Primal Instinct

by Ally Parker

Kenzie’s gaze shot to the mirror, and she saw Seb wrap his arm tighter around Kali. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. You’re in Shadow Moon territory, and that gives us every right.”

  Kenzie stared out the window. Damn, she felt tired. Every time she turned away, something or someone was trying to ruin her life. She had a responsibility to save Ava, and now apparently to save Jaxx too. The question was, would she live long enough to save anyone?

  13

  Jaxx coiled a hand around Kenzie’s arm and escorted her toward the cells, his gut clenching tighter with every step. Once they had returned to the compound Flynn had graciously delivered some jeans and secured the vehicle out of sight. Seb struggled, leading Kali though the tunnels.

  Seeing Kali was akin to seeing a ghost. Jaxx had been haunted about abandoning the she-wolf every damn day since he’d escaped the Outlaw pack. Sure, he’d tried finding her over the decades, but by the time he’d heard whispers of the Outlaws’s damage, they were long gone.

  His chest rattled, a growl lodged deep inside. Like he had every other minute, his gaze sought out his mate. How could his mate betray him, betray Shadow Moon? Damn. His chest tightened, and he reached up and palmed it. The only thing keeping him together was feeling Kenzie’s skin under his hand. His beast ripped its claws on his insides, trying to finish the mating with his female. Betrayal or not, the wolf didn’t care. No matter how pissed he was finding she had fled, putting herself in direct danger, risking not only her life but his—he still needed her.

  “Are we good?” Seb eyed him under pinched brows.

  It took Jaxx a second to realize he was growling. He fought for control, clamped down on his wolf, and grunted. Maybe he should lock himself up. Stupid animal couldn’t understand why he wasn’t luring his female to complete the mating. Kenzie’s skin was soft beneath his hand, and she smelled like hope. He yanked her closer, needing more of her against him. She sucked in a breath but didn’t look at him. Why wouldn’t she meet his gaze? Why hadn’t she begged for forgiveness? A dark accent cut across his glyph, the new marking a stark reminder he was on borrowed time.

  They approached the cells. Quinn was absent, probably questioning Ryker’s male. Seb opened the cell Kenzie slept in the night before and maneuvered Kali into the room. Seb grabbed the silver collar, and the heavy, retractable chain rattled against the wall.

  Freezing in place, Kali paled, her gaze shooting around the room and landing on him. “Please, Jaxx. Don’t do this. The Outlaws, they’re after me. I didn’t have a choice.”

  Jaxx ground his teeth. Damn it. He swallowed down the empathy tugging at his insides. Kali was working for Delmac. Delmac was not only inhumane, but a risk to their kind. Kenzie’s fear stung his nostrils. She backed into him. “Jaxx. Wha… what are you doing to her?”

  “Securing a threat.” His jaw pulsed. Even if he wanted to, there was nothing he could do for Kali. Faster than Jaxx had seen him move before, Seb lunged forward and locked the metal collar around Kali’s throat.

  “Save it for someone who cares,” Seb spat and tugged on the chain, testing the metal’s strength.

  Kali laughed, the sound broken.

  Damn, he felt just as evil as his father. Did Kali have anyone who cared? Things had been tough when he’d been with the Outlaws. His father was a ruthless, sadistic bastard that abused his position of alpha and took special pleasure in playing with the she-wolf. He hesitated. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. Vanilla teased his senses and he glanced down to Kenzie, her eyes wide, filled with terror. He would do anything to help his mate.

  Even this.

  “Crazy bitch,” Seb muttered.

  Kenzie tensed in his grasp. “Why are you doing this?”

  He pushed her against the wall. She didn’t need to worry about Kali. Kenzie had her own trouble to deal with. Fire scorched his skin, and another mark fanned across his shoulder. The guilt eased in his chest. Justice would be served.

  “We do what has to be done.” It was as simple as that.

  Seconds ticked by, and the timer on the retractable chain started to whirl. Willing or not, Kali was yanked against the wall, pinned in place, and at their mercy. Seb pulled out another series of chains, and cuffs, securing them around Kali’s ankles and wrists.

  Fur skated across Kali’s skin as her bones shifted. She cried out.

  Seb hummed. “Yeah, shifting isn’t a good idea. The metal doesn’t let your bones change.”

