Mending the Beast

by Lacey Thorn

  “We could do that,” Gabriel agreed. “We should update Tah and the rest of the council in person. See if anyone else has heard anything. We have a lot of people in the pride, each with their own connections. Hell, Darcy might know something. She can check with the watchers, see if there’s anything on Talbot’s movement there. I’m sure Gideon’s probably already spoken with her and Calloway.”

  Darcy and Calloway were recent additions to the pride. Calloway had been held in captivity by hunters along with Gideon. They’d escaped together and stayed in touch with one another. When Calloway had mated Darcy, the two had made the trip to join the pride in Oklahoma, though Daniel had the impression Calloway hadn’t meant to stay. They’d had twin boys since joining the pride. Hell, the pride was exploding with babies. Abby had Regan. Diane had Amalia. And Laura was pregnant. Was it wrong of him to imagine Ariel round with their child? Wrong to want that at some point in their future?

  “Sounds like a plan then,” Aleksy agreed. “We’ll regroup back in Riverton and compare notes. Hell, we might beat you there.”

  “Watch out for him,” Daniel said, and Aleksy didn’t seem to have any problem understanding who Daniel was talking about. They both knew he was referring to Tony.

  “I always do,” Aleksy agreed. “Listen, I know you haven’t had any major problems with the drug Tony gave you, but make sure you continue to monitor any changes. Let us know immediately if anything changes. Tony can be to you quickly.”

  “We’ll keep an eye on him,” Gabriel stated, and Daniel shook his head.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Yeah, we’ve heard that one before,” Gabriel growled.

  “I’ll let Ariel know we’re hitting the road again. How soon do you want to leave?” Daniel ignored his brother’s comment and focused on the trip ahead. “I’m not sure she’ll be excited for another long road trip this soon.”

  “I’ll call Laramie,” Gabriel offered. “We can stay in one of the cabins on Holloway land for a few days. Tony was in a hurry so we didn’t get much time to catch up, and Kenzie really wanted to get to know Holt’s mate, Jaeda, and her sisters.”

  “I hope Holt’s mate handles their close friendship better than you did to begin with,” Daniel quipped with a grin.

  His brother had practically hated Holt from the beginning. Most likely because Holt and Kenzie had once been lovers though they’d ended that rather quickly, deciding they were better as best friends. Plus, when Gabriel had left Kenzie to rescue Laura, Holt had been the one to step in and watch over Kenzie. Of course, Gabriel had mated Kenzie before leaving her. He’d also failed to tell her where he was going and why. He’d simply told Kenzie to stay and had expected her to obey. Instead, she’d put him in his place and showed him what it meant to be loved, completely loved. Daniel’s brother was a lucky man.

  “Jaeda is a possessive woman. Half the time, she refers to Holt as ‘my Holt’ or ‘my mate’ or whatever as long as it had the notation that he’s hers. She’s an interesting woman. And pregnant.”

  “Holt’s mate is pregnant?” Daniel felt a grin tug at his lips.

  Gabriel nodded. “Kenzie’s over the moon. Swears she better be one of the godparents. I think it’ll do Kenzie some good to hang out with her best friend. She’s been tense lately. Worried. We can all use the downtime to relax, though I have to admit I’m looking forward to getting back to my own bed.”

  Daniel could agree with that. He hoped he wouldn’t be sleeping in his alone. He wanted Ariel to stay with him. Wanted her there permanently. Wasn’t sure what he’d do if she wasn’t ready for that big of a commitment. But they’d been sharing a room the whole trip. Surely, she wouldn’t want to go back to staying separate when they got back to Riverton.

  “Is everything okay?” Daniel asked, pushing aside his personal thoughts and focusing on his brother.

  “Her lioness still isn’t pressing for release. Kenzie’s getting worried it won’t happen. That she’ll never get to know her animal.”

  “Maybe the shot Tony gave me will give us some answers,” Daniel offered. “It certainly had me reconnecting almost immediately.”

