by Morgan Fox
Chapter 2
Ryder clenched his hands into tight fists as he shoved against the council chamber doors. All eyes shifted in his direction at the thunderous boom the heavy wood made as it connected with the wall behind it.
Instantly, the members of his pack rose to their feet, obviously startled by his presence. Several werepanther guards rushed toward him. Smirking, Ryder lifted his hand, his index finger pointed upward, and he slowly waved from side to side.
“I wouldn’t, if you value your life,” Ryder warned.
The brawny guardsmen halted their advancement, eyeing him intently, their hands resting on their weapons.
Ryder scanned the heavily populated room, his gaze locking on his father. Gritting his teeth, he narrowed his eyes on him. He inhaled deeply, filling his chest with air as deep-seated anger rose inside him.
“Care to share why Bianca Jacobs is alive and well?” Ryder asked, a low growl rolling from his chest. “Care to explain why you robbed me of my mate?”
“She’s not your mate,” Ryder’s father countered. “And if she has contacted you…” His voice trailed off, leaving Ryder arching his brow, curious to discover what his father left unsaid.
Ryder met the timid gazes of several councilmen before returning his attention back to his father. “Are you threatening my mate, Father?” His father said nothing. Ryder’s jaw tensed, his anger boiling. “Why was it again that she was removed?”
Ryder’s father lowered his gaze to glance at the man beside him. Their eyes revealed more than he bet they’d intended. Ryder moved closer to his father, clearing the room as if he had the plague. He would’ve laughed at the fear he saw in their eyes, if he wasn’t so furious.
Ryder’s gaze settled on the council leader to his father’s left. “You were the one,” he muttered coldly.
“Son?” Joe O’Laughlin called to Ryder, reaching out to touch his arm.
Ryder glanced down to see his father’s hand gently placed on his shoulder. Immediately his father pulled his hand away. Ryder looked up, meeting his gaze.
“Father,” he growled. “If he robbed me of my mate then I have every reason to confront him.” Ryder looked to his mother, who stood a few feet behind his father, quietly lingering in the shadows. “Imagine a world where mom was stolen from you.” His gaze shifted back to his father. “What lengths would you go to seek justice?”
His father frowned, a vein bulging at his temples. Slowly, he eased back a few steps, giving Ryder room to advance toward Warren, the council leader.
Warren Higgins was at least twenty years older than Ryder and nowhere near the same size. Ryder was one of the largest in his pack. At six foot six and two hundred and forty pounds, he was considered a monster among men. His body, of both wolf and panther, warred for dominance, making him the most lethal of hybrids.
Ryder leaned against the table and folded his arms across his chest. His body vibrated with the pulsing of his fevered blood through his veins. His muscles tensed and released as he studied Warren. So much anger and confusion ripped through his thoughts.
Ryder’s voice dipped low and menacing as he said, “Now might be a good time to adjourn your meeting.”
Warren glared at Ryder, but then swallowed hard and turned to face the council members. “Let’s pick this up tomorrow, “he announced, lowering the gavel down onto the table.
Slowly the members exited, all taking one last glance back at Ryder. Their whispers filled the air. As his mother moved to exit the room, Ryder snapped his fingers and drew her gaze toward him. “You stay,” he said sharply.
His father moved to interject, but Ryder’s fierce growl silenced him. “Don’t even think of questioning me, Father. She stays, as do you, and Warren.” Ryder rose to his full height, making him several inches taller than everyone else. “No one leaves this room until I have all the answer I require.”
“What is it that you want?” Warren bit out.
Ryder gripped him by his shirt with a speed Warren never saw coming. “I would lose the tone, Mr. Council Leader, or you’ll find yourself permanently removed from your position…and your head.”
“Ryder, please,” his mother begged, her delicate fingers sliding over his forearm as he held Warren up so high his tiptoes were all that touched the ground.
Ryder clenched his jaw, feeling the rush of his mother’s calm flood his veins. She had a way of making him see through red, of taking a moment to regroup before he did something he was sure to regret. She was the only woman who could ever do that for him, until he’d met Tiffany Miles. Her fey powers had given him another purpose in life. He was her guardian and would do anything to keep her safe. Having a level head was a requirement, unfortunately.
