Yet since Zackary had been bitten and they’d looked for help, finding Dark Shadow and River Run, her life had taken a hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. Because there was no one left to cook dinner for or call goodbye to as they left for work or school. The role she’d taken over disappeared when they went from having a home and a routine to living out of a motel and dealing with things like turning into a wolf and building cabins for them all to live in.
Her brother and father had seemed to thrive since arriving. Her dad pleased to be busy with work and her brother making new friends and learning the dynamics of his new life. She kept waiting for things to go back to normal, for her life to restart again, but as each day ticked on, Eva was beginning to think life had begun again for her family, only she wasn’t in it.
Realizing she’d zoned out, Eva concentrated on the two women and their discussion.
“I stuck up for you. Set Nic straight. Teaching is your job, therefore important,” Katalina said.
“Thanks. I swear sometimes I’d like to bat him over the head.” Olivia laughed.
“What do you teach?” Eva asked.
“Ballet. I run a studio in town.”
“Oh, wow, that must be cool.”
“I love it,” Olivia responded, a light in her eyes. “Dancing is freedom for me.”
“I like to run,” Eva added.
“You’ll be in good company here then,” Katalina said.
“I doubt I’ll be able to keep up with wolves,” Eva pointed out.
“Probably not, but we do run for pleasure and not speed, occasionally,” Katalina replied, smiling.
“Who’s got room for dessert?” Olivia asked, standing to collect the plates.
“Please tell me it’s chocolate something.” Katalina groaned, rubbing her tummy with a grin.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Of course, it’s chocolate something, I knew you were coming.”
Katalina leaned in close to Eva. “Liv’s the best cook in the pack, but we keep it a secret so we can enjoy her spoils all to ourselves.”
Eva found herself grinning. Katalina had a lightness to her, as if it would be impossible to be unhappy in her presence.
“Chocolate cheesecake,” Olivia announced, putting the dessert in the center of the table and handing out plates. “Nico informed me that if you eat it all, Kat, he’s going to kick your ass, Bass be damned.”
“Ha. I’d like to see him try. I need at least a quarter.”
“It will just go to my hips,” Eva added, “so I’ll have less than a quarter, please.”
Katalina looked her up and down. “There’s hardly anything on you. Eat up.”
As the night drew on, they moved to the sitting area, and the subject turned to Bass and Nico and their overprotective ways. Eva was happy listening to them talk, but as she did, it occurred to her that maybe John had been acting in similar ways with her.
“Can I ask you something?” Eva butted in.
“Of course,” Katalina responded.
“Is it just mates who get that way, or are all shifter men more protective in general compared to humans?”
Olivia and Katalina shared a glance. “What’s John doing?” Katalina asked, looking amused. To Eva’s relief, Olivia looked as confused as Eva felt.
“What do you know?” Olivia demanded.
Katalina seemed to force the smile from her face. “I’m Bass’s mate. He tells me things, but I can’t repeat it all. Otherwise, he’d have no one to confide in. So, Eva, what’s he done?”
“Nothing bad…. I don’t know. It’s the way he looks at me sometimes, like when that guy attacked, he looked crazed with worry, and he wouldn’t let me walk even though I was capable of doing so. I just kinda got the impression he needed me in his arms to know I was all right because he was shook up. But that’s stupid, right? Why would he be affected by me getting attacked? You guys deal with this stuff all the time.”
“Hmm, yes and no,” Olivia replied.
“That’s not all that helpful,” Eva pointed out.
“We’re naturally more touchy-feely,” Olivia explained. “Touch is in our animal’s nature, but what you’ve described doesn’t sound like everyday behavior.” She gazed at Katalina expectantly.
Katalina dropped her head into her hands and let out a heavy sigh. “Fine,” she mumbled through her fingers. “But what I’m about to tell you cannot leave this room, okay?”
The two other women nodded.
“John likes you, Eva. More than he does other females of the pack.”
“As in romantically?”
“Uh-huh” Katalina confirmed.
