by Ovidia Pike
“No,” I said quickly.
“So you’ll do what I say,” he went on. “And I will let her live. But if you go back on it, she’ll die. As will the rest of your clan.”
I stared at him in hatred, but nodded, having no choice.
“I’ll do it,” I said, though the thought of killing Sophie made me queasy. “Just don’t hurt her.”
“I won’t,” he said. “Not if you follow through with this.”
“How do I know you won’t kill her anyway?”
“You don’t,” he said simply. “But there is no alternative but to trust me.”
“Fine,” I said.
“Good girl,” he said, and turned away from me.
“Wait,” I said. “I want one more thing from you.”
“What is that?” he asked.
“The man—Sam. The one who has been out in the woods. You leave him alone.”
“Fair enough,” he said. “I’m actually rather fond of him.”
I didn’t reply to that, but just watched him turn to go again.
I walked back to the village with my mind racing, wondering what to do, how to kill Sophie. I didn’t want to do it, but I took the man at his word—he would kill as much as he needed to in order to get what he wanted, and what he wanted was Gabriel and his mate dead.
I sighed as I made my way back into the village, and was walking toward my hut when a movement caught my eye. I looked over to see Gabriel walking with Sam, hand firmly gripping his arm, nearly dragging him across the village.
“What is going on?” I asked, jogging up to them.
“Do you know him?” Gabriel asked.
“I do. What’s happening?”
“He was intruding in the woods,” Gabriel said. “Did you know that?”
“Yes, but he wasn’t doing anything wrong. He’s been killing those...things.”
“It doesn’t matter. He was trespassing. I’m locking him up.”
“No,” I insisted. Gabriel turned his eyes to me, a steely look on his face.
“Excuse me?” he asked in a dangerous voice. “Did you just tell me no?”
“I—he—” I began, but he cut me off.
“Say that word to me again, and you will be locked up alongside him.”
“You can’t lock me up. I’m not one of your people.”
“You are one of my people as long as you remain in this village,” he said. “Now get out of the way.”
I glared at him, but stepped aside, not wanting to cause any more of a commotion. He continued to haul Sam along by the arm, his captor looking over his shoulder at me, eyes twinkling despite his position.
“Thanks anyway,” he said with a wink, leaving me blushing as Gabriel dragged him away.
Chapter 5: Sam
I blinked when the door opened, holding my hand in front of my eyes as I squinted at the figure in the doorway. When my eyes adjusted, I could see that it was Sophie, the ranger assigned to this part of the park.
“Hello, ma’am,” I said to her.
“I’m busting you out,” she said, coming to me, reaching to help me stand. I stood up, wobbling slightly on my feet before catching my bearings.
“Does Gabriel know about this?”
“No, and we’re not going to tell him. But you need to get out of the village and not come back.”
“Okay,” I said to her. “I can do that.”
“Good,” she said. “Gabriel is in his hut and I think he’s asleep. Time to go now.”
“Alrighty,” I agreed, following her out of the outhouse and onto the road. We hurried through the village and out to the woods, heading down a mile-long path toward a Jeep that was parked on an access road. I climbed into the passenger seat and Sophie climbed in beside me, starting the Jeep and pulling away.
“Do you have a place in the city?” she asked, glancing over at me.
“No, ma’am,” I responded. “Truth is, I have nowhere to go right now.”
“What?” she asked.
“I mean—I came straight from the south, my hometown. Sold the ranch, took the profits to come up here and find my brother. I never did rent a place in the city, and I don’t intend to go there.”
“So what are you going to do?” she asked. I shrugged.
“I’ll make do,” I said.
“You don’t sound very worried,” she said. “For someone who is homeless.”
“I’m not worried. I don’t worry like that,” I told her. “Way I see it, everything always turns out okay. I’ll be fine.”
“That’s a bright outlook to have considering all you’ve been through,” she said.
“That’s how I get through life. Makes things pretty peaceful.”
“Maybe I’ll try that,” she said with a smile. “I wish you didn’t have to leave the village. Alicia likes you, so does Jackson. And I think you’re a good guy.”
“Thank you, darlin’,” I said appreciatively. “You’re a sweet thing yourself.”
“Thanks,” she said as we pulled up to the ranger station. I climbed out of the Jeep.
“I’m going to call a cab from the front of the park,” I said matter-of-factly, though I had no intention of doing so. She nodded.
“Be careful,” she said. “I should go back to the village before he wakes up. He’s going to know you’re gone and he’ll probably figure out I helped you.”
“You gonna be okay?” I asked her with concern.
“Yes,” she said. “He won’t hurt me. He acts tough but he’s not.”
“He’s got one hell of a grip,” I said, rubbing my bruised arm where he’d half-dragged me to the outhouse from the medical hut.
“Well, he won’t use it on me,” she said. “I’m probably the safest person there.”
“Okay, good,” I said, relieved. “Well, it was nice meeting you. Suppose I won’t be seeing you around again.”
“Okay,” she said a bit sadly. “Take care, Sam.”
