by Sedona Venez
He placed a finger over her lips, silencing her. “Trust no one and examine everyone’s motives for helping you. Now, go to sleep. It's getting late.”
She looked at him incredulously. “You expect me to sleep after all that?”
He heard her chaotic thoughts. Felt her fear. He pressed his fingers to her temple, forcing his energy and calmness through her body.
She yawned loudly. “What the hell are you doing, Big Red?”
“This is my version of a sleeping pill. Now go to sleep.”
“I'm going to kick your ass for manipulating me like this. I want to…” Her limbs felt heavy. Her eyelids drooped as she snuggled against him. The comforting sound of his heartbeat soothed her senses. She sighed as his large hands made gentle circles along her back until everything went dark.
Boulder breathed with relief. She was asleep. He stared into the darkness, wrapping his arms around her protectively. His mind racing, strategizing. Alik was going to betray them during the attack and he would face his own mortality just like the Immortals predicted. He knew exactly what that meant. He and Infinity would be torn apart by his death… and his rebirth.
CHAPTER 16
New York… Sunday
Boulder stepped off the elevator, storming down the hallway that led to their war room. His wolf had been battling him from the moment he left Infinity alone and unprotected. It was unnatural for a newly mated couple to be dragged apart so soon and brutally, especially with the mating frenzy hitting him so hard.
Right now, he was crazed. All he wanted to do was lock himself up in his penthouse with Infinity, fucking her so hard and frequent that neither one of them would be able to move for days.
He growled menacingly. “This is utter bullshit!” he muttered aloud. He was fucking incensed that his mate was alone and vulnerable.
He was also frustrated and worried about the fact that Azura and the Immortals wanted him to be fucking grateful for granting him time with Infinity on the one night the mating frenzy was at its highest, the full moon. They didn't do it from the kindness of their hearts; they wanted something in return for manipulating the chain of events, ensuring his mate-claim was cemented last night. And he knew exactly what it was: his agreement to challenge Glen for the High Council. Not going to happen, especially not at the expense of his mate.
He shook his head to clear his mind. He needed to focus. The sooner they could launch the Degrassi attack, the sooner he could get Infinity back to New York and under his pack's protection.
He inhaled deeply, smelling her sweet scent lingering all over him. He knew the minute he stepped into the war room, everyone would be able to scent her on him and know he was mate-claimed. His inner wolf preened with pride as he stepped into the war room. With eyes blazing on the myriad of monitors humming with energy, he paced with eyes narrowing on the streaming aerial photos of the Degrassi compound. His body stilled.
“She's there,” he announced, pointing to the photo.
Torch’s, Factor’s, Logan’s, and Wyatt’s bodies tensed with eyes locked on him.
“How do you know that?” Torch asked sharply, stepping away from the mini mock-up of the Degrassi compound.
“I was there last night,” he growled impatiently, losing a little bit of his signature cool.
They stared at him, and from the looks on their faces, he could tell they were tense from this unexpected declaration.
Wyatt, the techie guy, punched keys, filling the screens with the one photo. “Here? Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Boulder responded before locking eyes with Torch, daring him to take it where he knew it would unfortunately go… an argument to beat all arguments.
Torch’s eyes narrowed into steely slits. “And how the hell did you do that?” He sounded angry, but his scent betrayed him. He was alarmed.
Torch was annoying the shit out of him. He didn't like to be interrogated. It was one of his many pet peeves. Something Torch was all too aware of.
“The Immortals brought me to her on the full moon,” Boulder responded, unable to control the gruffness of his voice. He didn't want to get into an argument right now, but he knew Torch was pushing for a raw fight he could never win.
Factor crossed his arms, looking at Boulder tensely. “The Immortals don't give a shit about anyone but themselves. Why you?”
Torch tried to interject, but Boulder held up his hand, stopping him. “Look, I really can't go into this right now… and it’s not because I don't want to, but it’s for your own protection,” he responded sharply.
