Phoenix's Fate (RARE Series, #2)
Page 12
An hour later, Chase got up to leave. “I have to get back to the girls. Once Jade can leave the hospital, bring her to stay at my house until Malcolm is found. She will be safe there. I will double the amount of enforcers I normally have watching Hope and Faith.”
Angel turned to face him. “You are a good man, Chase Montgomery. Even though you hate me right now, you are still willing to protect my daughter. I know I have screwed everything up. My life is such a mess.” Chase did not respond, just turned silently and walked out the door. Tears filled Angel’s eyes as she watched him leave. Taking a deep breath, she wiped them away and turned her attention back to Jade.
Gazing down at her beautiful daughter, she whispered, “I am so proud of you, Jade. You saved Jenna and the children. You may have the soul of an Omega, but you have the heart of a warrior.”
~
Jinx sat on the bed, his hands clenched tightly into fists, sweat rolling down his body. He had known the minute his sister was in trouble, and had done everything he could to help her fight the rogue wolf. Unfortunately, Jade was a smaller, weaker wolf and it had made it difficult. Finally, when Jade had been bested and almost killed, Jinx had been able to connect with the rogue wolf and make him back down. He could have done a lot more damage if the enforcers hadn’t shown up. Jinx had stayed with his sister, holding her soul to earth and lending his strength to the woman who was healing her. As soon as he was sure she was going to make it, he had moved from Jade’s mind to the mind of the rogue wolf. The wolf had gotten away from the enforcers, but he would not get away from Jinx. Jinx always caught his prey. And now that he knew Jade was no longer the General’s prisoner, after he was done with the rogue wolf, he had bigger prey to take out. Drained of energy, Jinx leaned back against the headboard to rest and regain his strength. Then he was going hunting.
Chapter 30
Serenity was struggling to climb out of the fog she was in when she felt Phoenix’s strong hand reach for her. Normally, after healing someone, it was difficult to remember anything that had happened after she lost consciousness. This time, the memories were slamming into her wicked fast. Serenity had woken up a couple of times since she had used her gift to heal Jade, and each time Phoenix had been there telling her stories of his past. Not once had she woken alone.
“So, Nico came running out of the building like someone had lit a fire under his ass,” Phoenix said laughing as he continued. “You would have thought it was a pit bull as fast as he was going! Turns out a scruffy, yappy, little Chihuahua was chasing him!”
At Serenity’s soft laughter, his eyes snapped to hers and he was on his feet leaning over her in an instant. “Big bad Nico was chased by an itty bitty Chihuahua, huh?” She teased hoarsely. “I’ve heard those things can be vicious.”
Tears filling his eyes he whispered, “You’re back.” Turning towards the door, but refusing to let go of Serenity’s hand, he yelled for the doctor. As Doc Josie ran into the room, he motioned at Serenity with a smile.
“Glad to see you are awake, Serenity,” Doc Josie said with a grin. “How are you feeling? You weren’t out as long this time. I’m not sure why because Jade’s injuries were much worse than Phoenix’s, but I think it might have something to do with the mating.”
Raising the hospital bed so Serenity was sitting up, the doctor gave her some ice water. “Becca, the scientist who was rescued from the same facility you were being held in, would like to study your ability and run some tests to see why you recovered so quickly this time. Do you mind?”
Serenity stiffened at the idea of being a lab rat again. Hearing Phoenix growling as he felt her anxiety, she linked her fingers tightly with his and smiled. “It’s ok, Phoenix. If it wasn’t for Becca, I don’t know what any of us women would have done. It is because of her that we survived. Becca hid things from the General, like my shifting. I knew I needed to let my wolf out, but I refused to in front of the General and his guards. Becca would somehow make it so the cameras would go out in my room a couple of times a month and I would shift. She also hid things for some of the other women that I am not at liberty to discuss. She was there for us, and I trust her. If she wants to study me, that’s fine. As long as you are with me, Phoenix, I will be okay.”
“Don’t think of her as a scientist so much as a doctor. She cares,” Doc Josie said. “Becca wants to find ways to help all of the women with their abilities.”
