by Morgan Fox
He roared, his fists and claws coming down across her face and chest. She bucked her hips, sending him flying over her head. She scurried away, feeling the fatigue of blood loss. Her vision blurry, she watched as the darkening shadow approached her. Fearing this was the end, she slid her hand into her jacket. Quickly, she pulled out her Beretta from its holster, aimed, and fired.
Unable to see past her nose, she prayed she’d landed a perfect shot. If not, she was most likely never going to wake up.
Chapter 10
Dread consumed Brody as he cleaned Bianca’s wounds. He wasn’t exactly thrilled that he and Ryder sat back in the shadows, while she singlehandedly fought the vampires. True, she held her own, but she didn’t have to. They were there to protect her. At least Brody was.
Bianca groaned, the supernatural mending of her body taking over. Finally. But the process was taking forever. Her torn and bruised body was soaked with sweat. A blinding fever burned her alive.
Samuel, the one she’d put a bullet in, had ripped a whole in her neck and shoulder, a deep and violent wound. Brody was grateful that Samuel had not been one of the infected vampires. The idea of watching her suffer and die from a virus she was desperate to put an end to did not seem right, and it left a bitter taste at the back of his throat.
Bianca was a fighter, a strong-willed woman he cherished more than anything else in the world, and he knew she would survive. She had to.
Brody’s gut knotted, thinking back on what Bianca had done for him. Rescuing him out of Lilly’s lair proved she cared for him. She hadn’t left him behind, and he wasn’t about to leave her.
Stupidly, Brody had let his pride interfere with his heart. Guilt ridden, he never knew what she was doing, manipulating her way into the vampire queen’s network. Technically, Bianca hadn’t given him any clue to her plan or that a piece of her was trapped in the past.
As her lover, I should’ve known…
As Brody wiped away the blood from her face and neck, he remembered back to a time when he used to sneak into the training area. Bianca was the strongest female warrior of their pack, and that was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
He dreamed of loving a woman who wasn’t afraid of anything. Brody hadn’t had the interest in fighting himself, but he did train. Being raised with Bryce, his twin had left him less than convinced it was a lifestyle he wanted for himself. Bryce was the warrior, a vengeful and devious spirit, while Brody was the charmer, the one with higher intelligence and a need to feel life, not end it.
Studying Bianca’s movements in training was like watching a bird fly or a dancer dance. She was amazing, full of grace and beauty, her efforts so natural. She made Brody want to be like Bryce. After watching the way she trained and responded to Ryder, he figured he didn’t stand a chance with a woman like Bianca unless he was just as aggressive and deadly as the two of them.
However, the fates had other plans, and the night that Ryder had accidently stabbed Bianca during training exercise had been the moment he’d been waiting for. Bianca had no one else to count on, and being the only one around was the only way he was ever going to be in her life. Giving up the life he had with the pack was easy, considering he got Bianca out of the deal.
Regret filled his belly. He knew that if Bianca had remained with the pack, she never would’ve given him a second look. Ryder would’ve been her lover and they would’ve ruled the pack as a mated pair, the way Brody imagined it should’ve been all along.
Separated from the pack, Bianca had fallen in love with Brody. She’d trusted him and had given him her heart and body. He would always cherish her as any mate would. Even now, knowing that Ryder was her one true mate, Brody couldn’t let go. Bianca had infected his heart and there was no cure. She was the one for him, and strangely, he’d always believed it so.
After Bianca had killed the vampires, Ryder had quickly disappeared to dispose of their bodies, while Brody aided Bianca. Hiking deeper into the woods, Brody had found a stream he could use to clean her wounds. He gently stripped off her boots and jeans, hidden weapons and holsters, as well as her jacket and T-shirt, but respectfully left on her bra and panties. He needed to clean her up, but he didn’t want things to be awkward should she wake up and find him cleansing her body. Being this close to her and not kissing and caressing her, as he would’ve done before any of this mess started, was practically killing him.
