Turning to a large window overlooking the tree-lined grounds of his estate, he took a mental step back. He had his people doing everything they could, so maybe it was time for him to take a break, let things settle. What he needed was to recharge. He needed a child. A magickal child to tide him over. With his power and youth restored to full strength, he could await the spawn of whichever princess bred first. Once he claimed their power for his own, well, then he would be in control.
Control, after all, was everything.
Carissa sighed and rubbed her wrists for the millionth time. After drying her off after the sponge bath, and finding the effects of the drug fading away, Gwen left the room without another word. With another sigh, Carissa swung her legs over the side of the bed and gazed up at the clock over the door. It was already eight in the evening, so she knew the ceremony would be starting soon. Cursing, she snatched a nightgown from the nearly empty dresser, and drew it over her head. Every time she heard footsteps in the hallway, her heart skipped a beat, but they never made it to her door before another one clicked shut. Carissa wondered again just how long it would take her sister to betray her love for Aden to their father.
Drawing her legs up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them and rested her chin on her knees. In a couple of hours, she’d be forced into the mating ceremony with Ryker, and she knew there was no way Aden could get to her in time. Tears fell with abandon, her nightgown, but she hardly noticed. Carissa’s heart broke into a thousand pieces, scattering in a waterfall of sorrow to crumble at her feet. She’d been stupid to agree to the meeting with Gwen and Rafe—the beginning of everything going to hell. She knew that now, but nothing could change what she’d done.
Taking a chance, she’d sentenced herself to a lifetime of moonrises without the other half of her heart. She didn’t need her sister’s simpering explanations to tell her there would be no going back. She took a deep, shuddering breath, and wiped the tears from her face. The logical side of her brain tried to detach itself from her heart. Better to erect a wall to shield herself before they could see her weakness. Unfortunately, sure as the sky was blue, Gwen would blabber her confession to their father, effectively washing away any chance of sympathy from the Pack Master.
More footsteps sounded outside the door, then a soft clink as the lock was disengaged. Gwen entered, pulling a chair behind her, with another bucket of water—the scent of lilies filling the air when the water sloshed—and a washcloth in her other hand. Cold dread filled Carissa’s soul at the glint in Gwen’s eyes. No doubt about it, her father was ready to push through with the ceremony, which meant her sister must have run straight to him about Aden when she left the last time. Her sister set the chair beside the bed and placed the other items on the floor beside it. She turned to Carissa, her eyes alight with excitement.
“Give me your nightgown, Rissa. I told you earlier that we need to get you ready.”
Carissa jutted out her chin, eyes narrowed. She didn’t have it in her to give in without a fight. “No,” she said softly, “I’m not going to make this easy for you.
Gwen frowned. “I was afraid you’d act like this.” She sighed. “Now you’ve left me no choice.”
Her sister pulled out a small syringe filled with a light golden liquid. Carissa knew it was the same drug they’d been using on her since her kidnapping, and it scared her more than anything else they’d done or tried to do. She scrambled backward across the bed, falling hard onto her back on the other side. She shot to her feet and held up her hands, trying desperately not to shake.
“Wait! I’ll take it off—just, please, don’t do that.”
Gwen set the syringe on the nightstand and crossed her arms over her chest. Carissa took a deep breath and raised the nightgown over her head, tossing it to her sister when it was removed. Gwen folded the clothing neatly and tucked it under her arm. She offered Carissa a faltering smile. However, the door opened before she could say anything. Ryker had a robe draped over one arm, and Carissa knew it was too much to ask that he drop it off and leave her be.
Her heart sank as he looked at Gwen. “Leave,” he said, his tone firm and unyielding.
Gwen did as she was asked without as much as a backward glance at her sister. Ryker pushed the door shut with one bare foot, the sound like a gunshot in Carissa’s ears. He crossed the room slowly, stopping an arm’s reach from where she stood. He lifted the garment from his arm, stroking the soft cotton, his eyes glittering with malice. He moved again, gesturing for her to take the covering.
