Another explosion rocked the night and he sent a silent thanks to his brother. Where the gate shack had stood, now there was a huge opening. The blast took a large section of the fencing with it, part of the rubble in the dark, and he switched directions for the dim cover. Another detonation rocked the earth, and Calista stumbled. He barely caught her before they both fell in a heap on the ground.
“How much dynamite did y’all use?” he grumbled.
“Enough,” she answered, voice tight, gaze fixed ahead.
They reached the rubble of what had been the perimeter fencing, but before he could help her over a growl rumbled at his back. He whirled around to face a huge black werewolf, knew who it must be even though he’d never met him before. Next to him Calista stiffened and hissed his name.
“Tobias.”
They’d holstered their weapons to climb over the fence, but instead of attacking them while they were in a weak position, Tobias shifted. He met Kane’s gaze, arrogant, tall and naked. A knot formed in Kane’s gut. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Tobias’ smile was sly, his bearing superior. “Challenge.”
Calista went to draw her gun, but he caught her hand. “No. He’s issued a challenge.”
She looked at him like he’d lost his mind, and he was reminded how little she knew of his world.
“You’ve got to be joking. We’re not in New Atlanta. He’s not in your pack. Let me shoot him so we can get out of here.” Her weapon cleared the holster, and he grabbed her shoulders, spinning her to face him.
“No.” He shook his head, wondering how to make her understand. “This is territory my pack claims. Anyone can challenge the Alpha. If you interfere, I lose face.”
She sputtered. “That’s just dumb, Kane.” She lowered her voice. “He’s bigger than you. What happens if you don’t win?”
He winked and started to strip off his clothes. “Then you shoot him.”
He wanted to order her to leave, but knew she wouldn’t and didn’t want the other werewolf to see he couldn’t control his own mate. Besides, he justified, it was probably better if she got a look at how brutal his world could be right from the get go. He shifted and circled Tobias, watching the way the wolf moved, the way he held himself. Tobias hadn’t reached his current position by being nice or easy to take in a fight, and it showed in his smooth movements, his straightforward strength. He heard the approach of others but didn’t dare turn to see who they were.
The wolf outweighed him and stood two hands taller. Kane was far from inexperienced, held his Alpha position not only because of family connections but because he was the only one strong enough. But where he made an effort to fight fair, he recognized Tobias as someone who would use every dirty trick in the book. He studied his enemy as long as possible, decided his best option was to go in hard and fast.
They attacked at the same time, Kane going for the other werewolf’s throat, Tobias going for his side. A tactic meant to slow Kane down, wear him down. They met in midair and broke apart, circling again. He ignored Calista’s gasp and the blood running down his side, noted with satisfaction the blood matting the hair on Tobias’ nape.
Tobias was slower the next time he attacked. Instead of countering the move, Kane just avoided it. Hoping to turn Tobias’ tactics against him, he didn’t go on the offensive, but let the other wolf come at him. Over and over again, until they were both panting. Tobias got in a few lucky scratches, but nothing that slowed Kane down. The next time Tobias leapt forward, Kane twisted under him, caught his neck in his snout. He bit down hard and heard bone snap, tasted the gush of blood on his tongue. When Tobias stopped struggling, he wormed his way out from under the dead body and shifted.
He stood and for the first time noticed the crowd gathered around, saw Calista eyeing it warily with both guns drawn. She spared a glance for him, but her expression was closed, her gaze all business. He couldn’t read her assessment of the scene. He stepped forward, and the crowd parted for him, silent as he dressed. Covered in blood, he ignored his shirt and just pulled on pants and shoes. He kept one eye on the crowd, saw a couple men carry the General’s body away. Several others drifted off and finally only two remained. One of them grinned before speaking.
“Even here we have rules. A challenge fairly fought.” Respect tinged the stranger’s voice. “You have twenty-four hours safe passage. Then I’ll have no choice but to avenge my uncle’s death.”
Kane nodded his understanding. He didn’t dare trust his voice.
The werewolf chuckled and nodded at Calista. “That’s some mate you have there. Keep her close.”
With a wink, he slipped into the shadows, taking his companion with him. Kane didn’t stick around to see if his word was good. Taking Calista’s hand, he led her through the woods where they found the others waiting and headed home.
*
Going stir crazy, Calista was past wanting to strangle Kane. They’d made the trip back to New Atlanta in record time, stopping only for a couple of hours to sleep. They’d been home three days, and she’d been cooped up in her house since with Kane’s guards everywhere. They refused to let her leave and refused to let anyone else in. She’d sent messages to him, demanded he get rid of his goons, but he hadn’t responded.
Where the hell is he? And why had he stayed away? His men refused to speak, even Mathias, who was by far the most talkative of the bunch.
She paced around the drawing room having long ago given up on the book Rheana insisted she’d love. Her thoughts were consumed with Kane, wondering where he was and why he was gone. Was it her declaration of love? It sure as hell wasn’t like her, but once she accepted it she hadn’t seen any point in hiding it. Had he decided he didn’t want her for a mate after all? She ignored the way her heart twisted in hurt and fear. It was obvious he had. Best deal with it and move on. She’d never been one to mope. She was meant for action. She was straightforward and to the point. If he wanted to call it quits, he should just do it and get it over with. She wanted to scream her frustration, wanted to beat something and cause a scene. God help him when he does finally make an appearance.
