by Anya Bast
“Ugh! I don’t even know them!”
“You know them better than you think. If it goes anything like how it went between Rafian, Lucas and I, you’ll be surprised by how much.”
She sank down next to her again. “They scare me. Kaiden kissed me last night and I thought I would lose my mind, not to mention my underwear.”
Kaitlyn laughed. “These are very potent males.”
“I don’t want to lose myself in them. They’re overwhelming.”
“But their way is gentle. They are very much men, but they won’t dominate you.” She blushed. “Unless it’s in the bedroom and you want them too.”
“Oh, my god.”
Kaitlyn cleared her throat. “What I’m saying is, you’re not going to end up barefoot and in the kitchen. These men might be very masculine, but they’re not cavemen. This culture is actually really female-oriented. We wield a lot of power here.”
“Oh, really? How?”
“Come into the village sometime and I’ll introduce you around. Most the people who set the rules and govern here are strong, respected women. Little girls, the few there are, are cherished, but they’re also taught to be strong and one day take leadership positions.”
“And they’re all shapeshifters, right? I just can’t get my head around that.”
Kaitlyn went silent, gaze down, swiping her hand back and forth over the grass.
Paige frowned at her, wondering at the strange look on her sister’s face, then it dawned on her. “Oh, god, please don’t tell me. If you and I have Lycaon DNA, does that mean we can shapeshift too?”
“Uh, yeah.” She looked into Paige’s face. “I’ve already done it. Er, do it. Turns out I’m a hawk shapeshifter.”
Paige’s eyebrows rose. “A…hawk?”
Kaitlyn’s cautious demeanor broke and a smile lit her face. She turned and grabbed Paige’s hand. “Oh, Paige, it’s so amazing to fly! I love it. It was really hard at first, not so much the flying, but the shifting, but now it’s no—”
“Whoa. I’m still back on hawk. My sister can change into a hawk.”
“Maybe you can too. Or maybe you change into fox or a wolf or a—”
“Uh, you’re getting way ahead of me here, Kaitlyn.”
“I know. Sorry. It took me a while too. I’m just so happy you’re here!” Kaitlyn squealed and tackle hugged her.
Paige laughed, hugging her back. It was so good to be with her again, to know she was all right—whole, healthy, and so very happy. That went a long way to easing her anxiety. “In a super strange way, I’m happy to be here too.” But she was also very worried about Caroline. “At least when I go back, I’ll be able to tell Caroline you’re okay.”
Kaitlyn pulled away. “Paige.”
“I’m not falling in love with these guys and changing my entire life for them. I’m glad you’re happy, but this” —she motioned to the trees around her— “this is not for me.”
Kaitlyn just smiled.
“What?”
“You say that before you’ve felt the full force of the mate bond.” She nodded so wisely that Paige really wanted to knock her in the side of the head. “You say that now. So did I. You’ll soon change your tune.”
She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Whatever. The most I might do is use these guys for sex. They obviously want to use me for sex, so why not make it reciprocal?”
Kaitlin shook her head. “It’s not like that. Sex with them will go far deeper than what you’re imagining. Even though you’ve just met them, you share an intimate connection—and I don’t mean intimate in a physical sense. You’ll understand soon enough.”
Before Paige could answer, an enormous silver wolf came bounding from the forest into the front yard. Paige screamed and scrambled to her feet, backing away. The thing was as big as a horse and heavily corded with muscle one could clearly see rippling through the beast’s beautiful silky fur.
Kaitlyn casually rose to her feet as the wolf approached. “It’s okay, Paige, it’s just Torrent.”
“What’s a Torrent?” She was still backing toward the house.
“He’s the head dire wolf, ruling alongside, Emma, the female elder.
So this was a dire wolf. Oh, god.
Torrent came to a stop before Kaitlyn and the air around him shimmered. A moment later and a huge, gorgeous, dark haired man stood before them.
He was gloriously naked.
