by Lacey Thorn
“How do I make you feel?”
“Special.”
“You are.”
“Unique.”
“I’ve never known another woman like you.”
“As if I have meaning. Worth.”
“There’s no one who means as much to me as you do. Your worth is beyond measure.” He turned her to her back and loomed over her, wanting her to see the truth in his eyes. “You are what fills me up. Here.” He placed his open palm over his heart.
She looked a little shy and uncertain, two things his mate should never be around him.
“What is it?”
“I’m afraid,” she admitted.
“I will kill anyone who tries to hurt you.”
She smiled again, and one soft hand came up to brush his cheek. He leaned into her touch, loving it, loving her. And that’s when it hit him. The words. Words had power.
“I love you, Amia.”
Her eyes flared with wonder and filled with tears. “I don’t think anyone has ever said those words to me. Not in my entire life. Not even my mother.”
He shook his head, hating her family even more for the scars they’d left. He would be more than happy to wipe every one of them off the earth.
“They’ll come for me, Reno. It’s why I quit trying to run away. Every time. They found me, brought me back. And if I’d try to make a friend,” she shuddered. “I got to watch them die.”
“They won’t get you this time. You’re not alone. You’re one of us now, a part of our pride. We will stand for you.”
Tears trembled on her lashes then spilled down her cheeks. “I don’t want to be the reason anyone is hurt.”
“You’re not to blame for what the Blanes or any other group of hunters choose to do.” He used one hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “They’re unworthy of your emotion.”
She gave a weak laugh. “These aren’t for them. They’re for you.”
“I made you cry?” He was appalled. What had he done?
“I don’t deserve you or your love.”
“You have it wrong, Amia. I’m the one who is undeserving.”
“I love you, Reno. I’ve never said those words to anyone in my life. Never understood what love was. Until now. Until you. You fill me up too. Here.” She placed her palm over her heart as he had done. “You make me feel like, for the first time in my life, I belong.”
“You do. You belong here, with me. Always.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’ll make sure I remind you often then,” he said, then lowered his mouth to hers for a chaste brushing of lips. “I don’t want to leave this bed.”
“But…” she prompted when he didn’t finish.
“But we have a lot to deal with right now.” He dropped another kiss on her lips and shifted away, rolling off the bed and holding his hand out to her. “Why don’t we shower? Then I’ll take you to the kitchen, and we can eat. I’m starving.”
“Then?”
“We need to talk. There are a lot of questions.”
“And if I don’t have the answers?”
He wondered if she realized her heart was in her eyes, almost as if she were still afraid he would reject her if she made a mistake. She might say she loved him, but it would take a while to deal with the demons that haunted her. But he would. He would show her that his love didn’t come with a set of rules and conditions she had to live up to.
“We’ll figure it out. Together.”
Chapter Ten
Amia was tense and uneasy, a complete bundle of nerves as Reno led her into the room he’d disappeared into earlier—the one he’d been in when she’d been taken downstairs. His hand was solid in hers, their fingers interlaced, offering her his strength. She’d learned not to depend on anyone else a long time ago, and now here she was doing just that. Was that what love was? A way to make you vulnerable? Losing him wouldn’t just devastate her, it would kill her, and that was a terrifying thing to realize.
She couldn’t stop the tremble that went through her when she saw Tah leaning against a desk across the room. She remembered hearing him roar, feeling his touch, and the way he’d told her she was home. Still, she held her breath as he crossed to them. He clasped Reno on the shoulder, and she could tell they were very close. There was history between them. She could see it in the way they looked at each other, the casual way they communicated without words.
“I’m glad to see you,” Tah said, and he was looking at her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
Tah shook his head. “Not yet, but you will be. I have faith.” He crossed over to a seating area with some couches and chairs all facing each other in a large square. “Let’s sit down.”
Reno guided her over and sat in one of the chairs, pulling her down on his lap before she realized his intent. As his heat surrounded her again, she settled back against him, more than content to stay where he seemed to want her.
“Where’s everyone else?” Reno asked.
“Abby’s with Diane and the Professor. Vic’s running a diagnostic on the new sensors we managed to get out. Kenzie, Murphy and Finn are on a perimeter check, doing their part to help her test them. Zane and Holt are sleeping so they can take night watch. Logan’s grabbing some more supplies and heading back. He should be here soon.” His gaze slid to Amia again. “I failed to greet you properly the first time, Amia, and I’m truly sorry for that. I hope you can eventually forgive me.”
“I…” She glanced uncertainly at Reno, trying to figure out what she was supposed to say, but he was no help.
His eyes were locked on Tah, and he didn’t look pleased.
“You did what you thought you had to,” Amia finally said. Just the thought of being in that room had the power to send a chill through her.
“It will never happen again,” Tah assured her as Reno growled.
She turned to Reno and rubbed her hand over his chest in an attempt to soothe him and was rewarded when the growl shifted into a purr.
“I understand you were protecting your family,” Amia said.
Tah nodded at her, his gaze strong and sure. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect those I hold most dear. Do you understand what that means?”
She nodded in agreement. She was a huge threat right now, no matter the bond forming between her and Reno.
