Emma’s small hands fluttered nervously over his for a few seconds, then settled as she rested her temple against his jaw. “Thank you for trying to ease my worries…and for everything.”
Strong emotions whipped through Caine, knocking the wind out of him with their intensity. He couldn’t speak for several seconds, but his hold tightened around her reflexively.
“It was interesting and awe-inspiring experiencing your pack’s dynamics today. I don’t think the Velius have anything close to your cohesiveness.”
“That’s where you come in. They’ve waited a long time for a leader to show them the way.”
Emma met his gaze. “I saw how your pack reacted to you and Landon—the Alpha and his Second giving direction. You both exude leadership, demanding respect with a mere look. It was fascinating to watch.”
Caine stiffened. He’d felt so out of sorts among his brethren today, like he had no right to command their respect. “I’m a general member of the pack, yes, but I won’t be Landon’s Second any longer.”
Emma frowned. “Why wouldn’t you be? It’s obvious how much you’re respected.”
Caine flexed his jaw and bitterness laced his words. “Because I have to be able to fight to keep that respect. Musk mode is no longer an option for me.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying leadership is based on strength?”
“It is for my pack.”
Both her eyebrows shot up. “Yet you expect me to lead my pride, and I’m not physically strong compared to some of my people.”
“You’ll have bodyguards.” Caine frowned. He didn’t like the direction she’d taken their conversation.
Emma ran her fingers along his jawline, her electric touch tempting him. “Leadership is about responsibility and making tough decisions no one else wants to make. It’s about knowing you won’t always be popular because of those decisions, even if ultimately they’re in the best interest of the group’s survival as a whole.”
He cut his gaze to hers. “And you said you weren’t a leader.”
“Your pack looks to you because of your guidance, not because of your strength.”
Caine clenched his jaw. “I can never be Alpha.”
Surprise flitted across her face. “Are you saying that the Second in your pack is expected to be the next Alpha?”
“No. Neither has to do with the other. The Alpha chooses his Second based on his belief in that wolf’s ability to lead in his stead if the need arose. It’s a position of trust.”
Emma tilted her head and squinted at him. “So why can’t you be Second again?”
Because I want to lead, damn it! He shook his head at their circular conversation. As Second he would be leading. Landon always respected his viewpoints. Emma was right and she wasn’t afraid to tell him he was wrong, even if she did so by directing him to the answer himself. And that’s why she’ll make a great leader.
Chuckling, he ran his fingers through her hair, letting her alluring scent loose. “I’m jealous your pride will have your shrewd leadership skills all to themselves.”
“I’ll bask in your compliment, even if I don’t think I’m particularly skilled, just very determined.” She closed her eyes briefly, purring at his touch.
Caine adored everything about her. Everything. “Although I don’t know how our pack would deal with two women as strong-minded as you and Kaitlyn—”
Her eyes opened and amusement danced in their golden depths. “Feeling threatened?”
Caine let out a low growl and snapped his teeth close to her neck, making her gasp. “Try aroused, my little panther.”
“Stay between Roland and Jade.” Caine’s hazel gaze locked with Emma’s as they stood outside his truck, waiting to meet up with Jade. Five huge Lupreda paced in their wolf forms in the truck’s bed behind them: Landon, Laird, Roman and two other males. Kaitlyn had parked behind them. She’d driven another seven wolves to town in Landon’s truck and would stay in her human form to bring the truck into the alley if they needed her. They’d gotten a few strange looks by those who’d noticed the wolves in the dark, but then again, nothing surprised anyone in New York.
When Jade and Roland arrived, their SUV’s headlights cutting through the darkness, another two vehicles, presumably more Velius, pulled up behind them. Caine’s eyes narrowed. He started to reach for Emma as if planning to wrap his arm around her and keep her close. He stopped himself just short of touching her and spoke to her mentally. I don’t like leaving you in their care. Nothing about Malac is trustworthy. Despite what Jade says, I think she still harbors some hope he’ll come around. He’s unpredictable and out of control. Shift as soon as you can. You’ll be able to defend yourself better in your panther form. We’ll be right behind you.