Her sweet scent penetrated his senses and left him craving her like a man starved. He had been without her for so long, his heart ached.
Brody had taken some towels and blankets from the cabin before abandoning it. They couldn’t risk being discovered so quickly after Lilly had made contact with them. Once Bianca was awake, they would discuss their next move, but right now all Brody cared about was the woman lying beside him.
Bianca’s wounds had closed up and were no longer bleeding. Her healing powers were taking over, and he was thankful for her strength. He didn’t want to image a world without her in it. Perhaps that was why he could never do more than get drunk at the bar nearby.
Brody would’ve fallen over the edge if Bianca really was working with Lilly. His only peace would’ve been for her to kill him because he never would’ve been able to kill her.
“Brody?” Bianca’s voice was raspy as she called out to him.
“I’m here. Don’t move yet. You’re still healing.”
“What happened?”
“You were bitten,”
“Did I kill Samuel?”
“Yes, you shot him in the head.” He cleared his throat. “Ryder removed it the rest of the way.”
She fought to sit up, but Brody held her down. “Where is Ryder?”
Brody tried not to be affected by her need to know where her mate was. His tongue danced behind his teeth. “He’s disposing of the bodies and making it appear is if your cabin had been ransacked.”
Moaning, Bianca’s hand came up to her head, her middle finger and thumb pressing against her temples as her hand blocked her face from his view. “My poor cabin,” she muttered.
A sharp sting gripped his heart as he heard the forlornness in her words. “How come we never came up here? I would’ve loved spending time with you here. It’s beautiful.”
Bianca met his gaze. “This was the first place I came to after I left the pack, when I was still so unsure of who I could trust.” She licked her lips and shrugged. “I guess I liked the idea of having something that belonged to only me, a place I could feel safe and secure if I had to be on my own again.” A single tear slid from the corner of her eyes. “That’s all changed now, though. Lilly’s fucked everything up.”
“Actually, it all started with the council,” he reminded her. “But I can’t be too angry with them since it gave me a chance to be with you.” He tenderly brushed his knuckles over her cheek.
“Brody?” Bianca breathed.
He leaned closer, inches separating them. “Don’t say anything, Bianca. I know you can’t stop how you feel for Ryder, and I’m not asking you to. But I am asking you to decide which one of us you really want. I’ve loved you even without some fucking bond telling me to.” His fingers gently glided over her smooth skin. “I was a shit to hate you. I was an idiot to think you would hurt me. I know what I saw in your eyes each time we made love, and I know you still love me even now.”
“Brody,” she gasped, her jaw quivering. “I—”
He shook his head. “Don’t tell me anything I don’t want to hear, Bianca. Don’t tell me you don’t love me. Don’t tell me you can’t be with me. I know you do love me, and I know you do want me.” He inhaled the sweet scent of her body, her skin so warm against his.
Slowly, he positioned himself between her legs, sliding up to rest his elbows beside her face. She didn’t resist him, her misty eyes staring at him. He could feel her heart beating wildly against his.
“I want you. I won’t deny how I feel,” Brody said, his heart racing. “I know you want me, too. I can feel how much.” He p
ressed his cock against her core, and a fluttering gasp fled from her lips.
“Brody, I never said I didn’t,” she confessed.
He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but the words were lost as he claimed her mouth in a scorching kiss. He thrust his tongue between her lips, dueling and rolling with hers. This kiss was so hot and hungry, he thought he would die. Her nails pressed into the flesh of his bare back. He’d been so concerned about her not being naked in front of him that he hadn’t even considered his own nudity. Her legs came up, her ankles locking around his waist as he bucked. He pressed his erection against the spot he knew would be wet and ready for him.
The feel of her body cradling against him was mind-blowing. This was what he missed so much about her. The passion that sparked between them was unbelievable. How could a woman respond with such longing if she wasn’t in love?
