Kaleb looked at him with concern. “You okay?”
“I will be. I need a minute.” He rubbed his eyes. “Infection has set in. It’s in his bloodstream. I just left Ethan’s family after giving them the news. The healer doesn’t think he’ll last another forty-eight hours. His shifter genes can’t keep the infection at bay.”
“Damn it!” Kaleb banged his fist into the wall. “I’m so sorry.”
“Not your fault.”
“He was in my group. I should have had an eye on him at all times.”
“I spoke to the shifters in your group. They said Ethan said he’d seen something. He went to check it out without waiting for the others. All these young shifters,” he scoffed. “Their pack mentality is immature. Thinking they’re the hero, craving the glory.” He looked at me. “But then I guess young pups aren’t the only ones.”
“I didn’t dive in to get the glory,” I replied, not liking the insinuation.
“No.” His shoulders dropped. “I know that. I do. I’m sorry.” He slapped his legs, resolute in keeping moving, and stood up. “You dove in to save him when none of his kin did. You may have died for your trouble if not for Kaleb’s quick thinking. But it doesn’t change the fact that you dove in.”
“I just hope it was worth it.”
“I do, too. I need to head back. I only came to take a minute, and to say thank you. Check in.”
“I’m good.”
He studied me. “Yeah, I know. And you think I’m out of my depth here.”
“I’m not saying that.”
“You don’t need to. Your face does.”
Sharing a look with Kaleb, I said to Brent, “I think I should call in my team. Not only to help us catch what’s out there but also to help Ethan. We have a witch among us. A strong witch. She can help him.”
“You think a witch would be welcome on these lands?”
“Last time I checked you were the Alpha around here.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I have a pack to think of.”
“And a shifter, practically a boy deserves all the help available to him.” I softened. “Judgments. Finger pointing. Don’t you think we’re used to all of that? Don’t worry about us. But many people here respect you. I know Shawn does. And Ethan. Many others do so too. Are you going to let so few define how you rule, while you’re too scared to take a step wrong, only thinking of the greater good?”
“And what do you know about it?”
“Brent,” Kaleb warned, and his jaw clenched.
“If I allow the IET on these lands, and your dad catches wind of it, Kaleb…”
“Then I’ll take the heat. Just as we’ll take it now for bringing our team here, claiming jurisdiction. Mayra is a damn good witch and an exceptional healer. The healers here are all about nature and home remedies. Ethan doesn’t stand a chance, and you know it.”
Brent rubbed at his mouth, thinking it over. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask to be Alpha. I didn’t ask to succumb to your goddamn father’s regime, and I didn’t ask to have a reptile shifter dumped on my lands. But I’ve got it. And I’ve got to deal with it. My father…”
“Was a good man. But if this had happened when he ran things, then he’d have probably sided with my dad and forced us out until we got a search order. He would have let the boy die. But then your father would also have frowned upon how much power you’ve given Anya over the pack, too. He would frown upon the new farming system you’ve implemented as well and the responsibility you’ve given the younger shifters. So you need to decide.”
“On what?”
“On whether you rule in your father’s shadow or not.”
Brent, rigid and torn, finally relented. “Very well. Bring them in. But the moment anyone crosses a line or does something that affects my pack, you’re gone.”
“Deal.”
He rolled his eyes, making his way to the door. “You’ve always been a pain in my ass, Cipher.”
“And you a thorn in my side,” Kaleb replied, a smirk on his face.
“Go do what you have to do.” Brent opened the door. “I’ll sort the rest.”
He left, the door swinging open as if to say ‘get on with it.’ I took Kaleb’s hand, clutching it tightly.
“How are we going to do this?”
“It will be quicker if I can shift,” he replied. “I’ll head out and get reception off the watch comms when I reach the border. Zax said they should work, so I’ll try calling them first. I can then meet them at the portal. If not, I’ll run the whole way there.”
“What about Bernard? We could sure use his speed to catch the reptile shifter?”
“He may still be in the Fey Lands with Libby. But I’ll leave him a message. Let me take it from here, boss.”
“Boss,” I tutted. “That will be the day.”
“You can boss me around in the bedroom?”
“I may hold you to that if you don’t behave yourself.”
He kissed my cheek. “Then I’ll make sure not to behave.” And off he went to bring the IET back together again.
I only hoped, for Ethan’s sake, they made it here in time.
21
Once Kaleb had gone, I grew restless. I left the cabin to hunt down Anya.
After speaking with a few people, some welcoming, some not, I found her at the healing cabins.
Not sure whether to knock, I lingered. A head peered through the window. Two seconds later, Anya came outside and pulled me into an embrace.
“Human, remember?” I breathed at her holding me so tightly. She chuckled and let me go.
“Sorry. I forget my own strength sometimes. Are you okay?”
“I’m good. I’m fine, honestly. How’s Ethan?”
She drew me away from the cabin. “His family is with him. All of them. I’ve ordered his friends home with the promise I’ll call upon them if he worsens.” Her face fell. “It doesn’t look good. He lost a lot of blood, and infection is poisoning him from the inside.” Her voice hitched. “The healer thinks he won’t last the night.”
