by Victoria Zak
“Please,” Kenneth sobbed. “I beg ye to let us go. I’ll tell no one.”
“Brother, do no’ show these creatures weakness,” Alex warned.
In the blink of an eye, the queen was mere inches from Alex’s face, placing her long, boney finger over his lips. “Shh. Take heart, all of ye are providing us with sustenance. ‘Tis an honor to serve an Unseelie queen. Even more of one to feed her.”
Terror spread across his face. “I have heard of yer kind. Baobhan siths.
Beautiful lasses who seductively lure travelers so they can eat them. I should have known this was trickery.”
“No trickery. Ye came of yer own free will.” The queen opened her arms.
“Girls.” She faced Adaira who was standing next to her sisters. “Yer reward awaits.”
Each sister took a lad by the neck. The girls’ strength and hunger overpowered them as each tore into their flesh, sucking the life force from the lads’ veins.
Adaira awoke to the sound of her bedchamber door opening. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Rafe standing in the doorway.
“Good morn,” he said.
“I dinnae see the good in it if we’re no’ leaving today.” She pushed off the wall and walked to the wash bowl next to the bed, splashing the nightmare from her eyes.
“The snow has stopped. We leave now,” he said dryly, apparently still upset from last night.
“Now?”
“Aye, unless ye’ve changed yer mind.”
“Nay. The quicker we make it back to Dornoch, the sooner I find out what happened the night of Beathen’s murder.”
Rafe shook his head.
“Ye promised to take me to Cormag.”
“Ye don’t have to remind me.” He shoved his hands through his hair.
Adaira could see how conflicted Rafe was about taking her to Dornoch. “I must be a fool.”
“Rafe—”
“No, I don’t want to hear anymore. There’s no changing yer mind. Be ready to leave.” Rafe strode out of the bedchamber.
Adaira didn’t know what to say or think. Rafe had never talked to her like that before. Had she pushed him too far this time?
9
RAFE LED the pack west where the mountains met the sea. Dornoch was still a long ride away, but they would make up for some lost time since the snow had stopped.
Rafe took in the salty air as he watched a flock of gulls fly overhead.
Their high-pitched cries brought him peace which he desperately needed after last night’s fight with Adaira. The stress was wearing on him. He was growing tired of lying to his pack. One slip, and he’d be found out. And the situation with his sister and Ranger only added more grief to his life. The Mad Dog paced inside him relentlessly.
With Seren and Teg gone, Rafe was left to guard Adaira. He didn’t trust anyone else; at least that’s what he told himself. He knew damned well why he didn’t want another wolf around his woman. She was his to claim.
Rafe motioned for Ranger to take the lead as he rode back to check on Adaira. When they left the tavern, he’d noticed how her cheeks were slightly hollow. She was still weak from the fae poison. Rafe reached the iron cage and his heart sank. No matter how many times he reminded himself that she wasn’t his prisoner, it killed him to see her kept like an animal. He should have never allowed her to persuade him into this daft plan of hers. Then again, Adaira was as stubborn as a mule. He had to go along with the plan to keep her safe.
“Aye, the mighty wolf leader,” Adaira said as he approached. “Have ye come to make sure the blood sucker is behaving properly?”
“‘Tis enough. I’m concerned. Ye look ill.”
Adaira pulled her cloak around her shoulders. “I fare well.”
Rafe knew she was hiding the truth. “I see ye’ve changed yer clothes.”
“Aye, the lass from the tavern brought me a fresh gown and shoes before we left.”
“That was generous of her.”
“Aye. She wanted to thank Seren and me for saving her from Ranger’s advances last night.”
“What do ye mean?”
“If it was no’ for yer sister, Ranger would have raped the young lass. I had to step in or Seren would have cut his throat.”
Rafe thought about what he’d just heard. It all made sense. Ranger wasn’t violent toward women. In fact, the way the wolf had handled his quarrel with Seren was out of character. Aye, they were forever arguing, and wolf law forbidden Rafe from getting involved. But now, knowing Ranger had made advances toward another woman, a woman who wasn’t his mate, he could do something about it.
