Rebel Lion (Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire Book 3)

by Anna Lowe

  A play pearl, Dell had said when she’d pulled it from the raffle box. Even in Maui, the Kids Foundation doesn’t go around handing out that kind of stuff.

  Anjali stared at the pearl. No?

  The more tightly she held it, the more intense that heat became. A flood of love coursed through her, followed by a burst of anger. Brody had made Lourdes’s life a misery, right to the bitter end. He’d made Quinn an orphan. And now, he was fighting dirty against Dell.

  Anjali straightened, gripping the wrench. She took one step toward the rolling stairs that were pushed up against the wing then glanced back at Quinn.

  God, was she crazy?

  One look at the baby assured her she was doing the right thing. Anjali placed her foot on the top stair, staring at the raging battle. Then she threw one last look at Quinn.

  “I’ll be right back,” she promised before stalking down to the fight.

  Chapter Nineteen

  When Dell roared, the sound echoed through the hangar — and through his ears. A sure sign that the wolf and tiger were wearing him down, and fast.

  I won’t let them, his lion growled. Can’t let them get to Anjali or Quinn.

  He blinked, trying to concentrate. Determination helped win a fight, but the body had to be in on it too. And his was currently bleeding from a dozen wounds. Damn it, did Brody and the tiger fight dirty. Brody would attack his flank, and a second later, the tiger would attack from the other side with its two-inch claws. Then, when he’d whirled around to deflect the tiger, Brody had sunk his teeth into Dell’s ankle. He’d assumed they were just a couple of rogues, but those two turned out to be an experienced — and dirty — fighting team.

  Well, he was experienced too. And this was the fight of his life, because that was his mate and child up there.

  Mate, his lion cried, wanting desperately to look up. Was Anjali terrified? Would she understand that he wasn’t a monster to fear or loathe?

  You should have told her, his lion hissed.

  Yeah, well. He should have done a lot of things. But before Anjali and Quinn came into his life, he’d been operating on autopilot, not thinking too far ahead. Over the past few days, he’d manned up on a lot of things. But was it too late?

  He gritted his teeth. It couldn’t be too late. He couldn’t fail. He just couldn’t.

  The tiger circled one way while the wolf went the other, making him turn. Beyond them lay the body of the second wolf, who’d fallen from above. Dell’s heart had just about stopped when a shadow had toppled from the wing, and he’d never experienced anything like the relief that came with the realization that it wasn’t Anjali. Somehow, she’d managed to fight off a shifter all on her own.

  Told you she was amazing, his lion snipped.

  That, he knew. But there was something else at work up there. Some kind of otherworldly power that filled the air with a low-pitched throb undetectable to human ears. Shifter ears, on the other hand…

  Even Brody and the tiger had looked up when the thrum started not too long ago. That feeling of a mysterious new force — almost like an unannounced gladiator entering the arena. A game changer, though he had no idea what it was. All he had been able to make out on the wing was Anjali, the baby carrier, and the wolf. Was there someone else he couldn’t see?

  The second the thought struck him, his heart fluttered. What if another shifter was sneaking up on Anjali from the other side?

  So he fought back his foes, spun, and sprinted for the rolling staircase. Brody and the tiger followed, right on his heels. Within a few steps, Dell found another gear and opened up a lead. Given how exhausted he was, that shouldn’t have been possible. But the closer he got to Anjali, the more power he felt reaching out for him. Welcoming him, almost.

  What the hell is that? his lion demanded.

  He had no clue. Only that he had to get to her, fast. But, whoa. Anjali was about three steps down from the top, coming toward him. Was she nuts?

  No, his lion whispered. Just really, really brave.

  His heart pounded. Anjali had been coming down to help him.

  There was so much he wanted to say, but there wasn’t time. All he could do was pack everything he felt into a few words and push them into her mind, so she would understand.

  Damn, do I love you. But please, please back up. I’m coming.

  For one terrifying moment, he thought she might not budge. But then she nodded and climbed back to the wing, giving him space.

  He barreled off the top stair and onto the wing, then stopped short. Holy crap, did Anjali look fierce. The brown pearl hung at her neck, reflecting the last of the sunset, and something metallic flashed in her hands. But neither compared to the shine in her eyes that said, Try me, asshole. Just try taking this baby from me.