“I don’t think you do,” Tah said, leaning forward and bracing his elbows on his knees. “It means you have nothing to fear here. You are now a part of my family and under the protection we provide. No one will get to you here.”
She looked at Reno, and he smiled, pulling her tighter to him, his hand covering hers on his chest and holding it over his heart.
“You belong,” he reminded her.
“I…” She blinked her eyelids several times, unwilling to let the tears burning the backs of her eyes free. She didn’t cry, though it seemed she was doing a lot of it lately. She fought. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Why don’t you tell me about this glow you see when you look at me,” Tah prompted, leaning back again. “You’ve mentioned it twice in front of me.” He glanced down at himself. “What is it you see?”
“I… Sometimes when I meet someone, I see a soft blanket of warmth around them, a glow that surrounds them.”
“What does it mean?” Tah asked her.
“I’m not exactly sure,” she admitted. “I’ve never really had anyone to talk to about it.” Not exactly true. She had a pretty good idea of what it meant. Since Reno, and now Tah. She definitely had her suspicions.
“And I have one?” Tah asked.
“The brightest I’ve ever seen.”
He smiled at that. “And Reno?”
“Yes,” she said, letting her glance skim over her mate. Her mate. She liked the way it felt to think of him that way.
“Interesting,” Tah said and looked as if he might be about to say something more when his gaze suddenly went to the door. There was
no missing the way his face lit up or the hurried way he stood up and crossed the room.
She turned her head to see what had consumed his attention and barely held in a gasp. His arms were wrapped around a beautiful woman, but that wasn’t what surprised her. It was when he pulled back and Amia got her first full look at the other woman, the pregnant woman. She knew at once this must be Tah’s mate by the way they touched, not to mention the heated looks. But there was something more. The woman seemed to shimmer with a touch of his glow, as if somehow he had shared a bit of whatever was inside him with her.
Reno stood, lifting her with him and placing her on her feet beside him. He turned as the couple crossed toward them.
“Reno, it’s so good to see you!” The woman hurried over to them and wrapped her arms around Reno. “I was so worried about you.”
“Abby,” he said, using one arm to hug her to him while keeping his other hand tightly joined to Amia’s. “How’s our little guy doing?”
“Growing like a lion,” she said with a laugh as she rubbed a hand over the mound of her belly.
Amia could see the love and affection pass between the two of them, and felt a momentary spike of jealousy. Then the woman turned to her, and she found herself wrapped in a hug.
“You must be Amia. I’m so sorry I wasn’t available when you arrived.” Here she sent a glare over her shoulder toward Tah, who stood just behind her. “We’ll get to know one another better later. You’re the first mate other than me. I want to ask you all kinds of questions. Compare notes.”
“Abby.” Tah’s voice was loud and commanding, making Amia jolt a little. “There will be no comparing notes.”
Abby rolled her eyes and had Amia holding in a laugh at the look of pure mischief on the other woman’s face. “He’s just afraid I’ll decide to love Reno more again.”
“Abby.” Tah growled as Reno laughed beside her.
She wasn’t sure what Abby meant by that comment but obviously everyone else did. Still, Amia felt no twinge of jealousy over the other woman’s remark.
“I’m so excited to meet you!” Abby gushed and leaned close for another hug, then surprised her by whispering in her ear. “Did he bite you yet?”
“I can hear you, Abby.” Tah informed them, startling Amia.
“I can, as well,” Reno said, clearing his throat beside them.
Abby sighed. “Sometimes that can be so annoying.” She waved her hand as if brushing it off. “I’ll take you to meet Diane after we figure everything out. You’ll love her. Everyone does.”
“Diane?” Amia asked.
“She’s our doctor. She tries to stay on top of all the little anomalies that seem to come with being a shifter, or mated to one.” Abby rubbed her belly again, and Amia noticed the shadows under her eyes, the fatigue.
Tah scooped up his mate in his arms and took her over to one of the sofas, sitting and settling her on his lap.
“Anomalies?” She glanced uneasily up at Reno. What was Abby talking about?
“You’re scaring her, Abby.” Tah stated.
“Well, if she’s Reno’s mate, she has a right to know things.”
“She is,” Reno said.
Amia felt warmed by the possession in his eyes. His mate. It still didn’t seem real.
“Then there are things she needs to be aware of. And samples. We’re going to need samples from both of you. You know the drill. Are you ovulating yet?”
“What?” Amia asked, feeling incredibly overwhelmed. Samples? Ovulating?
“Has she been hanging around with the Professor all week?” Reno asked as he sat down, pulling Amia gently back onto his lap. Was it a mate thing? The need to be close and touch? Or was this something all couples felt? She’d never seen much affection displayed growing up.
Tah laughed. “I know. I swear there are days she starts to sound just like him.”
“That’s just because you two never really saw me in research mode before.” She glanced back at Amia. “There’s a lot we don’t know yet. It’ll be nice to have another mated woman here. And another shifter besides Tah.” Abby moved her gaze back to Reno. “Have you shifted yet?”