Carissa reached for the robe, her hand shaking with anger as Ryker held it just out of her grasp. His laugh held all the sweetness of a copperhead snake, and his grin showed everything but deadly fangs. Defiantly, she gave up, crossing her arms against her breasts to shield them from his lecherous view. He dropped the robe to the ground. One long, muscular arm stretched toward her, the fingers on his hand curled like a claw. The movement was exquisitely slow, and she knew he could hear her heartbeat pounding in her chest.
Fear was acid on her tongue. The sour taste of sweat and onions permeated her senses, mingling with the scent of rotting meat and cigarette smoke that emanated from the werewolf’s clothing. She took a halting step backward, her knees coming to rest against the side of the bed. There was nowhere for her to run, and his sardonic smirk told her that he knew it. As quick as lightning, he moved toward her, shoving her back onto the bed and landing on top of her quivering body.
Ryker leaned in close, and her nose clogged as his stench saturated her nostrils. “You will say the words with me, Carissa,” he growled, “Or I will make your life a living hell from now until the day you bear our first child.”
Insides quaking, Carissa locked gazes with him and wrinkled her nose. Fists clenched at her side to keep from pressing her palms over her belly, she sneered, “I’m not of your world, asshole. In mine, we’re equal. Until you remove that nail-studded, brain poking two-by-four from your ass, you won’t touch me. Got it?”
The rumble began in his chest, shaking the bed as blindingly red light flashed around them. Carissa kept her eyes on his, not looking as she heard his bones pop and crack, shifting under his skin to accommodate the beast within. His tattered clothing fell over her body as fur sprouted around his eyes, and his snout elongated until it bumped hers. Warm saliva splattered on her chin, and she had to bite back the urge to vomit—but still she didn’t move her gaze, holding his in challenge while fear turned her blood to ice.
“Do you know what I could do to you, Carissa?” he rasped, “Do you know how much power I hold over you right now?” The claws on the paw pinning her left shoulder flexed, digging deep into her skin.
Eyes watering, Carissa bit her bottom lip hard enough to bleed, but she uttered no sound. There was no way she’d play into his hands. Just a little more time, she thought to herself. Aden will come for me. Ryker shifted his paw and turned his head, his rough tongue sweeping out to lap at the wound left by his claws. She whimpered then, and he barked out a laugh, returning his gaze to hers. Tears threatened to fall, but she blinked her eyes free.
More saliva fell, coating her cheek in a film of putrid moisture. Carissa grimaced, her hand flinching, smacking into the side of something hard and sleek. It was the book she’d smuggled in to read the last time she’d left the room. Tense fingers curled over the cover, closing around the side where the pages faced out. A silent prayer filled her mind as she raised the object, the power of her wolf rising to life, thrumming through her muscles, strengthening her. Ryker grinned wolfishly as his body shifted back to human, naked and sprawled above her own.
“You’re going to behave for me, Carissa. I guarantee it.”
He lowered his mouth toward hers as she brought the book up with all her might. The corner of the heavy hardcover struck him with a THUD at the base of his right ear, cutting into his skin. Ryker’s eyes glazed over on a groan, and blood oozed from the cut, dripping ick onto her face. He wasn’t unconscious, but he was disoriented
. Carissa dropped the book and wiggled out from underneath his prone form, running for the door the minute her feet hit the floor. As she’d hoped, he hadn’t locked it. The bed behind her creaked, but she dared not turn to look. A whimper escaped Carissa’s throat as she jerked the door open, stumbling naked into the hallway, and directly into her father’s arms.
Garrett looked down at her, his eyes heavy with confusion and disgust. “What the hell, Carissa? Where’s Ryker?”
The man in question sauntered up beside them, also naked, one blood-soaked hand pressed to the gash behind his ear. Ryker grabbed Carissa’s arm in a vice-like grip.
“Your daughter and I had a disagreement, sir. It won’t happen again.” He pinned Carissa with his venomous gaze, his eyes promising retribution if she argued.