They just didn't understand how deep this was. He had the power to change the course of history, and he couldn't risk their lives by dragging them into it. There was just no way in hell he could divulge the fact the Immortals cursed him with powers he couldn't control. His future was written and there wasn't anything that he could do to change it.
Torch rubbed his face wearily. “So now you’re mated to Infinity. Well, that's just fucking great for you. But did you even stop to think about what it will cost the pack? Or did you even give a shit?”
“No! I didn't give shit. And neither would you if you were in my position.” Boulder's eyes narrowed. “Just be fucking happy for me, bro. Have my damn back, and for fuck's sake, let the anger go.” Boulder knew being mated to Infinity introduced a whole new set of issues for him and the team, but they could deal with it. They had no choice.
Logan's eyes widened. “I knew you smelled different.”
“Don't you think that you're moving kind of fast, Boulder?” Torch drawled.
Boulder strode around him, looking at the monitors now streaming aerial photos of the entire Degrassi compound. “You know me. I don't do anything without thinking it through.”
Torch slammed his fist on the table. “All I'm saying is don't you think with everything going on you should’ve put the whole mate-claim thing on pause? You'll be too fucking distracted and crazed during the attack to concentrate on the mission.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Torch?” Boulder punched the desk, sending shards of wood everywhere. “If the Immortals gave you the chance to claim your mate, would you wait to claim her? Would you throw that opportunity away? Fuck no!”
They all looked from Boulder to Torch tensely.
“I would have put the team's mission first before I endangered everyone, including her,” Torch barked.
“Bullshit!” He growled, walking over to Torch. “We've been friends for way too long not to keep this shit a hundred percent real. You're fucking pissed because you lost your mate and I've found mine. I get that it's a bitter pill to swallow, but we did everything to find her. She's gone and there's not a damn thing we can do about it.”
Torch's fist clenched. “I'm not getting into this shit. Not now.”
He crossed his arms. “Right fucking now, Torch! Let's get this shit out in the open. I fucked up when I thought Infinity was both our mates. I misread the visions. She only belongs to me. Case closed. Now how long are you going to be bitter about it?”
Torch's eyes clouded with hurt and guilt. Boulder knew Torch wanted so badly to be happy for him, but the pain of never finding happiness with a mate was slowly sending him insane. Boulder tapped him hard on the shoulder. “Trust me. The pack will be one. It's just not going to the way we originally envisioned it.”
Torch's body relaxed. “Let's hope that this time your visions are right.”
“You'll see this whole thing will work out for the best.” He assessed the team. They were all were geared up for battle in their standard uniform, black tactical clothing with a sidearm attached to their legs and black combat boots. “Let's move on to business. What’s the Intel on the Degrassi compound?”
“Snipers Max and Eli are positioned in the vulnerable areas. And Jayden is setting up the radio communication in and around the compound perimeter,” Factor responded.
Boulder looked over at Wyatt. “Did you scan the perimeter wit
h the drone?”
Wyatt looked at him, annoyed. “Yes, I checked the perimeter with the drone. I know she's your mate, but this is not my first time, you know. I know what I'm doing.”
Factor and Logan opened their arsenal supply, a weapons closet. High-tech weapons were anchored to the walls and shelves were full of stacked cash. Logan smiled like a kid in a candy shop as he pulled out hordes of weapons, checking them quickly.
“Stop being an ass, Cruz,” Lola snapped as Cruz shoved her over the threshold.
“Shut the hell up. You brought this on yourself,” Cruz said before stopping in his tracks with nostrils flaring. “Holy hell!” His eyes locked with Boulder’s.
“Yes. I'm mated,” Boulder said nonchalantly before glaring at Lola. “Before I even get into your missing-in-action stunt… all our resources are needed for the Degrassi mission. We need you to hold on acquiring any new clients.”
Torch looked at her sharply. “Thanks for showing up to work. Where the hell were you?”
Lola propped her hands on her hips. “You want to ask that question with a little less bass in your voice?” She snapped at him, tapping her stilettos impatiently.
