by May Sage
“Yet you crossed half a world in the hope it may be.”
Knox wasn’t giving an inch. Another woman might have asked, or even begged, but Ava just stared at him, somehow knowing he’d already made his decision. He just seemed to enjoy making people squirm.
“Do you know what they did to me in Rome, little bird? Do you know I was tied up day and night? I pissed and shat in the corner of a small room. I think, over the ten years they had me, that corner was never cleaned. My wolf became feral. The only thing that kept us together was the fact that my human half was just as wild by that point. But I had to live.”
“Your blood isn’t your own,” Ava said, amusing him.
“Quite. That was my saying. I heard you’ve made it your family motto. The Flavian always had good taste.”
“So, it’s true. If you died…”
“Every single werewolf on earth dies with me, darling. Just as every eagle will, when you and this brother of yours meet your fate. Unless I talk.”
It was obvious to Coveney than he had no intention to, not without a price, anyway. He was just taunting them.
“Knox, you’re not that much of an asshole,” Ace told him, making him chuckle.
“Oh, I am. I’d love nothing more than to see her kind disappear. I’d cheer as the eagles fell and drink to their enemies’ health.” After a beat, he added, “If I could afford to.”
Coveney frowned, not sure what he meant.
“What you’re not questioning is: what makes a group of people so willing to try out a theory that may very well mean their own doom?” he rolled his eyes. “Your enemies were manipulated. By someone who either wanted to confirm the importance of the First lines, or by someone who needed agles out of the way. Most probably both.”
Shit, that made sense. Eagles were the most powerful allies of the shifter council, after all.
“The shifter council has plenty of enemies. Hell, yesterday, we figured amongst those. It makes sense.”
“Certainly.” Then, like it was common knowledge, he added, “I founded the council. Its primary objective was to locate, and protect, every First line of our kind. Should the council fall, we’d all be at risk. Now, who do you think could possibly want to endanger every shifter in the entire world, hm?”
Fuck.
“Regulars.”
* * *
It had been decades since the sups had come out of the closet, but the reaction of regular humans had been to attack, right away. The vampires subdued them with ease, everyone knew that. Later, when other races had come out of the closet, they’d all seen hate groups rise, ganging up against the sups they could find.
The fanatics were rarely successful in their attempts to harm any of them; even the weakest, most submissive of shifters were stronger than most regulars. Witches, vampires, and the others could also take care of themselves.
But there were plenty of haters, they all knew that. That was why so many shifters never left their prides or packs; not wanting to deal with them. The regular human laws, drafted by the vampires who let them govern themselves, made it clear that shifters and other sups didn’t answer to their laws. At least, as long as they didn’t interfere with a regular. When a sup had to protect himself against normal humans, it often resulted in blood, and even when it was self-defense, the regulars came down on them, hard.
The whole dynamic was quite toxic, and everyone knew something needed to give. They talked about just being patient, showing the regulars they weren’t monsters. Still, decades had passed without changing a thing, except in places like Lakesides.
If Knox was right, and regulars were behind what had occurred in Dale, there would never be peace. They’d all but declared war against their whole kind.
“Most regulars are indifferent to us; some may even like us. But there are others - not just the haters. Those who are simply resigned that we’re stronger than them. If they saw a weakness, they’d pounce. Now, tell them that killing a few dozen of us is enough to rid the world of shifters…”
“We’d be royally fucked. All of us.”
Perfect. Their day was just getting better and better.
“I may be mistaken,” the wolf admitted. “But, regardless, the little bird will live.”
Chapter 14
Waiting
Ava was probably insane, but after a little while, she relaxed around Knox. It might have to do with the fact that while she was pretty certain everything she’d heard about him was well-deserved, he seemed genuine. Under the swagger, the veiled threats, and the coldness, she saw wisdom, compassion, and…
“You know, you may just look as pretty as your late sister, if you put a couple of pounds on. Particularly around the tits and ass, little bird. Why women persist in resembling boys these days is completely beyond me.”
Never mind. He was a dick.
“Of course, you’ll breed soon. Perhaps you’ll be fortunate enough to keep some baby weight.”
“Oh, fuck off.”
He beamed at her like she’d given him a present wrapped in a pretty bow.
“Are you going to contradict me, Ava Flavia of Dale? That you didn’t immediately think of it when I told you the legends are true? You need a child - so does your brother. Your blood isn’t your own.”
“Then why don’t you have a litter of pups?” she retorted, before wincing.
Okay, so he’d walked into that one, but, if he hadn’t had any kids over two thousand years, maybe he just couldn’t.
“Not for lack of trying,” he replied pleasantly, although his jaw tensed a little. “My spawn have the unfortunate tendency of attempting to cut their way out of their mothers, far too early and in the most inopportune of fashions. It’s quite literally a bloody mess. Why, are you offering your womb?” he tilted his head. “Your boy may have a thing or two to say against it.”
“How did you survive this long?” she mused in wonder. “Everyone who meets you must hate your guts.”