Glaring at the pair of them, Carissa snatched her arm back. “Like hell,” she hissed, turning her furious gaze to Garrett’s, “If you leave me alone with him one more time before your precious ceremony, I’ll see to it that you have no choice but to kill me for pack dishonor. I may be your pawn in this game of procreation, but I am not his toy. Think on that before you make your next move, Daddy.”
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she left them both gaping as she turned on her heel and stomped into her room, slamming the door behind her.
Chapter Forty-Five
Three hours later, Carissa sat in the chair her sister brought in, arms and legs tied to the heavy wood to keep her from escaping as the newest drug dose continued to wear off. Gwen pulled a brush through her hair, styling it for the ceremony. She’d dressed Carissa in a lovely white tea-length summer dress that may have been appreciated had the circumstances been different. Gwen twisted her sister’s hair and pinned it up, leaving a few strands down to frame her face.
Carissa wanted to struggle on principle, but she knew that would only result in having her hair pulled—Gwen wasn’t there for her anymore, but the pack, and sympathy would be in short supply. She sighed. It wouldn’t be difficult to remain silent and not complete her part in the ritual. She’d rather saw her tongue in half, anyway. The ropes bit into her flesh, which prickled with power that didn’t feel like hers. Carissa supposed it had to do with her and Aden’s connection, but without him there, she couldn’t prove it.
“You should try smiling, Rissa,” Gwen interrupted her thoughts. “This is your beginning, but you’re acting like we’re trying to kill you!”
Carissa opened her mouth to respond, but her father walked into the room before she could, and she decided silence was the best option. He circled her, looking at every detail.
He turned to Gwen. “She’ll do. Ryker will be pleased.” Then he turned to Carissa. “You will do as you’re told, young lady. I won’t hurt you if you don’t, but you’ll wish I had.” He walked to the door. “We’ll be ready in five, Gwen, and you can bring her outside.”
Carissa’s sister nodded to Garrett, then bent down and untied the ropes. Gwen helped her stand, since the after-effects of the drug made her wobbly, preventing her from running, even if she knew she could get away. Gwen placed a pair of blue wedge heels on the floor before her, but Carissa kicked them away, glaring at her sister. Frowning, Gwen picked them back up and set them in front of her again—and again Carissa kicked them away.
“What the hell, Rissa? It’s just a pair of shoes!”
Carissa pursed her lips and crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed as she shook her head. Huffing, her sister once again picked up the shoes and brought them to her. She tried to lift her sister’s feet, but Carissa stood firm, unmoving, no matter how Gwen spat and cursed—until she finally gave up. Tossing the heels to the floor, Gwen grabbed Carissa by the arm and marched her through the house and out the front door.
Carissa squinted into the glowing night. Ryker and her father stood near the bank, while what must have been half the pack sat in a circle around them. She pressed one hand to her quivering belly, and prayed she wouldn’t throw up. At least one hundred people, some in human and some in wolf form, watched in interest as Gwen led Carissa to their father. He took her arm from her sister’s grasp when they reached the water, and turned her to face Ryker. Gwen gave her once last frown, and ran back up to the house.
Her father gestured outward with one arm and addressed the crowd. “Normally this ceremony takes place away from prying eyes, but my daughter seems to have qualms about the preservation of our species.” His words drew a grumble of anger from the masses.
He waited until they grew quiet before continuing. “I’m here to ensure she takes care of business.” He gestured with his free arm to a small platform floating on the water, alligators swimming ever closer to the figure thereon. “As you can see, Carissa, your mother was kind enough to join us.”
“Mom!” Carissa screamed, attempting to tear her arm from Garrett’s grip, stepping forward as she tried to run to her mother’s prone, unconscious form, but her father’s grip held her in place. She looked at him, tears in her eyes. “Don’t kill her. I’ll do whatever you want, just let her go.”
Her father smiled at her. “Oh, I know you will, and I will let her go…after.”
He turned her to face Ryker. “Take each other’s hands.” He released her arm so she could follow orders. “Now, Ryker, you know what to do.”
Ryker smiled, his eyes glinting in the darkness. His expression made Carissa’s skin crawl. There was no way she wanted anything to do with him, and she’d kill him herself, ritual or no ritual, if he ever laid his hands on her outside of this farce of a ceremony.
