by Lia Davis
Dana released him and stood. A satisfied smile spread across her face. "I love it when you come."
He chuckled and gripped her hair, pulling it back. She gasped and then moaned. It didn't surprise him that she liked it a little rough. And from the pleasure riding their mating bond, he sensed that she loved to submit to him. She may be Alpha to the core, but she was still a female.
"Tell me what you want."
She growled and laughed at the same time. "I want you to take me, dominate me, in any way you want."
The sour smell of fear rose from her. Cooper framed her face with his hands. "What's wrong?"
Her eyes watered, and she shook her head. "I just need to not be in control right now."
The fear running through her worried him, but he didn't ask her about it. She needed him, needed to draw from his strength. And he would give her anything she asked for.
Cooper turned her so her back was against the wall. Shifting his hand, he ripped her jeans and shirt off. A low growl sounded from her, and when he met her heated gaze, he grew hard again. Fire rose in her blue eyes. Damn, she was beautiful.
He shifted his hand back to human then gripped her ass and lifted. Instantly, she wrapped her legs around him. Jerking his hips forward, he entered her. She clung to him, her nails puncturing his back.
With his hand still tangled in her hair, he pulled her head to the side to give him access to her throat. He wanted to mark her all over, claim her over and over. However, with the rush of pleasure bouncing between them—hers and his—he knew it wasn't long until they both came.
So he struck, stinking his teeth into her shoulder. She cried out in delight and sunk her nails deeper into his back. Maybe it was her claws. Hell, he didn't care. The pain mixed with their bliss, intensifying the desire coursing through his veins.
Picking up the pace, he slammed into her, going deeper with each thrust.
"Yes." She growled out the word.
He teetered on the edge and knew she did, too. When she tightened her legs around him, he fell—roaring out his release.
She followed soon after.
He held her against the wall for several long moments, his nose buried in her neck. She hugged him and relaxed her body against him.
"Thank you."
He chuckled. "No, thank you."
"Will it always be this intense?"
"I don't know. But I hope so." That got her laughing.
She stopped with a sigh and gently smacked him in the head. "Hmm, I might reconsider not being mad at you for binding me to you."
He smiled at her teasing tone. "You'll just have to make me your sex slave, then."
"Careful what you wish for, my wolf."
He lifted his head and stared into her blue depths. "I am yours. Always."
She kissed him. But it ended too soon. "Let's get cleaned up and see what we can dig up for lunch and then plot out our next move. I need to know everything you do about Bloodrose. The general routines of the den and Edwin. Everything."
He nodded and stepped back, releasing her so she stood in front of him. She stared at the pile of clothes on the floor and smiled. "I'm glad those weren't my favorite jeans."
"We can buy more clothes." He stepped into her. "Besides, I liked ripping them off you."
The fire returned to her eyes, and he wondered if it was because she’d opened up her powers. Or had the fire always been there?
A slow curve of her lips made her seem more wicked than normal. He shivered, and the smile widened. "Come shower with me, my wolf."
She walked off, and he shook his head. That female was going kill him…with desire.
But what a way to go.
Chapter 12
Dana didn't have much in her fridge because she hadn't been at her house in a while. Besides, she always ate at Darin's house anyway. Since they were going over the plans and figuring out the best way to approach the members of Bloodrose, she’d called Darin and told him to bring over food, Celeste, and Hope.
In less than thirty minutes, she and Celeste had sandwiches and a fruit and cheese tray made. They made a picnic in the middle of the living room at Hope's request. There was no saying no to that adorable child.
It burned Dana's insides to think that Edwin wanted to kill the little girl. Although it would make more sense for him to drain her of her magic first... Dana met Darin's gaze. Her brother shook his head. “Don't go there."
She sighed. She wouldn’t, but only because it would piss her off more. Focus. "I need to know everything about Bloodrose. The guards, their routines. The wolves and if they are loyal to Edwin. If there are any that could cause problems, I want to out them."
Cooper nodded, but it was Celeste who spoke first. "The only ones I can think of that are loyal to him and would cause problems are the enforcers and the Beta."
