Mated in Mist

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  General Keith Montag did not believe in failure. At least not his. For if he failed, then it was because the ones around him hadn’t excelled to their true potential. For the most part, he didn’t allow others to fail around him. Therefore, he didn’t fail.

  So when his men had come up empty when it came to their prey, he’d punished them.

  They didn’t deserve to breathe another breath, but he couldn’t have humans dying until the time was right. Of course, a few had died when the male witch fought back, but Montag had used that to his advantage. Leaking the video to the media had been the plan all along, but the fact that his men had died in the process had only made the reveal that much sweeter.

  Now the population was not only scared of the raving beasts, but also of the abominations that looked human.

  He’d use that fear.

  He always did.

  Of course, the plan hadn’t gone the way he’d truly wanted it to. He’d wanted to take the twin witches in to study them. The matching set of water witches would have helped his research tenfold. The one that had led him on the path to the witches had promised him that their potential was unmatched. Montag had wanted to use that for his men, either by finding a way to harness that power or by having them join him on his side of unity.

  Then the witches had fought back in a way he hadn’t predicted.

  They’d also run to the damn wolves and gotten too close for comfort.

  His men had shot the witches, and the wolves had taken the bodies. He still didn’t know if they were alive or dead, but what he did know was that he didn’t have them in hand. He’d find out what happened and do what he could to get them back. The one that had betrayed the twins in the first place had promised great things, and Montag wanted everything that came with that.

  His men had failed.

  And that couldn’t be allowed.

  His men had been unsuccessful at taking care of the wolf problem a year ago on that grassy hill during the Unveiling, as well.

  He was becoming impatient. And when he was impatient, people died.

  Montag stormed through the building, glancing through the circle windows in each door. Screams echoed from the rooms as the experiments continued, but Montag only thought of that as progress. Without loss, without study, he couldn’t move on to the next phase. Wolves and witches cried and growled, but their bodies were part of the science that came with his strategy.

  The coppery scent of blood in the air just proved that progress was being made.

  He passed the chambers where the cages lay and entered the large gym where his men trained. They were his secret team, one that would lead to great things. They didn’t know it yet, but these human soldiers would be his greatest accomplishment in the supernatural world.

  There were twenty men. The best of the best, hand-picked for this assignment. Only they didn’t know the extent of their duties—nor did they know what went on beneath their feet. Soon, Montag would enlighten them. But first, he needed them trained.

  His best soldier was a man named Shane Bruins. The man was a machine—smart, agile, and strong as hell. If it weren’t for the fact that Bruins seemed to think more than he should, he’d be perfect. The damn man didn’t exactly question orders, but Montag could see the thoughts in his eyes.

  Bruins would be the first to see the next step of his strategy.

  Then Bruins would question no more.

  He’d be Montag’s perfection.

  His plan.

  His immortality.

  Chapter Five

  If Leah were a wolf, she would howl at the moon until the pain within her soul didn’t feel so deep. The irony of her situation, her presence within the den, was not lost on her, but it didn’t help alleviate the agony.

  They were burying her brother today.

  Never again would she hear his laugh, see the water dance along his skin as he played a game. She’d never see him smile or see him spell. He would never find a woman to love, who would love him in return. He would never raise little babies and let her hold them. Those babies would never call her Aunt Leah. She would never be able to spoil them and show them water tricks to play on their dad.

  All of it lost in a moment of terror and panic.

  And yet, it didn’t seem quite real.

  Because they weren’t part of a coven, Roland wouldn’t be put to ground like their ancestors. Of course, their mother hadn’t been either, as she’d died in a hovel, out of sight of those who would shame her and her children. As each year passed, Leah knew her fate would be the same.

  She would die alone and be buried within land that was not hers.

  However, the wolves buried her brother with the same care they would have their Pack. They bowed their heads and said their prayers to the goddess. Gideon and Brandon spoke words of solace while the neighboring Pack, the Redwoods, sent some of their own to honor Roland.

  She didn’t understand the depth of their devotion to peace and the strength of the Pack, but she knew she would be forever grateful for these moments.

  As she would be forever grateful to Ryder, who stood by her side the entire time. He never spoke a word, but held her hand and let her cry when she needed to. He didn’t bring her close or whisper platitudes. No words would help at the moment, and Ryder seemed to understand that.

  When they let the final pieces of earth fall between their fingers over Roland’s grave, Leah shut off a part of herself. She couldn’t function while grieving, and she needed every ounce of her strength to survive. She was living among the wolves for the time being, but that could turn on a dime. She didn’t know who was after her in truth, but now she needed to figure it out because the world knew witches were real. Not only that, but she also had a feeling the Coven wasn’t too happy with her.

  Of course, they had never been happy with her.

  Hence why she’d lived the way she had for so long.

  “Are you ready to go?” Ryder asked, his voice low.

  The Brentwoods had each come to her to give their condolences, but the other Pack members had kept their distance. It made sense, as they didn’t know her but had still come to pay their respects. Either that or they had come to see the witch who had broken the news to the world.

