by JF Holland
“Please, I don’t know what to do,” she implored, throat working as her head turned to look at her mate. “I have spent so many years hating him, or at least trying to. I need a chance to figure out if he is as he was or as I’d always imagined him to be. I need to know if our lives have been a lie. I need to know if everything I went through could have been different. I just need to know,” she told them, brushing his black hair back, her shoulders drooping.
“Lara, you know I’d do anything, you know this,” Sophia told her, approaching her. She rested a hand on her shoulder and Lara turned, her arms wrapping around her as she sobbed against her stomach. John and Edwin dropped their eyes, trying to give them space, but unable to leave the room to do so. They were under orders, someone had to be in the room at all times for their own safety, until they knew that Davion was no longer a threat. John ground his jaw, not liking it, the man was no threat to anyone now, he’d not even gained consciousness.
“You removed the rune she’d placed in his throat, and the one she’d put behind his ribs.”
“Thomas did, you know he did Lara. You went with Agatha and him to the clinic.”
“But maybe…” Sophia shook her head and Agatha moved over to the bed also. Douglas looked to the tigers and nodded towards the door, they both inclined their heads and quietly left the room.
“Lara, there are no other runes inside him. Do you remember when we first found out about the necklace and the possibility that Maisie was controlling him?” Agatha asked.
Sitting back Lara looked from Sophia to Agatha and swallowing, running a hand beneath her eyes and sniffing up nodded.
“We told you then that she’d used strong magic and that we were unsure how safe it was to remove the necklace,” Agatha added.
“You’re telling me that he is like this because she removed it?”
“We think so,” Sophia informed her, her eyes returning to Davion, dropping to the bandages around his throat.
“There is nothing we can do for him apart from making him comfortable,” Agatha told her. Lara shook her head, her hand reaching for one of Davion’s still hands.
“There has to be something, immortals don’t die like this.”
“Not normally, no,” Agatha responded.
“Is there no hope?” Lara asked.
“A small chance,” Sophia told her and Agatha looked to her, shaking her head. “Agatha, she needs something,” mouth grim, Agatha nodded and Douglas came up behind her, resting his hand on her shoulder.
“The only chance he has is to kill the bitch,” Douglas informed Lara.
“How will that help?”
“We’re not sure, but it’s the only thing that makes sense. Her will and the spell she put on him must be stopping him from waking,” Agatha replied.
“Her magic is so powerful?”
“Blood magic is one of the strongest there is,” Sophia replied with a shudder.
“Then how are we going to kill her?”
“We are going to look to her husband to help us.”
“Sophia, why would her husband help us?”
“Because she has cursed him also, and I believe that is why he was searching for her.”
“So, there is a chance then?”
“A very small one, but please, Lara, be prepared.”
“Thank you, you’ve at least given me something,” she told them with a sad smile. Again, she turned towards Davion, picked up the cloth and ran it over his brow.
“Sophia, Douglas and I need to go.”
“Yes, of course, Michaels funeral. Go, give his family my condolences. I will stay here for a while, perform a small healing and then head on back to the house.”
“Wait until Daniel and James from my pack come to take over watch. That way John and Edwin can see you home on their way. Safety in numbers Sophia,” Douglas told her, as he motioned towards the door for Agatha.
“I will see you later,” Agatha told them, moving to follow her mate. “Don’t forget there will be no scouting parties out tomorrow evening,” she informed them before leaving.
“Why will there be no scouting parties out tomorrow evening?” Lara asked.
“Tomorrow is a full moon, and the wolves need their freedom. They can only hold their true nature at bay for so long,” replied John, coming back into the room and placing cups of coffee down on the bedside table.
“Thank you, John,” Sophia smiled as he and Edwin again took their places in the chairs.
“Right, I’ll get to work,” Sophia told Lara, going through her bag and pulling out fresh candles.
“Don’t you want your drink first?” Lara asked.