  Kenzie’s scent grew dense, and he fought to focus on anything but his mate. His wolf wanted to pace, to howl, to claim. He ran a hand through his hair and cupped the nape of his neck. The beast was taking control; Jaxx could feel its darkness taking hold. He needed Kenzie. The thought pleased him. He stepped closer to his female. She looked up at him with her beautiful topaz eyes. A small furrow formed between her eyes, and she took a step back, her body hitting the cell wall. Had she backed away from him?

  “Jaxx?”

  “Shhh, I just need…” God, he needed so much. But he’d settle for just one touch. One taste.

  Dipping his head he licked his mark. His cock hardened. As if a switch had been flicked, his beast broke free, clawing at his insides until there was nothing but the creature in control. Kenzie gasped, and the smell of arousal perfumed around them. He could get addicted to that sweet smell.

  “Shit! Jaxx!” Seb’s voice echoed from what seemed like a great distance.

  Another wave of his mate’s need hit him, and he lightly bit the area. His hands reached up, and cupped her breast, gently squeezing. She moaned, and her head lolled in invitation. He could mate her now. His hand unlatched his jeans.

  “Damn it, Jaxx!”

  One moment he was seconds from heaven, the next, he was flying through the air. His body slammed into the wall, bounced off, and landed on the floor. Fast as fury, he shot to his feet. Seb punched him in the face, and Jaxx stumbled back.

  He looked down at his shaking hands. Clawed hands. “Fuck!”

  What had he nearly done? The pounding of his heart drowned out all sounds. He swallowed hard, ignoring the remnants of his mate’s pleasure on the air. Taking his mate against a cell wall was not how he had planned to bring them closer. Seb had done him a solid. He needed to get out of here, pronto. Too ashamed to look at Kenzie, he kept his gaze rooted on Seb. “I—I’m fine.”

  Fear clamped around Jaxx’s heart. His glyphs were burning across his skin too fast, his beast able to steal moments of control, damn it, and he didn’t want to believe his mate had fled into the arms of the enemy. Had Kenzie been working with Delmac all along?

  Seb moved toward Kenzie. “I’ll secure your…”

  Jaxx’s body trembled with rage, and he put himself between Kenzie and Seb. “Do not lay a hand on what is mine.”

  He spun and approached his little wolf. “Kenzie, I need you to come with me and not struggle, okay?”

  Fear poured off his female, and his wolf hated the stench. She swallowed and nodded. His lids closed briefly, and he blew out a breath. He guided Kenzie to the next cell, the one holding Quinn’s mate. Looked like Shadow Moon needed to expand their dungeon—two cells weren’t enough. Seb skated in front of them and unlocked the door.

  “Quinn. For the last time…” Sasha’s words dried up. “Umm… You’re not Quinn. What’s going on here?”

  Seb pressed into the room toward Sasha. “Keep your mouth closed, female, and all will be well.”

  Danger rolled off the male in waves and, for once, Sasha stayed quiet. Seb walked over and cuffed the female’s wrist.

  Guilt plummeted to Jaxx’s stomach, weighing more than his creature could bear, and he dragged himself forward, guiding Kenzie into the opposite side of the room and picking up the shackles, feeling their weight in his palms.

  Jaxx sensed Seb approaching, and he growled. “She needs to be leashed. Think with your head, man. If your female even thought to attack Saint, she’d die. And there wouldn’t be a damn thing you could do about it. Cuff her and be done with i
t.”

  No matter how many deep breaths he sucked down, he was screwed. He needed to mate with Kenzie. She’d been consorting with the enemy, and when he would save her—because he would—she would never accept him. Dragging a palm over his face, he let his head fall back to look at the ceiling

  “Just do it,” Kenzie whispered.

  He could hear the resignation in her voice, and his hands fisted around the chains, making them rattle. Her fingers rasped over his hand, pulling the manacles from his grasp, and locked one around her wrist. “It’s the lesser of two evils.”

  A throat cleared from the doorway, and every muscle in Jaxx’s body solidified. Saint.

  “Jaxx, a word.”

  Steeling himself for what was to come, Jaxx walked out of the cell, shut the door, and followed Saint into his office.

