He had to bite back the growl that threatened to escape when he caught sight of the female crossing the room beside Enyowas.
Then he let out a breath at the realization that there weren’t any of the annoying heat pheromones in the air. Still, aware of the two, he reached forward and slid his pieces of the game back into the box right as Elianna and Enyowas came to a stop near them.
“It’s all right,” Tierney said, laying a hand on Thaniel’s arm after they’d all gotten to their feet. Knowing she wasn’t overly fond of Elianna either, Thaniel looked at her curiously and then at Jax. His mates’ lack of anger calmed him even more. He knew they’d both had a few conversations with Enyowas and he trusted that they knew what was going on.
“I believe they are coming to say goodbye,” Jax told him.
Relieved, Thaniel turned his gaze on Elianna. She appeared better somehow, not as pale.
“Are you, all right now?” he asked, still a little leery.
The green-eyed Were-cat beside her glanced down and Elianna shifted under his gaze before meeting Thaniel’s eyes.
She gave a slight nod. “I’m getting there.” Then she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Thaniel, I know everything I did to you was wrong, and I don’t expect you to forgive me, I just …” she paused and bit her bottom lip. “I know sorry doesn’t cover it, but I am sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing, the only thing that I could to stay alive without mating Evra.” She shuddered and as much as he didn’t like her, Thaniel certainly couldn’t blame her. Especially not after having almost been forced into a mating himself.
“I never meant to hurt you, you’re a nice guy and you deserve to be happy,” she said, glancing at Tierney and Jax before looking back at him.
“Tell them,” Enyowas encouraged softly.
Elianna’s golden eyes flicked up at him, and at his nod, she took another deep breath and then let it out before looking back at them. “I know it doesn’t excuse what I did, but … I’m a rare clouded leopard, from a clan in the Himalayas. Apparently once we reach our early twenties, our bodies slowly weaken. Once we go into our first heat, we only have a few weeks to find a mate, or we die.”
Surprised, Thaniel finally understood why she’d been so eager to be mated. As much as he didn’t want to, he felt himself thawing toward her. Then, realizing what she’d said, he looked up at Enyowas. “So, you are both—?”
The green-eyed Were-cat shook his head. “No, I will be taking her back to my clan, to find a mate,” he said and Thaniel caught the crestfallen look in Elianna’s golden eyes before she hid it.
***
TIERNEY BIT HER LIP, worried about her dad who sat in a large stuffed chair. This would make the second time he was brought out of his coma today, and she really hoped he’d make it through dinner. Then she smiled when Jax and Sami joined her before turning to look at Kyrian and his pack.
She had asked Kyrian to gather all his wolves inside the great room, and while some were still a little nervous being inside, surrounded by everyone else, others appeared to be getting used to it.
“Kyrian,” Zander said gruffly. “I thank you, and all your wolves. You have helped and supported us, fought alongside my children, at the expense of your own pack. For your losses, I have no words to express how sorry I am. But I do thank you, and I pledge our support, our friendship, and our home to you all.”
Tierney’s heart wrenched as she watched Kyrian, knowing how worried he was for his missing son. They needed to get back on the trail. If only Taraven, the strange young boy who had teleported in to visit her a few times would come back—she was sure he knew something.
Kyrian looked around the room then his gaze settled on Tierney and her father. “My pack and I thank you for all you have offered and I will admit, I have ulterior motives,” he said solemnly. “For hundreds of years, we have moved from one spot to the next, trying to stay one step ahead of our enemies, losing too many along the way.”
Kyrian’s gaze swept his wolves and Tierney noticed the frown that briefly lit his face. But when he turned back to them, it was gone. “A vision brought us here. We are tired of running, trying to stay safe and failing. I believe that with your help, we can help each other out, and keep everyone safe.”
Zander studied Kyrian for a moment, and then nodded. “That is my hope as well,” he said and Tierney caught the hint of sadness in his voice and knew he was thinking of his dead wife and their village back in Tartaria.
Tierney laid a hand on her dad’s shoulder and turned to Kyrian and his wolves. “I know you don’t celebrate Christmas, and so I’m very happy you all agreed to join us for our Christmas dinner,” she paused and smiled at Sami, then at Jax. Jax nodded encouragingly and Tierney swallowed deeply.
“I hope I won’t offend anyone, it is not my intent, but I hated the thought of you all sleeping down there on the cold hard floor, so I ah—” She turned and pulled the blanket off the mountainous pile behind her. “I got you all these, if you don’t like them, I can return them, and like I told Kyrian, if any of you want to use any of the rooms, that is fine too.”
There were excited gasps as the massive pile of puffy, different colored dog beds were touched and eyed with happiness.
Kyrian chuckled and turned to her. “Tierney, there is no offense taken. Once long ago we tried to live in homes, with belongings, but it is not practical to have too much stuff when you are constantly running and hiding. But now that we have another home, here with you, I thank you. As you can see, everyone is thrilled over this wonderful gift you have given us.”
Tierney breathed a sigh of relief, and wished it was more, but then she smiled as she watched the wolves.
“I like this color.”
“I like this one.”
“So soft.”
