by Morgan Fox
“It’s not that easy for me,” she confessed.
“Telling me you love me seems pretty simple.” Zane’s tone was calm, but she could feel the tension in his body blaze into hers. They were connected, and as long as she touched him, she’d be able to read him as if his feelings were her own, something she’d never been able to do with another.
She sighed, wishing she could help him understand her better. “That’s not what I mean.”
He cupped her face, his eyes pleading with her. “Then help me to understand.”
Her eyes widened, the blood rushing to her ears as her pulse quickened. She didn’t know what to say. She hated that her emotional life was in such shambles, that she was forced to conceal so many secrets from the people she cared for. Zane deserved to know the truth. He deserved to know what was going on with her and why she feared giving up control. Loving someone, truly loving them, meant exactly that.
Nodding, she told him, “Come with me.” She led him to her bedroom.
Quietly, they walked into her bathroom, and she turned on the water to the shower. Once the water was warm, she shed Reyes’s coat and stepped inside the stall. Zane followed. The water pulsed against her skin, heightening the sensation of being alone with Zane.
Unable to tear her eyes away from his, she pressed her hands to his chest. “Close your eyes,” she gently ordered, and she did the same. The powers within her were telling her what to do, guiding her.
Then, with a deep breath, she poured herself into him, letting every aspect of her life funnel out of her. She would no longer have secrets from Zane. She would no longer hide from what she was. Her heart craved love and acceptance, and until she let go of all the regret and anger she’d stored inside her over the years, she would never have it.
Her hands tingled as a powerful energy moved between them. Powers she couldn’t identify flowed through her. Her magic was taking over, revealing memories she’d forgotten, memories she’d suppressed. A vision of a youthful blonde girl moved to the forefront of her thoughts, and slowly, she opened her eyes, startled by the image, but Zane’s eyes remained closed. He winced several times as her memories, thoughts, and emotions surged into him.
The images in her mind moved so quickly, she was having a difficult time keeping up. But within a few short seconds, the magic grew quiet, and the tingling warmth faded, every secret exposed.
Zane opened his eyes, locking onto hers. He didn’t speak. He simply stared for a long moment.
Licking his lips, he finally said, “Thank you.”
Scrunching her brow, she asked, “For what?”
“For sharing your soul with me.” He brushed the backs of his knuckles over her cheek. “For trusting me.”
Strangely, she did trust Zane, and she believed he would never use anything he’d learned about her against her. “I never meant to hurt you,” she said, her voice raspy. He now had access to her most intimate thoughts and feelings. Aware of her vulnerability, she admitted, “I’m scared.”
“I know,” Zane whispered against her cheek, pulling her into his embrace.
Her eyes filled with tears. A floodgate of emotions came rushing out of her. For the first time in her life she shared her fears with another, someone of her choosing. The loneliness of her life had been overwhelming. Sharing herself with Zane had caused a union between their souls.
“I had no idea you were so complex,” he said with a soothing smile in his voice. “I thought you were amazing before you shared yourself with me. Now, you are even more so.”
She wiped her eyes. “You’re just saying that.”
He held her face in his hands. “Tiffany, do you even realize how special you are? You have abilities I could only dream of having.”
Sniffling, she reminded him, “But I don’t know how to use them well enough.”
Zane chuckled. “You seemed to be doing just fine from what I can tell.”
Strangely she didn’t even know how she was able to transfer her thoughts to Zane. Instincts again played a major part in her developing magic. “That was a first for me,” she admitted.
Zane’s eyes narrowed. “I never would’ve guessed that.” He sighed as if relieved. “I can understand why Sebastian is so adamant about keeping you safe and out of Lilly’s grasp.” He ran his hands through her damp hair. “Untapped power like yours could easily destroy any of us.”
Tiffany frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Maybe it’s because all you memories were just dumped into me, but as the chosen one, you harness a nuclear form of magic. From what I picked up, you are an unstoppable supernatural force.”
She giggled. “You make me sound like Superman.”
His expression turned stoic. “You’re far more powerful.” He brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. “We need to get you to Sebastian, and then we need to drill him over what he’s been hiding. There is no way he doesn’t know something about your magic.”
Smiling, Tiffany finally had an ally, and it felt damn good. Even though she’d be surrounded by people her entire life, she always felt alone. No longer. Now she had Zane.
Zane stepped under the water and rinsed his body free of all the mud, then turned off the water. “Before I forget, we need to figure this Ryder thing out.” He hauled her naked body up against his. “You need to be aware that I’m not sharing you. A lifestyle like that might work for Dominic and Reyes, but not me.” He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her. “I’m too traditional for that.”
She nodded, her gaze slipping downward. Wearing her emotions on her sleeve now, she knew he could sense her apprehension still. He placed his index figure up under her chin, bringing her eyes up to look at him. “I can wait, Tiffany. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Can you be sure of that?” What if it takes me ten years to get adjusted to my power? What if Lilly kills me on my way to McCarthy Ranch?
“Tiffany,” he called to her without pause. “A wolf mates for life, and I’d rather chew my own arm off than be without you.” He kissed her tenderly. “I just so happen to know that you feel the same way.”