A shiver ran down Eva’s spine, and she couldn’t decide if it was from fear or anticipation. “I don’t really know what to say to that.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” Olivia reached forward and patted her knee. “Let the information sit with you for a while first.”
“John’s a good man, Eva. He’d never push anything on you. I’m only telling you because you deserve a little heads-up, and I want you to be clear when it comes to his actions,” Katalina explained.
“Okay, thanks.” Eva forced a smile onto her face, and as the night went on, the conversation led away from John and what his actions meant, but even as Eva discussed other things, Katalina’s revelation continued to churn over in the back of her mind and followed her into sleep.
John liked her. And for the life of her, Eva couldn’t understand why.
Chapter 4
Katalina
Katalina’s screams vibrated through the room as she shot upright in bed. Staring at the phantom blood coating her hands, Katalina’s heart banged against her chest as her nightmares chased her into reality. Arne’s whine cut through the lingering echoes of Castor’s laugh, and when her dog jumped onto her bed and licked her face, Katalina wrapped her arms around him and sank into the familiar heat of her beloved best friend.
“I’m okay, boy,” she whispered, her voice hoarse as Nico barreled into the room.
His gaze scanned every inch of the bedroom before relaxing a fraction. “I’m so sorry, Kat. I was asleep.” He ran his hand down his face. “Shit, I fell asleep.”
“Of course you fell asleep. You’ve been working double shifts. Go home, Nic. Cuddle Liv. I’m fine.” She glanced briefly at him but didn’t hold his gaze. If he saw the tears shimmering in her eyes, he’d never leave, and there was enough on her shoulders without the guilt of Nico’s lack of sleep.
His steps shuffled closer. “I’m not leaving, Katalina. You’re upset.”
Waving him off, she rubbed her head with Arne’s. “I’m not alone, and it was just a dream.”
His weight dipped the bed. Nico was one of the few she trusted to guard her while she slept. He would always be her friend before anything else, but sometimes it was hard having a friend who was also best friends with your mate and often reported all he saw.
“Kat, that wasn’t just a dream. It was a nightmare, and you’ve been having them more and more since Anna had her vision. Maybe it would help to talk to someone?”
“I’m fine,” she lied, still avoiding his gaze. Arne nudged her, whining as if he too knew she didn’t speak the truth.
Nico’s hand found hers. “You know if there was something you needed to say that you didn’t want Bass to know, I would keep it from him. You’re my friend before my alpha’s mate, Katalina,” he offered softly.
With a sigh, Katalina met Nico’s eyes. “He was your friend first, Nic.” And she didn’t want to come between that friendship.
“So.” He shrugged. “Talk to me, please. I won’t breathe a word. I promise.”
Studying his face, Katalina found her fears slipping from her tongue and the weight on her shoulders lifting a little. “I’m afraid, Nico,” she whispered, a tear sliding loose. “Castor’s coming for me, not this pack. And there are so many people connected to me…. It’s just….”
“A lot of pressure,” Nico finished. “No one is getting near you,
Kat.”
Shaking her head, Katalina smiled sadly. Didn’t he understand she feared for the people who stood between her and Castor? “I’m not afraid for me, Nic. Death’s no stranger to me. I’m afraid of what happens when I fall.”
Bass wouldn’t live in a world without her, and his death would devastate Nico, in turn affecting Olivia. They were a young pack with no one really ready to fill Bass’s shoes, and then there was River Run. Her father had survived the death of his mate, but would he withstand his daughter’s? Would River Run crumble without Jackson? There were so many lives interwoven and balancing on her shoulders. The enormity of it all was crippling her.
“Is that what Anna saw? Your death?”
“Not exactly, no…. I don’t want to burden you with this, Nico.”
“Hey.” He cupped her cheek and smiled. “We’re family. We shoulder things together, not alone.”
“And you promise not to tell Bass?”
“I promise whatever you say will not leave this room.”
