by Lisa Kessler
He turned off the water and ripped the hand towel from the rod. “We all have in self-defense.” He narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t bite Kaya, and I don’t know who did. You should let this go.”
He was probably right. I should drop it. But since Kaya told me about her ex being killed, I couldn’t stop wondering which wolf might’ve done it. Did they bite the wrong human first and couldn’t risk him living? He would’ve been a werewolf, too, and he was not part of the mission.
The other option was someone in my pack lost control of the wolf. Dangerous.
Either way, I needed to find out. “Caldwell was hellbent on growing the numbers of this pack quickly. Did he ever send you out to bite humans during the full moon?”
“No.” Cole reached for the door. “Let this go.”
I picked up my blood-stained shirt and tugged it over my head, wincing at the pull on the fresh sutures. Now I was curious.
Wasn’t that what killed the cat? I smirked. Yeah, I fucking dared it to try.
When I came out of the bathroom, Cole was chatting with Asher. He glared at me before clasping our Alpha’s forearm. “I’ll do some poking around to see if I can find any information on Deidra Harlow.”
“Thanks, Cole. Call me in the morning.” Asher released him and came toward me. “Want some help with Trager?”
His question knocked me back into a reality I didn’t want to face yet. Asher was being a smart leader, but I didn’t want to deal with it.
So I scanned the room. “Where’s Kaya?”
“With Naomi and the kids.” Asher kept his voice down, but the little shifters could probably hear every word. “Gage took Hawk and Henry home, and Kaya’s helping Naomi get ours calmed down for bed.”
I stared down the other hallway. This wasn’t the first time the boys had been locked in the safe room, and most likely, it wouldn’t be the last, either. They weren’t even four years old yet. They had to be scared.
Asher cleared his throat. “I could call Shane and have him come over to help. You can go home and rest your shoulder.”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to a leader who cared about the welfare of others. He was giving me an out. But Trager had died trying to help me. I wasn’t going to run away from what that help had cost him.
“My shoulder’s fine,” I said. “I can take care of it.”
Asher shook his head. “Not alone. I’m coming with you.”
I nodded, unable to find words. And I didn’t need any. Asher followed me out to the car and waited while I popped the trunk. He bent down and lifted the body up over his shoulder before I could protest.
“I’ve got him.” He stepped back. “You can bring the gas can.”
Asher started around the back of the house while I trailed behind him with the fuel. My mind whirled, wishing for anything to distract me from the scent of death.
“Do you know who bit you?” I asked.
Asher shifted the weight on his shoulder ahead of me. “Bo. Why?”
Bo and his twin brother, Blake, had been Caldwell’s main enforcers. It made sense he’d send his most loyal and lethal duo to do his dirty work.
“Just curious.” We walked a couple of yards in silence before I asked, “Did he bite Kaya, too?”
Asher froze and slowly turned to face me. “She told you about Chet?”
“Was that his name?” I shrugged. “She said the wolf mauled him to death. I’m just wondering if that wolf is still in our pack.”
“Nothing good can come from picking at this. Why does it matter now?”
I frowned. “It matters because if we’ve got a rabid wolf in this pack, we need to deal with it. It’s bad enough there were wolves so eager to follow Caldwell that they’d bite humans and turn them into shifters, but we may have one that killed a person. Don’t you think that’s worth investigating?”
Asher sighed and started walking toward the pyre again. “We’d be better off finding out more about Deidra Harlow than dusting off ancient history.” He kept up his pace. “Did Kaya ask you to find out who it was?”
“No.” But why hadn’t she? I hustled to walk beside him. “And that’s curious, too. Wouldn’t she want to know who killed her boyfriend?”
Just saying the word boyfriend conjured up an image of another man rolling under the covers with her. Jealousy boiled under my skin, foreign and definitely unwelcome.
“Maybe she wants to leave it in the past,” Asher said as we made our way over the rise. The pyre waited in the valley on the other side.
