by Lacey Thorn
Daniel knew Tony was right. Quinn definitely had a story. He’d been shocked to find she was the one Ariel had crossed paths with. Hell, the pride had been looking for Quinn since they’d discovered Isaac Erikson’s secret journals. They suspected Isaac had been the one to send Quinn into the heart of hunter territory, fueled by the anger she’d felt after her mother’s death. Daniel knew firsthand how good his dad had been at feeding anger. At pushing those around him to seek revenge. And Quinn had appeared to be a woman barely holding it together. It was a look Daniel was all too familiar with at the moment.
“Your brother and the others are still a few hours out. They’ve reserved rooms at the same hotel you’re at. Aleksy, Lyra, and I have, as well. We’ll be there in a bit. They’ll send the helicopter back in the morning for those who want to head back.”
That caught Daniel’s attention. “Who’s planning to stay?”
And why?
“Talbot’s here. He’s the one who had Quinn. Someone helped her get out. Someone who wanted her found. By us. I don’t know what’s going on, but all the little hairs on my arms are standing on end. He’s here. He’s watching. Waiting. And I plan to find him.”
Daniel figured there was a story there, also. Tony had a hardon for Dr. Talbot for some reason. Daniel figured if anyone knew why it would be Aleksy. The two were like brothers, Tony having brought Aleksy home with him when they were kids.
“If Talbot is here, my brother will stay.”
Dr. Talbot had rained hell on Gabriel’s mate, Kenzie. A hell that began even before she was born. Luckily, someone in the lab where she’d been kept had decided to save Kenzie. They’d managed to sneak her out and get her to allies, who’d placed in the care of a family of cougars.
Until it was discovered that Kenzie couldn’t shift. Thinking her more human than shifter, they’d moved her into the human foster care system. Kenzie hadn’t fit in there either. She’d had enough animal senses to make her stand out among the humans but had appeared too human to fit in among the shifters. She’d spent her whole life searching for a place to belong and ended up a part of the Marine squad their pride alpha Tah had led before he knew exactly who and what he was.
Then Talbot had struck again when Kenzie and Gabriel were first getting together. She and Gabriel had a deep desire to get their hands on Talbot and find out exactly what he’d given her. Both as a child and a woman.
“Aleksy and Lyra will stay with me, but there’s room for you and Ariel to head back in the morning.”
Daniel wanted to stay and help his brother. He and Gabriel hadn’t always been there for each other. Isaac had seen to that. Daniel needed to be there now. Ariel needed him more, though, and she had to come first. Hell, he wasn’t sure anyone had ever put his mate first, and he would make damn sure he did. Which meant he’d ask her what she wanted. She deserved no less.
“I’ll see what she wants to do when she wakes up.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea for her to stay here? From the way they were talking, it sounds like she’s fragile. If we find him, it’s bound to get violent. I won’t let him get away this time.”
“My mate is anything but fragile,” Daniel stated with a growl as the woman in his arms opened her eyes and met his gaze. “She’s strong and fierce and exactly who I want at my side if things get dicey.”
“All right then,” Tony agreed. “Let’s talk about you. How’s your lion handling things? No further reactions to the shot I gave you?”
Ariel watched him curiously, brow lifted in question.
“No, the beast is settled. Calm even.”
“You’re with your mate,” Tony replied. “Everything I know about you guys says mates have a way of soothing the beast inside. Promise you’ll let me know if anything changes. I know you two haven’t sealed the deal so to speak.”
“Tony,” Daniel growled in warning, not wanting the other man to say anything that might upset Ariel.
“Stating facts. Ones you need to be aware of in case there are issues. The animal needs his mate. You almost lost him. I can’t promise it won’t happen again. Mate your mate.”
“Goodbye, Tony,” Daniel snapped, feeling Ariel tense and doing his best to soothe her. Damn it, he didn’t want her thinking he’d press her for things she was nowhere near ready for. And he was okay with that. She was more than worth the wait, no matter how long she needed.