She rocked her hips, rubbing herself over his cock. He groaned as the need for pleasure exploded within him. His desire for her was climbing uncontrollably with each flick of her tongue over his. She nibbled his lips, sucking them into her mouth. He returned the favor, loving her mouth as he wanted to do with the rest of her body.
He broke the kiss as all the air was removed from his lungs. He nipped at her jaw, kissing a trail down her throat, licking the thundering pulse in her neck, grateful she was healing more quickly. Her fingers kneaded the flesh of his back and shoulders, and he continued to kiss his way down her body. He shoved the bra up over her breasts and circled his tongue over her hardened nipples, licking and sucking each one until she was breathless and panting within his arms. He traced her belly button, branding hot kisses to her stomach before dipping down between her spread thighs.
“Your scent is maddening,” he rasped, sliding her panties to the side and sliding his tongue between the damp folds. “Your taste is unforgettable.”
She writhed beneath him as he grazed her clit. Tasting her had never been so right, so perfect. He was standing on the edge, preparing to fly off, and he didn’t care if it was Heaven or hell that greeted him. He never wanted this moment to end. Feeling her, tasting her, loving her was all that mattered.
“Yes,” she cried, her hips thrusting upward.
“Will you come for me?” he asked, slipping his finger into her wet hole.
“Yes,” she cried again, bucking her hips and riding his finger as his mouth devoured her. “Close…so damn close.”
Brody inserted a second finger and clamped down on her clit with gentle, but determined suction. Her body began to spasm, and he could taste her release. She cried out, riding the waves of pleasure he gave her. She clutched at his head, her nails biting into his scalp as she pulled at his hair.
“More. I want more,” she said breathlessly.
Brody grinned, licking the wetness from his lips. Slowly he crawled up her body and shoved her panties aside the rest of the way. She cupped his face, staring at him, waiting for the moment that he would be deep inside her. His cock probed at her entrance and he knew he was only moments away from heavenly bliss.
Just before he sank into the depths of her body, he felt a jolt of ferocious power crawl over the skin of his back and neck. He didn’t need to turn around to know that Ryder loomed in the shadows of the night, watching them. Horrified realization filled Bianca’s gaze as she sensed him, too.
“Don’t stop on my account,” Ryder said gruffly. “I need a good reason to kill you, and fucking my mate should be enough to justify it.”
As Brody moved off Bianca, he shielded her body from Ryder as best he could. He wasn’t sure why he was so eager to protect her from him since Ryder wasn’t threatening her. He was the one Ryder wanted slaughtered and castrated.
Bianca adjusted her bra and panties and stood, moving toward Ryder. “Please don’t hurt him,” she begged, her hand outstretched in front of him.
Brody could feel Ryder’s gaze bore down on him as Bianca stepped closer. He could sense her fear.
Brody stood, staring at Ryder’s looming silhouette. “I’m not going to apologize for being in love with a woman that was mine first.”
“You think that gives you the right now to be with her?” Ryder’s voice didn’t sound like his. It was strained and clipped.
“I think it gives Bianca the right to decide which one of us she truly wants.” Brody cleared his throat. “A mating bond doesn’t mean shit to me.”
“Maybe that’s because no one would mate with you,” Ryder said, snarling. He closed the distance between them in seconds.
Bianca rushed to stand between them. Ryder’s eyes devoured her, seething hate pouring from his gaze. “Move.” The thunderous growl rolled from his throat.
Bianca shook her head. “I can’t let you hurt him. I’m the one you should be angry with. Not him.”
“Move,” Ryder said, his voice deepening.
“No,” she replied, her body shivering.
Ryder’s gaze locked onto hers, and Brody was sure he saw a flicker of true pain fill his wild eyes. Brody didn’t know what he was supposed to do. If he and Ryder fought, it would hurt Bianca. If he and Ryder couldn’t work together, it would hurt Bianca. If they killed each other, it would hurt Bianca. There was no option that didn’t involve hurting her.