I helped Asher lay Trager’s lifeless form on the stack of wood pallets, doing my best to keep my emotional shields in place. This was just a body now. A stranger.
I stared up at the stars. “I’m going to find out who did it.”
Asher straightened to his full height. “Our pack is finally unified. Don’t start pulling at threads that could unravel everything.”
“What if we’ve got a feral wolf in our pack? Shouldn’t we know?”
He rubbed his hand down his face and reached for the gas can. “I think we all assume it was Bo or Blake, and they’re both dead now. Why dig this all up again?”
“Because every bad thing that happened to Kaya was my fault.” I cursed under my breath as the scent of gasoline assaulted me. “I’m trying to right those wrongs. Finding out what happened that night would be a step in the right direction. Why am I the only one willing to look?” I focused up on the stars while he poured gas all over the body. “What if Bo and Blake weren’t the only wolves assigned to bite humans?”
Asher set the can aside. “The born wolves all admitted to looking the other way while Caldwell added bitten wolves to his pack, but they weren’t out biting people.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Are you saying you are?” Asher narrowed his gaze on me. “If you know something, you should tell me.”
I looked back toward the lights from the ranch house in the distance. “I know Jett left Nero with some new abilities that he doesn’t like to discuss. I want to talk to him.”
“Kaya has shifted with Jett before. She’d recognize his wolf.”
“Maybe.” I watched Asher light the pyre and waited for him to focus on me again. “Jett’s not like the rest of your Pack. Not anymore. What if he…made her forget?”
We stared at each other in silence as the fire snapped to life between us. I didn’t know how much Asher knew about Jett’s experience at Nero. Hell, I didn’t know the half of it. Unlike my brother’s experience with the Timberwolves and Evolution Defense, Jett and his twin brother had been part of a different experiment at Nero. The military knew they were shifters, and Nero promised they could make them even more valuable.
In the end, Jett lost his twin brother and the rest of his unit to massive brain bleeds, and rumors swirled about the experiments and enhancements the scientists had been trying. Psychic enhancements.
And now another government contractor was after Kaya. I couldn’t think about what they might do to her if they had the chance.
Asher came around the fire and stopped beside me. “You think Jett is capable of that?”
“I know Nero was working on enhancing psychic abilities to make their super soldiers even more powerful. As far as I know, no one survived. Except Jett. Don’t you think we should know what he can do?”
We stared at the fire as the smoke billowed up to the stars. Asher glanced my way. “What do you want from me?”
“You’re my Alpha now. I’m not going to risk stirring things up in the pack without your knowledge.”
He raised a brow. “But you’re going to stir the fuck out of them anyway, right?”
“Probably.” I chuckled. “Yeah.”
He nudged my shoulder. “Don’t you think you’ve been shot enough this week?”
“Doubt he’d shoot me.” I smirked. “Much more satisfying to kick my ass hand to hand.”
“What are you hoping to gain by talking to him?” Asher asked without looking at me. �
��We need Jett more than he needs us.”
“He’s a strong fighter, you’re right.” I nodded slowly. “But we’ve got to know what he can do. Maybe what he’s already done.”
“I don’t want to lose either one of you, so whatever comes of this, I expect you both to work it out.”
“I’ll do my best.” But I wouldn’t be going to meet with Jett alone. I needed a wingman, someone who could relate to my packmate’s torture. Asher wouldn’t like it, but I was going to reach out to Micah. Evolution Defense had mutated my half brother’s to include some of a werewolf’s DNA, and it had changed him in ways he’d never imagined.
So what had Nero done to Jett?
I was sure as hell going to find out.
CHAPTER 18
Kaya
“See you later,” Cole called out. The front door closed behind him.
I’d been helping Naomi get the little guys to bed. We glanced at each other and shared a look. It seemed strange that he hadn’t at least stuck his head into the room to assure me Vance would be all right. Wasn’t that some kind of doctor rule? Apparently not.