“I know she does. Becca is a good person. I’m glad she was rescued with everyone else. The guards were assholes to her. They used to yell at her and beat her. Probably because she tried to protect us.” Taking a sip of her water, Serenity asked, “How’s Jade?”
“Jade’s good, thanks to you,” Doc Josie responded as she was taking Serenity’s vitals. “She left yesterday with Angel. I think they are staying at Chase’s until Malcolm is caught.” Patting Serenity on the arm, Doc Josie told her, “And you, my dear, I would like to keep for another night. But since I know you hate hospitals, I am going to let you go home with your mate as long as you promise to take it easy the rest of the day. I still have no idea how you recovered so quickly this time, but for now I’m going to let it go and just be happy that you did.”
Saying her goodbyes, the doctor left while Serenity sat in confusion trying to remember something that kept slipping her mind. She knew that there was a reason she had recovered at the rate that she had, but she could not figure it out. She also did not feel as tired as she normally did after a healing. And the pain was almost gone. “How long was I out this time, Phoenix?”
“Only two days. And you seemed like you were in more of a peaceful, healing sleep. Last time I could tell how much pain you were in. But this time, even though it was obvious that your energy was gone, you didn’t seem to be in that much pain.”
Serenity ran her hands down her sides, stomach and legs. “I should have been out for several days. Jade had deep cuts, bruises, and broken bones. She was almost dead, Phoenix. Shaking her head, Serenity got up out of bed, swaying on her feet a little, then walked to the bathroom. When she came back to the room, Phoenix was unpacking clothes from a duffel bag sitting on the bed.
“Can we just go home, Phoenix?” Serenity asked. “I will shower and change there. I just want to go home.” Pausing, he looked up at her and grinned. “You bet, Beauty. Let’s go.” Shoving the clothes back into the bag, Phoenix retrieved Serenity’s shoes and helped her put them on. Then, throwing the bag over his shoulder, he leaned down and scooped her up in his arms. “I can walk!” she squealed, laughing.
“Nope,” he informed her. “No walking for you. The doc said rest.”
“I don’t think she meant that I couldn’t walk, Phoenix,” Serenity told him dryly. With a cocky grin, he headed out the door. “Well, then it’s a good thing I make up my own rules, isn’t it?”
Chapter 31
Angel had converted the old barn on her property into a workout facility for RARE. It had weights and various cardio equipment, but her favorite piece was the punching bag. It was the best way to let go of pent up aggression. As she beat the hell out of the bag, she was trying to get up the nerve to do what she knew she needed to. Angel may be RARE’s badass, normally fearless leader, but sometimes things happened that scared the hell out of her. And she was not ashamed to admit that Malcolm was one of those things. Angel had seen the inside of his twisted, jacked up mind and even though she knew she had to enter it again, she did not want to. But it was important that they know where he was, and if at all possible, Angel was going to track him down and personally take him out for the pain he had caused her daughter. There was also Serenity to consider. If it was not for Serenity, Jade would be dead.
For now, Jade was safe at Chase’s house resting. When Angel had left a couple of hours ago, she had not told Jade what her plan was. No one else needed to be put in danger. Grabbing the punching bag, Angel wrapped her arms around it and leaned into it. No use putting it off any longer. Waiting was not going to change the outcome.
When Angel felt like she was as prepared as she was going to be, she went to sit on the comfortable white wicker chair on the screened in back porch. Closing her eyes, she slowly drifted attempting to follow the path Serenity had taken to find Malcolm. Finally! She found him. Immediately, she noticed the dark hatred he was harboring for Phoenix. In Malcolm’s mind, Phoenix had stolen his mate and that meant Phoenix must die. With Phoenix eliminated he was going to show Serenity what being Malcolm’s mate was all about. She had left him and disobeyed him, but she would not make that mistake again. He would beat her into submission.
