by Lola Taylor
Onyx chuckled, spitting up blood. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
“Why don’t you inform us?” Gage said in a steely tone.
Onyx shook his head, his eyes wild with pain. “I am but a pawn for the greater good. My master will bring forth a whole new world for us, one where we don’t have to hide or be persecuted for being different.”
Nik looked at Gage. “He’s gone mad.”
“You’re all fools!” Onyx sang. “When the never-ending night falls, anyone who stands against her will die!”
“Who?” Nik shook him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Onyx started chuckling again. “Mis—”
There was a cracking sound, and black foam spilled from Onyx’s mouth.
Gage grabbed Nik, yanking him up as the liquid spewed from the were’s mouth like a geyser. “Someone just detonated a killing spell. Don’t touch it.”
“Yeah, I kind of figured that,” Nik said dryly, shrugging out of his brother’s grasp.
Onyx slowly stilled, his eyes finding them once more. “The end… has… only… begun…”
Silence filled the warehouse as Onyx’s last breath was spent delivering the cryptic message.
“What do you think he meant?” Nik asked.
Gage sighed and pulled Danica closer, who couldn’t take her eyes off the dead man. “I don’t know. But something tells me this isn’t over yet.”
As per paranormal law, the DPI was called shortly thereafter. The Department of Paranormal Investigation, made entirely of paranormals, crawled the area, asking the Moonstruck wolves questions, which Danica backed up. After about an hour and a half of questioning, they were free to go. No one spoke on the drive back from the warehouse, though Danica knew what was on everyone’s minds.
What kind of revolution had Onyx been talking about? Was there some sort of civil war about to break out in the Underworld?
She waited until they were back at the manor and in their bedroom to ask Gage about it. “What do you think Onyx was talking about?”
“Probably the ramblings of a cult,” he said, rinsing off his face. They were in the bathroom, with Danica leaned up against the door with her arms crossed. “I have a contact in the DPI who’s supposed to let me know if they find anything.”
“And you trust this person?”
“With my life. She’s actually an ex of Nik’s.”
“Wow. It’s nice to have friends in high places, I guess.”
“As a royal were, that’s crucial.” He toweled off and came to her, grasping her shoulders. “I know you’ve endured so much, and if this were any other time, I wouldn’t press it. But the Blood Moon rises three nights from now.”
“So we need to be mated, or forever hold our bachelor-hood, er, bachelorette-hood. You know what I mean.”
“Yes. Danica, I don’t want to push you into anything you don’t—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “I already made up my mind back in the cave, when I saw what you were willing to do to protect me.”
Gage held perfectly still. It didn’t even look like he was breathing. “And your answer is…?”
She smiled brightly. “Yes, Gage. I’ll be your mate.”
Guilt overshadowed the brief flickering of happiness she saw in his eyes. “I don’t want you to feel like you owe me anything.”
“I’ve lived in the same house my entire life, but it never felt like home. This town never felt like home. Then I met you.”
His gaze softened. “Danica—”
“And,” she went on before he could interrupt again, “I want you to know I’m not doing this out of some need to repay you or because I’m some desperate, lonely woman.” She pressed his hand to her chest, right over her heart. “I’m doing it because I feel a connection between us I feel is worth exploring. You make me feel safe. For the first time in my life, I feel wanted. Needed, even.” She took a shaky breath. “And I want you to know I need you, too.”
For a moment, he looked stunned. Then he smiled and swung her up into the air, twirling her. She giggled as he nuzzled her neck. “Danica, you have no idea how happy you’ve just made me. I swear to you I’ll always be loyal and true, and I’ll protect you with my life.”
“As I shall do for you,” she said softly as he set her down and she stared up into his eyes.
Gage bent down and kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, that familiar feeling of “home” wrapping around her.
The next three days were a blur of grief for the fallen werewolves and anticipation for the upcoming mating ceremony. The weather had been overcast for the funerals, the air heavy with sadness. Danica hated funerals. She generally disliked anything that made her really sad. Though she hadn’t known the young wolves who were killed, she felt their loss all the same. Gage had said it was because of her growing pack-bond to them. She wondered what other changes she would face. Gage told her since they’d mate on the upcoming full moon, her first Change wouldn’t officially happen until the following month. She didn’t know whether to be excited or disappointed. On one hand, she was relieved she didn’t have to face it now. On the other hand, that meant she had another whole month to get worked up about it. But it was hard to focus on being nervous about the Change when her stomach was alight with butterflies over the mating ceremony.
The third night snuck up on her. It was beautiful out. It wasn’t even that cold, being only fifty degrees. They stood out on the lawn under the light of the blood-red, full moon, surrounded by Gage’s pack. Gage swore to them he bore them no ill will for not aiding in the retrieval of his mate, but Danica could see the hurt in his eyes. It pained him his comrades hadn’t come to his aid when he needed them most. From what he told her, Malachite’s rule had been bloody and full of sorrow. Gage said it would take a long time to heal those wounds when he was sheltering so many traumatized wolves.