“Ryder, think about what you’re doing?” Brody said softly. “Don’t do something we might all regret.”
Ryder’s gaze snapped to his. “And trying to fuck my mate wasn’t something that you might regret?”
Brody stiffened his spine. “I’m not sorry I did it. I’d do it again and again. I love her and she belongs with me.”
“She belongs to me,” Ryder corrected. “My mate. Not yours.”
“My heart. My lover,” Brody countered.
Bianca gasped, her shoulders rising up and down with her deep breaths. “Don’t I get a say in this?” she whispered. “Does how I feel matter to either one of you?”
Ryder and Brody both stared at her and then slowly took a step a back, giving Bianca room to move and breathe. She had been wedged between them so close that Ryder’s breath had been hot on his skin. The pulse of Ryder’s energy had felt electrifying and deadly. The man was massive, and as tough as Brody considered himself, he wasn’t sure how well he would do fighting the giant. Then again, his plan had never been to battle against Ryder, it had been to remind Bianca what they once had together and ultimately she would chose him. But watching her emotionally unravel had him wondering if he’d put too much faith in love.
* * * *
Ryder took another step back and stared at Bianca and Brody. They still shared something that Ryder wasn’t sure he would ever have with her. History. At least the kind of history that was forged by love.
His throat constricted as he considered the darker thoughts racing through his mind. Instinct was a bitch, and it was royally fucking with him. Had he not felt so compelled to be with Bianca and protect her as any mate would, he’d leave her ass to the vampires. She and Brody could live happily ever after running for their lives.
But he couldn’t abandon her. She was now as important to him as the air that filled his lungs. Ryder was lost to a woman that was torn by a primal bond and heartfelt devotion. In her shoes, he didn’t know what he would do. His hybrid instincts screamed for what belonged to him by right, but his heart was not so easily persuaded.
Another step back.
Unsure of his own feelings, he thought it best to leave things as they were. He couldn’t speak to either of them for fear his hybrid nature would win over his self-control. He’d kill Brody if he lingered for a second longer. His beasts were hungry for revenge. Hearing Bianca’s cries of passion had rattled him like nothing ever had. How he was able to contain himself, stop the need to rip Brody limb from limb, must have everything to do with the fact the he knew Bianca would never want a mate who could so easily destroy something or someone she loved.
The shadows of the night swallowed him as he continued to move in the direction of his motorcycle. He wou
ld run through the wilds of the night to clear his head. He would keep the needed distance between them. It was the only way to keep Brody alive.
Bianca never called out to him as he transformed into his panther and raced over the mountainside. But he could still hear her soft sobs. Her pain could be felt as if it were his own, something he was starting to truly dislike.
After all, it wasn’t his fault that she hadn’t told him about her relationship with Brody before he claimed her. Had he known, he would’ve resisted the urge to mate with her. Nothing softened a man’s cock faster than hearing she loved and desired another. Especially a man she was practically already mated to.
Ryder was no fool. Brody might not have marked her as his, experienced the instinctual mating bond with Bianca, but he was her mate by means of true love. And Ryder knew that there was no way to separate them. If he tried, he’d lose Bianca forever.
Ryder reached the parking lot and grabbed his clothes from Brody’s truck. Dressing quickly, he headed over to his motorcycle. A strange sensation had him reaching for his cell phone in his saddle bag just as it began to ring.
Glancing at the caller ID, he smiled just a little. “Are you tracking me down now?”
“Ryder, are you okay?” Tiffany’s sweet voice had him wishing he was.
“Not really, but I’ll live.”
“Has anyone called you? Sebastian has Dominic and Ryken heading your way. Your time is up with Bianca.”
You have no idea how true that is.
His gut had told him that it wouldn’t be long for Sebastian to decide that Ryder wasn’t cut out for killing her. He had hoped for a little more time. He was lucky to have gotten as much as he had.
