The Gathering

by Lily Graison

  “And I’m sure he knows this.” Rayna crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Judith. “What’s going on with you and Chad?”

  Judith’s eyes widened. “Nothing!”

  Rayna laughed. “Well that only makes it more obvious something is going on.”

  Judith blushed again and turned her back to her. “It’s nothing, really.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Judith didn’t respond. Rayna could have teased her but for some reason she sensed that Judith would be sensitive about it. She crossed the small clearing they were in and walked in front of Judith. “Want to talk about it?”

  Judith smiled. “It isn’t the time. We need to get you as far from the park as possible.”

  She walked away without another word. Rayna stared after her with a jumble of thoughts running through her mind, the most prevalent being, Judith had a crush on Chad. She’d bet money on it. Did he feel the same way about Judith?

  A noise in the woods caught her attention and instantly, Rayna was on alert. Judith stopped walking and turned back to face her, her eyes widening moments later. “Rayna, look out!”

  Rayna turned, her own eyes widening when she saw a log hurling through the air at her. She ducked moments before it hit and heard the distinct sound of growling.

  A wolf stepped onto the path and Rayna didn’t need to be told who it was. The black fur and deadly glint in the eyes told her.

  It was Carmen.

  She took a step backwards, casting a quick glance over her shoulder at Judith. Her friend was trying to shift.

  Judith had never shifted more than once a month and without the help of the others, Rayna doubted she’d succeed. She wasn’t an Alpha and Rayna knew it would take her long minutes to complete the shift, if she could even call the wolf. Even then, she wasn’t sure it would help. Neither of them was strong enough to take on an Alpha, by themselves or together.

  Facing Carmen, Rayna was of two minds. A part of her wanted to run but knew it would only heighten the experience for Carmen. She would love that. To chase down her prey before attacking.

  The other part, the one that was tired of running, that whispered that this wolf was trying to take her mate, wanted to stay and fight, regardless of the outcome. It wouldn’t be pretty either way.

  Staring into Carmen’s amber eyes, Rayna made her choice. She’d stay and fight. Fear should have been the only thought running through her mind, but it wasn’t. It was of him. Garrett. Her lover, mate to the wolf lurking beneath her flesh, and the man who’d risked his life to save her own. She wouldn’t let his sacrifice be for nothing.

  The jet-black hair covering Carmen’s body bristled and a growl emanated from her massive chest. She lunged so fast, Rayna stumbled backwards, tripping on a limb and found herself pinned seconds later.

  She screamed, barely getting her arms up to grab Carmen’s head before those wickedly sharp teeth tore into her flesh. Claws ripped at her shirt, shredding the fabric to reveal the soft flesh beneath. Pain laced through her veins as the wolf tore at her, one paw swiping across her face before she screamed again and kicked, trying to dislodge her.

  For whatever reason, Carmen let her go and stood. “Get up, dog.”

  Rayna heaved several deep breaths before climbing to her feet. The side of her face burned, as did her right side. A glance down showed her shirt torn and blood running down to coat the top of her jeans. The angry looking slashes from Carmen’s claws had ripped her flesh. She hoped it looked worse than it was.

  She straightened and lifted her head, ignoring her injuries. “Took you long enough to find me, Carmen.”

  Carmen’s lips pulled back and she licked her teeth. “I needed to feed. I didn’t want anything to distract me from killing you.”

  And she will, Rayna thought. She listened to the sounds in the forest, trying to find any sign of Garrett. There was nothing other than the birds, the swaying of tree limbs and the noise Judith was making.

  She wanted to look behind her, to see how far along the shift had progressed, but was afraid to take her eyes off of Carmen. She had no choice but to fight her alone until Judith could help and there was only one way to do that.

  For the second time that day, she tried to pull the wolf forward. The pain hit her moments later and she knew it would be useless to try and shift. The pain alone would leave her weak.

  Glancing at the ground, she saw a branch the size of her arm and picked it up. It was heavy but thanks to the strength the wolf gave her she gripped it in two hands with little problem. “Well, let’s get this over with. I have places to be.”

