by Aliyah Burke
While he remained downwind from her, he watched her ear twitch and knew he’d been discovered. Shifting himself, he padded into view, not approaching from behind because he didn’t wish to scare the cub.
The adolescent male drew back his lips and snarled silently at him. Baring his own teeth back, he refused to let a cub dictate to him. The attack came out of nowhere as the brindle wolf launched herself at him, jaws snapping and tearing at him.
Shaking her off, he sprang back and rumbled low in warning. All she did was show more teeth keeping herself between him and the cub.
Keane swore and backed up a bit more. She watched him every step of the way and when he lay down, she remained standing until he closed his eyes. He heard her and peeked in time to see her lie back beside the cub, this time, at more of an angle so she could protect him better.
He hated this and wanted to be able to comfort her, but if this was as close as he could get for the time being, he’d take it.
When the temperature dropped, he opened his eyes and took in the scene. His cub lay sound asleep across from him as he had been, but it was just the two of them. No Tora.
Chapter Eight
“You’ve remembered more about what you went through as a child.”
She pushed a hand through her hair but didn’t move or turn from her spot leaning against the tall tree. The bark dug into her bared skin as she’d opted to only wear a tank top for her workout.
That had been smart but now that she was just standing around, it wasn’t the most intelligent thing she’d ever done. On the other hand, the bite into her flesh was a distraction she whole heartedly approved of.
Her Alpha stood before her, framed by the backdrop of Pack territory and the stunning moonless night sky, studded with stars. His black cut off tee shirt and loose dark gray sweats told her all she needed to know, he’d rolled out of bed with his mate to come find her. If the clothing wasn’t enough of a hint, she could smell Dyana all over him.
They didn’t understand just how sensitive her nose was. Or they tended to forget.
“I have.” She didn’t embellish farther than that.
“When did this start?”
“About a month and a half before I headed to Adams.”
The low growl of discontent was audible for a second then was no more. “So that night when I came to you and asked you about your memories coming back, you couldn’t see fit to tell me more, just that yes it had been happening?”
“It wasn’t important.” A one shouldered shrug. “Still isn’t.”
“Bullshit,” he grumbled. He was suddenly in front of her and she lifted her head to match his gaze head on. “Why won’t you let me in?”
“There’s nothing anyone can do about my past, Alpha. No point in dragging more people through the shit lying there. What happened, happened.”
“You’re wound so tight lately, Tora.”
She couldn’t argue that. It had been a brutal few weeks. “I will head away to the outer boundary.” A moment’s pause. “Unless you’d like me off Pack land.”
The thought scared the ever-loving fuck out of her but if he wanted her to step away, she would. This place was the most home she could ever recall and she’d hate to leave.
He bared his teeth at her, and the light gleamed off the distended fangs. “I’d love to beat you for that statement.”
She wasn’t scared nor concerned. If the occasion called for it, he would mete out swift and just punishment, but he wouldn’t ever do anything just because he didn’t like a statement.
“Your mate is pregnant, I’ve been tense, you may want me away from her.”
“Are you saying you have lost control, Tora? Is that what you’re admitting to me and that my mate is in danger from one of my lieutenants?” Danger lurked on his words as if the very thought of Dyana being in danger was enough to push him to the cusp of explosion.
It’s not like it would be the first time that’s happened. Somehow, she kept that thought to herself. “Not from me. But I will leave if it would make you more comfortable. Or her.”
“You would, too, wouldn’t you? If I told you to leave Pack land, you’d go without any questions.”
“Doing what my Alpha commands is part of what I agreed to when I accepted the position in your Pack.”
This time, he did touch her. Casimir settled the back of his hand along her cheek. “This is your Pack as well, Tora. You have to know this. You’ve nearly died for us time and time again. This is your family. This Pack.”
His words hit her hard. She blinked from the sting of tears that lingered in her eyes.
Without waiting for permission, he dragged her close to him. His strong arms closed around her, much like he had done when they were much younger and taken on a rogue lion shifter who had gone after him and had gotten a broken arm for that. He’d hugged her then as well.
“You know I love you Tora.” It wasn’t a question. “I don’t want you to leave but if you need to again, I understand. I just wish you would trust me enough to tell me more about what you went through as a pup. I can deduce some of it based on how you were and your reactions to certain things, but you’ve never talked about it. Now these dreams, Christ, I’m your Alpha, it is my job to protect as well.”
She closed her eyes and allowed the need for contact to be soothed by this man. His shirt, warm and soft against her cheek aided in the stress encompassing her to slide away. Not completely, but enough she no longer let so tightly wound.
“You have enough to do. I will be fine. I would like to head back out to where I found Keane and see if I can’t track that Komodo down.”
He rested his lips against her forehead, nothing more than a brotherly kiss, and she felt him smile.
“That’s my lieutenant, all business. Fine, you have my permission. Take all the time you need.”
He released her and stepped back. There wasn’t anything else for her to say, so she turned on her heels and began to melt back into the surrounding forest when he called out.
