No Remorse

by MaryLynn Bast

  “We just need to go kick their asses,” Adam said from the doorway. His face still battered, but the swelling was gone and the bruises were fading fast.

  Amber frowned, looking from him to Blake. They had both healed faster than they should have. She felt Blake at the edge of her mind and knew that he was reading her thought. I didn’t think in human form werewolves could heal themselves like that. In fact, your arm should still have been in bad shape when you came to see me.

  Seriana is a healer with special abilities. I will have to explain that one later, he responded to her. Then to Adam he said, “You know they have the same capabilities we do. We can’t just go storming in there. People will get hurt.”

  Amber looked from the pack members to the human among them and wondered just what the relationship was here. Her mother had taught her that they must keep their secret to themselves. It had been ingrained in her from the beginning that humans could not be trusted, that they would hunt them down and kill them because they were afraid of what they didn’t know. Yet they allowed Jonas to be a part of the pack ritual of changing a human into a werewolf mate, and Seriana, a healer? As in doctor, voodoo magic, or something like that?

  Honey, things are not like they used to be when your mother was growing up. We can trust; we just have to know who to trust. This human knows us and is safe. Seriana is different, and no, she’s not werewolf and not fully human. Blake spoke softly into her mind. We have a lot to talk about and I promise, baby, I will tell you everything you want to know. Blake pulled her back against him while they both looked out at the men watching them. Amber felt a little strange being affectionate in front of their curious stares, but remained wrapped in Blake’s arms. Apparently Blake had no issues with public displays of affection.

  Blake laughed in her mind, reminding her of her “affection” on the porch and tensed his stomach muscles to receive the elbow she shoved into his side.

  Amber took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She had figured a way to help. With Blake still touching her mind, she quickly allowed him to see the plan she had formulated. Also allowing him to know some of the abilities she had kept hidden.

  Blake was surprised at how well she had thought things through so quickly. Only if you are comfortable with this, he told her, understanding that she would be allowing others to know more about her than she would normally allow. He was anxious to see the abilities she alluded to.

  She thought briefly then looked over her shoulder and nodded. If I am to be part of ‘our’ pack, then I need to really be part of the pack. And remember, I just learned how to do this last week. With the human here, is it safe for me to discuss the plan freely? For him to see what I can do?

  At Blake's nod, Amber began.

  “I can go in and get them out,” Amber informed the group while they waited patiently for her to explain.

  Adam hobbled further into the room and slid gently to the leather couch with a moan, he clutched his side. Sending Amber a thumb’s up when she gave him a worried look.

  Amber thought to herself, that she wished she had gotten to know him a little better when he had first come to the shelter. She had left only weeks after he had arrived. Amber suddenly realized that she had been too wrapped up in her own misery to give anyone a chance to get to know her, other than Blake. Even though she had just met Adam again, for some reason she was beginning to trust him, even to like him.

  Just don’t start liking him too much. Blake squeezed her shoulders and she smiled.

  “Not a chance,” she responded to him out loud, leaning her head back against his chest. She addressed the men in front of her. It seemed the room was filled with a lot of people. It was almost overwhelming.

  “I have the ability to suppress my scent.” She wanted to laugh at the men, watching their brows draw together and begin sniffing the air in her direction.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” exclaimed one of the men she had been introduced to earlier. For the life of her she couldn’t remember his name, they all stared at her in wonder.

  “I can’t explain it.” She looked at each of the men now staring at her in disbelief. She didn’t like to be the center of attention, so she was nervous.

  She felt Blake’s strength as he held onto her lightly. She felt his gentle push, always touching and reassuring at the edge of her mind.

  “As most of you saw me this morning in my wolf form, you know I can change at will. I am not limited to the phase of the moon like I’m sure all of you are. ” She let that sink in a moment before she moved on, even looking at the human to see his surprised reaction. “I have never been part of a pack so I don’t know all the little things you can and can’t do. So please be understanding when I ask stupid questions. I say when, because I know it will happen.”

  They all laughed, listening intently to what she was saying. They had seen her in her wolf form when they had come back from the woods. However, they had not seen them change into their wolf form and didn’t know that Blake could change at will now, as well. She decided to play it safe and not mention that little fact.

  Good thinking, we may have to use that to our advantage sometime, Blake said thoughtfully, They will find out when it’s time, he said, then urged her to continue.

  “I will need a distraction so all of their attention is diverted away from where the boys are being held. I can keep them from seeing us long enough to get in and get them out of there and to safety.”

  “What do you mean to keep them from seeing us?” One of the men who lined the back of the couch asked.

  Blake released her waist when she leaned out and away from him. She stepped out of his embrace and stood still for a moment. They all watched her lips move silently. Closing her eyes, Amber evaporated into a clear mist, and then was gone all together.

  Blake stared at the empty spot where she had been a moment before. He had never seen her do this, so he was as amazed as the next guy at her ability to disappear. He felt her surround him in pure warmth, his wolf stretching excitedly inside of him while his body tingled all over.

