Pride Before the Fall

by JoAnna Grace

  "I guess I don't understand."

  "It's sloppy. If I wanted to intimidate someone, I would do it directly. Any dominant predator would. It's in our DNA. The satisfaction of smelling fear of prey is crack to our animals."

  "But this person knew they couldn't go head to head with you." Kasey nodded, getting where she was going with this. "It was a submissive female."

  "Based on the threat written on Ami's wall, 'Leave our males alone', I'd narrow it down to an unmated submissive. Someone older who feels she has rights over all the other, younger males. But age is just a guess."

  "And the male?"

  Vivian shook her head. They moved out of the bathroom and sat down on the couch. "All the threats were written by the same person. The female. The male's scent was strongest in the hall and by the door."

  "A lookout?"

  "Yeah. I'd say he helped destroy some of the bigger items. Maybe even tossing Conall's and Ty's things to even up the score. That's all I've got until I catch that scent again."

  Kasey picked up his phone and dialed Martin. "We are looking for an unmated submissive female who will be in heat soon. Possibly someone who would be directly affected by Vivian and Amilynn's presence."

  There was a pause on the other end of the phone. Vivian could hear the wolf swallow. "Like my ex-girlfriend, sir?" Martin spoke the words shamefully.

  "Martin, I need an honest answer. Were you with Amilynn last night and who saw you?"

  "I was, sir. There were a few of the other soldiers in the apartment complex that saw us together. Word could have gotten back but, sir, she would never be capable of something like that. She's too soft."

  "What's her name?"

  "Julia."

  "Get her here, now."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Amilynn walked through the house and found Kasey and Vivian talking to a brunette on the couch. She looked about Ami's age and ready to cry. As she walked closer, she caught the girl's scent. It made her sick.

  "Tell the truth, Julia. Make this easier on everyone. Did you have anything to do with this?" Kasey questioned.

  "No! I swear!"

  "I picked up your scent," Vivian argued. "And you've got a motive. You and Martin had a long relationship. Now he's been with a cat. I could see how that would piss you off."

  "I don't care what Martin does. I broke up with him!"

  Amilynn rolled her eyes and intervened. "She didn't do it."

  Kasey peered at her with clear speculation. "And how do you know this?"

  "Because your nephew reeked of her this morning. That's why V picked up on her scent. The only thing she's guilty of is poor judgment."

  The girl looked horrified. Her eyes grew round before turning to the floor. Julia bit her bottom lip and her face turned beet red. She's been outed in front of her alpha.

  "Is that true?" Kasey said quietly, unaffected by the news.

  "Yes, sir."

  "You can go," Kasey mumbled.

  Amilynn caught the apology in Vivian's eyes before she walked away. The last thing she needed was V's pity. Ezekiel was nothing to her. And clearly she was nothing to him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Vivian, Melissa and Amilynn stood in their costumes waiting for their turn on stage. Mel was still rattled, but Ty had promised that he would be making the rounds and keeping an eye out. Martin and Kasey were also going to mingle and see if their enemies made a play.

  Ty came back stage after his last round before curtain call. He held Melissa by the neck and looked into her eyes. "I won't let anyone hurt you, angel. Don't worry about anything. Just sing and dance like you love to do." Then, as if to seal the promise, he pulled her mouth to his and kissed her.

  Even Kasey felt the need to reassure Vivian that he was watching out for her. Vivian could sense exactly where he was at all times. His presence in her mind was now constant, as if it had been there her whole life. And she liked it. The constant unease of her daily life had never been obvious until she experienced the peace that Kasey brought. She leaned into him and nibbled on his ear. "I'd give anything to take you home."

  Kasey took her face in his hands. "You can, you know." He was serious. Only then did Vivian realize that he was right; they didn't have to work, not like this. Their days of scrounging for every dollar earned were over.

  "But then what the hell would we do?" Amilynn asked, arms crossed over her chest. "This is what we do, right, girls?"

  "Yeah," Melissa sighed, "But when Ty and I get pregnant, I can't really be doing this." She giggled. "I'd sure look funny in this costume with my belly hanging out!"

