“Thaniel,” Lilly squealed when she ran into the kitchen and stopped in front of him. “I beat Bast-yin!” she said, jumping up and down as the boy in question walked in behind her.
“It was only once, don’t get used to it,” Bastien smirked as he grabbed his own plate.
“I’m gonna beat you again, you’ll see.” Then, Lilly wiggled her finger at Thaniel and he bent down. “I knows you is a really big cat,” she whispered in Thaniel’s ear.
Thaniel straightened up in alarm, until Lilly slid her arms around his waist and hugged him. She smiled up at him, before she let him go. “I had breakfast, but can I have one of those?” she asked, looking at the pastries on the counter.
Chloe had left the kitchen, so Thaniel shrugged. “I guess.” He pulled the platter over for Lilly to pick the one she wanted.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Pheromones
THANIEL WAS LOADING DISHES into the dishwasher a little while later, when he caught a scent that had him suddenly hardening in his jeans. What the hell is that? It came to him again, sweet and enticing. He straightened up and glanced around but no one else seemed to notice. Both Jax and Tierney were quietly talking with Sami who had come back in for his own breakfast. Goldy was staring with dreamy eyes at Isoul who appeared uncomfortable under her gaze and … his eyes met Elianna’s and suddenly he understood.
No! Fuck—no! Though he didn’t have any experience with such a thing, he just knew. Elianna had just gone into heat and as an unmated male, he was just like prey, caught in her slick evil web.
Suddenly Jax and Tierney looked over and caught the expression on his face. Then they turned to Elianna and Jax swore softly.
“Thaniel?” Tierney asked, but he shook his head. He couldn’t take his eyes off Elianna even if she was the last person he wanted to mate.
Without a word, Elianna stood, and eyes glowing orange, she walked around the counter toward him. Thaniel thought of what George had said the night before and began to back up. Screw not being scared anymore, he was terrified. He thought he’d have more time to deal with her, but time had just run out.
Elianna stalked him, licking her lips as she drew ever closer. “Thaniel,” she purred.
“No!” He shook his head, then seeing Tierney and Jax staring at him, he grabbed Elianna by the arm and led her out of the kitchen. “Come on, we need to talk,” he said as he pulled her through the great room. A couple of Okami wolves sat on the couches while a couple more in wolf form lay on the floor and at the sight and scent of Elianna, they all surged to their feet with low growls.
Elianna hissed back at them.
“Stop,” Thaniel said and led her down the hall. He started to take her into his room, then thought better of it. Instead, he went past his room and even though he’d never been in her room, he found it by her scent.
“Oh, Thaniel,” she purred, and attempted to hook her arm around his neck, but Thaniel quickly pulled away. He wasn’t about to be fooled by her again.
“Look, I can’t do this,” he said, stepping back as she advanced on him.
They went a couple circles around the room that was similar to his, only done in black and red, and couldn’t help but think how it suited the Were-leopard stalking him.
Elianna let out a huff of breath and plopped onto the bed. Thaniel tried not to look at her as she reclined back and stretched. “Thaniel,” Elianna whined and the same enticing scent hit him again, making him step toward her, drawn like a magnet.
“No.” He stopped and panic set in. This was going to get bad if he didn’t make her understand and quick. “Look, neither of us wanted to go back, so I said what I did so they’d leave you alone, but I can’t—I won’t mate you,” he told her.
“But—”
“I won’t, I want nothing to do with you,” he said, stepping back.
Eyes narrowing angrily, Elianna sat up. “I need you. You can’t do this to me, you promised.”
Thaniel shook his head and though his traitorous cock was straining in his jeans, he wouldn’t give in, no matter how badly that part of his anatomy wanted her.
“No. I will never have sex with you,” he said and turning on his heel, he rushed out of the room.
“You will, just wait,” Elianna said behind him and a moment later the same enticing scent reached him once again.