She smiled shyly.
She stepped out of the shower, and he followed her, reaching for another towel. He wrapped it around his waist. “Tiffany, there is something I’m confused about.” Catching her attention, she turned back to him. “I thought you were an only child.”
“I am.”
His brows drew in tight. “But I saw your sister.”
Her heart thumped hard. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Zane. I don’t have a sister.”
Zane scowled. “Tiffany, I saw her. Brie is your older sister.”
* * * *
Brie waited until Jonah had fallen asleep before creeping from the bed. Glancing back, a painful ache squeezed in her chest, and she knew if she didn’t leave now all the courage she had worked up would be lost. Slipping from the room, she tiptoed into the kitchen, and grabbed her cell phone off of the counter.
Quietly, she dialed Ryder’s number. He picked up on the second ring.
“Ryder, it’s Brie.”
“Is Tiffany okay?”
His concerned tone proved that Ryder was the perfect person to help her with her mission. “Yes, Sebastian’s on his way there now. He wanted to be at Reyes’s before sunrise, which means that I don’t have much time.”
“What’s wrong?”
Brie didn’t waste any time getting right to the point. “I need you to kidnap Tiffany.”
“What?”
She knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but Ryder had to help her. Everything depended on him. “Sebastian would never let me do what I need to, so I’m asking for your help.” She paused, and then added, “Tiffany is an important and vital part in defeating Lilly. She is the only other person who has the power to help me.”
“Because of her magic?” he said instantly.
“You know about her power?”
“Yes,” he whispered. “I watched her practic
ing. She’s more powerful than she realizes.”
Brie felt a rush of calm settle over her. Ryder was even more connected to Tiffany than she had once hoped for. “Then you must know that she is the key to helping end our war with Lilly and finally putting a stop to the lycan virus.” Brie sighed. “Lilly has an army, Ryder. She’s planning to kill us all.”
“How do you know?” he barked.
Would he understand if I told him about the visions? “I can’t explain it, but I ask that you trust me.”
The line grew quiet for a long moment. She was sure he was trying to digest her words. Everything she planned was resting on Ryder’s cooperation. He had to help her, and she prayed she didn’t sound like a complete spaz.
Ryder sighed, his heavy breath audible through the receiver. “What do you want me to do?”
Brie’s heart raced with promise. “Get to Tiffany before morning, and bring her to DFW International.”
“Are we flying somewhere?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I’ve purchased three first-class tickets. The plane leaves in four hours, so you better get moving.”
“Where exactly are we going?” he asked. “I’m assuming those tickets are for you, me, and Tiffany.”
He was right. The three of them were about to embark on an adventure that would hopefully end with them succeeding in the destruction of everything that had been hunting their kind for almost a year.
“We’re going to Germany.” Tucking her phone into her purse, Brie headed toward her car.
* * * *
Ryder hung up the phone with Brie and stared at Bianca. She’d unraveled her braid, her cascading raven-black hair framed her face, making her look so at peace and happy. The sort of look he envisioned seeing in his mate. Somehow Ryder sensed there was something wrong. All that she’d shared with him still hadn’t made him trust her any more. Something wasn’t quite right about her, and he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Then she’d dropped the bomb on him, “I’m your mate,” and even though she’d told him to kiss her for proof, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Grinning, she said, “Duty calls,” and rolled to the side, jumping to her feet.
He was right behind her. “We’re not done here.” He grabbed hold of her arm and spun her around.
“I think we are,” she snapped, shrugging out of his grasp. “I gave you a chance. You didn’t take it.”
He stopped moving. For whatever reason, he couldn’t kiss Bianca, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why. Bianca was breathtakingly beautiful, and her scent was spicy and sweet. Even though her lips were inviting, he couldn’t bring himself to find out if she were telling him the truth.
His fists clenched tightly at his sides. What if she’d been right and she was his mate? Why did that possibility frighten him? He’d wanted a gorgeous panther as a mate. Bianca was both, but she was also mysterious, and he wouldn’t be caught off guard where she was concerned.
“Will I see you again?”
“That’s up to you, Ryder. Do you want to see me again?”
Ryder’s heart beat fast, slamming against his ribs. So many thoughts crossed his mind, images that had his blood boiling.
Bianca stumbled, and without a moment’s hesitation, he caught her, cradling her against his chest. She licked her lips, beckoning him once more. He swallowed the tightness in his throat. His lungs couldn’t seem to get enough air.
“Is it hard to resist?” she asked, her eyes shifting from his lips to his gaze and back again.
A heavy lump filled his throat. “Is what hard to resist?”
“Temptation,” she breathed, adding, “The scent of my body.” She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed his palm. “The touch of my lips upon your skin.” She brushed her lips over the flesh of his neck and up his chin. His cock hardened. “The desire to place your mouth over mine.”
Ryder thought he might lose it at any second and cave into the temptation she spoke of, but then, as if spotting a bright light through the heavy darkness, his thoughts cleared. An image of Tiffany flickered in his mind. He stood, releasing his hold on Bianca.