  "You'd still be the sexiest woman alive," Ty said, kissing her cheek.

  "Barf. Let's do this, shall we?" Amilynn growled at the two couples. Martin stuck his head behind the curtain. Amilynn barely tilted her chin in acknowledgement of him. He winked at her, but she walked behind the curtain, seemingly unaware. She grumbled about not needing a bodyguard and Vivian smirked.

  Hours later, Vivian lay in bed next to her unbelievably sexy wolf and closed her eyes. Even though they had just made vigorous love to one another, Kasey couldn't keep his lips off her body. He licked and nibbled, tasted and sucked. Every so often he would find a spot that tickled, and Vivian would laugh or thump him on the head.

  "I meant what I said at the club," he whispered over the tip of her breast. "You don't have to do the shows if you don't want to. If the only reason you work is because you need money to constantly move, you can stop."

  "It's not the only reason. It's the main reason, but we enjoy the stage. I like to perform. It's what I'm good at."

  "Then come to one of my clubs. That way I don't have to kill Bristow." He bit down on her breast and she arched off the bed.

  "You're going to kill me."

  "You can die happy and sated in my arms."

  Vivian laughed. "The perfect way to go."

  "Let's go for a run!" Kasey said.

  Vivian pulled the covers over her body. "I'm tired," she whined.

  "No, come on. We can watch the sun come up over the ridge. It's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen."

  His face brightened and his eyes sparkled. He wanted to play. Amidst the craziness and shit around them, her wolf was feeling playful. "You are so adorable." Vivian rolled her eyes. "Fine." She gave in, threw back the covers and rolled out of bed. Shifting to their animals, the wolf and tiger made their way through the house to the back doors.

  You know, Kasey said as they ran down the slope of the hill and into the woods. I still haven't figured out how Mel and Ty got in that night.

  Good luck deciphering Ty's mysteries, Vivian laughed in his head. He's been my brother-in-law for years and his awesome scariness still freaks me out.

  The wolf and tiger ran around the forest romping and playing as two kids. The night air was changing, losing its crispness as the sun threatened to light the world.

  Kasey had been right about the sunrise. It was glorious. Vivian and Kasey sat back on their haunches, watching as the forest beneath them bathed in sunlight. It finally touched them and Vivian closed her eyes to bask in its warmth. Thanking God for the man—and wolf—beside her, Vivian went down to her belly and leaned her head against the massive body of fur. She was so tired and Kasey felt wonderful, a huge blanket of soft down. Vivian closed her eyes once again and fell asleep knowing her mate would protect her.

  * * * * *

  There was something so rewarding about knowing your mate trusted you with her life. The wolf agreed as he watched over the giant tigress while she slept. The morning sun was like a drug, but Kasey remained alert, making sure his mate's slumber was not disturbed.

  She was incredible. The colors of her coat were magnificent. Kasey's heart melted every time he laid eyes on the woman or the powerful beast within. He loved her. She loved him too; she just didn't know it yet. These things took time, especially for a woman who had been treated the way she had. For Vivian, he could be patient. As long as she remained wit
h him as his mate, he could wait for her to be his wife.

  A couple hours later, Vivian stirred and Kasey took great pleasure watching the tigress stretch. You're amazing, kitten, he thought to her.

  His cat rubbed against him. Vivian purred, nuzzled his neck and playfully nipped at him. Right back atcha, punk.

  The purring thing is really sexy.

  Vivian shifted and Kasey followed her lead. His attractive lady was wearing nothing at all, so he didn't bother conjuring up clothing either. Auburn hair danced in the morning breeze. Vivian was a fantasy, a naked goddess who'd stolen his heart. She looped her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. From anyone else, this would have been a challenge. But from his mate, it was a sign of love and a witness to her strength.

  "I've been thinking about what we would do if we didn't perform. Mel, she's really great with kids and math, you know? And Ami, she's an athlete and a hell of a sharp shooter. Conall has all kinds of mechanical skills. He was a police officer in Nevada. Ty can master anything with computers and he's brilliant. But I, um," Vivian sighed and looked away. "I've only been my father's puppet and Trace's plaything."