Closing her eyes, Katalina recalled the words Anna had spoken and repeated them aloud. “Death comes. It beats its war drum, thirsty for blood. Yours will spill before this is done, crimson across the snow. For he fears you. He wants you, and when you fall, so shall those you love.”
Swallowing the bile that rose into her throat, Katalina focused on Nico. He tipped his head to the ceiling and closed his eyes as his breath left him in an audible rush. “Please tell me Anna saw when he comes for you and how to stop it,” he finally asked, meeting her gaze with shadows in his eyes.
“There’s snow on the ground. And as far as beating him, her only advice is to remember where I came from.”
“Don’t you just love cryptic bullshit from the heavens?” Nico muttered. “No wonder you’re having nightmares.”
“I’m not scared for me, Nico,” she said. He had to understand; she wasn’t afraid to face Castor, to stare death in the face. She was afraid to let everyone down, to be the catalyst for two packs’ deaths. “I don’t know how I became so integral to so many people. I’m not special. I’m just a wolf with a weak human heart.”
“Kat,” Nico replied firmly. “Your human heart is what links you to so many people. Who else could join so many people together? Before Bass met you, I worried I was losing him. He became harder and harder as the years went on, and the friend I loved was fading away, but you reminded him of what it was to live. You reminded us all that our humanity is just as important as the wildness of our wolves.”
“But how does that help me?” The question had bounced around in her head since Anna had foretold her future, and the only conclusion she’d come up with was the awful realization that she wouldn’t understand what Anna’s words meant until she was there on that snow-covered field with her blood raining down.
“I’m not sure.” He pulled at his hair, visibly frustrated, and Katalina wondered if she’d done the right thing telling him. “You’re not the most skilled fighter or had years of experience.”
“Jeez, thanks.” Katalina rolled her eyes.
“But… that has never stopped you from running into danger. Why is that?”
Katalina thought of every instant she’d leaped headfirst into a fight, even in the first weeks after learning she was a shifter. She’d been afraid, not knowing if she would make it out alive, but the alternative had been to stand back and watch those she cared about die.
“Because I fight for love.”
“Exactly. That’s what makes you strong, Katalina. That’s the reason why you’d never give up, even if it was a lost cause.”
“So, you’re saying I’ll find the strength to beat this when I need it?”
He hugged her. “Yes, and also, I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”
“Funny!” she replied sarcastically.
Pulling back, Nico flashed her his usual mischievous smile. “I’m not kidding.”
“I have round the clock guards as it is, and the only reason I’m allowing it is that I know what will happen if something happens to me.”
“Do you feel any better?” he asked gently.
“Yeah, a little. Thanks for listening.”
Nico eased back and rubbed Arne’s belly. “We’ll take care of her, hey, boy?” Arne’s reply was to roll further onto his back so that Nico could reach better. “That feels good, huh?” Nico laughed. “Bass is going to kill you when he gets home and finds you in his spot. Yes, he is. Yes, he is.”
“Enough baby talk.” Katalina chuckled.
Standing, Nico studied her. “Shall I go find Bass for you?”
“No.” Katalina shook her head. “The pack’s more important than me.”
“I never want to hear that out of your mouth again,” Bass answered sternly, entering the room. “Sloppy work, you two. You never even sensed me coming, did you?”
“Sure I did,” Nico mumbled. “She had another nightmare.”
“I’d guessed as much,” Bass said as he studied Katalina intently. “I wish you’d stop trying to block your emotions from me.”
Shrugging, she explained, “No point in both of us suffering.”
Both Nico and Bass shared a glance and rolled their eyes. “I’ve got it from here, Nic. Go home to your mate. Sleep. You look like crap.” He glared at Arne. “Down, you’re in my spot.”
“Back at you, brother, only so much worse,” Nico replied, laughing when Arne didn’t budge. “Who’d have thought the big mighty alpha wouldn’t be able to control a dog.”
Katalina giggled as Nico danced out of Bass’s reach and left their bedroom. “Getting slow in your old age, pal. Twenty, and you can’t keep up.”