Where the hell was he? She recalled the injuries he’d received fighting Tobias. The cuts and scrapes and deep gouges. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing away nausea. He’d been so covered in blood she hadn’t realized how extensive the wounds were until they paused by a stream long enough for him to wade in and wash off. How resilient were werewolves? How close had Tobias come to killing him? Mathias insisted the injuries weren’t bad at all, that he wasn’t holed up somewhere on his deathbed, but how could she know? He wasn’t coming to her, and they wouldn’t take her to him.
The door creaked open, and Rheana stuck her head around it. “Dinner’s ready.”
She nodded to acknowledge she heard, but didn’t turn from the window. Rheana sighed and shut it behind her. She was probably tired of fighting with her over food. Calista was too tied up in knots to eat. Too angry and confused. Too worried and exhausted. Maybe she’d just lie down for a little while. She left the window and stretched out on the sofa.
She must have dozed off. When she woke it was late afternoon, and she heard soft voices outside the door. Before she could investigate, it opened and Kane stepped through. He shut the door and flipped the lock closed. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to rush over and kiss him or kill him. Anger won out, but she held herself still, afraid she might actually do it. Rising slowly from the sofa, she stood in place, ignoring the trembling in her limbs. She looked him up and down, searching for signs of damage, but he appeared whole. She breathed in a sigh of relief and exhaled one of anger.
“Why the hell am I locked up in my own house, Kane?” The spell finally broken, she stepped forward and let loose. “We’ve been through this before. I don’t need or want your protection. And frankly, if this is what it gets me I’d just as soon you stay the hell out of my life period.”
His eyes narrowed. “Good evening to you too, mate.”
She put her hands on her hips and faced him.
“Oh, please. Three days, Kane. Three days being locked up, three days of silence.” She shook her head. “I’m not mate material. Partner I could work with. But this? When did I ever strike you as someone who wanted to be kept in a cage?”
“I had some things that had to be taken care of. Things you couldn’t help with.”
She clenched her jaw, refusing to let even one tear fall. After all they’d been through he still didn’t trust her. With his secrets. With his life or identity. She just wanted it all over and said and done with. Was that too much to ask? The fight went out of her, and she shoved her hands in her pockets, went to move around him. He caught her, his fingers wrapping around the sensitive skin of her upper arm, and she fought the shiver of recognition, fought the urge of her body to lean into him. She tried to shake him off and refused to meet his gaze, staring at the door.
“Let me go, Kane. I’m not up for this tonight.”
She didn’t bother to keep the weariness from her voice, didn’t even care anymore if he saw how much she was affected. She just needed some time and space to lick her wounds, then she’d move on with her life.
“Sure, darlin’.” His voice was as soft as the touch that traced a line down the side of her face. She struggled to hold in a contented sigh. “You look exhausted. I’ll just put you to bed, and we can discuss this tomorrow.”
There was no mistaking the husky timbre in his voice, and her gaze flew to his face. No way in hell. His eyebrows flew up in mock surprise. Had she said that out loud? She gave in to the renewed rage flooding her system and turned to poke a finger in his chest. Surprised, he took a step back but she followed.
“You disappear for three days and expect me to just fall into bed with you when you come back? Are you insane?”
He smiled a little, which just made her more furious.
“We were always good at the bed part.”
“Well, this isn’t always. Things aren’t like they were before.” She turned, unable to stand looking at him anymore, unable to take the pain seeing his face gave her. Her voice softened to a whisper. “You wanted that change, and I was right. It was a mistake.”
He sighed a moment before he lifted her up. She struggled against him, but it was no use. He walked to the sofa and sat down, holding her on his lap and refusing to let her up. She hated her body for responding to his, to the feel of him, hard and strong surrounding her. A secret part of her had always yearned for a partner, and when she thought she’d found one, she’d lost it.
He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. She realized he was as exhausted as she was and ignored the surge of sympathy she felt. Why was he dragging this out? Why was he acting like she meant something to him? Her heart raced, and she took a deep breath, knew it was a mistake when her breasts thrust up, and he licked at the exposed skin at her opened collar dangerously close to her cleavage. Ignoring her rising arousal, she shoved at his shoulders. He didn’t let her go, but he lifted his head and met her gaze.
“Sorry. No falling into bed. See? I remembered. You must be making progress.” He gave her the crooked half smile that always melted her heart. Not fair.
He chuckled. “Remember when we met?”
She cocked an eyebrow and smiled a little. “As I recall, you were trying to steal my bounty.”
“I believe I was.” He laughed. “I followed you in. Not because I didn’t think you couldn’t bring him in—I knew your reputation—but because I couldn’t believe I’d found you.”
She was confused, and he seemed to expect her to understand the cryptic statement. “You were looking for me?”
“My mate.” He pressed a finger to her lips to hush her when she tried to protest. “You were so cagey. It was obvious you wouldn’t accept any kind of claim. And if you had…well, a lot of things would have changed, and I wasn’t ready to give them up yet.”
