by Diana Seere
“Oh, I’m not leaving him!” Lilah reached over and squeezed Molly’s hands. “I mean, at the moment I’m leaving him in the sense that I’ve flown here with you, but don’t worry, this is temporary. As angry as I am, I know he’ll make it up to you. To both of us. I’m sure of it. I just wanted to escape all that testosterone and prove a point. They can’t control us.”
Molly wondered what it would be like to be so sure of somebody else, especially a man. “That’s good. I wouldn’t want to feel responsible for getting between the happiest couple I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Hey,” Jess said, raising her head from the tinted window that had been holding it up until now. “What about me and Derry?”
“You haven’t gotten married yet,” Molly said. “We’ll see.”
“Are you saying we’re not going to really get married?” Jess was fully awake now and looked outraged.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Molly didn’t really doubt their love, but teasing Jess was a nice distraction from her own troubles.
“You bet you’ll see it,” Jess said, jabbing her finger into Molly’s left breast. “I’m making you maid of honor.”
“I thought I was maid of honor,” Lilah said.
“You’re the matron, duh,” Jess said. “She’s the maid. Not that she’s a maid in the traditional sense.”
“The way you were a maid until you met Derry?” Molly asked sweetly. Difficult to believe, but the tough, beautiful Jess had been a virgin prior to meeting McDermott Stanton.
“I’ve made up for lost time, believe you me,” Jess said, grinning.
The limo pulled up in front of Molly’s apartment. She looked at the door of her building and made a decision. “Come with me to LupiNex,” she said quickly. “They’ll let me in if I’m with you. I want answers. I need them now. Will you do that?”
Lilah patted her hand. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Why can’t this jet move any faster?” Edward growled, pacing the long line of the cabin over and over again, hating air travel. Being disconnected with the earth was second to cities, in his mind.
Both were interminably horrible. Yet here he was, using a plane to go to a city.
To find Molly.
“If you continue with that kind of walking, you’ll wear a line in the floor and the plane will break in half, Edward,” Derry cautioned. “And while we have a great many abilities that humans lack, flying is not one of them. Sit down. Have a drink.” In spite of Derry’s jocular tone, Edward saw the pinched mouth. The curled hands. The many shots of whisky he’d downed.
He was worried.
And if Derry was worried, this was quite a mess.
Morgan delivered another bottle to Derry’s side table and disappeared to the front of the cabin, moving like a snake under an inky sky.
“They’re fine,” Asher snapped from his position by the front window, his voice cold and low. “Stole my plane and our best pilot, but they’re fine.”
“Stole?” Gavin barked. “How could Lilah steal something that she is one hundred percent entitled to use?”
A sniff and a slight headshake was the only reply Gavin received.
More than Asher normally offered.
“She’s done nothing wrong,” Sophia chimed in. The four of them were on the plane, racing to Boston, the rest of the shifter families likely on their heels. Asher had declared that the entire Gathering should be relocated, “given the new turn of events,” which was a euphemistic way of saying that the human women had turned this all into a giant clusterfuck.
Of epic proportions.
Except that was not true.
The shifter men were to blame.
Edward took inventory of his siblings on the long, adrenaline-filled ride to Boston. He didn’t like what he saw.
“I agree,” Edward said into the vacuum that followed Sophia’s declaration. “In fact, I rather admire her.”
Gavin gave him a surprised look. “Admire?”
“I always have admired Lilah,” Edward continued. “Who wouldn’t? She’s quite literally the stuff of legend. But this took gumption. Bravery.”
Asher made a sound like he was choking on an ice cube.
“Bravery? You think it is brave to run away from a shifter Gathering, one she had no true right to attend in the first place? And to put the woman at the heart of this controversy in jeopardy? My God, Edward, your definition of ‘bravery’ is so flawed I believe we should put you back in short pants and return you to school!”
A derisive snort and a turning away capped the comment.
