by J. C RIMELL
The sound of the second explosion yanked Cade out of the mind numbing feeling. The wave of sorrow had washed over him the moment his grandmother told him the Overseer was gone. He knew it was his responsibility now to keep this colony and all the families safe. But the weight of that obligation was suddenly so heavy and so unfamiliar it almost knocked him on his ass.
“Cade?”
“Cade?”
“Huh?” He raised his head to see Kit staring back at him wide-eyed with worry. Placing her palms on his cheeks so he couldn't look away, he felt her love and strength filter through their mating bond. Reassuring him. Telling him to get his ass into gear and stop pussy-footing-around, now wasn't the time for that.
“You can do this,” she said, her eyes misting up. “Go and stop these rogues who are creating terror for our people and threatening their way of life.”
He nodded. “I love you,” he whispered before kissing her urgently. “Stay here and keep the maternal's and children safe, okay?”
“Okay,” her eyes held him in their quiet despair. “Make sure you come back to me, Cade Grayson.”
He ran the pad of his thumb along her jawline. “Always.”
Spinning on his heel, he ran through the building and out into the carnage. The whole colony was surrounded by flames. Soldiers were running around frantically trying their hardest to douse the fires. Looking around at the disarray, Cade saw Oben and Theron through the thick plumes of smoke. In Theron's arms was the slack, broken, and bloodied body of the Overseer.
Cade couldn't morn now. No matter that his heart was bleeding at the sight of his dead grandfather. There would be time for that later. Running past them he shouted, “Open the gates!” and shifted. He caught Oben's shift in his periphery and felt the youngster's presence at his flank as they dashed through the opening.
Together they ran the perimeter, slowing down as they reached the eastern side of the buildings; the only part not to have taken a hit. Oben followed Cade's lead as they edged around a blind corner of the property.
The rogue soldier already had the C-4 in place.
Shit.
His shift was quick and alerted the rogue to their presence. The youngster stumbled backward dropping the detonator as Cade lunged at him. The rogue crashed to the ground but quickly scrambled to his knees and tried to locate the detonator.
“Looking for this?” Cade said, palming the device. The rogue was young, his body shaking with what Cade could sense was more fear than adrenaline. “Where's your alpha?”
The youngster's eyes skipped between him and Oben, before he tried to make a run for it. Oben shot after him and Cade removed the C-4 and detonator cord with careful fingers. It was only a matter of minutes before Oben returned with his muzzle bloody. He shifted and crouched down as two other wolves came up alongside him.
“Nice of you to show up,” Cade said to his pack mates.
Ryker nipped at the air in response and jogged forward. Yeah, better late than never. I'll go with Gunner and check around for any more explosives.
Cade nodded in agreement to the mental message. “Oben, you're with me.”
Back in their wolf forms, it wasn't long before the two of them came across three more rogues who fancied their chances. They were young, but well built, and Cade knew just how dangerous and unpredictable a youngster could be.
He lunged for the biggest of the three who met his challenge head on. Cade sank his teeth into the rogues shoulder, his fangs punctured the flesh and hit bone. The rogue snarled and locked its jaw around Cade's front leg. Ripping the flesh from the rogues shoulder, he tossed it to the ground and took another bite into the rogues neck. Locking on, he set his jaw. Two could play at that game.
He tasted the rogues blood as it began to pump into his mouth, but the youngster refused to let go. Cade could see Oben fighting with the other two. One had him by the flank while Oben had the other by the throat. Cade bit down even harder, the blood gushing over his tongue, hot and metallic. He heard the snap of his bone, felt the sudden blaze of heat and pain shoot through his limb making him wild with anger.
With a growl deep in his throat he yanked back taking the rogue to the ground where it continued to bleed out. A few moments later and the rogue's jaw fell slack around Cade's broken limb. He staggered back, just as an ax came down and severed the rogue's head clean off its body.