“It won’t take me long, it’s not a full healing. I’m just going to light the candles, say a prayer and anoint him.”
“Thank you,” Lara told her with a smile as she moved to pick up her cup, yawning.
“Sleep for a while Lara, you’ve not left his side for days.”
“What if he…”
“I don’t think he will walk any time soon. Sleep,” Sophia informed her as she moved to the corners of the room and began.
***
Luc stood in his spot outside of the house on the patio, silently swearing. Sophia had come by to tell him that she was going to Balin’s to speak to Lara. He knew she wouldn’t just talk though, she’d again try to heal him, wearing herself out. She’d been spending hours going over spell books, searching for a way to break his curse and heal Davion. As Davion was a party to Balin and Jaden’s parents’ murders and they bore him no ill feelings, how could he not. They believed him to be a victim in all this, and the more he knew of Maisie’s depravity, the more he was inclined to believe it himself. That bitch needed to die, to give them all a break, his curse be damned. Plus, he’d not managed to get Sophia to himself again since he’d brought her back yesterday. She’d had her nose stuck in books once she’d woken, then he’d gone out to help scout and search for the bitch and when he’d returned she’d been asleep again. Now, here he stood, frozen, and she was off out trying to save people again. They needed to have words when he caught up with her later, she needed to take care of herself.
He must have dozed slightly because a noise woke him some time later. Sophia came through the back gate, a vehicle idling, and she waved as it drove away. He tracked her coming up the garden by sound of her footsteps and scent, relaxing the closer she got. As she got closer to him the backdoor opened.
“Sophia, food’s being put out, come eat and rest for a while.” Maya shouted from the door. “I’ll save you something Luc,” she added before the door closed again.
“Hey,” Sophia told Luc as she stood before him. He wished he could see her clearly, but all he saw was her shadow as she stood there. Her voice sounded tired though and he would have given anything in that moment, to have been able to put his arms around her.
“I still find this hard to reconcile with the man you are,” she told him, her hand tracing over his features.
He felt the warmth of her fingers as they ran over his brow, down his cheeks and across his lips. Then she shocked the hell out of him by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his lips. Just a peck, but he’d felt the tingle of her caress, the weight of her arms and the soft slight puff of her breath as she’d sighed against him. It had only been a brief encounter, seconds, but he would cherish it, as no one touched him in this form. Well, not quite true. Balin did, but normally to torment him, usually by putting lingerie on him and take pictures. He sighed at the memory, glad the bastard was on the mend, he’d actually missed his weird as shit sense of humour.
“I’ll see you when you unfreeze,” Sophia told him giving him one last touch, her hand stroking over his horns and then she was gone taking her warmth. “I’ll save you a seat,” she said, turning and heading towards the house.
Sophia didn’t know what had come over her, but she’d needed to touch him. After seeing the devastation on Lara’s face as she’d sat by her unconscious mate, and knowing
she couldn’t help she’d needed comfort herself. The only person she’d thought of turning to for comfort had been Luc. She’d missed him. He’d been gone when she’d woken from her nap yesterday, and was asleep again by the time they’d come back. She’d been shocked to see him in the garden when she’d left this morning as she’d thought he’d headed home before the sun rose.
She made her way to the table to join the others, Chinese take-out containers littering the centre of the big family table. The atmosphere was sombre, understandable as most of them had been to Michaels funeral.
“How did it go?” she asked slipping into a seat beside Maya.
“As well as could be expected,” Jaden replied, undoing his black tie and a couple of the top buttons on his white shirt, sticking his tie in his jacket pocket.
“It was a beautiful service,” Helena added, reaching across the table and snagging one of the containers, sharing the noodle and meat dish between herself and Sam.
“How are his family holding up?” Sophia asked, shaking her head in refusal as Maya offered her some Chow Mein.
“As well as can be expected,” Jaden mumbled, smiling his thanks as Maya pushed a plate of beef curry and rice before him.