  His men stared in wonder and started looking around. “Where did you go?” some of the men were asking, almost in alarm. He could hear them shuffling their feet as they turned around, looking behind them, even sniffing the air.

  Blake felt her laughter, her warmth surrounding him. “You can’t see anything I have shrouded,” he could hear her speak to the men; it sounded hollow to his ears, almost an echo of her voice.

  “What the hell?” Adam exclaimed when Amber allowed her form to rise towards the ceiling, unveiling Blake, revealing first his feet, calves, up his thighs and torso, then finally his head.

  Amber laughed from above, watching everyone stare at Blake, their mouths gawking in shear amazement. She had never shown anyone her ability and it felt great.

  Even in her shear form she could hear the men’s heartbeats, but Blake’s most of all. She felt the waves of pride he had for her, proud to have her as his mate, proud that she trusted him enough to share her gift with him and their pack.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Amber allowed her transparent form to float around the room while looking down at the men below her. She would eventually have to learn their names. There would be time for that later, right now she wanted them to know that she was still real in this form, so she allowed her mist to glide by each one, touching their back, shoulder or arms lightly. Again, Blake’s wolf raised its head in disapproval, but she continued. Where her form touched them, the men’s skin tingled, their wolves going on alert.

  Feeling her touch sent shockwaves of emotion running through their bodies, causing them to feel a sort of euphoria when she lingered for more than a second. Several of the men had to bite back groans when they heard Blake growling at them.

  Blake and his wolf were pissed that she was touching them, but Amber had to get her point across to the men what her abilities were, and also to let Blake know that she would not be controlled. If she wanted to touch another ma
n she would. At the menacing growl in her head Amber sent laugher to Blake and told him in mock exasperation. Not sexually, I have you as my sex toy, why would I want anyone else? Even though he was still angry, he smiled at that. She would have to remember that he could read her while in this form as well.

  Amber continued floating around the room, tapping or patting each man randomly so they were not expecting her touch. The looks on the men’s faces were comical and she couldn't help but laugh.

  Adam was anxious to feel what had the men so excited. He looked expectantly around the room, trying to follow the laughter that sounded as if it was everywhere, but nowhere all at once. Her ability to disappear like this was amazing and he wanted to try some of it.

  You know what I mean, Blake I want to feel her. Wait, not that way. I think I’ll just shut up now.

  Adam sat back on the couch with a pouting frown on his face when Blake continued to stare intently at him. Blake was really going to have to get his jealously under control. No one would dare touch Amber in any way other than as a friend. Even his thoughts were projecting to Blake, rolling his eyes Adam leaned his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes and his mind to Blake’s connection. Blake was going to beat the crap out of him if he didn’t stop thinking of Amber, even if it wasn’t in a sexual way. Suddenly, her hand touched his forehead and his eyes popped open. The feeling was amazing, his whole body hummed, his pain suddenly gone, but returned with a vengeance when her hand withdrew. He wanted her to keep touching him, but purposefully kept his mind blank so he didn’t piss his friend off any more than he already was, but deep down he had enjoyed her touch. Adam resolved that he needed to quit the single life and find himself a mate.

  Amber settled herself in the back corner of the study, away from where the men were looking at Adam. She allowed the silent words to cross her mind and reappeared.

  Blake was the first to see her appear. Her skin was positively radiating with her beauty. His pulse quickened and he drew in a sharp breath when their eyes met. Hers were pure yellow while she stood there glowing.

  “I can hold my form long enough to get both of the boys out,” she stated and hid her smile when all the men jumped around, startled to find her behind them. She had reappeared close to Marcello.

  “Jesus woman!” Marcello exclaimed, whipping around with fist clenched against his leg to keep from striking her. “You really could get yourself hurt doing that!” he told her, almost angrily, staring down at her from his monstrous height. His nostrils were flared and his chest heaved while he fought to control himself.

  Amber smiled up at him. “I trust you’ll restrain yourself,” she told him sweetly turning slightly, stepping around Marcello and towards the group.

  “Charles.” She addressed the cub’s father, making her way through the sea of men heading back to Blake’s side. “Have you formed a mental connection with your son?”

  “Yes, but he’s not responding right now.” Charles admitted.

  “Charles, continue pushing until he responds,” Blake chimed in. He liked the way her mind was thinking. “We need for him to understand that we’ll be getting him and the other boy out, but he needs to remain silent.”

  “I’m afraid if I pop out of nowhere Zach’s wife will freak out and maybe scream. Amber reasoned thoughtfully.

  Blake turned to the human. “Jonas, how much does your sister-in-law really know about us?”

  “She knows enough,” Jonas replied. “She’ll probably be frightened, but will cooperate.”

  Blake’s men looked at Amber with great respect. She was part of Blake, now part of the pack. She would be playing an intricate role in rescuing their young pack member and the humans who had been brought unwillingly into the middle of a possible pack war.

  Amber stood in front of the window and stared out as the sun slowly fell from the sky. The shadows of the trees lengthened. She could hear the many creatures of the night begin stirring. She had not once thought of running and hiding like she would have in the past.