Thaniel staggered against the wall. Putting his arm up, he caught himself and panting, heart racing, he fought for control. No, no, no! The last thing he wanted was to be under someone’s control and unlike George’s mother, he had no doubt that Elianna would take full advantage.
***
ELIANNA HAD TO DO SOMETHING. Her heat had hit her full on, making her insanely crazy. On top of it, she felt herself growing considerable weaker. She originally refused to believe the tale old Stella had told her about the clouded leopard. Then last summer, as she felt her body weakening, she realized Stella was correct. In a panic, she knew she didn’t have a lot of time left.
She hoped when Thaniel claimed her that everything would work out. Sure, he wasn’t her first choice, but at least with him, she could mate and regain her lost strength. Now, hearing he’d only said it to free her from the clan, she felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach. Although if he hadn’t, she’d have had to mate with the dirty old man who was forever trying to get her alone and feel her up.
No matter how much he hated her, and as much as she deserved it, she knew she had to get Thaniel to change his mind. If she didn’t, she’d be dead.
***
THANIEL STAGGERED into the kitchen to find Tierney, Jax, and Sami all conferring in low voices. At any other time, he might have wondered what was up, but as it was, he was barely holding himself together.
“Thaniel?” Tierney rushed over to him. “What happened?”
“You need me to hurt that bitch?” Jax asked while Sami just waited for him to say something.
“She’s in heat,” Thaniel said as three different swear words rang out. Then Tierney grabbed him and pulled him into her arms. Though contact with the woman of his dreams didn’t really help his condition, it did sooth him a slight bit and he hung on. If only … but he pushed the wistful thought away. Still, while he once might have feared that these three wanted something from him, he now knew that they would never hurt him, and they’d never even contemplate controlling him.
“How do you know?” Jax asked, and Thaniel frowned, not sure what he was asking.
“He means, how do you know she’s in heat. Did she tell you?” Sami asked.
“No … you didn’t smell it?” Thaniel asked them but they all shook their heads.
“She must give off some kind of pheromone,” Sami said, running a hand through his hair.
“Still. We have super senses. How come we don’t smell it?” Jax asked.
Sami shrugged, “No idea, maybe it’s only meant for other cats to catch.”
“The wolves caught it when I led her through the great room,” Thaniel said.
“Maybe it’s a cat-dog thing,” Jax said and Sami gave a deep sigh.
“What? You have any better idea?” Jax asked him.
Sami shook his head and looked at Thaniel. “Do you smell it now? Is it affecting you now?”
Tierney let him go and Thaniel wanted to whine, but instead, he took a deep breath and let it out. Oddly enough, he didn’t and shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
“Okay, so—” Jax stopped and stared at Thaniel quizzically. “I know that you ah … ” His gaze shot to Tierney and Sami frowned at him.
Jax raised an eyebrow as he looked at Thaniel again. “You did claim her as your mate.”
Thaniel raised his hand and shook his head. “I know, and I wish I hadn’t. I just didn’t see any other way at the time. They’d have intimidated her into going back and that place—” He shuddered and Tierney rubbed his arm.
Jax sent Tierney a meaningful look and Thaniel felt like he was missing something. Sami was also staring at them and a momen
t later, an odd expression crossed his face as if he’d just figured it out.
Jax turned back to Thaniel. “So, you don’t want to be with Elianna?” he confirmed.
“No,” he said, vehemently. Sure, being a virgin, the idea of being with someone, anyone, was enticing, but being with Elianna came with a lifetime tether to hell. No thank you! And really, there were only two people he wanted to be with.
“Sami, go get that info we need and then lock that bitch in her room,” Jax said.
“And how would you like me to do that?” Sami asked, perplexed.
“I don’t fucking know. You’re the genius, you figure it out. I don’t care if you nail a board across the door,” Jax bit out, eyes beginning to glow in anger.
Sami rolled his eyes, but then he patted Thaniel on the back. “Don’t worry about her. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks,” he said and watched Sami head out of the kitchen.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Brutal Heat
THANIEL SPENT MOST of the rest of the day with Tierney and Jax. He finally found himself sitting beside Tierney while Jax and Sami played a car racing game. Lilly bounced up and down on the other side of Jax while Bastien cheered Sami on.
