Midnight Temptation

by L Ann

  And then it wouldn’t matter how dominant he was, a human could never take on a dominant wolf-shifter and survive, particularly one with the dominance he had. Few wolves could take him on, a human wouldn’t last minutes.

  “Come on, buddy,” he continued. “It can’t make you feel like much of a man using me as a punching bag. Hardly a challenge, is it? How many of my kind have you drugged and beaten? Haven’t you ever wondered whether you could take on something like me?”

  “You’re nothing special,” the man grunted.

  Deacon smiled. “Oh, but I am. Did you know I died? Even that couldn’t keep me down. But, you wanna know something? When a man faces death like that, it does something to you. You see things differently once you come back.”

  “You’re no man. You’re an abomination.”

  “I’ve heard that before. You Hunters are all the same – can’t think for yourselves. You listen to your elders and question nothing. Some would call it a cult.” He watched the male in front of him, gauging his reaction to what he was saying. “But you take our women and you breed more of us, twisting their minds until they believe the lies you spew. Forcing them to fight their own kind.” He angled his head and inhaled deeply through his nose. “In fact, I’d put money on you being a half-breed.”

  “There’s no such thing!” His fist connected with Deacon’s jaw, snapping his head back.

  Deacon laughed. “Touched a nerve, did I?” He spat out a mouthful of blood. “Let me take a guess. You were born into this cult. You’ve known nothing else.” He let his eyes run over the man standing in front of him, allowed his disdain for him to show in his sneer. “But then you were bred for muscle, not brains, weren’t you? Bet they even have to tell you what food to eat or when to take a shit. A good little soldier, bred to follow instructions. Did they enlist you in the army to toughen you up or was that your act of rebellion?”

  And there it was.

  Deacon masked a smile as the male barrelled into him, head connecting with his chest. The chains holding his wrists in place clanged, pulled at his arms as the man’s weight fell onto him.

  “I’m nobody’s drone!” the man snarled, fists pummelling into Deacon’s ribs. “I can take you down. You’re nothing.”

  “Easy to say when you have me chained up like a dog,” Deacon taunted.

  “You’re not supposed to talk!” the man muttered.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Does it humanise me too much?” Deacon’s teeth flashed in a quick grin. “Newsflash, I’m not human.”

  “You’re less than human.”

  “And yet you’re still too scared of me to make this a fair fight. I think that makes me more than human, don’t you?”

  “I’m not supposed to kill you.”

  “Kill me? You think you could kill me?” Deacon threw back his head and laughed. “That’s funny. Don’t let the blood fool you. You’re not even hurting me.” He let his fingers curl around the chains. “Is there anyone monitoring you? I don’t see any cameras in here.”

  “Why would anyone want to watch another mutation being taken apart? They’re only interested in the results, not the method.”

  “What kind of results are they going to get from you punching someone who can’t defend themselves? I mean, maybe I’m just a dumb mutated animal, but aren’t the results going to be skewed?”

  “I’m not here to question–“ his mouth snapped shut, anger surging in his scent as he realised he was about to confirm what Deacon had said.

  Deacon snickered. “So you are a good little soldier following orders without question.”

  “I know what you’re doing!”

  “Oh?” One eyebrow rose. “Do share.”

  “You think you can goad me into releasing you.”

  “Oh boy, you totally caught me.” Deacon wrapped his hands around the chains. “Because there’s absolutely no way, being a wolf-shifter and all, that I have the strength to get myself free.” He leaned back and pulled sharply.

  “Did Damien kill dad?” Gemma asked into the silence.

  Her mother didn’t respond straight away and Gemma shifted closer, trying to see her through the darkness.

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, he did.”

  “How can you even look at him?”

  “He’s sick. He knows he’s sick. I’ve had four months of watching him, of seeing the face of your father’s killer, of having to smile and learn which behaviours trigger his episodes.” She heard her mother sigh. “You have no idea, Gemma. No idea at all.”

