“I had heard he was…different. Different in ways that would benefit…”
The Alpha’s eyes darkened. “You thought different than me would be better for you…and your people?”
The Prime Minister’s head barely moved but he nodded.
Alpha Milque threw back his head and laughed. “You have no idea about us…yet you expect us to serve you. No man rules us…no one. You should have asked my advice before you set on this course, because if what I heard is true you have tangled with a beast no one on the planet would ever knowingly fuck with.”
“What? Who?” the man turned whiter than before.
“La Patron. And I’m told you knew that and continued on this mad scheme. I have lost over twenty-five men behind your selfish bullshit…and I think that was the plot all along. You want out of our deal so you can sell to the Americans, but you need me out of the way first.”
The Prime Minister’s eyes widened, his fear spread through the room like a fine mist. “What? No…someone has been spreading lies. The deal with the Americans was completed before the ceremony. I sent you a letter and deposited your share in your account like we agreed. You need to check it. I kept my end of the deal.” His voice clearly said, now keep your end. He clasped his hands together in front of him, and his eyes darted around the room as if he expected the Calvary at any moment.
The Alpha whipped out his phone and tapped a few keys and then a few more. The frown lines across his brow gradually lifted and cleared. “So you did.” He smiled at the Prime Minister and then turned and stared at Tyrese.
“La Patron is sending a team to take you out of here. I hear the military is trying to save you as well. Most of the European packs are on stand-by to offer assistance if necessary. He tried to locate me I’m told, to ask for passage across my territory. I’m honored. But…I did not grant passage so when your team members arrive, we will take them, as I will take you, as hostages.”
Tyrese laughed. It was a mocking sound, one that no full-blood would allow to pass. It took everything in Asia not to grin. This was classic Tyrese, totally irreverent.
“I am not your problem. Either of you. The military just dropped ten men in Lyrill, obviously without your permission,” he said his tone sarcastic.
The Prime Minister and the Alpha spun around looking.
Tyrese continued. “The question now becomes why are they here? This whole situation is a colossal mess and an embarrassment to the government. Hmm…how do they handle those kinds of things?”
“Shut up,” the Prime Minister shouted, pointing at Tyrese. “You’re making this up, they are not…” He stopped mid-sentence when seven soldiers stepped into the room with masks and guns. “What are you doing?” the Prime Minister whispered. “We had a deal.”
The Alpha snarled and shifted. Asia felt a tugging on her wolf. Although she wore another full-blood’s skin, this man was not her Alpha and could not trigger her change. The door crashed in and all the wolves from outside swarmed in. She noticed two veered toward Tyrese and knew by their coats they were Brix and Leon.
She bounded across the room out of the fray dodging bullets to join her team. Brix and Leon paced in front of Tyrese, boxing him in. By the time she reached them, she had ripped off the top of her offensive uniform but remained in human form.
“Mistress if there is any way you can throw a shield around us, we would appreciate it.” The battle was intense. The military slaughtered the wolves with weapons she had never seen used before. She itched to get her hands on one. Still the wolves dispatched half of the soldiers to their graves.
The next second the sounds from the fight lightened. They were sealed in a protective bubble.
“Asia?”
She turned and looked at Tyrese. “Yes. Brix and Leon.” She tipped her head to the others.
“I know, they told me. Where’s Angus?”
“He’s preparing to get us out of here.” She met the other woman’s curious gaze and inhaled. “You found your mate, Tyrese that is great.”
Brix and Leon spun around and stared at her.
She nodded slowly, her eyes flicking all over Asia, confused. Since Asia was in male form she understood. “I’m Danielle. Danielle Brindle, nice to meet you.”
Asia smiled at the female who looked like one of those women she had seen in a magazine. She sensed a core of steel strength running through the Tyrese ‘mate, she was no push over. Asia was pleased. Danielle would need that steel to deal with Tyrese, the man was raw.