“Adaira, I’m sorry. I didn’t know about Ranger’s behavior last night. Is the lass well?”
“She’s shaken up a wee bit. She’ll be fine.”
“I’ll take care of this. Ye have my word.”
“I hope yer word is better than wolf law,” Adaira said dryly. “I’m more concerned about Seren. Will she come back?”
God’s bones, the woman knew where to hit him. “Aye, we’re her pack.
She’ll come home.” He rode to the front of the line. Someone needed to be dealt with.
“Master Rafe,” Ranger greeted him.
Rafe nodded. “I’ll get straight to the point. Is it true? Tell me ‘tis not.”
This wasn’t easy for Rafe. He’d known Ranger for a long time and had never seen a more skilled warrior. Though the wolf liked to drink ale too much.
After breaking up numerous drunken brawls, Rafe had warned him to stop drinking before it was too late. Unfortunately, it had gotten worse when Seren refused to honor their partnership.
“I don’t understand what I’m supposed to say. Seren and I had a fight and…”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. The lass from the tavern.”
“Rafe, Seren had me roused from a previous fight. I admit I was drunk and foolish, but I…”
“Ranger, as yer Alpha, I must take action. Ye know the rules. I may not
be able to get involved in what happened between Seren and ye, but I can punish ye for what ye did with the lass.”
“I didn’t hurt her or Seren. Ye must believe me.”
“I’ll believe what Seren tells me. And since she’s not here to tell her side of the story, ye’re banished from the pack until she returns.”
“Ye can’t do this to me.”
“I’ve made my decision. Take this time to think about yer problems.
Once I’ve talked to Seren, I’m sure we’ll clear things up.”
“Nay.” Ranger halted his horse. “This has nothing to do with Seren. Ye’re taking sides with a blood drinker.”
“That’s right. I said what everyone else is thinking but are too scared to say.” Ranger dismounted and drew his sword. “Well, I’m not scared of the Mad Dog.”
“Are ye challenging me?” Rafe dismounted. “I know ye’re angry, but ye don’t want to do this.”
“Aye. I do.” Ranger swung his sword, the tip grazing Rafe’s cheek.
Stunned by Ranger’s aggressiveness, Rafe wiped his face. He stared at the blood on his fingers. As much as he didn’t want this to happen, Ranger had made it perfectly clear that he did. Rafe drew his sword. “I always knew yer ballocks were bigger than yer brains.”
“Let’s see what ye got, old man.” Ranger lunged, bringing his sword over his head. The sharp edge slashed through Rafe’s tunic as he dashed out of the way.
Rafe advanced. Their swords clanged together, sounding like claps of thunder. Rafe didn’t want to hurt Ranger, he preferred to wear the wolf down until Ranger came to his senses. ‘Twas his only hope at keeping the Mad Dog locked away. He didn’t want to kill Ranger.
With all his might, Rafe came down hard with his sword, knocking Ranger’s weapon from his hand. But it was too late. The Mad Dog was coursing through his veins. Rafe tossed his sword to the ground and ran toward Ranger, spearing him in the gut with his shoulder. They fell to the ground in a heap of swinging fists. Rafe straddled Ranger, firing off punch
after punch to his head. He couldn’t stop as he remembered the terrified look on Seren’s face when he walked into her bedchamber last night. The bastard dared to hurt his little sister.
Rafe didn’t know how long he’d been pounding away. He wanted the bastard to bleed, to hurt the way he’d hurt Seren. It wasn’t until one of his
men pulled him off Ranger that he stopped.
“My lord,” William warned. “Ye’ll kill him.”
Breathing hard, Rafe glared down at Ranger’s bloody face. William held him back, for Rafe wasn’t ready to call off the fight. “Are ye satisfied?”
Ranger slowly stood, spitting blood from his mouth. He didn’t look at Rafe as he shifted into a wolf and ran into the forest with his tail tucked.
Rafe shoved away from William’s grip. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, tasting blood from his cracked lip. “Bastard,” Rafe snarled.
William handed him a water skin. “He was a fool to challenge ye, my lord.”