  She looked over her shoulder at the burial plot that would one day be covered in flowers and nodded. “Yes. I’m ready.”

  “Leah?”

  She turned at the soft voice behind her.

  A strikingly beautiful woman with raven-black hair and light brown skin stood next to a tall, very muscular, and very sexy black man. He stood straight but almost hovered over her without actually hovering. It was as if he had to be near her but couldn’t be close at the same time.

  She had no idea how she truly knew that, other than the fact that she was a water witch, and sometimes her empathy clung to those around her that her magic needed to touch. She’d never had the chance to practice, as she hadn’t stayed in one place long enough to form the connections needed. The magic had never worked with her mother or twin—probably because they were her blood and had similar gifts. The fact that she could feel it so quickly with some of the Talons—and now some of the Redwoods from the look of it—surprised her.

  “Charlotte, Bram.” Ryder’s voice startled her, but she did her best not to show it. “Leah, these are my friends from the Redwood Pack. Charlotte is Maddox and Ellie’s daughter, who you met earlier. Bram is a soldier.”

  If she remembered correctly, soldiers were wolves in the center of the dominant hierarchy that could move up to enforcers or lieutenants depending on the Pack. Their strength of wolf and dominance was ever-changing. Leah was pretty sure all wolves were able to move up and down the totem pole other than those who were in the royal line. Those titles were given to them by the goddess and only changed when the next generation grew into power.

  It was funny, really. Wolves were the ones portrayed as barbaric while witches were either seen as crones or naked women dancing peacefully under the moonl
ight. And yet, it was her people who killed and tortured for their place in the Coven. Wolves let their goddess decide and used their claws and teeth to define their true place, but never to take over a Pack.

  She nodded and shook their hands, trying not to let her magic pour out of her and wrap around the couple who seemed to not quite be a true couple. Sometimes she hated her powers and her lack of control.

  “Hello,” she finally said, aware that her thoughts kept pulling her out of the present.

  “I’m so sorry about your brother,” Charlotte said softly. “I know you don’t know me, but if you need to talk, I’m a good listener.”

  Leah studied the other woman and felt a connection she couldn’t understand. It was as if her inner powers knew Charlotte had been through her own form of torture and pain. Indeed, it seemed this woman would understand her.

  “Thank you.”

  Bram gave her a solemn nod and followed Charlotte as she turned away, leaving Ryder and Leah alone.

  “What is their story?” she asked. She hadn’t meant to say anything, as it wasn’t her business, but, apparently, she couldn’t help it.

  “I don’t know,” Ryder said. “I tend to keep out of matings.”

  “They’re mates?” she asked as she turned to him. He hadn’t shaved so his beard was just a bit longer than it had been a couple of days ago. She wanted to run her hands over it, but she couldn’t. She wouldn’t.

  “I don’t know. They don’t have the bond, but there’s something between them anyway.” He shrugged. “They’re Redwoods, not Talons, so my wolf can’t tell much for sure. I can only assume from body language alone at this point.”

  “I see.” She looked over her shoulder at her brother’s grave and frowned. “I think it’s time to go. If I stay here, I won’t leave at all.”

  Ryder took her hand and led her away. She let out a sigh, but followed him, knowing she was leaving her past behind with each step and stepping into a future she couldn’t quite understand.

  When they made it back to Ryder’s, she went back to her room and stripped off her clothes. She didn’t want to wear the black anymore. She’d have burned them or thrown them away, but they were borrowed from the Pack. Instead, she changed into a pair of leggings and a long-sleeved tunic. Ryder had been silent on the walk back, but she knew it wasn’t her. He never spoke unless it was important, and she kind of liked that. The silence wasn’t awkward, but comforting.

  She met her gaze in the mirror and knew it was time to tell him everything. She was a guest within the Talon walls and couldn’t hide from the world. Her problems would find her…and soon.

  When she made her way out to the living room. Ryder was on the couch, looking at his tablet. She knew all the Talons had jobs of their own, or at least they used to before the Unveiling. She wasn’t sure what Ryder’s was or if he still had it. But asking him now would only delay what she needed to say. If they let her remain within the wards, she’d ask him, though. He might not want her as his mate, but she still felt a strong enough connection that she wanted to know who he was.

  “Ryder?”

  He looked up from his tablet, his blue eyes intense. He must have heard her shuffle in, but he’d let her breathe first. “What is it, Leah?”

  “I want to tell you why I was running.”

  He nodded but didn’t stand up, didn’t gesture for her to sit next to him. He was letting her make the choice. Goddess, she could fall for him. But she wouldn’t. She had to protect the one thing she had left—her heart.

  “Okay.”

  “I used to belong to the Coven. The one you are meeting soon.”

  His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Well, I suppose you could say I belonged until I was born. My mother, you see, was shunned when she became pregnant with Roland and me.”

  Ryder’s nostrils flared, but again, he didn’t say anything.

