BirthRight

by Sydney Addae

“Talk or fuck, it’s up to you.”

  He stood, toed off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt. A deep throb started low in her belly. Tingles of anticipation ran amok inside her. She closed her eyes to gain control and swallowed hard.

  “Stop Silas.” She ground her teeth in frustration. “I… I found out something a little while ago from my mom and I’m trying to process it. I don’t want to have sex and I don’t want to talk.”

  “I’ll let the lie go about the sex, but if this has something to do with your ability to breed wolves, I’d like to know what you discovered.” He returned to the side of the bed in just his pants.

  She frowned and sat back against the headboard. “Does it matter that I don’t want to be bothered with you?”

  “Sometimes, just not this time.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “You know… I don’t have to tell you anything. I’m not a wolf or a member of your pack or your organization or whatever it is. I have a life of my own and I’d like to get back to living it again. When will I be able to leave? Or am I a prisoner here?”

  They stared at one another for a moment. “You’re right. You’re not a wolf, although I suspect you have a lot of our traits. You understand pack protocol, so I know you’re just being ornery right now. Tyrese told me they shared what we found in Mexico, so you are aware you’re not the only human female who breeds. And I’ll release you after your next cycle.”

  Her head snapped back. “What? Why wait?”

  His brow raised a notch. “Pups. We’ll know by then if you’re breeding or not.”

  Her stomach twisted and she sank further down the bed. She was almost certain she was pregnant, but didn’t want to take a test and seal her fate. There were so many things she wanted to explore in her life before raising more kids.

  “What happened, Jasmine?” He lay across the bed, trapping her legs. He leaned up on his elbow and stared at her. His eyes, more blue than green, tempted her to give into him.

  She looked up at the ceiling. It didn’t offer a reprieve or make the news any better. “My mom was raped,” she whispered. Answering the question she’d put to Tyrone earlier. Arianna was not a relative.

  He tensed but didn’t move.

  “I had a twin but she died from a severe birth defect. Mom was still tore up about it as she told me. My twin’s organs, they were all wrong, they didn’t work or something.” He rubbed her arm while she got her breathing under control.

  “Renee’s older and from the man I thought was my father. My twin and I were from the rape. Since then, my mom has had at least ten abortions. The last one a year ago. She refuses to have any more children after my twin’s deformity.” Tears filled her eyes. They hadn’t asked for any of this. Now, she and her mother might outlive her sister. Her sixty-year-old mother still looked half her age and dated men much younger.

  “I don’t want this,” she said, her voice cracking as she looked at him.

  He scooted forward and held her beneath the shelter of his arm as she teared up. “I know, Jasmine. But in life we have to deal with the hand we’re dealt. You’re strong and there’s a reason you’ve been chosen to carry this burden. We don’t know why, but you have to trust that things will work out.” He rubbed her back, soothing her.

  “How old is your mom?”

  “She just turned sixty last year, why?” She leaned into him, filling her nostrils with his woodsy scent.

  “Arianna was raped when she was in her early twenties. So was your mom. So we know whoever is doing this has a thing for younger women, but not children, at least as far as we know he hasn’t raped women under the age of twenty. Plus, he was still doing this thirty five years ago. That’s a serious block of time from Arianna to your mom.”

  She nodded as understanding dawned. “Did he rape a woman a year, every other year or every decade? It’s no telling how many women are infected.” She looked up at him. “What does this mean? What are you going to do?”

  Their eyes met. His had darkened to green. “Right now or later?” he asked in a slow sexy drawl that had her libido doing flips.

  Her tongue swept across her dry lips. His eyes followed the movement. And then he crushed her to his side.

  “Are you feeling better?” he growled.

  “No, not really,” she said to see what he’d do next.

  He whistled a long sigh above her head. “What else troubles you?”

  “I’m worried about my sons and what all this means. You call them half-breeds or hybrids. Just how different are they? And does their difference matter? Are they in danger or do you consider them a threat?”

  She felt the groan through his chest as she settled back against the headboard.

