Ceva's Chance

by Lilli Carlisle

  The King had been delighted about her mating and planned a reception as soon as she and Lothar cleared up this mess. Helena had cried in happiness when Ceva told her and Alpha Aldric of their mating. Of course, Helena had to point out that not all people were like Haroon, and Ceva was finally beginning to feel as if her goddaughter might be right.

  “Hey, beautiful, where’d you go there?” Lothar asked as he caressed her face. “You seemed a million miles away.”

  “I could never be that far away from you, Wolfie. But I was thinking about how you, Helena, and Karli might be right when you said more people would accept me than would turn their backs on me.”

  “I know I’m right.” He leaned down for a quick kiss.

  “Don’t push it,” Ceva warned, but her smile gave her away. “Are you okay to go on with your training, or would you like to take a break?”

  “I think we need to have a break together. Perhaps a long soak in the tub.”

  “I like the way your mind works, Wolfie. But we need to make sure you’re ready for the battles to come.”

  “Spoilsport.” He laughed. “Okay, so what’s next, beautiful?”

  “Next we take a little trip. You’ll need to know how to travel between dimensions or around the block.”

  “Between dimensions?” For the first time he looked apprehensive.

  “Well, you know I didn’t get Helena’s unicorn from here, right?” He shrugged. “There are no unicorns in this realm, Wolfie. We have to go elsewhere for the magical stuff. Now concentrate. I’m going to put an image in your head and I want you to take us there.”

  “Take us there, how?”

  She could feel his uncertainty and disbelief pouring through their bond. “It’s okay. I’ll be here to make sure we don’t end up in the bowels of Hades.”

  “Hades?”

  “That’s for another day,” she deadpanned, and he looked at her as if he was trying to decide whether she was joking or not. She wasn’t. “Now I’ll give you the image of where we want to go. You need to concentrate on the image and pull us to it.”

  “It’s that easy.”

  “It’s that easy when you concentrate on the image.”

  “Ready?”

  “Ummm, sure?”

  The image appeared in Lothar’s mind vivid and clear. It was so real he felt like he was there already. He concentrated on the green grass and lavender sky with white clouds. The forests looked lush and green; a place he’d love to let his wolf run free. He opened his eyes—he hadn’t even realized he’d closed them—and the forest was before him.

  “Shit. I did it!”

  “Yes you did, Wolfie.” She clapped from behind him.

  “What is this place?”

  “It’s called Pharis. It’s a dimension next to ours. This is where the orphaned unicorns came from.”

  Suddenly he heard a rumbling, and instinctively he pushed Ceva behind him in a protective stance.

  “They’re not going to hurt us. They’ve come to greet us.” She patted his shoulder.

  He turned in the direction of the noise to see a rainbow of movement headed straight at them. It was a herd of unicorns of various sizes and colors, moving like a flock of birds, but weaving their way on the ground. It was mesmerizing, completely mesmerizing, like watching colorful waves on the ocean. As a group, they slowed as they neared until they were approaching at a slow walk.

  Lothar and Ceva were surrounded by some of the cutest beings he’d ever seen, exactly like Helena’s unicorn, Matilda. Suddenly his mind was filled with conversations and voices. He turned to Ceva, his mind screaming in pain.

  “I hear voices,” Lothar growled in pain.

  Suddenly the voices were gone and he was left with blessed silence. He shook his head a few times and looked at Ceva, who was right by his side. “What was that?”

  “I’m so sorry. I’m used to their talking to me all at once and being able to pick up on various conversations.”

  “That was them talking to me?”

  “Yes, but I blocked it as soon as I realized you were in pain. They didn’t mean to hurt you. They were just excited to see another person. It’s usually just me who visits.”

  “Wow, I can understand animals now. That’s amazing.”

  “I’m going to let one voice in at a time so that you can get used to it, okay?”

  “Sounds good. We’ll work our way up slowly.”

  In the next moment he heard a small voice in his head, and for some unknown reason, he knew the voice was from the small yellow unicorn in front of him. Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Lothar.

  “Well hello, what’s your name?”

  And with that, one by one, he carried on conversations, never once realizing he was talking to multiple unicorns in his mind without any further pain. He was enjoying himself when he caught the scent of something foul coming from the east. Ceva went on guard and the unicorns became restless.

  “I sense something coming this way. What is it?”

  Before Ceva could answer, a large, black, hairy creature broke through the woods and charged directly at the nearest unicorn. Ceva threw up a shield, stopping the beast in its tracks.

  “This is one of the beasts that preys on the unicorns.”

  “This dimension is so beautiful. How do they fit in here?”

  “They don’t. A dark witch brought them here a long time ago, and although I hunt as many as I can, I never seem to affect their numbers. They are responsible for the orphaned or killed unicorns in this dimension. I need you to use your powers to destroy it while I hold the shields.”

  Lothar felt unsure. He’d rather shift and fight the beast. He was good at that. But he had to learn how to use his powers to protect others. He gathered storm clouds and began the chant that came to him without him trying to summon it—sacred knowledge Ceva had shared with him through her bite. The beast was beating at Ceva’s shield, saliva and blood dripping from its two rows of fangs. Its single-mindedness to rip and tear apart the unicorns was disgusting.

