Inked Fury

by Sarah Makela

  Brush it off. Don’t tell her. How often will you get a chance like this?

  “You’re not as excited as I’d hoped you would be.” She tugged her lower lip between her teeth. “Is something wrong?”

  He crossed the dining room to stay before her. “No, I am excited.” And conflicted. “I need to talk to you about Ravenna.”

  She shrunk back from him. “I thought we talked about this before. I’m really sorry for keeping her a secret. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  He shook his head. “I understand why you hid it. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that, and I’m the one who should be sorry.” Lowering his gaze, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Ravenna left last night because I asked her to. I can’t help but feel like her being taken is my fault.”

  “Connor, it’s not your fault.” She locked her gaze with his and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You had no idea that would happen. You’re a werewolf, not a psychic.” She smirked a little.

  He couldn’t help but laugh. Only she could do this. Only she could turn his mood around so easily. “I know, but—”

  Angelique pressed a fingertip to his lips. “No buts. We’ll find her. We have to.” She pressed her forehead against his chest. “If we don’t, my people may blame me. I don’t know how I’d live with myself.” She lifted her gaze to his. “But then again, I’ve gone this far in my life without them. I’d survive, especially now with you in my life.”

  “You’re the strongest woman I know, Angel.”

  Her bravery amazed him. He couldn’t even imagine going through life without someone to guide him with his abilities or not to know she had somewhere she belonged as he had with the Pack. When the human world frustrated him, he could turn to the other werewolves. However, he tended not to air his feelings, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t.

  She didn’t have that ability except with Ravenna.

  She smiled and looked down at the floor. “Flattery will get you far.”

  He cupped her chin, lifting her gaze. “That’s good to know, but I’m not flattering you. I’m telling you the truth. If you’re serious about mating, I’ll talk to Lowell. There’s a ceremony as I previously mentioned. He’s the one who presides over it, but hopefully we’d be able to go through with it sooner than later. Before he changes his mind.”

  “I’m serious about it. I just dread being in the same room as that man again. He puts me on edge.” A shudder chased through her body.

  “You’re not the only one who feels that way.” Connor pressed a kiss against her forehead. “Except my kind fear him instead of getting creeped out.” Without further delay, he pulled his cell phone out and dialed Lowell’s number.

  Victory sang through his veins. This was the day he’d always wanted. Dreams did come true. Now he just hoped his Alpha agreed to perform the ceremony before it was too late.

  * * *

  Mahon stared into the raven girl’s eyes as she came back to consciousness. Her face betrayed complete weakness, which he’d learned to despise throughout his life. Weakness was just another excuse for failure. He would not fail.

  She glanced around at the subpar motel room before locking her eyes on him. Despair wept from her every pore as she realized her position. The girl struggled against the ropes binding her ankles and wrists.

  “You have something I need. If you’ll hand it over, I won’t need to convince you. That’d make life sweeter for both of us.” Even as he spoke, he knew the girl would try to deny his request.

  The raven girl stopped tugging against her restraints. “What do you want?” she asked.

  Mahon sighed, shaking his head. “Here I thought you might be smarter than that. Isn’t it obvious? I haven’t raped you, so it’s not your body. You’re not waking up in a tub full of ice, so it’s not your kidneys. No, I’m after something more precious. Something very few possess. We both know what you are.”

  The girl screamed at the top of her lungs, renewing her struggles. Her body bucked, and she threw all her force into getting free. If he weren’t careful, she may actually break the headboard. Regardless of how weak she looked, she must possess some strength in that skin and bones. “Please, don’t do it. My family will know. You’ll never get away with this.”

  He cracked his knuckles, waiting for her to accept her fate. “Oh? How will they do that? Please tell. Maybe I’ll track them down next.”

  She immediately stopped screamed. If she’d been a witch, he’d have been afraid of the look she gave him. Her gaze narrowed with hate and rage.