Edward allowed himself a slow burn, counting to twenty, before he quietly replied.
“You have no true power. None. In a world where shifters can control their own biological destiny, you lose.” The thought dawned on him, a slow unveiling, like a fiddlehead in the sunlight. It washed over him, an infusion that energized him at the same time it rendered him deeply still.
“What are you blathering about?” Asher shot back without anger. His tone made it clear he harbored no respect for Edward.
“Why do we listen to him?” Edward asked Gavin, searching his brother’s face. Derry and Sophia peered back, suddenly intent. With his three siblings’ attention, he trudged on, needing to speak as the thoughts tumbled through his mind like marbles in a velvet bag, being shook by a child.
“Because… well…” Derry frowned. Sophia’s eyebrow shot up, brown eyes gleaming with mischief.
Gavin banished all emotion from his face, giving Edward a calculated once-over that made him stand taller.
“Because it is tradition. He’s the eldest. Father groomed him for this.” Gavin’s answer was weak, and he knew it.
“And because he’s the alpha,” Derry joked. “You just felt that fact, my dear brother.” Pointing to Edward’s arm and neck, he offered a smile that was hard to decipher. The wet wounds that made his hastily-thrown-on shirt stick to his skin were a reminder of the fight they’d just had in animal form.
Indeed.
Asher had prevailed.
But perhaps only because Edward had become distracted by Molly’s receding scent.
“Are you challenging me to become the head of the pack?” Asher asked, his voice filled with a bullying harshness. “Edward?”
“No.” The admission wasn’t one of subservience. It was truth. He had no desire to lead anyone but Molly.
“You two,” Gavin muttered. “Lilah says that testosterone is the reason for so much evil in the world. Eve and her apple were child’s play in comparison,” he added, giving Asher and Edward the hairy eyeball. “I’ve accused her of hyperbole, but you’re making me see that I’ve married a very astute woman. One who is now in danger right alongside Molly.”
Asher stared at Edward, who gave it right back.
“Because of you,” Gavin added, his voice turning low and menacing, the words aimed at Asher.
“Me?” Asher seemed genuinely shocked, his gaze darting away from Edward. “Me? I’ve done nothing but work to protect our family and the shifter world, and you’re accusing me of putting people in danger?” Real emotion filled Asher’s face. Out of the corner of his eye, Edward saw Sophia nudge Derry, an unspoken ripple passing between them.
Asher was emoting.
Gavin continued. “Your ridiculous, antiquated ideas about humans and shifters interacting have led to this. Yes.”
A deep red, the color of a newly opened rose at dusk, crept up Asher’s neck. He wore a charcoal suit, white bespoke shirt, and a crisp gray tie with red accents. As the flush made its way up his neck, his long, dark hair contrasted with the color, making his ice-blue eyes stand out in a face that suddenly went blank.
How could he do that?
Edward had tried for so many years to train himself to turn his emotions to stone, working to emulate his eldest brother.
Now he viewed it through a different lens.
Weakness.
Asher protected his emotions not because
he was strong.
But because he was too afraid to show them.
“Gavin, you are hardly in a position to point fingers at people. You created the serum! Your research has led to the possible eradication of shifter society!” Asher accused.
“My research has led to exceptional advances in our understanding of the interaction between human and shifter DNA. Dr. Sam’s work will save lives!” Gavin roared back.
“This Dr. Sam must be a miracle worker,” Asher replied with great sarcasm. “And your interpretation of saving lives leaves much to be desired, when the serum is obviously going to be used for nefarious purposes.”
“If you had bothered, Asher—even once—to listen or ask about my company’s research, you would know that—”
“Had I known you were playing Doctor Frankenstein, I certainly would have asked!” Asher shouted.
“It does not matter,” Edward announced, all eyes suddenly on him. “Pack leaders, human-shifter protection, patriarchs and shifter lore. None of this is important.” He huffed with frustration. “All of this fighting and arguing just makes the situation worse.”
