Becoming Briar

by Erin West

  The corners of his mouth pull down. “How about extra protection for Rose?”

  Oh, hell no. Why do they still feel the need to treat me like I can’t take care of myself?

  My fork clatters to the plate. “What do you mean, extra protection? I can defend myself just fine. Haven’t I already proven that to you?” I cross my arms over my heaving chest.

  “It’s not that we doubt you, love. I think I can say for all of us that we don’t want anything to happen to you,” Drake pleads. “Please, let us try to keep you safe.”

  Bael shoves another bite into his mouth, chewing. “Just let them make you a little protection trinket to make them feel as if they have done something. We both know that you don’t need it.” He winks before finishing off his food.

  One out of four isn’t bad, I guess. I sigh and straighten my spine. “Fine.”

  Mia slings an arm over my shoulders. “It will be great. I’m staying here while I check everything out, and we’ll be able to have girl days.”

  Bael raises his head up with a scowl. “She doesn’t need to be leaving the house with he that can’t be named and my father after her. You can’t possibly know what they are capable of.”

  I roll my eyes. “So everyone keeps saying.”

  Standing, he closes the distance between us and cups my face, bringing his nose to mine. “Really, Briar. Promise me you won’t leave without one of us.”

  “I promise.” I nod against his hands, his familiar heat radiating from his touch.

  Chapter Fourteen

  There’s a knock on the bedroom door, then another, faster knock.

  “Hurry up, girl. I’ve got something to show you.” Mia’s words come through the door, her foot tapping in staccato. She knocks again. “You’re taking all day.”

  Opening the door, I laugh. “You’re so impatient. What do you have to show me?”

  She grabs my hand and drags me behind her to the study downstairs. Laughing the entire way, I jog to keep up with her pace.

  I sit on one of the couches. “Sheesh, what’s so important?”

  Bouncing from foot to foot, she grins at me. “This.” She pulls out a beautiful dark leather sheath, etched with scrollwork. “It’s for your dagger, and I spelled it so no one can see it except for you.”

  Wait a second… My eyebrows furrow. “How do you know about my dagger?”

  She shrugs one shoulder. “Drake told me about it. He asked me to make you something for it.”

  Heat radiates through my chest as I take it from her, the scent of leather reaching my nose while I run my fingers along the etch work. “It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.”

  She claps her hands in front of her. “Go ahead. Try it on.”

  I pull the dagger out and her eyes widen. It slides into the sheath, the silver and jeweled handle showing out of the top. With the top and bottom straps, I wrap it around my upper right thigh and snap them together.

  After making a few adjustments, I meet Mia’s gaze. “It’s perfect. Can you see it?”

  “Of course it is. I made it.” She gives me a sassy grin. “No, I can’t see it. The spell worked perfectly.”

  Running over, I wrap my arms around her neck and give her a big hug. “It’s just what I needed.”

  Drake and Eli join us a few minutes later. Eli’s features appear a little drawn. He’ll need to feed soon. We don’t know when something unexpected will happen again, and I couldn’t live with myself if he died because he wasn’t at full strength.

  He caresses my cheek and places a kiss on my lips.

  I meet his gaze. “You need to feed in a little bit.”

  When he doesn’t argue, only nods, I know I speak the truth. “Yes, we can, after we are finished in here.”

  Letting me go, he goes to the bar-top area where the scotch is.

  Drake embraces me. “I’ve missed you, love.” He’s always such a sweet talker.

  I roll my eyes at him before initiating the kiss. “I’ve missed you, too. But it’s only been a couple of hours since you saw me.”

  He smiles, revealing his dimple. “It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. If I’m not with you, it’s too long.”

  My heart flutters in my chest. He has a way of doing that to me.

  He glances at Eli. “Pour me one, too.”

  Eli nods, pouring the amber liquid in a snifter.

  Drake takes it from him, swallowing a swig of liquor. “Did she give it to you?”

  Can he not see it either? I furrow my eyebrows. “Did she give me what?” I can’t help but mess with him a little first.