  "Vivian, those things do not define who you are," Kasey whispered, touching her tanned cheek.

  "But they do define what skills I acquired when I was in Nevada. My parents did their best to make me into a refined young woman. I can dance, I can sing, and I can set a dining table better than Martha-Freaking-Stewart. Thanks to the program for dominant females, I can also kill a man with my bare hands, poison someone's drink, and get information using any means necessary." She looked into Kasey's eyes. "So tell me, alpha-man, what the hell good am I except for a performer or a killer?"

  "Well, baby, as far as I'm concerned all those skills qualify you for the position as alpha's mate. Would you like to apply? I have a sneaking suspicion that you would get the job."

  "I'm serious, Kasey." Vivian nipped at his chin.

  Kasey took her cheeks in his hands, "So am I. Vivian, don't you see?" Kasey kissed her face all over. "You are precisely what I need in a mate. From setting tables to setting people straight, those are all skills an alpha's mate needs. And don't worry about the others. The Pride will all find their places."

  "Do you think I'll be happy living off you? Living off the Pack? I have to earn my way."

  The wolf surfaced and Kasey looked at her like a meal. "Oh, kitten, I'll make you earn it." He smirked as he picked her up and settled her over his erection. Vivian laughed as they went to the soft grass beneath them. Kasey entered her.

  "It's always about sex for you, isn't it?" she asked.

  "It's a perk of the job." He took her mouth and her body until Vivian no longer worried about what was going to happen in the future. All she could think of was the perfection of the moment.

  * * * * *

  Friday nights were always busy at the club. Tonight was even busier. Vivian started asking around and found out there was a convention in town: hundreds of men studying scientific crap in the national forest. They'd been promised discounted drinks at Bristow's. Not to mention the Pride's show.

  There was no one from the Pack there except Jake, who was working his usual position at the doors with Conall. In the days since the bloody destruction, everything had been calm like the perpetrator was waiting for things to die down—or she was in heat and holed up somewhere. Either way, everything almost seemed normal around the alpha house.

  The women put on an excellent show. Having drunk men ramped up the energy and gave a boost. By the end of the show, all three of them were exhausted.

  "Take me home," Melissa moaned to Ty as she wiped her face with a towel. "I'm ready for a bath and a bed."

  "As you wish, angel."

  "We'll be right behind you," Vivian said. They were still sharing the suburban to get back and forth from the shows. "I've got to tell Bristow we're leaving and lock up."

  Amilynn hoisted a bag over her shoulder. "You want me to hang back?"

  "Nah." Vivian shrugged it off. "I've got this."

  The rest of the group left and Vivian began to lock up their dressing room. Finding Bristow was easy. He was coming down the hall looking for her. "Hey. There's a John in the room," he said as he held up a wad of hundred dollar bills. "Asked for you specifically."

  "Bristow, I told you we aren't doing that anymore. I'm seeing someone and Ami is tired of the pervs. Give him his money back and tell him to leave." Vivian continued to walk past him.

  "Why don't you tell him? He's asked every night this week and he keeps offering more and more money. He's a looker, might change your mind. Besides, I need to get back to the bar. I don't get paid enough to deal with your customers anymore."

  Vivian stepped up to his face. With her height she could look him in the eyes. "You've always gotten paid to deal with these pricks. Don't pout because you got greedy and got caught."

  "Still. Not. Doing. It." He shoved the money at Vivian and walked off.

  Completely outraged, Vivian gritted her teeth and walked into the purple velvet room, ready to tell the man to go to hell. Outside the door she smelled a human and something else. Her candles were lit, canceling out his stench. The room was still dark, but she made out the man sitting on the couch.

  She sighed in aggravation. "What are you doing in here?" Vivian threw the money at him.

  "Just proving a point. It took you time, but in the end, you're just a whore."

  Vivian had a slit second of recognition before she heard the gun shot muffled by a silencer. Lava erupted from her abdomen and she gripped her stomach. Blood covered her hands. Seeing the red spilling from her womb, Vivian grew faint. She looked up into the familiar face. "Why?" She coughed and fell to the floor.