“It’s his twin I feel for,” replied Nathan, shaking his head, Adam nodding grimly.
“Twins have a special bond,” Adam informed them, before gnawing on a rib.
“Any leads on Maisie?” she asked, changing the subject.
“None,” Sam replied, popping a prawn into his mouth. “Luc and Ronald helped out last night, from above, whilst James and Daniel searched from below. Not a sign” he told her in disgust.
“The dragon?” Sophia, asked, surprised, thanking Nathan for the cup of tea he set before her.
“Yes, Ronald is a good man. He offered his help as he knows Balin is on bed rest, and needing extra bodies to watch over my parents,” Lana replied coming into the room.
“How’s he doing?” Sophia asked, taking a sip of her tea and sighing.
“He’s doing better, still not on his feet properly just yet, but he’s getting there. His appetite is better,” she blushed, reaching for a container of spicy Yung Chow Mein and a fork. “I’ve just come down to grab us something to eat. He could smell it,” she told them, popping a noodle into her mouth before walking out again.
“Right, we’re off,” Adam, and Nathan replied together, using a napkin to wipe their hands and mouths. They dropped them on the table.
“Have you checked the areas on the map?” Sam asked.
“Yes, we’re heading to the next section along. The sooner we find this bitch the better for everyone,” Nathan added, following on his brother’s heels.
“Are they the only ones going out this evening?” Sophia asked.
“No, I’m joining them shortly,” Jaden added, before taking another forkful of his meal.
“What have I missed,” Luc asked pulling out the chair beside Sophia.
“Nothing much. The police still have no leads on the delivery drivers murder, and Michael’s funeral went off without a hitch,” Sam told him.
“Here you go,” Sophia murmured, pushing a plate before him.
“Thank you,” he smiled, his hand reaching beneath the table and squeezing her thigh, making her cough. A wing lifted and patted her back as he took a mouthful of food, winking at her over his fork.
“Wrong hole,” she mumbled, putting her cup down and clearing her throat as Luc chuckled quietly beside her.
Two could play at that game she thought, taking another drink, her own hand dropping onto her knee. She then moved it across onto Luc’s thigh. Trailing her fingers upwards, she ran a nail over his groin, feeling him harden beneath her light caress. He chewed, an eyebrow rising as his eyes caught and held hers, heating. So many things promised in that look. His name called, he turned his attention back to the table and conversation. Sophia went to remove her hand, thinking she’d made her point, but he held it prisoner with his own. He held her hand with his own under the table, his fingers playing with hers as he listened to the discussions, replying when necessary. Sophia, appetite vanished, and shortly after, excused herself needing room to think, he confused her and made her wish for things she couldn’t have.
Chapter Twenty-Three
L ana stepped back into the bedroom after taking the empty food container and cutlery downstairs. Balin lay snoring, a huge black paw hanging over the edge of the bed, whiskers twitching in his sleep. Smiling as his ears twitched and his tail curled, slapping at something invisible on his stomach, she covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. He looked like a big content house cat laying there, it was no wonder Maya called Jaden Tiddles.
“Don’t even think about it,” Balin whispered into her mind on a yawn. “You may call me Binks in this form, but Tiddles or Fluffy is definitely off the table,” he informed her rolling onto his back and stretching.
“But Fluffy is so cute,” Lana giggled, slowly climbing onto the bed beside him, sitting up, resting her back against the headboard.
One minute he was a cat, the next he was a man, and he had her rolled beneath him before she could squeak.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, blinking up at him.
“I’m collecting my reward, I’ve shifted three times, now and my stomach is feeling much better.”
“Get off me you oaf,” she pushed against his shoulders. “Come on, move, let me check.”
“But Lana,” he sulked. “I have other areas that are aching now, don’t be so mean,” he pouted. But one look at her stubborn face told him he wasn’t going to win this argument. Sighing, he rolled over onto his back, arm over his eyes.
