Sweeping my leg out, he jumped in the air, barely avoiding the attack; but it was only a tactic used to distract him as I whipped around, my hands in tightly formed fists hammering his solar plexus with such force that it finally gave me the window of opportunity I needed. Blow after blow rained down on Daniel and his defenses started to crumble . . . his breath ragged as his chest heaved for much needed air.
“Yield!” I thundered.
“Never!” he roared as a blast of power surged out from him, knocking me to the ground. Magic. He had access to magic.
“Who are you?” I asked, quickly scrambling to my feet. “And don’t tell me you’re Daniel. Enough with the bullshit. Reveal yourself!”
“I am your death!” Cocking his arm back, the Master hurled his hand forward, but without the desired effect. He stared down at his open palm in anger before trying again. Nothing.
Hope sparked within my chest. Yes, magic would be a game changer in the challenge; but it looked as though it was malfunctioning. It added to my belief that Daniel was possessed and still fighting from the inside. Somehow he’d managed to influence the spirit infiltrating his body. While it was just a hunch, it was the only thing I could hold on to. This didn’t need to end in death.
“Next time you take over someone’s body, do your research,” I goaded, withholding my assault for a moment. “The worst thing you could do is underestimate a wolf—and the one you’re hitchhiking in . . . he’s the bravest one I know.”
Something flashed in his eyes, a secret understanding, that was closely followed by a smirk. “I always do my homework, Mason. I knew exactly what I was doing when I chose Daniel.” Mirroring my stalking moves, there was a look on his face I didn’t like. “Or should I say he chose me?”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? When would I have had a chance to take over your second-in-command? Why was this a shock to you? Be honest, did you see this coming?”
He already knew the answer. I hadn’t. Never in a million years would I have guessed this could happen on my watch. Then, again, after going through hell with Darcy—having Amber possess her in the name of the Master, this shouldn’t have been so surprising.
“Who are you?” I repeated. I needed to know my enemy. I needed to know who wore the face of my best friend.
“I am the one who offered Daniel the deal of a lifetime. One that he obviously accepted.”
“He’s not that power hungry. Domination isn’t something he’s interested in.”
“Are you so sure? People change. They grow up and their needs evolve. Not everyone is content to remain in the shadows of the great Mason. Some want their own chance to shine.”
What I was hearing was ludicrous. “If he’d been unhappy, all he had to do was speak up.”
“Would you have been so willing to let him go? To divide up your power and share?” It was plain that the Master was talking by the coldness in his tone.
“I only ever wanted to see him happy. I was not his enemy.”
“And yet, here we are. Your brother yearned for more and, unlike you, I delivered.”
With each twisted word he spoke, the deeper my resolve sank. The manipulative speech I was hearing seemed almost convincing. Closing my eyes for the briefest of seconds, I stilled my mind and searched for the truth.
Lies.
It was all lies.
My relationship and bond was stronger than this.
I wouldn’t be so easily deceived, no matter the method of delivery.
Even with the slightest chance the Master was correct and Daniel had been the one to approach him, it was vastly overshadowed by my conviction that my second-in-command was buried within his own body, trapped, relying on me to trust in our connection.
“I will not let you have him!” Righteous anger spilled out from me and a renewed strength began coursing through my veins. I resumed my attack, the time for talking and understanding over.
I had one goal only, my intent and purpose solidified. The Master wouldn’t conquer me. He would no longer play on my emotions and manipulate me. I would do the only thing left to do.
When someone took something of mine, I would simply take it back.
I intensified my assault, waging a brutal series of kicks and punches that left the Master scrambling to maintain his footing. Although he was able to block and counter with his own offense, he simply wasn’t a match for the adrenaline pumping inside me. He was weakening with each heaved breath he took, while each unwavering swing of my arm served to strengthen my resolve.
Sirens echoed in the smoke-filled air, signaling we only had a few minutes before humans would arrive on the scene. This could end in disaster if I didn’t somehow take control of the situation. The Enforcers had worked diligently at masking our existence from an unsuspecting world. While the burning house would be no surprise, the flames spreading to the tree line that bordered the Pack’s outdoor living space, it would be difficult to explain why there was a massive brawl occurring and no attempt to douse the flames.
This had disaster written all over it.
“Seems we’re about to have company,” Daniel croaked, holding his side as he spit out a mouthful of blood.
“Call your people off. Order them to retreat and surrender yourself.”
At first he didn’t answer; instead, he straightened, a maniacal grin curling the edges of his mouth. “You are in no position to demand anything of me.”
“Do it!” I reiterated, taking a step closer. “People will die.”
Daniel shrugged. “Yet, I don’t care. What are a few deaths if it brings me glory?” To prove his point, a surge of power flickered through the air as it formed in the center of his palm. With surprising strength, Daniel hurled the ball toward the closest group of battling people. Screams erupted as one by one, bodies stiffened before crumpling to the ground. I couldn’t tell whether they were injured or dead.