She nodded but didn’t have a chance to say anything because Jade walked up. “Are you ready, Emma?”
Emma followed Jade and Roland back to their vehicle and climbed inside. Sandwiched between her people, Emma watched Caine get back in his truck. Even though she was with those of her own race, Emma had never felt so torn. Her heart ached and her palms began to sweat. I already miss him, his warmth, his touch. How will I ever live without Caine? she wondered. She didn’t want to think about her future or the fact the Velius would expect her to produce more panthers to help propagate their race. Emma shuddered, despite the warm air blowing through the vents in front of her.
They were a couple of blocks away from the meeting place when a black panther darted across the street ahead of them.
Roland slammed on the brakes and Jade whispered with reverence in her voice, “Hawkeye.”
The panther stopped briefly, his eyes and coat glowing in the darkness, before he bounded into a fast-paced run.
Even before Jade spoke, Emma could tell it was Hawkeye by the panther’s massive size. As he disappeared between two buildings, she prayed Caine and the other Lupreda would catch his scent and recognize him as an ally. Once again, she found herself wishing the panthers had the ability to speak mentally like the Lupreda did. It would be so much easier to communicate with each other while in panther form.
Dirty snow had been plowed in six-foot piles on either side of the road as they parked their car on the street beside the building. Roland insisted on parking on the main road instead of in the alley. He wanted to be able to get away quickly and not be trapped by another vehicle.
After she’d shrugged out of her heavy jacket and exited the car, Emma shivered and tried to ignore the cold wind blowing around her as eight men exited their vehicles behind them. Her confidence bolstered, she acknowledged the deferential bow of the men’s heads when they approached her. “Don’t act unless you see me start to shift. Understood?” she whispered. She wanted to get her aunt to safety first before all hell broke loose.
“They’re carrying the injections they’ll need. They can shift almost as quickly as you. Your panthers will be behind you when needed,” Roland assured her.
Once everyone nodded their understanding, Emma turned and accompanied Jade and Roland up the sidewalk that led to the alley.
The moment their group turned the corner, Malac stepped out of a black Hummer parked in the far back corner of the alley and beckoned to someone inside the vehicle.
Emma tensed but continued forward with her group past a few abandoned cars and a couple of Dumpsters. Trash showed through the dirty snow along the edges of the road.
Another man exited the back of the vehicle and helped Mary down. As Mary and the man holding her arm stepped under the streetlight’s glow, Emma’s temper flared when she saw the reason the man had to help her aunt down. Mary’s wrists and hands were duct-taped together and a gag was tied around her mouth. Emma glared at Malac and started to stalk forward, ready to rail at him.
Roland’s hand clamped tight on her shoulder. “Calm, Emma.”
She jerked her gaze to Roland, shocked that he could see his sister treated so horribly and not react. “How can you watch—” Her words died off when she sa
w the look on the older man’s face. Sheer hatred reflected in his eyes as he stared at Malac, who was currently talking to the man holding Mary.
Taking a deep calming breath, she returned her attention to Malac. He’d stepped away from his men and stopped several feet away from her. Sweeping the crowd behind Emma with a derisive look, he smirked. “I see you’ve brought a large part of the pride with you.” Dark eyes flickered to the handguns Emma’s men held. “I don’t see any reason for such overkill. This is just a friendly exchange.”
Emma had counted only three men other than Malac: the driver, who’d gotten out of the Hummer as they spoke; the man standing beside her aunt, holding her upper arm; and another man flanking the rear of the Hummer. Her gaze flicked to the surrounding buildings’ broken windows, their kicked-in and broken graffiti-ridden doors.
She didn’t think for one minute that Malac hadn’t placed other men in strategic offensive positions inside the buildings, probably with guns in their hands. She knew he’d picked this section of town for its seclusion and abandoned environment, yet she was surprised she didn’t see any homeless people hanging around. Then again, it was cold. The homeless people were probably huddled in a corner inside the buildings, trying to stay warm.