Asher’s eyebrows shot up, his hands curling into fists. Was one finger twitching?
Gavin glowered but said nothing, pouring himself a drink of something amber from a crystal decanter.
“How good of you to dismiss centuries of work on the part of our family, Edward. I am sure your extensive experience in the realm of defending our species comes into play as you make your childish declaration.” Asher didn’t even bother giving Edward his full attention, staring out the window as his words dripped with contempt.
“You don’t have to do that, Asher.”
“Do what?”
“Shut me down so you don’t have to open yourself up.”
Sophia’s eyes filled with tears, her face softening. She leaned in and whispered in Derry’s ear, “That sounds like something his mother would have said to Papa.”
“When did you become Oprah?” Derry joked.
Gavin’s even stare broke as he blinked, took a deep breath, and said, “He’s right.”
“Thank you,” Asher and Edward said in unison, then frowned at each other.
Derry snickered, shutting himself down quickly with a fake cough.
“None of this matters,” Sophia echoed, standing to make her point. “What matters is that we’re falling in love with humans, one by one, and Gavin’s company has made a medical advance that someone—whose identity we do not know—could turn into a weapon. And Molly is at the center of it all.”
“With Lilah and Jess,” Derry added, brow tight and low with worry.
“And Lilah is pregnant with my child.”
“Or children. She could have a litter,” Derry added helpfully.
Gavin paled.
Derry beamed.
The need to have Molly in his arms now—right this instant—made Edward drop to his hands and knees, as if he could be closer to the earth and closer to her by the simple action. His palms spread wide, as if claws were extending, and he rose up slightly on the balls of his feet, hindered by shoes, his body warming to the stretch, his soul more grounded.
Asher took it as a sign of deference and gave him a strange look.
“We know this,” Asher stated softly, forcing Sophia, Derry, Gavin and Edward to move closer to hear him, the intimacy unforced and welcome. “Our entire way of life is at jeopardy.”
Gavin bristled.
“Not because of the serum, Gavin,” he said kindly. “Your intentions were noble,” he admitted.
That was high praise coming from Asher. Edward stretched, ears perked, his mind searching for Molly, finding only static in the air.
“Some unknown enemy is about to launch an attack. We have no idea who it is, when it is coming, and by what means they will ambush us. All we do know is that we are all—every one of us, including the humans in our lives—at risk.”
“And Molly likely is the main target,” Edward said, each word a sword to the heart, an injection of blood-pumping emotion, a thrill without pleasure.
“Yes. Unfortunately.” Asher hesitated. All of the siblings held their breath.
“And?” Gavin prompted, taking the lead where the others felt unmoored. This side of Asher was new.
It was welcomed.
“And I know firsthand how devastating it is to lose the one you love,” he replied, averting everyone’s gaze. “I will not allow that to happen to anyone in my family.” He caught Edward’s eye. The two shared a kinship, not just one of blood but of shared pain.
“Claire and Vivien,” Sophia whispered, one hand on each of them, her tears running down broad cheeks, breath hitching. “We can’t lose more women.”
Derry reeled back. “Do you truly believe anyone other than Molly is—that the human women are all in—that we’re…” Wordless, he made sounds of shock, his voice turning to grunts of outrage, eyes imploring Edward to answer.
“We cannot lose anyone,” Edward emphasized.
Tension permeated the air as Asher stood abruptly, his softer side whisked away as if he’d used a giant blackboard eraser to start over.
“We will not. I’ll see to it.”
“How?” Gavin asked.
“Trust me.” And with that, Asher did not speak for the remainder of the trip, leaving the rest to soak in their own thoughts, Edward troubled by a single chant that would not let go.
I’ll keep you safe.
I’ll keep you safe.
I’ll keep you safe.
Chapter 18
Lilah insisted they stop by her place before going to LupiNex. “We can change our clothes while Jess downs another gallon of coffee,” she said as she escorted them into the luxury penthouse.
