“How is Thaniel doing?” Sami asked as they watched the truck drive away.
Tierney shrugged and pulled one of the large doors closed while Sami closed the other one. “He’s still sleeping, but I don’t know. I’m worried about him. Something happened, though he hasn’t said what.” She blinked back tears. “Fucking assholes.”
“Yeah.” Sami nodded and together they walked back to the house.
“How is Hellfire?” Tierney finally asked. It had been a shock to learn that not only was Goldy pregnant, but Hellfire was having twins. Especially since the Dracones males were cursed and shouldn’t have been able to get anyone pregnant. And if she were to admit it, she was a little envious of the two women.
Sami shrugged. “Not puking as much as before, so I guess that’s a good sign.”
Tierney nodded. “That’s some crazy stuff, the curse being broken. Too bad the Ilyium don’t seem to have gotten the memo. It would be nice if this war with them would end.”
“Yeah,” Sami agreed. “I noticed you seemed wistful when Hellfire and I told you guys the news, what’s up?”
Tierney shrugged. “Nothing, I was just tired.”
“Really?” Sami’s gaze was intuitive as he stared down at her. “It wasn’t because you want a baby, too?”
Tierney winced and then shrugged again. “I may want one, but you know that even though you guys can get a female pregnant, I can’t get pregnant until I go through my Awakening, and even when I do, you may have just gotten lucky, you know that most Dracones don’t get pregnant easily.”
“You can’t think like that, Tiern,” Sami said, putting his arm over her shoulders.
“I can’t help it, and besides, my Awakening doesn’t seem to be happening either, what if I don’t have one?”
“It will, and soon, I know it,” Sami said, trying to reassure her.
“I hope so,” Tierney said with a sigh as they went back in the house.
“Has Jax eaten?” Sami asked.
“No, I’m going to go stay with Thaniel and have Jax come out to get some supper.”
“All right, well, let me know if you need me to come give either of you a break. It’s the least I can do with all that Thaniel’s done for me when I was down,” Sami said and Tierney nodded.
“I will, and thanks, Sami.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Secret Delivery
TIERNEY HEADED back to Thaniel’s room, thinking about her Awakening. Not too many Dracones didn’t go through the change, but it did happen, and she didn’t know what she’d do if it happened to her. She couldn’t imagine having her dragon inside, but never being able to let it out.
“Go get something to eat,” she told Jax as she slid onto the bed beside Thaniel, who was sleeping soundly.
With a quick kiss, Jax climbed off the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
Jax had just come back in and settled behind her when Tierney heard Kyrian in her head.
“Tierney,” he called, and this time the tone of his voice made her sit up.
“What is it?” she asked, her heart thumping. Something was up.
Jax was sitting up behind her, waiting to hear what was wrong.
“We’ve got company. A large black van is heading up the driveway, and I scent Were-leopard,” Kyrian said.
Tierney stared at Jax as sudden fear filled her. They began to climb off the bed when Thaniel woke up.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking at them in alarm and Tierney realized he must’ve caught on to her fear.
“Ah, we have company,” she said, glancing at Jax.
Jax nodded. “You don’t worry, we’ve got this.”
Thaniel frowned and then sniffed the air. His frown deepened and Tierney could sense his fear.
“It’s okay—” she began, when the deep anger that she had felt in him when he arrived earlier, rose up and took over.
She was further stunned when he climbed off the bed and started for the door. “Thaniel?” she called, halting him.
Thaniel glanced back at them for a moment, then turned and hurried over to his dresser. They watched him grab a new black t-shirt from a drawer. Next, he yanked the too large, long-sleeved shirt he was wearing off over his head, dropped it on the chair and pulled on the new t-shirt.
Seeing their perplexed looks, he said, “I don’t want the person who gave me that to get into trouble.” Then he rushed past them and out into the hallway. Tierney and Jax hurried after him.
“Genna, Sami!” Tierney called as they rushed down the hallway.
“Yeah?” Sami answered right away.