“Tora?”
“Yes, Alpha?” She pivoted back.
His eyes were wolf, even in the starlight, she could say that. “You have my loyalty as much as I have yours. Never forget that.”
“Alpha.”
She retreated to her vehicle that wasn’t all that far away. There hadn’t been any need for her respond. She got it. He trusted her and that was why he was more than willing to defend her against the Silva Clan Alpha.
Tora had just finished straightening up the back of her Jimmy when a new whisper along the wind reached her. Slamming the tailgate, she turned in time to see a large eagle wing down and shift with an incredibly smooth transformation to Shira.
The women stared at one another before Tora jerked her head toward the passenger door as she made her way to the driver’s side. Once Shira climbed in, she headed off.
“You know where I’m going?”
“I’m hoping I do. The fuckers who have been trafficking our kind.”
“That’s the plan.” She shifted as the road smoothed out from all the curves and picked up speed.
“Good.” The woman glanced in the back before settling down into the seat.
Tora saw a lot more than people thought she did. Because she was tiny and often thought of at first glance of a young woman or older teen, she was often overlooked. Even among the lieutenant’s she worked with, she’d had to prove herself to get them to stop thinking she wasn’t capable. And she’d heard Kraven’s claim that this woman was his mate and that was before he knew she was a shifter.
Wonder how little he’s going to like her coming along with me. That was as far as she went with that thought. It wasn’t her place to try and protect someone who may not want it. Not when it was obvious to her that Shira could survive and had done so.
“Want to fill me in on what you know?”
Tora didn’t take her eyes off the road before her. “Not a lot. When I went to find the leopard there was another cub there,
a jaguar, who’d been taken. The hyenas weren’t that knowledgeable but the Komodo, him I want another shot at.”
Her wolf stirred at the mention of the lizard and she worked hard to keep her contained.
“Can you track them? Because I’m pretty sure they will have moved on. Fuckers rarely stay in one place for any length of time.”
“I can track ‘em.” Nothing but confidence in her tone.
“Good.”
“You think he has some more eaglets?”
“I think if he does, he better hope he’s dead before I get to him.”
The familiar bloodlust in Shira’s tone was comforting. Nice to know she wasn’t the only who had strong feelings about this.
“You okay if I sleep?”
“Knock yourself out. You want the back you can have it. May not be as comfortable for you as you’re much taller than I am, but you’re free to stretch out best you can.”
“Thank you.”
The shifter slid into the back and within moments, Tora heard her deep even breathing.
To be able to fall asleep that fast would be wonderful.
She continued on through the night and when the sun crested over the horizon, she pulled off into a small diner’s parking lot. Together, she and Shira entered the building. One sniff told her there were only humans here. Not that the knowledge had her dropping her vigilance any for humans were more than capable of being deadly to their kind, but she was a bit more relaxed. At that moment, she realized that Shira wore her masking agent and she no longer smelled like a shifter.
The women got a booth toward the back and Tora claimed the side facing the front and that had her rear protected.
“Morning, ladies. Here’s your menu’s and I’ll be back with some coffee. If you make up your mind before then, just holler. My name is Sunshine. Yep, like that big glowing ball spitting out light there.” Then she was gone with a huge smile.
“Definitely a morning person,” Shira commented offhand as she picked up the menu.
Tora was too, but all she did was nod. Like her, Shira focused on the meal and there wasn’t any talk between them as they ate. Not that the silence was strained, they were both just focused.
As they headed back out, after paying, Tora’s phone rang.
She unlocked the Jimmy as they neared however slowed to take the call. “Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
She’d been expecting to hear from Casimir but not the man who belonged to the deep voice on the other end of the call.
Keane Patrick.
“What does it matter?”
“God fucking damnit, Tora. Just tell me if you’re okay or not. Then I want to know where you are.”
Shira met her gaze and lifted an eyebrow. Waving her on, Tora, said, “I’ll be there in a few.”
The woman nodded and finished the distance alone.
“Who are you talking to?”
“I’m not a child, leopard. Watch your tone with me.”
Male arrogance in the form of a low rumble poured through the phone. It wasn’t fair how much he affected her.
“Don’t make me come find you.”
He would too, she understood this, just like she had to go to him.
“I’m fine. I’m heading out to look into some things.”
“With who?” No denying the proprietary growl this time.
“No one male.” That was the best she could do, it wasn’t her place to give up Shira’s name. perhaps the woman didn’t want anyone to know where she was. And as she and Keane knew each other, how well, she wasn’t sure nor did she want to.
“Call me when we can talk.” He was gone.
“Like commanding me around is going to work.”
She rolled her eyes, fighting the urge to smile, as she lengthened her unimpressive stride to the vehicle and climbed in.
αβ
Keane crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Nahuel stare at the package that bore his name in a soft script. The parcel had been sitting on the kitchen counter in his place.
“I smell your mate on it, but what is it?”
While he couldn’t deny the pleasure rushing through him at hearing her called his, Keane didn’t have any clue.