  “Are you done yet? Give me your pet raven now, and you won’t suffer much. I promise,” he said, pulling a knife from his belt. “Later, well that’s a different story, isn’t it?”

  The tactical knife wasn’t his usual pick. However, its serrated edge and impressive size gave it more fear factor. If he were to skin her, then he’d switch knives. For now, he hoped to scare her into submission.

  Mahon sat on the bed beside her, then he slid the steel blade up her torso. The raven had retreated to her back again, hiding itself probably at its mistress’s insistence. Perhaps threatening wouldn’t solve his problems this time. Regardless, he grew tired of her determination to fight.

  “Just give me the damned raven,” he yelled. When she didn’t answer, he moved higher on the bed, trailing the edge of the blade over her neck until finally setting the knife near her jugular.

  The raven girl stared into his eyes as if she didn’t care whether she lived or died, but she wouldn’t release her raven to him. The same way Angelique had acted. They wouldn’t relinquish their pets because they were too stubborn. He shook his head.

  They only needed to give up a mere pet, a magical tattoo that wore on their skin. Nothing more. Were their lives not worth a little sacrifice? Sure, the girls would be separated from the pets, but at least they could remain among the living.

  However, as with all tough problems, one could always find a way. “You will release your pet to me. If I have to skin you alive to take the raven, I will. You will beg me to have it.” A thought occurred to him. If they didn’t value their own lives, perhaps, they valued the lives of others. Worth a shot. “If you don’t, I’ll go after your boyfriend. He’ll be next on my list. I’ll take his life, and his ability to shape shift into a wolf. He’ll die in front of you. You’ll be witness to it.” He slid the knife back into its sheath, then he crossed his arms over his chest.

  The raven girl’s eyes widened and she choked back a sob. She knew he told the truth.

  While he would still go after Connor, he wouldn’t hesitate to do what he’d just said because he needed to accomplish what he’d come to this bloody country for. If he needed to hurt her or her loved ones, he’d do it.

  Conflict warred in the girl’s eyes. The raven’s muffled crow gave her a modicum of strength. “I… I can’t. I—”

  “You can, and if you don’t, he’ll die. Slowly. All while I’m taking his wolf. His bones will snap, his muscles will pull shred themselves. His eyes will become blind from sweat and stress. His skin will ripple and tear apart becoming a mess of flesh and fur. Only after much pain and horrible agony, only then will I let him die.” Mahon cupped her face in his hand, forcing her to look at him. “Do you think I’m lying?”

  “No, I don’t.” Tears streaked her cheeks, and pity made his heart heavy for her. He shrugged the emotion aside. Compassion would get in the way of what would follow soon.

  “So you’ll do it? Think of it this way, it’s a small sacrifice to pay for your and his life. I will leave you both alone. You’ll never hear from me again.” He stood up straighter. “Just say, ‘I freely give you my power.’”

  She sobbed a little more, her words choked on the sound. “Fi-fine. I freely give you my power.”

  Placing one hand over her head and one over her heart, he closed his eyes, focusing on drawing the power into himself. For a moment, nothing happened. He frowned. Perhaps he’d misremembered something, bu
t he’d studied over what to do when he got this chance for years, so he couldn’t see how this was wrong.

  The woman’s head jerked beneath his grip, and her body threw itself against the restraints, seizing with amazing force. Mahon held her in place so she wouldn’t hurt herself, and then he saw the raven again. It flapped its great wings as if fighting the pull of an unseen force.

  The raven grew closer, and anguish flooded his senses as the bird pushed into his skin, leaving the girl. He screamed at the intensity, dizziness and nausea swarmed through him. How did these women do it? How did they stand the pain?

  When the ritual was complete and he had the raven on him, his legs buckled, throwing him onto the floor. He stared at his bare arm, at the raven closely watching him. Claws dug into his arm, and he yelled, furious at the blinding agony ripping at his skin.

  He focused his energy on the raven, but this was different from anything he’d ever experienced before. This wasn’t on his skin like a bug or in the room. This was like telling a body part to do what he wanted. Something he’d have to work at.