  "Because my alpha deserves better than a cheap slut for a mate." He walked over and raised his hand to point the gun at her temple. "Upon your death, the rest of your strays will leave. Especially when we tell that Nevada alpha where they are."

  Vivian could barely hold her body up. Whatever the bullet had pierced was bleeding in a waterfall. She found Kasey in her mind. He was feeling everything she felt, seeing the man pulling the trigger.

  Fight, Vivian! Don't give up! I'm coming!

  I can't. I'm bleeding too much. Oh God! Kasey. I love you. I love you so much.

  Don't do that! Don't let him win!

  Vivian knew this man wouldn't even consider the mating bond between her and Kasey to be a real thing. He thought her only an imposter so he would never think the telepathic bond of mates would be intact. "It was you, at our apartment."

  "I just helped. You've pissed off a lot of people, Vivian. She felt the need to take out her anger and I let her do it. Afterward she rewarded me quite well. Helena might be older, but when a wolf is in heat, they all turn into horny teenagers again."

  Helena! Kasey screamed in her head. Sonofabitch!

  "You bastard. He trusts you."

  "So imagine how easy it will be to tell him I had to kill you because you murdered a human while sexually entertaining him. It's a lie you make all too easy with your lifestyle." He knelt down and looked her in the eyes. "Good riddance, Vivian."

  As Vivian closed her eyes, resigned to her fate, she could hear Kasey through their bond. He was yelling, screaming for her to hold on, that he was on his way. Even after everything she'd lived through, this was going to be the death of her.

  In her mind, she screamed out for her Pride, sitting out in the parking lot. Even if he killed her, Jake would get his.

  * * * * *

  Conall sat out in the car waiting on Vivian. They were all so tired and she was taking far too long. "What is she doing?"

  "Locking up." Amilynn rested her head on the seat. "Slow your roll, dude. She's coming. I'm sure Bristow pissed her off again."

  Conall grunted and clenched his jaw. "He's been doing that a lot lately. I'd better go check up on them and make sure she isn't throttling him."

  He slid out of the driver's seat and went back into t
he club. The front door was unmanned—never a good sign. He wondered where the other bouncer was. Stupid wolf, Conall thought as he pushed through the crowd to the back of the club. He was headed down the hall behind the stage when the stench hit him like a ton of bricks.

  Blood. Vivian's blood. He would know that smell anywhere. It haunted his dreams and was forever burned into his brain. At that same instant, he heard her screams in his mind.

  I've been shot! Help!

  Conall knew the mental SOS was for the whole Pride. They would come. Running to the source of the blood scent, he kicked open the door to the room the girls entertained in. His heart stopped and then kicked into overdrive. He leaped on the man holding a gun to Vivian's head. Partially shifted into his lion, it was easy to take Jake down and break his neck. Jake wasn't nearly the beast Conall was; he never had the chance to defend himself.

  Conall went to Vivian and picked up her body. He checked for a pulse. "Thank God! Vivian, V, can you hear me?"

  Hazel eyes flittered open and locked on to his. "Help me."

  "I will. Ty's coming. Hold on, Vivian. Do you hear me? Hold on! Don't die on me!"

  "What the fuck?" Amilynn said when she walked in on the two of them and all the blood.

  "Jake shot Vivian. Ty!"

  He didn't need to say another word. Ty could make Vivian's body stop bleeding, but he had to touch her.

  They turned to see Bristow standing at the door of the room looking at the carnage. The wide-eyed human gawked. "I'll call 9-1-1. How the hell did this happen?"

  Conall gave orders. "Melissa, go wait for the ambulance and call Kasey. Ami, go help Ty. There are more than two people bleeding in there." He rounded on the human who reeked of fear. "Bristow, you tell me exactly what happened to get Vivian in that room."

  Bristow stuttered and his eyes darted around wildly. "There was a man, with dark hair. He asked for Vivian. He wanted a dance. I sent Jake with him to the room. I found Vivian and she said she didn't want to, but I threw the money at her and walked off. That's all I know, I swear."