He eased Warren down and stepped back, but not too far. “So it’s true. You sent Bianca away after realizing that she was my mate?”
Ryder’s mother, Helen, turned toward Warren and when he didn’t answer she faced Ryder. “Your father and I were told that you were chosen for a special purpose. We didn’t know exactly what, but we understood it to be crucial to the security of our people.” She licked her lips, a nervous flutter in her voice. “I didn’t know what happened with Bianca. At the time I wasn’t privy to all the details. But after watching the two of you during your training match on your twentieth birthday, we knew she belonged to you. It was so obvious to us. The way you moved together, the way she followed you…the longing in her eyes.” Helen hung her head. “The council approached us later that night and said you had to be separated, and that it was unsafe for us all if you mated.”
Ryder’s brow furrowed. “What did they do to her?” he asked, balling his hands into fists.
His mother’s eyes watered. “They banished her. They were told that Bianca had stolen from the council and that she had shamed her family.” Helen’s jaw quivered, her head shaking. “I didn’t know they were going to do that to her, honestly. I thought they’d move you into different training groups, keep you so busy you’d never see each other.” She reached out to touch Ryder’s face, but he pulled back, his heart twisting at the deception of his own parents. “They were gone before the rise of the sun the following day.”
Ryder’s mouth went dry, sand lining his throat. Every nerve inside him rattled and shook. He closed his eyes as the memory of that day surfaced as if it had just happened. Bianca’s golden eyes danced with excitement as they fought. She could flash a wicked smile and best him at any time. He’d been so enamored by her. The way she touched him, eyed him with a desire he was too naive to notice until now. Bianca had wanted him, but he’d been so caught up in his training that he hadn’t figured it out and before he could, she’d been torn from his life.
Ryder sat down, falling into the seat as if for the first time experiencing defeat. He swallowed the regret that ate away at his gut. “She tried to tell me,” he muttered. “She was in my arms and I let her go.”
Helen dropped down beside him, her eyes red from tears. “I’m so sorry. I never should’ve let them do this to you.”
He stroked his mother’s cheek, brushing away the droplets of tears. Ryder knew first hand that had his mother argued with the councils decisions they would’ve beaten and branded her. Ryder’s father would’ve most likely been the one to do it.
Fucking bastards…
“I don’t blame you, mother,” he whispered. He stood, pulling his mother up as he did. “This was father’s doing. He had the power to intercede on the council’s decisions, but he didn’t.” Ryder glared at Joe. “It was all a power play to keep our family elevated among the pack. The biggest and most powerful hybrid son belonged to him as did the most beautiful wife.” Ryder held his mother’s gaze, stroking a gentle hand up and down her arms. “We were just pawns to him, Mom. I don’t know how you stayed with him for as long as you have.” He kissed her cheek and stalked toward the door to leave.
“Where are you going?” Joe snapped.
Ryder inclined his head to glance back at his father. “I�
�m going to find my mate, and you better hope I do before Sebastian McCarthy finds her, because if anything happens to her, I’ll be coming for the both of you.” Ryder pointed a determined finger at his father and Warren.
The life Ryder had known for nearly forty years was not the life he was supposed to have. He should’ve had a mate, a family. But instead he’d become what his father and council had wanted him to become. Once he found Bianca, he would figure out what he was supposed to do next. Killing her was not the first thing on his list and he prayed that since she’d told him the truth about her banishment, that there was truth to her union with Lilly. He truly hoped that was the case. Destroying his mate would kill him for sure.
* * * *
Lilly tapped her long black claws on the armrest of the chair, her lean legs kicked out in front of her. She closed her eyes and made the lights flash on and off and the music grow louder from the radio, and for amusement she held three vampire concubines in the air, dangling them like apples on a tree.
She giggled wickedly as they jerked and bobbed with the slightest wave of her hand. The magic she’d stolen from Brie had given her the added edge she needed. Nothing would stop her now.