  “Then explain it to me!”

  “I will, but not here and not now. Damien promised to get me out, to let me go, but he needed Shaun here first.”

  “Why?”

  “Shaun is important to him. That’s all I know.”

  “But Shaun didn’t come.”

  “I know. They took someone called Deacon instead. He was brought in with you.”

  “You saw him?” The breath caught in Gemma’s throat. “Was he okay?”

  “He was unconscious. They left you here and took him upstairs.”

  “What’s upstairs?”

  “The lab,” was her mother’s soft reply. “Who is he, Gemma?”

  “He’s … He …” Gemma stumbled over the words. What was he to her? Calling him her boyfriend seemed too childish and she wasn’t sure that’s what he was at all. Was he her mate? Her wolf would have her believe so, but Deacon had said they hadn’t taken the final step. Her lover? Did the couple of times they’d shared a bed count towards that as a description of what they were? “He’s Shaun’s brother.”

  “Why were you with him?”

  “Because a lot has happened in the four months you’ve been missing,” Gemma snapped in reply.

  “Are you accusing me of being here willingly? You know as well as anyone that things are not that black and white!” her mother said after a moment’s pause.

  Gemma felt her lips twist into a sneer. “If you hadn’t rushed off to spend the money from the sale of the house, none of this would be happening!”

  “Is that what you really think happened?” Maggie’s laugh was sharp. “Do you honestly believe I wanted to sell the house?”

  “Why would I think otherwise? Every time we asked you to reconsider all you talked about was how unhappy it made you” Gemma swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. “We lost our home! The last connection we had to dad. And for what? Because you wanted no reminders of him!”

  “That’s not true! You have no idea what was happening.”

  “You keep saying that, but so far I’m not hearing any explanations that make sense!”

  “Maggie?” Damien’s voice sounded through the darkness. “Is the girl upsetting you?”

  “Damien!” Maggie gasped. “No, no, it’s fine. We’re just talking.”

  “You smell …” Gemma heard him take in a deep breath. “Distressed.”

  “Only because I cannot reach my daughter, Damien.”

  “Oh …” Gemma thought he sounded confused.

  His foot scraped across the floor as he moved closer. “I came to tell you it’s time. If we want to succeed,we need to leave now.” As he spoke Gemma saw the front of her cage swing open. “The lab is empty, everyone is sleeping. But it won’t last for very long.”

  Gemma stared at him. “You want me to leave with you?”

  “I don’t actually care if you leave with me, but Maggie does. You were only a means to an end, and you didn’t get that right.” She heard the creak of hinges and then her mother appeared in front of her.

  “Do as he says, Gemma.”

  “No. I think I’d rather take my chances here.”

  Damien frowned. “You have no reason to fear me.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  He shrugged. “As you wish. Is there any message you would like me to give to Deacon?”

  “Wh-what?”

  “When we get him … is there something you would like him to know.”

 
“Gem,” Maggie said. “If you stay here, they will discover you can shift. You are female. They will breed you until you die.”

  “How do you know he’s not taking us somewhere to kill us?”

  “Because he wants to find Shaun.”

  “If I return you to Deacon, Shaun will meet with me. But we need to go now.”

  “You’re insane,” she whispered. “Shaun will kill you.”

  Damien nodded. “Someday, yes.”

  As the chains tore from the ceiling, releasing Deacon, the man fell back, a startled cry escaping his lips.

  “Shall we see how good you really are, then?” Deacon asked, yanked the cuffs from around his wrists, and prowled toward the soldier.

  The man scrambled backwards, eyes darting wildly from side to side.

  “See, the one thing you forgot was, unlike your other punching bags, I’m not drugged nor am I a mindless animal. I can think for myself, and I have Alpha blood running through my veins.” His eyes shifted, glowing gold. “I’m also very, very hungry.”

  “Shifters don’t eat humans!”