  “And left you with eyes that are more animal than man. Left you with a primal beast just under your skin, waiting to jump out. I see you, brother. See what you try to hide with good humor. I see how tightly you’re holding the reins on yourself. Holloway land will give us a place to shift and get in a good run. And you look like you could really use one right now.”

  Daniel nodded, agreeing with Gabriel. “That sounds perfect.”

  “Go get Ariel and haul ass back out here. I’ll find Kenzie and do the same. Beware. She’ll be chattering with excitement the whole drive. She was really pissed we didn’t stay longer than we did. This is going to make her day.” His brother grinned, and Daniel knew Gabriel was just as happy to head back to the Holloways as his mate would be.

  With a shake of his head, Daniel headed back to the hotel with Gabriel. They found Kenzie and Ariel lingering over breakfast. Ariel stood when she saw him, a smile on her lips.

  “Ready to hit the road?” he asked then laughed at the groan that left her throat. This from the woman who’d left Riverton with plans to travel who knew where.

  “Where to this time?” Ariel asked.

  “Have you ever seen a bear shifter?” he asked, and Kenzie whooped as she jumped out of her chair and into her mate’s arms.

  “We’re going back to see Holt?”

  Gabriel growled. “Woman, do I need to remind you who’s your mate?”

  Kenzie’s grin was carnal and made Daniel feel like a voyeur.

  “Yes,” Kenzie replied then giggled as Gabriel scooped her up over his shoulder and carried her out of the dining room.

  Ariel shook her head. “I never realized how playful they are with one another. Your brother always seems so serious.”

  “She’s made him a better man. No. A more complete one. Definitely a happier one,” Daniel stated, linking his fingers with Ariel’s and tugging her along with him as they headed toward the room they’d shared.

  “I didn’t hear you come…in last night.”

  He noted the careful pause and wondered if she’d started to say she hadn’t heard him come to bed last night.

  “You were sound asleep. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  She waited until the door to the room closed behind them then stopped him, pulling at their joined hands until he turned to face her.

  “I was hoping you’d wake me.”

  He caught his breath at the shy innocence in her gaze. The sheen of a desire he wasn’t sure she was even aware she was showing. He lifted his hand, brushing his fingertips over her cheek before running his thumb under her eye.

  “You need your sleep, baby.”

  “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?” he asked.

  “Call me baby.”

  “You don’t like it?”

  “I…” She shrugged. “It’s okay. I was just curious. Have you called other women baby?”

  “Never,” he vowed, cupping her face and lowering his mouth to hers. Soft and slow, he reminded himself. That was so hard to remember when his lips brushed hers. When her tongue slipped out to taste his bottom lip. He followed it back inside, doing some tasting of his own. Consuming her. Losing himself in her.

  Her hands gripped his upper arms, fingers kneading the muscle as she held onto him, moved into him. He dropped his hand to cup her hip, urging her to move so his thigh was between hers. Then he rocked her against him, urging her to take the pleasure she wanted from him. Instead, she pushed away, breaking the kiss and taking a step back.

  “I want—”

  A knock on the door interrupted whatever she’d been ready to say, and Daniel wanted to hear the rest of it.

  “Hey, time to hit the road,” Kenzie called, and Daniel heard his brother trying to shush her. Kenzie seemed to ignore him, knocking a bit louder. “Hurry up! We’ll meet you at the car. I’m calling Holt and l
etting them know we’re headed back.” She gave the door another thump, then he heard footsteps walking away.

  “Ariel…”

  She shook her head, cutting him off. “We need to grab our bags and get going.” She turned and moved toward the bathroom, gathering stuff while he stood there doing his damnedest to hold himself together. He wanted her touch again. Craved her kiss with everything inside him.

  She popped out of the bathroom and moved toward her bag, stowing a few things inside before turning to him.

  “I can’t believe I’m going to get to meet some bear shifters,” she said as she moved toward his bag, tossing in the few things he’d left on the bedside table. “I know they have cabins there. Vic talks a lot about the Holloway brothers and the cabins. Kenzie told me three of the brothers are mated now, and there are more bear shifters joining their pack now that Laramie is mated. Something about his mate being an alpha’s daughter and her pack following her to Wyoming. And Holt is there. I don’t really know him all that well, but I know he means a lot to Kenzie. Vic, too.”