“Where is Bianca?” Lilly asked, scowling at the vampire in front of her.
The vampire lord Gregory rose from his kneeling position to meet her gaze, his long blond hair hanging down over his shoulders. “She vanished, my queen.”
“Bullshit,” Lilly shouted, waving her hand and dropping the three vampires to the ground with a solid thud. “Ryder must have her.” She snarled, her fangs biting into her bottom lip. “Where is he?”
Gregory shook his head. “We’ve been unable to find him, my queen.”
Lilly reached out her hand and closed it into a fist, her power swirling around the room. She drew her hand closer to her, and as she did, Gregory was uprooted from the ground and deposited at her feet. He gazed up at her, surprise and fear gleaming from his red eyes.
“You don’t seem to know much, Gregory. Tell me again why I should spare your life.” She reached down and gripped his throat, effortlessly bringing him up to his knees.
Lilly might’ve only been five feet tall, but her power was massive. She squeezed, but just before she knew she’d snap his neck, she released him, tossing him back onto the ground. She turned toward her chair and sat back down.
Lilly glanced down at her nails as if inspecting them for chipped paint. “What are you going to do to redeem yourself, Gregory?”
He stood, rubbing his neck. He met her gaze. “I will bring Bianca home, my queen.”
Lilly clapped her hands together, excitedly. “Good boy,” she said, snickering. “While you’re at it, bring me Ryder and that prisoner,” she clicked her fingers, trying to remember his name, “Brody.” She smiled. “I want to see him again. I’m thinking we might need to make a few new hybrids for our cause.”
Gregory nodded and bowed. “Yes, my queen.”
Lilly leaned forward in her chair, her eyes darting to the three naked vampires on the ground, their bodies bloodied from the fall, an unattractive look. She enjoyed her pets, but wanted them primed and ready. She had needs, and the only blood she wanted to see was the kind that she drank from her wineglass not on the chamber floor.
“Gregory,” she called out before he exited. “Be a dear and bring me three new vampires to play with.” She waved her hand in the direction of the ones she no longer desired. “These seem to need a break.” Just as the words moved from her lips, their necks snapped and their bodies lay limp on the floor. “And please send in someone to clean up this mess. I really hate it when my room is dirty.”
Gregory’s jaw flexed as his eyes moved over the vampires and returned to meet her gaze. “Yes, my queen.”
She waved her hand to dismiss him. She missed Bianca more than she realized. She missed Mason Levi even more. Her lover had been taken from her, but as her power grew, she hoped he wouldn’t be gone much longer. Mason still came to her in her dreams, telling her what a wonderful job she was doing, encouraging her to continue. She wanted him back, but she needed a little more time. Brie McCarthy would help her.
Giggling, Lilly muttered, “She already is.”
Bianca had proved to be the perfect partner and she needed the kind of loyalty Bianca offered. However, the mating bond between Ryder and Bianca had proved troublesome. The energy in the air when they stood together in the field had been electric, breathtaking.
Under Mason’s advisement, Lilly had made every effort to recruit Ryder. But when all attempts failed, Mason had informed her of a woman from Ryder’s past that was banished. Mason’s theory had been solid, and when Bianca came to her and confirmed the story, Lilly knew she could use that against the mated pair. Ryder would never be able to resist his mate. Not for long, at least.
Once Bianca was able to use her womanly charms to trap him, trick him into being with her, Lilly planned a special surprise. Ryder was to be the vessel for Mason’s return and once that was completed, Bianca would be sacrificed as food for her lover’s first feast.
The door to Lilly’s chamber opened, and three gorgeous vampires entered the room. One of the vampires had midnight-black hair, the other golden blond, and the third had red hair. Their nudity revealed how toned and muscular they were, their bodies already hard and eager to please their queen.
Lilly bit her bottom lip, eyeing her new lovers with heated interest. Her tastes ran wild as of late. Her sexual appetite was ferocious and her needs more prevalent than ever.