The growling sounds continued. Milque may have been a scandalous rogue, but he was a tenacious fighter. It took several rounds to take him out, but he took two soldiers with him. By the time the last shot died down there were two soldiers left standing.
None of them were surprised when the two remaining soldiers turned toward them, lifted their weapons and fired. Danielle screamed but calmed when she noticed nothing penetrated the bubble. The men continued firing until there was nothing but clicks, then they pulled out pistols and shot at them point blank. They concentrated so hard on penetrating the bubble they failed to see Angus, who now looked like Tyrone, zip into the room behind them. He threw his long blade into the first soldier so hard the hilt rested against the man’s back while the blade projected out his chest. In a blur of speed he twisted the head of the other until it snapped and then dropped the man.
“Okay, we’re good.” Angus spoke aloud and the bubble disappeared. “Come on lets go, there are more of them on the way.” He stopped and looked at Danielle. “Hello, Dani welcome to the family.”
She stiffened, her lips tightened. “Hello, never call me Dani.” She ran past him, when Tyrese pulled her hand.
Asia laughed at the stunned look on Angus’ face before they took off behind the others.
“Danielle…Danielle…yoohoo,” a soft voice called as they ran across the platform.
Angus had switched from Tyrone to another rough character and Asia was relieved. Tyrone being here and in Colorado would raise unnecessary questions. She wasn’t sure why Angus appeared as Tyrone, but the light of pleasure that had been in Tyrese’ eyes when he saw his twin made it worthwhile.
Danielle paused and waved at a silly dressed man alone in the balcony. “Thanks for the real story of a lifetime.” His words sent a chill through Asia. His voice sounded familiar. She continued running with the group, doubled back and then changed her identity to one of the citizens of Lyrill on the way. Reaching the stand she stood beneath the balcony. Hands on knees, she threw out her senses. There was something not quite right about that man or woman or whatever it was. He was humming, and then laughing. “This is genius…how did he reach across the ocean? We didn’t know he could do that. And another one has a mate,” he murmured in that same soft tone.
Asia sat on the ground like the other citizens and listened as he described the battle. “Mistress?”
“Yes Asia. Are you and the rest of the team safe? Is Tyrese and his mate alright?”
“Yes, they are making their way to the pickup point, but I am checking something…I think one of the Liege Lords is here. There is something familiar about his scent. I need to check it out.”
“No, Asia. Find the rest of the team, all of you get to safety and come home.”
“But…”
“Now!” Asia had never heard her Mistress so adamant. She was in motion while the last word reverberated in her ears and bumped into the silly dressed man. He fell to the ground, his device bounced a few feet away. One of the Lyrill children picked it up and pressed a few buttons. The sound of gunfire drew the attention of the crowd. Adults flocked around the child and watched the military gun down the full-bloods, who had been the honor guards of Lyrill.
“Give that to me…” the prissy man tried to grasp it, but an adult took it from the child and they replayed the scenes over and over. When she looked back over her shoulder, a few men in the crowd were holding him tight and the device was passed around. She was sure the massacre would be viral by morning unless th
e government had a way to shut it down.
Inhaling, she picked up the trail of her team and sped forward until another strange scent stopped her cold. “Mistress, there are men following Angus…they do not smell of pack. Did La Patron send others to assist in this escape?”
There was a moment of silence. “No, he didn’t ,however, the European wolves may get involved to help get you out of the country. Silas said to make sure you ask questions first.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” She released a stream of air, looked around and jumped onto a high branch of a nearby tree. These men walked with a sense of purpose, their weapons resembled those of the military men. “Mistress these men have guns.”
“They are not our allies. Do what you need to do to protect the others. I want all six of you here before the end of my ceremony, is that understood?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Can you get word to them that they are being followed and that I am watching from the trees?”
“I will do that. Be careful.”