We tiptoed out of the bedroom, and Naomi closed the door. She pressed her lips together, holding her breath. Silence. Our mission was accomplished. Still, we didn’t risk speaking until we got back into the kitchen.
Naomi grabbed a glass from the cupboard. “I need some water. Do you want anything to drink?”
“After tonight, I need something stronger than water.” I gave a half-hearted laugh, shaking my head. “I know it’s silly, but I still keep expecting life to level out. I forget we’re werewolves, and we’re always going to have someone after us.”
“I’ve been thinking… Maybe we should postpone the wedding.” Naomi took a sip of her water, but it didn’t smooth out the catch in her voice. “We could get married after the election. As long as Brad Newport doesn’t win, we’ll be safer.”
“No.” I crossed over to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “That’s exactly why we shouldn’t postpone it.”
She frowned. “Really?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, eager to erase the sadness in her eyes. “If we pause our lives and let them control us, they win. And besides, there’s never going to be a perfect time. We’ve only been werewolves for a few years, and it’s a dangerous life, but I’m starting to believe I wouldn’t change it. Until I was bitten, I was a loner even when I didn’t want to be. I couldn’t tell anyone I could shift into a lynx, but now I have a family and friends who really know me. I can be myself without worrying. This pack is a gift.”
Naomi gave me a tight hug. Her eyes shone with tears as she stepped back. “I feel the same way. Being bitten wasn’t my choice, but if it had never happened, I wouldn’t have my boys or Asher. You and I may have never met.” She glanced down the hallway. “But being locked in the safe room reminds me the danger is real. What if we have everyone here for the wedding and the jaguars show up? Or Brad Newport, or god only knows who else?”
“If we’re all here together, they don’t stand a chance. They wouldn’t dare face our whole pack at once.” I bumped her with my hip. “Come on, Naomi. We need some happy memories. Let us celebrate you and Asher. Let’s gather everyone for love instead of a crisis.”
She smiled, swiping at a stray tear. “When you say it like that, how could we not go through with it?”
“All part of my plan.” I winked. “Besides, imagine how cute all the little cubs will look in their tiny tuxedos.”
“True.” She took another drink. “So will you and Vance be attending as a couple or just friends?”
It all seemed so new, almost surreal that Vance and I might show up at an event as a couple. Would we? I wasn’t sure yet. My wolf growled, apparently completely certain.
I cleared my throat. “Well…I told him about the mate thing so…maybe?”
“You told him?” Her eyes widened. “How did he take it?” She grabbed my hand and practically dragged me over to sit at the table. “Tell me everything.”
I chuckled and gave a shrug. “There’s not much to tell. We’ve barely had a chance to talk about it. But he didn’t run out screaming so I’m thinking that’s a good sign.”
Naomi smirked. “Please. You guys were locked in the bathroom for a long time. He must’ve said something.”
“He said I made him believe he could have a new life and be more than what Nero made him.” My heart warmed recalling his honest words. “He told me I gave him a reason to live.”
Naomi smiled, taking my hand. “Sounds like love to me.”
“Neither one of us said that.” I rolled my eyes. “But we care about each other.” I lowered my voice. “And there’s definitely chemistry. It’s just hard to tell how much is me and how much is my wolf.”
Her eyes sparked with mischief. “Did you…?”
“Have sex?” I nodded slowly. “Oh yeah.” She raised a brow, and I chuckled, shaking my head. “Not in the bathroom! Back at my place last night. God, it feels like that was a million years ago.”
“We all need some sleep. The days are blurring together.” She rested back in her chair and waggled her eyebrows. “So spill.”
I couldn’t hold back a smile. “By far the best I’ve ever had.”
Before I could elaborate, Vance and Asher came into the kitchen, dragging the stench of the fire with them. Both their faces were lined with soot, and the weight of the night hung on their shoulders.
Naomi got up and went to Asher, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Welcome back.”
Vance and I stared at each other like awkward teens at a school dance.
“Are the boys asleep?” Asher asked.