Finally the Okami healer came out of Zander’s room and stopped to talk to Tierney before heading back down the hallway to the underground parking where the wolves were staying.
Tierney turned to Thaniel. “Dad’s awake, do you want to come and visit him with me?”
Thaniel swallowed, but although he was nervous about facing Zander after the other day, he did want to apologize. With a nod, he stood up. “Yes.”
Tierney smiled as they headed down the hall and into Zander’s room.
“I’m glad to see that you are all right,” Zander said when he saw Thaniel. Tierney sat down and Thaniel hovered beside her.
“I’m sorry I took off like I did the other day,” he said.
“I understand. I’m sorry that I upset you,” Zander said.
Tierney reached up and took Thaniel’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’re trying to keep Thaniel distracted. There’s a Were-leopard in heat down the hall,” Tierney said. Zander’s eyes widened with the news and Tierney nodded, while Thaniel lowered his head to hide how red he’d gotten.
They talked for a bit longer, until Chloe knocked on the door and came in with some food for Zander. Thaniel caught an appreciative light in Zander’s eyes at the sight of the pretty blonde, and then, seeing Thaniel looking at him, Zander quickly hid it.
After they left, Thaniel looked at Tierney. “Are your dad and Chloe …?”
Tierney stared at him, surprised. “No. Not that I know of, why?”
Thaniel shrugged. “Must be nothing. I just thought—ah, sorry.”
Tierney nudged him. “Don’t be sorry, maybe you caught something I wasn’t seeing.” Then she shrugged.
A couple times Thaniel would get a whiff of the alluring pheromone that Elianna gave off, keeping him painfully hard. Then after supper it grew more intense.
They had just finished cleaning up when Sami and Hellfire stopped by the kitchen.
“Hey, were heading out for a bit,” Sami told Jax and then they all talked quietly for a moment. A couple times they glanced over at him. Suddenly curious, Thaniel strained to hear what they were talking about but they were too quiet. Finally, with a last look in his direction, Sami and Hellfire left.
“Where are they going?” he asked Jax.
“You remember that club we went to the day we found you, while trying to track Toren’s movements? Purgatori?” Jax asked.
Thaniel nodded. He could hardly forget. It had been a terrifying place with cages, whips, and chains everywhere.
Thaniel wondered why Sami and Hellfire were going there, but Jax didn’t say anything more so he let it go. Maybe they had another lead on Toren?
“C’mon, let’s go play some video games,” Jax said instead, and led the way into the great room.
Thaniel sucked at video games and gladly handed the controller over to Tierney. He watched her and Jax play a game with Jax on the Wii and it was all he could do to sit still as they both wiggled and jumped around.
“Sure you don’t want to play, Thaniel?” Jax asked.
Thaniel tore his eyes from Tierney’s ass, and blushed to find them smiling at him. Tierney’s purple eyes twinkled and Thaniel swallow deeply. He shook his head at the same time that another cock hardening wave of Elianna’s heat drifted through the air straight at him. With an inward groan, he shifted.
“Are you okay?” Tierney asked.
Thaniel wanted to say no, he wasn’t, but he didn’t want to explain what the problem was. Instead he nodded. Then, when they turned back to the game, he stood up. He needed to get away for a bit. “I’m going to go outside and get some fresh air,” he finally said and hurried around the couch so that they couldn’t see his condition.
“Do you want us to come with you?” Jax asked.
“No, the wolves are out there, and I won’t go far.” But he could feel their frowns at his back as he walked away.
Thaniel hurried through the kitchen and mudroom and pulled the door open. The frigid air hit him, making him suck in a breath. Glancing back, he saw a large jacket and knowing no one would mind, he grabbed it.
Stepping outside, he shrugged the jacket on. The sleeves hung past his hands as he scanned around. One of the wolves stood not far from him and nodded his head in Thaniel’s direction before moving off into the trees.