  He nearly grinned, but when he realized her eyes were pinned to him, he cringed. All Anjali saw was a bloody lion. What on earth would she think?

  But a heartbeat later, she pointed behind him and yelped, “Watch out!”

  He spun just in time to swipe at Brody. The wolf skittered toward the body of the plane, standing as awkwardly as a dog on ice. The tiger, on the other hand, prowled forward with a look of sheer glee.

  Oh, I’ll enjoy this, the bastard’s murderous eyes said.

  Dell let out a thunderous roar that echoed through the hangar. Nothing was getting past him to the tip of the wing where Anjali and Quinn stood.

  His mane was matted with blood, but he puffed it out and stood tall. Feeling tall and powerful in a way he’d never felt before. He’d fought in dozens of battles, both shifter and military, but there had always been the feeling of playing a game, even when death was a possible outcome. But now…

  He roared again. Never before had so much been at stake. His life didn’t matter, but Anjali’s and Quinn’s did. And if he faltered…

  He swiped his tail, daring the tiger to approach. He would not falter. He would not fail.

  The tiger showed its teeth and crept forward, studying Dell for weak spots.

  Dell nearly laughed. You won’t find one on the outside, buddy.

  His weak spot was his heart. Couldn’t the tiger see that?

  Brody came up behind the tiger, and they nodded to each other, sharing some secret plan. Then they both advanced, snarling.

  It had to be terrifying for Anjali, but all Dell sensed was that power. Some kind of energy he couldn’t place. Not the brute force of hate or vengeance. A softer kind of power. One more determined than anything he’d ever come across in his life.

  And then it hit him. That was the power of love.

  He grinned like a fool. Which was fitting, because he’d been wrong, thinking he understood love. Love wasn’t desire, and it wasn’t the bubbly energy of a short-term fling. Love was the deepest well, the fastest river, and the quietest stream — all in one. It wasn’t a yoke, nor a fence, nor a blindfold that made a man lose track of his dreams. Love was the broadest horizon he’d ever seen.

  The tiger grumbled, annoyed at Dell’s smile. A split second later, it sprang at him. Brody jumped forward too.

  Wait. Concentrate.

  Dell pushed everything out of his mind but the enemy and that twelve-foot width of plane wing he had to keep them from crossing at all costs. He bared his claws and teeth, parrying the tiger’s blows, driving the beast back. But just as Dell was about to go for the kill, the wolf jumped at his back and tore at his shoulder. Then the tiger rushed back in, driving him perilously close to the edge of the wing. All in all, a cowardly but effective tag-team fight that wore him down. And down…

  Anjali screamed, and a second later, Dell did too. The wolf had snuck past him and was barreling down on her. Dell turned to chase down the wolf, but the tiger sank its claws into his flanks, slowing him down.

  Dell roared desperately. No, no, no!

  Anjali’s eyes went wide, but she held her ground. She raised the wrench, looking like a furious mother. A vengeful friend. A lover resolved to fight to the death. Brody ran on,
jumping for her throat.

  Dell ripped away from the tiger, ignoring the agony of those claws raking through his flesh. But he was too late. The wolf was on top of Anjali—

  “No!” she screamed. Not a desperate no. A ferocious one that said, The buck stops here.

  She fell back as Brody tackled her, but the wrench found its mark. The wolf grunted and slumped to one side, stunned. Anjali rushed closer and bashed him again and again.

  Go, Anjali, Dell wanted to cheer as a wide-eyed Brody went over the side, plummeting to the ground. But he didn’t have time to cheer, because the tiger had launched his next attack. The beast pinned him down and tore at his throat, trying to work past Dell’s thick mane for a death hold. They rolled together, wrestling ever closer to Anjali and Quinn.

  Dell’s heart pounded. A little closer, and they’d push the women he loved right off the edge of the wing. But he couldn’t shake the tiger, not in the state he was in.

  His mind spun, looking for a solution other than rolling off the side of the wing. That would kill him, and while it would be worth it, he really preferred to live. To finally tell Anjali how he felt about her, and to hold Quinn. To watch her grow up. To…to…

  The tiger snarled, wrestling him closer to the edge. Giving him no choice.