She jumped to another tree and held onto her balance. The men on the ground stopped and looked up, she grabbed hold of the limbs and imagined she was a part of the tree. A cool breeze swept across her skin and then tiny pinpricks raced up and down her arms and legs. A few seconds later the men were on the move again. She inhaled, trying to identify their scent and couldn’t. That concerned her. When she worked for the Liege Lords, that was the first thing they did, stripped your scent. Plus there were only three against six, well four since she was not with them, and she didn’t count Danielle.
So that meant these men were souped up with technology. Damn. “Mistress, let them know I think these are more of those super soldiers from the Liege… and they need to protect the bracelets.” She didn’t know why she added that last bit but it made sense. These men strode with purpose the way she had on so many targeted assignments. The only thing they could want would be Angus and the chameleon bracelets. Since Angus was the creator of the devices he might be targeted as well.
“Will do.”
Asia knew the moment Angus got the word about the bracelets. He swung around and touched his arm to Brix and Leon. And then they all ran. She leapt from tree to tree watching. The trio behind them ran with a burst of speed. It was like watching gazelles run from Lions. They were all that fast.
Finally, she dropped from the tree and jumped on the back of one of the trackers. As she expected the other two continued on task without a backward glance. These men were not friends, or comrades or anything to each other. The only thing that mattered was the success of the mission.
She and her opponent rolled on the ground until they hit the base of a tree. She scissored him between her legs, pinning his arms to his side. He struggled to break free, but her arm and legs were made of indestructible metals, they would not budge. His eyes widened and then scanned her quickly searching for her weakness. He frowned as if she was a puzzle.
He may not know her weakness, but she knew his. Asia flipped him back, raised her fist and slammed it with the force of a jackhammer into his face, cracking through bone and brain matter. Easing her hold on him she dug around a bit pulled out the chip behind his eyes. After living with a chip in her head for years, she knew to disable the computer before it regenerated the man.
The skin on her hand split showing metal, she shook it clear of blood and gore and watched her skin re-knit. He growled a low animalistic sound and pushed her off him so hard she flew back and hit a tree. Her head spun but she moved in time to miss him diving for her. This time the cracking sound wasn’t her doing. It was more of his head. He rolled over, blood poured out the empty eye socket. A split ran down his forehead, she could see a part of his brain. It was more humane to finish this. She opened her hand, the eye stared at her. Turning, she smashed it against the tree.
The first time she smashed it, his body jerked. The second time she smashed it, blood poured from his nose like a forgotten running faucet. The third time, she slammed it as hard as she could and heard the chip break. He took his last breath and lay still. She picked up the chip, tore it in half and threw the pieces in different directions in the forest.
Exhaling, she took off after the other two.
Chapter 14
Jasmine stared at Silas when he stepped into the room, closed his eyes and faced her. A shimmering light surrounded his body, as if hundreds of lips kissed him from the crown of his head to the arch of his feet.
Her breath caught throat at the fairy-tale sight. Slowly, he opened his eyes and grinned at what had to be a comical look of shock on her face. Eyebrows raised and mouth open. She had seen him do some things, but his ethereal appearance surpassed everything so far. Unable to speak, she raised her finger and pointed at his eyes. The orbs were cobalt blue surrounded with a Kelly green circle; she had never seen anything like it.
He grinned, the tips of his canines showed.
Although he hadn’t shifted everything about him seemed… bigger. Perhaps it was the dancing lights that clung to him brightening the room or he had shifted in some way she couldn’t identify.
Clearing her throat, she watched him step closer and shook off the fairy dust. They had things they needed to do. “Silas? What are we doing? Asia asked me to help them but I don’t know how.”
“I know. They’re on another continent, thousands of miles away. I needed to pull on resources I rarely use. A gift from the Goddess that cannot be abused, and only used in emergencies.”
She frowned. “This is an emergency, we need to hurry.”
He smiled. “I am there.”
“What?”
“I’m there in Lyrill with them, enclosing them in a bubble.”