  “What in hell’s name is going on? My head is filled with whispers and reports. All of them revolving around your mate.”

  Jaxx rubbed the back of his neck and told Saint everything that had occurred. As much as it pained him, it had to be done. If Saint found out any other way, the situation would be dire.

  His alpha stared at him for an endless minute. “I see,” he murmured.

  “It doesn’t make sense,” he hurried to say. “I’ve replayed the events over and over in my mind, and I can’t come up with a logical explanation. I saw her fighting for her life back at that damn facility.” He’d never forget the fear he’d seen in her eyes. “I know the evidence looks damning…” Kenzie’s blue eyes flashed in his mind. No matter what she’d done, at the end of the day she was still his mate and he would do anything to protect her. “I will accept any punishment on her behalf.”

  Narrowing his gaze, Saint kicked his chin toward where the cells were. “How about we get some answers before we dish out punishments.”

  A small knot of tension clung to his chest and grew. They approached the cell and found a pissed-off Quinn leaning against the door. His chin lowered as he eyeballed Saint through narrowed lids. “What the actual fuck is my mate doing leashed?”

  “Quinn, you know the rules. It would be nothing more than precautionary,” Saint said without a second glance Quinn’s way.

  Quinn’s jaw pulsed, and Jaxx could see him fighting off a reply.

  Saint unlocked the cell door and entered. Jaxx followed, with Quinn hot on his heels. Quinn darted to the right, toward Sasha. Jaxx’s gaze swung toward his mate. The chains clanked as she shifted her position back against the wall. Seeing his mate like that, trapped and cornered like prey… He couldn’t take it, and he moved next to her.

  Saint turned and addressed Quinn. “Take your mate to your quarters. I will be locking you both in for the night and placing an enforcer outside the room.”

  Quinn smiled.

  “What? I’m not spending the night with him.”

  Sasha’s tone made Quinn’s smile grow.

  Quinn quickly unlocked Sasha. “Now, Princess, don’t be like that. I can be very accommodating.”

  Sasha’s top lip curled. “You’ll be accommodating a foot in your ass if you call me Princess one more damn time.”

  Laughing, Quinn scooped Sasha up. She wriggled in his grasp, yelling at him as they left the room. Saint approached Kenzie. She tensed. With effort, he remained where he stood. As much as he wanted to murder any male that came close to his female, he knew that in order for Kenzie to survive, Saint would need to get answers—they both needed answers. Then, Jaxx could negotiate her freedom.

  Saint brushed fingers over his stubble. “I hear you’ve had quite the adventure tonight. Mind telling me what you were doing in our territory consorting with the enemy?”

  Kenzie glanced toward Jaxx, her eyes begging him to understand. Saint stepped between them, blocking his view.

  “Nothing to say? You have no further intel you’d like to share with us?”

  Jaxx walked to the other side. He had to visually see Kenzie to anchor his beast. The animal scratched and clawed against the box Jaxx had buried it in. His animal’s strength was more than a match for his human side, and he didn’t know how much longer he could contain the beast.

  Kenzie’s bottom lip trembled, and she sucked it into her mouth. Shadows licked at his insides, weakening his hold on his creature.

  “I… I can’t.”

  Her voice cracked, and nothing was going to stop him from getting to his mate. He strode forward and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, dipping his head to her level. “Kenzie, if you need help just say, and… ”

  Saint spun him around, and Jaxx snarled. Stepping a breath away, Saint’s essence dominated the air, challenging his beast. Kill him. He’s trying to stop you from taking what is yours.

  “Do not interfere, Jaxx. Control yourself or get out.”

  Jaxx shook his head, clearing the rage hovering over him and bit off a snarl. He’d be no use to his female dead.

  Turning back to Kenzie, Saint said, “What’s in this for you? Power?” Saint paused and assessed Kenzie. His nostrils flared, and Jaxx scented the air too—smelling Kenzie’s response.

  Her scent didn’t change.

  “No. What about money?” Again Saint paused, and subtly scented the air. No aroma change at all.

  “Protection?”

  Panic mingled into her usual vanilla notes. Not as strong as he would expect, but…

  “What or who do you need protection from?”

  Kenzie’s eyes widened, and her gaze flew to the opposite wall. As quick as it happened the giveaway vanished. He glanced over a shoulder at the mud bricks and frowned. Was she worried Kali could hear?