She suspected she knew what but she had to ask. “Like?”
He buried his face in her neck, nibbled a path to her ear before answering. She couldn’t stop the flood of cream in her core and hoped like hell he didn’t notice it. Not much chance of that.
“I always knew when I met my mate I’d have to come home and deal with the problems in the pack.” He took a deep breath. “And the Branch…”
He let the answer trail off and before he could answer, she leaned back, lifted a hand to caress his face.
“I hate the Branch. I won’t pretend I don’t, that wouldn’t be fair to either of us. But it doesn’t define you, Kane. I understand that. I could have learned to live with that.”
He met her gaze, his brilliant green eyes boring into hers. “And what can’t you learn to live with?”
She shrugged, looked away.
“The secrets. Shutting me out. The persona…I thought for a minute there I was getting to know the real Kane Dupree. I liked him.” She knew her smile was bitter, but she didn’t fight it. “I don’t want to go back to the way things were before.”
“Maybe I don’t either,” he whispered, his lips close to her nape again, the breath feathering over her skin and igniting her libido.
“I left the Branch.”
She shimmied, trying to turn on his lap so she could look him full in the face. Her heart soared and crashed at the same time.
“I didn’t ask you do that. I wouldn’t ask.”
He nodded. “I know. It was something that needed to be done. I ignored the pack too long, and it needs my attention.”
He didn’t continue, and she realized he was waiting for something from her.
“You want me to quit going after bounties? And then what, Kane? I’m not like most women. I have to do something, and I have sisters to take care of.”
“I’m glad you’re not like most women.” He grinned. “You’re like a she wolf, but human.”
She rolled her eyes, ignoring a small surge of pleasure. Was that a compliment or insult? He fell silent, his fingers on the nape of her neck making soothing circling motions. It was the action of a companion, a partner. She started to believe there was a future for them.
“About what I said out there…” She let the thought trail off, unsure how to continue.
“Are you going to say it again?” She heard the smile in his tone. He went on in a soft command. “Say it again, Calista.”
If she’d had hackles, the demand would have made them rise.
“You first,” she answered testily. He chuckled.
“That was not part of the plan. I didn’t want to love you,” he murmured and buried his head in her neck, kissing the soft skin where it met her shoulder, nuzzling it. “Sebastian had a mate. A sweet woman. Human.”
Gooseflesh rose on her arms, as unease threaded its way through her. Sebastian was a dour, severe man, and Kane had emphasized had. What had happened to her? Had she left him? Died?
“And?” she prodded when Kane didn’t go on.
He sighed, straightened his back so he could look at her.
“She died.” The statement was bald, and she sensed deep pain behind it. “To lose a mate is like…dying yourself. Being mated is not like your human marriages. We’re connected by more than law, more than tradition. One cannot survive without the other.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Sebastian survived.”
Kane grimaced. “Barely. The first couple of years we were sure we’d lose him.”
She cupped his face in her palms, resolve filling her. She wasn’t letting this incredible man go. She could take what was before her or go back to the suspicious half-life she’d been living. That was no longer an option.
“And you’re afraid of going through that yourself? There is pain in life, but also joy. If you cut yourself off…” She twisted on his lap moving one leg over so she straddled him and could look him full in the face. “You made me see that, brought me completely to life again. And I’m not settling for half of you, Kane. I’ve always been a fighter. That’s not
about to change now.”
“I know.” He grinned. “Are you going to say it again?”
“Are you?” she countered.
He lifted his hands, his thumbs brushing over her cheekbones, before her pulled her face closer. His lips hovered over hers.
“We’re already mated. I tried to hold back, but it was no use.”
His lips touched hers, his tongue darting out to trace them. Her body hummed in response. Couldn’t he get on with it so she could rip his clothes off? She played with the buttons on his shirt, slipping the top few free so she could slide her hand over the smooth skin of his chest. She leaned in and pressed her lips against one of his nipples.
“If you would just admit you loved me we could move on to more interesting things.”
His cock swelled against her core, and she reached between them to open the front of his pants, letting him spring free. She wrapped her hand around him, groaning when his cock pulsed in her hand. Tightening her grip, she slid it up and down, from base to head and back again, and leaned forward, traced the shell of his ear with her tongue. She couldn’t recall ever being so aggressive with him, but she liked it.
“Well, Kane? What’s it going to be?”
He grunted, flipping her over so lay flat on the sofa and he knelt between her legs. He grabbed the edges of her shirt and ripped it open. Buttons flew through the air before he reached her pants, opening the snaps and tugging them down over her hips, off her legs. He tossed them aside before stripping out of his own. Then he was over her, around her. Consuming her. His hands and lips left a trail of fire across her skin. She arched into him, wanting more, wanting everything. When he thrust into her, her eyes rolled back and she swore she saw stars. He held her hips still, his pelvis rotating against hers, his rhythm steady and building. He nipped at her neck, and she opened her eyes, met his intense gaze.
“Say it again, Calista,” he said. When her reply wasn’t fast enough, he growled.
She grinned. “Still trying to boss me around.”
Kane Page 7
