniffed and licked at her fingers, and she fell to her knees, placing her palms on each wolf. “Our mating is meant to be…Goddess, please stop.”

  Sensing the shift in Tristan as the Lyceum wolf calmed, Jax released him. Waiting for him to shift first, he followed as Tristan shoved to his feet.

  “I’m not going to let him do this to you, Kat,” Tristan began.

  “Tris…I already explained this to you when I called. I know you haven’t gotten along with Jax. Please. The past is the past. He doesn’t run his pack like his father. He’s not like that.” Katrina glanced to her Alpha and back to her brother. “I love you, but I’m not letting Jax go. You need to accept this. This male is mine. He belongs to me.”

  It was a serious moment, but it struck Jax as funny how bluntly she spoke to Tristan. Unable to restrain his emotion, he laughed and shook his head at her words. This woman is going to kill me, and I’m going to love every goddamned minute, he thought. Her dominance would not be mistaken by a single wolf in either pack. An Alpha’s mate through and through, she spoke her mind with truth and conviction and no one would mess with her.

  “What’s so fucking funny?” Tristan asked, smearing the mud from his eye.

  “Apple. Tree.” Ja
x shrugged and winked at Katrina. “Or in this case. Apple.” He pointed to Tristan and then his mate. “Apple. She’s pretty awesome, isn’t she?”

  “What kind of mate did you think you’d end up with, my Alpha?” she purred with a sexy smile.

  “Ah fuck.” Tristan sighed and threw his head backward, his hands on his hips.

  “What?” Katrina pressed.

  “You really are mated for real, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, of course I am.” She laughed. “I keep trying to tell you that.”

  “I’ve only ever wanted to see you happy,” Tristan insisted.

  “I love you, Tris. I’m sorry for everything that happened. You need to know that Jax isn’t his father. I love him.”

  Tristan stared at Jax for a long minute and extended his hand. “Don’t hurt her.”

  “I will protect her with my life. I promise you.” Jax clasped his palm, giving it a firm shake, but his attention was quickly drawn to his mate.

  A broad smile crossed his face, his heart pounding so hard he thought it’d explode. I love her so much. Strong and compassionate, she professed her feelings for him, her statement spoken loud enough for every wolf to hear.

  Without a care as to what anyone thought, Jax released Tristan and reached for Katrina, pulling her into his embrace. Passion for his mate flooded his chest as his lips captured hers. The sound of wolves serenading echoed through the trees, and Jax lost himself in the moment, so in love with the little wolf who owned his heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Katrina took a deep breath, willing the butterflies in her stomach into submission. She glanced in the long mirror, and adjusted the edge of the plunging neckline. Sleeveless, the black ribbing fit her like a glove, the silver pleated skirt flowed easily, its hem brushing her calves. She reached for her lipstick, and smiled, pleased that her auburn locks had returned. Upon Mick’s death, fully healed, she no longer experienced the foreign magick.