  His gaze swings to Mia. She widens her eyes at him and makes a slashing motion across her throat, playing along with me.

  That’s why I love her.

  He takes another drink. “Oh, nothing. It’s a surprise.”

  Staring at Mia, then Drake, I narrow my gaze. “No. What is it?”

  He sighs. “If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

  I grin and pull the dagger out of the sheath. “Oh, you mean this?”

  Eli chuckles beside me as Drake opens and closes his mouth, then shakes his head. “Yes. You devil.”

  Sliding the dagger back into the sheath, I shrug. “I couldn’t help myself.”

  My power courses through me at full strength. Oren appears at the door with a five o’clock shadow and looking a little unkempt.

  I squeal and run over to him, leaping into his arms and kissing all over his face. Three days is too damn long to be away from any of them.

  His deep laughter sends butterflies fluttering through my stomach. “Well, this is a nice welcome.”

  “I’m excited to see you.” I grin at him.

  Grumbles come from across the room. Will being with them get any easier as time goes on? I can only hope.

  Gray smoke swirls in front of the couch and Bael appears. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

  Oren sets me down, not taking his hands off of my hips, and Bael frowns. “Where’s my welcome back?”

  I break away and give him a kiss.

  His lips downturn at the corners. “That’s all I get?”

  I shake my head. “You haven’t been gone that long.”

  He glances around the room. “I see how much I’m appreciated.”

  We all laugh, then a phone ringing cuts through the noise.

  Drake pulls his phone out of his pocket. “What’s up?”

  Using my enhanced hearing, I make out Leo’s voice. “We have a problem. Claudia and Faith’s wounds aren’t healing. You need to come back, and bring a witch to help.”

  Drake runs his fingers through his hair. “All right. I’ll be over there as fast as I can.” He swipes his phone, sliding it back into his pocket. “Shit.”

  He meets my gaze. “You heard?”

  I nod. “I’m coming with you.”

  He scowls. “No, you need to stay here where you’ll be safe.”

  Crossing my arms, I jut my hip out. “I’m coming, whether I ride with you or I drive myself.”

  Running his fingers through his hair again, he looks to the others. “Are you going to back me up?”

  Oren steps behind me. “We can all go. Then she will be better protected.”

  Drake throws his hands up in the air. “Fine. Let’s go then.”

  We arrive at Drake’s house with Mia in tow. If we need a witch, I can’t think of anyone better to have with us and she was already there.

  The house is quiet and dark. My scalp prickles and I lick my lips, keeping my ears open. Three heartbeats sound from the living room, and I follow Drake.

  Leo, Claudia, and Faith face us as we enter.

  Drake’s back tenses and his eyes glow. “What the fuck is going on, Leo?” His wolf bleeds through his voice.

  Leo laughs. “He says to join our side and he’ll let you live. But she doesn’t have a chance.”

  A collective growl from my mates surrounds me. Is this ‘he’ Rumple?

  Drake’s fist conn
ects with the other shifter’s jaw, and he grabs him by the throat. Leo doesn’t break eye contact. He continues to chuckle around the grip on his throat.

  Has he lost his mind?

  “Tell him to go fuck himself. We’ll be seeing him soon.” Drake throws Leo on the ground before closing the distance and placing himself in front of me again.

  Claudia saunters over, running her fingernails down the front of Drake’s abdomen. “You should have chosen me. What a sticky situation you have found yourself in. And all of this is her fault.”

  Who the hell does she think she is? My fire sparks to an inferno at my call, and I hold my hand up. A cooling sensation runs through me as Oren places his hand over mine.

  My gaze blazes when I stare at him, and he shakes his head.

  Drake shoves her hand away. “Don’t fucking touch me again, Claudia.”

  Her cackle grates on my nerves.

  Men and women with yellow glowing eyes stand outside of every available window and door in our line of sight.

  Drake’s eyes glow amber, his alpha power flowing out of him. “They aren’t submitting to me.”