Lana pushed herself up and knelt beside him, shoving up the T-shirt he’d donned earlier.
“Wow,” she whistled in surprise, her eyes dropping over the expanse of his stomach. All that was left of the angry, vicious wound was a jagged puckered scar. “It’s nearly healed,” she blinked, her eyes lifting to his.
“Told you,” he replied, smugly, reaching for her, but she batted his hands away with a growl.
“How about your legs?” she turned, her bottom in the air as she examined his lower legs. The skin had knitted together and looked no worse than the one on his stomach now. She traced the criss-cross of raised scars, feeling the misshapen bone beneath, but at least it was now back inside.
“By tomorrow, I should be able to weight bear,” he informed her, hand falling from his eyes. Blinking, as he found her bottom near his shoulder, as she leaned over his legs. Grinning, he pushed himself upright and leaning over, bit a rounded cheek making her squawk.
“Oww, you pig,” she scolded, rubbing her abused cheek as she scowled at him.
“What’s the verdict, do you I get my reward for being a good patient?” he asked, hopefully.
“I don’t think you deserve one after the abuse you’ve just given my behind.”
“Come here and I’ll kiss it better,” he told her, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her around and over him.
Sitting back on his hips, she wiggled on his very awake lower brain and he pushed up against her, making her groan.
“So what do you want?” she asked, rubbing back against him.
“I think that’s pretty obvious. How about I just push the panties to one side and slip home.”
“So smooth, such a charmer,” she grinned.
“Fuck charm, I need you,” he growled, pulling her down towards his mouth, a hand holding her to him by her nape as his other hand ran over her back. He stroked downwards over her bottom, rubbing over the area he’d bitten. “Do you know what I really want?” he whispered against her lips and she shook her head. “Lose the pants and turn around, and I’ll show you some gratitude while you give me my reward.” He slipped his tongue into the interior of her mouth, as he visualised exactly what he wanted to do to her.
She squirmed and his erection jerked beneath her, the ridge easily felt with only her leggings and his boxers separating th
em.
“How fond are you of these pants?” he asked, running his tongue over her bottom lip, making her sigh and groan.
“What?” she couldn’t track what he was on about.
“Never mind,” he smirked, taking her mouth as he ran a finger over her, finding a slight gap, as if the material was giving. He tugged and it parted, allowing him access as he made the hole bigger, then ran his knuckles over her wet panties. Pushing the silk to one side, he rotated a thumb over the little nub at the top, before running his knuckle over her again, pressing against her. She gasped and bucked against his touch and he trailed his lips up her cheek. “Release me Lana,” he whispered against her ear, rotating his thumb against her again as he rubbed with his knuckles and bit her earlobe.
One of Lana’s hands dropped from around his neck and she lifted herself slightly, pushing his boxers down slightly. She wrapped a hand around him and stroked, and it was his turn to groan.
“In, I need in you know.” He bit out, sucking on her earlobe and making her whimper. “Guide me home baby,” he cajoled as he again circled that little bundle of nerves and then removed his hand, gripping her hips and lifting her.
Lana held him, pleasuring herself with his hard flesh, rubbing him over her own entrance, before slowly lowering herself onto him.
“Sorry, slow next time,” he ground out, as he pulled her down and onto him as he pushed up with his hips. He hissed and she gasped as he buried himself to the hilt, before using his hands on her hips to control her, moving her up and down his length. Picking up the pace he froze as he heard the door open. Lana gasped, her wide eyes meeting his before she squeezed them tightly shut, her face dropping and hiding in the crook of his neck. Balin growled a warning, the rumble loud as it left his chest.
“Shit, sorry,” Jaden spoke up from the doorway before closing it again. “I’m heading out shortly with Maya, Sam and Helena, but Luc and Sophia are staying here. Glad you’re feeling better little brother,” he laughed before heading to his own room.
