Primal Instinct

by Ally Parker

  Jaxx winced.

  The door rattled and opened. Kenzie dashed for the blanket, wrapping it around herself just before a man entered. He was huge. Hell, all the men within Shadow Moon were huge. A plaid shirt cut tight across his broad chest.

  “I’m afraid it’s even worse, lass.” The male’s black brows dipped down his nose. “The smell of hot, steamy sex is perfumin’ the air. All caught within its snare knows the sordid details of what’s passed.”

  “Flynn,” Jaxx growled.

  Flynn’s brows shot up to his hairline, and he smiled. “What? The lass is officially family now. I make it a rule never to lie to family.”

  Directing his honeyed gaze her way he said, “I saw you briefly when Jaxx escorted you back from your trip, but we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Flynn McKnight.”

  Heat flamed her face as she nodded, vaguely recognizing him. “I’m Mackenzie Sutton.”

  He let himself in, walked over to the panel, and pushed some keys. “Let me sort this out for ye, and I’ll be out of yer way.”

  Clunks sounded from behind the wall, and a moment later Jaxx was free from the collar. He reached up and rubbed his neck, rolling his shoulders. “Does Saint know?”

  “O’course. He has business to take care of. Think of this time as a gift.”

  Flynn left the room as quickly as he appeared.

  “Don’t mind Flynn. He means well.”

  Kenzie turned and faced Jaxx. He strode forward, scooping her up and collapsing on the bed. A squeal sipped out. His skin radiated warmth, and if she was honest with herself, the feeling touched more than skin receptors.

  “We may as well make the most of our reprieve,” he murmured.

  The cot was small. Barely big enough for one person, let alone two. Jaxx pulled her half onto him, and in that second, peace washed over her. Idly, she traced her fingers over the wolf tattoo. It would be a shame to leave, but for far too long she’d been prisoner to her circumstances.

  “It will all work out. The three of us will start our own pack.”

  She stilled. Jaxx’s plan filtered in her head. That damn connection! He must have overhead every thought. She reinforced her mental block just as Jaxx had shown her.

  “Not every thought,” he said out loud.

  Her shields hadn’t moved since he’d she’d built them. “Why can you hear my thoughts again?”

  A wicked and sexy smile flashed across his face.

  “As mates our connection is stronger. It’s designed to work this way.” His smile grew wider. “It pleases me to know you think my smile is sexy.”

  She frowned. “That’s not fair. Why can’t I hear you?”

  Jaxx propped himself on his forearm and frowned. “Close your eyes and concentrate. I’ll keep my mind wide open.”

  She closed her eyes and focused on Jaxx. Visualizing the angles of his jaw, the set of his eyes, and the curve of his lips. Nothing. Determined to test this ability, she thought about how he had taken away her pain, cared for her when she’d been injured, and despite everything that had happened, stood by her side.

  I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but you’re stuck with me until my dying breath.

  It worked! She heard his thoughts loud and clear. She swallowed hard at where his head was at.

  Eyes popping open, she managed, “Our arrangement was clear. My freedom for yours.”

  His arm wrapped tighter around her shoulders. “You said you wanted to leave the pack. I agreed to your terms. Even if it’s to the fiery pits of hell, I will follow you every step of the way.”

  A deep rumble vibrated up her chest. “That wasn’t our agreement.”

  He repeated her words she had spoken earlier, and she narrowed her eyes.

  “Shhh. Let’s not argue tonight. We have the rest of forever to sort it out.” He relaxed into the pillow and closed his eyes.

  She shook his shoulders; he didn’t open his eyes. “There isn’t anything to sort out. I specified just my sister and me.”

  Keeping his eyes closed, he tugged her into his arms. “You also didn’t say I couldn’t come. Now come on; we need rest if we’re going to get your sister back.”

  Her belly flip-flopped with hope. If Saint didn’t want to kill her, she might be able to get Ava back once and for all.

  Jaxx growled. “You won’t be harmed. I’ll make sure of it. At the end of the day both you and Ava are innocent. It’s not in Saint’s nature to abandon innocents. He’ll help.” He tugged her back down to his chest.

