A Love For Lera (Haikon)

by Burke, Aliyah

  “Let’s find some better shelter. Then, we’ll tackle how the heck to feed them.”

  ‘Another cave is off this way. Stay close, vaj.’

  It eased her own personal pain a bit to be called vaj. No one could replace Adric, and she longed for him to be near, but it was really nice to have Perun with. She walked carefully, doing her best not to jostle the cubs too much. Night had fallen when they reached the edge of the cave.

  “Is it clear?”

  ‘All clear.’

  She moved in until the wind no longer ripped at her exposed skin. “You stay with the bag and the cubs. I’ll open it so you can take them out if you want. I’ll go gather up some wood for a fire.”

  ‘Are you sure?’

  “Yes. I’ll be right back.”

  She slipped back out into the increasing darkness. Automatically counting her steps, she moved toward the small trees she’d managed to make out as they approached their shelter. It didn’t take her long and she had an armful of smaller stuff. Enough to warm the area for the cubs so she could go get more.

  Once the fire burned, she moved the cubs closer. They slept, and she tucked them in the fur. “I’ll go out and get some more wood; this was just a first run to get a fire going.”

  Her answer was a low growl, and Perun positioning himself before her, his body poised to defend her and the cubs. Weapon in hand, she waited. It didn’t take long for an answering rumble to fill the air. A mangy wolf moved closer toward them and the entrance. He crouched low in preparation to attack.

  He sprang and was knocked out of the air by a much larger wolf, silver gray with a charcoal black mask. Kori. Seconds later, the smaller one lay dead at the mouth of the cave.

  Perun stayed low, his tail flicking angrily from side to side, and continued to emit a warning growl.

  “Perun, it’s okay. Kori, shift.”

  Silence fell, and she ran toward the wolf and collapsed against the man who replaced him. Kori. Hard. Warm. Here.

  “Mo anam.” He kissed her thoroughly, holding her tight. “Who’s that?”

  “Kori,” she said, turning back to the leopard who’d repositioned himself by the now crying cubs, “meet Perun. Perun, this is my mate, Kori. He won’t hurt you or the cubs.”

  Perun yawned, showing off his impressive teeth, and lowered his head to the cubs and nudged them. Kori spun Lera back so they were chest to chest. Her body responded to being back in his embrace, nipples tightening and her pussy grew slick with desire. Her heart pounded faster, and she longed to be joined with him on the most intimate of levels. But the mewling grew louder and she gave him a tired smile, running her hands up his impressive torso.

  “I have to take care of the cubs. I don’t know what to feed them, Kori. And I need more wood to make it warmer.”

  Another kiss. “I’ll get wood. Then, we’ll talk.”

  A few hours later, she sat between Kori and Perun. The fire blazed high, spreading it’s warmth over her and the babies. They lay on her lap, two out of the three sleeping, the third suckling hungrily from the makeshift nipple she held for it. Kori had returned with milk; how he’d gotten it, she hadn’t a clue. But he had. Wood, milk, and meat for them all, Perun included.

  “So he just showed up?” Kori asked, leaning close and tracing light kisses along her exposed neck.

  “Yes. I invited him to come with. If Vilfi is successful at getting others to join, Perun’s vaj may be there.” She stroked the small body on her lap.

  “You’re good at that, mo anam.”

  She smiled at him before ducking her head. “What about Sven?”

  “He has plans to eradicate the Haikon. There are parties moving to converge on the remaining ones. Apparently, he figures if he wipes them out before they can find this one from the prophecy, they can’t become strong again.”

  She shuddered, and Kori tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “I’ll not let anything happen to you, Lera.”

  “How is he tracking them?”

  Kori sighed. “Dark magic. So, now, it’s basically a race to see who gets there first. Us. Or them.”

  “And I’ll be even slower with these babies.” She stared at him and tilted her head when he covered her mouth with his hand.

  “You can’t leave them to die, Lera. They come with us.”

  ‘Thank you, Kori.’

  ‘I’d move the heavens to have that look on your face, Lera.’