Looking out Malcolm’s eyes, Angel tried to figure out where he was hiding. He was in wolf form, which she had expected, and was lying on the ground in the middle of a large wooded area. It was one she did not recognize. That night there would be a full moon. All packs like to run on the full moon, and Malcolm was planning to use it to his advantage to get him access into the compound. Once he was in the compound, he would quietly take out Phoenix. Then he was going to grab Serenity and run. Finally, he would be reunited with his mate.
Silently, Angel slipped back out of Malcolm’s mind, not once noticing the other presence also lingering in Malcolm’s mind. Looking out at the darkening sky, she glanced at her watch. She estimated she had no more than two hours tops before Malcolm made his move. Running outside and jumping in her jeep, Angel took off for the compound. She needed to share this information with Chase. They needed a plan and Angel needed to convince Chase not to let his pack out running tonight. One way or another, this ended with Malcolm tonight.
~
Jinx waited silently in a grouping of trees a couple of miles from the homes on the acres of land inside the compound of the White River wolf pack. He was well hidden and had taken a drug the General’s scientists had invented to mask his scent, so he knew he would not be detected. It had been a simple task to infiltrate the compound for a soldier like himself. Now he just had to wait patiently for the sun to go down and the rogue wolf to make his appearance. Jinx had been born and raised for situations like this. It was child’s play for someone like him. As Jinx waited, he let his mind wander, wondering about the woman he had sensed in the other wolf’s mind earlier. She had seemed familiar, but not. Who was she?
Chapter 32
Hunter was spending the night at Nico and Jenna’s house so that Serenity could have some peace and quiet as she recovered. She told Phoenix she was fine, but he insisted she rest because that was what Doc Josie ordered. Serenity was reclining on a wicker settee on the back porch watching the sun go down. Phoenix was sitting across from her sketching the beautiful scene. Nothing was more beautiful to him than Serenity.
As Phoenix was putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece, suddenly he cried out, dropping on the porch to all fours. He let out a loud groan as the pain intensified. “The full moon!” Serenity exclaimed. “We forgot about the full moon!” Running over to Phoenix, she grabbed his cell phone out of his back pocket and called Chase. “I’m already on my way,” Chase said as he answered the phone. “Angel and I will be there in five minutes.”
Hanging up the phone, Serenity knelt beside Phoenix. “Chase is on his way, Phoenix. Just a couple more minutes.” Phoenix’s back bowed and claws sprang from his fingertips. Throwing his head back he howled as fangs emerged from his gums. Breathing through the pain, he reached down and started undoing his jeans to strip them off. His shirt followed, then his socks. Serenity cringed as his muscles contracted painfully. Sobbing, she cried, “I’m so sorry, Phoenix.”
“Not your fault,” he growled, panting heavily. “Gonna be fine. Worth it to have you.” Sweat covered his entire body and he was shaking with pain. “Love you so much, mate.” Growling, he dug his nails into the porch, throwing his head back and howling as fur start to cover his body.
Suddenly Serenity heard a voice she had prayed she would never hear again. Malcolm stood at the edge of the porch, a cruel grin on his face. “Serenity, it is time to come home.” No, this could not be happening! Before she could slam her shields back into place, Malcolm slammed into her head and ordered her to follow him.
“No, I won’t do it. I won’t,” she moaned, grabbing her head in agony. “I am stronger now. I will not listen to you!” Squeezing her eyes shut in concentration, she threw Malcolm out of her head, quickly building the walls back up in her mind.
Suddenly there was a loud roar and Serenity was knocked to the ground as a huge dark grey wolf flew past her attacking an already shifting Malcolm. Turning to Phoenix, Serenity froze. Phoenix was gone. She quickly snapped her head back around to the battling wolves. Her Phoenix was a huge, beautiful dark grey wolf, and he was in the middle of kicking Malcolm’s furry ass. The fight was a fast and bloody one, and she knew for Phoenix it was a fight to the death. Malcolm got Phoenix down on his back, but Phoenix raised his legs and dug his claws into Malcolm’s soft belly, ripping it open, before throwing him off. Malcolm howled in pain, and laid there panting in misery.