  He finally made his feet move. “Ariel.”

  She went on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the chin. “It sounds like the perfect place for us to breathe for a little bit. Just the two of us. Just for a little bit.”

  “That sounds perfect,” Daniel agreed, tugging her closer and holding her. He’d make sure it happened for them. His brother would understand. So would the Holloways. Daniel would make sure they had all the breathing room she needed. Then maybe, Ariel, who didn’t think she could be a mate, would realize that she’d been his all along. He’d merely been waiting to find her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “They can be a bit overwhelming, huh?”

  Ariel looked over as the feminine voice intruded on her thoughts. The woman leaned casually against the wall to Ariel’s right. Brown eyes that Ariel would describe as doe eyes shone from a pale face. The woman’s dark brown hair had been scraped back into a braid that lay over one shoulder. Her gaze was friendly, a smile tilting the corners of her lips.

  “I’m Rissa, by the way. A new addition to the Holloways.”

  “Ariel.”

  “Well, Ariel. What brings a cat into a bear den?” Rissa asked with a twinkle in her eyes that had Ariel laughing aloud. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Slade said you guys were here for a little downtime before heading back to Oklahoma.”

  Ariel nodded. “Kenzie is best friends with Holt.”

  “Jaeda’s mate,” Rissa said with a nod. “I’m still learning everyone.”

  “You said you were a recent addition?” Ariel questioned.

  “I’m from the Langston den in Washington. I followed my alpha here.”

  “Wait? Laramie Holloway is the alpha here.” Ariel had met Laramie when they’d first arrived. Gabriel had introduced him as the alpha.

  “He is. He’s also mated to my alpha, Emersyn Langston.”

  “Holloway. She’s a Holloway now.”

  The tall, golden blond who joined them had to be one of the Holloway brothers. Vic had told her they were all around Gabriel’s height, putting them each at six and half feet. Plus, the resemblance to Laramie was impossible to miss.

  “Slade.”

  Ariel picked up on the way Rissa said his name. Not to mention the heat that ignited between them. Hell, she was practically singed. But there was a tension, also. That she understood all too well. As much as she wanted Daniel, as comfortable as she was becoming with him, there was still a tension that gripped her at the thought of really being his mate. It was a tension she hoped was gone before they left Holloway land.

  “Rissa.” He tugged the end of her braid, and Ariel almost laughed again when Rissa swatted his hand. He grinned then turned toward Ariel. “Nice to meet you, Ariel. Daniel’s with my brother, Jensen, but they’ll be in soon.”

  Bloodwork. Daniel had mentioned when they’d arrived that Tony wanted him to check in with Jensen, so they could see how he was doing with the shot Tony had given him. They kept saying Daniel was primal, comparing him to Aleksy. Other than a few tense moments with others, she didn’t see it. He was always calm, always in control. At least with her. He’d brought her to orgasm and never demanded anything from her in return. Good lord! He’d brought her to orgasm, and she’d gone to sleep. She’d been completely selfish.

  “I think your brother’s motioning for you.” Rissa’s voice interrupted Ariel’s thoughts, and she glanced up to see another blond giant waving his arm at them. Or at Slade according to Rissa.

  “I’ll be back,” Slade assured them, but his gaze stayed on Rissa. It sounded more like a warning to Ariel’s ears.

  Rissa shook her head, gaze scanning the room, once more. “I need some air. It was nice meeting you, Ariel.”

  “Want some company?” Ariel asked. “I could really use some air myself.”

  “Sure. What cabin are you and your mate in?”

  “I’m not… We’re not…” She blew out a hard breath. “We haven’t mated yet.”

  Rissa gave her a look but didn’t comment. Instead, she took another quick look around then motioned for Ariel to follow her out a side door. They followed a hallway then pushed out a door that led to what must be the back of the main house they’d been in.

  There was a scattering of stars shining in the night sky, and the air was crisp and cool. The clearing they stood in had several grills and myriad picnic tables and chairs. The makings for a bonfire were already in place.