“Then you leave me no choice.” Sadness tinged my words as I called upon my wolf. I would bring an end to this, even if it meant killing Daniel. He would understand. If given the chance to speak, he’d willingly sacrifice himself in order to protect those we both loved.
Sensing my change in heart, the Master’s face hardened in preparation. While he couldn’t shift, he appeared determined to go down fighting, figuratively with “guns-a-blazing”. Wild energy crackled as he drew more power into himself.
“Before you shift and kill me, let me ask you one last question.”
It was a ploy to distract me, one I refused to acknowledge. My skin itched as magic coursed through my body, bones and muscles vibrating as my human form gave way to one of sleek black fur.
“What’s more important to you, Alpha?” the Master screamed, his attention darting between me and something else. “Protecting the people here . . . killing me . . . or perhaps—” He pointed over to the right and, in spite of my desire to remain focused, my gaze followed. My heart sank the instant I realized his intentions. “You would forsake it all to save your precious mate?”
Fully changed, I instantly dropped to all fours and launched myself away from the Master. Time was of the essence, as everything seemed to still around me. A fraction of a second later, I sensed him releasing the largest ball of magic he’d managed to conjure up, so far. With my heart pounding within my chest, I surged forward toward Darcy, who was unaware of the extreme danger she was in.
Wiping her forehead, bodies lay at her feet, evidence she’d been successful in defending herself against Michael’s hostile supporters. In that fraction of a moment, I witnessed the look of satisfaction that lit her features and felt the flush of pride coursing through our psychic connection.
I fired her a mental warning, growling loudly at the same time for her to duck and take cover. She heard, spinning around, her mouth dropping open in surprise when she saw me.
Time was running out. I wouldn’t be able to reach her no matter how desperately I tried. Each agonizing inch I covered as my body all but flew ove
r the ground wouldn’t be enough.
The Master had been right. Despite all my strength and convictions, he’d known my greatest weakness and used it without mercy. There would never be a time I wouldn’t choose to save Darcy, even at the expense of ridding the world of a greater evil.
I had been willing to lose Daniel, the brother after my own heart.
I was incapable of losing the one who had claimed my soul.
“Mason!” she screamed, dropping to the ground in an attempt to avoid the blistering ball of magic. My breath hitched as she lay only a few yards out of reach—the Master’s killing blow narrowly missing its target before exploding within the fire behind her.
She was safe. He’d missed. Whether on purpose or not, he’d proved his point.
I would always protect her.
Skidding to a stop, I prepared to return and finish what I’d planned, but Daniel was nowhere to be seen. He’d used it as a way to escape. I’d had him right where I wanted him. It had been within my power to put an end to this and save my best friend.
He’d seen an opportunity and taken it.
Doors slammed shut as fire engines arrived and men in protective suits began assessing the situation. There was no telling what they thought, but there was no preventing it, now. Police arrived shortly afterward, instantly jumping in and pulling the first group of fighters apart.
“Go!” Darcy cried, looking at me in fear. “If they see you as a wolf, they may shoot you. Go shift and come back. Hurry.”
I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to leave her alone, but thankfully Moses appeared, helping her to her feet.
“Go, my friend.” He gently urged me.
Knowing they were right, I retreated quickly into the trees, careful to avoid the small patches of burning brush and foliage. Anger fueled each breath I took as I rose up on two legs, my skin sensitive and tingling from the rapid shift.
Tonight, everything had changed.
War had been declared.
As I pulled on the clothes from the emergency stash that our Pack kept hidden away, I felt the heaviness of my role as Alpha more keenly than ever before. In the coming days, difficult decisions would need to be made. Questions would need to be answered—not just by the Supernatural community, but from the humans we lived amongst.
People would look to me for those answers. They would need me to be the rock they’d depended on in the past. They would expect the same strong, determined Mason, who was unfailing in his pursuit for justice.
Still reeling from the betrayal of Daniel, or the Master’s choice to use him as a pawn to get to me, I just hoped I would be up to the task—because the last thing I could handle right now was failing.
Not when there was so much to lose.
Chapter Two
Darcy
I didn’t need to ask or look at my mate to know Mason was in a state of shock over tonight’s events. I could feel his disbelief thrumming through our mental connection—that and his need to suppress everything until he could later process it, privately.
Even the strongest and most resilient had their limits, and there was no doubt in my mind that my mate was quickly approaching his. Emotions swirled between us and, at the very center, lay one name.
Daniel.
“We’ll be in contact, Mr. O’Connor,” the detective added, shaking Mason’s hand after flipping closed his notebook and pocketing it. It was never a good thing when humans became involved in Supernatural issues, but there would be no covering this up. With the fire now contained, questions would begin over why, upon arrival, firefighters found an all-out brawl occurring.
Police cars had already whisked away offenders who refused to subdue their hostilities and, thankfully, none of them were Pack members. Even in the midst of all the drama and chaos, Mason’s quick order to stop was instantly obeyed. Stepping back and away allowed the scene to be evaluated by the first responders and efforts began to control the fire.