Rafe took a gulp of water. “Aye.” He walked back to his horse and mounted. The pack watched as he rode to front of the line. No one said a word. They followed their Alpha without complaint.
The terrain turned rugged and difficult for the horses to maneuver through safely. Rafe followed a narrow path to the shoreline. It was less traveled, but a shorter route. Rafe had been gone too long from home. He missed the salty taste in the air, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocky shore. But most of all, he missed the tranquility of the ocean. With his nose to the wind, he inhaled. Aye, there was nothing better.
He lost himself to the raging sea, forgetting about Ranger and their fight, and fantasized about Adaira. He wondered how much she saw of the Mad Dog. Even though the fight was mild, considering what he was capable of, he didn’t want her seeing him like this. However, it had to be done. He could not stand down and allow Ranger to best him. An Alpha couldn’t show any signs of weakness or he was replaced. If a wolf challenged him, it was his duty to put the wolf back into place. Order must be kept.
Night was approaching fast and they needed to make camp.
Once they reached an area with cliffs that would shield them from the wind, Rafe gestured for his pack to stop. “We’ll camp here tonight.”
Rafe dismounted, handing his reins over to his squire. He went to check on Adaira. He didn’t like the way she’d looked this morn. She was curled up sleeping, using her cloak as a blanket. “Adaira.”
She raised her head. “Are we home?”
Rafe opened the door. “Nay. We’re setting up camp for the night.” He took her hand and helped her down. She was so weak and pale. “Adaira, ye need to feed.”
“Nay. I just need to—” Adaira fell into his arms.
Shite. Quickly, Rafe looked around making sure they weren’t being watched. To his relief, the pack was too busy setting up camp to notice Adaira in his arms. He needed to find a secluded place where Adaira could rest away from his men. There had to be a cave within the cliffs.
As he searched the cliffs, he finally found a small opening. Rafe ducked inside the cave. The ground sloped down at first, then leveled.
He carefully sat Adaira down and walked deeper inside, making sure they were the only ones around. To the average man, it was black as night inside, but not for Rafe. With his keen eyesight, he had no problem seeing what might be lurking. Convinced they were alone, he walked back to Adaira.
“We’re going to need a fire. I’ll be back. Stay here.”
Too weak to move, Adaira nodded.
It wasn’t long before Rafe returned and built a fire.
“Adaira, ye have to feed. I want ye to take my vein.” Rafe sat next to her.
“Please, do this for me.”
“I can no’ take yer vein. I will no’ do it.”
“Ye’ll die. I will not have that on my conscience. Here.” Rafe pulled his hair back, exposing his neck. “Take it.”
Adaira wetted her lips. A shiver ran through his body as she placed her icy hand on the side of his neck. “Ye do understand what ye ask of me, aye?”
The intensity of her stare made him swallow hard. “Aye.”
She leaned in, lightly brushing her lips against his neck. “I’ve never tasted wolf before,” she whispered, nibbling his ear.
By the saints. Did he truly understand what was going to happen? Taking his vein wasn’t the problem—it was the way she made his cock jerk to life when her lips touched his skin. Tamping down the need to claim her would be a true test of his willpower.
Adaira slid her tongue up his neck. “Ye taste good, Wolf.”
Even through weakness, Adaira was in charge. It was like her to toy with him—see how far she could push him. “Adaira, quit playing games. Drink.”
She cupped his cheek. He didn’t need to see that her fangs had extended, he felt them pierce his skin. The bite stung at first, then softened to a dull throbbing pain. As her thirst deepened, the need to be inside her intensified to
something he couldn’t ignore. There were no words to describe what was happening. It felt like stars shooting across his body and bursting every time she drank deeper.
With a desperate urge, he settled her on his lap so she could straddle him.
“God’s bones,” he hissed as he leaned his head back, surrendering. He grabbed her arse with both hands and squeezed. She moaned.
She slid her hand up his cheek and into his hair. She grabbed a fistful and pulled back, breaking her hold on his neck. Rafe opened his eyes and was shocked by the darkness swirling in her eyes.
“Ye are a bad wolf,” she teased.