  “She had been having an affair with a witch who was already married. Of course, she hadn’t known that until it was too late. Witches do not live in dens, nor do they know all of each other as well as wolves seem to. She didn’t know this witch was on his way to becoming the leader of the Coven by using any means necessary. She didn’t know his wife was just as brutal with the ice in her veins as her husband was with his ability to drown others with just a thought. When my mother became pregnant, she was shunned, as I said. But that wasn’t all. The man who is my father by biology and nothing more did not have children with his wife. She couldn’t, you see. But that didn’t mean he wanted bastards running around with his blood in their veins. He was always afraid of what powers we could have. He is powerful. Oh so powerful. And he was afraid any child from his loins would be so formidable they’d overthrow him.” She paused. Took a breath. “I don’t know what decree he made exactly, but the result was my mother’s death. The humans may have killed my brother, but I wouldn’t put it past my father to have been the one to lead the way. I’ve been running all my life, Ryder. I’m tired. And yet, the world now knows witches are real and the Coven will want my head for more than one reason. I will have to face the Coven, Ryder. I will have to face my fate.”

  Ryder stood up then. He took the four steps that separated them and stood right in front of her. When he cupped her face, she stopped breathing, rendered unable to think by his touch.

  “They will not have you, Leah. One day I will tell you the story of the Alpha and Heir of the Pack before Gideon and me. I will tell you how they did the same thing to another woman as the Coven did to your mother. I was too young, too weak to protect that woman and her child, but I know them now. Know they are safe as Redwoods where they weren’t as Talons. We will not allow you…I will not allow you to be given up to the Coven like a sacrifice. We will work it out. I am meeting with the Coven in two days, and you will come with me. We will face this head-on.”

  She sucked in a breath, her lungs burning. “Ryder…”

  “They will not have you. Your father, if you can call him that, was the one in the wrong. He had no right to call upon your death, no matter what Coven decree he made. I don’t care what they think. As for what happened on camera? I was part of the Unveiling. I was one of the wolves who were shown to the world. And yet, I live. I will not allow you to be punished for others’ actions.”

  “You can’t tell the Coven what to do, Ryder. It’s not that easy.”

  “Then we’ll make it that easy.” His thumb brushed her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. “You deserve more than a life on the run, more than a Coven to punish you.” His voice lowered. “You deserve more than me.”

  With that, he brushed his lips over hers, once, twice, in the gentlest of kisses. She closed her eyes, relishing the slight pressure of his lips to hers.

  It was over before it had begun, but she knew that kiss had meant something.

  Only it didn’t mean everything.

  Because despite the fact that he’d kissed her; despite the fact that he’d promised he would protect her; she would have to protect herself. She wasn’t good enough for him, wasn’t his mate in truth.

  She was just a witch with no home.

  Forever alone.

  ****

  Ryder closed his eyes and told himself he was ready for what was to come. It was only a meeting between two Packs and a Coven of witches that would set the tone for their relationship during a time of war and uncertainty.

  Add in the fact that his wolf craved the woman at his side and that the woman came from a dark past of betrayal and abandonment tied to that exact Coven, and Ryder knew there were more questions than answers.

  No pressure at all.

  “I’m not trying to read your emotions, but you’re screaming them at me,” Brandon said from his side.

  Ryder had heard his brother come to his side, of course, but he hadn’t said anything. There wasn’t much to say with everything going on in his mind. He didn’t particularly like Brandon’s powers as Omega. He wanted his emotions to remain his own
, but he knew Brandon couldn’t control it.

  “Unless I’m about to break down and tear off the Coven leader’s head, just ignore them.”

  Brandon let out a sigh. “I can’t ignore it,” he said softly, almost a whisper. “I never can. Speaking of Coven leaders, are you going to be able to handle Leah at your side while you meet her father?”

  Leah had told his family about her connections to the Coven the day before so there wouldn’t be any surprises. His siblings had taken it surprisingly well. Leah would be joining them for the meeting, not as a representative for the Talons, but as a guest who needed to be present because of what had brought her to their den in the first place.

  Ryder hadn’t said Leah was his mate or that he’d rejected the mating urge and bond.

  He should have known he wouldn’t be able to hide it from Brandon.

  “I won’t hurt the Pack,” he growled out.

  “Never thought you would. I’m more worried about you hurting yourself.”

  Ryder turned to his brother. “Leave it, Brandon.”

  Brandon just met his gaze, not quite a challenge, but close enough. Ryder was Heir, slightly higher in rank than the Omega. Their dominance couldn’t be changed, but they could piss off their wolves.

  “What’s going on?” Leah asked as she came up to them. She’d gone to a nearby stream as soon as they’d made it to the meeting location so she could wash her hands. She’d been nervous and had needed the water for her magic. Ryder had been able to hear her the entire time, and would have run to her side in a moment if there were trouble. And since they were on neutral ground and not within wards, trouble could come at any moment.

  Because they were in the middle of a forest, they had some cover in case there was an issue, at least. With the humans always on the hunt, and hate groups hidden around the area, Ryder wasn’t going to take chances. As soon as the Redwood Heir and Omega arrived, they’d make their way into the meeting area and get started. He didn’t like being out in the open as they were.