“You too,” I said, tipping my hat to her before starting away. I hid behind the ranger hut as she pulled back down the access road, then started off in the direction of the caves. I heard footsteps behind me only a few moments later, and quickly turned to see Camilla following me through the trees. I grinned at her as she approached and then looked away from me, keeping her features stern.
“What are you doing out here?” she asked.
“I could ask you the same thing,” I countered. “Seems to me like you’re out in these woods a lot, especially for a human woman. It’s not exactly safe out here.”
“I thought you were locked up,” she said, not responding to my inquiry.
“Sophie let me out, told me to never come back.”
“So what are you doing out here?” she asked, lips pursed. I let my eyes flicker to them, soft and pink as roses. When I met her eye again, there was a coy look on her face, almost embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” I said to her with a bow of my head. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“I’m not—you didn’t,” she said. Her tone was still hard and sharp, though the look in her eyes was softer as she studied my face.
“Good,” I said. “I suppose you’re not going to tell me what you’re doing out here?”
“No,” she said stiffly. “It’s—”
“None of my business. Gotcha,” I said. “But I’m half-tempted to walk you back to the village.”
“Gabriel would kill you,” she said. “If he sees you again after you’ve run.”
I shrugged.
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” I said. “I just want to make sure you get there safe.”
Her face screwed up in irritation then, and I knew I had said the wrong thing.
“I can take care of myself, Sam.”
“I know you can,” I said, putting my hands up. “I don’t doubt that.”
“So stop playing hero,” she said.
“I will,” I promised her. “Sorry about that. It’s in my nature to protect a
woman I find out in the woods all alone.”
“I don’t need protection,” she said, but her stance had softened a bit, her eyes no longer sharp. I stared at her face, her auburn hair in a tight bun, tendrils curling over her forehead and down into her eyes. I reached forward and pushed them back, fingers brushing her cheek, only to feel her shiver under the touch.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a small, quiet voice.
“I want to see your face,” I said to her, meeting her eye. “I like the way you look at me when you’re not hiding behind your hair or determined to look away.”
“How do I look at you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. There was curiosity there but also hesitation, as if she did and didn’t want to know the answer at the same time.
“Like a curious cat,” I said. “A little playful when you let it show, and you do. Occasionally. It’s intoxicating.”
“I’m not playful,” she said.
“Somewhere in there, you are,” I said. “And sweet and soft. I bet you purr like a kitten when somebody touches you the right way.”
“Oh,” she said, a flush creeping up her neck. “I—”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I just think you’re incredible. Your strength alone, frankly, is sexy as hell.”
Her lips twitched into a small smile, begrudging and barely there.
“My strength? You sure?”
“Yes, ma’am. I like a woman who could beat my ass.”
“I suppose you don’t meet many of them,” she said. “Since you’re combat trained and in the army.”
“I was in the army. Discharged. But you’re right, I can fight. I know what I’m doing, but not like you do. And I’d be honored as hell to be thrown to the ground by a woman like you.”
She giggled, surprising me, and the look on her face appeared just as caught off-guard. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked away from me quickly, but I brought my hand to her jaw, turning her face to mine again. Her jaw trembled and her eyes went wide as she looked at me, half-stunned.
“I don’t mean to be cliché, but that smile could make a man’s heart stop.”
“I...have to go,” she said, turning without another word and hurrying away from me. I was half-tempted to follow her but didn’t, just looked after her until she disappeared from my view. I turned around and started back toward the caves, shifting and beginning to trot quickly through the woods. I made it there earlier than I expected; the sun wasn’t down by the time I arrived, and I knew that it meant I wouldn’t be able to sneak around as easily as I might have in the dark.
I shifted as soon as I was on their land and began to walk toward the caves, keeping an eye out for any guards. I wasn’t surprised when I heart footsteps behind me, and I quickly put my hands up and turned around to face them.
“Hello,” I said as two guards shifted to human form in front of me.
“Why are you here, wolf?” one of them asked, a woman who was thin as a rake but tough-looking, with a firm scowl on her lips.
“I’m here to speak to the princess,” I replied to her. “I was told that I would be allowed in now that our groups are collaborating.”
“You were sneaking around. Your kind are supposed to go through the base of the cave.”
“I was just sniffing the place out,” I said to them both. “I swear.”
“Princess Selene may not want to see you.”
“That’s fine. I just ask that you make the request for me. I think she’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
The guards exchanged a glance with each other, and then the woman nodded, turning around to lead the way. We made our way up the cave system, a series that was intricately carved out of stone, beginning with the natural caves that had always been part of the mountains. I was amazed by how it was built, how deep it went into the mountain. Once we were close to the top of the caves, I was led into a room with three thrones on a platform behind a giant crystal waterfall pouring down to the base of the caves.
“I will go ask Selene for an audience,” the guard said. “I can’t promise anything, but she did instruct us to bring all wolves to her as they come. That’s the only reason I’m doing this.”
“Fair enough, ma’am,” I said to her. “Thank you so much.”