“We’ll head your way soon, then meet up in the morning. There’s a diner across the road from the motel. Let meet there. Say six?” Tony asked.
Ariel nodded her agreement when Daniel silently left it up to her.
“Sounds good. See you then.”
“Are you staying with your mate tonight?”
Daniel held Ariel’s gaze, hiding nothing as he answered. “Yes. Good night, Tony. Call if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
Daniel laid his phone on the bedside table once the call disconnected. He had no idea what Ariel was thinking, and her continued silence wasn’t helping. Tony’s order to mate his mate hadn’t sent her moving from his lap. Daniel would count that as a positive.
“I’ll watch over you while you sleep. I can guard the door from the inside or outside. Your choice.”
She swallowed but held his gaze. “Inside.”
One word and he felt as if he’d won the lottery. She was letting him stay, was remaining in his arms even though she was awake now. He was afraid to say or do anything for fear she’d bolt or tell him to get the hell out. Fear threatened when she tugged away, leaving his arms to sit on the bed beside him.
“They took Quinn to Riverton?”
Daniel nodded. “Tony said she flew back with two of the guys who work with him, Mitch and Jonah. I met them on the way here. Jonah said they were good friends with Jess and her mates. I guess they’ve met the professor before, too. Said they’d look him up when they got back and say hello.”
Ariel nodded. “What’s Tony’s story with Dr. Talbot?”
Daniel shrugged. “I have no idea. He didn’t say. Of course, I didn’t ask, either. My guess is, it probably has something to do with Aleksy.”
“You think Gabriel and Kenzie will stay?”
“If Talbot is here, they’ll both want a go at him. I’d like to stay and watch their backs.”
“I’m not going back to Riverton,” Ariel stated softly.
“Ever or tomorrow?” Daniel asked when she didn’t say anything else.
“I don’t know.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “Do you really think you can walk away from Gideon and Vic? From Finn and Murphy?” He paused, holding her gaze as he continued. “From me?”
She went to stand, and Daniel grabbed her hand, linking their fingers and tugging her back to sit beside him.
“I won’t pressure you, Ariel. But I’m not going to let you walk away. I’m not going to walk away any more. I need you. I’m not whole when I’m without you.”
“Because of the shot Tony gave you?”
Daniel wanted to choke Tony for planting that thought in Ariel’s mind. “No. Because you’re my mate, and I want to stay by your side.”
“What did Tony give you?” she asked, and though her voice remained soft, there was no missing the demand behind the words.
“Tony didn’t go into a lot of detail. At least, not with me. It was something he’s been researching to counter the drugs Talbot uses to repress our animals. Tony’s been working on it for a while but hadn’t used it yet. I was happy to be his guinea pig. My lion was shut down. Shut out. I couldn’t feel him, and it scared the hell out of me.”
“But you don’t know the affects it might have on you in the long term. Or even in the short term, for that matter. If you go hunting for Talbot with the rest of them, you have no clue what could happen.”
“That’s been my life since I left Riverton. I’ve had no clue what each day would bring or what would happen when Murphy and I encountered something. And I didn’t care. I couldn�
�t be with you, couldn’t even be around you, and nothing else mattered.” He was the one to push off the bed and move away, pacing around the bed in a semi-circle as he spoke. “I didn’t give a fuck what we came across. I wanted the fight. Wanted the violence to help unleash the chaos that was constantly waging war inside me. When Murphy and I showed up in Illinois to help keep Marcus Blain from getting his hands on Amia and Reno, I wanted blood. And I was at the point where it no longer mattered if it was mine.”
“Daniel.”
“Let me finish,” he ordered, not letting her say anything beyond his name. He needed to get it out. “Part of me wanted to die, Ariel. Christ, I spent my whole life hearing my dad tell me how worthless I am. I was the useless son, the one he was better off without. But I told myself it didn’t matter. He didn’t matter. Because somewhere out there was my mate, and when I found her, it would all be worth it. Then I ruined our first meeting by uttering the wrong words. You couldn’t get far enough away from me.”