She stood by him, holding his hand, both of them dressed in the white ceremonial robes of the mating couple. Nik was performing the ceremony, a sort of “were wedding.” A roaring bonfire sat behind Nik, warming the altar on the grass in front of it. The altar was much like a bed, with silk blankets and flowers strewn along the rim. Danica’s cheeks burned as she stared at it. Gage had explained to her how it worked, that they must consummate their vows before the pack since they were royal weres. Having sex in front of a group of strangers made her stomach crawl with butterflies, but she couldn’t deny the thrill at finally becoming one with the man she desired more than anything else in the world.
Gage looked handsome, the firelight bouncing off his freshly shaved face. Clean-shaven, he looked a few years younger, and his eyes were alight with happiness as he gazed at her.
“Do you, Gage Johnson, Packmaster of the Moonstruck Pack, hereby take Danica Williams to be your queen?”
“I do,” Gage said, his gaze never wavering from hers.
“And do you, Danica Williams, Marked by Packmaster Gage Johnson of the Moonstruck Pack, vow to take Gage as your king?”
“I do,” she said, nerves tickling her belly.
“Hold out your palms.”
Danica wasn’t too crazy about this part, but she knew it had to be done. Nik produced a ceremonial dagger and ran the blade first across Gage’s palm, then hers. He was as gentle as he could be with hers, making a light incision. “Join hands.”
Gage took Danica’s palm in his own. “You okay?” he whispered.
She nodded. “Never better.”
He smiled wistfully, leaning his forehead against hers.
“By taking this blood oath, you are bound for life. Do you both swear to remain faithful to one another and protect one another until you draw your last breaths?”
“I do,” Gage and Danica both answered at the same time.
“Then let it be.” Nik ran the bloodied dagger through the flames and embedded the blade in the ground. “Do our brothers acknowledge this alliance?”
“Yes,” the other weres ans
wered.
“Then let it be known from this day on you are lawfully mates. Please proceed to the mating bed.”
Finally, the last stage of the ritual. Danica’s heart rate kicked into high gear as Gage led her to the bed and removed her robe. It fell away and he tossed it onto the grass. The night air, along with the desire coursing through her veins like fire, made her nipples swell and harden. Gage let his hungry gaze rove over her bare body, and she caught her breath as she finished untying his belt and removed his robe.
He was beautiful. Though she’d seen him naked before, he seemed to glow with a pale blue light. Her eyes fell on the erection that was already hardened between his legs.
“Are you ready?” he whispered, taking her hands in his.
Her heart hammered inside her chest, making her breathless. She nodded and her voice shook when she spoke. “I’m ready.”
Tenderly, he lowered her onto the silk sheets. He lay beside her, shielding her from the onlooking stares of their packmates as he pulled a sheet up to cover them. “Don’t think about them,” he said into her ear. “This night—this moment—is for us.”
“For us,” she murmured as he gently brought his mouth down on hers.
The kiss was tender and sweet as his fingers tested her, seeing if she was prepared for him.
She moaned as he touched her, spreading her legs. Slowly, he repositioned himself over her, spreading her legs apart so her knees were on either side of his hips. “Don’t let me hurt you,” he breathed. “Tell me if I’m hurting you.”
He lowered himself inside her, pushing farther, making her stretch. She sighed with pleasure as he went deeper, and she brought her hips up to meet his, allowing him full access. “Deeper,” she breathed. She reached around and pressed his butt down. Another inch and he was fully sheathed.
He groaned deep in his throat, arching his back and holding that position for a few seconds before beginning to gently work his hips. He kissed her, and she closed her eyes, forgetting she was lying under the stars, being watched by a group of strangers who began chanting in a language she didn’t know.
The strange blue light enveloped them both, seeming to leak out of his skin and covering hers. The tattoo along her hand lit up like starlight, as did the Mark along his shoulder, where he explained his maker had bit him.
Faster and faster Gage moved, their lovemaking turning into something feral. She could feel herself coming to climax, could feel the fire growing with every stroke. The light intensified, lighting up the area.
“Danica,” Gage breathed against her neck.
“Yes,” she said, clawing at his back and whimpering. “Yes, more. Oh, Gage.”
She cried out as she came, arching her back and writhing as pleasure exploded deep inside her. Gage growled about the same time, arching his back and pumping hard and deep as he deposited his seed inside her. The light burst from them, and the crowd cheered with whoops and hollers.
When the light receded, Danica and Gage lay there, soaked in sweat, staring at each other. Her eyes followed the traces of swirling blue tattoo along his shoulders and arms. An identical one ran all the way from her hand and up her arm, flowering along her chest and down the other arm. Only mated wolves had these types of “complete tattoos,” Gage had explained to her the night before. Which meant…
“Are we…?” she breathed.
“Yes.” He reached up and pulled her face toward his, kissing her softly. “We are one.”
She rested her head against his. “Forever.”
He smiled. “Forever.”
The party commenced shortly thereafter. Gage, cloaked in his ceremonial robe again, stood near the fire, watching his mate with a smile. The other members of the pack were greeting her, welcoming her into their fold with hugs and kisses on the cheek.
A warm glow filled Gage’s chest. He had heard the mating bond was unlike any kind of human tie, like literally becoming “whole.” It had been a long time since he’d seen his pack this happy, and his Danica was all smiles as she warmly embraced her packmates, though her eyes kept cutting to him every now and then.