Dana nodded. "They're out automatically. Except for Solon." Dana met Darin's concerned gaze. "I'll need a few enforcers to help me out until I figure out who I can trust to have my back. I'm calling in Solon as an enforcer, but I need someone to watch him."
Darin gave a short nod. "Nico, Chase, and Micah will go. I'll have the sentries rotate shifts to watch over your Pack, as well."
"Wait," Celeste said drawing everyone's attention. "Her Pack?"
Dana smiled. "I'm going in to take the Pack. The more of them I have on my side, the easier it'll be to track down and kill Edwin."
Celeste widened her eyes and glanced at Cooper then Darin. "Is that allowed?"
Dana pursed her lips and gave her brother a narrowed-eye look. "I guess my brother didn't tell you. Darin and I are charmed wolves. Although I seem to have more of the goddess's power than he does. The council knows and has—in not so many words—ordered me to kill Edwin. So, in a way, I have full rights to take Bloodrose from him."
A mixture of relief, happiness, and fear crossed over Celeste's features. "Good. But how do you plan to succeed? I mean, the Pack is bound to him."
Dana's smile turned wicked. "I will break that bond. No Pack should be made to bond with their Alpha. They stay out of loyalty and trust. Pack is a family. It thrives on love and trust."
"Does anyone know where Edwin is?" Darin asked.
They all shook their heads, but Celeste said, "I can make a call to the Healer, Bree. She was the one person in that Pack besides Cooper I could talk to."
"Can you call her now?" Dana asked.
Celeste pulled out her cell and dialed. A few moments later, she smiled and spoke into the phone. "Bree. Hi, it's Celeste... I'm fine...no, really. Look, can you talk right now?" Relief settled over Celeste's features. "I’m with the Alpha of Whiskey Hollow and his sister...Yes, Dana." Celeste smiled, then laughed. "I was just going to ask if you minded." She pulled her phone from her face and punched the speaker.
"Dana. I heard you challenged the bastard."
"Yes, I did, but it seems he's hiding from me."
A growl sounded over the speaker. "Coward. He hasn't been in the den since he made the announcement that you planned to assassinate him. If you could see my face, I just rolled my eyes."
Dana pressed her lips together. She already liked the Healer. "I need you to make me a list of all Pack members that are loyal to him that could cause an issue with me walking in and taking over the Pack."
A squeal of delight came from the phone, making Dana laugh. Then Bree said, "Sure thing. Not many of them, though. The no-brainers are the enforcers, except Solon. He hides out at the clinic when he wants to avoid the asshat. The sentries don't even like him. But I'll get you a list. When are you coming? I could gather some of the dominant wolves that could help you."
"That would be great. Can you meet me at Celeste and Cooper's house in a half-hour?"
"Sure thing! And, Dana... Thank you."
Bree hung up before Dana could reply. Her chest tightened. The Pack had been through so much. Just then, Hope came over and crawled into her lap and signed, "You okay?"
Dana couldn't stop the smile th
at formed. She signed back, "Yes, baby girl. Everything will be okay."
Dana was going to make sure of it.
Celeste tapped Hope on the knee to get her attention. "Come with me, Dana and Coop have somewhere to go."
Hope pouted but stood. Before she went with Celeste, she turned and gave Dana a tight hug. While they were wrapped in the embrace, Dana heard a small voice in her mind. "Stay safe."
Gasping, Dana pulled out of the hug and cupped Hope’s tiny face, putting her hands over her ears. Then Dana opened her mind, and she let the magic flow to her fingers. "Can you hear me?"
Hope's eyes grew large, and she nodded vigorously. Her bottom lip trembled as her eyes filled with tears. Yet, Dana didn't sense any sadness in her.
Cooper leaned into Dana. "What does this mean?"
"I'm not sure." Dana released Hope and continued. "I think I may be able to help Bree or Piper or both heal her hearing.
Hope frantically reached for Dana's hands and placed them back up by her ears. Which confirmed that it was Dana's magic, most likely mixed with Hope’s, that had allowed her to hear. Dana covered her ears again. "I have to go, but when I get back, we'll work with the Healer to see what we can do about your hearing."
