The shifter nearest Aaron took a step back at her arrival. “No one told us she’d be here. I didn’t sign up for this.”
Trailing her fingers in the water like a stirring stick, Raven pulled at the power. Energy seared up her arm, the coolness of the liquid dropping away. Blue sparks similar to a flint being struck snapped around her hand and up her elbow.
Two shifters launched themselves at Jackson. Aaron didn’t wait and threw himself into the fray. She imagined a ball, wrapping the blue cords tight.
“Down!”
Jackson and Aaron immediately dropped as she drew back her hand, so did the one shifter that had protested. When she let loose the ball, it crackled like static. The power shot out, the cords unraveling like a weed whip. The raw energy plowed into the two shifters that remained standing. They flew backwards, their momentum only stopped by a tree. Wood groaned in protest at the impact, and their bodies thumped to the ground.
They didn’t move.
Raven slowly walked out of the water, each droplet clung to her like a lover’s kiss, delivering a charge of power before slushing off. She eyed the two remaining shifters. “You were following orders. That’s done now. I suggest you pick up your men and leave.”
She rubbed her fingers together until electricity crackled. “Or I will take care of you in a more permanent manner.”
Their movements were slow so as not to startle her as if she were a dangerous animal. They picked up their comrades and backed away, never taking their eyes off her. When they put two hundred yards between them, they turned and disappeared into the forest.
“You found it.”
Raven followed Jackson’s gaze to the necklace still tangled in her fingers. He gently pried the metal from her grip, walked behind her, and lifted the pendant over her head. When the stone came to rest on her chest, the lace holding the stone in place curled up and over her collarbone.
“Where did you find a sapphire this size?”
“It’s a rare blue diamond. It matches your eyes when I first saw you.” He meant when the power was riding her hard. “It’s nearly indestructible, so anything you do will not affect it.”
He gathered her hair out of the way, carefully spreading the wet strands over her shoulders. When he stepped in front of her, the tips of his fingers were red and blistered from the silver. “It suits you.”
“It’s bad ass.” Awe coated Aaron’s words, excitement thrumming through him.
Raven’s brows furrowed, his comment completely lost on her. “What?”
“When the other shifters see that you can stand that amount of silver directly against your skin, it sends a message.”
She hesitated, wondering if advertising her differences was such a good idea, not if it would lead them to dig further into a past she didn’t want revealed.
Chapter Twenty-one
By the time Aaron and Jackson packed up the basket, Raven had wrestled on her wet shoes. A pall had fallen over the afternoon. The secluded paradise no longer felt safe. Maybe it was for the best. She wasn’t sure how she should act around Jackson and his too generous gift.
Though the men meant well, she felt like the one with the rough edges. She didn’t fit anywhere. They were right that she hated relying on others. She only accepted their training grudgingly when it had come down to survival of her pack.
She only hoped it wasn’t too late.
Jackson got them back to the house in record time, the sunlight beginning to fade from the sky in a ball of orange fire on the horizon. Despite the turn of events, Raven had enjoyed herself. Jackson’s confidence in her gave her the courage to push herself.
She never would’ve thought using a smaller amount of electricity would be harder than just allowing her power free rein. The aftereffects of burnout were still evident, but they were less. The last two days gave her hope that she’d ultimately be able to find a balance between her two worlds when she had though the only outcome would tear her apart.
“Here.” Aaron accepted the basket Jackson handed to him. While he disappeared inside, Jackson came around to her open door, stopping her from exiting.
“If things don’t go right with Vivian—”
Raven kicked him in the gut with both feet. He shot from the cab, nearly landing ass over teakettle. Raven jumped from the truck, storming toward him. “What the hell was this afternoon about if you didn’t think I could handle all of this?”
When she would’ve left him in the dirt, he rolled and snagged her ankle. The ground rushed up to meet her. She would’ve face-planted into the gravel if her reflexes hadn’t taken over.
Her palms stung as she slammed into the earth. Before she could contemplate more, she was dragged backwards. Feeling no pity, she tipped to her side, bent her knee and aimed for his nose.
He easily deflected the blow then grinned and pulled her under him. She managed to hit him with her elbow to his jaw, missing his temple and the chance to stun him.
He pinned her wrists to either side of her head. Without Aaron being close, the moon’s heat crept over her.
Slow.
Insidious.
The fight turned into foreplay, both wanting to be caught.
Once he had her immobile, he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “I have faith in you, but Vivian won’t rest until she has what she wants. You are in the way of that. If it comes to a choice, I will choose you and my life will be forfeit. They will put me down like an animal.”
Raven twisted his thumb toward his wrist, pleased when his grip broke. She grabbed his face. “I forbid it.”
“You don’t get it. I was sent here with the knowledge that if I did my job and protected Aaron, I was a dead man. I don’t protect him, I’m dead. I can save him from the men she might send, but if she wants him killed bad enough, she just has to walk past me and murder him, and I can’t do a damn thing.”