  “What?” Kenzie choked out. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Seb snorted. He tapped the tip of his nose, saying, “We can smell the peppered scent of your panic.”

  For a moment she did nothing. Then her shoulders slumped, and her eyes glassed over.

  “Please don’t make me say it.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  The quiver in her voice nearly broke him. Fuck Saint. If he denied him this, the alpha was going to know about it.

  “Saint.” Jaxx didn’t know if it was a warning or a plea. All he knew was he wasn’t strong enough to see his mate cry. Shouldering Saint out of the way, he stepped closer to Kenzie. He desperately wanted to tell her she was safe. But the lie lodged in his throat. Her fate rested on her answers.

  Saint allowed him passage. Jaxx latched onto her hand and lifted it. The heavy weight of the chain was evident. “Seb. Give me the keys.”

  When Seb didn’t respond, he barked. “Now!”

  Saint sighed. “Go on, Seb. I’m sure Mackenzie realizes cooperating will be in her best interest, and trying anything funny will definitely end badly.”

  Keys jangled through the air, and Jaxx caught them with one hand. He made fast work of removing the bands and rubbed along her wrists. A small comfort. She straightened, seemingly gathering her strength.

  “You don’t understand. If they find out I’ve told you, it won’t be me that pays.”

  Jaxx eyed his mate. Taking in her drawn features, he wondered who would pay. Did this mean she was innocent after all? The more he thought about it, the more he agreed it made sense. He had been cut to the quick that she had left him and when he saw her with someone from Delmac his ability to think clearly went AWOL.

  Finally, Saint spoke. “You have two choices. One,” he ticked off with his finger. “You tell me everything right here, right now, and I mean complete transparency, and I’ll do my best to be lenient.” Ticking the other finger off he continued, “Or I will have no option but to file a report and the council will show no mercy and it may cost more than just your life.”

  Kenzie fought the urge to rub her wrists. She thought on Saint’s proposal—and she used that term loosely. She eyed the wall where Kali was leashed. She would hear every word said. Her gaze returned to the chains. It wasn’t like Kali could get free to inform anyone. Her sister would remain safe, and it m
ight buy her some time until she could find her.

  “Let me help you. Tell us what you know,” Jaxx urged.

  He looked so concerned for her safety, and since his life was connected to hers, he probably was. She clamped her teeth closed. He had known all along who she was to him, and on some level it hurt that his interest in her was purely to save himself. A problem for another time. First, she had to save her own skin, then her sister’s.

  “Fine. If I tell you what I know, I want immunity, and protection for not only me but my family.”

  “You’re hardly in a position to negotiate. How about if you don’t co-operate, I’ll leave you in here and let the council conduct the investigation.”

  Jaxx growled and lunged forward. Saint’s arm shot out, holding him in place. “Enough!”

  Twisting, Jaxx ignored his alpha. He turned his head enough that Kenzie saw the snarl on his twisted features, and the way fur sprouted along his elongating jaw. What the hell was Jaxx thinking?

  “Shit!” Saint turned and shoved Jaxx. The force sent him back three steps. “I said enough!”

  From the far side of the room, Seb hunkered down. His claws unsheathed, and his features morphed into a wolf. Damn it, they were all going to tear each other to shreds. She had to do something, but what? Jaxx was snapping and snarling like he’d lost all control. The thought soured in her stomach. She’d only just met the male, but could she stand by and watch him fall apart piece by piece knowing she could help him?

  Jaxx’s claws slashed toward Saint, the alpha dodging them by a fraction; he slammed Jaxx into a wall. “I won’t warn you again, Jaxx.”

  Jaxx growled, and Kenzie saw there would be no reasoning with him. It was written on the curl of his lip and the wildness flashing in his eyes. Her chest tightened. Saint’s claws fanned out, and the alpha’s shoulder’s tensed. Saint would end Jaxx. Maybe it was their lingering connection, maybe it was because Jaxx had been someone she’d come to trust in a world where danger lurked in every shadow. He’d risked his life time and time again, risking his own safety, and literary taking her pain and enduring it himself. Panic washed over her body, and without giving it much thought she yelled, “Jaxx! Please. Don’t do this.”