  ‘Well, I don’t need that to happen. But, if you could see fit to hold me tonight, that would be nice.’

  ‘You belong in my arms.’

  “I happen to think so, too,” she murmured against his palm.

  He did just that. Perun shared his heat with the babies, and she lay content and wrapped up in Kori’s arms.

  Two days later, as they moved across the landscape, Kori observed Lera as she walked. The backpack with the cubs in it slung on her back, Perun keeping pace beside her. He knew she hurt. At night when she slept, her guard let down, and he could feel part of the pain she felt from being separated from Adric. Kori didn’t mention it for he knew she tried to keep it from him. It seemed Perun helped her a bit.

  The days passed as they continued to walk. The corners of her eyes were pinched with pain, but when she interacted with the trio of cubs, Kori could see the love in her eyes when she. The nights he spent made love to her and it became their time. Except for the fact they were fighting time, he loved being outdoors with her. Lera understood the outdoors. Although, like she laughingly said, she preferred the warmth of her home to the cold they experienced now.

  A sound reached him, and he stopped, seeing that Perun did the same. Casting out, he searched for the source of the unknown sound. Only it wasn’t that foreign. He was well acquainted with the sounds of battle.

  “What is it?”

  “A battle,” he answered, seeking shelter. The evening had fallen, and he had no desire to be caught outside between angry groups with Lera and some helpless cubs.

  “Kori?” she asked as the cubs began to make noise.

  “Keep them quiet, mo anam. I’m looking for a place to go.”

  “What if it’s Haikon?” He looked between the two, his woman and the vaj who traveled with them. Lera nodded and said, “Be careful.”

  The feline stared at her before streaking away and blending in with the shadows and trees. Kori didn’t say anything, just placed his hand along the small of her back and encouraged her to go in the opposite direction.

  He stopped when they reached a large tree which missed part of its trunk, making for a nice den. “You stay here,” he whispered.

  “You’re going with Perun?”

  “I need to see how many and what we’re up against. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Staring down at her in the waning light, he watched the cubs quiet when she gathered them close. Already they were used to her and comforted by her scent. They weren’t the only ones.

  “Be careful, Kori.”

  “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  He brushed their lips together while he trailed a hand over each of the cubs, smiling when they nuzzled into his touch. The little buggers were worming their way further and further into his heart. Lera’s gaze was soft and warm. There was this glow about her, and it made him hesitate for a moment.

  She lifted a brow. “What?”

  “Nothing. Just thinking how beautiful you are.”

  “Humph, stop trying to butter me up. I’ll be good. I’ll stay here and not move until you return.”

  He backed up and shifted. All senses tuned to what may lay ahead, he streaked away and wove in and out of the trees, using them as cover. The strong odor which surrounded Perun reached him, and Kori turned toward him. His approach was cautious, not entirely sure the cat would remember him in this shape.

  Pale eyes met his before returning attention to what lay in the valley before them. Grateful for his superior vision in the rapidly darkening night, Kori stared at the fight. Nothing m
uch that made him think it wasn’t just a territorial fight. Those fighting were raggedly dressed, and it didn’t look like their weapons were all that impressive.

  Kori decided he and his party would skirt the edge and continue on. Kori backed up, pausing to nudge the snow leopard, who remained focused on the bloodshed. The cat glared at him but dutifully fell into step with him. Not much later, they came on the tree where he’d left Lera. She’d done as promised and remained.

  He shifted and crouched beside her. With those big brown eyes, she searched his, only to drop her gaze and focus on the cubs.

  “Ready?” she asked in a low tone.

  “Yes. We’ll simply avoid the fighting. I think it’s nothing more than an argument over land.”

  He watched in silence as she secured her charges and got to her feet. They set out. He led with Perun bringing up the rear. No words were spoken. He pressed on, wishing to get Lera to safety.

  ‘You okay?’

  ‘Kind of tired.’ Her admission fell.

  ‘Tired like you want me to carry the cubs or tired like you want to stop?’