  “I’m not sure what this means. Obviously, someone has been upsetting the balance for years and we’re just finding out. There’s no telling how many hybrid wolves are out there or how many human females. Rone and Rese are exceptional wolves. They run as fast and are as strong as my trained Alphas.

  “But the Mexican hybrids weren’t. Not even close. Even those who had some training. So I can’t tell you what matters or not yet, because I don’t know. More research has to be done. Is it their diet that made them different? Or their childhood? Or maybe how they were taught?” He shook his head.

  “There are so many unanswered questions that I can’t say right now. But I can tell you this, right now I don’t see your sons as a threat. And I don’t think they are in any additional danger. We’re a social community. They’re learning what it means to have a pack behind them and that’s a good thing.” He stroked her shoulder.

  She looked up at him, curious at the wistful tone in his voice. His hand reached beneath the sheet, touching her thigh and setting off sparks of banked desire.

  “We require interaction with others. A simple touch.” His fingertips trailed along her thigh. Goosebumps exploded over her skin.

  “Therein lies the dilemma of the lone wolf. He too finds himself in need at times. Times when it’s damn inconvenient.”

  “In need?” Her brow arched as the pads of his fingers tapped across her panty-clad mound. “Am I throwing off the mating scent again?”

  He stared down at her, capturing her gaze. There was something in his eyes. Something indefinable. He blinked and it was gone.

  “No. There’s no mating scent, not this time.” He paused and looked at her. “Jasmine, there’s something you need to understand. I’m an older wolf. I lead the nation of wolves, that’s my first priority. I’ve seen a lot of things and done more than I have time to discuss. I don’t have a mate, although I do have a servant who sees to my needs when I am in residence.”

  She frowned. “Huh?”

  He shook his head. “That’s not important unless you’re breeding. Jacques will be the one to see to your care and then assist with their upbringing.”

  “What?” She tried to lean forward but he held her tight.

  “Stop getting so riled. You’re a little hellcat at times.”

  She cocked her brow at him. “You’ve lost your mind if you think anyone other than me is going to raise my kids. Don’t even think I’d give them up to you or anybody else.”

  He shook her slightly. “I didn’t say… didn’t mean you’d be giving up the pups. I have servants in my home and one in particular whom I’d trust to deal with my litter. He has been with me for a hundred years and runs my home.”

  “So, why’d you bring him up. Are you lovers or something?” She eyed him.

  He grinned but it was far from innocent. She shivered as his eyes slid over her from top to bottom.

  “I say he’s my servant, you ask if he’s my lover? That’s a jump even for you. Where is your mind?” He flicked the hard bud of her nipple.

  Her hand flew up and covered her chest. “Stop that. Go back to being an old fart, I mean wolf. I mean an old wolf.” She smiled at his glower.

  His face changed as he stared at her. A green starburst filled his eyes. Her breath caught but she did
n’t look away. Heat filled her belly. Small tingles pricked her skin, not pleasurable, but not painful either.

  Her breath hitched as she watched his eyes change to a mixture of green and blue. The seconds ticked without either of them speaking. Her fingertips itched to touch his face, not in a sexual way. Even in the quiet of the room she sensed his barely leased power, the warmth of it pulsed through the room. The idea of a quiet storm summed up the intensity of his eyes. Dark strands of her hair lifted beneath the wind of his glowing eyes.

  “Why are you doing this?” he whispered, her eyelids heavy.

  “I needed to see you differently. Your aura…it’s unique.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and inhaled her scent. Holding her tight against his chest, she wanted to ask him what he’d wanted to tell her, but the heaviness in her limbs pulled her under.

  Chapter 14

  Silas listened to her slow breaths as she drifted to sleep. It wasn’t often the Goddess spoke to him in such a strong manner. With care he released Jasmine, made sure she lay comfortably, and stepped away from the bed. After one last look, he walked out her bedroom and closed the door. He made it to the sofa, closed his eyes and was swept away.