Paige swept her gaze over his body, and then turned her face away, coloring. Kaitlyn didn’t seem fazed by it, nor did the man seem chagrined to be standing before them in his birthday suit.
“Paige Gannet?” came the man’s deep voice.
“Uh, yes?” Paige kept her eyes averted.
“It’s okay, Paige,” said Kaitlyn, laughing. “I know it’s strange at first, but the Lycaon don’t have the same sense of modesty as humans. He won’t be offended if you look at him.”
“I’m not worried about offending him.” She was more worried about embarrassing herself by staring at him. Paige winced, then turned her gaze to the man’s face, willing herself not to drop her gaze. “Uh, yes. That’s me. Hi.”
Torrent’s dark hair was cut close to his head, framing a strong jawed face and beautiful, vaguely troubled blue gray eyes. His mouth spread in a smile, one that didn’t quite reach all the corners of his face. “I welcome you to Selaryica. I hope you can find happiness and peace here.”
She gave him a broad, genuine smile and forgot his nakedness. “Thank you.”
He turned his attention back to Kaitlyn. “I need to speak with all of you. It’s urgent.”
Kaitlyn nodded and turned toward the house, presumably to gather the men, but they were already heading out into the yard.
“Torrent,” greeted Jarek. “I don’t like that look on your face. What’s going on?” The men came to a stop near the women. Kaiden and Jarek both flanked her in a protective way. She hated that she liked it.
“It seems I never visit for a reason other than the threats ranged against us and this occasion is no different.” Torrent’s voice sounded grim.
The energy around Paige seemed to grow a bit more serious.
“What is it, my brother?” asked Lucas.
“Magica scouts were spotted near here, far too near for our comfort. We managed to kill all but one of them and we believe that scout may have sent a message back to the master hunters. We need all available protectors to their guard stations immediately.” He nodded in Paige’s direction. “With the exception of Kaiden. It’s more important you stay with your prospective mate.”
Kaiden made a sound of frustration. “No. As much as I would like to stay behind, I can’t. I need to do my job protecting her and the rest of my people.”
He was counting her as his mate in that sentence and as one of the Lycaon. It should have felt wrong, but, somehow, it didn’t.
Torrent nodded. “As you see fit. Rafian, Lucas and Kaitlyn, I’ll need all of you.”
“Wait a minute. Why Kaitlyn?” Paige stepped toward Torrent. “This sounds dangerous.”
“It is dangerous,” Kaitlyn answered, “But I’m a protector. My eyes as a hawk can see great distances. I’m a true help and happy to do it. I told you, Kaitlyn, the men protect their women here, but they don’t coddle them. They know we’re strong and capable, and they rely on us.”
Okay, maybe, but she was still worried about her sister’s safety. “But...what about the shields? Kaitlyn told me there are sympathetic Magica mages who keep shields up around Lycaon territory to hide it from the Magica hunters. Why can’t you rely on those?”
“Those mages are taking great risks and can be found out at any time,” Torrent answered. “We are grateful beyond words to them, but we can’t trust that they will always be there to help us. If scouts grow too close, immediate action must be taken.”
Kaitlyn took Paige’s hands in hers. “Don’t worry. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I’ll be all right.”
&nbs
p; “We will take care of her,” answered Rafian. “You have our word.”
“We’re a family,” added Kaitlyn. “We all take care of each other.”
With that Torrent, Rafian, Lucas, and Kaitlyn all shifted. Then before her stood three horse sized dire wolfs and a beautiful hawk soaring up into the air.
“Oh, hell, I think I need to sit down,” muttered Paige.
“You’ll be okay.” Kaiden rubbed a strong, warm hand up and down her arm. For some reason, his touch made her wistful and lonely. He was going away. “And so will Kaitlyn. You have my word.”
She covered his hand with her own, making him still. The action had even surprised her. “Just promise me you’ll be okay.”