  I love you, Anjali, Dell whispered, though all that came out was a garbled chuff. Then he flexed every muscle in his body and heaved sideways, taking the tiger with him. For the first part of the roll, his fur skidded over hard steel. Then—

  The tiger roared, taken by surprise.

  “No!” Anjali screamed as Dell and the tiger skidded off the last inch of wing.

  Then he was falling through empty air. Falling…

  No, his lion cried, not ready to die after all.

  Well, tough luck, he wanted to say in the agonizingly drawn-out seconds of that long drop to the cement floor. There was nothing but thin air between him and the ground.

  Nothing but a tiger between us and the ground, his lion corrected, lurching to the right. If he turned enough, he just might be able to use the tiger’s body as a landing pad.

  Then, wham! Dell came to a crushing halt. Every bone in his body screamed, and his teeth rattled. If it hadn’t been for Anjali calling his name, he might have blacked out. He might even have drifted over to death, because nothing seemed to matter any more. But Anjali kept calling his name, pulling him back. Pulling him off the dead body of the tiger…

  His thoughts caught there. Wait a second. How could that be?

  “Dell…” Anjali whispered, gently maneuvering him to the ground.

  He blinked. Was Anjali really at his side? The fog in his mind lifted a little. Maybe he hadn’t hit the ground outright. Maybe the tiger had cushioned his fall. Maybe…

  “Dell…”

  He could have lain there forever, but warm tears were splattering his cheeks. Anjali was crying, and that tore him apart, giving him just enough energy to shift back into human form and stir.

  “Quinn…” he whispered.

  Anjali stared, then nodded and ran off. Her steps sounded on the rolling stairway, one time when she ran up and a second time when she ran down. A moment later, Anjali reappeared with the baby carrier and guided his hand to the baby’s cheek.

  “See? She’s all right. I’m all right. So don’t you dare leave us. You hear me?”

  He frowned. Why would he leave them? Then a ripple of pain traveled through his body, making her meaning clear. Apparently, he’d drifted closer to death than he’d known. Maybe that dark shadow gnawing at the edge of his consciousness was more dangerous than it seemed.

  “Not going anywhere,” he mumbled, threading his fingers through hers — his human fingers, because he’d shifted back.

  That touch gave him the boost he needed to resist death’s last pull. And as the black cloud receded, he found himself focusing on the pearl hanging from Anjali’s neck. He reached up, touching it.

  “Whoa,” he croaked, pulling his hand back.

  Anjali gulped. “Whoa is right. Do you feel that?”

  He nodded slowly. Hell yes, he felt it.

  “A pearl of desire,” he whispered. What else could it be?

  “Pearl of what?” Before he could answer, Anjali shook her head. “Wait. I don’t care as long as you’re okay.”

  He stared at her. Anjali had witnessed him changing into a lion. The mane. The teeth. The tail. On top of that, he was a bruised, bloody mess, and naked, to boot. Was she really okay with all that?

  Apparently, she had read his mind, because she leaned in to kiss his forehead. “I don’t care about anything as long as you’re okay.”

  Relief flooded his body, and he closed his eyes.

  “But are you really okay?” she asked a moment later.

  “Told you,” he croaked. “Cats always land on their feet.”

  Anjali stared for a moment then gently pushed the hair out of his eyes. He braced himself for words of horror or surprise, but all she did was murmur two words.

  “Lucky thing.”

  Aside from the ache in every bone, he’d never felt better, luckier, or richer than just then. Anjali was there, Quinn was there. The enemy was gone.

  But a moment later, Anjali cried in fear and jumped to her feet. Dell tried rolling over to stand, but a thousand knives stabbed at his body, stopping him.

  “No!” Anjali grabbed for the wrench she’d dropped. “There’s another one.”

  A low bark sounded — one curt syllable followed by another, and Dell practically melted back to the ground. “It’s okay. That’s Chase.”

  Anjali’s jaw dropped. “Chase?”

  Footsteps sounded, along with a low whistle and a muttered, “Holy shit.”