  Nothing then, ‘I need to stop.’

  He searched for shelter, only to come up empty. It lingered on the tip of his tongue to push her farther. Then, her words sank in. Need. Not want. He felt pain rolling from her. When she sobbed, he knew they couldn’t continue.

  In a short time, he had a fire going and food cooking. Lera lay on one side. Perun behind her, offering warmth, and the babies she had along her front. She used her own body and the fire to give them the required heat. Kori set up wards around them as extra protection. Crouching by her head, he reached out to touch her hair.

  Her dreams weren’t pleasant. Her face drew tight with strain, and she whimpered.

  ‘Mo anam, how do I make your pain go away?’

  She stirred with another moan. When a small, protesting cry—from the tiny male—filled the air, Lera stilled immediately. One hand touched each of the cubs in a soft, soothing motion. Her eyes never opened but the tension seemed to fade slightly.

  When the food was ready, he dragged a knuckle down the side of her face. “Wake up, Lera. You need to eat something.”

  Her eyes opened but she didn’t move. In their depths, he could read the exhaustion. Still, she gave him a gentle smile. “Thanks for stopping. I know we’re in a rush.”

  “You should have said something sooner. I didn’t realize you were that exhausted.”

  She sat up, careful of the ones against her. “I guess it hit me all at once. I’m used to being on a motorcycle. Not walking and running all day.” Lera touched his nose with the tip of her index finger. “I’ll be fine.”

  He kept his uncertainty to himself. Lera picked at the meal, and he noticed her attempting to make it seem like she’d eaten more than she did. The only time all the stress melted away from her face was when she stretched back out by the cubs and they curved into her. Soon, she slept, and the two females and one male slept right along with their surrogate mother. Perun lay watching over them all.

  Eventually, Kori drifted off to sleep as well, and when he woke, he realized two things. One, Lera was gone, and two, the babies were tucked securely into him. That fact alone kept him from jumping up. He sighed and realized he’d never hear the end of it if it got out. Him, a wolf-shifter, acting like a mom to three snow leopards.

  ‘Lera?’

  ‘Morning, Kori.’

  ‘You have this horrible habit of leaving while I’m sleeping.’

  ‘I went to find some food. Perun is with me. Plus, you looked so adorable with the cubs up against you, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.’

  He growled along the link, and she answered with a laugh. A laugh which lightened his heart.

  ‘How are you doing?’

  ‘I’m okay. Ready to get back home. We’re on our way back; see you soon.’

  Home. He sobered. Where did she consider home to be? South Africa? Savoy? Moving slowly, as not to disturb the still slumbering trio, he stoked the fire and dug out the last piece of bread and began tearing it up to mash for the babies.

  Once everyone was fed and ready, they set off again. This time, he kept a better eye on Lera. She seemed much brighter today, no dark circles under her eyes. He set a good pace, and she kept up without trouble. Perhaps she truly was just exhausted.

  Hours of the early afternoon brought with it a lull in the winds and blowing snow. He’d just about decided on stopping for a short rest and some food when his sharp hearing picked up something he didn’t want to hear. Another battle.

  From the look on Lera’s face, she either heard it as well or Perun had told her. The snow leopard stared at her before springing off in a dead run. She met Kori’s gaze, and he nearly flinched from the anger in her gaze.

  “Lera?”

  “He found his vaj.”

  He shook his head. “What do you mean?” Dread began to rise within him.

  “Perun. He found his vaj. You need to go.”

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Go, Kori. If he found his vaj, that means there are Haikon there. That means my people are fighting, most likely for their lives. Perun didn’t survive this long to lose his vaj before meeting him. Go!”

  “And leave you alone?”

  She stepped up close to him and shoved a finger in his chest. “Go, Kori! Do what you do and help them.”

  He stared down at her and knew he wouldn’t be able to change her mind. “Stay here,” he ordered before shifting and running off.

  When he crested the hill, he found a bloodbath. This was no amateur battle. A low growl rose up from within him at the stench of drefklen. His wolf raged at the thought of them so near to his woman, and he entered the fray, shredding the first one he caught then moving on.