There were more comments, some suggestive, which made her blush until one of the caterers came up to them. “Dinner is ready,” the woman said, staring curiously around at everyone.
“Thank you,” Tierney replied.
They filed into the dining room and took seats and as everyone enjoyed their meal, Tierney smiled. Then she frowned and turned to Kyrian who sat across from her, looking like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, and she supposed it was.
In a day or two, the Raizarch wolves that Hellfire’s sister had helped to free, would show up expecting to mate their youngest female to Kyrian’s youngest son. They had a limited time for the mating to take place, but once done, the curse on the Raizarch wolves that had kept them in wolf form for the last five hundred years, would be broken. Unfortunately, Toren happened to be Kyrian’s one and only son, and he was still missing.
Although she knew Soroyan was doing his best to extract information from Marcius on the missing wolf’s whereabouts, he still needed to eat.
“Did you tell Soroyan to come down for some food as well?” she asked, thinking about the dangerous, dark, surly wolf whose unfathomable stare once sent a chill down her spine but who no longer scared her.
Kyrian nodded. “Yes. He should have been here by now, I’ve sent someone to see what is the hold up, but—”
When he stopped speaking abruptly, Tierney knew he was communicating telepathically with someone. But when he turned a little pale, she frowned and switched to telepathy herself. “Kyrian, is everything all right?”
The leader of the Okami wolves stared at her. “I can’t reach him. The wolf I sent up to the cave says Soroyan is gone.”
The cave was where Soroyan was holding Sami and Dimitina’s father. Marcius. “Gone?”
Kyrian nodded and his worry was so strong, Tierney shivered.
“Maybe he took a run?” she suggested, but Kyrian shook his head.
“No, the prisoner is missing as well.”
“Shit.” Tierney bit her lip and motioned to Jax and Sami. “We should all talk in private.”
Kyrian nodded.
“We will find Soroyan, and your son,” Tierney said. She wanted to make it a promise, but her own gripp
ing fear prevented her from doing so.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Goodbye
THANIEL RELAXED IN BED THAT NIGHT, happier than he’d ever been in his life. He was mated to two people he loved with his whole heart and soul, and he’d been reunited with his father. Not only that, he had gained a brother and a huge family.
“You feel unsettled. What’s wrong, love?” Tierney asked, and he shrugged. It was still hard to shake the fear that it would all come crashing down on him. And, there was one person still missing from his life.
“Sweetheart,” Tierney cupped the side of his face and stared into his eyes, making him grateful she didn’t care about his scars. Jax moved close, his strength and warmth encompassing Thaniel.
“Buddy, we’re not going anywhere,” Jax said.
“Jax is right, we will always be here for you. You are a part of us now, merged with our heart and soul and we’d die before we let anything happen to you. It would destroy us.”
Tierney’s words filled his heart and brought a lump to his throat. “I can’t believe I ever left you two, I’m sorry.”
Tierney gave him a loving smile, then leaned in and kissed him, and Thaniel could feel both hers and Jax’s love for him.
“I know, but you came back, that’s all that matters. You are ours and we are yours,” Tierney said.
Just then Peanut jumped up and curled up between Thaniel and Tierney. Thaniel smiled at the sight of his little cat. “You guys are the best, I feel so lucky to have found you all. I’ve never had such a wonderful Christmas in my life, thank you.”
Both of his lovers hugged him. “We love you, Thaniel, and this is also our best Christmas as well. You complete us, and we are happy that we were able to make it special for you.”
***
“Thank you for bringing me here,” Thaniel said the next afternoon, feeling Tierney and Jax’s support.
“Of course,” Tierney smiled in understanding while Jax nodded.
Leaning over, Thaniel laid the white and pink pastel bouquet on the grave and moved back. His heart clenched as he once again read the inscription. “I wished he’d have told me about her,” he said, and Tierney and Jax both wrapped their arms around him.
“It probably hurt too much to talk about,” Tierney said and he nodded.
“Besides, you said Real wasn’t much for conversation,” Jax added.
Thaniel glanced at him gratefully. “No, he wasn’t.”
Thaniel thought about how someone could be a friend, and you could know so little about them.
“Even Dad was surprised to learn that Real had a child,” Tierney said.
Thaniel knew that Zander now considered him another one of his sons, but that was going to take some getting used to.
Sensing someone nearby, he shivered and searched around the graveyard. Once again, he felt eyes upon him. Then he drew in a breath and stilled. The scent was familiar. But as he gazed around again, he didn’t see anyone.
Finally, thinking he must just be imagining things, he let it go and studied the angel headstone. The words were so loving and he couldn’t imagine the pain his friend must’ve been in.
“I miss you,” he said, speaking to the friend who had protected him while he lived on the streets. “I’ve found love. A home, family. I’m happy, I hope wherever you are, Real, that you are happy as well.”
Then, feeling his mates’ love flowing through their bond, Thaniel let Tierney and Jax lead him back to the car.
Chapter Seventy-Five
Watcher
THE MALE WATCHED the three walk away from the gravesite and unclenched his fists. He had thought of stepping out and revealing himself, but then decided not to. He didn’t have the time, he needed to take some food back to the woman he’d taken from the mine. Annalee.