“No,” Torch snapped at her. “You work for me. It's not the other way around.”
She rolled her eyes. “Your arrogant attitude is so not a motivator, Torch.” She sighed heavily. “If you must know, I had a family emergency.”
“What family? You're an orphan,” Boulder said sharply.
Lola looked at Cruz with a plea for help. Cruz shrugged, looking sheepish.
“Okay, thanks for nothing.” She cleared her throat. “It turns out that I'm not an orphan after all. I found out that my baby sister is alive.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Torch asked.
In typical Lola fashion, she ignored him and winked at Boulder saucily. “Mated to Infinity? Wow, I still can’t believe it. My Boulder finally went and got himself a woman he can’t control. This is going to be fun to watch.”
Torch looked at her impatiently before growling. “Lola?”
She sat down daintily on the leather chair, crossing her long legs. “Torch? Really? When does it ever work when you bark at me? Never!” She paused, deliberately looking at everyone but Torch. “She's Infinity's best friend, Zoe.”
Boulder tensed. “What? That’s not fucking possible.”
Lola locked eyes with him. “Sorry to tell you, but it’s the truth. Frankly, even after all these years, it still hurts that those rogues killed my entire family. Shit! To find out that she's alive should be a damn happy occasion, but it's not… Those damn vampires have her.”
Boulder knew exactly what she meant. Being turned into a vampire wasn't as simple or pretty as being bit by a vampire like the movies portrayed. If a vampire wanted to turn you, it involved painful infusions of vampire blood. That's if they cared enough. But most of the time, rogues used humans as living blood bags, passing them around to their friends to feed on for money until the human begged for death.
Her mouth tightened with anger. “And do you know that my bastard grandfather knew for months that she was alive and living in New York but had no intention of ever telling me?”
Boulder's eyes narrowed. “So why did he?”
She levelled him with a hard stare. “You know why. Zoe’s Infinity's best friend. His kingdom is losing the war against his rivals and the High Council refused to help. Now he believes he can use Zoe to sway Infinity to show favor to his kingdom.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Boulder said through stiff lips. He hated Lola’s grandfather. He was a ruthless, tyrannical fae king who was desperate to hold on to the power that was now slipping through his hands due to a raging war within the fae realm.
“Just when I thought things couldn't get worse.” Torch looked around the room angrily. “Does anyone else have any earth-shattering information they’d like to share?”
Cruz cleared his throat, running his hand through his blond hair with agitation. “Zoe… may or may not be my true-mate.”
“Bloody hell!” Torch growled.
Boulder crossed his arms, widening his stance. “She either is or she isn’t. Pick one.”
“Exactly! That's what I told the jackass yesterday.” Factor looked at Cruz with distaste.
“Oh, shut the hell up, Factor. I don't need you heckling me.” Cruz frowned, looking at Torch and Boulder. “Honestly, I don't know. Shit, the damn girl is annoying as hell.”
“Don't talk about my sister like that,” Lola hissed.
Cruz shrugged. “Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just saying Zoe is abrasive as hell. Beautiful. Funny. Intelligent… but fucking annoying.”
“Can we get back to the question?” Boulder barked.
“I had every intention of finding out if she was—but she and Infinity escaped, then got themselves attacked by vampires. Like I said, I don't know,” Cruz stated quickly.
Boulder rubbed his goatee with frustration. “Okay, no offense, but we can’t deal with this right now. First, let's get Infinity back. Then we get Zoe back.” He jabbed a finger at Cruz. “And you, my friend, better get your shit together.”
“Get her back? Are you out of your damn mind? She’s either turned or half-dead. There's no getting her back,” Torch said.
Lola jumped up angrily. “We don’t know if she’s been turned. Besides, she’s my sister and I’m getting her back. That's not negotiable.”
“Look, my mate will definitely want her friend back. Vampire or not.” Boulder paused. “But let's deal with one thing at a time.” He looked at Lola angrily. “And you tell your grandfather he can go fuck himself if he thinks he can use Zoe as a bargaining chip with my mate.”