At that moment, Chase and Angel ran up the stairs on the edge of the porch. Serenity felt the change in Phoenix instantly. Turning on them, he growled low and deadly, stalking towards them. “No, Phoenix,” she cried out. “Stop! Malcolm is controlling you. You do not want to do this!”
Answering Phoenix’s challenge with a growl of his own, Chase stripped and quickly turned into his wolf. Serenity screamed in fear as the two wolves clashed. Chase was an Alpha, Phoenix was newly turned. She had no idea how Phoenix had taken on Malcolm and won, but there was no way he would win this fight. He was already weakening. And if you made the mistake of challenging an Alpha, it was almost always to the death. The fight was quick, brutal and ended with Phoenix on the ground and Chase’s teeth around his throat.
Chase quickly changed back to his human form. Serenity ran to Phoenix, his body limp. Serenity ran to him as Chase quickly changed back to his human form. Phoenix slowly shifted back to human form, but remained unconscious. “What happened?” Serenity asked Chase. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Yeah,” Chase answered. “He’s fine. Just drained. Most wolves don’t get into two different fights immediately following their first change. He just needs rest. Where’s Malcolm?”
Serenity looked around in surprise. Not only was Malcolm gone, so was Angel. Her gaze swinging back to Chase’s in terror she whispered, “Angel’s gone after him.”
Chase nodded, sighing deeply in resignation as he pulled on his clothes. “My money is on her. Let’s get Phoenix into bed. I will stay here until I know for sure you are safe from Malcolm.”
Chapter 33
Angel chased after Malcolm, a throwing star in each hand. He had shifted quickly back to his human form while Chase and Phoenix were fighting, before taking off into the woods, his arms wrapped around his mutilated stomach. Angel had her mental shields in place and had to concentrate on keeping them there. She could feel Malcolm trying to break through her walls, but that was not going to happen. Malcolm was slowly pulling away from her, but Angel did not want to take the time to shift. The son of a bitch was strong and fast.
Surprising the hell out of Angel, a man dropped from the trees in front of Malcolm. Angel skidded to a stop, and as she watched, Malcolm tripped and fell on his knees in front of the stranger. “You made a big mistake when you hurt my sister,” she heard the stranger tell Malcolm as he slid a long sword from a scabbard on his back. Chuckling he said, “Don’t bother trying the mind games with me. I am stronger than you will ever dream of being.” Holding the sword up, the man let his fangs drop as he growled, “This is for Jade.” With one clean swipe Malcolm’s head was severed from his shoulders.
Angel stood there in shock, afraid to believe what she was seeing. As the man looked up at her through eyes identical to Jade’s, Angel let out
a gasp. “They told me you were dead.” Slowly she walked towards him as tears streamed down her face. “All these years, I thought you were dead.”
Narrowing his eyes he asked, “Who are you?” On a sob, Angel stopped right before him, slowly reaching out a hand and touching his face. She pulled back quickly when he flinched and growled lowly. “I’m Jade’s mother,” she told him. “Your mother.”
Ignoring her claim, he kneeled down, used Malcolm’s clothes to clean the blood off his sword, and sheathed it in the scabbard on his back. “I have to go. Take care of Jade for me. I won’t be able to for a while.” Turning, he moved swiftly into the darkness.
“Wait,” Angel called out. She could hear the enforcers moving towards them quickly, but she did not want to let her son go. “What’s your name? How can I find you?”
Sobbing she ran in the direction he had gone. “Please, don’t leave me. Please, my son.” Stopping, she fell to her knees and howled in pain. She had found out after twenty-four years of thinking her son was dead, he was really alive. That someone had taken him from her. And now he was gone again. She did not know anything about him; had no idea how to find him. The pain in her heart was almost unbearable.
She felt soft words enter her mind. I have to go before the General realizes I’m gone. I go by Jinx. When it is safe, I will find you. Take care of Jade. He was gone as swiftly as he had appeared.
The General. That crazy motherfucker had not only stolen her daughter, but also her son. She was going to kill him slowly and painfully. Angel rose to her feet and turned back in the direction of Malcolm’s body. She had to make things right in the compound first, then she was going to find the General and make him wish to hell he had never met her or her children.