He leaned down and attempted to kiss her cheek, but she evaded. He didn’t seem to care. He looked into her eyes and recited the ritual words.
“I take you, all of you, with my heart, my blood, and my body. I take you in the light of the moon, under the witnessing stars, as my other half. I choose my mate. Carissa.”
The magick bonds enveloped her heart and the sensation caused her to tremble in fear. There would be no way to reverse it, no chance for her to experience real love with another. With Aden.
It took her multiple tries to finally force the words from her lips. “I take you, all of you, with my heart.” Tears fell in earnest from desperate eyes. “My blood, and my body.” Her shoulders slumped and her voice trembled. “I take you in the light of the moon, under the witnessing stars, as my other half.” A movement in the trees near the bank caught her eye. “I choose my mate.”
Suddenly, a wolf flew through the air and knocked her father to the ground. She had no idea how it was possible, but those bright blue eyes were as familiar as her own heart. “Aden,” she whispered.
“No!” Ryker bellowed. He grabbed her around the waist and dragged her toward the house. Gwen ran out, the look of shock on her face brighter than the moon. She opened her mouth, but a man Carissa didn’t recognize ran up behind them.
“I don’t think so,” he said, and promptly swept Ryker’s feet from beneath him. The werewolf released her arm as he fell flat on his back.
“Damn you, Daniel,” he cursed, shifting seconds after he hit the ground, springing up and lunging at the man while Carissa ran toward Aden without looking back. She came to a skidding halt in front of him and her father. Clutching her stomach, she sucked in a breath, and prayed for a strong constitution to withstand the nausea suddenly burning in her gut.
Aden raised his wolf’s head to look at her. “Did they hurt you?”
Glaring at her father, Carissa waited long enough to answer to see the fear gather in his eyes, and then she waited a beat more for good measure. She shook her head. “No, they didn’t, but they kept drugging me, and he did threaten to kill my mother.” She pointed to the water, where they spotted an alligator about to climb onto the raft.
While they were distracted, her father shifted. Aden blinked as the man in his arms inflated, his bulk contorting and changing shape. The swiftness of the change threw her lover off and into the water. Carissa watched silently, her fear mounting, as her father gained his paws and s
talked toward the sodden wolf. Past them, she saw the alligators abandon her mother, but because of her nana’s spell, they didn’t try for a furry meal.
Aden stood and shook out his fur, growling low in his throat as the elder wolf stepped closer. There was a noise behind her, and Carissa tore her eyes from the wolves by the water. Some of the pack was shifting, and she felt the fissures of power in the air, calling to her. Fire in her eyes, she turned her back on Aden and her father, barely wincing when she heard them snarl and barrel into each other. Gwen had aligned herself with the shifting pack members, but she didn’t look angry. Fists clutched at her sides, she looked everywhere but at her sister.
Shaking her head, Carissa turned away from Gwen and stared up at one of the unchanged wolves. “What’s your name?” She asked him, placing her hands on her hips.
The man rolled his eyes and flipped his mane of shaggy brown hair out of his face. He shrugged. “It’s Stephen. What’s it to ya?”
Carissa cocked her head to the side, flinching every time she heard the snap of jaws behind her. “Why are they shifting?” She spread her hands to encompass the rest of the pack.
For a moment, she didn’t think he would answer her, but he did. “They want to fight, and if it looks like your wolf is getting the better of our master, well, the fur is gonna fly.” He grinned wolfishly, and turned to two of the wolves standing beside him. “Go after the vampire that has Ryker. Don’t come back without him in pieces.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Carissa’s jaw dropped. “NO!” she yelled, the tenor of her voice stopping the wolves in their tracks. Her skin shimmered, and for a moment, Carissa felt her wolf rise to the surface. Something must have shown in her eyes, as everything suddenly became even clearer, taking on a grayish hue, and Stephen stepped back.
Crimson Bayou (Things that go Bump in the Bayou Book 1) Page 26