“Aye.” He pressed his cock against her womanhood. “Ye bring out the beast in me.” He trailed his hands up her arms to the back of her neck. He threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling her in to claim her lips, but she stopped him.
She rested her forehead against his. “Rafe, we can no’ do this.”
“Why not? This is what we do.” He continued to pull her down into a kiss, but was stopped again.
“I know. It must stop.” Adaira straightened. “I can no’ keep running to ye every time I have a problem. Ye need to be free to love a woman who’s deserving of yer love. I am no’ that lass. I dinnae love ye.”
Rafe couldn’t believe what he just heard. She didn’t love him? Those words cut deep. He stared at her for a moment, taking everything in. In a way, her confession shouldn’t have shocked him. He’d told her time and time again that he loved her, yet not once had she ever said it back. Aye, this was them…it never changed. Just when he thought he’d broken through her defenses, she reminded him how impenetrable she truly was. No more.
“Aye.” Rafe exhaled and moved Adaira off his lap. “What was I thinking?” Frustrated, he stood.
Adaira looked up at him. “Rafe—”
“No.” He shoved his hands through his hair. “How many times do I need to show ye I don’t care about yer past? I’ve accepted ye for who ye are. But still, ye push me away.”
Adaira stood. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Rafe shook his head, unable to think straight. “Ye’re the most stubborn lass I’ve ever met.”
“I’m no’ stubborn,” Adaira lashed out. “Ye’re just angry because I will no’ lay with ye.”
Adaira’s words struck another nerve—he’d had enough. She knew damned well that wasn’t true. “Have it yer way, lass.” Rafe grabbed a piece of wood and lit the end of it over the fire.
“Where are ye going?” Adaira asked.
“I don’t know,” Rafe grumbled. “Going away from ye.”
“Dinnae go.” Adaira grabbed his arm.
He glared down at her, waiting to hear an apology. A confession of her true feelings was the only reason he’d stay. He’d grown tired of the chase, wondering when he’d finally be able to claim her heart. Every time she pushed him away, she chipped away at his resolve to keep trying to win her love. The lass was too damn stubborn to admit she cared for him.
Who was he fooling? She’d never say the words he longed to hear. Rafe ripped his arm free and wandered deeper into the cave.
Adaira stood speechless. Her heart plummeted into her stomach as she watched Rafe disappear. Had she finally crossed the line? Had she taken it too far, claiming he only wanted to bed her? It was a horrible thing to say.
She knew Rafe better than that.
Adaira sat next to the fire, deep in thought. Why couldn’t she allow Rafe into her heart?
Ye do no’ know how to love.
Aye, it was true. Her heart was closed off, walled up tight. “Love’s a fool’s feeling,” she huffed. How could she love a man when the things she’d done to innocent men were what nightmares were made of? Even though it had been a long time since she’d taken a life, the men in her past still haunted her.
Ye have never had a chance to be truly loved by a man.
The truth was always a bitter brew to swallow. Doughall and the queen had stolen that part of her life. Love for her sisters was the only thing she could protect against their evil. And the only way Adaira could live with herself was to block out love and compassion.
But Rafe has been there every step of the way.
Aye. Rafe was risking his life and pack for her family. He’d comforted her through dark times. He’d taken the pain away, yet she treated him
horribly. By far, he didn’t owe her loyalty, but she had it. And here she was pushing him away.
What are ye scared of, Adaira Keith?”
She hung her head. She wasn’t scared of anything…at least, that’s what she told herself. “Losing my heart forever,” she whispered.
Shite! Her conscience was relentless. “Maiden, Mother, Crone,” she sighed. She didn’t need this distraction, she needed to get back to Dornoch.
She needed to find Leana.
Feeling torn, she didn’t know why she felt the urge to go after Rafe. Her soul sought his forgiveness. Adaira stood and lit a piece of wood, then took off in the same direction as Rafe. She had to make things right between them.
She snaked her way through the cave. As she reached the end of the winding path, it opened into a large pool of water. Light from the bottom of the pool cast a soft glow throughout the cavern. A green mist hovered over the surface. She knelt and touched the water; it was warm and inviting.