  Deacon smiled, a baring of his teeth. “Is that what they have taught you?” He kept pace with the man, one step forward for every two of his. “It’s not our preferred meat, for sure, but it’ll do … if we’re hungry or angry enough.”

  His right arm flashed out, fist connecting with the man’s jaw, sending him into the wall.

  “Haven’t you ever questioned why your Hunters want us dead? Surely, if we are as weak and as useless as they claim, then we aren’t a danger to you.”

  He advanced another three steps. “But that’s the thing, isn’t it? We’re neither weak nor useless. The real reason you hate us is because you fear our strength and what we could do if we ever made humans our prey.” He moved too fast for the man to follow, and Deacon’s fingers gripped his throat and slammed him against the wall.

  “Lucky for you humans, most of us have no interest in taking over. We just want to live our lives. Problem with that is sometimes someone comes along who isn’t content with that. They force our hand and then things have a nasty habit of becoming … messy.” He leaned forward, his canine teeth lengthening to sharp points. “And messy is what I do best.”

  “Deacon?” The unexpected female voice made him spin round, dropping the man to the floor.

  “Gemma?” His eyes swept over the woman he’d not expected to see again, noting the shapeless dress she wore. “How did you get here?” He stepped over the still form on the floor and crossed the room, his attention focused on her.

  When he reached her, he cupped her face in his palms and tilted her head back. “Are you hurt?”

  “No, I’m fine. Are you okay?” Her fingers lifted and ran over one of his fangs curiously. At her touch it receded, and he watched as her eyes closed and she took a deep breath, her hands moving to run over his chest and shoulders. “I was worried about you.”

  He could smell the relief in her scent when her eyes opened and she finished her physical check of him. “You’re not hurt? There’s blood all over your mouth.”

  “Ahhh, no. Nothing to worry about. A few bruises, maybe.” He lifted a hand and wiped his mouth, nodding toward the man lying on the floor. “He’s in worse shape.” He tilted his head, studying her. “How did you get here?”

  His eyes narrowed when she tensed. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.” And he immediately knew he didn’t like where this was going.

  “And just what would you class as stupid?” he asked. Movement just behind and to the left of her caught his attention and he raised his head to see a woman and behind her …. “Damien!” A growl escaped his throat.

  “Deacon, wait.” Gemma’s hands gripped his wrists. “He’s our way out of here.”

  “Is that what he’s said? After everything he did, you trust him?”

  “No, no I don’t.” Keeping her grip on his wrists, she stepped backwards and turned her head toward the woman. “But my mom does. And he brought me to you.”

  “There’s also the unavoidable fact that if you even attempt to attack me, I’ll kill her,” Damien told him, lifting the pistol he’d concealed in his jacket and pressing it against Gemma’s back.

  “And what do you get from this?” Deacon demanded.

  “I want to speak to Shaun, nothing more.”

  “Don’t you think you’ve caused enough damage to my brother?”

  Damien laughed. “Oh, cousin, you have no idea of the damage in store if you don’t let me see him.”

  Deacon’s lips peeled back in a silent snarl. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

  “No,” Damien replied, his voice calm. “Actually, you won’t. Maggie? What time is it?” His eyes didn’t leave Deacon, his gun held steady between Gemma’s shoulder blades.

  “Just gone three AM,” was Maggie’s quiet reply.

  “Then if you want to get back to the Pack, I suggest we get moving. If I can trust you not to try to jump me, I’ll let you walk with your chosen mate.”

  Deacon ground his teeth, his eyes flicking from Damien to Gemma and back again. He hated the thought of letting his cousin stay so close to Gemma, to continue breathing longer than necessary, but he was acutely aware that they would never get out without him.

  “I’ll agree to a truce, for now,” he said finally.

  “I’ll have your word that you won’t attack me. You’ll deliver me to Cormac and Shaun in one piece, conscious and unbroken.”

  “Fuck you, Damien.”