Hope nodded and flew at her, hugging her tightly.
Innocents like Hope and Bree were what drove Dana. Edwin had to be taken out. She was going to make sure it happened.
Dana and Cooper went to his house in wolf form through the forest to his backyard so the enforcers wouldn’t notice right away. The last thing she needed was for Edwin's minion freaks to cause a scene before she addressed the Pack.
Cooper shifted and said, "Bree should be here soon."
Remaining in wolf form, Dana ogled her mate. His broad shoulders, sculpted chest, and abs. A knowing smile lifted his lips, and he shook his head before disappearing down the hallway. She shifted and followed him. Celeste had said she could borrow some clothes.
"How old is Bree?"
Cooper frowned as he pulled a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from Celeste's drawer. "Twenty-two, I believe."
Dread seeped into Dana's heart. She’d had a hunch she didn't want to know the answer, but she’d asked anyway. "That's young. How long as she been the Pack Healer?"
"Since she was seventeen," Cooper muttered with a snarl. When he turned to Dana, she saw the anger in his eyes. "Edwin killed her parents and forced her to step into her mother's shoes."
A growl rumbled from her chest, and she fisted her hands. "Why?"
"Who knows. Edwin said the Healer and her mate were conspiring against him, selling information to other Packs to destroy ours. Same bullshit he always says." Cooper jerked his jeans on, then pulled a black T-shirt over his head.
Dana got dressed, too. "This stops today."
A soft knock on the front door caught their attention. Cooper sniffed the air. "That's Bree and Solon."
Dana wasn't sure how she felt about Solon being there. She hadn’t planned to bring him in until later. With a sigh, she followed Cooper to answer the door.
Cooper opened the slab of wood and stepped aside to let them in. Bree looked much younger than she was, which was expected among wolves because they aged at a much slower rate than humans and stopped aging completely when they reached their thirties.
Bree was small at about five feet two inches and couldn't weigh more than a hundred and fifteen pounds. Her curly, red hair brushed the tops of her shoulders. She smiled and bounced on her toes as she stuck out her hand to Dana. "It's so great to meet you."
Dana took her hand and watched as Bree's eyes widened at the connection. "Nice to meet you. Would you like your connection to Edwin severed now or when I do the Pack as a whole."
Bree glanced to Solon, then Cooper before meeting Dana's again. "You can do that?"
"I can."
"She's a charmed wolf," Solon stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
When Dana glared at him, his features revealed nothing of his emotions. To answer Bree's next unasked question, Dana returned her attention to the Healer. "My twin—the Alpha of Whiskey Hollow—and I are descendants of Diana, Goddess of the Hunt.
Acknowledgement flashed in Bree's eyes. "Oh! You are protected by the council. I've read all the myths and legends. It says that a charmed wolf is as powerful as the gods and protected. They also say the council used them as assassins."
Dana cleared her throat. "Well, the council doesn’t hire killers anymore. That's why Packs have their own sentries and enforcers."
"Only because a charmed wolf hasn't been born for centuries."
Dana jerked her gaze to Solon, anger rising. She stepped into his space. "How long have you known? How many of my secrets have you spilled in Edwin's ear?"
Solon lowered his eyes and knelt in front her. An act she hadn't expected from him. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. Cooper snarled next to her, but she gave him a mental zap of power through the mating bond. He shot it back, playfully. Ignoring her mate for now, she focused on Solon as the male spoke. "I wish for you to sever my bond to the rogue Alpha. I want to pledge my life to yours as my future Alpha."
Dana glanced at Bree, who nodded with a huge smile.
"Solon, stand up." Dana walked to the living room. When the others moved inside, and Cooper had shut the door, she motioned for Bree and Solon to stand in front of her.
When they did, Dana stepped closer and grabbed each of their hands. Closing her eyes, she searched within them for the link to Edwin. It didn't take her long to find it. She took hold of it and pulled. It snapped, breaking the bond and freeing them from Edwin's influence.