Running her hands down her thin blouse sleeves to stay warm, she locked gazes with Malac and kept her voice steady. “Once my aunt has reached the safety of her brother’s side, I’ll come with you.”
Malac shook his dark head, his expression determined. He whistled and two sleek panthers jumped from the Hummer’s open back window. She was surprised to see a light-colored, spotted jaguar walking alongside the pitch-black one. They quickly moved to flank Mary on either side. “The exchange will be an even one. You come forward at the same time my sentries escort your aunt across to her brother.”
Emma recognized the diamond stud winking in the black panther’s ear. He had to be the very young guard she’d passed in the hall at Malac’s facility. The spotted jaguar must be the other young sentry she’d seen at the end of the hall. She remembered their detached expressions. Nothing but duty had shown in their eyes. Her heart thumped in fear for her aunt.
The wind whistled between the buildings, ruffling Mary’s bobbed gray hair and flapping her coat open. Tears welled, spilling down her plump, wrinkled cheeks. The older woman was shaking her head “no,” but one of the panthers nudged her forward with his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, Mary. Roland will take care of you,” Emma said. I just need to get her to safety first, Emma reminded herself.
When Emma began to move forward, two of her own men stepped into place on either side of her, guns at the ready. They escorted her the same as the young male panthers were escorting her aunt.
Right before they were about to pass each other, a shot rang out from the direction of the Hummer. A man had popped up behind the passenger-side window and shot the guard on Emma’s right. When the man stumbled back, she tried to steady him, but one of the panthers knocked her to the ground in the process of attacking the injured man. At the same time, the other panther went after the man on her left, who got off one shot before the panther struck.
Emma moved to the balls of her feet. A couple more of her men had rushed forward, only to stop in their tracks when Malac held an automatic handgun to Mary’s head.
“You really didn’t think I’d let her go, did you, Emma?” Malac taunted.
“Don’t do this, Malac!” Jade said, raising her hand as she took a step toward them.
Malac jerked his gun upward with lightning speed and fired, pegging the center of Jade’s chest, saying, “Sometimes the traditional bullet just feels better.” As the female Velius fell to the ground, blood spreading quickly from her gaping wound, he sneered, “You’ve always stood in my way. Not anymore.”
Jade! Emma’s gut wrenched when Roland caught Jade in his arms and fell to his knees. He gently laid her on the asphalt, his voice hoarse with worry. “Jade! God, can you hear me?”
Sheer hatred and rage rose up inside Emma, a rumbling, seething volcano ready to blow. Her claws itched along her fingertips and the tiny hairs on the back of her neck rose, sending a prickling sensation all over her body. At the same time she called forth her panther, she dove toward Malac in mid-shift.
Malac hadn’t anticipated Emma’s aggressive move. He was too busy enjoying Jade’s suffering. The moment Emma slammed into him, her panther paw shoved at his wrist and the other paw landed on his chest. His gun skipped across the icy asphalt and Mary ducked out of the way, running toward her brother. Emma roared, digging her claws into the man’s arm and chest as she sent him hurling across the road with a powerful shove.
Landing with a hard thud, Malac bellowed and jammed something into his neck. The second he jumped to his feet, a huge black wolf landed on the road between Emma and the man. Crouching in a battle stance, the wolf snarled and bared his teeth, challenging Malac.
His scent alone indicated to her it was Caine, but when she saw a silver chain hanging around the wolf’s neck, she was surprised. How was that possible? Emma didn’t have time to consider further because two other panthers suddenly attacked Caine simultaneously. They must’ve been hidden in some of the abandoned cars. One panther jumped onto Caine’s back and the other rammed into his side with his shoulder.
Roaring, Emma started to pounce into the fray, when another huge panther shoved her to the side with his massive head, jumping between her and the panthers attacking Caine. Hissing at the panther who’d interfered, she tried to dive around his immense size, but the panther batted her away, blocking her path. Even if his size didn’t give him away, Emma recognized his smell and his tactics. He was trying to keep her safe. Hawkeye.