“Daniel, I didn’t—”
“Let. Me. Finish,” he snapped, not in anger so much as desperation. If he didn’t say it now, he wasn’t sure he ever would. “Everyone said to give you time. To give you space. And I did my best. I stayed away, and I lost myself more and more with every day that passed. Even worse, I found myself becoming my father. Bitter and angry. I swore I’d never be like him. Never let life make me the bastard it did him. Then I strolled into a group of hunters and didn’t care if I walked out or not. And I fucking took Murphy in there with me. Put his life in danger because I was turning into my father, Isaac fucking Erikson. And Murphy walked away from me. I don’t blame him. He probably should have done it a long time ago. I can only hope he’ll forgive me, because I’m not sure I can forgive myself. All I can do is make sure I don’t continue down that path. Which means where you go is where I’ll be. By your side, if you’ll let me. Watching your back, if that’s all you’ll allow. Either way, I’m with you. You’re my mate. You’re. My. Mate. And from here on out, I’m not going anywhere where you’re not.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Ariel shook her head slowly. “I don’t want to hurt you. Yet, it seems that’s all I’ve done from the moment we met.”
“Ariel—”
“It’s my turn, Daniel.” She cut him off. “Let me finish. I’ve hurt you. Over and over again. You think you turned into your father. I did that to you. Me and my inability to be who you need.”
“Bullshit!” he growled.
“Let. Me. Finish,” she snapped. “I shut people out. I isolate. I let the demons in my head send me spiraling into a darkness I can’t escape. I’m broken—”
“Bullshit!” Daniel snarled. “Don’t tell me you’re too broken. Don’t tell me you’re not who I need. If you don’t want me, then tell me that. Tell me I’m not good enough. Tell me I’m a bastard who’s undeserving of you.”
“I shut down, Daniel. You deserve better than…me. Why can’t you see that?”
“Because I’m not looking through the same lens you are. I see a strong, beautiful woman who’s seen the worst life can bring and is still here. Fighting and loving. Yes, loving,” he emphasized when she opened her mouth to interrupt. “You think you don’t love Gideon and Vic, Murphy and Finn? That you can’t find a place in your heart for me? You’re so wrong. You already have.”
“You can’t believe that,” she countered.
“Whose shirt are you wearing even now?”
She shook her head, her face flushing with color.
“Do you think I don’t know what bed you sleep in when I’m not there? That you don’t take comfort in my scent? I do the same when I return. Your scent lingers long after you leave. You seek me when I’m not there, Ariel, but I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”
“So I just have to take it or leave it?” she snapped. He almost felt the panic he so easily read in her gaze.
“No,” he assured her. “Right or wrong, I’m not giving you a choice. Not anymore. Not when it comes to me being here with you. You can decide how close we are. If I stay with you or stand guard outside of wherever you are. But I won’t leave you again, and I refuse to let you walk away.” He scrubbed his hands over his face, clenching them in the top of his hair and giving it a tug before dropping his hands to hang loosely at his sides. “Let’s go to bed. It’s late, and morning will be here far too quickly. I’m exhausted, and baby, you look the same.” He brushed his fingers gently under her eyes. “I’ll be here while you sleep. No one will get through that door. No one. You’re safe with me, Ariel. Always. That’s my vow to you. I promise.”
Chapter Eleven
Ariel had never slept so well in her life. It was almost embarrassing. Daniel had spent the night on the floor in front of her hotel room door. He’d taken a pillow and blanket then wished her a good night before dropping to the floor and closing his eyes.
She’d been sure she’d be awake all night. Her mind had worried over every word they’d exchanged. But at some point, she had dropped off and would still be sleeping if Daniel hadn’t gently nudged her shoulder and whispered it was time to get moving.
In that moment, when she was between sleep and wakefulness, she’d reached for him. Reached out as if she wanted to wrap around him and hold tight. God help her, she did. Thankfully, she’d caught herself. Barely. And the looks Daniel kept giving her said he knew it.