  An excellent challenge.

  Angelique wasn’t necessary now, but he refused to let either she or the werewolf escape after the trauma he’d endured. After the fight, he’d been in anguish for days while his healing power caught up to the severity of the injuries. Besides, the power he attained would secure his place permanently.

  Mahon cleared his throat and pushed himself to his feet. The girl had gone silent since the pet left her. Surely she hadn’t died. That’s not how he’d understood the ritual.

  A dead look lingered in the raven girl’s eyes. As if a part of her was broken. He wondered how much of her magic was left anymore. Her gaze remained focused on the ceiling no matter what he did. Waving a hand in front of her face, drawing his knife, nothing got her attention.

  “So that’s the price to pay,” he muttered. There had been no other way for his prize.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Connor had waited for this day to come over a year now.

  While Lowell made it clear that he was less than thrilled, his Alpha and he had made a deal. There were still a few days until the end of the month. He was well within the deadline. However, nonwerewolves weren’t looked well upon with the Pack because it meant trusting their secrets to an outsider.

  However, none of that mattered now. What mattered was having Angelique as his mate where he’d never really thought he would have someone like her.

  “You sure you want to go through with this? Wolves mate for life, and so do werewolves.” Lowell glanced between the two of them, but he kept the brunt of his gaze on Connor. “There’s no breaking a mating bond.”

  With a smile, Connor took Angelique’s hand. “Yes, I’m sure. I know what I’m doing. I want Angelique as my mate.”

  “I’d like to be Connor’s mate.” Angelique brushed her ruby red lips against his. They’d dressed up a little for the occasion, even though it wasn’t a human wedding. “I have no desire to break up with him.”

  Much to their surprise, Lowell had told them he’d come that evening to perform the ceremony. Connor couldn’t be sure why, but he wasn’t about to question his Alpha.

  “Fine. Let’s begin.” Lowell held an old book passed down through years from the Pack Alphas. He cleared his throat before reading a passage from the book in an old foreign language.

  Connor couldn’t understand a word, but the power emanating from the words were undeniable. The further Lowell got into the reading, the tighter the pressure on his chest. Almost as if he was having a heart attack. Magical energy crawled along his skin, and he gasped for air against the sensation.

  Lowell’s words faded as the buzz of the energy grew stronger, nearly deafening him. “Kiss her,” his Alpha shouted.

  He grabbed her to him, kissing her lips as if it would be the last. She opened to him, pliant and soft. He sure hoped this wouldn’t be their last embrace, but this ceremony frightened him. If he’d known they were like this, he might’ve held off. Or at least run away with her instead of enduring this.

  Power sizzled at each point where their bodies met, focusing primarily on their mouths. His wolf slunk to the surface of his skin, perfectly at ease with what was happening. Fur caressed the back of his throat. He fought back his beast, figuring out at the last minute what he was doing.

  Lowell’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Don’t fight it.”

  Angelique jerked away from him. “Connor?” Her voice came out breathy and unsure. “What’s happening?”

  “Stay strong,” Lowell said.

  The magic energy stopped, and he toppled to the floor like a puppet on clipped strings. Angelique tumbled on top of him, her eyes closed and her body still. Only her steady breathing reassured him.

  Connor couldn’t do anything but stare at the ceiling. His sight narrowed into tunnel vision. Anxiousness beat at his gut, making him want to move. Do anything but lay there.

  Lowell knelt beside him. “Our people mate within their own species for a reason. If she doesn’t survive, I want you to remember this moment.” His Alpha waved a hand over his face, and his vision went black.

  When Connor awoke, he lay in Angelique’s living room with heavy limbs. Her body draped over his. That’s why he couldn’t move. For a moment, he thought they were alone. He should’ve known better.

  Lowell rose from his spot on the couch. “I’m impressed.” He slowly clapped his hands. “Well done.”

