Cracked

by Vanessa North

  Slap. A sharp sting on her ass married the heat pulsing from his bite, and she fell, waves of heat and color and sensation, shattered, feeling the edges of his mind pulsing against her in satisfaction and praise, and then his bliss washed over her as he shouted her name, and she shuddered again, a smaller wave of joy but no less sweet or hot.

  She was turning in his arms, she knew he was rolling her over, but she couldn’t make thoughts or words take shape to make sense of it.

  A fierce smile on his face, he kissed her, sending more aftershocks of her orgasm through her. And then the heat of his body left hers. She sat up, watching him start to get dressed. She could feel a splinter of regret coming from him, and for a moment, it stung before she realized he wanted to stay. The regret wasn’t aimed at her, but rather at his duties taking him away from her.

  “You’ll be back tonight, love,” she reassured him.

  “Will you run with me tonight? Complete the bond?” He brushed a kiss along her cheekbone as he picked up his shredded shirt.

  She nodded shyly, wrapping her arms around his neck and breathing in the scent of him. She took the shirt from his hands. “I’ll be keeping this.”

  “You do that.” He nipped her lower lip with a grin.

  “Hurry back to me,” she whispered, suddenly hating that he was leaving.

  “Siempre, querida.”

  Angelo walked into the holding cell where the FBI was detaining the wolf. He took note of the gray hair and diminutive size. He sighed as he realized he knew her. She didn’t look up, though he knew she knew he was there. It was so quiet in the room that he could hear her heart beating. He didn’t need to wonder how she had come to this. He knew the story, seethed like everyone else when he thought how close she’d come to destroying everything.

  “Kathy Kirk.”

  Finally, she looked up, met his eyes. A look of wary resignation filled hers.

  “You look like shit,” he remarked. She had always seemed like little more than a pup. Playful and cute. The last two decades had been hard on her, living without pack. Wolves weren’t meant to live that way. Even Angelo, technically a rogue, was connected to the national meta-pack. Kathy wasn’t, not really, and it was destroying her. She’d aged a hundred wolf years in less than a quarter of that. She wasn’t aging gracefully; her wolf was doing the bare minimum to keep her alive.

  “You look…happy,” she remarked, staring at him. “It looks good on you.”

  “Thank you. I mated last night.”

  “Really?” One pale eyebrow arched. “Sorry if I’ve spoiled your celebration.”

  “Who did this to you, Kathy?”

  “Who mated you, Angelo?” she volleyed.

  “Sarita Murphy.”

  A low, whistling growl emerged from Kathy’s throat.

  “So did you come here to kill me? Take more of my fingers?” She held up the hand that Bianca had stripped of its two outermost fingers twenty-five years ago. “One more person to take a bite out of the Judas of the wolves?”

  “Hush.” He scowled. “I hate what you did. If someone is poisoning wolves, I’m not sad that they started with you.”

  She flinched.

  “But what happened to you is very much my concern. Who did this to you?” He crouched beside her now, looking into bloodshot eyes that were filled with hatred and remorse…he could see her wolf, skulking behind her eyes, so filled with self-loathing that it made his own wolf want to whine.

  “No one did this to me, Angelo. I did it to myself. So you can tell your human friends to let me go, and I’ll be on my way.”

  His face filled with disgust.

  “So that’s it? The great mystery? Kathy Kirk has turned into a junkie? And this is what I interrupted my honeymoon for?”

  “I’m no junkie,” she whispered, eyes falling to the floor again.

  “Then what the hell is going on, Kathy?” He was furious now. His wolf was straining to burst free, but he kept it under tight control.

  “Do you know how hard it is to kill yourself?” She asked him quietly, not meeting his eyes. “Especially when your wolf is onto you? Her survival instincts kick in and she just takes over, healing, flushing the system. Really, it’s better than a juice fast for cleaning toxins. But in the end, you’ve just suffered through hell and gotten nowhere for it. You can’t even shoot yourself ’cause she shifts your hands so you can’t pull the trigger.”

  “You tried to kill yourself?” Angelo scowled in disgust.