  Maybe. She yawned and got comfortable. If things were about to get real, she needed to be in the best condition possible. It didn’t take long for tiredness to wear her down. So much had happened in such a short period of time, it seemed like she’d never catch up.

  “You’re mine, Kenzie.”

  After five long years of having no say over her life, she had no plans to be chained again. If Jaxx truly believed he somehow had control over her because of their mating, he was sorely mistaken.

  15

  Saint inhaled the scents fanning across Shadow Moon; the tang of Dark Falls made his fur stand on edge. This was his home—his pack’s land. Ryker had gone too far this time. Men had been lost; it didn’t matter that it wasn’t from his own pack. Lives weren’t disposable. For an alpha, pack should mean family, not minions to do your bidding.

  Growling, he looked at dawn flirting across the horizon, and he turned, tailing it back to the den’s entrance. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Over the last couple of days a shitstorm had hammered down from every direction. First Ryker blackmailing him over Jaxx’s unsanctioned change, and a human that witnessed the whole damn thing, Xavier going rogue, Sasha witnessing it, weres going missing—shit, even thinking about that despicable place churned his gut. Now, Ryker’s attack. He knew there would be a way from trudging through the trenches; all he needed to do was clear his head. Despite the odds, he still had faith the pack would survive.

  Leaves crunched under his weight, and he picked up enough speed to jump over a fallen oak tree. He beelined to a foliage-dense area hidden with large rocks and overgrown vines. Shaking his body, he let the change take over and morphed back into his human form. At his feet lay a neatly folded pile of clothes. He donned his jeans and tee before tracking back to the holding cells.

  He could have made quick work of the tunnels in his wolf form, but he needed the extra few minutes to collect his thoughts before he tackled the next lot of hurdles. The scent of sandalwood drifted to him, and he knew he wouldn’t be getting extra time today.

  “What do you have for me, Seb?”

  Seb rounded the corner. “You’re aware Jaxx has been saved?”

  He doubted anyone in the territory didn’t know they had mated. There was a particular edge to Seb’s voice. One Saint could understand. He was sure the pack would be happy for Jaxx’s fortune, yet at the same time wonder about their own fates. It was a messed-up situation—but such was their life.

  “Jaxx is a deserving shifter.” As were all of his shifters. “I’m glad to hear he is mated.”

  Seb grunted before falling into line. “We have Ryker’s man contained in a holding cell ready for questioning.”

  “Has he been forthcoming with any information?” Saint glanced at Seb and watched his silver eyes spark.

  “No. But he will by the time we’re done with him. All we need is a name, and I’ll put Dominic on it to see if we can find any weaknesses. Gambling debts, family? Whatever it is, we can use it against him.”

  Saint arched a brow. Since Dominic was a were, he would need to be buddied up until the Delmac threat was neutralized. “Who is Dominic on detail with?”

  “At the moment, no one. I’ll tech him up, and he can do some recon that way.”

  Anything for the pack’s safety. His cell vibrated from his jeans pocket. Saint dug in and cursed as he looked at the screen.

  “Go on ahead. I have to take this call. I’ll meet you at the holding cell.”


  Seb nodded and continued on down the tunnel. Saint’s canines shot from his gums. “You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve calling me after the shit you’ve just pulled. You’ve taken it too far this time.”

  Ryker sighed. “I have to say I was surprised you didn’t comply with my gracious deal. I guess I underestimated how little you value your beta.”

  Saint bit his tongue. He didn’t have time for another argument with a person that meant nothing to him. “What do you want, Ryker?”

  All pretenses left Ryker’s voice. “Tonight, some of your pack brought a female back to your compound. I want her—she belongs in Dark Falls.”

  “She isn’t from your pack—there isn’t one iota of your pack’s stench on her.” The only thing Kali reeked of was Delmac

  “She will be.”

  There was such finality to his voice, Saint took an extra moment to analyze the facts. He knew Ryker wanted more females but with Kali’s crimes she was on borrowed time. “No can do. She has certain information we need.”

  Silence filled the line.

  “I will give you the negatives and all copies of the photo in exchange for the she-wolf.”