“Yeah.” Naomi glanced my way. “You guys can lock up, right?”
I nodded, patting my pocket. “I’ve got my keys.”
“Night.” Asher’s gaze shifted to Vance. “We’ll talk in the morning. No more lone missions. I need you alive.”
Vance chuckled, his eyes meeting mine for a second, before he focused on Asher again. “I plan to keep living, mate. No worries.”
“Good.” Asher draped his arm around Naomi’s shoulders. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Night,” I answered. When they disappeared down the hallway, I stood and cleared my throat. “How’s your shoulder?”
Vance shrugged with his good one. “Not too bad.” He held out his hand. “Can’t say the same for the rest of me.”
Sadness and regret shone in his eyes, and the fact he allowed me to see his grief, that he was sharing his struggle with me, meant everything.
I went to him, and took his hand. “I’m sorry about Trager.”
“Me too.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed my hair. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Come home with me, kitten. I need you.”
My pulse raced. In the three years I’d known him, I’d never been to his place. I looked up into his eyes. “I need you, too.”
He bent closer, kissing my lips slow and tender, melting me from the inside out. When he straightened up, he searched my face. “I want to be worthy enough to be your mate.”
My lips curved slightly. “You already are.”
“Not yet.” He led me toward the door. “But I will be.”
“This better not involve you sneaking out to kill Duane.” I was half teasing, but still.
“Nah.” He shook his head. “Truth is, I just want to make you happy, to kiss that dimple on your right cheek and know I made you smile.” Heat flushed my face as he did just that. He rested his forehead on mine. “I’ve never been in a real relationship before, but I want one with you.”
“I want that, too.” My knees were wobbly, but he slid his arm around my waist, steadying me.
“Hope you’ll be patient with me.”
“You’re totally worth the wait.” Tonight, I’d almost lost him forever to a bullet, confessed that the wolf had claimed him as our mate, and now, I realized that through all this chaos, I’d forgiven him.
I ent
ered the code to arm the ranch’s security system and smiled up at him. “Let’s get out of here.”
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. Vance’s condo managed to blend the Red Rocks of Sedona with the desert from his home on the other side of the world. Earth tones covered the walls, accenting the adobe tile floor. A boomerang hung on the wall next to a lighted corner hutch that displayed a few Katsina dolls from the Hopi mesas. The living room opened to a kitchen with granite countertops and sand-colored walls and cabinets.
Until now, I’d always imagined him in a cold, black-and-white contemporary-style home. Emotionless, like an assassin-for-hire. But this definitely seemed more like a sanctuary, an oasis in the darkness.
Abigail raced into the room, her butt waggling in spite of her lack of a tail. She jumped up on me, placing her front feet on my thigh as I scratched behind her ears and bent over to kiss her square head. “I missed you, too.”
Vance chuckled, crossing his arms. “Oh, I see how it is.”
As if she understood his every word, Abby raced over to him, jumping and whining and licking every inch of his exposed flesh. Hearing him laugh made my heart flip.
“That’s my girl. Sorry I’m so late.” He rubbed under her chin and peered up at me. “I’m going to walk her really quick. Don’t go anywhere.”
The spark in his gaze had heat pooling low in my belly. “Not a chance.”
His sexy smile spoke volumes as he grabbed the leash off the counter and hooked it on her collar. He kissed my cheek on the way out. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“I think I’m going to get…comfortable.”
God, I was rusty at flirting.
He brought his free hand up, his fingers sliding through my hair as he claimed my lips. When he straightened up, desire burned in his eyes. “Be right back.”
I watched them go and then jogged up the stairs to explore. The second story had a tiny laundry closet on the landing, a linen cupboard, and the master bedroom. I stepped into the bedroom and chuckled at the huge dog bed on the floor. It was at least four times bigger than Abby. Next to it was a king-sized bed covered in a black comforter. I wandered farther inside and peeked into his walk-in closet. One side had a dresser and a rack of shirts, and on the other side was…an arsenal.