Her tongue was loosened by the fact that she didn’t think he’d chop her head off now.
“I grow on people.”
“Like fungus.”
“And if that fails, I also happen to be able to kill just about anyone with an embarrassing lack of effort.”
She rolled her eyes. Show off.
At least, bickering with him helped pass the time while they waited. It beat twiddling her thumbs.
* * *
Knox hadn’t agreed with her plan; going to her flock and testifying seemed to play into their enemies’ hands, according to him.
“Think of it. They’d still walk away with information we’d very much like to keep under wraps. And they have massacred your family, regardless. Wouldn’t it be more fun to repay the favor?”
It wouldn’t, actually. Just because a few people had risen against her family didn’t mean that she wanted to go to war with the entire flock of Dale. Particularly since the rest of the eagles of the world might join in.
“Who do you think they’d follow? The traitors on your parents’ seat, or a Flavia?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted.
She had never done anything to earn the loyalty of her kind; they didn’t even know her. Shy as she was, she’d hidden from the limelight, avoiding large gatherings. Richard may have been another story, he’d travelled to each corner of the globe and made alliances.
“Well, how about we find out?”
The idea held merit, but she would have liked it more if it wasn’t based on her ability to rally hundreds of freaking eagles because of the blood running in her veins.
She’d paced the room as the smug wolf got to work. She’d paced some more as answers came from the various Eagle Alphas.
Now she was done pacing, too busy feeling like she was going to throw up. Sixty-two. Sixty-two flocks had answered, within less than an hour. Sixty-two flocks out of the seventy-nine Knox had contacted had agreed to meet her, to see what she had to say.
Fuck.
“What if it�
�s a trap? They could just want to get to me.”
“It could be.” Knox never said yes, or no, admitting that every possibility was plausible, which was nothing short of infuriating. “But I have my doubts. For one, they know I’ll be there.”
Cocky wolf.
Ava heard a noise, and turned to the door hopefully; but there was just an old cat of the non-shifting variety, leisurely licking his butt. He raised his spotted head, took one look at Knox, and started hissing.
The wolf sighed.
“You know, I’m incredibly fond of videos of kittens. Yet I’ve never seen one do anything remotely adorable in front of me. They’re all spitting and hissing.”
“That’s called having good taste,” she muttered, with a last glance at the door.
Where was he?
The Wyvern felines had left her with Knox, Rain, and Vivicia in the lounge, while they went out with their kids.
“They’ve been cooped up in here for too long,” Rye had announced. “We’re going for a run with them.”
Coveney had attempted to stay behind, but the Alpha had been strict.
“There’re too many children for us to handle in town with three of us on patrol,” he’d told him. “And they won’t listen to strangers the way they listen to you. You’re coming.”
In other words, the Wyverns were having a meeting of their own. They hadn’t even been subtle about it. And who could blame them? She’d brought a pile of gooey shit to their doorstep hours after they’d survived their latest shit-storm.
And she shouldn’t be so anxious to see Coveney walk back in, dammit. Yes, the guy wanted to fuck her. He’d made that clear. That didn’t mean anything to shifters. They wanted sex, and when their partner was interested, they did it.
Telling herself she was being stupid didn’t stop her from glancing towards the door again.
Chapter 15
Intervention
Coveney sipped his chocolate shake and took a bite of his pizza before turning to the play area and waving at the kids. The two eldest were reading on their tablets off to the side because they were too cool for inflatable castles today.
Rye had been right. It had been too long since they’d done this. Waiting around for enemies to turn up at their door had that effect.
Of course, it hadn’t been why Rye had forced them all here, judging by the way everyone stared at him like they were trying to burn holes in his pizza.
He’d pretended not to let it get to him while he ate, because pizza was sacred. Now that he’d finished his last slice, he sighed, plopped his drink on the table, and said, “Alright, start the intervention, if you must.”
He knew what they were about to say. We don’t know that girl. She’s about to head to God knows where, for God knows how long, and you can’t go. She isn’t part of the pride. And if Daunte had been talking behind his back, you may be mistaken about her being your mate.
That last part would piss him off more than the rest. The rest were valid concerns, but at each moment he was more certain that his educated guess had foundations. For example, right now, being five miles away from her was almost physically painful. And it had also started something, something deep, rooted in his tiger’s instincts, bleeding through to him. A low, strange vibration that made him practically shake when he didn’t watch himself.
He’d heard of that, too.
While he’d been close to her, so sure that he would get to touch her soon, fate had left him alone. Now that they’d forced some distance between them, now that they’d made him leave her with a single male - an annoyingly good-looking single male, at that - things had changed. He had mating urges. They were getting worse by the second. Harder. Stronger.
Let them speak and be done with it soon, so he could return to her, where he belonged.
“Okay, so, don’t get pissed,” Rygan started, cautious. “But we just had to talk to you. For almost ten years, you’ve been a robot, a shadow of yourself. We’ve all seen it, even those of us who didn’t know you before the mess with Lorren. Vivicia may joke and call you Robocop, but that’s what you were, a damn robot. Frankly, it worried the shit out of us. All of us.”