“Be more careful,” he said, turning toward his bike.
“Where are you going?”
Her surprised tone had the corners of his mouth tugging upward. “I’ve got plans.”
She charged toward him. “Will I see you again?”
Her eyes were wide as he stared back at her. He wanted to see her again. He still had a dozen unanswered questions. But right now he couldn’t say whether or not he’d see her again because after he kidnapped Tiffany and disappeared with Brie, he was sure Sebastian would kill him.
Smiling, he fired up the engine of his motorcycle and, with a wink, rode off, leaving her to wonder as she had done to him all those years ago.
Chapter Ten
Tiffany paced, cutting a line through the plush gray carpet in her room. The clock was ticking, and still there was no sign of Ryder. She was desperate to go to Zane. Wanted to be with him again, to lay beside him and hold him while they slept, but she couldn’t clear her thoughts. She was terrified to travel to McCarthy Ranch. Ryder knew that.
Her skin tingled as if her magic was just as antsy as she was. Then a knock echoed from her door, and she jumped clear out of her skin. As she approached the door, she sensed the person on the other side.
Zane.
Obviously he couldn’t stay away from her either, and the thought made her smile. Opening the door, she asked, “Can’t sleep?”
“Nope,” he said, smiling back at her.
She stepped back, and Zane moved into her room, facing her. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
She shrugged. “I guess I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Honestly, she’d been so full of nerves she was afraid to leave the safety of her room. She also didn’t want to tell Zane she was thinking about Ryder. Zane wouldn’t understand, and she believed he’d assume it was sexual in nature, when really it was anything but. She was terrified, and Ryder brought a sense of peace when he was near. Like a guardian.
He cupped her face. “You could never disturb me.”
A cold prickle raced up her spine, and she couldn’t help but twist away from Zane. Something wasn’t right. Her instincts were all over the map.
Zane scowled. “What’s the matter?”
She didn’t have a clue, but something was off. The feeling of impending doom sank into the pit of her stomach. Where was Ryder?
“Nothing. I think I’m just nervous.” She glanced down at her watch. There were only a few hours left until morning.
Then she felt it, the energy signature that was uniquely Ryder. Glancing over Zane’s shoulder, she spotted Ryder’s intimidating stare from her window ledge. What the hell was he doing? Then she heard Ryder’s thoughts. He was demanding she send Zane away. Was she just imagining this, or was he really talking to her through telepathy?
“I think I’m going to try and get some sleep now.” She reached out and touched Zane’s cheek. “I’ll be okay.”
He cocked his head and narrowed his brows. “Are you sure? I can always stay with you.” He reached for her and rubbed his thumbs gently over the backs of her hands. The connections had the breath freezing in her lungs and her body tingling deliciously.
Yes! She wanted Zane to stay, but she couldn’t escape the need to speak with Ryder. She smiled. “No. If you stay, we might end up making love for the rest of the night, and then what good will we be come morning?”
He caressed her cheek. “Okay.” He kissed her softly, lingering long enough to pull her into a tight embrace. “But if you need me…come to me.”
She nodded. “I will.”
He kissed her once more and exited her room. She closed the door and moved quickly to the window, unlocking it to let Ryder in.
“I thought he’d never leave,” Ryder said, swinging his leg into the room.
Ryder looked like he’d been rolling around in the dir
t. His jacket was covered in a white dust. “What are you doing sneaking in through my window, and where have you been?”
Ryder chuckled. “You sound like my mother.” Tiffany’s hands shot to her hips, and he arched a brow, looking her over. “I have to ask a favor. Well, actually Brie does,” he said, stepping completely into the room, closing the window at his back.
Her heart sped up, galloping in her chest. “You spoke to Brie?” Suddenly her heart was thumping even faster. Speaking Brie’s name had her body shuddering.
“I did. She needs to see you.”
She pinched her brows tight. “Right. Well, we’ll be at McCarthy Ranch before noon.”
“No, Brie wants to see you now.”
Now? That made no sense. Brie was at McCarthy Ranch. How was she going to see Brie sooner than planned? “Ryder, have you been drinking?”
“I wish,” he muttered. “Brie needs your help. She sent me to get you and bring you to her.”
Frowning, Tiffany’s stomach rolled. “Without the others?”
He nodded.
“Oh dear Lord,” she spat, her throat drying. “Look, I love Brie and all, but that’s even more ridiculous than me leaving this place under the protection of Sebastian and the others.” Her pulse raced. “I’m freaking out as it is, Ryder. Is she not worried we’ll be captured?”
“I won’t let that happen to us,” he said, rubbing her shoulders. “You need to trust me. I wouldn’t ask this if I didn’t trust Brie.” He offered a lopsided grin. “That woman has power.” Tiffany knew that, and that was the main reason she was about to agree to go. “We’re meeting Brie at the airport. No one will ever think to look for us there.”
“Why would she want to meet us at the airport?” Tiffany asked, a million questions thumbing through her head.
He held her gaze. “Brie needs us to go with her to Germany.”
“Germany?” she snapped. “What for?”