“And you need to have breakfast,” Molly told Lilah. “You’re eating for two.”
“No, I’m afraid I might throw up on—what did you say the nurse’s name was?”
“Samantha,” Molly said. “I don’t mind if you throw up on her.”
Lilah took off her shoes and hung up their coats in a hall closet bigger than Molly’s apartment building. “I appreciate your feelings on the matter, but I’d rather not.”
Grimacing, Jess put a hand on her stomach. “I’ll do it. Just point me in the right direction.”
Molly almost felt guilty about enjoying the image. “Thanks, but you can crash here. Your head must be killing you.”
“I think I’m still drunk enough to be OK,” Jess said. “The pain will come later.” But then she made a face and ran down the hall.
“While she’s taking care of business, let’s find you a power outfit,” Lilah said. “It’ll be like old times, except I’m the one handing out the clothes.”
Molly let Lilah guide her through the apartment into a sage-green bedroom that smelled like lavender and… something else she couldn’t quite place. Vanilla? Spruce?
She smiled when she realized what it was. Money. It was the sweet aroma of old money, and lots of it.
“How about this?” Lilah held up a black cocktail dress.
Molly didn’t want to hurt Lilah’s feelings, but the last thing she wanted to look like was a waitress at the Plat. “Do you mind if pick something out myself? I’m a lot shorter than you. I’ll have a better idea of what might fit.”
Lilah nodded but looked disappointed. “I wanted to help you the way you helped me.”
Molly flung her arms around Lilah and squeezed. “How can you say that? You’ve helped me more than I can say. All I did for you was pick out a few hot outfits.”
They clung to each other for a moment.
“I want you to be happy,” Lilah said, her voice cracking. “I’m so happy, Jess is so happy, we just—you deserve—” She broke into sobs.
“Oh, honey,” Molly cooed, patting her back. “It’s all right. Please don’t cry. You’ll get me going.”
“I’m sorry,” Lilah said between sobs. “It’s… the… hormones.” She wiped her face and took a deep
breath.
Jess appeared in the closet with her face made up and her hair pulled in a smooth ponytail. “We should go. The men are probably right behind us, and we want to get to LupiNex before they do.” For some weird reason, she was carrying what looked like an old dictionary, the kind they put on pedestals at the library.
Molly gaped at her. “Weren’t you just puking a second ago?”
“Nah, I’m fine.” Jess gave them the once-over. “You two better clean yourselves up though. What were you crying about?”
“Love,” Lilah said, sighing.
“Hormones,” Molly added. She pointed at the book. “What’s that? Kind of an odd moment to brush up on your vocabulary for the MCATs, isn’t it?”
Lilah had gone still. “Jess, what are you doing?”
“Take a look at this,” Jess said to Molly. “Isn’t it cool?”
Molly walked over and took the old book from her. The pages looked crisp and fragile, the gold-embossed leather cover dry and cracked.
It wasn’t a dictionary. Or if it was, it wasn’t an English one. The words engraved on the cover were in an unfamiliar alphabet, like Russian or ancient Greek. But it wasn’t either of those.
“What is this?” Molly asked wonderingly. Carefully balancing it in her arms, she cracked it open. The hand-drawn letters inside were no more legible to her than the cover. “Is this some old shifter thing?”
“What makes you think that?” Jess asked sharply.
“Because what else would it be? Isn’t it Gavin’s?” Molly asked.
“It belongs to the Stanton family library,” Lilah said. “Gavin brought it to Boston… to study it.”
“To translate it,” Jess interjected. “Lilah’s going to make an English version.”
Molly gasped. “You can read it?”
Lilah frowned, obviously reluctant to elaborate. “Yes. I have no idea how, but yes.”
“How about you, Jess?” Molly asked. “Can you read it too?”
“Nope. Can you?” Jess tapped the book in Molly’s arms. “Look at it more closely. Anything jump out at you?”