Nods all around. Coveney frowned. He’d seen their lingering glances, of course, especially Rye’s. He’d just assumed they were disappointed in some way, not worried.
“I’m not the suicidal kind.”
“No, but you weren’t living either. Then, all of a sudden, you woke up from the funk. One day with a chick, just one day, and you’re like a lovesick puppy. You talk. You smile. You joke. You’re basically as crazy as Ace when someone gets the catnip out.”
“I resemble that,” the Alpha female commented with a sigh.
Coveney smiled. Ace really was embarrassing around catnip toys.
“See? Doing the smiling thing again. What I wanted to say, what we all wanted to say, is that we’re not letting you throw that away out of duty.”
He had to do his best to prevent himself from laughing. So, that’s what they’d wanted to say? He shook his head.
Everyone glared at him, as if daring him to contradict them, except Daunte, who was too busy stealing some pizza from his mate’s plate.
“And you?” he asked the Beta pair. “You’ve also come to preach?”
Daunte shrugged, absolutely shameless. “Nah. I was in when Rye said pizza. Plus, I would have punched that damn wolf if we’d stayed longer.”
“You found the Scion woman yummy, I think his immortal sexiness is dreamy,” Clari replied, slapping his hand away from her last slice. “Mine.”
Coveney rolled his eyes, before getting up. “If that’s all, you wouldn’t mind if I head back ahead of you guys?”
“Wait, we’re not done discussing…”
“What? Me letting my fated mate get away?” he lifted a brow as half of the table gaped at him. “I owe you guys, I really do. But that was never going to happen. Now, I need to get back to her. Especially given the fact that she’s with… his immortal sexiness.”
He grimaced, guessing the jerk would probably love the appellation.
“Coveney,” Rye called him back. “She might really need to leave.”
He nodded stiffly.
“If… when you go, know that there’s always a place for you back with us. Both of you.”
He smirked and said, “Hadn’t doubted it,” before shifting and running back towards Lakesides at full speed.
It was the first time he’d let his tiger out since the previous day, which seemed like a million years ago. The animal had always been focused and powerful, but he didn’t think he’d ever run at that speed; he barely touched the ground, pushing his massive frame forward harder, faster, each time he leaped. At long last, he was in front of the pride house. He didn’t bother shifting back, bumping his head on the front door until someone came to open it. The wolf girl. Vivicia, Coveney thought, but his tiger ignored her and kept on going until he finally found her.
Mate.
He pushed his head onto her lap and tilted it; she immediately took the hint and ran her fingers through his white fur, making him groan in pleasure.
Coveney hadn’t lied; he didn’t touch people, not even his pride mates, and his tiger was even worse. Right now, he couldn’t comprehend what he’d had against it. His large paws covered her arms, making sure to keep her in place because if she stopped scratching him, he might just die.
Catnip indeed. Rye had nailed it.
“Hey, Coveney,” she said, smiling down at him like he was the best thing she’d ever seen.
A second ago, the tiger had been so fond of her touch he was all but ready to overthrow his human self and become feral if it meant he could just carry on being touched by their mate. But when she said his name he immediately shifted, needing to be able to talk to her, too. Plus, the tiger readily admitted that he needed hands to remove all those bothersome clothes she wore over her soft skin. His claws wouldn’t do the trick.
Shifting back faster than he ever ha
d in the past, Coveney gathered her in his arms, and started to walk away, ignoring everyone in the room.
“What are you- where are you taking me…”
“Everywhere. I’ll take you everywhere.”
He completely ignored Knox, who sighed dramatically, telling Vivicia, “Am I the only one who may just vomit?”
Chapter 16
Mates
In all his naked glory, sporting an erection that should have alarmed her, the heathen carried her all the way back to the room where he’d nursed her the previous night, and dropped her on his bed.
“Didn’t we clarify that I’m not some goddamned prize, Coveney Walker?”
“Did we?” he replied, and she had a perfect answer that would have indeed shown him his place, but, as he happened to capture her lips just then, she was too busy panting and melting under him to formulate a sound.
Okay, so she moaned, but that didn’t count.
The man was completely naked and hovering over her on a large bed that smelled like him; Ava’s insides melted, and her hips curved upward, needing to touch him.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, his knuckles tracing her face, pushing her hair away. He opened his fist and let his hands slide over her bare arms. That was supposed to be innocent, right? So why did it feel like her clit was on fire?
Coveney chuckled. “You really don’t believe it.”
“Aria, my sister, she was the…”
“I didn’t know Aria. I just know hundreds of women, and none of them have captivated me nearly as much as you.”
Bedroom talk was always sweet, she told herself. This was normal. Her heart had no reason to beat at five thousand miles an hour, yet it went and did just that anyway.
“You know why, Ava? No, I expect you don’t.”
She didn’t know anything at all right now, given the fact that his hand had reached her waist and he was pushing her borrowed tank top up, one excruciatingly slow second at a time.