Danae was covered in blood as she nodded at him and then ran to help her brother. Swinging the ax low, she swiped the feet out from under the wolf at his flank, which let go and wheeled around. The rogue had no chance as it lunged for her, only to be met by the same cold steel to the center of its head. Crawling out from the dead weight, Danae straightened up, dislodged the axe, and decapitated the fallen beast. Cade admired the young woman's strength. There had been no hesitation, no fear in Danae's eyes. She was a warrior like her father.
His broken leg had already begun to heel. He stood up on the other three and padded over to her and Oben, who had just ripped out the other rogue's throat.
The sound of the bell rang out. Together they made their way back to the main gate where they were met by Ryker and Gunner and some of the colonies' soldiers. The dark of the night had faded into a smoky gray haze as the fires were brought under control and the ashes continued to smolder.
Kit rushed to his side, her face and clothes had black smudges over them and her hair was slick and clung to her face. Entering the main building—which was the only one still standing—Cade forced his shift, despite needing to rest while his broken bone healed. He knew Madoc could reset it if need be. Right now, he had to show everyone he was here for them. And that no one, not even other shifters could inflict such suffering and terror and get away with it.
After slipping into some track pants and a T-shirt, Kit insisted he put his arm in a sling before going back out to inspect the damage. He walked over to a pile of bodies that were lined up in the grounds, praying they were not anyone from the colony.
Ryker squeezed his shoulder as he came up level to him. “These were all the rogue bodies we could find, including Aden Black's.”
Cade's eyes narrowed as he looked more closely at the severed head. It was him, along with ten other bodies, some of which were intact, other's had not been so lucky.
“Were there any casualties?” Cade asked, looking around the colony in the early dawn light.
Ryker shook his head. “Nothing serious. Only...”
“The Overseer.”
“I'm sorry.”
Cade felt the tender touch of his mate's hand as she stood beside him. “We all are.”
Turning to Gunner, he ignored the swell of emotion rising in his chest at the loss of his grandfather. Just for a while longer, he thought, dampening it down to a bearable level. “Take as many as you need. Search the area now that it's light and make sure there are no other rogues,” his voice was cold and blunt. The need to revenge the Overseer a fire in his gut. He didn't want any of them to live. But he knew as a leader, acting on his raw emotions wasn't an option. Just as he could be merciless, he also needed to show mercy and compassion.
It pained him to say the next few words.
“If you find any, do what you have to do, but you bring them to me, alive.”
Thirty-Three
He'd been standing quietly by the door watching Eve swim lap after lap of the pool. Her strokes were graceful, yet strong. She was fast, but he could tell her relentlessness to slow down wasn't because she needed the exercise. It was as if she was punishing herself.
She's not punishing herself… she's frustrated.
Murphy knew the kind of frustration Samil was talking about. He felt it too. A need that consumed him with every waking hour and filled his dreams every time he closed his eyes.
And now he was stalking her for chrissakes.
Murphy stepped back, hoping she wouldn't see him as she climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel. He studied her with hungry eyes: the sporty swimsuit clung to her body like
a second skin, outlining every curve, every dip, and valley. She patted her hair dry, and with a quick glance around, she lowered the straps, peeling it over her breasts.
Murphy's mouth fell open as the cool air made her skin goose bump and her nipples harden to tight points.
Hooooly Christ!
Her body stiffened as she straightened up.
Fuck! Had he said that out loud?
He saw the slight tug of her lips in one corner. “You shouldn't be looking at things you can't have… or don't even want, Murphy.”
“When did you come to that conclusion?” he asked, edging out from the darkness, he leaned against the door-jamb. His eyes zeroed in on her hands as her thumbs dipped into her costume and tugged it downward, revealing her flat stomach and the V of neat dark curls. It skimmed the satin skin of her legs until the wet fabric reached her ankles. She stepped out of it and opened up the towel behind her as she turned to face him. The sight of her naked body made his heart skip several beats and drew every last drop of his blood down into his groin.