  Dell waved weakly. “And that’s Connor.” In human form, luckily, because Dell was pretty sure Anjali had seen enough shifters for one day. She really didn’t need to see a dragon. Tim was there too, also in his human body.

  Finally, the cavalry had arrived.

  Chase ran forward, still in wolf form, and sniffed at their dead enemies. Anjali crouched beside Dell, still wielding the wrench.

  “Are you sure that’s Chase?” she whispered.

  Dell nodded, reaching for her hand. At the same time, he shot a thought into Chase’s mind. I appreciate the backup, man, but right now…

  Chase gave a low bark and backed away a few steps.

  “Everyone okay?” Connor asked, striding up.

  Dell managed a snort. “Apart from Brody and his men? Yeah. I guess we are. Right?” He squeezed Anjali’s hand.

  She gulped. “Apart from being a little confused, I guess.”

  A little confused? She really was amazing.

  “I swear I’ll explain,” Dell said, wishing he had the energy to hug her.

  Anjali pursed her lips, looking around. “Much later, I think.”

  Holy shit. Connor’s voice boomed into his mind. She fought off a tiger and two wolves…with that wrench?

  Dell grinned and grunted back. Well, I helped with the tiger. But, yeah. Watch out you don’t piss my woman off.

  Connor raised an eyebrow. Your woman?

  Yep. All mine. Don’t get any ideas.

  Connor snorted, and Tim spoke next. You mean yours, as in, yours? Seriously?

  Dell made a face. Of course, he meant it.

  My mate, he growled into their minds. My kid. And don’t even think about ribbing me about it.

  Tim broke into a huge grin. Oh, we’re going to have fun with this, all right. Just as soon as we get out of here. His face grew serious as he looked around.

  So far, they hadn’t been busted by security, but they had to get moving, fast. But Dell could barely move, for one thing, and Quinn kicked in the baby carrier, starting to fuss. Throughout the fight, she’d been quiet as if sensing the danger. Now that it was over, she started to cry.

  “Everything is okay, sweetie,” Anjali cooed, taking the baby into her arms.

  Still, the baby sobbed until An
jali brought her closer to Dell. “See? Dell is okay.”

  Dell forced his arms up to touch her. “Hey, there. How’s my girl?”

  Quinn cried so hard, she turned red, and even Connor shushed her. But nothing worked until Anjali placed Quinn gently on Dell’s chest and whispered, “He’s okay. Daddy is okay.”

  Dell hugged Quinn, and long after her cries faded away, his heart thumped wildly.

  “Daddy?” he whispered, looking at Anjali.

  She smiled and pointed to Quinn. “She sure seems to think so.”

  Connor opened his mouth, but Tim steered the dragon shifter away, giving Dell and Anjali space.

  “Destiny, man,” Dell heard Tim say. “You don’t mess with that.”

  Dell took a deep breath, focusing on Anjali. “And what do you think?”

  She pursed her lips then nodded, slowly forming a smile. “I think Quinn has good taste.”

  He chuckled, holding Quinn with one hand and reaching for Anjali with the other. “She does. I mean, about her mom.”

  Anjali’s eyes went misty. “Poor Lourdes.”

  Dell shook his head. There’d be a time to mourn Lourdes properly, but that wasn’t what he meant. “I mean her new mom. You.”

  Anjali’s beautiful black eyes went wide. “Me?”

  He nodded. “Quinn knows it. I know it. Like you said, she has good taste.”

  Anjali bit her lip, flushing. “So…if you’re her new dad, and I’m her mom… I guess we’ll have to work something out.”

  He broke into a huge grin. “Yeah, I guess we’ll have to. You think you can live with that?”

  Tears spilled down Anjali’s cheeks and, damn. He might have let one or two sneak out himself when Anjali leaned over to hug him and Quinn.

  “I can definitely live with that.”

  For the next few minutes, they held each other in the tightest three-way hug in history. Then Dell found himself laughing. Which hurt like hell, but he felt too good not to.

  “I think he’s lost it,” Connor muttered.

  Dell laughed harder. No, he hadn’t lost anything, thank goodness. He’d only gained. A mate. A daughter. A whole new life.

  A better life, his lion hummed.