  “What happened?” Connor sat, his strength slowly returning to him. He cradled his unconscious Angel in his arms. She needed to be seen. Why hadn’t she woken up?

  “Looks like the mating bond was successful. You two are now a mated pair.”

  Lowell walked a couple steps closer, but he kept his gaze on Angelique.

  She shifted in his arms as if rousing from a deep sleep. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse, “Mating bond? We’re mated before the Pack. That’s all it is, right?”

  His Alpha chuckled, shaking his head. “No, that is not all it is. Each of you gave a small piece of yourselves to the other, magically that is. You’re able to connect and sense the other person. Mates have special bonds that go beyond human emotions.” He looked to Connor. “He can fill you in on the rest. My job here is done.”

  “I’m not that familiar with it, but I’ll tell you what I know.” Connor held out his hand to her, and they both got to their feet. “I won’t leave you in the dark. You’ve been through enough recently.”

  “During the next full moon, you’ll both be expected to attend the meeting. She’ll need to be introduced to the Pack.” Lowell nodded to them. “If anything unusual happens, call me.” When he was almost at the door, he stopped then turned around. “Protect her. We’re not out of danger yet. Mating is one of the best ways to guard yourselves, but you should both remain vigilant.”

  * * *

  Lowell knew exactly how to bring down the moment.

  Angelique glanced at Connor when his Alpha had finally left. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so invigorated and whole. While the ceremony itself had scared her, she enjoyed his hand in hers, reminding her that they were in this together.

  During the ceremony, the power that connected Kira and her had nearly overwhelmed her senses, and she’d passed out. Kira wasn’t a fan of connecting herself to the wolf. Even now, her feline familiar paced her skin letting out rumbling growls.

  What she remembered most was the kiss. Energy had surged through her both from her own magic and from his, sizzling against her skin like a potent desire she’d never imagined possible. Her body still thrummed with it.

  She slid her hand over the hard muscles of his chest. Something had changed between them from the time of the ceremony until now. Now when she touched him, magic almost sparked between them. Their relationship was so much more than it had been. They were connected.

  Connor pulled her close. “I will protect you.” He bent to brush his lips hers. “Don’t wo
rry about danger, especially not on a night like this.”

  “I’m not worrying. The only thing on my mind is the sight of you naked.”

  He raised his eyebrows and grinned. His eyes were the sexy shade of wolf amber.

  A shiver chased down her spine, and she grabbed him by the front of the shirt. “I need you, Connor. Regardless of what happened and what could happen—”

  “Don’t. Let’s not think about that kind of thing tonight. We’ll get Ravenna back. Your safety is my main priority. However, I think I’d like to focus on your pleasure for a while.” He swept her into his arms, sending her heart thundering in her chest.

  Kira quit pacing. Instead, her familiar settled at the base of Angelique’s spine, rumbling out deep, guttural purrs.

  “Guess she’s ready for the show to begin.” He pressed another kiss on her lips and took her off to the bedroom.

  The next morning, Connor emailed his boss that he’d work from home again, but within fifteen minutes, he received a call from the office. “No, I’d prefer not to go in. I know there’s a lot to be done, but I’m fully capable of handling my end here. I don’t see why you’re insisting on me being in,” he said, nearly snarling at the phone, only her hand on his thigh kept him from unleashing his full wrath on his boss.

  A short pause passed before he jumped in with another retort, “Yes, I do realize how important preparation for the client is. However—” He wasn’t even able to finish his sentence.

  Fury clouded his gaze, and a wave of sudden anger swept through her. She nearly toppled over into the bed from its strength. The only way to explain it was that she might be picking up on his emotions.

  “It’s fine. If you have to go in, I’ll be okay.” She whispered to keep from distracting him too much from the call.

  From the look on his face, he wasn’t happy about leaving her here alone. He sighed, shaking his head. “Fine, John. I’ll be in, but I can’t stay the whole day. Half a day is all you get, the rest I’ll work from home.”