  His eyes opened, and he saw his face reflected in a pool of water. The white garments he wore surprised him, but he remained silent, on his knees in a position of deference. Head bowed, he waited.

  “Patron of the wolves, rise.” The words flowed through him, offering assistance as he stood slowly. The water shimmered as a silhouette of a wolf formed, then changed to the human form, and then changed to some other beast’s form. Puzzled, Silas watched and waited for an explanation.

  “The one thing that is definite is change. It’s coming with a time of testing. Your obedience and service to me has not gone unnoticed. You will be rewarded, although it may not seem so at the time. Be vigilant, you’ll need your eyes to see. Be faithful, you’ll need your ears to ferret out the truth. Be merciful, your nose will lead you to understanding. Be courageous, your heart will suffer but will guide you to the truth. Taste the truth and embrace it, reject the lies and you will ride the wave of change. Your wolves need your direction now more than ever.”

  “Goddess, I don’t understand what you mean by change.”

  Her voice blew in the wind, filling him. “You will. It comes now on the horse of fire.”

  He opened his mouth, but was swept up in a whirlwind of power. His arms and legs twitched as electrical currents flowed through him. It lasted seconds, although it felt like an hour or so. When it stopped, his head flopped back on the sofa.

  Sofa?

  He peeked. A kitchen was to the right. He sat in the middle of the living room floor, leaning against the furniture. Panting, he felt as though he’d just run a marathon. A pulse throbbed in his forehead as the words the Goddess spoke spun as though they too had been caught in the whirlwind. Her words were like a puzzle, always had been. He wondered for the hundredth time, why she didn’t just come right out and say what she meant?

  Sighing, he pulled himself up to a sitting position and rested his forehead against his knee. It’d been a long day. The Mexican discovery. The deal with half-breed females retaining their humanity. The old breeder. He still couldn’t believe she was that old, but her story had checked out. Arianna Hershman had been abducted and never found. Her teenage daughter had returned home, but ran away again. They hadn’t been able to find the other daughter. She’d disappeared once she left for the Peace Corps. They were tracking down the sons to see if anyone had kept in contact over the years. It was a long shot, but it was a thread. And right now they needed to pull every thread no matter how thin.

  There was a stirring in his mind telling him immediately the person was a great distance from him. A second later he straightened as he recognized it was Theron.

  “Theron?”

  “Patron, we were attacked after we cleared customs.” Silas could tell his Alpha was hurt even through the link. He cursed the distance.

  “Tell me what happened.” He picked up his cell and called the pilot. When the call was answered he said. “Prepare the plane. We need to return to Texas immediately. I want to leave within the hour.” He clicked off as he listened to Theron talk of the ambush. Twenty of the Mexican wolves were injured. Three were dead.

  “I’m on my way. Where are you now?”

  “My pack just arrived and routed the bastards. I’d called to have them meet us at the border. That’s why the death count is so low.” He paused. “These wolves…they were fast and vicious. I was surprised at their level of coordination. I haven’t seen anything like it outside of training with you.”

  Silas tensed. “I’m on my way. I’ll meet you at the Alpha house. See to your pack.” Silas clicked off and studied the blank wall. In silence he went over the words of the Goddess. “Horse of fire?” he muttered, wondering what it all meant. He shook it off and contacted Jayden.

  “Theron was ambushed, I’m returning to Texas. Have my luggage sent to the plane while I contact my security.”

  “Are you taking the twins?”

  Silas thought for a moment what Theron had said about the wolves who attacked them. If it was as he suspected, he’d need the twins to give him insight. “Yes. Watch over Jasmine, she’s breeding. No harm should come to her or her litter.”

  “I understand. Congratulations.”

  Silas grunted. “Hold off on that. I’m not excited over the prospect of hybrids yet.” He pulled open the door, locked it behind him and headed for the stairs.

  “I count it an honor to watch over your pups and the bitch who breeds them,” Jayden said in a humble tone.