  Ariel’s gaze skipped across the playground equipment then zipped back to the lone figure sitting on a swing. She was honestly surprised it held his weight. He was a big guy.

  “Hiding from Slade?”

  “Hiding in general, Matheus?” Rissa fired back.

  “Enjoying the quiet. Going to introduce me to your new friend?”

  Rissa snorted as he stood and headed toward them. Ariel knew at once she was meeting another of the Holloway brothers.

  “How many of you are there?” For the life of her she couldn’t remember.

  “Seven brothers,” Matheus answered. “I’m the best looking, though.”

  Rissa laughed. “He’s also the baby of the family.”

  “You must be the Ariel I’ve heard about.” As if he read the uncertainty on her face, he grinned. “Only good things. I swear.”

  “You must have been talking to Daniel, then.” Only Daniel would have good things to say about her. God, she’d been such a bitch. She really didn’t deserve him.

  “Yeah,” Matheus agreed. “He got held up with Jensen and wanted me to check on you, but I saw you with Rissa and figured you’d be out to join me soon.”

  “Ha, ha, ha,” Rissa scoffed.

  “I think I’ll leave you two here and call it a night,” Ariel offered, moving away.

  “I’ll walk you.” Matheus walked over to her then led the way into the woods.

  Ariel started to ask about leaving Rissa alone then saw Slade had slipped out and joined the other woman. Ariel followed Matheus, though she was certain she could find the cabin she and Daniel were staying in without help. Still, she walked behind Matheus and did her best to pay attention to what he was saying.

  “These cabins behind the main lodge are for…” He paused as if changing his mind on what word to use midsentence. “Those who might want to be left alone. Seems to fit you so far.”

  She nodded.

  “You’ve got the one farthest out, so you’ll have as much privacy as you want. Meals can be taken at the lodge with everybody else, or I can bring them here if you guys want. Just let me know. Cabin is fully stocked. I took care of it earlier. Lots of snack foods and drinks, but not much in the way of making your own meals. If you wanted to.”

  She smiled when he glanced toward her but didn’t say anything. Truth was she loved to cook. Found it calming. Sometimes, when she couldn’t sleep at night, she’d head to the kitchen. Often, while Daniel was gone, she’d stayed up the whole night baking. Then she’d give every
thing away. Sometimes, she’d sing, but really, she hadn’t felt like that in a long time. And drawing. God, when was the last time she’d picked a pencil up and sketched anything? Colorado. It had been in Colorado.

  “There you are. Looks like your mate beat us here. Hey, Daniel,” Matheus called with a wave of his hand. “I’ll leave you here and wish you good night. Number’s by the phone if you want me to bring by breakfast in the morning. Night!”

  The last was called to Daniel, but he didn’t reply back. His gaze was fixed on her, watching as she walked toward him. His feet were braced shoulder width apart, arms held loosely at his sides. His eyes glowed in the starlight, beckoning her to come to him.

  “Everything good?” she asked as nerves got the better of her.

  He held out his hand to her, and after a moment, she took it and let him lead them both inside. Once the door was closed and locked behind them, he pulled her into his arms and held her. Nothing more than his arms around her, holding her close as he seemed to breathe her in. And just like that, her nerves dissolved. Being in his arms was…peace. He was her peace, her calm in the storm of her thoughts and emotions. All this time, she’d been searching for calm and running from the one person who could bring it to her.

  “He told me he liked my smile.” The words were out of her mouth before she realized the step she was taking. She’d never spoken of that day, other than to mention what they’d done to her. She’d shoved it all so deep inside her, doing her best to lock it away. But it kept spilling out, spilling over into the present. Climbing out in her dreams and drawing her back.

  She felt Daniel tremble against her, but he didn’t say anything. One palm rubbed up and down her spine, offering support while she spoke.

  “I refused to smile for the longest time…after. I… He liked my smile, then he took it from me.”

  Daniel’s hand paused mid-stroke before slowly continuing.

  “I thought he was attractive, and I couldn’t believe he was interested in me. I soaked up every lie he told me and—”