  Lothar felt the electrical energy gathering in the sky as he molded the storm to his bidding. The crackle of lightning stood ready at his fingertips, and with one final look at the frightened animals, he let the lightning fly. He missed by a good two feet. It hadn’t even fazed the beast as it clawed at the shield. Lothar concentrated on the exact spot he wanted his next strike to land and again, he let the lightning fly. He hit the beast dead center, and it fell to the ground in a smoking pile. Lothar had done it. He’d used his new power to protect the herd.

  “Extraordinary. You got him in two strikes. Do you know how hard that is?” Ceva hugged him as she released the shield. “I’m so proud of you.” She stood back. “Unfortunately, we have no time to gush. We need to get back to the team before they send out a search party.”

  “Agreed. Will the herd be okay?”

  “There are no further beasts in the area, so yes, they are safe.”

  Thank you… the unicorns kept chanting over and over again in his mind as they rubbed up against him in happiness.

  “We have to go, my beauties, but we’ll be back soon to visit,” Ceva said and took Lothar’s hand, leading him out of the group. “Now I need you to picture our bedroom and take us there.”

  He thought of their temporary bedroom, the soft bed and the large en suite tub calling to his primal side. He wanted his mate in the tub naked, so he pulled on that image and opened his eyes. He found himself and Ceva fully clothed in their empty bathtub.

  “Have something specific on your mind, Wolfie?” She laughed and began unbuttoning her shirt.

  This was going better than expected as he jumped out of the tub and began stripping out of his clothes. Within moments, he was naked and climbing back in with an equally naked Ceva. He pushed the plug down and started the warm water. Thanks to a phenomenal water heating system, the water came out at the right temperature. Lothar held her body to him and flipped them so Ceva was now lying on top of him.

&nbs
p; “What do you want, Wolfie?”

  “You.” He felt his canines lengthening for his mate.

  “I’m all yours for eternity.”

  “Thank the gods for that,” he growled, his wolf close to the surface.

  He cradled her body close as his hands explored her curves. The water was about halfway up the side of the tub, almost completely covering Lothar in its warm embrace. He began cupping the water and pouring it over Ceva’s beautiful body. Goose bumps covered her skin and her nipples were hard. He lifted her up slightly and sucked one pink nipple into his mouth, teasing it until she squirmed on top of him.

  He released the one nipple and laved his way to the second, giving it the same attention. The water had filled the tub, and he reached to turn off the taps. Ceva took the opportunity to grasp his cock and begin pumping it. Pleasure raced through his body and settled in his aching balls. He closed his eyes and thrust himself in and out of her warm, wet grip. He snaked his hand down to her heat to search out that amazing little bundle of nerves that would light her up and make her moan.

  Within moments, Ceva was moaning and whimpering in need. He loved those sounds; he would do anything to hear her in the throes of passion. He could feel she was close, and he desperately wanted to push her over into orgasm. He scooted her up his body, sucked one of her nipples back in his mouth, and teased it mercilessly while rubbing her clit. Her moans became cries as she fell over into her first orgasm of the evening.

  Lothar intended to get at least one if not two more out of her before he was done.

  He lifted her hips, lined up his cock, and entered her in one long slide, her muscles squeezing and rippling around every inch until he was buried deep inside his mate. He nibbled over her jaw and down her neck, then took her lips in deep, drugged kisses. When they separated, he saw Ceva’s gaze smolder as she flexed her hips up and down, taking her pleasure from him and driving him closer to his.

  “Lothar, gods, please make me come again,” she begged.

  He held her hips and drew out slowly before slamming back in. He grunted and growled as he pushed his hips forward and his cock went deeper. He pumped in and out with newfound speed until her walls clamped down and she screamed out his name. He managed two more strokes before fire raced down his spine, through his balls, out his cock, and into his mate.

  She collapsed down on top of him, gasping for air as she shook. He held her close, safe in his arms. The place she belonged.

  They were four days into Lothar’s lessons when it was time to go meet up with King Leonidas’s troops south of her parents’ estate. It would take three days to get to the rendezvous point, and that meant fighting their way through any ogres they came across. Ceva knew Lothar needed more training, but that would have to be on the fly because the day of her parents’ reckoning was fast approaching.

  The team had risen early and had a farewell breakfast with the Alpha and his Omega that had been so hospitable to them. Ceva couldn’t help but notice Dedric looking longingly at the couple. She knew he’d almost given up on ever finding his Omega. She sent up a prayer to the gods that he’d find a wonderful Omega who didn’t care about the size of his pack.

  When they were leaving, the Alpha’s mate pulled Ceva to the side and whispered five little words. “Your prayers will be answered.” She was a seer, given glimpses of the future. Dedric would have his Omega if he lived through the next few days. Hell, if any of them survived.