A flash of euphoria swept over his face. “I will.” He leaned down and gave her a long, sweet kiss on the lips. He straightened, met Jarek’s eyes and nodded. A moment later, he was an enormous gray wolf standing before her. The four dire wolves bounded into the forest and the hawk gave an echoing scream of goodbye and they were gone, leaving her alone with Jarek.
Jarek touched her shoulder and made her jump. “He’s done this all his life. He’ll be fine.”
“It’s dumb that I barely know him, yet I’m worried.”
“Not dumb. We obsessed over you before you were even in our reality. Our bond is strong, Paige. It will only get stronger. It says a lot about his love for you that he left today.”
She turned to face him. “What do you mean?”
“He knew full well he was leaving you alone with me. That’s a big deal and not what he wanted. His desire to ensure your safety is that great.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Ah. Right. I get it.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why? Do you think you’re going to get lucky while he’s gone or something?” The way her body responded to Jarek, she couldn’t really say he was wrong to expect it.
His eyes grew predatory and his lips twisted in a smile. Her heart hammered. “Anything can happen,” he replied in a silky voice.
She cleared her throat, her face flushing, and looked away. “And what’s your job during this emergency? Trying to seduce me?”
“I wish, but no. I’ll have to go into town, meet with the governing body of our village. You can come with me if you like. I would feel better if you were at my side.”
“And how would I get there?” She glanced around. “The village is far away, right? And there are no cars, no horses.”
Jarek simply smiled and spread his arms.
She laughed. “I saw a dire wolf for the first time today. I don’t think I’m ready to ride one.”
He had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “But you’re curious, I can tell. You want to know what I feel like between—”
“Jarek!” She narrowed her eyes and gave him a suspicious look. “Is this an analogy for something else?”
“Maybe.”
She laughed. “I keep expecting to wake up, but I’m not going to, am I?”
He shook his head. “All of this is real, one-hundred percent.”
She sobered and met his eyes. “I am curious, you’re right.”
“I know.” He paused and raised his eyebrows. “Shall we go?”
She hesitated, drew a deep breath, then nodded. “Okay.”
“Take your dancing shoes and leotard with you.”
Paige frowned. “Why?”
“You’ll see.”
She shrugged and went to grab her bag. She’d had her dancing clothes in her purse—really more a tote bag—when she’d been pulled through the veil.
She returned to the yard just in time to see him shift. The air shimmered and Jarek stood before her in dire wolf form. Sun gleamed on his smooth black fur. She caught her breath at his beauty and moved forward carefully to touch his nose. Jarek closed his eyes and pushed against her palm. His fur was downy as feathers.
Jarek inclined his head, then lifted it toward his back. She moved to his middle, trying to figure out how to get up there. She’d ridden horses a few times, but there’d been a saddle and stirrups. Finally she just jumped and climbed up his side.
Atop the dire wolf, the world looked pretty small. She twined her fingers into his silky fur for support and settled against his back. Jarek shuddered, almost in a purr.
He moved toward the trees, slowly picking up speed. Her body molded to his as though made to fit him, moving with every lurch and long stride. Jarek hit the woods at a lope, quickly speeding to a flat out run. She balanced on his back, finding a rhythm. It was amazing how he could avoid the low hanging branches, fallen logs and rocks. He cleared them by jumping or dodging. Nothing came close to touching her. The greens and browns of the forest melted together as his speed increased and she put her head into his fur and closed her eyes, enjoying the ride.
They finally reached the edge of the village. The houses, mostly underground dwellings that incorporated nature into their construction, began to become more numerous. She watched everything carefully. It was so different than what she was used to. One could tell without being told that these people lived close with the earth. She’d never been much of an environmentalist, yet this intimacy with nature spoke to her.
There were few people, but those who were around waved and smiled at her as they passed. She assumed most everyone was absent because of the great Magica Emergency.
Jarek stopped in front of a non-descript building built into the side of a huge hill. She slid off his back and, after a moment, he was a man again.