“I already told him that, but he doesn’t give a shit. He wants leverage against the High Council. Infinity is the key to getting that.” She paused. “But let’s be clear. Zoe is the only family I have left and I plan on getting her back, Boulder. One way or the other.”
Torch snarled. “I need to get the hell out of here before I start snapping damn necks.”
Boulder gave her a hug. “I’ll get her back for you, Lola. Just hold down the fort until we get back.”
She nodded, wiping away the tears. “Always.”
They marched out of the war room, getting into the elevator silently. Silence prevailed on the ride down as they mentally prepared for battle, and without pause, they quickly slid out of the elevator, moving toward the waiting military-style vehicles.
Boulder shot a fierce scowl at Tate, who was leaning against the hood of the vehicle with his laptop, typing angrily, mumbling to himself. “Are you ready, Tate?”
Torch looked at Tate sardonically. “You going into battle with us, doctor?”
Tate sneered at him. “Not a chance. I'm a doctor not a warrior. You of all people should know that by now. I'm just here to drop off the antidote serum. Then I'm out of here.” He tapped faster. “Just give me a minute here,” he grumbled. “I'm checking the data to verify the trial results are correct.”
“We've been experimenting with the RejuvX antidote for months. It works. I have enough of that shit floating around in my bloodstream to put down a rhino.” Boulder barked. “Now wrap the shit up. We're running out of time.”
“You can bark all you want, Boulder. It's not going to make me move any faster.” Tate looked up from his laptop. “Remember that the antidote has to be delivered within twelve minutes of being shot with RejuvX in order to work.” He paused, frowning at Boulder. "Damn, I need more to time to test the antidote, Boulder. Just give me a little more time to conduct additional trials. I'm just not comfortable with the results.”
Boulder grabbed the titanium suitcase lying on the backseat, snapping it open to reveal several syringes filled with a black serum. “Tate, we don't have more time.”
Tate snapped shut his laptop. “Fine. I did my job. I'm out of here.”
“Nope. Change of plans.
We need you on standby and ready to inject us with the antidote if necessary.” Boulder grabbed Tate, shoving him into the vehicle. “I found out that Alik and Mason are in cahoots, which means that RejuvX bullets will definitely be in play.”
Tate gritted his teeth. “This is bullshit, Boulder! I'm not going to Colorado. One of your team members can do the injections. It's simple. Even they can't fuck it up.”
Torch stepped toward him menacingly. “If one of my team members gets killed, their blood will be on your hands.”
“Let's stop wasting time. In, Tate! Don't make me fucking force you,” Boulder snapped.
Tate sighed heavily. “This is bullshit!” he grumbled as he got into the vehicle.
Cruz and Factor loaded the vehicles with black crates filled with weapons as Boulder pulled on his body armor, black baseball cap, and mirrored sunglasses. He nodded as they all piled into the vehicles with grim faces.
“Let's roll,” he snapped.
CHAPTER 17
Colorado… Sunday
Scanning the room, I looked for traces of Boulder. There were none. It was as if he were never there… but I knew better. His woodsy scent lingered on my skin like a cloak of possession. I felt him coursing through my blood. We were now one.
My fingers trembled as I pressed them against his bite mark. My body felt completely new, but now in the light of day, I wasn't so sure that giving myself to him was such a good idea, especially since with one bite, he had unlocked all of the memories that Mason had tried so hard to bury in the abyss of my mind.
Memories came flooding back with a vengeance. The underground garage. Zoe and Diego being killed by vampires. The K compound. Mason killing Anya and ordering the shooting of Mom and Torch. Memories of Azura and her insistence that Boulder and I were born as true-mates.
A prime reason our relationship had no chance in hell of surviving no matter how badly I wanted it to. I loved him—that was undeniable—but I had to let him go. Just the thought made me want to bawl like a baby, but for once in my life, I wasn't going to be selfish. I wanted him to live. I had to let love set him free.