  With such a busy day, she had not had a chance to be by herself, let alone think of what she was doing. She had simply reacted over the past couple of days. Now she found herself in the middle of a pack, something she would never have willingly allowed to happen. She thought of her and Blake, how they seemed so perfect for each other. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was a trick or if she could really belong. Belong with Blake, belong with a pack? Could she really make friends that she didn't have to leave? Most of all, what concerned her was if Blake could accept her like she was and she still retain her freedom?

  Blake watched as Amber stood staring out the window. He felt the absence of her existence in his mind, in his soul. He brushed softly against the barrier of her thoughts. Her wall was firmly in place. He wondered what she was thinking. She looked lonely staring out into the forest and wondered if she would rather be out there running, that she might be having second thoughts about staying with him.

  No, I’m not having second thoughts. I’m just not used to being around so many people. You forget, I'm used to being alone, she told him when she felt his worrying probe nudge her mind. She was getting good at knowing when he was seeking entrance into her thoughts.

  You learned quick how to build a wall to keep me out. I don’t think I like it, he told her playfully.

  Just following your advice to make sure I'm not broadcasting. There needs to be some things you have to guess at with me. I can’t have you knowing all my womanly secrets, she told him, turning around, their eyes meeting.

  Amber wandered back over to the big table and sat beside Blake.

  “So we do this tonight. They will expect us to do something, but won’t have a clue what hit them though,” Blake told the group and smiled at Amber, placing his warm hand on her thigh under the table.

  The wall was still firmly around her thoughts, but she let him seep in, to hear that she wanted to be alone for a little while. They had about an hour before she would be taking Blake in, possibly getting him killed.

  “We’ll meet at the front gate in an hour.” Blake informed the group, acknowledging the directive the men began filing out of the room, to take care of what needed to be done before it was time to go.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Blake would give Amber the time she wanted to be alone, sighing he stood up, and kissed the top of her head. Turning away, following the others as they exited the room.

  Watching him retreat, she hadn’t meant “alone” alone; she wanted Blake to be with her. The thought of him possibly getting hurt because of her really didn’t sit too well. The chance of losing him caused her to want to pull him close and not go through with the mission. Her wolf was anxious for her to keep Blake close, not let him leave; pushing for him to finish what he had started earlier. The thought made her want to squirm in her seat, she was instantly aroused. To think of it, she was always aroused around Blake. She wanted to make love to Blake. It may be the last time they would be together if things went terribly wrong.

  “Where are you going?” Amber asked Blake when he was almost out the door. She knew what he was doing, he hadn’t erected a wall around his thoughts as she had, she could read him easily.

  “I’m giving you some time alone,” he told her turning back when she started walking slowly towards him. Her hand was on the top button of her shirt. “You said you wanted to be alone.”

  Alone with you, you ninny, she told him and laughed.

  “Ninny? You called me a ninny?” he said out loud, his brows arched.

  “Yes,” she responded while her hand continued down the front of her shirt, one button at a time. “You promised to finish what you started on the couch over there.”

  Backing the final step to get to the door, he turned the lock. Insult forgotten, his mind raced at the images she projected, watching intently when she began performing a mini strip tease right there in the study.

  Amber stood with shirt in hand, the wispy white lace bra standing out br
ightly against her tanned skin. She watched while Blake’s eyes traveled the length of her, only stopping briefly to stare at her breasts that pebbled, begging to be touched.

  Blake enjoyed looking at her body, she was perfect in every way, and even the tiny white scar that marred her rib cage did nothing to take away from her beauty. Mentally, noting that he needed to ask her about that later.

  Blake’s tongue darted out to moisten suddenly dry lips. Watching her twist the shirt in her hand, slinging it in a slow circle, swaggering towards him.

  Once she was close enough, he reached for her but not quick enough. She ducked under his hands and went around behind him, trailing her nails across his chest, raking his nipple, causing him to suck his breath in sharply at the sudden burst of pain and pleasure.

  Standing with eyes closed, Blake allowed her unhindered access to his body. Mental connection bonded, Amber showed Blake what she wanted and what her wolf wanted her to do to him.

  “I’m yours for the next forty-five minutes,” her voice had a seductive huskiness to it when she spoke. The yellow specks flashed in her eyes, black rims darkening. Amber stood on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly brought his mouth down to hers.

  Blake's wolf was thrilled and urged him on. His heart beat an erratic rhythm in his chest at the anticipation of the promises her mind projected. Allowing her to take the lead on what she wanted to happen. Amber pulled Blake to the sofa where earlier he had ravaged her, before they were interrupted.

  We are not going to think about that, she told him as she caught his wandering mind. I want all of your attention now.

  Believe me you have every inch of my attention. Blake told her wiggling his brows.

  Well, let’s see how much attention you are paying me then. Amber challenged, from the bulge in his pants, he was paying a lot of attention.

  During the playful banter Amber’s mental block slipped, allowing Blake a glimpse of her thoughts. Leaning back on the couch, Blake held his hand on her hips while Amber straddled him.