“No,” Reno admitted, glancing at Amia. “My animal was content to just sit and watch until I met Amia.”
You tempted the beast to awaken. She remembered his words and felt awed by them all over again.
“Your mate calling it forth,” Tah said. “Makes sense. It’s what happened with Abby and me.”
“But you didn’t know yours was there,” Abby said. “And Reno’s sensed it for a while.”
“Since I almost died,” Reno offered.
“You almost died?” Amia couldn’t keep the shock out of her voice.
“Years ago,” he soothed, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck. “Before I met you.”
The thought that she might have never met him, that he might have been killed before she even knew he existed, rocked her to the core.
“I’m fine, baby,” he assured her, and his lips met hers in a soft kiss.
Never. She would never lose him. Not as long as there was life still in her.
“What do you need from me?” she asked Tah.
“Any information you might have,” Tah immediately answered. “No matter how inconsequential you might think it is. The more we know, the better.”
“I’ve read the journals of one of your ancestors,” Abby offered. “A Uriah Blane.”
“I’ve heard of him. My father, Marcus Blane, spoke of him a few times. I’m afraid I don’t know much. I’d love to see the journals if I’m allowed.”
“Of course,” Abby said before either of the men could comment. “You might be able to see something I’ve missed. It’ll help that you’ve been raised a hunter. You might pick up on certain phrases and nuances that I don’t recognize.”
“I was never trained as a hunter.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure why. I always felt like my father was watching and waiting for some sign. By the time he decided to begin my training, I was running.”
Tah nodded. “Reno said you ran when you were sixteen?”
“Yes. There was a girl, my age. They brought her in after a hunt. She was accused of being a dirty animal.” She glanced at Tah, then Reno. “That’s what they call you. Animals. Perversions of nature. And they see it as their duty to purge you from society.”
“How do they tell who is a…perversion of nature?” Tah’s voice deepened with anger as he repeated her words.
Amia shook her head. “I’m not sure.” And she wasn’t. Not exactly. But looking back, her eyes were suddenly wide open. “They look just like you and me,” she offered when he just waited in silence, watching her.
“Like you? Or like me?” Tah asked with a lift of his brow. “Because I’m a shifter, Amia. I’ve bonded with my lion and share his form just as he shares mine.”
“I…I don’t know how they tell.”
“Does anyone else in your family see this glow you do?”
She kept her breath steady. So he suspected as well. She thought about her father, her mother, the other hunters she’d known. She shook her head. “Not that I know of. But then I never asked anyone about it, except my mother. She told me to never let anyone know what I saw.”
“Why? Did she say why?”
Amia shook her head. “No. She died when I was eight, so I never spoke of it again.” She glanced at Reno. “Until you. I’ve never told anyone else until you. I lose my mind when I’m around you. No matter how hard I try not to, I let my guard down.”
“Because you know you can trust me,” Reno assured her. “Instinctively, you know you are safe with me.”
“How did your mom die?” Abby asked.
“I don’t know,” Amia admitted, turning back to them. “She tucked me into bed one night, and the next morning my father told me she was gone. He was angry, very angry. I cried all day while they cleared her things from the house and burned them. I tried to keep a shawl of hers. She wore it all
the time. It smelled like her.”
“What happened?” Reno prompted.
“My father. Marcus,” she answered, remembering the first time he’d struck her.
She’d fought for that shawl, just one thing of her mother’s to hold on to. Marcus had struck her for the first time that day. Slapped her so hard he’d knocked her to the floor. He’d taken the shawl from her and tossed it to one of his men with the order to make sure it burned. Then he’d hauled her up by the hair and made her stand on the porch and watch as her mother’s things were destroyed by flames.
“I think he killed her. I’m pretty sure she did something to betray him. Like mother, like daughter,” she added.
“What did they do to you, Amia?” Tah asked.
His arms were wrapped around his mate, palms flat on her belly, as if he already held his mate and child in his arms. It warmed Amia’s heart. He would be a father who protected his child no matter what.
“It doesn’t matter,” Amia said.
“It matters,” Reno disagreed with a low growl.
“It doesn’t,” Amia stated again, looking at her mate. “I can’t let it matter, Reno.”
Until they took her again, tortured her again. She had to put it behind her until she couldn’t. Reno looked at her, and she could tell he planned to argue, planned to press her for things she didn’t want to share. It was bad enough he’d seen her scars. She didn’t want to lay all her demons out for him, especially in front of others.
“Please, Reno,” she whispered, putting her hand over his mouth when he would have spoken. “Just let it go. Please.”
Slowly, he nodded. “For now,” he said, brushing a kiss across her fingers before moving them away. “But we will talk more about this. Soon.”
Her stomach clenched with nerves. She’d never spoken in detail of the things she’d been through, not even to those who’d tried to be her friends. Until Reno. From the first, she’d been sharing herself with him, even the parts she’d tried so desperately to hide. Reno pulled her closer, his lips brushing softly over her temple. She knew there would be no hiding from him. If she were honest with herself, she would admit she took comfort in knowing that. She didn’t need to be more than who she was, and he would never make her feel as if she were less or unworthy.