Genna didn’t answer, instead, she stood in the great room, with her friend Caden sitting on the couch playing the X-box. Seeing them, Genna dropped the controller to the couch. “What’s happenings be going on?” she asked, eyes lighting up with excitement.
“The Were-leopards are here for Thaniel,” Tierney told Sami while Jax informed Genna that they had company.
“Be right there,” Sami said.
“Oh goodies, can I fry someone now?” Genna asked. Caden, having also put the controller down now rolled his eyes at her question.
“Possibly,” Jax said and Caden choked.
Genna whacked him on the back. “Why’s you be choking? You aren’t even eating anything,” Genna said.
Tierney rushed to catch up to Thaniel in the mudroom.
“Thaniel,” she said again, trying to get his attention. Jax and Genna were right behind her.
“I am tired of being everyone’s property,” Thaniel bit out and pulled open the mudroom door to a blast of chilly air.
Storm clouds had gathered in the night sky and as they all hurried outside, a large full-sized black van crested the top of the driveway. A shiver rushed through Tierney as the van pulled up to stop about thirty feet away. They stepped off the porch to await the latest problem facing them.
Thaniel, standing between her and Jax, sucked in a deep breath and while she could sense his fear, she also felt his anger like a fire burning deep inside of him.
They waited and watched as the driver climbed out and walked to the front of the vehicle to wait for the others. He was tall and slender, but it was the male who exited the passenger side next that caught her attention.
“Holy shit,” Jax mumbled.
Tierney glared at the man. There was no doubt that he was Thaniel’s father. Also, judging by his demeanor, he was the leader. Then a younger, bulkier version of Thaniel also with light-blond hair moved up behind Thaniel’s father.
At the sight of his look-alike, Thaniel tensed up and Tierney looked at him to see his hair hanging in his face as he stared intently at the people in front of them.
“That’s George, my brother,” he whispered.
Ah …
While they lay with Thaniel that afternoon, Jax had told her about George and she couldn’t help wondering how Thaniel felt about having a brother. She really hoped that George hadn’t been a part of Thaniel’s being hurt again. She’d hate to have to hurt the kid.
Tierney heard the house door open and glanced back. Shit! Elianna, still bruised, but fully awake now, stepped outside. Goldy followed closely behind her. Tierney looked back at the group in front of them and almost jumped to find Kyrian suddenly standing on the other side of her. Instead, she gave a slight smile, relieved to see him and a large group of his Okami wolves, most in their animal form. “Thanks for standing with us,” she said.
Without taking his eyes from the Weres exiting their vehicle, Kyrian gave a slight nod. “Always,” was all he said.
Tierney watched with narrowed eyes as two big, burly men exited the van before turning to help two women out. One woman was of average height and very pretty with wavy brown hair. She had kind-looking eyes while the other, who appeared to be around fifty or so, looked cold as ice. Straight black hair fell to her waist and her gleaming red nails were sharpened to points.
They all watched as she stepped out and surveyed them dispassionately. Lo
oking like she wanted to be anywhere but here, her bright red lips were a thin line as she moved to stand beside the Tomlee.
“She doesn’t look happy to be here,” Jax said.
Tierney agreed. The woman was obviously someone important, not that they gave a shit. All that mattered to them was keeping Thaniel safe. Well, and Elianna too, though having to protect the girl chafed Tierney’s ass—she hated the bitch for hurting Thaniel.
The last man to exit the van was even older and he had a cold, arrogant look as he took them all in. Then his eyes zeroed in on Elianna with anger.
“Who are you and what do you want here?” Jax demanded.
From the corner of her eye, Tierney caught the brilliant-blue glow from Jax’s eyes and could feel his power just heating up. She wanted to smile but didn’t.
The driver moved forward. “This is the Tomlee of the snow leopard clan,” he said, indicating Thaniel’s father.
“Who the fuck does this guy think he is, royalty or some shit?” Jax asked, speaking to her and Sami.