His cock quivered in anticipation of later that night when he took her back up to his—no, their—bedroom. Mating with her had been everything he had dreamed it would be. And he planned to make her dizzy with pleasure later.
Nik came up beside him, taking a swig of a beer. Tables had been set up with refreshments, including several kegs, and a stereo system had been brought outside with an extension cord. “Congrats,” Nik said.
“Thanks.” He sighed. “I’m glad I can stop worrying about this whole mating Fever thing now.”
“But now you have a mate to take care of.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Nik grinned and offered him the beer. Gage accepted it and took a long pull. It was ice-cold, the only way to drink a beer in Gage’s opinion.
“So I just got a call from Verika,” Nik said.
Gage raised a brow. “Thinking about rekindling things?”
“No, no. Some things are best left alone.” He smiled ruefully.
Gage had never said it aloud, but he thought some part of Nik hadn’t let Verika go. She was the closest he’d come to loving someone, but when he didn’t mark her, they both knew it was only a matter of time before he found his mate and the bond tore their relationship apart. Gage felt bad for them. It was both the gift and the curse of being a were.
“She subpoenaed the calling records from the manor.”
Gage tensed at the grave expression on Nik’s face. “And?”
“Turns out several late-night calls were going to a private number.” Nik looked at him. “Gage, the calls were all coming from the manor.”
“Do we know whom the calls were going to?”
“No,” Nik said with a frustrated sigh. “Someone’s got the line protected by magic. Verika’s working on breaking it.” He was quiet for a moment. “You know what this means, right?” he said quietly.
Gage inhaled a breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah.” He looked his brother in the eyes.
“It means someone in my pack has possibly betrayed us.”
END OF BOOK 1
If there’s one thing Nik Johnson can’t stand, it’s the thought of finding his mate. Which, apparently, he’ll have to do soon, since his mating Fever has finally arrived. With his thoughts still hung up on his former lover, he’s given up the hope of ever finding a love that perfect again. Until he meets Alara….
Alara Crescent has had anything but a charmed life, despite her family’s status as high family within the werewolf world. Ridiculed constantly for her weight by her cruel mother and father, she’s beginning to wonder if she’ll ever be accepted for who she truly is. Then one fateful encounter delivers her right into the arms of the man she’s destined to have.
When someone starts assassinating the royal family, Nik takes it upon himself to protect the woman he’s marked—a woman who would as soon bite him as love him. Despite their prejudices, can the two of them find true love before the Blood Moon rises?
Fall needed to slow the hell down. Nik Johnson couldn’t believe it had already been three weeks since he, his brother, and the young werewolf Jason had fought Onyx for Danica’s life. Things had been eerily peaceful since.
And if life had taught Nik anything, it was that peace never lasted for long.
He gripped the steering wheel of the Honda Odyssey, his jaw clenching. They’d had no more leads on Mistress Black since the incident. Not even the DPI was able to uncover anything. Nik suspected the witch mafia had gone dark to cover their tracks. Smart move. He would’ve done the same in their shoes.
It still wouldn’t stop him ripping their throats out with his jaws when the time came.
You thinking about the mafia again? came Gage’s voice in his head.
Nik glanced in the rearview mirror, catching his younger brother’s worried eyes. Reading minds now, Your Highness?
Gage’s jaw ticked as
it always did at the mention of his formal title. Nik liked to dig it in just for shits and giggles. Something will turn up. That’s one of the reasons we’re going to this summit.
We’re going because we have no other choice. It’s not like we can ignore a summons from the High King, Nik said, scowling. And I’m only going to bail your ass out of trouble.
Who says I’m looking for trouble?
We’re Johnson brothers. Since when does trouble not come find us?
Gage grinned. Point made.
What are you two talking about? came Danica’s voice. The lovely blonde looked more luminous than ever now that she was nearing her first Change. Nik could tell Gage was anxious; he hadn’t taken his hand off her thigh since they got in the car and started driving over an hour ago. The champagne-colored ball gown she wore flared at the hips slightly, the taffeta skirt inlaid with silver beading and glittering green vines that matched the hue of her startling eyes. Her swirling, dark-blue Mark shimmered down her arms and along her chest and upper back. She was radiant. Nik couldn’t be more proud of her, of the queen she’d become.
Nothing, lil sis, Nik assured her. Just telling my baby brother how dazzling the two of you look together. Gage’s tux and dark hair complemented Danica’s lighter look, like light and darkness.
Danica giggled. Nik enjoyed making her smile. She’d been through so much. I’m sure, tiger.
Jason put down his Nintendo 3DS and turned around in his seat beside Nik. “Man, am I missing out on a wolf conversation again?” In the tux, he looked a lot younger than he was, like he was going to prom and not a summit for all the packmasters.
“Don’t worry,” Gage said, winking at him. “You didn’t miss out on anything too exciting. Just more of Nik’s brooding.”
“I am not brooding,” Nik said. “I’m just thinking about how much I’m going to dread seeing this lot of egotistical, pompous assholes.”