  At the same time, they all start tapping on the glass with toothy smiles, the sound echoing through Drake’s house.

  The men form a circle around me, blocking my view.

  Faith’s soft voice breaks through the tapping. “She should have died that first night you brought her to me.”

  Drake’s voice softens. “You don’t mean that. You’re a healer. You always want to help others.”

  Hatred makes her tone hard. “She took you away from me. I could kill her myself.”

  Wow. She’s not holding back how she feels.

  Power swirls around the room again, and he grunts. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  The tapping continues. I haven’t met all of Drake’s pack, but I can discern several of the faces amongst the horde.

  “Why are they going to attack? Aren’t they your pack?” Oren’s chest rumbles against my back.

  Leo steps into our line of sight. “We follow a more powerful leader now.”

  Drake separates himself from the group, walking over to the French doors off the kitchen.

  Mia whispers in my ear, “This shit is better than watching Jerry Springer. All I need is some popcorn.”

  I sigh. “Now is not the time.”

  She squeezes my shoulder. “Sorry, girl.”

  Eli breaks the tension. “This doesn’t bode well for the coming battle, not if he can mind control your entire pack to turn on you. He’s playing with us.”

  The same chuckle I heard in the woods whispers through the air, “I’m going to get you, my pretty.”

  Holy shit. That isn’t good news.

  The pack members start to converge on us, breaking glass and climbing through doors and windows. My body hums with power, the Quinfecta symbol glowing and the dagger on my side pulsing. Eli and Amon step to the side, letting me out of the circle. The power builds inside until I can’t hold it in any longer. I don’t know what on Earth I’m doing, but I’m going to wing it. I lift my face up to the ceiling. I need to break the mind control somehow.

  With that intent, I release the buildup of power out in a blinding burst of light. The room stills, like it’s a collective breath being held.

  Almost immediately, the shifter pack stops progressing toward us, and the glow from their eyes dims. Leo steps forward, meeting Drake halfway. His alpha power pulsates through the room, and the shifters fall to their knees. Leo drops to one knee. “Why are we all here, Drake?”

  The anger wafts off Drake in waves of fury. His jaw is clenched and hands are fisted at his sides. “You don’t remember?”

  Leo shakes his head.

  “The entire pack was trying to kill my mate.” His voice is more wolf than human.

  Leo’s head shoots up to meet Drake’s gaze before he drops it again. “Why would we harm your mate?”

  We step outside to address the pack. A cloaked figure emerges from the woods, walking with purposeful strides. The mercenaries that attacked us in the Underworld follow a short distance behind him.

  The man stops five hundred feet away, not removing his hood. The voice from that day in the woods with Oren carries across the distance. “You thought you could hide from me? I have eyes and ears everywhere. But this will soon come to an end.”

  I take a step forward, and a hand grabs my arm to keep me close. Pulling away, I pace in front of my mates, all standing in a line, their backs stiff with tension. I’ll have to hear later about how I put myself at unnecessary risk.

  But it’s not. Rumple needs to be dealt with, and it’s me he’s after.

  Bael’s angry voice yells through my mind. Are you trying to get yourself killed? Do you not realize what that will do to me? To each of us?

  I push him out of my head; I just can’t deal with that and Rumple right now. Protecting those I love is more important.

  Holding my arms out to the side, I face him. “Who’s the one hiding now? You have your face hidden and mercenaries, men to do your dirty work for you, at your back. You’re nothing but a coward.”

  Maybe if I bait him, he will slip up and make a mistake. This could all end here.

  Rumple chuckles. “It won’t work on me, little girl. I’m much too old for these games.”

  I raise my hand and motion for him to come toward me. “Then come on. Let’s settle this, just me and you.”

  The pack members join behind us, showing a united front. My chest constricts at the show of support from the group that once despised me. They may not be fully with me, but at least we can come together against a common enemy.

  Turning my hand toward Rumple, I pull on all my powers, the fire rising to my palm.