Her hand fell back to the ground, stunned by his logic. She’d missed it in her conversation with Aaron, or had ignored it because she didn’t want to face the truth. Since he was the enforcer, she’d thought he would be exempt. Fighting his own pack was bad enough, but she never expected this. “Then why?”
“I’m incentive.”
“For me.” Then it made horrible sense. “Bait.”
He heaved a sigh, rolled on his back, throwing his arm up to cover his eyes. The part of damsel in distress sat ill on him.
Jackson would do his job...even if it meant his death.
Part of her had to wonder if the whole thing had been a set-up, or if Kevin had just taken advantage of the circumstances when the opportunity presented itself.
They were using Jackson to lure her into settling the war brewing inside their pack. Kevin refused to give up his son, but realized that more people would be killed, the pack destroyed from within, if something wasn’t done.
That’s where she came in.
Clever bastard.
She’d call him on it if it weren’t for two reasons. Aaron really did need protection.
And if they survived, Jackson would be hers.
Raven leaned up on her elbow. When Jackson didn’t move, she leaned over and brushed her lips over his, stealing the taste of him.
Jackson seized up, afraid to react least she pulled away. His eyes, not quite hidden under his arm, had splintered yellow and whiskey brown. He feathered his fingers across the smooth skin where her necklace had rested. “Amazing.”
Not willing to delve too deeply into his comment, uncomfortable under the admiration she’d done nothing to deserve, she leaned back and hesitantly stroked the necklace. “Why doesn’t my body react as everyone else?”
Jackson sat, not bothering to dust off. “I’m not sure. There are many things about you that are different.” Then he turned toward her with a suddenness that took her off guard. “Promise me you will not remove this necklace until after the conclave.”
Raven studied him, trying to read past the demand, but couldn’t riddle it out. “Why?�
��
“It’s silver. If a shifter comes after you, it can be used as a weapon.” He grabbed her wrist in an unbreakable grip, expecting her to deny him. “Promise.”
The piece was beautiful and obviously cost a fortune. What meant more to her was the thought and consideration he put into his gift. Even though it would raise questions, she couldn’t refuse him. “Until after the conclave.”
His face relaxed a fraction, and he bounded to his feet. “I’m starved. Let’s see if they saved us any food.”
Raven accepted his hand, surprised when he didn’t release her as they walked toward the house. She brushed off her clothes as they entered.
The low level of smoke in the room made Jackson groan. Raven couldn’t help it, she laughed. “You’re wish was granted. There will be plenty of food remaining. Must have been Dina’s night to cook.”
His hand gripped hers almost reflexively, maybe remembering when she abandoned him to his first meal here. She took pity on him, not wanting the evening to end. “Why don’t you see if there is anything left intact. It’s still our date. We can have an alfresco in my room.”
“Give me ten minutes.” Jackson strode away, full of purpose, a contented whistle on his lips now that they had a plan.
By the time Raven finished her quick shower and a change of clothes, Jackson was back. He pilfered the blanket from the bed and arranged it before the opened balcony doors. The evening air held a soft breeze. He turned off almost all the lights, so that the stars were spread out before them.
A bit nervous being alone with him, Raven hesitantly crossed the room. Jackson had his back toward her, a rare beer in his hand. Shifters didn’t usually drink, their metabolism running through the alcohol too quickly.
He changed into a pair of jeans. His black t-shirt fitted him like it had been finger-painted on him. In a fight, no one could grab your clothes and use it against you. The effect on him was stunning.
But what caught her attention was his bare feet. It changed his appearance to someone more approachable, made him not so indestructible. Then it dawned on her what made him look different. It was the first time since his return that she’d ever seen him relaxed.
“Any trouble?”
He raised a brow as if anyone would dare stop him. And he was more than likely correct.
“How is your room with Aaron?”
“More than adequate.” He purposely didn’t look at the couch where he’d slept on his previous stay, but he had to notice that she hadn’t removed it.
His couch. Just waiting for him.
The meal went quickly, Jackson attending her by keeping her plate full and sharing entertaining stories. When Aaron peeked his head in the door, Jackson’s face shut down as he stood.
Raven gained her feet slower, suddenly anxious as she waved Aaron into the room. “We’re ready for you.”
He headed to the couch, his hands full of bedding.
A snarl rose from Jackson, his wolf tracking the kid’s every movement, waiting for the chance to lunge for his throat. A sudden bout of nervousness shot her speech all the crap. When Jackson tensed to leap, she blurted out her invitation, her face burning at the awkwardness. “Aaron volunteered to be our chaperone for the night.”
Jackson pivoted toward her so fast, she nearly retreated a step. One did not run from shifters unless you wanted to be chased. The ferocity on his face had her wonder if she made a tactical error. “If you want.”
He gave her a short nod then bent to pack up the supper. When she went to retrieve her pajamas, his gaze trailed after her, every inch the wolf stalking his prey. She prayed she hadn’t made a big mistake.
* * *
Raven woke to movement. She cracked open one eye to find Jackson with his head resting on his hand, staring down at her. The dead serious expression on his face stopped her smile short. That was not a look of a contented man.
Trouble had found her again.