She grunted in response and disappeared behind the throne. It was a long time before she reappeared with a beautiful woman in sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt, rubbing her golden eyes as she looked at me.
“Did Gabriel send you?” she asked, not taking a seat on the throne but instead coming to me and looking up into my face. She had delicate features but a strong gaze, one that knew no fear or intimidation.
“No,” I said. “I came here on my own.”
“Do you need something?”
“One of your people killed my brother. Mauled him at the village.”
Her face softened and her eyes became sympathetic.
“I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happened. My sister—she was deeply misguided in her beliefs. I wish I would have known so I could’ve stopped her.”
“So your sister—the other princess—was the one who ordered it? Where is she?”
“She was...killed,” she said, her voice faltering.
“I’m sorry, princess,” I said. “For your loss.”
“Thank you,” she said, sniffling, looking at my face again.
“What exactly are you here for?”
“Justice,” I said. “I was told there was a group of people who followed your sister—they are the ones responsible for this. I’d like to see them.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Selene said in a slow voice. “It would only cause chaos. None of them have seen a wolf since Gabriel killed my sister. I don’t think that you’re thinking straight, and believe me, I get it. I get that grief. Seeing them is not going to help.”
“Okay,” I said to her, pretending to accept her words. “Thank you for seeing me, princess.”
“Can you send Gabriel a message for me?” she asked.
“Of course, your highness,” I said.
“Tell him I will be coming to the village within the next day or so to speak to him.”
“I will,” I confirmed. “Thank you again.”
“Be safe,” she said, and I felt her eyes on my back as I turned to leave the throne room. I had no intention of leaving the caves—instead, I looked over my shoulder as I slipped into one of them, hoping it would lead me lower to where the underground cells were hidden. I didn’t know what I’d do when I got there—I wasn’t an angry man, but every time I thought about my brother, I was filled with a rage I had never before experienced. It made me want to get the worst, bloodiest kind of revenge on the lions responsible, the group who had obeyed and followed princess Elina’s rules.
I was glad to see, as I walked through the dark caves, that the path started to slope downward. I kept going as the opening narrowed around me so that it was barely possible to walk through without turning myself sideways. Despite my discomfort, I made it to a steep stone staircase that I followed until I reached another dark cave, this one lit enough to see that there were cells, bars along the walls. I was about to step inside when I heard a noise behind me, pivoting and immediately swinging my fist, striking a man in the face. He stumbled backward and fell against the wall of the cave, dropping his spear, which I picked up and aimed at his throat.
“Go,” I commanded. He scrambled to his feet, glaring at me, but scurried up the cave. I knew I didn’t have much time before he came back with reinforcements, so I turned back to the cells.
I stepped inside, picking up one of the lamps that lined the floors, shining it into the nearest cell. There was a man in there shivering in the corner, and when he looked up he sniffed the air, his lips curving into a snarl.
“How did a dog get down here?” he asked in a disgusted tone. I took a deep breath.
“Are you one of them?”
“One of who? What are you talking
about, dog?”
“You killed my brother,” I said.
“I didn’t kill anybody,” he spat. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“It was planned. His death was planned. You were part of that group.”
“That’s right,” the man said with a sneer. “Our goal—our princess’s goal—was to kill as many of you as possible. Too bad we only exterminated one of you before we were through.”
My jaw felt tense, my heart pounding as I stared at the man with nothing but pure hatred. He opened his mouth again to speak and I didn’t hesitate; I snapped my arm back quickly to aim the spear before he had a chance to step back. I jabbed it forward and into his throat, twisting it before ripping the spear back. He gurgled and dropped to the ground, dead on impact. I moved on to the next cell but didn’t have time before I heard loud growling behind me. I dropped the spear and turned around to see three lions closing in on me.
“You can’t kill me,” I said to them. One of them shifted, and I recognized her as the same hardened guard as before. She moved to an empty cell and unlocked it, then grabbed my arm and threw me inside, locking it behind her.
Chapter 6: Gabriel
I unlocked the door to the outhouse, throwing it open and freezing when I saw that it was empty. I rubbed my hand over my mouth, my jaw going tight when I realized that someone must’ve let him loose. My mind went to Camilla and how disrespectful she had been, but there was no way for her to get the key. The only person who had a copy was Sophie, and I knew then that she had been the one to free him. I slammed the outhouse door behind me and hurried to her hut, knocking on the door impatiently.
I knocked again when she didn’t answer. She opened it, her body wrapped in a towel and her hair wet, curling over her shoulders. Water dripped down her chest and between her breasts, and when I glanced up there was a determined look there, as if she knew just what I had come for. I stood there livid, shaking, though the lust I had for her built and grew with every second I looked into her eyes, looked over her naked shoulders. Before I knew what I was doing I reached forward and yanked the towel away, tossing it aside, leaving her naked in front of me. My mouth found hers and I tasted her immediately, the kiss growing filthy, fueled by anger and need. I pushed her backward into the hut and kicked the door shut behind me, flipping her around, bending her forward over the bed with little control over what I was doing. I was barely in control as I slapped her ass with my hand.