Sami snorted, but Tierney noticed Thaniel had begun to tremble and that made her furious. She just knew this man had once again hurt her sweet friend and wished that she could speak with Thaniel telepathically. She ached to reassure him.
But his shields were so strong, that after her first and last foray into his mind, he’d somehow strengthened them and her second attempt had failed. After that, they hadn’t had the time to try again.
Thaniel’s father took another step forward and raked them all with his gaze before saying, “We’ve come for what belongs to us.”
Though his face was hidden by his hair, she could still make out the hurt in Thaniel’s eyes. It made her beyond furious.
“The bastard, he’ll get Thaniel over my dead body,” she said to Jax and Sami.
“Agreed,” Jax said, and Sami looked at her and nodded.
“There is nothing here that belongs to you,” Jax growled.
“We want our clan members,” the Tomlee reiterated.
“Well, I’m pretty sure they don’t want to go with you,” Jax said, taking a step forward.
“They belong to our clan and will be leaving with us,” the Tomlee said.
Jax shook his head. “Nope. Not gonna happen. Thaniel is part of our clan. Our family. This is his home for as long as he wants it, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to go back to where people think they own him.”
There were some low murmurs from the group of Were-leopards, but Jax ignored them. “As for Elianna, well, that is up to her, but no one will be taken from here by force,” he said.
The Tomlee looked at Thaniel. “Son,” he said, and to Tierney’s ears, the word sounded wrong, forced somehow, which only infuriated her even more.
“You belong to the clan. Did you forget what I told you? It is time to go. Come quietly or there will be bloodshed.”
The threat in his father’s tone made Tierney’s blood boil. Thaniel didn’t move, but Tierney could now feel his worry and knew he wouldn’t want his friends getting hurt. What the fuck had the bastard threatened him with?
It didn’t matter. She moved close to Thaniel and nudged him with her shoulder, at the same time, she reached down and took his clenched fist into her hand where no one could see. “Look around,” she whispered close to his ear.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Showdown
THANIEL FELT TIERNEY nudge him. Then she reached for his clenched fist. Although he'd spent so much time resisting her, now he was grateful for the comfort and support she offered. Then she whispered for him to look around.
Beside him stood Jax, and beside Jax was Sami, Hellfire, Brimstone, some strange-looking woman, Genna’s friend Caden, Goldy, a male who had to be Isoul, and two of Kyrian’s wolves in human form with another two wolves in wolf form. Behind Jax and Sami stood Elianna, looking really frightened.
Thaniel stared at Tierney in shock, and saw her smile. Then he looked past her to see Kyrian, Mark, another three wolves in human form, and then Soroyan’s massive black wolf, eyes glowing bright red, along with about twenty other wolves fanning out beside them all.
He swallowed deeply, stunned and touched at everyone who was standing with him. His heart filled with love.
Thank you, he tried to say to Tierney, knowing she wouldn’t hear him. She smiled and squeezed his hand. “We’ve got your back.”
“If it’s a fight you want, you got it,” Jax said to Thaniel’s father, but the Tomlee ignored him and instead directed his gaze between Jax and Sami.
“Elianna, let’s go,” the Tomlee said and Thaniel clenched his teeth in anger. As much as he didn’t like Elianna, no one deserved to be subjected to what she had. Besides, after being in the Were-leopard clan home, he could only imagine the things she might have gone through with the Were-leopards to make her the way she was.
Then he saw Jax glance down at Elianna. “Do you want to go with them?” he asked.
Elianna gave a slight shake of her head, though she didn’t look so sure. Then Jax turned and met Thaniel’s gaze. “You?”
Thaniel knew how hard it must be for his friend to ask that, and though he wanted to shout Hell no, he turned and met his father’s ice-cold gaze, raised his chin and shook his head. “No.”
Jax nodded. “There you have it. They don’t want to go back with you, so I suggest you get off our property and don’t come back.”
“Elianna,” the Tomlee began when the black-haired woman beside him turned and began to head back to the van.
The Tomlee grabbed her arm, stopping her, and after a few quietly uttered words, she turned back to them. Her gaze raked Thaniel before settling on Elianna.