“Please, call me Mason.” My husband nodded, offering a weary smile of gratitude at the officer. “I appreciate everything you and your team have done, tonight.”
“I’m sorry we weren’t able to save your house, but I’m confident you’ll be able to rebuild should you choose to.” Silence fell on our small group as we each studied the smoking remains. So many amazing memories were created there, and now they were nothing more than charcoal and ash.
“I’m not too worried about the building,” Mason admitted, dragging a weary hand through his hair. “I was more concerned about the trees surrounding the property. I’ve seen situations where all it took was a small spark and it spread like wildfire. The last thing any of us wanted was for this to threaten the town.”
“It was a little touch and go there for a while, but it seemed like fate was on our side.”
A small snort rose up within me and I struggled to stifle it. The Fates had nothing to do with the outcome of tonight. Any of it. While they’d tampered with our lives in the past, this had nothing to do with them and everything to do with greed and thirst for power.
Mason’s hand firmed against the small of my back, his touch calming me. To the world, he appeared the same—confident and in-charge. It was only to me that he revealed a slight tremor that betrayed the strain he felt. The sooner I could get him alone, the better I could help him.
“If there’s nothing else you need from us, we need to start looking into sleeping arrangements for our family,” I interrupted.
“Absolutely. Don’t let me hold you up. I have everything I need for right now. If you can think of anything else that might help, feel free to contact me at this number.” Handing Mason a business card, I caught his name—Karl Manning. With all the questioning and noise going on around us, I’d forgotten it the moment after he’d introduced himself.
“We will, Mr. Manning,” Mason answered. “I’ll let you know where we’ll be staying, as well.”
Exchanging nods, Karl retreated, stopping briefly to talk with the remaining firefighters, packing away their equipment, before disappearing into his car. There was no way of knowing what was on his mind as he drove away, but my gut told me we’d soon find out.
I just hoped he believed our story, that in the heat of the moment, tempers had flared, but we weren’t interested in pressing charges. We were already at risk for exposing our world to humans. The last thing we needed was someone with an unrelenting curiosity and determination to dig deeper into our lives. If worse came to worst, the Enforcers would step in and cover it up, but once something this big began to spiral out of control—the more difficult it was to stop.
A snowball . . . yes, we could control that. An avalanche . . . not so much.
And this wasn’t a snowball. This had the potential to be very, very bad.
“I agree,” Mason whispered, pressing his lips against my hair, his arms wrapped around me. “All we can do is hope for the best, though.”
He’d read my mind. “How messy will this become?”
“If we’re lucky, it should be easy to smooth over. The fire was contained and the damage was kept to a minimum. Most of our injured have already started healing.”
“But . . .” There was always a but in these cases. We had successfully kept our identities and existence a secret, up to this point, because we were very careful and we didn’t simply look at surface issues, ignoring the possibilities that lurked below. We were proactive and careful.
“But the fact that they arrived and found a fight in progress doesn’t bode well. It suggests that this wasn’t a simple case of us arriving home to finding the house on fire. I don’t think we can convince them to believe that, either. The level of violence points to something more duplicitous.”
“It points to the truth,” I answered softly.
“And that’s what worries me. We’ll have a harder time covering that up.”
Looking up into his face, I kissed the underside of Mason’s jaw. “I’m sure the Enforcers already have a plan in motion. Devlin wa
s talking to one of the police officers the last time I saw him.”
“Is it bad that I just want to crawl into bed with you right now and deal with all this tomorrow?” His loud sigh was full of exhaustion.
“We need to find a bed, first.” I chuckled, giving him one last squeeze of affection before stepping out of his arms. “We could always disappear into the woods and spend what’s left of tonight at our favorite spot . . . and rinse all this soot off us.”
“The soot is the least of my problems, sweetheart,” he uttered, his smile crinkling the side of his mouth. Sweat had mixed with the ash that now streaked his features. While it didn’t hide the weary expression filling his gaze, it did cover the new scar gracing his cheek. It was a reminder of how close he’d come to the Master and his minions the last time.
It wasn’t that long ago that he’d been tortured by Helena, someone we’d welcomed into our Pack as a friend. Her betrayal had come as a shock, but it was merely a prelude to the sucker punches that kept being delivered.
As Alpha, Mason had been challenged three times within the past twenty-four hours. Each had come as a surprise and blow, but none more than the last one.
It was that final challenge that had my mate’s gut twisted in knots and his nerves on edge. Everything else could wait. Everything else paled in comparison.
The moment Daniel had stepped forward and declared himself the Master, Mason’s world had narrowed down to one simple thing—saving his best friend and brother. He didn’t need to know the how’s or why’s. In his mind, whoever the Master was, he’d crossed a line by first attacking his mate and then possessing his second-in-charge.
Whoever the Master was, he’d placed a target on his head—because Mason would be out for blood. We all would.
“We can deal with it, tomorrow,” I reassured.
Last Wolf Standing (#7, The Mystic Wolves) Page 2