“I’m sorry, Anya.”
“Sorry?” She patted my arm. “He would be dead right now if not for you. At least this way he has a chance to fight for his life. And we’ve got to hold on to hope, right?”
“Has Brent been by?”
“Yes. Briefly. He popped in. He told me you’re going to bring a witch by to help. He wasn’t happy about it.”
“I know. I have a way of rubbing people up the wrong way.”
She laughed. “Don’t get me wrong. My mate is both baffled and frustrated by you. But I think we can both see why you’ve got Kaleb smitten. You challenge others, overstep authority—Brent’s words—but you care. You jumped into that lake to save someone you don’t even know well. That goes a long way with the likes of us.”
The door to the healing cabin crashed open and a woman with umber hair, eyes red and swollen, ran down the steps. “Are you her?” she shouted, striding over to me. Anya went rigid at my side.
“Clara…”
“Is it her?” the woman stood before me, shaking. “The one who saved my boy?”
Surprised, I looked at Anya. She shrugged, not sure what to say.
I turned to the woman. “My partner, Kaleb, saved us both. And I wish for blessings and healing to your boy, ma’am. I hope we weren’t too late.”
She pounced on me, wrapping her arms around my body, sobbing into my shoulder. “You dove in after him,” she said in between her tears. “You held on. That’s all he kept saying b-before he fell unconscious.” She sobbed hysterically, clinging to my shoulder. “You held on to him. You never let go.”
Having no choice but to pat the back of the sobbing shifter holding on to me, I silently pleaded to Anya for help.
Anya ushered over another woman, who stood by the doorway of the cabin. Together, they soon freed me from the mother’s firm hold.
“Come on, Clara,” the other woman soothed, directing her back inside. Clara’s e
yes found mine.
“You didn’t let go.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “No matter what happens. My boy is here with me. He’s not the meal of some monster. You didn’t let go.”
The cabin closed, and Anya put her arm around my shoulders.
“Come on, Terra. Come and have that coffee with me you promised.”
“He has to survive, Anya,” I said, the woman’s pain almost my undoing. “Kaleb needs to hurry.”
“And he will. Trust in him. Come, take five.”
I nodded, letting her lead me away.
“Here.” Anya placed the coffee cup in front of me before taking the seat opposite. “Let’s not think about all this for a while. Unless you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t save that boy. Kaleb did. He saved both of us. Now all I can hope for is that my friend, Mayra, can get here in time to help.”
“The IET witch, right?”
“Yeah. She’s my friend, too. They all are aside from…” I couldn’t say it. As much as Libby annoyed the hell out of me, I couldn’t leave her out of the loop. “We all are. The whole team. We’ve only split up to follow through on a lead that came through from an agent of the PCA, who shall remain anonymous.”
“I get it. But I think I know who you’re talking about. Brent need not know. And I understand why Kima did what she did.”
“Kima?”
“The sister of Simon Houndsrun. The one attacked at the spring. She’s good friends with an agent from the PCA.”
“Ah,” I said with understanding.
“As I said, I get it. And I have to say, I’m grateful. I don’t like Kaleb’s father. I never have. And Brent isn’t the only Alpha who is wary about rising against him. That shifter has made it clear over the years what he does to wolves who disagree with his ways. Kima did us a favor. Especially with what we now face. I’m glad you’re here.”
I smiled. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”
“Want to talk about what happened at the spring?”
Hesitating, I asked, “What part?”
“Maybe start with how you looked magical, the trees, they swayed with you. You glided, as if walking on air. You looked like a badass witch. Not a psychic.”
Trusting Anya, I knew I had to be careful with what I said until I’d spoken to Dan. But I wanted to give her something. “Psychic energy. That’s all it was. I somehow connected to nature. Like you guys.”
Anya narrowed her eyes, wondering what to believe, but then she let me off the hook—in one way.
“All right. I’ll take that. But would you like to tell me why the bed’s broken in the cabin?”
“Holy shit!” my cheeks burned. “I forgot about that. We’ll reimburse you for the damage—”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” She grinned. “I only brought it up to get the juicy details because it appears you had one hell of a time.” She put up her hands with a smile. “Housekeeping. That’s all. Not being nosy.” She grinned mischievously. “Okay. Maybe I was a little.”
My lips curled. “It was our first time.”
“What? Sleeping together?”
“Yep. And it was one of the most mind-blowing experiences of my life. And with Kaleb, of all people. He’s been my friend throughout the academy, my partner since I graduated.” I gnawed my lip. “I dated his brother before him, too. In secret.”
“You didn’t?” she gasped. “Cole?”
“The very same. I broke it off with him though because Kaleb had already gotten under my skin. It hurt Kaleb when he saw us together. I thought he was angry because I hadn’t told him about it.”
“But that wasn’t the case?”
“No. And then Kaleb got together with Libby, an attractive lust demon who is part of the team. It annoyed me more than it should have.”
“Who kissed who first?”
“That’s the other problem. Kaleb and I have shared a few kisses and each time I felt an instant connection. But still it was Kaleb of all people. The shifter who loves the ladies. The one who jumps from bed to bed, loving the attention. Why the hell would he want to settle with me?”