“You’ll have to open it, I don’t have any idea what it could be.”
The truth for he couldn’t begin to figure out what was in the small gift. Tora didn’t strike him as the kind of woman who just gave things out for no reason. His wolf was practical for sure.
He leaned against the counter, hooking his ankles while he waited. Keane was desperate to have him open so he could find out what she’d given the cub. But it wasn’t addressed to him and no matter how deep his desire he wouldn’t violate that trust.
Finally, the cub flipped it to the end and ripped open the tab and squeezed the sides, so he could look in. His dark brows furrowed as he peered in there.
Keane had no clue still. The boy’s hair hung forward blocking any chance he may have had to see inside. Like molasses pouring, the cub finally pulled it out, his expression not changing from the confusion that had been there prior.
The second he saw it, Keane knew what gift she’d left for the cub. She’d given Nahuel a half oval eye patch made of dark brown leather with a mark on it.
“She gave me a patch?”
And he understood. Keane nodded. “She’s noticed how you try to keep your missing eye from being in people’s line of sight. So she made that for you.”
The uncertainty was immediately replaced by hope. “She did? Made it for me?”
“Tora’s crafty, she doesn’t make things for people often but if they mean something to her, she will.”
Nahuel ran his thumb along the leather strap. “Did she ever make you anything?”
“Nope.”
He looked back down before holding up the patch. “What does this mean?”
Keane leaned forward and stared hard at the intricate detail that had been etched into the leather. “I’m not sure, you’ll have to ask her when she comes back.” Whatever it was, it was beautiful.
“When will she be back?” He flipped it over and stared at the back of the patch, skimming his fingers there.
“I don’t know.” Another truth, and one he hated admitting.
Closing his eyes, Keane, tried to rein in his control. He hated that she wasn’t with him. The fact she’d bitten and put her mark all over him, didn’t seem to matter one whit to her. He knew she didn’t have to be explained the entire mating thing as his friend Dyana had, but the fact Tora didn’t seem inclined to pretend there wasn’t anything there, rubbed him wrong.
“Well?”
Yanked from his thoughts by Nahuel’s single word question, he snapped his gaze up to find the cub there, wearing the patch.
“Makes you look older and more dangerous,” he said with a small smile.
The blue eye that remained glinted. “I am dangerous.”
Keane didn’t argue with him on that, his cat agreed. The boy was dangerous and could be a serious problem if he didn’t learn to control all that came with being a shifter. He’d had a rough start but was showing a bit of improvement.
The boy left and Keane heard him enter his bedroom. He’d held his line on having the boy stay with him. Juan had understood after a fashion. Not that they were doing well right now after what his Alpha had pushed on his mate and right now, Keane needed to be with her. Hold her. Smell her.
It didn’t matter she was traveling somewhere with a woman, he didn’t give a damn what she was doing for her Alpha. He needed her and he wanted her to carry his mark. The knock at his door wasn’t unexpected.
“Come on in,” he called from where he still stood in the kitchen, hands gripping the edge of the counter.
His Alpha came in slowly, still looking older than he had in recent days.
“When are you leaving?”
“Right away.”
“Taking the cub?”
Kicking his gaze back toward the
bedroom, he shook his head. “If I know Tora, and I do, she’s on her way to poke a hornet’s nest. I’m going as her backup.”
The click of a door let him know Nahuel had returned, watching them both. “I’m not going?”
“No,” Juan said before Keane could mention anything. “It’s time we get you in classes and training.”
Nahuel’s face paled. Keane held up his hand “Defense training.”
“Where am I staying?”
Juan crossed his arms. “With me. Until Keane comes back.”
Nahuel’s expression froze. “You...you’re the Alpha.”
“I am, and I don’t put up with shit. But Keane is one of my best lieutenant’s and I need him to carry out this job without having to worry about you settling in with another family. You know me a little. So, you’ll stay with me.”
Keane bit the inside of his cheek to hide his smile. He could have easily called bullshit, but he got it, Juan was doing this as an apology for what had happened and he appreciated it for his Alpha didn’t have to do so. He could have just tossed him into the care of someone else.
“Nice eyepatch. Where’d you get it?”
“Our wolf gave it to me.”
Keane cocked an eyebrow at that. Our?
“Impressive. Get your things together. We’ll let him get on his way. I’ll be outside waiting.” One shared look and Juan was out the door.
Keane moved closer to Nahuel. “You going to be okay?”
“I’m not a baby.”
“Never said you were. Just concerned for you.”
“I’ll be okay. I don’t think you would work and be this loyal to a man if he wasn’t trustworthy.”
This cub was a lot stronger than he’d originally thought he was for going through all he had. He was going to be one hell of an adult. “Hold onto that thought and take advantage of being in the same house with the Alpha. Ask questions, he loves talking.”
Within fifteen minutes, he and Nahuel stepped outside onto the porch. As promised Juan waited. The two got on their way with no further words, leaving Keane alone.
Reaching for Tora he welcomed her presence in his mind. I’m coming to you, expect me.