  Carmen made a sound then that was part growl, part howl. It sent goose bumps running laps down Rayna’s arm. She came at her in a rush.

  Rayna swung the limb, barely making contact before Carmen shoved her out of the way. She hit her knees hard but sprang up quickly, once again lifting her limb. The next pass Carmen made, the tree limb connected with Carmen’s head. The blow had the opposite effect Rayna had hoped. Instead of slowing Carmen down, it enraged her.

  The limb was roughly pulled from her hands, splinters digging into her palms to leave them tender and bleeding. One strong swing of Carmen’s arm sent her airborne, flying through the trees to land with a thump. The air left her lungs in a rush and she lay dazed for long moments before she struggled back to her feet.

  Seeing Carmen standing there, with a wolfy grin on her face, caused Rayna’s wolf to stir. It slinked along her bones and roared inside her head. The stinging pain in her fingertips burned as her claws extended.

  When Carmen came at her again, Rayna was ready. Her nails dug into muscle tissue and a pained yelp followed.

  She ran on pure instinct then. Slashing and digging her claws into Carmen when she was close enough to reach her. When her hands were coated with blood, her body aching and sore from being tossed around as if she weighed nothing, Judith joined the fight. She’d shifted. Together they slashed, bit and clawed at Carmen until she finally went to one knee. Judith lunged and bit into the side of her neck.

  Carmen’s howl echoed through the forest. It caused Rayna’s own wolf to answer in return and that noise coming from her human throat would have scared her any other day. Now, she saw little point in fighting what she knew she was. She was a werewolf. Dangerous. Deadly. And damned tired of getting beat down by Carmen.

  Finding the limb she’s dropped earlier, Rayna lifted it and ran to where Carmen sat, bringing it down with a punishing blow to the side of Carmen’s face.

  She fell instantly.

  Rayna took several steps backwards, her breaths coming in gasps as she watched Carmen. She lay still for long minutes, the first movement only being the hair on her body rustling. Rayna thought at first it was the breeze causing it but quickly saw it wasn’t. She was shifting.

  When the naked body of Carmen lay at her feet, Rayna dropped the limb and looked at Judith. Her friend was bleeding, a large gash opened on her side. Blood was coating her fur and dripping to the ground. “Are you all right, Judith?”

  The wolf blinked before lowering her head in an apparent nod. Rayna heaved a breath, trying to drag air into her lungs before looking back at Carmen. “How bad is she hurt?”

  Judith limped toward Carmen’s prone form, sniffing at her face before backing away. A shake of Judith’s head was all the answer she got. Rayna took a few cautious steps toward her before leaning down and checking for a pulse. It was there, strong and rapid. Rayna’s breath had returned to normal by the time Carmen stirred.

  She looked up, blinking at Rayna before slowly crawling away. When she gained her feet, she swayed, stumbling once before reaching out to grab a tree to steady herself. A taunting smile crossed her face. “I guess now I can kill you with my bare hands.”

  Rayna stared at her, watching the slimy substance that was always left behind after the shift slide down her body. Naked and weak, Carmen still wanted to fight her. “Why can’t you just let it go, Carmen?”

  “Because he’s mine
.”

  “Garrett? You’re going to kill me just to have him? He doesn’t even want you, Carmen. Killing me isn’t going to accomplish anything but getting yourself killed.”

  Carmen grinned. “Maybe but at least in our deaths I’ll know he’s miserable.”

  “If you loved him you wouldn’t want him to be anything but happy.”

  A harsh laugh erupted from Carmen. “Love him?” She laughed harder before finding the strength to stand without the support of the tree. “This has nothing to do with love, you stupid girl.”

  “Then what? If you don’t love him, then why?”

  A feral smile curved her lips. “This is about power. Nothing more.” She took a step, swaying once before taking a few more. “Garrett is pack leader. He marked me. That makes me pack leader. I won’t be denied my place.”

  Rayna looked to Carmen’s bare chest. The marks left by Garrett were there, crossing one breast. “And what about Garrett?”

  “Garrett’s usefulness is limited to controlling the pack and warming my bed.”