  The comment pulled Silas out of his funk. “Thank you, Jayden. I cannot think of anyone else I’d trust to watch over their care.” He walked out into the night and headed toward the garage. “I must assemble my team. When we arrive, I will contact you.”

  Within the hour, a somber Tyrone and concerned Tyrese were on the plane, along with Brad and Hank, two of his primary security team. Silas filled the men in with the little information he knew.

  “That’s unbelievable.” Brad tugged on his goatee. “When was the last time an Alpha was attacked?”

  Silas gazed out the window, muddling through the Goddess’ words. “Over a hundred years,” he answered.

  “Why now?” Tyrone asked, puzzled.

  “Perhaps no one taught them not to attack an Alpha. Maybe they don’t understand the hierarchy,” Tyrese mumbled, brows furrowed.

  “Could be,” Brad said, looking at Tyrese. “You weren’t raised with a pack, who taught you?”

  Tyrese shrugged. “Alpha Jayden.”

  “Yeah, being military brats helped. We were taught there was always a chain of command. Dad, then mom…” Tyrone said.

  Brad nodded. “What do you think would’a happened if you didn’t have that?”

  Tyrese shrugged, looking at Brad shrewdly. “What happens to any wolf that’s alone. I’d probably make up my own rules. And if I met others like me, I’d teach them my rules, not somebody else’s.”

  Tyrone looked between Brad and Tyrese. “You think that’s what happened?”

  Brad shrugged. “It wasn’t a lone wolf who attacked over forty wolves. Those numbers alone would make most wolves back off and rethink the situation. Whoever did this recognized the caliber of the wolves and had a serious dose of confidence.”

  “Alpha?” Hank asked.

  Brad shrugged. “I wasn’t there, but if not a trained Alpha, then someone with the skills. It might help to look through the list of applicants to train with the Patron for Alpha status. Maybe someone in this area is tired of waiting.”

  Silas listened and thought the idea had merit. “Have Jacques initiate the search, Brad. We’ll give him more info after we talk with Theron.”

  It was after three in the morning when the plane finally set down in Texas. Tired and operating on fumes, Silas road in the car to Theron’s pack lands. He was the only one awake other than the
driver. When he stepped in to the car, he’d contacted Theron through their link when he scented the driver and knew he wasn’t from the alpha’s pack.

  They turned off onto a dirt road and came to a stop. Silas woke his team with a mental slap, cautioning them to silence as they waited to see how things played out. A group of five wolves stood in front of the vehicle.

  Tyrese opened the door and stepped out, Tyrone behind him. The wolves snarled at the twins. Tyrone closed the door as Brad snapped the neck of the driver.

  “How many?” Tyrese asked Silas.

  “Those in the road, but there are three more in the bushes.” He paused. “One is human.”

  “Damn,” Tyrone groaned. “Not this shit again.”

  The wolves snapped and lurched forward as though held by some unseen leash. Silas felt the twins hum with energy. They wanted to fight. Five against two in their minds was no big deal despite what Theron had experienced.

  “These wolves are trained to fight as one,” Silas cautioned. “Hank is coming to even the odds.”

  Hank stepped out from the back seat, and whereas the wolves had snarled before, now they went ballistic.

  Silas was tempted to slay the wolves, but wanted to see what they were capable of. Plus, he was curious about the wolves and humans in the bushes. One thing for certain, he would not allow them to escape.

  Tyrone and Tyrese leapt and landed in front of Hank.

  The older wolf growled his displeasure, shifted and stood next to the twins. His wolf snarled just as aggressively as the other wolves. Silas stepped out the car and called the wolves hiding in the bush into the light. Struggling against his compulsion, they yipped and snarled as they came into the clearing.

  Seeing the wolves struggling, the other wolves lunged toward the twins and Hank. Silas watched the battle while holding the two wolves hostage. Theron had been right; these wolves were fast, but not as fast as the twins.

  Silas watched as Tyrone and Tyrese shifted, raced around the wolves in a blazing circle, snipping and taking swipes with their claws.

  One wolf leapt forward outside the circle and Hank was on it immediately.