“I think you’re selling yourself short. Way short.”
“Yeah, well…”
“What is it?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. The guy is amazing. I realized during our last case that I’d fallen head over heels. He’s told me so many times he’s serious about this. About us. But I can’t help thinking…”
“It’s a novelty?”
“Yes.” I nodded, glad she understood. “It’s something new. Different. Fun. And I know Kaleb. While feelings are there, he’ll be loyal and true, but what if those feet of his start itching?”
“Would you be thinking this of any other man?”
“I’m not usually this insecure.”
Anya smiled. “I don’t mean it like that. But I can understand your worries concerning Kaleb. You’ve been friends for a long time. You’ve been privy to all of his dirty secrets. And, not only that, you have a lot to lose if this doesn’t end well. I understand. Add the fact that you are in love with him to the mix… Well…” She studied me over the rim of her cup. “Have you told him how you feel?”
“No. I daren’t. Not yet.” I hesitated before blurting out, “His wolf wants to claim me.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“He told you that?”
“After sex, he struggled with something, stopped, as if in agony. He wouldn’t let me touch him for a while. Then he told me why.”
“Oh, crap.”
“Yeah. My thoughts exactly.”
“Did he explain the claiming to you?”
I nodded. “Kind of. He said his wolf wanted it. But he looked in so much pain. He said something about not rushing me into anything, and that claiming a mate is a high-level commitment—something about magic, and a half-life if either partner dies. He explained he doesn’t want to pressure me.”
“He’s right. Being claimed is a high-level commitment. But that’s not all.”
“It’s not?”
“No. It isn’t. Over time, you form a link, a bond if you will, that’s so strong, you can feel what they feel. You may have a thought pop into your head that isn’t yours, for example. We even know some mates to create a psychic link where they can communicate with others in wolf form. But you’re not…”
“A shifter,” I finished for her. “Is it even possible for a shifter to claim a human mate?”
“Sure it is. But it can be more intense for the human.”
But you might not be human, a voice resounded in my head. I pushed it back.
“He looked worried. I don’t know… conflicted.”
Anya put her cup down. She looked torn but spoke, anyway.
“You know with shifters, even though the human side is the most dominant, the wolf and the human are separate souls, right?”
“I didn’t know they were separate souls,” I replied cautiously. “But I know they’re separate in a way.”
“Yeah, well… if a wolf wants the claiming, and the human doesn’t, or vice versa, it can cause huge problems. The shifter becomes torn in half, angry they don’t have a choice. Harmony of both souls is best before a claiming takes place.”
“And Kaleb doesn’t feel that way?” I said, more to myself than anything.
“I never said that.” She smiled gently. “I want you to be sure he does before you agree to the claiming. Don’t just go on a maybe or what if. Especially if his wolf is pushing for the claiming so hard that Kaleb is struggling to control him. Just be sure. That’s all. Take all the time you need before you take that final step.”
“I’d never want him to do something he doesn’t want to.” I frowned. “Never.”
“I wasn’t talking about Kaleb. I’m talking about you. He’s right when he says it’s a deep commitment. It’s not something you can back out of like a marriage. Or even like a union.”
“Not all united mates claim one another?”
“No. The Blessed Union is more of a rite, and something more binding when packs ally with the union. But many proceed to the claiming as a natural course with their mate. Brent and I claimed as part of the union, the day before actually, but only because we both wanted it. We’d only been together six months, but I knew where his heart lay and him mine.”
“What do you have to do to, you know, claim?”
“Ah.” She raised her eyebrows. “So you’re considering it?”
“Sure am. I’m in this for the long haul. Like I said. Head over heels.”
“All right. Well… The full moon is the best time to undertake the ritual, not only out of respect, but it’s also when a shifter’s link to their magic is the strongest. The female wears a traditional gown, usually one of silk. Mine was gold. The color suits me.” She shrugged. “But it also resembles our eyes when we turn wolf. The more floaty and lighter, the better, so you feel almost naked.”
“Okay…”
“Sorry,” she chuckled. “Even talking about it makes me fall into the memory. It was a wonderful night.”
“What happens after that?”
“You come together, alone, under the stars, and make love. But during so, the male wolf partly shifts his mouth so that only his fangs show. That takes some control. Another reason many shifters wait before they claim. Sorry, digressing. But then, during the lovemaking, the male knows when it's right to bite. He goes off the connection that’s formed, the connection that usually triggers the claiming. Then he bites the female’s neck and licks her blood. With intention, and because you know, during the sex, something happens, something from the magic of the shifters. Part of their essence, their being, bleeds into you. From that, something in you responds, something on a level you can’t explain. You unite in a way that’s… indescribable.”
“Wow.”
“I know.” She shook herself free of the picture she painted. “But therefore many Alphas give shifters time to make sure both their wolf and human selves are in harmony with the decision before taking that step. They need to make sure a connection has formed between both parties.” She frowned. “We’re fully aware of what happens when the opposite takes place.”
“This is all such a mess,” I whispered.
Death Be Shifted (The Terra Vane Series Book 6) Page 13