  “And that’s enough for you?” Rayna asked.

  “What more is there?”

  Rayna had hated this woman for reasons too many to count. She’d been a threat to her from the moment she met her but now, as she looked at her, she only felt sorry for her. Carmen knew nothing of love. Of how it felt to be held by someone and feel safe and protected. To be cherished and cared for. Wanted. Desired. Loved unconditionally.

  “You’ll not be allowed back on the mountain, Carmen. Regardless if I’m there, Garrett won’t let you go back. He’ll protect the pack anyway he can even if that means killing you to do so.”

  “He’ll not succeed.” Carmen took a few steps, testing her strength, Rayna thought, before straightening her spine to stand her full height. “Shall we finish this?”

  The fight with Carmen’s wolf was the first Rayna had ever been in and facing the woman now wasn’t any less daunting. Violence wasn’t something she’d ever had a need for. Today looked like a first for many things.

  When Carmen came at her, Rayna raised her arm and swung. To her surprise, her claws were still out. She slashed a deep gash across Carmen’s shoulder before she was knocked away.

  Carmen’s blows were powerful enough to leave Rayna dazed, her vision blurring before returning to normal. The fact she was fighting a naked woman who, even though weak, still gave better than she got didn’t escape her. The entire scene would have been amusing had she not known at any minute, Carmen could gain the upper hand and kill her.

  They traveled the length of the clearing and back again before Carmen grabbed her by both arms, lifted her and tossed her across the clearing. She landed in a bed of pine needles, her breath coming in short gasps.

  Next to her head lay the limb Carmen had taken from her earlier. She grabbed it, intent on making a club out of it again and climbed to her feet. When Carmen jumped at her, Rayna screamed and swung.

  The blow knocked Carmen across the clearing.

  Adrenaline was rushing through her system; the wolf howled inside her head and instinctively, Rayna rushed across the clearing and brought the club down again. She hit her twice more before Carmen grabbed it and yanked it from her hands.

  Rayna fell, her head hitting the ground hard enough to daze her. When Carmen grabbed her by the hair, Rayna turned her upper body and raised her hand, claws extended. They sank into Carmen’s stomach.

  A warm gush of blood ran down both hands as Carmen screamed. Rayna dug deeper, digging her fingers into the tender flesh and didn’t stop until Carmen’s body went rigid, her eyes becoming unfocused.

  When she slumped forward, Rayna jerked her hands away and rolled.

  Rayna stared wide-eyed at Carmen. Her gurgling, blood filled cries caused the hair on Rayna’s body to stand on end. She crawled to her feet and put as much distance as she could between them before her knees gave out. She watched as spasms wracked Carmen’s body, her cries dying to nothing before she finally stopped moving.

  The silence was deafening.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “She’s dead.”

  Rayna stared at Carmen’s body, her eyes burning with unshed tears, before looking up at Chad. He’d rushed into the clearing moments ago causing Rayna’s heart to slam against her rib cage and weaken her to the point of exhaustion. He was followed by shifters. Two wolves and a lion, all of them on four legs. They stood to the edge of the clearing, quietly watching as Chad checked on Carmen.

  Chad stood and moved to where Judith lay, checking her for a pulse. In the dazed aftermath of Carmen’s attack, Rayna had forgotten her friend. Seeing her now, back in human form and bleeding, caused a pang of guilt to tighten Rayna’s chest. How could she have forgotten? Chad’s heavy sigh, and the look of relief that covered his face, let Rayna know her friend would be okay. The gash in her side would take time to heal but her injuries weren’t life threatening.

  One of the wolves moved toward her and stood by her side. She wasn’t sure who it was but knew it was one of her pack. He smelled familiar. The streaks of gray in his fur led her to believe it was Henry but she wasn’t sure. She swallowed to moisten her throat. “Is Garrett okay?”

  “He is.” Chad removed his jacket, laying it over Judith’s prone form before turning his head to look at her. He offered her a smile but it looked strained. “He was making sure we all made it into the forest last I saw him. I’m sure he’ll be along any moment now.”