“But how? Never mind, focus on them.” She waved off her questions, they could talk about this new ability he had later.
“Give me your hand.” He raised his, the shimmering light made her hesitate for a second before taking it.
Heat pulsed through her hand, raced up her arm and through her body. The hairs on her neck, face and arms stood up as she was drawn into his sphere of energy. Her skin sizzled. Her body shook from the sheer force of the power swirling between them. Her heart skipped a beat as the heat intensified. How was he able to stand this? What the hell… Her head fell back, her throat tightened. A thousand red ants raced across her skin, tearing into her flesh. “Silas!”
“Look at me.”
Her eyelids refused to lift. Unseen weights dragged her arms down, they refused to move. Overload…it was too much. She couldn’t handle any more, her legs buckled beneath the onslaught. Screaming in pain and the loss of control she fell, he caught her before she hit the ground and carried her to the chair.
Cool air brushed against her skin, dislodging the militant ants. Her breath remained trapped in her throat, she struggled to break free. Gasping she sucked down air. Sharp needles pierced her scalp, punishing her for stepping into his storm.
“That hurt. I can’t do that,” she said on a ragged whisper, holding her head. She peeked at him and marveled. The shimmer around him remained, his eyes glowed that odd combination of blue and green. Every muscle in his body seemed more defined. She stared harder watching his abdominal muscles move in a ripple effect.
He was magnificent.
Arms held to the side, a thin outline rose to the surface of his upper body. Concerned, she tried to stand and couldn’t. The power emanating from him was too strong.
Within seconds the entire La Patron emblem covered his chest. It glowed reddish-orange, a fiery color and then settled like a large black tattoo. The black wolf’s green eyes in the crest captured her attention, stealing her breath. Strange, but she sensed he was more than just a picture on Silas’ chest. She’d swear his gaze was too perceptive, too predatory, and too possessive. Damn if he didn’t remind her of her mate. How could a picture affect her like this? She sensed the energy targeted the wolf on his chest and Silas took a deep breath, relieving the pressure. She collapsed further on the chair, glad the air wasn’t as h
eavy.
How…how could he stand it? The few seconds she had been in that circle, she thought she would die. No… she knew she would die. Whatever he was doing was not something they could share. It had to be a La Patron thing, for him alone.
“The soldiers are shooting.”
She stiffened. “At Rese? Asia?”
“Yes. I’m sending Angus inside to take care of it. Don’t worry.”
How could she not worry? Then again she looked over at the power radiating off him. Unbelievable. Her man was in Colorado and fighting on another continent thousands of miles away. How many men could do that? None.
“If you have the power to do this…” she waved her hand at him. “Why are we fighting rebels? Why are we in wars? Why not just make them do what you want?” The moment she said that, it rubbed her wrong. He answered before she could change her question.
He smiled. “Because the rebels belong to the Goddess as well. She will not kill her children because they misbehave. I serve her and the gifts, or abilities I have, can never be misused against the wolves who worship her.”
Jasmine wondered if all Gods said the same thing because that sentiment sounded familiar to her faith.
“So you police them for her. If they get out of line or something?” she asked watching the wolf on his chest fade. The energy in the room dissipated like the air from a tire.
“Yes. The wolf nation is Hers. My job is to make sure her wishes are carried out.”
Jasmine nodded and took his hand when he reached for her. “So where did all that energy go? I mean you had this big tattoo of a wolf on your chest, what happened to him?”
He wrapped his arms around her. “All of me has to be engaged when I use certain gifts from the Goddess to rule her wolves. I cannot shift and focus the energy where it needs to go, so my wolf rises in my crest and we merge that way. The power is always in me, Jasmine. That is how I am able to rule with a look, or a flick of my wrist, or rip through a mind.” He tapped his chest. “It’s always in here, just waiting to be used.”
BirthSign (La Patron, The Alpha's Alpha) Page 14