  Well into the battle, he shuddered when a tingle went up his spine. Turning his head, he cursed at the sight of Lera appearing on the hill.

  ‘I told you to stay put!’

  ‘What made you think I’d actually listen to that?’ She swung the bag to the ground. ‘Ward the bag and protect the babies.’

  ‘Stay with them.’

  ‘Ward the damn bag, Kori. I’m fighting.’ With that, she ran along the rim and engaged a creature which had spotted her and attacked.

  He cursed again, tore the throat out of the animal before him, shifted and did as she’d ordered. Back in wolf form, he reentered the battle.

  ‘It’s done, Lera.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  It wasn’t easy but he managed to keep from watching her all the time. He knew she could fight. And he had to trust she could hold her own. Even so, he began to slowly move up the hillside toward the spot she fought.

  Suddenly, fiery pain exploded through him, and he fell to the ground, human, the snow biting into his skin. The world spun, and he couldn’t find his bearings.

  Shit! More and more pain detonated within him, agony unlike anything he’d ever felt before. Spots danced before his eyes, on its heels was darkness. He struggled against it, but he couldn’t stop it. Not even the thought of being unable to protect Lera could stop the wall of blackness from swamping him.

  ‘Lera!’ he cried, then there was nothing.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lera stumbled after slicing through an opponent, pain controlling her limbs. It passed, and she realized it came from Kori. Heart pounding hard, she canvassed the carnage for him. Rage burst up and encompassed her at the sight of his wolf falling to the ground. When he became human, she screamed.

  “Get up!”

  He didn’t move. His pain could be felt within her. Five beings moved toward him, and she knew he was helpless. Her name screamed in her mind then there was nothing.

  Kori was down and defenseless. She growled and began to run, the snow slowing her a bit. Nothing mattered but getting to his side and defending him. He wouldn’t be in this situation if not for her insistence of defending Perun.

  “No!” she screamed as one ma
n stabbed Kori in the back with a sword.

  She poured everything she had into getting to him. Even so, she knew it wouldn’t be enough. Kori! Tears hindered her sight as she dodged around others, only one thing in mind.

  The man who’d stabbed him in the back lay his sword against Kori’s neck and lifted it. There was no doubt in her mind what was about to happen.

  Her skin tingled, and power rushed in. She felt it, flowing swiftly and fiercely over her, empowering her, giving her what she lacked. It meant one thing. Adric was coming. Tapping into the magic he allowed her, she never slowed, just shifted and embraced the raw strength of the wolf.

  A low roar of fury left her as she lunged the rest of the way and slammed into the man over Kori, his warm blood spraying her as she tore out his throat. She pushed from him onto the next before the first body even hit the ground. The final man fell, and she stood over Kori, prepared to defend him with her life if need be.

  ‘Kori. Kori. Wake up.’

  Nothing in response. She repositioned herself to have a better view of the surrounding battle. He stirred beneath her, his body bathed in a silver glow, the wound healing.

  ‘Kori?’

  ‘Fuck me, what the hell happened?’

  ‘I don’t know. You need to either shift back to wolf or dress yourself.’

  ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Never better.’ She moved when he shifted so he could gain his feet. He nuzzled her.

  ‘You’re wolf.’

  ‘Adric is close. Are you okay?’

  ‘Yes. Let’s finish this.’

  She gave him a wolfy grin. ‘Let’s.’

  Together, they leapt back into the fray. They battled until the onslaught of night. When the final enemy fell, she shifted back to human and Kori, beside her, did the same. She felt energized again. Breathing deeply, she inhaled the crisp air and allowed it to seep into her pores.

  Kori pulled her close and, without preamble, covered her mouth with his. She purred and pressed tightly against him.

  ‘Will there ever come a day when you listen to what I tell you?’

  ‘What fun would that be, Kori?’

  ‘I don’t know what I would do if I lost you, Lera. I don’t even want to think about it.’