Nodding to Caine, she pawed at the ground and Hawkeye flexed his powerful legs, jumping into the fight. One of the smaller panthers flew to the side, bleeding profusely at the neck, and while Caine fought the other one, teeth snapping and fur flying, Hawkeye went after the one he’d wounded.
Emma was so focused on Caine, she finally heard the roars, howls and guttural snarls all around her. The entire street was now filled with wolves and panthers fighting, claws and teeth ripping at fur, muscle and sinew.
And then her gaze landed on Malac who’d just finished shifting to his panther form.
An enormous black-and-brown wolf stood snarling at Malac. Landon’s wolf stance bristled with challenge. He gave the man time to shift, yet he let him know by his bared teeth and fur standing on end that he planned to tear the panther apart.
Emma heard a distinct victory growl and turned to see one of Malac’s panthers had a tawny-colored wolf pinned down with a locked bite on his neck. She knew she only had seconds to react or the panther would deliver a deathblow to the wolf’s skull, killing him instantly. She wasn’t sure how she knew this. She just did. Her instincts were that strong.
Bolting into a fast run, she thundered toward them. Before the panther knew she was coming, Emma leapt onto his back, digging her claws into his sides and grabbing hold of his scruff to yank him off the wolf. Her momentum took them all to the asphalt where they landed hard. Her ribs bruised, but Emma didn’t stop. She released the muscle and skin along the panther’s neck only long enough to grab hold of his head. Clamping her teeth hard, she crunched down to let him know she’d keep going and kill him if he didn’t stop.
The panther thrashed and tried to throw her off, while keeping his hold on the wolf. Emma’s claws dug into his sides. He wasn’t giving up. He planned to finish off the wolf. He gave her no choice, damn it! She clamped down a bit harder and heard a slight crack—it was enough to get the panther’s attention.
The moment he released his death hold on the wolf, Emma yanked her locked jaw and slammed his head to the ground. When the panther let out a grunt before he passed out, Emma loosened her jaws and scrambled to her pawed feet. His blood coated her mouth, and she could still feel how her teeth had embedded in his hard skull, nearly crushing it, but she refused to dwell on the sick feel
ing knotting her stomach—she’d almost killed someone, even if it was in defense of another.
She glanced up to see some of Jachin’s men jumping from open windows. They each carried at least one man in their arms. The humans had to be Mafia working for Malac. The moment the vampires landed, they dumped the humans’ unconscious bodies onto the road and then jumped into battle.
How can they tell whom to fight? Emma wondered, until she saw Jachin nod to Caine, then point and direct his men. They must be speaking to each other mentally, she realized.
With Malac’s men’s numbers quickly dwindling, Caine, Landon and Hawkeye now stood in a semicircle facing Malac.
The Velius leader backed up a couple of feet, roaring at the panther and wolves to stay back.
Emma was surprised to see the original two panthers who’d flanked her aunt take flying leaps over Landon, Caine and Hawkeye to land between Malac and them. Simultaneously, the two panthers turned and crouched, ready to defend their leader.
Malac’s eyes narrowed into slits, clearly pleased by the two panthers who’d put themselves between him and his attackers. He even nudged them until his defenders changed places.
Emma’s gut tightened. She padded closer to the group. Something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t reason why she felt that way. Malac let out a challenge roar, seeming far too cocky as he walked forward a bit and placed himself in between the two panthers who were protecting him. They growled and flanked Malac even closer. Such blind devotion.
Malac let out an almost gleeful hiss right before he used his hind quarters to bump one of the panthers toward Caine and Landon, then quickly used his front paws to shove the black one into Hawkeye’s path.
The moment Malac ran off toward the buildings, Emma reacted. She jumped onto Hawkeye’s back, throwing him off balance. The huge panther stumbled while in mid-swipe. He’d intended to eliminate the panther in one blow, but Emma’s interference lessened the impact of his attack and his paw only knocked the younger panther to the pavement, stunning him. Before Hawkeye could recover, Emma leapt off his back and crouched over the momentarily disoriented panther underneath her.
Scions: Revelation Page 21