Sitting down on the step, Thaniel took another deep breath and then let it out. This was good, the cold was helping to clear his mind and he couldn’t smell Elianna out here.
He thought about Jax and Tierney. At first it had freaked him out that he was attracted to Jax as well. He still didn’t understand since he’d never been attracted to a male before in his life, but he no longer cared. He was just so grateful that he was back here, with people who cared about him, who wouldn’t hesitate to stand up for him.
Every now and then he’d catch sight of eyes glowing in the night and knew it was a wolf on guard duty. He thought about the evening before, the showdown with the Were-leopards. It still amazed and humbled him that not only had almost everyone in the house come out, but most of the wolves had as well. All to stand with him. He thought about his brother and hoped that he was okay. He’d have to get George’s phone number from Jax.
Even though he worried about his brother, Thaniel knew that no matter what happened, he’d never intentionally leave here again.
***
SAMI WALKED INTO THE BUSY CLUB right behind Hellfire and winced at the bass throbbing through the place. Then, ready to tear the Were-cat’s head off that had hurt his mate the last time she was in here he sucked in a breath, trying to catch the cat’s scent. Hellfire grabbed his arm. “Sami, we are here for a reason, stop glowering.”
Blood heating at her touch, he gazed down into her smoldering silver eyes and his expression softened. “Sorry, couldn’t help it,” he said, thinking how he’d rather be at home in bed with her.
With a promise in her eyes, Hellfire smirked up at him, then turned and scanned the room.
“Over there,” she said a moment later, and wove her way through the room. Sami eyed the Were-cats. The older male appeared to have had a few too many to drink while the younger man was sipping a coke. Sami searched the club, but the cat who’d hurt his mate was nowhere in sight. Still, he knew he was glowering as Hellfire slid into a seat beside the younger Were-cat.
The dark-haired, green-eyed, leather-clad Were-cat eyed Hellfire then Sami who had taken up position behind her, before turning his gaze back to Hellfire. There was a depth of sadness in his eyes as he sighed. “Tito isn’t here, if you’ve come back to kick his ass a little more.”
Hellfire chuckled. “I didn’t come for him,” she said.
The solemn, green-eyed cat gestured at the empty chair beside Hellfire. With a smirk, Hellfire reached back and tugged o
n Sami’s arm. “Sit,” she said. Reluctantly, Sami did as she requested and only then did the green-eyed cat ask what they wanted.
“We need to talk to you about something,” Hellfire said, then glanced at the older male sitting on the other side of him. “In private.”
The Were-cat, who Hellfire had told Sami was called Enyowas, indicated the man on his left. “Veldi is my brother. I trust him like no other.”
Hellfire nodded and then spoke.
***
THANIEL STOOD UP and shivered. He hadn’t realized how cold he’d gotten. He turned to go in, when the sound of a vehicle coming up the driveway caught his attention. Listening, he let out a breath of relief when he recognized Sami’s truck with a motorcycle close behind. Turning, he walked back inside. He had just hung up the coat and walked into the kitchen when a wave of Elianna’s pheromone sent him reeling. Damn! Why was this happening to him?
Then he remembered what George had said about how it would drive them insane. He sure hadn’t been exaggerating. This was torture, just a different kind than he was used to. Expecting to hear the TV from the other room, he only heard silence, and when he walked into the great room he noted that the TV was off. Jax and Tierney nowhere in sight.
Then he stared toward the hallway and stilled. Elianna was on her way toward him wearing only a skimpy V-neck tee and black lacy underwear. Looking ragged and wild eyed, she smiled.
“There you are.” Her eyes were glowing orange, making his skin crawl even as he hardened in his pants.
“No!” With a gasp, he backed up and then stopped. Where could he go? Back outside? She’d only follow him and while he was no longer scared to sit out in the night, close to the house, there was no way he wanted to be hunted all over the mountain by her in the dark.
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