  “The first time, I jumped off a cliff.” She smirked. “That one hurt like hell. But after my wolf took over and repaired all the bones, I was fine.”

  “The second time, I tried melting down silver flechettes—you know my Uncle Gordon had thousands of them lying around—and drinking the silver. I puked it back up before it could harden and start infecting me.”

  “The third time, I tried just OD’ing on heroin, figured at least I could get high while I waited to die.” She shook her head. “No dice. Wolf kept it from having any effect.”

  “So, for the past ten years, I’ve been doing research on how different drugs affect the lupine brain. After a few botched tries, I was able to find something that would subdue the wolf part of me, and mixed it with enough narcotics to overdose. I made it, Angelo.”

  Her face softened with a look of wonder. It reminded him of the old Kathy, the one who had been his friend.

  “I was there. The Raven came to greet me. I made it.”

  “So, if you died, why are you here, still being a pain in my ass?” Angelo demanded.

  “She sent me back. She said I have work to do.” Kathy rubbed at her face with both hands. “So I guess this sorry excuse for an existence is going to be my lot for a little longer.”

  “What did she say your task was?” Angelo asked quietly. Twenty-five years earlier, Kathy had been ordered by her uncle to kill Bianca while she was pregnant with Sarita. If she threatened either of them ever again, he’d do everything to her that her drugs hadn’t managed to do.

  “I need to make things right. And I haven’t got the first clue how I’m gonna do that.” The little wolf sighed, wrapping her arms around her knees.

  Angelo studied her for a long moment. Finally he opened the door to the holding cell, gesturing for her to come along. As she walked with him to Geoff’s office, her eyes met his questioningly.

  “Are you turning me over to the FBI?” she asked, a hint of a smile on her face.

  “No. You’re coming back to Amazon under my protection. I want to say goodbye to my friend Geoff before we leave. Kathy, let me make myself clear as possible. If you so much as look cross-eyed at my mate? I will destroy you. I will make you wish every one of your suicide attempts had succeeded. She is everything to me. You…” Angelo looked down his nose at the little wolf. “You are less than nothing.”

  Kathy stopped walking. Angelo turned and looked at her, watching as her face crumpled. He steeled himself against any empathy that might have been sneaking into his heart as the words tumbled out of her.

  “I never wanted to hurt anyone. I tried to resist the compulsions Gordon put on me, and I waited them out. I did everything I could to keep myself from acting on those compulsions.”

  “You never said a word!” Angelo roared at her. “We trusted you—loved you like a sister! And you would have killed them both!” With a snarl, he shifted his teeth and claws and crowded her to the wall in his aggression. A few humans walking by shuddered at the sight, but they wisely kept moving—even the pompous pricks at the FBI knew better than to intervene in a wolf argument. “You betrayed us. There is no forgiveness at the Amazon compound for you. You say the Raven sent you back. You can talk with Bianca about that. I’m merely providing an escort.”

  Angelo backed off, letting his teeth and claws shift back to
their human state.

  “Move,” he ordered, gesturing for her to start walking.

  Chapter Six

  Angelo groaned as they approached the compound gate. Cormac Murphy was on sentinel duty. He felt his wolf bristle at what was about to happen. All he wanted was to get back in bed with his mate after a satisfying run, but there was no way in hell Gerard’s boyfriend—and Sarita’s best friend—was going to let Kathy Kirk into the compound, even under Angelo’s protection, without a fuss.

  “What the hell is she doing here?” Angelo had hardly gotten the window down before Mac’s teeth were snapping in his face. He had to give it to the kid—he was dedicated.

  “Mac, back down,” Angelo snarled. “Let your mom and your aunt know I’m bringing her to the library.”

  “Angelo, you are a guest of this pack,” Mac growled. “You’re not bringing that thing in here.”

  “Thing?” Kathy murmured, one gray brow arching.

  “Shut up.” Angelo scowled at her.

  “Fuck you both,” she snarled back. “You must be Monica’s brat.” She sneered at Mac. “I see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Clearly, self-righteous priggery is a family trait.”

  “You’re one to talk about unpleasant family traits.” Mac sneered back.