  Stunned, Saint took his time digesting what Ryker had said. It was out of character for him to be so generous. If this was Ryker’s mate, by shifter law, Saint would have to release her into his half-brother’s custody. “What is this female to you?”

  “None of your fucking business! Do we have a deal?”

  Saint had given up long ago trying to understand the male’s logic. If she wasn’t a mate to him or any of the males of Dark Falls, then what was Kali’s significance? The offer was tempting, but if he used Kali like a pawn—no matter what she was guilty of—how was he any better than Ryker? “Unless she is a mate, the answer is no.”

  Sounding more animal than human, Ryker growled. “You’re making a serious mistake, and it’s going to cost you your pack members.”

  The line went dead. He stared at the screen for a moment, Ryker’s words ringing in his ears. “Not if I can help it.”

  There was one option he had left; he just hoped it worked. Thumbing in the digits for the council, he waited.

  “Good morning, this is Vivian. How may I direct your call?”

  “This is Saint from Shadow Moon pack. I need to report an incident involving my beta.”

  Jaxx woke from the soundest sleep of his life. Energy buzzed through his veins. If the entire shifter population busted down the door, he could take them on and win. Looking down, his mate’s heated body curled against his side, her leg wrapped over him as if, even in sleep, she didn’t want to let him go. Gently, he reached down and toyed with strands of her hair fanning over his chest, watching how the silver glinted off her brown locks. He could spend eternity with her pressed against his body.

  Thinking back to the previous night, his arm tightened around Kenzie’s waist. She stirred, nestling her head into his chest, her hair tickling his chin — yet she didn’t wake. Like some schoolgirl, he had envisioned his mating many times over the years. None of which consisted of him almost feral, bound in a cell, with his female mating him under some duty-bound obligation. The euphoria that he’d been experiencing took a nose dive. His little wolf had been through so much. He understood her yearning for freedom, but somehow he had to convince Kenzie, her future include him.

  The scent of bacon, steak, and eggs teased his nose from outside the cell. He suspected it wouldn’t be long until their peaceful time together ended. Kenzie’s breathing changed and then completely stopped. All he could hear was the pounding of her heart. Maintaining his composure, he kept his breaths even and his eyes closed, wanting to prolong the moment. She drew in a breath and her head lifted off him. Even with his eyes closed, her gaze left a heated trail in its wake. Tentative fingers stroked across his chest and snaked up to his jawline. Resting her nose on his chest, she drew in a breath. Her inquisitive exploring sent blood to the southern region of his body. She gasped, the evidence of his arousal thickening against her leg.

  “What am I doing?” Weight shifted in the palm on his chest, and she pushed off him.

  His eyes snapped open. “You’re awake,” he murmured. Reaching over, he stroked her leg. “How do you feel?”

  Her stomach growled. “Hungry, I guess,” she scoffed. “I could also use the bathroom, too.”

  A knock rapped at the door, the lock clicked, and the door opened.

  Flynn walked in and shoved the keys into his pocket. “Congratulations, lovebirds. Saint’s given the all-clear to release ye both. Though seeing you all entwined together, I’m thinkin’ ye might need to be held captive a moment more?”

  Kenzie tensed in his arms. Jaxx chuckled to himself, which earned him a frown from his mate. “Thanks, Flynn,” he said. “Unfortunately, I need to speak with Saint.”

  He had to make sure no repercussions were headed his mate’s way.

  “Saint is questioning Ryker’s man as we speak. He might be a while.”

  Jaxx noticed Flynn’s gaze take in Kenzie’s sheeted outline for longer than he’d like. Logically, he knew the Scot was curious; after all, none of the born shifters of their pack were mated. It didn’t stop his instinct to warn the male just the same. Only Jaxx’s gaze could linger on every sculpted curve of Kenzie’s perfection. “I suggest you continue on your way, Scotsman, before I’m forced to remove those eyes that are lingering too long on my mate.”

  Flynn’s brows kicked up, and he cleared his throat. “I’ve got things to do, places to be. I’ll be seeing ye both around.”