They were standing outside, waiting to meet the others, and she’d managed to put some distance between them. Whatever walls she’d let down for him had to be shored up before the others joined them. She would not be perceived as weak or, God forbid, fragile. Hard. Cold. Angry. Alone. Those were how the others saw her. She needed them to see her that way. She needed to make sure no one looked beyond what she wanted them to see. Her glance flew across to where Daniel stood unapologetically watching her. Even Daniel. Especially Daniel.
“Daniel!”
Gabriel headed toward them at a fast clip, his mate Kenzie by his side. The height difference between the two was slightly over a foot. That difference wouldn’t be as large between her and Daniel. He was about three inches shorter than his brother and she was close to three inches taller than Kenzie. She and Daniel fit together. She quickly stopped that thought with a firm shake of her head. Daniel wasn’t with her. He deserved better than her.
Ariel had expected an affectionate greeting between the two. The brothers seemed close, especially since their father was no longer around to create discord between them. Instead, what she witnessed was more along the line of two angry lions preparing for battle. Or maybe one angry lion and an equally angry liger.
“What the hell are you thinking coming here?” Gabriel demanded as Daniel slowly turned to face him. “You should be back in Riverton where you can be monitored.”
“My mate is here.” The words were spoken softly in direct opposition to Gabriel’s loud demand.
“She’s not your mate!” Gabriel practically yelled, and Ariel was glad there were no humans out and about around them. Then he sent a dark look toward her. So dark it almost had her taking a step back. He was angry. No, he was furious. With her. “Her choice. She doesn’t want you. She rejected you.”
A loud growl filled the air moments before Daniel’s hand gripped the front of Gabriel’s shirt, jerking him forward and lifting him slightly onto his toes. Daniel’s eyes were glowing again and claws had sprouted at his fingertips.
“You’re upsetting Ariel.” Daniel’s voice was deeper, gruffer, and Ariel knew his animal was close to the surface.
“I don’t give a fuck about her,” Gabriel snapped, wrapping his hand around Daniel’s where it gripped his shirt. Then his voice softened. “I care about you. You shouldn’t be here, brother. I almost lost you. Days ago, you were at death’s door. I know Tony gave you some wonder drug that we know nothing about. Nothing. And you’ve gone from your animal being almost completely dormant to it being so close to the surface that you’re barely keepin
g it in check. Go home, Daniel. Put yourself first for a change.”
Gabriel’s words hit her hard. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been thinking the same thing. Except for one thing.
“You’re wrong,” she muttered, taking a step toward Daniel then pausing when the full brunt of Gabriel’s anger was turned on her.
“Gabriel.” Kenzie issued the warning, her hand coming out to press firmly against her husband’s chest.
“What is it you think I’m wrong about?” Gabriel snapped.
“My not being with your brother has nothing to do with him. He’s a good man. He deserves—”
“Don’t say it,” Daniel warned, and her gaze flicked up briefly to meet his before determinedly moving back to Gabriel’s.
“Better than a woman like me,” she finished.
“At least, we agree on that.”
Before she could say anything, Gabriel went flying across the lot, landing hard on his ass. With a gasp, she forgot everything but Daniel as she hurried to him, bracing her body directly in front of him, palms flat against his chest as she stopped him from going after his brother. His chest heaved with a barely restrained roar rumbling in his throat. His eyes glowed so brightly, there’d be no missing it if anyone glanced his way.
“Son of a bitch,” Gabriel growled behind her, but Ariel ignored him. She had no idea what she was doing, but she couldn’t let Daniel hurt his brother. He’d never forgive himself.
“Daniel, stop.” She held her ground when he took a step closer, moving so their bodies were flush against one another. He was vibrating with rage? Anger? Adrenaline? Heat poured off him. And he was hard. Everywhere. She wanted desperately to step back, to put distance between them, but he needed her. There wasn’t lust in his eyes. It was his body reacting to whatever was taking place inside him. She saw him fighting for control. He needed her. And though fear tickled her spine, she knew Daniel would never hurt her. She trusted that. Trusted him.
“What the fuck, Daniel?” Gabriel grumbled as he regained his feet with a shake of his head.