He hadn’t wanted the burden, but he also found he couldn’t leave her behind, especially not in her condition. With a sigh, he watched the old, shiny black car drive away. No matter how hard he tried to shed his former skin, some things were just too ingrained in his make up to prevent him from doing so. Turning, he hurried away.
Never the end.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the first five books in the Dracones. As an author I highly appreciate the feedback I get from my readers and it helps others make an informed decision before buying. If you enjoyed this book please consider leaving a short review HERE
Dracones
Rogue
Book Five
By
Sheri-Lynn Marean
Chapter One
Rogue
Four hundred years ago …
With unnatural fury, the windy, biting onslaught pelted from the heavens like frigid blades. Ice seeped into his soul as darkness filled his heart and mind. It plastered his thick black mane to his skull and streamed in rivulets down his neck and back. Uncaring, he worked. A fierce scowl permanently etched upon his black brow, he ignored the eyes that weighed like a mountain upon his shoulders.
Soroyan chomped on the inside of his cheek and salty blood filled his mouth. The distraction didn’t help. Jaw clenched, he steeled himself against all emotion except rage, and finished covering the grave of his mate and young wolfling pups.
No matter how he fought it, pain seeped through the cold to pierce his heart at the idea of his sweet little laughing triplets, lying under the cold, brown earth. Only two years old … Beyond furious and desolate, he lifted his head to the heavens and the icy sting of the merciless rain. Delsie, what will I do without you?
No answer came. Shoulders tense, he turned away, knowing this spot with its two young willow saplings on top of the hill would be forever imprinted on his mind.
With the rest of their dead buried, most of the pack had left to seek shelter from the rain and nurse their wounds. Only three of the pack remained out in the cold with him.
Unable to face the two young Okami wolves who stood silent and soaked in human form, he glanced at the only other person there. Sasha, a brown-haired female with frost-blue eyes. As a submissive wolf and the pack’s healer, she was driven by the need to heal and fix. Sasha sighed, and on her face he saw intense sadness coupled with compassion. It was something he could do without at the moment, as he struggled to contain the growing fury within.
Like a living entity, it twisted and slithered through him, clung to the very fiber of his being. Pulling—pushing, it stirred him to act. To avenge his loved ones.
Just a moment longer, then he’d set his wolf free.
Underneath the sizzling fury, an inky blackness gaped like a deep hole inside of him. Utter desolation that used to be his soul was completely shredded. Rage fed his wolf as the last vestiges of his humanity slipped away.
The Okami wolves had never done anything to the Ilyium, yet the druid witches had been hunting the wolves for hundreds of years. They believed that all supernatural beings needed to be eliminated, when it was they, themselves, who were the true evil in the world. Soroyan was done with it.
Only for a moment longer did he hold back and fight the will of his wolf. He couldn’t shift here. He needed to make sure he was far from the pack before unleashing his beast. Because he knew that once free—his fury—his wolf, would turn completely wild. While he didn’t care about most of humanity, the chances of a massive rampage were very high, and he didn’t want his pack caught in the destruction.
“Soroyan,” Sasha said, begging him to reconsider.
“No, I told you, I refuse the position,” he said as he started past her.
“With father and grandfather dead, you are the rightful heir. The pack is expecting you to lead, to rule them.” Sasha’s lips pursed as she tried to convince him, fear and worry bright in her eyes.
As much as he wished he could help her and the rest of his pack, he had nothing left to give. He’d only lead them into more death and devastation. “Kyrian can rule. He is the rightful heir anyway.”
“That is debatable,” Sasha said with ice in her voice. “
Besides, Grandfather has been training you for this position for the last hundred years. How can you expect Kyrian to rule at only fifteen years of age and no training?”
Soroyan ignored her outburst and walked past the two younger wolves. He didn’t have to look to know the smaller female’s eyes also held desolation and confusion while the boy’s eyes held vivid anger.
“Don’t do it. You will turn rogue,” Sasha called.
Without a backward glance, he kept going. When he was far enough away, he drew on his power and shifted into his massive black wolf.
Then he ran.
It was like shedding an overbearing weight when he set the wolf free. The pain of his loss that had been slowly consuming him, instantly took over. It obliterated all that was left of the human, burying that part of him in the ether alongside his dead mate and children. With no rational thought left—rage burned out of control.
He ran, tracking the eight who had somehow managed to flee during the massacre after seeing their brethren torn to shreds during their raid on his pack.
The men, thinking they were smart, each went their separate way in hopes they wouldn’t be found. To Soroyan, the pack’s best tracker, it didn’t matter. He had their scent. A scent he would never, ever forget.
Four days later, he crossed paths with the first one. The weaker man was an easy kill. He moved on to finding the next, and then the next. A month later, only two men remained.
Fueled by a black frenzy that wouldn’t let up, he ate only when absolutely necessary, never stopping. Two months passed before he found the next man and savagely shredded him limb from limb. Pleas of mercy fell on deaf ears. Soroyan’s shiny black coat shone red with blood as he continued his blinding pace across the country.
Dracones Boxset Books 1-5 Page 129