  They’d been on the road only six hours when they came upon another silent and dead town. This one was supposed to have a pack of over two hundred wolves. The more she thought about the missing people, the more she was certain their disappearance had something to do with the misshaped ogres. But there was something she was missing. Why did they need all those people? What exactly were they doing with or to them?

  “Do you want to stop and check?” Lothar asked.

  “We should. There might be someone left behind like Karli had been. We’ll sweep through quickly so we make it to the troops on time.”

  Empty windows watched them as they drove by. Ceva tried to sense anything, but again this town was empty. Not a sign of life anywhere.

  “Anything?” Lothar asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Damn, this has to end.”

  “I intend to ensure this will be over very soon.”

  Shortly she would have to kill her own parents. And unlike her assassinating her brother, a heavy dose of guilt shrouded her about having to do this. True, her parents were evil, horrid, and callous, not to mention they were involved in both the ogre outbreak and the missing shifters. But…they’d given her life. Why they hadn’t ended her right after she was born was still a mystery. Since they’d given her away, they’d had no problem attacking her when the chance arose, which was odd considering they could have ended her life at any time after she was born.

  The team came to the end of the town without sensing a soul. Ceva always held out hope, it was in her nature, but with every deserted town they went through her hopes faded.

  “There’s no one here. There all gone,” she stated flatly.

  Lothar reached over and took her hand in his, clearly sensing her sorrow. It only strengthened her conviction that they were on the right path. The killing had to end. At the town’s limits, Ceva swore she’d find out who was responsible. Although her parents may have the ogres under their control, the rest of what was happening was bigger than them alone. There had to be more dark wizards and witches behind this than her own family.

  The countryside was empty. There should be people working in the fields, traffic on the roads, kids playing in the long grass. The sun shined the same as yesterday and would rise again tomorrow, but how many people would be left to see it? Families, children, the elderly, all taken out of the safety of their towns and thrown away like the bodies the team had found on the road days ago.

  Who could deem life so insignificant as to toss it away so easily? She knew her parents hated wolf shifters, but the extent of the damage far exceeded their abilities. A chat with good old Mom and Dad was long overdue. And once Ceva got what she needed, she would behead them before they killed her.

  Everyone was silent in the truck; each team member had to be working through what lay ahead. They all knew they could be riding to their own deaths, but none turned away. They faced their possible demise head on. She was proud of her team, even though one of its members still didn’t trust her. Haroon’s decision to suffer in silence after almost losing his head to Lothar was an improvement.

  Lothar broke the silence. “We’ll stop soon and camp out tonight.”

  Ceva nodded. She could use time outdoors in the silence of the night. She wondered if Lothar had sensed her need through their bond or whether it was a lucky accident. Either way, she needed to lie under the stars with her mate. Every time she thought about or said the word mate, she was still in a little bit of awe. She’d never thought she’d have a mate, let alone children and a home, but now she had what she’d dreamt of, and it was divine.

  Now she just needed to make sure her wolf didn’t end up killed. Not for the first time she felt regret about biting him without his permission. Now if she were to die, Lothar would soon follow. Mated pairs involving a witch came with that clause, but then again, once mated, neither would wish to go on without the other.

  They drove for another hour before pulling up to a small clearing. The team began to unload a cooler of food and camping equipment they’d picked up in the last town they’d driven through. Karli and Rowl were already working on the food and the rest of the team was setting up the tents. The forest was alive with twilight noises; cicadas, owls, crickets, and frogs from the nearby pond all sang in a natural harmony that soothed Ceva’s soul. The shadows became less defined as the sun went down, filling the sky with red and golds.

  The smell of steak cooking over an open fire brought her back to the present. She grabbed her sleeping bag and opened it to sit on beside the fire. As soon as
she was seated, Lothar was at her side.

  “Are you okay, beautiful?”

  “I’m trying to reconcile myself with what has to be done.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to go through all this.”

  “There’s no way around it. They chose their path, and I choose mine. There’s nothing more to be done. Time will tell which of us walk away.”

  “Well, now you have me and my powers to back you up.” That was one of the amazing aspects of her mate; strong and powerful as he was, he didn’t have to always be in the lead. When it came to her parents, he knew this was her fight.

  Ceva leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her, immediately filling her with comfort. She never knew until now just how much a mate brought into a person’s life. Lothar was the other half of her soul.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, love. Now I’ll grab us something to eat before it is scarfed down by our pack of wolves.” He smiled. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood and she loved him for it.

  The team could shift and hunt down their own food, but out of respect for her they stayed in their human forms, which she appreciated. She and Lothar ate in silence, both caught up in their own thoughts.

  “Want to go flying?” he asked. He knew flying always calmed her, and he was giving her the option to take a few moments for herself.

  “I think I will. I shouldn’t be gone long.” She kissed him softly, then extended her wings, and took to the sky.

  The night air was calm and warm. She rode the air currents, gliding peacefully through the star-filled sky. Just when she thought she was alone, another pair of wings darkened the sky above her. At first she thought it was a hawk joining her in flight, but the wingspan surpassed her own.

  That’s when she knew she was in trouble.