  “Oh for fuck’s sake, what is going on?” Angelo felt the bear’s rumbling presence as Gerard ambled out of the guardhouse, barefoot, in a pair of unbuttoned jeans and no shirt. Angelo looked at Mac, who blushed. It wasn’t unheard of, back when Monica was Alpha of Amazon, for a sentinel to have a friend keep company in the guardhouse at night to help stay awake, but Mac and Gerard…

  “We weren’t doing anything,” Mac grumbled, “I take my job seriously.”

  Angelo just looked at him.

  So, she’s back. He felt Gerard in his head, the rumbling thunder noise roaring in his ears. It was disorienting, having another species projecting into your head. Angelo wondered how Sarita stood it constantly.

  It’s different for her. For you, I’ll try to be less ursine.

  It’s okay. You don’t seem surprised about Kathy?

  I’m not. She needs to be here. You did right. I’ll handle Mac. Take her to Monica and Bianca and tell them I’ll be there in a minute with Sarita.

  Thanks. Angelo sent the Guide a wave of relief and thanks.

  With a shrug, Gerard whispered something in Mac’s ear. Still scowling, Mac threw the lever to open the gate, and Angelo drove through.

  The ride up the elevator was filled with a stony silence.

  “What was going on with G-man back there?” Kathy broke the silence. Angelo remembered her habit of giving everyone nicknames and bit back on the smile that threatened to emerge with the memory.

  “He’s in my head.” Angelo tapped on his temple. “Because of Sarita.”

  “Right, but what did he say?”

  “He said you need to be here.” Angelo glanced at the little wolf and noted the smug smile that crept across her face. He felt the pang of loss he’d felt twenty-five years ago when her duplicity had been discovered. He had lost a friend that day as surely as if she had died. She had been an integral part of Bianca’s Guardian team, inseparable from the pack leaders. He gestured for her to walk in front of him off the elevator.

  They were met by a stony-faced Jack Murphy. Angelo could tell that his friend—father-in-law now—was angry with him, but he also knew he had the high ground here, so he didn’t so much as blink at the glare Jack tossed him. The Murphy men were accustomed to having their sheer size intimidate other wolves, but that wouldn’t work with Angelo.

  “Heya, Big Boy,” Kathy smirked saucily and threw a wink at Jack.

  For a little bit of a thing, she had some huge balls, Angelo thought.

  Faster than Angelo could even think, Jack had her pinned against the wall, her throat in his hand, her feet dangling, his teeth and claws shifted. Angelo knew Jack detested violence, but he delivered it with breathtaking efficiency, reminding Angelo why Jack was such a good Guardian for the Amazon Pack. Kathy stared into Jack’s eyes, and something unspoken passed between them as Angelo looked from one to the other, feeling the tension rolling through them. Though none of them were packmates in the traditional sense, they were all tied together under Fionn’s national meta-pack. He felt Monica and Fionn stepping out of their apartment, watching. He realized Fionn was communing silently with his brother when Jack bit off a curse. Jack let go suddenly, tumbling Kathy to the floor as he yanked back on his claws and teeth and stomped back into the library apartment. Monica and Fionn followed, and Angelo reached a hand down to help Kathy stand.

  “That went well, don’t you think?” A wistful smile quirked up her lips as she stood. Angelo felt his attitude towards her thawing a bit as he led her into the apartment. The Murphys, Bianca included, were arranged about the sitting room in a semi-circle. Angelo pushed Kathy into a chair and walked to the sideboard, pouring himself a drink as if this were nothing more than a social gathering.

  “Irish whiskey?” He raised a brow at Monica, who gestured with her chin toward Fionn. Wolves didn’t get drunk really, but he enjoyed the flavor and relaxing warmth. He moved to sit on a small chaise, just big enough for him and Sarita when she arrived.

  As if the thought had beckoned her, the little wolf stepped off the elevator and practically skipped into the apartment, Gerard rumbling alongside her. The other wolves hid their indulgent smiles as best they could as she dropped down onto the chaise with Angelo and with all the audacity of a newly-mated wolf, pulled him into a heady kiss that made his wolf—and a more human part of his anatomy—sit up and take notice. When she released him with a giggle, he grinned at her. Mine.