Wrapping herself in the fluffy white towel, she shrugged. “The other night. I figured not taking me seriously is your loss.”
Murphy ground his molars at her attitude. Yeah, Snow had probably given her everything she'd needed the night of the ceremony. And didn't that just fuck with his head the wrong way?
“Besides,” she continued as she grabbed her things and then moved toward him. “I'm a big girl, I can take care of my own needs. And if I want sex, I can get it somewhere else with someone who thinks I'm old enough and desirable enough.”
Okay, the image of her pleasuring herself just fired up the blood in his groin and gave him an erection that verged on painful. But the thought of another male with his hands all over her body? That made his blood boil for very different reasons. He had to admit, though; he liked this sassy attitude of hers. She was playing with fire and she knew it, too.
“Is that what you think?” he growled, closing the gap between them. “That I don't find you… desirable?” Murphy heard her swallow, watched the movement of her throat.
“Do you? Find me desirable?” Her voice was suddenly small as she stared up at him with ice blue eyes glistening like two stars, their infinite depths mesmerizing.
If you only knew.
“Would I be here, acting like some kind of fool if I didn't?”
She reached up and removed his wraparounds. Folding them with care, she put them beside her things. “I don't know what to think. You're… not easy to read.”
He grunted. “Good.”
“So, what are you doing here?”
“I was just checking you were okay.”
“Is that all?”
“Yeah.”
She rolled her eyes, all pissy with his answer. “Well, you can see I'm fine,” she snapped. Turning to get her things she shoved his wraparounds into his chest. “I'm going to shower.”
Murphy threw up his arm and pressed his palm into the wall to stop her from leaving. The sudden electrical charge in the air between them was a palpable, living thing.
Eve glared at him, anger flaring in her eyes. “Get out of my way.”
“Hey, everything okay in here?” Snow asked entering the room.
Murphy held her glare, then slowly turned his head to face Snow. The male was wearing a pair of speedo's and carrying a towel. He sniggered. The guy was in incredible shape, but he wasn't a threat physically. It was Snow's caring, humorous side that females were drawn to.
Great.
Lowering his eyes, Murphy pushed away from the wall and replaced his wraparounds. He had a growl in his throat that proceeded his next few words. “Yeah, everything's just fine and dandy,” he replied turning back to look at Eve. “She's all yours, brother.”
Eve was confused.
And mad.
As quickly as she thought she was getting somewhere with Murphy, the quicker her hopes vanished. He'd been watching her. And although she couldn't read him very well, she could tell he'd been sexually aroused.
“Jesus, what's eating Murph?” Snow asked, throwing his towel onto the bench. “He's acting like a mated male for chrissakes.”
Eve avoided her friend's gaze. “Dunno. You know how he can be.” She felt the warmth of his hand on her shoulder.
“Holy shit, Eve, have you and Murphy—”
“No,” she cut him off, her eyes rising to meet his. “No,” Eve mumbled, feeling the intensity of his stare burn right through to the heart of her.
“Is this what the other night was about?”
Eve sighed and shrugged uncommitted. “Kind of. But it doesn't matter, he doesn't want me.”
Snow's tawny eyes softened even though his brow furrowed. “Seriously? You're into Murphy?” he asked, unable to mask the surprise from his voice. Holding her gaze, he waited for her to reply, but all she could do was remain silent. “Then he's an idiot.”
“Nobody wants me, Snow.”
He pulled her into an affectionate hug. “That's not true.”
Eve felt her eyes mist up as she pulled back to look at him again. “Then why haven't you ever… you know… made any advances?”
“We're best friends. I guess I didn't ever want to cross that line with you. You mean too much to me.” He cupped her face in the palm of his hand, his head tilting as his brows crashed together in concern. “You're hurting, tell me how to fix it for you, Eve.”