  They sat in silence for long minutes. Rayna’s fears and doubt resurfaced. Was this the part where she found out Carmen had been telling the truth? That Garrett was helping Victor in exchange for Breed Leader status?

  The sound of rustling bushes and feet hitting the ground drew their attention. Three wolves burst into the clearing. Two were upright in the form most Alphas preferred and the third, a massive four-legged beast, came straight to her. It was Garrett. She knew without asking. Her pulse leaped and her wolf stirred. She tried to smile but failed. He walked toward her, nuzzling the side of her face before licking the cheek Carmen’s claws had cut.

  “I want to go home.” He made a sound, not exactly a growl but close. He turned to look at Chad.

  “If you can find a way to the parking lot without having to go straight through the park,” Chad said, “I’ll get you all out of here.”

  Gavin, still in wolf form stepped forward. “We’ll stay. We haven’t fed and we’ll not all fit into your car.” He looked to Garrett, lowering his head slightly. “If you think its safe, of course.”

  Garrett made another sound deep in his chest and nodded his head before looking at Chad. His friend was still hovering over Judith. Gavin crossed the clearing, leaning down and lifting Chad’s jacket to see the gash in her side. “She’ll be fine.” He looked up at Chad. “The healing will not take long.”

  Chad looked relieved. He exhaled deeply, his shoulders moving with the action. When he turned back to face them, he said, “Well, one of you wolves find us a path and we’ll get out of here. I’m with Rayna. I’m ready to go home.”

  * * * *

  The drive back to Chad’s house seemed to take ages. Rayna knew without being told they were all in a bit of shock. There wasn’t a one of them not covered in blood. Judith was in the worst shape. Chad insisted on taking her to a hospital but they couldn’t risk it. Rayna assured him she would heal. Her wounds were probably already closed.

  When they reached the house, Chad drove around to the back door. He carried Judith inside and Rayna waited with Garrett inside the car. The wolf was still present. She looked at him, his fur coated with blood and matted, and sighed. “Are you going to shift out here or inside the house?”

  He tilted his head at her before looking around Chad’s backyard. There were trees but not enough cover to hide a shifting werewolf. She wasn’t sure how Chad would feel getting his house coated in werewolf slime but they had little choice.

  Getting out of the car, Rayna looked at the surrounding houses before
motioning for Garrett to follow. He’d run into the house and through the kitchen by the time she came in and shut the door.

  She could hear voices and followed them to the living room. Chad was there with Judith. He was talking to Garrett…or she thought he was. When she heard the sound of whimpers she traced the sound to a small, wiry haired dog. It was cowering near the sofa.

  “Stop scaring the dog, Garrett.”

  “Which one are you talking to?” Chad asked. “They’re both named Garrett.” He grinned at her before picking Judith up. “I’m going to help her get cleaned up. You’re welcome to use the guestroom and the bath.”

  When he left, Rayna turned to Garrett… her mate, and grinned. “He named his dog after you?”

  Garrett bared his teeth and growled before walking away, down the hall. She laughed and followed him into the bathroom. He was already shifting when she shut the door behind her.

  She turned on the shower before stripping her torn clothes off. Garrett was sitting on the floor, his head lowered. They were both beaten, bloodied and tired.

  Helping him into the shower, they washed each other until every trace of what The Collective—and Carmen— had put them through was removed. Rayna dried them both, wrapped towels around them, and stumbled with Garrett to a bedroom at the end of the hall, collapsing on the bed.

  They lay in a heap of limbs for long minutes before Garrett finally stirred. “I love you.”

  Rayna slid closer to him. “And I love you.” She buried her face against his chest, taking in the clean scent of his flesh. The entire day played again in her minds eye. The battle with Carmen, and her death by her hand, was what weighed most heavily on her conscience.

  Garrett must have known what she was thinking. His arms closed around her, his breath warm against her face. “It was either her or you.”

  “I know.” Rayna knew thoughts of Carmen would plague her. She’d never taken a life. Although Carmen would have killed her without flinching, Rayna would never have imagined it. Everyone deserved to live. Even Carmen. As ruthless as the woman was, who was she to say who lived and died? “Does the pain go away?”