  Flynn left, closing the door behind him. Kenzie scrambled from him like she’d developed an allergy, wrapping the sheet around herself. “We should get moving.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he paused and watched the frantic way she tried to both mentally and physically pull away from him. How cute. There was no way in hell he would give her up. As it happened, he was itching for a good challenge. His tongue swiped across his teeth, and he toyed with a sharp canine tooth, watching as she struggled to secure the sheet. To simply have the ability to control his animal half with no fear of losing himself was a novelty that would never get old, and it was all thanks to the female in front of him.

  “Jaxx?”

  Standing, he approached her slowly. She glanced up.

  “We should…”

  Her movements slowed, and her gaze darted to him.

  “Should… get.” Kenzie swallowed. “Going?”

  He pulled her close, her body flush against his. Kenzie’s hands slid down his chest to rest on his abs, and his muscles twitched. Cupping her cheek, his thumb caressed the side of her throat. “Forewarning, Kenzie. I’m no saint. I will do whatever it takes, to make you want me—need me—as much as I need you. Then you’ll see you’re safe with me. Always.”

  He dipped his head, deliberately sending his whispered words caressing across her skin. She shivered. “I will always put your protection and well-being above my own. I will break any rule to prove I can make you happy. To prove that we are stronger together than we are apart.”

  The scent of her was driving him wild. It was everywhere. In the room, on the sheet wrapped around her, and radiating from both of their bodies. He wanted to take her again. Right where they stood.

  Kenzie’s fingers flexed into his skin. “We had a deal.”

  His hand slid from her cheek down to her neck; one finger lightly trailed farther south to the swell of her breasts. “That deal is still in place, my little wolf. I’m a man of my word, and you will have freedom. But I wager you will choose your freedom to include me.”

  She pushed off him, retreating? Didn’t she know there would be no retreating? Not from him.

  “Is that so?” She arched a brow. “And what gives you the impression I would do such a thing?”

  Because he was going to do whatever it took, for however long it took, until she came to the same realization he had. For as long as they had each other, nothing else mattered. He would always mak
e sure his mate was cared for in every possible way. “Because of my roguish good looks and charisma.”

  Kenzie snorted and shook her head. “Right. Let’s just get going, Casanova.”

  He didn’t miss the smile tugging at her lips. Kenzie was right. They had a mission, and unfortunately time wasn’t on their side. He led them back to his quarters. In the confines of his place the condensed smell of his mate and the recent sex they’d shared was making him insane with need. She cleared her throat. “We better get dressed.”

  Right. Clothes would help. “Once you’re dressed, meet me in the kitchen. I’ll cook us something to eat.”

  The shower turned on, and a short time later Kenzie strolled out of his room, dressed in jeans and a black hoodie, using the towel to dry the ends of her hair.

  “Just in time.” He served up the last of the eggs onto a plate and slid it toward Kenzie.

  “Hmm, I can smell bacon, eggs, and hash browns.”

  He tossed the pan into the sink to soak. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  She took a seat at the breakfast bar, sampled the eggs, and hummed her appreciation. “This is delicious.”

  He’d cooked the pack breakfast more times than he could count, and not once did it feel like an accomplishment. Now it did. Kenzie made him feel special. Around a mouth full of bacon he said, “Tell me about you—about your sister.”

  For a moment she didn’t respond; he was about to change the subject when she cleared her throat. “There isn’t much to tell. My dad shot out after Ava was born. I don’t remember him. For the most part, Mom was too high to remember she had kids. One day she didn’t come back home, and then it was just Ava and me.”

  They’d been all alone. No pack to protect them. “That must have been tough.”

  She shrugged. “It was. But we always had each other, doing whatever we needed to do to survive.”

  Through their connection, Jaxx experienced her pain. Raw, sharp, and uncut. It wrapped around him, setting his teeth on edge. Kenzie may not have knowingly shared her emotions with him, but each one echoed in his mind, and it just about killed him. He couldn’t take it anymore. Pushing his plate aside, he walked around the bench and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close. “We will find your sister. You aren’t alone anymore, and together we will make those sons of bitches pay for what they’ve done.”