“If you fail to return with us, you will be banished.” Then, she wrenched her arm from the Tomlee’s grip, turned and walked back to the van where one of the burly men helped her inside. It was a moment before the Tomlee got his anger under control enough to face them once more.
Thaniel’s eyes narrowed on the group of Were-leopards. There was definitely something strange going on. Then Sami’s voice registered.
“You don’t have to go with them,” Sami said to Elianna who, shaking in fear, inched forward. The indecision was clear on her face and Thaniel knew from what George had said, that she’d never really known any other life than within the clan.
With a sigh, Thaniel let Tierney’s hand go and took his own step forward.
“Thaniel?” Tierney asked and he could hear the panic in her voice.
“I have to,” he said and could see the sadness in her eyes. Then he turned back to the Tomlee. “I claim Elianna as my mate,” he said and moved over beside Elianna who was staring at him in shock.
***
TIERNEY BLINKED. No, wait. What? He wasn’t offering to go back with them? No, what is he doing?
“Elianna is mine!” the older Were-leopard snarled and started toward them. The Tomlee held up a hand and another burly Were-leopard grabbed the older man who had spoken and stopped him.
“Do you know what you are doing, son?” the Tomlee asked, eyes narrowed on Thaniel in fury.
Thaniel nodded. “I’m not your son. Don’t ever call me that again,” he said, and his father’s lips almost curled up.
What the hell? Tierney shivered with revulsion. The man might be Thaniel’s father, but he was seriously creepy.
Thaniel swallowed deeply. “I refuse to come back and you no longer need to feel obligated to keep an eye on me.”
The Tomlee’s gaze was calculating as he studied them for another moment and Tierney was pretty sure that he hated to lose, but finally with a stiff nod, he turned away.
“No. She’s to be my mate, you promised,” the older man yelled at the Tomlee. Thaniel’s father nodded and the muscle holding onto the old man started to push him back to the van. The pretty woman said something to Thaniel’s brother and turned away as well.
George just stood there, looking at Thaniel. He seemed to want to say something and after a moment,
he squared his shoulders. “Brother,” he started to say when the Tomlee spun back around and in two strides he was beside his youngest son.
They all gasped as he whacked George in the side of the head. “He made his choice. He is dead to the clan now,” the Tomlee said loud enough for everyone to hear. A chorus of gasps sounded as George dropped to the ground.
After that, everything happened in a blur. One second Thaniel was beside Elianna and the next he was leaping through the air in a half-leopard form.
“Leave him alone,” Thaniel snarled and a white pelt with black rosettes now covered his arms while his hands changed into long, very lethal-looking claws.
“Holy shit, how’d he do that?” Tierney murmured, staring wide-eyed as Thaniel, eyes glowing a bright blue, leaped again and knocked his father to the ground with one swipe of his clawed hand. A low, threatening growl emerged from the Tomlee’s throat as his men hurried over to help protect their leader.
“I gave him a bit of a magical boost not too long ago, and it looks like he is starting to accept his other skin,” Kyrian said beside her, sounding proud. Tierney raised an eyebrow at him, but he just shrugged. “He was always a Were-leopard, it just took getting bit for him to change.”
As the Tomlee’s men moved threateningly toward Thaniel, Tierney felt Jax’s rage along with his power seep out. Then both he and Sami began to shift into their half-form as well. Jax’s eyes were now bright blue ringed with red as he let out a threatening roar. The scales on his arms and shoulders began to grow and lengthen and his arms turned into large clawed talons. Sami looked similar, but his scales glowed green, matching his eyes. Gasps filled the air around them at the sight of their deadly half-dragon form.
Tierney stepped up beside Thaniel, while the wolves and everyone else advanced on the leopards, fanning out around their friend protectively.
Before there could be any bloodshed, the Tomlee held up a hand, stopping the leopards. His eyes narrowed on Thaniel in fury, and then as he took in Jax and Sami, along with everyone else, Tierney saw him swallow.
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