  “Your word, Deacon, or I’ll take your woman back to her cage and inform the Commander I have her. We both know what will happen to her once the Hunters rise.”

  “Fine, but you need to take your hands off her,” he growled. “My wolf doesn’t like it.” He wasn’t lying, not really – he could hear his wolf growling inside his head, pacing and pawing, wanting Damien’s blood on his tongue.

  “You’re not in a position to bargain. That has always been your problem. You never know when to stop pushing.”

  “I don’t see that as a flaw.” He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck from side to side. “Are we going to stand here all day?”

  “You should probably take that guy’s pants. Your naked ass isn’t something I want to see.”

  “That’s not how I remember it,” Deacon remarked, crossing the room to strip the dead male. He pulled on his pants – they were a little tight, but nothing he couldn’t deal with. “There was a time when you wanted to do a lot more than just look.” He bared his teeth in a mocking grin. “Do you remember how I broke your arm for ignoring my warning about not touching?”

  Gemma gasped and jerked forward a step when Damien pressed the gun firmly into her back. “Need I remind you who is in control here? Anger me and I’ll kill her.”

  “Do that and you’ll be dead seconds later.” Deacon straightened and moved back toward them, his eyes glowing.

  “And then you’ll never get out of here.”

  “It’ll be worth it.”

  “You wouldn’t be saying that after a day or two locked in here. Ask your brother about it.” Damien jerked his head. “Let’s go. You in front of me.” He hooked his fingers around Gemma’s arm and dragged her back out of the doorway.

  Deacon could feel his wolf rising, fighting for dominance, and took a deep breath. Stepping through the door, he took position beside Gemma and let the back of his hand brush against hers.

  “Okay?” he murmured, keeping his voice level and calm.

  Her eyes darted to him and she gave a jerky nod.

  “You can cozy up together once we’re at the Sanctuary,” Damien snapped. “Walk to the end of this corridor then turn right.”

  Gemma stumbled forward beside him, and Deacon knew Damien had nudged her with his gun again.

  “Damien,” he warned. “My wolf is close to the surface right now.”

  “Then I suggest you get control of it. I thought you were supposed to be an Alpha.” The derision in Damien’
s voice was clear.

  “I’m more dominant than you’ll ever be.”

  “And yet you can’t control me. Funny how that’s working out for you, isn’t it? Keep moving.”

  Deacon bit back a growl. Damien had raised an interesting point. Why couldn’t he control the lower-ranking wolf? It should have been easy to force Damien to his will. He’d never been dominant enough to refuse either Shaun or Deacon when he had been a part of their Pack. What had changed?

  And Gemma’s mother. Why was she so content to be walking beside Damien, unconcerned by the gun pressed against her daughter’s spine? Did the woman have no idea what his cousin had done to Gemma? Or did she simply not care?

  “Turn right here.” Damien’s voice interrupted his thoughts, and Deacon glanced around, seeing the corridor fork off in two directions. “There’s a set of double-doors at the end which require a security code. I want you to face the wall and put both your hands on the back of your head when we reach it.”

  “Scared I’ll take the opportunity to kill you?” Deacon taunted.

  “I know you, Deacon. You’ll take every chance you see, so I’ll make sure I don’t give you any. You’re too stupid to realise this is your only chance to get out of here. Killing me will kill your woman and everything I did to her will pale in comparison to what she will suffer before she dies. If you want to live with that for the rest of your life – which will be in the single digits, if you don’t do as I say – then, by all means, take that risk.”

  “Where is everyone?” Deacon ignored his cousin’s threat.

  “You remember how I took your females?” Deacon nodded. “There’s only a few people down here at night. It wasn’t difficult to drug their drinks. They’ll be asleep for about an hour, so less talking, more moving.”

  As they moved down the corridor, Deacon felt something slide against his hand. Glancing down, he saw Gemma’s fingers curl around his. He gave them a gentle squeeze, acknowledging her need for reassurance.