A warm tear tumbled down her cheek, her hands finding their way onto the muscular slabs of his chest. She traced the intricate design of his new tattoo. The swirls of the moon and the howling wolf. “Cross that line with me… just this once?” She felt her voice tremble, knew what she was asking could ruin everything. Snow was a handsome, kind male who was also her best friend. He wasn't the male she craved and hungered for. He wasn't Murphy. But right now, Eve just wanted to be held and touched. To have the fire that raged within dampened down, even if only for a short while.
He wiped away her tear with the pad of his thumb. “I'm not him, Eve. You'll regret it and I don't want to lose you, no matter how much I might want you that way.”
Eve's hand pressed against his as she leaned into his touch. “Do you, want me that way?
A flicker of something sparked in his eyes. “I'm all male, baby,” he said jokingly. “I'd have to be blind and a complete ass if I said I didn't.”
“Then, please, Snow.”
His chest heaved a heavy sigh beneath her palm. “How can I say no to such an offer C'mon,” he whispered, and taking her hand he led her back to his quarters.
Eve's heart fluttered behind her ribs, but she could feel it pulsing in her throat. Standing in Snow's bedroom with a ribbon of light shining through the crack of the bathroom door, Eve's senses heightened. The wolf in her paced close to the surface. Smelled Snow's distinctive scents of forest pine and vanilla. It was both familiar and comforting.
Snow emerged from the bathroom freshly showered with just a towel covering his hips. She drank in the sight of his magnificent body. His smile was warm and full of affection as he moved across the room to where she was standing. Reaching up, he swept her hair from off her shoulders, the brush of his fingertips sending a shiver across her skin.
“Are you sure this is what you want, Eve?” he asked, his expression turning serious. “You can't take this back, once it's done.”
Eve was a virgin, and this was going to change that as well as her relationship with Snow. As much as she hoped things stayed just the way they were between them, she knew deep down, sleeping with him was about to connect them on a deeper level. Crossing the line meant undiscovered territory. But she'd do everything she could to maintain their friendship. She didn't need Snow to love her, not any more than he already did as her best friend.
“You'll always be my best friend. I trust you, Snow.”
“I would never hurt you. But I can't give you any more than this, do you understand?”
She pressed her finger to his lips to quieten him
. “I know.” Eve was ready for this experience.
Needed it.
If Murphy didn't want this with her, then what better person to take that step with than Snow—whom she loved and trusted.
Snow's lips were hot and smooth as they pressed down gently but firmly onto her own. His fingers smoothed over her collarbone down to the knot of her towel, slowly he yanked it free and let it pool at her feet. Their naked bodies were only a fraction apart, but Eve could feel the heat of his skin burning against hers, igniting everything inside of her.
Her thoughts scattered, this way and that, leaving her wanting everything Snow was offering. His hands slipped onto her thighs, pulled her in so her body meshed tightly against him. She moaned, opening her mouth, his tongue slid inside, searching, probing.
Eve's fingers twisted in his wet, thick white/blond waves. Her breasts crushed against his muscular chest. She felt the length of his arousal against her stomach.
Snow pulled back and stared at her, his pale brown eyes turning liquid gold as they filled with heat.
“Jesus, Eve,” he breathed. “I don't think I can be as gentle as you need me to be, babe.”
It was too late now. Eve's body was on fire, she was wet between her thighs and her wolf needed the pleasure. She needed it and wasn't about to back down now.
She reached for the towel still covering his thighs.
“Wait! Shit, Eve...”
Eve didn't let go. She held his gaze, her own eyes burning with desire. “Just be yourself with me, Snow. I'm not as fragile as you might think.”
A growl hummed in his chest as he slowly released her hand and she tugged the towel free from his body. Her eyes lowered to his erection. He was huge. The smooth, plump head already moist.
Snow's hands slid into her hair, bringing her face back up to look at him. His fangs had punched into his mouth and she knew that imaginary line between them had just disappeared like dust in the wind.
“You'll tell me if I'm hurting you,” he said, with a rougher, deeper edge to his voice. “You'll… tell me to stop?”