Rising, she disrobed and gestured for them to follow her to the bed. Soon she would have Mason returned to her arms, but until then she would enjoy the pleasures of her little vampires.
Positioning herself at the center of the bed, she pointed to the one who most resembled Ryder. Spreading her legs, she didn’t need to tell her eager vampire what she desired. Closing her eyes, she pictured Ryder, feasting on her body, licking and sucking her clit.
“Soon,” she cried. “I’ll have you soon!”
Chapter 3
Sebastian’s heart lodged in his throat as he crashed through the front door of McCarthy Ranch, his body covered in sweat. The whimpering cries could be heard as far out as the cattle in the fields. He felt her need and had been knocked down by its debilitating power.
“Brie,” he shouted, calling out to her, knowing she needed him.
Before he even found her lying on the floor, he sensed a shift in her energy, could feel its menacing grip taking hold of her, slipping away like her breath. He rushed toward Brie, falling to the ground. He collected her into his arm, pulling her off of the floor. Her body trembled and was damp with perspiration. He brushed his hand over her forehead and cheek, horrified to discover her body was being ravaged by fever.
Immediately, he picked her up and took her into the shower. Turning on the ice-cold water, he held her close, letting the water cascade down their bodies. Brie’s trembling grew more erratic, her eyes rolling back in her head.
“Oh, baby,” Sebastian muttered, as his emotions lodged in his throat. “What’s wrong, honey? Tell me what’s happening.” His muscles tensed and fear overwhelmed him. The unthinkable crossed his mind, sending his wolf into a howling frenzy.
Jonah entered the bathroom, his body slamming against the door. “What’s wrong with her?” he questioned, his eyes wide with concern.
Sebastian shook his head. “I don’t know. Find Dr. Shaw.” Jonah vanished from sight.
“Hold on, baby. You’re going to be okay,” he whispered, sinking down onto the floor, his back pressed against the wall of the shower. Slowly he undressed her, leaving on her bra and panties. She nuzzled against his chest, and suddenly Sebastian felt weak. His strength was fading. He inhaled a deep cleansing breath, trying to clear his head, but a wave of dizziness forced him to close his eyes.
“Sebastian,” Brie whispered against the skin of his neck.
“Oh, thank God,” he muttered, his voice breathy and low.
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br /> He couldn’t keep his eyes open. Suddenly, he felt Brie shift her weight off of him and quickly push away. The strange feeling of weakness still lingered, but began to subside. He released a breath of air, fighting his way back from the brink of unconsciousness. The echo of his wolf howling was a fierce alarm clock.
Opening his eyes, he met Brie’s blue gaze. A warm smile played at his lips. “Hi there,” he breathed.
“Baby, I’m so sorry,” she muttered, tears streaming from her eyes.
He gently reached out and brushed his thumb over her cheek, wiping away the fallen tears. “You did what you had to do.”
“I could’ve killed you.”
She placed her hand over her mouth and shook her head, her eyes screaming just how horrified she was. Sebastian leaned forward, pulling her against him.
“Don’t,” she cried. “I could hurt you again.”
His lips touched the sweet skin of her cheek. “Never. You took only what you needed.” He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly. “You would never hurt me…or Jonah…or Kayla.”
She wrapped her arms around him, her body shaking as hard, rocking sobs erupted from within her. “What’s happening to me?”
He kissed her hair and pressed his cheek to the top of her head. “I don’t know, baby. But we’re going to find out.”
Dr. Megan Shaw charged into the bathroom, dropping to her knees beside the shower. Instantly, she put her hands on Brie’s face, checking her eyes and vitals. Jonah hovered in the doorway behind her. Megan reached up and turned the shower off.
“Let’s get you two out of here and into some dry clothes,” Megan said, stepping aside to allow Jonah to wrap a towel around Brie and lift her from the shower floor.
Once Jonah had her in his arms, he took her into their master suite and gently deposited her on the bed. Sebastian followed closely, his body still slightly weakened from the energy Brie had taken from him. Brie had the ability to heal others, and now he knew she could do it for herself as well.