Bree let out a sigh and sagged into herself. Solon gasped and wrapped his arms around the Healer. They stood there for several moments. Dana wondered if the couple wasn’t allowed to explore their feelings for one another. It'd be like Edwin to forbid them to follow their mating urges.
After a few more moments, Solon released Bree and they met Dana's stare. Bree smiled. She really was a powerful Healer. "Thank you. So do we bond to you now?"
Dana shook her head. "No. Well, not to the extent that you did with Edwin. You, my Healer, will be connected to me and be able to pull from my power when you need it for healing or extra strength. My enforcers will also have the same connection. But not through a blood oath or a bond. It'll be more of a psychological web of power, which I already began with the two of you. You should be able to sense me now. And Cooper. He will be my Beta. As my mate, he is the only one I trust at my back. Solon, I'll trust you to assemble the new enforcers and train them. I'm using Whiskey Hollow’s Pack rules for guidance to build my own. You know what those are?" The enforcer nodded, and Dana added, "For now, we need to address the Pack and sever their bond. Then we can start rebuilding. This will make Edwin stupid mad, which I'm counting on. I need him to make a mistake, something that will out him as a rogue."
"Dealing in black magic is enough for that," Bree said.
Dana agreed, yet she didn't have proof. "Why is it that everyone knows he is dealing in the black arts and yet no one has the proof to bring it to the council?"
Bree suddenly grew fascinated with her feet. Dana waited. After a few seconds, Bree spoke softly. "He has a ritual room in his house."
"You saw this?"
Bree nodded. Dana pulled her into a hug, surprising the young Healer. "You are awesome. That will be our first stop, and it will make taking over the Pack much easier."
Chapter 13
"You'd think with all his secrets, the bastard would keep his door locked." Dana entered Edwin's house and used her magic to hunt down any type of magical signature left there.
As soon as she moved to the stairs, she felt it. Dark power drifted in the air, coming from the second floor. She took the stairs two at a time, Cooper and Solon on her heels. Bree opted to go to the Pack circle where everyone was supposed to gather.
At the top of the stairs, Dana turned right and headed straight to the master suite. She opened the door and stumbled b
ack at the thick, oily-like magic in the room. "I thought Bree said there was a ritual room."
Solon nodded and brushed past her to enter the room. "It's a hidden space connected to his closet."
He reached for the doorknob, and Dana said, "Don't open that door."
Dana closed her eyes and tried to call to Ellen. She was a witch, and Dana remembered Star saying that witches could call to each other. "Ellen, I request your presence."
A few moments went by, and Dana scolded herself for being crazy. She wasn't a full witch. Why did she think it'd work? Staring at the closet door, she didn't want to open it without someone more knowledgeable about black magic present. Her instincts told her it was a trap.
The pressure changed in the room, making Dana and the guys whirl around. The sight of Ellen brought a smile to Dana's lips. "I didn't think it worked."
"I almost didn't hear you. We'll have to work on your training, but another time." Ellen's gaze went to the closet and her nostrils flared. Anger rolled from the witch in waves. "Don't open that door. In fact, we need to get out of this house."
Fear sliced through Dana when Ellen dematerialized from the room. Dana reached for Cooper and Solon and flashed them outside the house.
When they materialized in the front yard, Solon cursed, and Cooper chuckled. But it was short-lived when Ellen spoke again. "Dealing in black magic has been outlawed for centuries." Ellen held a hand out for Dana. Without hesitation, Dana took it. "By the power of the council, I declare Edwin Bass rogue and strip him of his Alpha status for the Bloodrose Creek Pack. I hereby transfer Alpha power to Dana Huston, charmed wolf and sister of the Whiskey Hollow Alpha."
Dana braced herself. The last time she’d felt the Alpha power, it had scared her, threatened her control. When the power slammed into her, she gasped. Ellen squeezed her hand. "Dana, breathe. You are in control of your power. Face the Pack, share this new power with them. Let them know you are here to protect them, care for them, and guide them."
Dana did as the witch said. How did Ellen know so much about Pack ways? After a few moments, the power balanced, and Dana opened her eyes.