  She winked. Then she turned her curious eyes to Kathy.

  “So, you’re what all the fuss is about.” She remarked, cocking her head to the side like a curious pup.

  “I guess I am.” Kathy looked at her just as curiously. “Wow, you look like your mom.”

  “Everyone says I look like him.” She gestured toward Jack.

  “Some,” Kathy agreed. Angelo was starting to feel uncomfortable as the two women stared each other down. Seeing them in the same space, he realized his little mate wasn’t much bigger than Kathy.

  “Can you get in her head?” Sarita turned to Fionn. He shook his head. The Kirk family all possessed unusual mental abilities—in Kathy’s father’s case, and that of her uncles, that had included using their voices to manipulate and compel others. In Kathy’s case, she seemed to be able to block anyone and everyone from her mind unless she wanted to share information. She had to project, be an active participant in any mental exchange.

  She turned back to Kathy. “Let him in. Now.”

  The authority in her voice startled Angelo, and he realized once again that he barely knew his new mate—her youth and seeming innocence were in sharp contrast to this power that seemed to ooze from her. It shouldn’t have been surprising—she was an Usher—but it still startled him. He watched as Fionn flinched as the connection opened between him and Kathy. He felt his own connection to Fionn shudder slightly as that long closed doorway opened, and Fionn pushed his awareness toward it. Angelo remembered then how Kathy had felt in his head years ago, like champagne bubbles bursting along the nose. Always playful. Fionn studied Kathy for a long moment. Emotions flickered across his bearded face—sadness, loneliness, anger, regret, pain. No bubbles there.

  “Keep it open.” Sarita looked at Kathy sharply, not breaking eye contact as Mac walked into the room and stood next to Gerard behind the chaise.

  Finally Fionn nodded. He looked at Bianca and nodded again; his expression weary. Then he turned to Sarita. “She’s no threat to anyone but herself. You’re safe, Littlebit.”

  The childhood nickname brought a smile to Sarita’s face. Angelo could feel the
warmth and affection between her and her uncle. She looked at her mother. “She has to stay, Mom.” Sarita explained. “Gerard told me Raven sent her.”

  Bianca looked like a marble statue as she stared at Kathy. She hadn’t said a word since Kathy and Angelo had entered the room. Finally, she stood and left the apartment. With a shrug, Jack followed her.

  Sarita turned back to Kathy with a smile. “It’s okay. No one is going to hurt you.” She stood and crossed to the other woman, touching the side of her face with her palm. “You’re safe with me.” She turned to face Mac and Gerard. “I’m assuming you two are sleeping in the same room these days. Can she borrow whichever room you’re not using until Mom gets someone to set her up with one of her own?”

  A round of growls erupted in the room, but Sarita stared them all down. She knew they had all expected Kathy to sleep in a cell. Angelo was a little surprised that she had assumed Kathy would be free to roam the compound.

  Finally Gerard spoke. “She can stay in my room. Mac will guard her. He got Ellen to take his sentinel duty for the rest of tonight, so he can make himself useful.”

  “Thanks, Bear.” She smiled at her Guide. “Mac, I’m going to ask my dad to assign you as her bodyguard full-time.” When he would have protested, she shook her head. “Don’t. She’s not going to hurt me. I need her and she needs me. I need her, Mac. You’ll take care of her for me.” Angelo watched his mate stare down her best friend until he finally nodded his assent. She smiled and turned to Angelo.

  “Let’s go. Thanks.” She gestured over her shoulder at Kathy.

  “De nada, querida,” he murmured as he followed her out the door and into the elevator.

  The stars seemed brighter than ever as Sarita and Angelo walked out into the night, hand in hand. She lifted her face to the moonlight as she dropped his hand and walked past him. Her worry over the scene that had just occurred in Monica and Fionn’s apartment began to wash away as she began to peel off her clothing. She looked over her shoulder to see her mate watching her with wild eyes. She smiled at him, feeling the heady delight of being a woman wanted. She turned and watched him stare at her. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, his hands in his pockets. Inspiration struck her, and she moved toward him, watching him swallow in nervous anticipation.