  He takes a step back, then another, and his voice carries on the wind. “We will finish this another day.”

  With that, he disappears, along with the other men.

  Where did he go? Why did he leave?

  The flames extinguish from my hand, the Quinfecta symbol glowing silver. Huh. That’s new.

  Drake grunts. “Take some enforcers and check to see how he broke through our security.”

  Leo and the enforcers from the first night in my apartment leave, shifting as they run toward the woods.

  The remaining pack members stand, waiting for instructions from their alpha.

  “The rest of you, go home and rest. We have a war to prepare for.” Drake dismisses them, walking over to our circle. “Let’s talk in the office.”

  My stomach growls loud enough for the shifters around us to hear. I guess it has been a while since I've eaten anything.

  The conversation stops, and Drake turns toward some of the pack standing nearby. “Can someone fix enough lunch for all of us?”

  He walks to the door, holding it open for us to enter. In unison, we follow him into his home office.

  Black wings grab my attention, and Amon leans on the fireplace mantle, arms crossed over his chest. “Heard you had a bit of excitement.”

  I take a seat on one of the couches in the sitting area.

  “You could say that.” A yawn stretches across my lips. The events from the last few days and the exertion are beginning to wear on me.

  “Well, these are some unforeseen circumstances,” Eli growls at the other men in the room. “How are we going to be able to tell who's on our side now?”

  “I don't know. But at least Rose can break them from his mind control.” Oren’s been quiet until now.

  “How are you feeling?” His tone softens as he places a hand on my back.

  Tingles flare out where he touches, and power restores a little.

  “I'm feeling better now. I don't know how I broke his control over so many.” I lower my head.

  The door opens, and a woman shifter walks in, carrying a catering dish full of chicken alfredo. The strong aroma of garlic, cheese, and chicken fills the office. She places the dish on the table between the couches, then nods her head
to Drake before she turns and leaves, closing the door behind her.

  I grab a plate and some silverware from the bar area, then scoop up some of the cheesy pasta before taking a seat. I moan as my taste buds explode from the garlic and spices, savoring every bite until it's gone. A new burst of energy floods through me.

  The men dig into their own plates before getting seconds.

  I meet each of their gazes. “We need to up the training schedule if we have a chance of beating these two dark forces.”

  “I can work with you on connecting with your Fae side before I have to head back to Kheelan.” Oren’s voice sounds strained and the corners of his eyes seem tight.

  Does he not want to be around me? He’s always running back to Kheelan. “You’re going back already?”

  “Yes. I’m doing as much as I can in the Fae realm to prepare for the battle. We will need allies wherever we can get them.” He walks over, pulling me up from the couch and wrapping his arms around me.

  I sigh, sinking into his hold and burying my face in his neck, his touch cooling the fire within. I need this as much as I need the others’ touch. I pull back and walk over to the fireplace mantle, turning to face them.

  “I know we need to prepare, but our bonds need to be strengthened as well. I’m tired. Can we take a nap?” My hand covers my mouth as a big yawn escapes.

  Bael waves his hand toward the door. “Go get some rest. We will plan while you sleep.”

  My chest squeezes. “I meant for all of us to take a nap… together.” My gaze lands on Amon. “Well, except for you.”

  He clutches his chest. “You wound me. I’m a great snuggler.” He folds his black wings around the front of him.

  I laugh at the faux wounded expression on his face when he moves his wings back in place.

  Eli curls his lip up. “I guess we can all take a nap, if that’s what you want to do.” His tone sounds reluctant.

  Drake, Bael, and Oren nod and head toward the door. No one looks thrilled with my idea, but they aren’t fighting me about it. I’ll consider it a win.

  I follow them out of the office and upstairs into a guest room with a king-sized bed. The four of them surround the bed on opposite sides, waiting on me. My lips lift in a wide smile as I crawl into the center of the mattress. It dips on both sides, Oren taking a spot on my left and Bael laying on my right. Drake and Eli take a seat in the wingback chairs at the foot of the bed.