She jerked into sitting position, the hope for a few moments of peace shattered. She scanned the room, noting they were alone. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Aaron went down to breakfast twenty minutes ago.”
Raven’s brows furrowed, and she stopped scooting toward the edge of the bed. “Then why...”
“My day is almost up. I didn’t want to miss even a second of our time together.”
A half smile tipped her lips, some of the tension easing as Raven pulled the blankets back up. “You’ll be back in the pack soon enough.”
He nodded, but didn’t appear appeased.
“Are you doubting me?”
He didn’t blink as he stared. “You don’t know how persistent Vivian can be. She gave up too easy. She’s planning something.”
Though Raven didn’t know Vivian like Jackson, she agreed with his assessment. “All we can do is be prepared.”
“I want you to promise me that if anything happens, you will do whatever necessary to keep safe.”
Raven realized his expression now, the one he’d worn since he’d been returned to her. He didn’t expect to survive. “You worry too much, Jackson. I know I’m new to shifter protocol, but I’m a lot harder to get rid of than you might expect. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep my pack together.” And if he didn’t know it yet, that meant him. She caressed his jaw, the stubble prickling her fingers.
He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch as if relishing it for the last time. Raven didn’t understand how shifters could live with the constant uncertainty in their lives.
Once a shifter entered a pack, it was near impossible to break the bonds, no matter how desperate they might want to escape servitude to their alpha.
Jackson caressed the warm stone of her necklace. The clock revealed they had ten minutes remaining before their date officially ended. Likely the last few minutes they would have alone until after the conclave.
When she opened her mouth to ask him a question, he lunged forward and kissed her. This was no light brush of lips that they’d shared in the past. He devoured her, unable to get enough of her taste. Tongue and teeth dueled. He cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer.
His arousal pressed against her, and Raven groaned. In the past, she would’ve pulled away. This time, she only wanted to get closer. When she shifted restlessly against him, Jackson slipped his hand down her side, his thumb brushing at the edges of her breast, before trailing his fingers lower. He cupped the back of her thigh and pulled her leg over his hip.
She gasped at the intimate contact, and he took advantage, sliding his lips against her throat. Only to hiss when he encountered the necklace.
Without a word, he left the bed. She instantly felt bereft. Before she could gather her wits to protest, he disappeared out the door. Raven fell back against the mattress and sighed.
Then his reaction hit her.
A kiss goodbye.
He thought this would be his last chance, so he took and savored what she normally wouldn’t have offered.
He was so convinced that he wasn’t going to survive, her heart turned heavy with dread. She rolled out of bed and shivered, vowing to make sure he didn’t slip out of her hold this time.
Chapter Twenty-two
DAY BEFORE THE FULL MOON: TAGGERT’S DAY
Raven fingered the necklace, the stone a warm presence under her shirt. Today was her last date. Her last day of freedom before the conclave. A part of her wondered if it would also be her last day with Taggert if she wasn’t able to gain alpha status.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed into the kitchen. Only to find she’d been stood up for the third day in a row. She refused to feel disappointment at not finding Taggert waiting for her. She hadn’t realized how accustomed she was to having him near.
“Have you seen Taggert?”
Aaron shoveled a spoonful of cereal into his mouth. He shook his head, then tipped back and spoke around his food. “Hasn’t come down yet.”
Something was wrong.
Taggert always woke
early. He’d been looking forward to his date. He wouldn’t be late.
She took the stairs two at a time then veered down the hallway toward his room. She knocked but received no response. Concern grew into alarm. Shoving open the door, she scanned the room.
What she saw stopped her cold. The room was bare, stripped of everything but the furniture, as if he had no intention of staying. A bubble of pain rose in her chest at the thought of him deserting her. Her hand tightened on the knob as if, by her will alone, she could force him to choose her.
She backed out of the room, hurt tightening her throat. He was hers. She refused to let him just walk out of her life without confronting him.
She turned to find Jase standing in the hall waiting for her. She licked her lips, her heart beating a little too fast. Could he already be gone? “Have you seen Taggert? We were supposed to meet.”
Jase pointed down the hall. “He’s with the boys ordering some items.”
Raven slowly released her breath, but the fear of losing Taggert wouldn’t be dismissed so easily. When Jase didn’t move or say anything more, Raven pushed away her concern and focused on him.
He appeared preoccupied, his complexion sallow, not the intent soldier from the night before. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re giving us too much.”
Raven didn’t understand. “Explain.”
“We’re rogues. The bottom rung. We’re not allowed to own possessions. If a bigger shifter comes along, they will claim everything. None of us are strong enough to protest without getting killed.”
She hadn’t known the situation was so stark. “What would you suggest?”
That seemed to stump him. He rubbed his chin, the movement lifting his shirt. Massive black and putrid green bruises covered his torso.
The decision was easy. “Order what you need. Use this time to decide what type of future you want. Being a rogue is not the only option for you.”
Raven nodded toward his injuries, not willing to believe one of her people laid a finger on him. “Tell me who hurt you.”
Electric Moon Page 20