And he was quite a man. Incredible sculpted muscle shaped his arms and chest. A trail of dark hair leading down to his enormous—
She coughed and looked away from him.
“Sorry. It’s the hazard of shifting to dire wolf form. The magick eats up all the clothing we’re wearing.”
“That must get expensive.” And chilly. However the view was quite nice.
He shrugged. “We’re used to it. The trick is, never get attached to any one particular item of clothing. Follow me.”
They entered the building and gasped at the interior. The foyer reached up at least thirty feet and had wolves, bears, hawks and other animals painted skilfully across its domed ceiling. She never would have guessed the size or majesty of the place from the outside.
“Welcome to the Lyacon Common Building. This is where all governance of the territory takes place.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s very large and fortified. The building reaches deep into the ground and houses us in times of great threat. I have a meeting I need to attend, but I have something special to show you first.” He grabbed a thin bathrobe hanging from a nearby hook and put it on as he led her down one of the hallways leading from the echoing foyer.
She followed him down the corridor and then down another. Finally, he opened a door onto a dark room. She stepped inside, letting her eyes adjust to the dim light. Then she gasped. “A theatre?” Her voice echoed.
“The Lycaon are not wholly without an appreciation of the arts.”
He flipped on the lights so she could get a better view. The space was gigantic and as finely appointed as any theatre she’d ever seen. The graduated seats were plush and well cushioned and the stage was circular with the patrons able to sit all the way around it.
She took a few steps down. “Wow,” was all she could manage.
“I thought you’d want to stay here while I’m in my meeting. You dance every day and this is great place for it.” He paused. “Or there’s a lib—”
“Are you kidding?” she said as she hopped down a few more steps with her bag slung over her shoulder. “I’m staying here.” Now she understood why he’d told her to grab her shoes before they’d left.
“I figured you’d say that.”
Jarek turned to leave, but before he could get out the door, she hopped up the stairs and threw her arms around him. “Thanks for thinking of this.”
Looking surprised, he pulled her close. “I understand you weren’t drawn here of your own free will. We
will do everything we can to make your stay here as tolerable as possible.”
She blinked and tilted her head to the side. “And permanent, right?”
“That choice is yours.”
He twined an arm around her waist and pressed her to him more securely. She studied his mouth and bit her lip. She wanted to kiss him, but remembering the power of Kaiden’s kiss, she wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
Jarek took away her indecision by slowly lowering his mouth to hers. He let his lips hover an inch away for a moment. She inhaled the heady scent of his breath and noted how it came faster, as though his heart rate had skyrocketed. Then he brushed his lips over hers, carefully tasting her. Making a low growl of need in the back of his throat, he crushed his mouth to hers.
She went limp in his arms as he rubbed his thumb back and forth over the exposed skin at the small of her back and flicked his tongue against her mouth. Her lips relented, and he swept his tongue within. Gah, he kissed like Kaiden, with every inch of his soul. A multitude of fantasies rode her hard, made her want him to pick her up, carry her to one of those soft theater seats, strip off her clothes and bend her over the back of one.
He worked his mouth over hers, tasting, dominating, and tongue deeply possessing. Her breasts pressed up against his chest and her hips brushed against him. She wanted him to slowly slip her clothes off right now and lay her down on the floor, right here, right now.
But, like Kaiden, Jarek seemed determined not to be that aggressive. He broke the kiss and backed away, fists clenched as though fighting with himself. “My meeting.”
She nodded, swaying unsteadily on her feet, the taste of him still on her mouth. “Okay.”
“See you later.”
She nodded again, unable to form a sentence. He closed the door, leaving her alone in the immense space. She dragged a few agonized breaths into her lungs. It went against everything she’d been taught, ran contrary to the woman she’d thought she’d been her entire adult life—but she wanted him. Wanted them both. At the same time. Any way she could get them.
Was that what people meant when they talked about chemistry? It was powerful, powerful enough to override her good sense. If Jarek had pressed the issue just then, she would have gladly allowed him just about anything.