Bass’s answering smile held the promise of pain. “Tomorrow, I’m going to make you regret those words, Nic, but right now, I’m too tired to be bothered.”
“You mean Kat would kill us,” Nico called as he headed down their stairs.
Chuckling, Bass stripped off his T-shirt and unbuckled his jeans. “Yeah, and that. Night, Nico.”
“Goodnight, guys.” The front door opened and closed, and then Katalina and Bass were left alone in their newly built house.
They’d moved in a week ago, the last of Dark Shadow to move into a new home. The place was pretty much empty apart from a bed and a lonely looking sofa; they’d find time to shop for furniture when war wasn’t knocking on their door. For now, Katalina and Bass were just pleased to have a place to call their own, but most importantly, a place which would always be open to their friends and family—their pack.
“Down you get, Arne,” Katalina instructed, pointing to the floor. The dog obeyed instantly, causing Bass’s eyes to narrow.
“I swear he ignores me on purpose,” Bass muttered, checking his phone before placing it on their bedside table.
“Maybe, or maybe I’m his alpha, not you.” She smirked.
Lips thinning, Bass glared at the dog once more before returning his attention to Katalina. “I missed you,” he breathed as he slipped into bed and wrapped himself around her.
“Me too.”
“Are you tired?” he asked, nuzzling at her neck and kissing along the curve of her shoulder.
“Yes, but I won’t sleep.”
Katalina moaned, the feel of Bass above her chasing away any remnants of the fear she’d woken with, and as they became one, connecting in a way only two mates could, Katalina knew that no matter her fate, she’d fight to the bitter end.
For Bass and both the packs they loved.
Chapter 5
John
After knocking on Eva’s bedroom door, coffee ready for her in one hand, John waited for her reply. When she didn’t answer, he took a deep breath and realized the scent he’d picked up was fainter than it would be if she was in her room.
Opening the door, he peered inside as he sensed movement behind him.
“I thought we had a deal that you wouldn’t go in there,” Eva said as he backed out of the doorway, eyeing her guiltily.
�
��I was bringing you a coffee, and I did knock first. Besides, I knew you weren’t in there. Your scent wasn’t strong enough.”
Her hazel eyes narrowed and her arms crossed. “Then why walk into the room?”
She had a point. He had no excuse other than his wolf wanted his scent in her space. She might be in his cabin, but he hadn’t lived here long enough for his smell to be embedded in the spare bedroom. Not that he’d be telling her that.
“I was just double-checking.” He shrugged. “I made you a coffee.” He held the mug up, a hopeful smile pulling up the corner of his lips.
“Thanks,” she answered before walking further into the room.
“You’re limping.” A thread of anger surged through him, his wolf bucking at the reins; his mate was hurt, and he wanted nothing more than to go to her and offer comfort. Of course, for that to happen, he’d have to tell her she was his and hope she wouldn’t run as fast as possible in the other direction. Until John was sure that wasn’t going to happen, he’d be keeping the mate word to himself.
Eva waved him off. “Yeah… I’m used to jogging on roads, and my leg was already sore from yesterday, so I’m feeling it now.”
“Then why were you running in the first place?” he asked roughly. It took him a beat to swallow his agitation. Clearly, my mate is going to push boundaries and not look after herself.
“Because it’s what I do,” she answered, either not picking up on his mood or ignoring it. She headed toward the fridge, limping past him, and pulled out a bottle of water. “When I don’t sleep, I run. It’s better than going stir crazy.”
“Why can’t you sleep, Eva?” he asked gently, daring to take a step toward her. He itched to pull her into his arms and erase the shadows in her eyes.
She studied him, seemingly lost in thought. “I need to have a shower,” she answered finally. “Thanks for the coffee.” Her fingers brushed his as she wrapped her hands over the mug and took it from him. Sensation shot up his arm; he never realized it was possible to feel so much from a simple brush of skin.
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