The pack resumed their training. Everyone fought like their life depended on it. More and more of Columbus's wolves joined in. The resentment over the she-cats was almost non-existent. Word of their kills spread. Nicolas's wolves proudly described the hunt and slaughter. The other wolves realized they could learn from the cats.Nicolas didn't say anything when Zenya left for her daily run with Esta and McDonald. He saw the bruises from her not so secret training. She never complained and he knew in another week or so she would shift to cat and there would be no training in human form until after their child's birth.Columbus's pack wolves began hanging out more and more at the cabin. Several small fights broke out over the women but no one was hurt. Five days after Fredock's death, Aster arrived.His large body filled the door of the cabin. While his imposing figure was bulkier than Nicolas's, he was a few inches shorter. Maybe twenty pounds separated them in human form, and Nicolas
After dinner, Nicolas laid out his plan to search for she-cats.Zenya remained frozen in silence.Esta spoke first, "My job is to protect your mate. Nikka will go in my stead.""I won't make you go, but I believe my mate can protect herself with Nikka and McDonald by her side. I need you to talk to the women if we find any alive and convince them to come with us."Esta looked at Zenya, "I promised to keep you safe.""The women need you. I'm safe here." Annoyance at her mate clouded her words. Esta looked at Aster, "Are you going, wolf?""I plan to kill more cats than you."Esta accepted the challenge. "I'll go."For a wolf, not thought to be the brightest, Aster easily handled the difficult she-cat.Nicolas looked around the room, stopping to meet the eyes of each of his fighters. "We're going in fast. Getting out will be harder, but even then we'll have Samson waiting on day five. If we don't show, he leaves without us."Madayah spoke up, "You have a traitor. What if they
Zenya needed to appear happy and even managed to give a wrapped gift to Nicolas in front of several of Columbus's pack mates for Emily and Brandt's child. She didn't know if the deception would work or if Nicolas would return, but she had to try. The traitor needed to take the bait.After the plane departed and she was back at their cabin, staying in control was harder. Everyone felt her anguish, especially Talya. The young she-cat curled up with her on the couch, placing the side of her face against Zenya's stomach."When will you first feel the baby?""Maybe in a couple of weeks." "Do you think it's a girl?""No, actually I think it's a boy.""Why?""Because I feel differently than I did when I carried my daughter." Zenya couldn't help the catch in her throat when she spoke of her dead child."Was she beautiful?""Yes, she was incredibly perfect.""I want a child someday.""You will have many children, Talya. I picture you as a mother.""What shall you name this one?"
Their trek began again. They slept several hours after darkness fell and then continued. They came upon the second camp when the sun rose. They didn't smell death, but they didn't hear anyone either."The trail out of the camp is fresh and it includes she-cats. Do you think they are trying to escape the cats and vamps that killed the others?" Reece asked."It's possible. This trail leads further into the jungle. Does everyone agree to follow? Samson will arrive at the rendezvous three days from now and if we aren't there, he will leave us.""We follow," Korep said with barely controlled eagerness.Everyone else nodded.Two hours later, they knew they were close.They had already planned their attack. Korep and Honey would attack as bears. Esta and Reece would remain human while Nicolas, Aster, and Bernard would be in wolf skin. Esta with Korep as her bodyguard would search for the women. The rest would kill cats.Nicolas couldn't notify Vorlyk, but he knew the vampire awaited hi
The she-cats explained to Nicolas and Esta that weaning the babies when they were young helped keep them safe. The women chewed small bits of meat and fed the children once they shifted to tiny mountain lions with sharp claws. When it was time to travel again, the women pinched their noses and the young beastkind changed to human.Nicolas wondered if this trick would work with Sierra and Roland, but figured they were too old to start this type of training. The two young boys stayed silent. It was almost as if they wanted to be forgotten. Nicolas hoped they didn't give Esta a reason to kill them. They too were only babies.Every four hours they rested for one. The women and boys didn't change from their beastkind form, just made a pile on any small, cleared space they could find. Like his pack of she-cats, they never complained. Twenty-four hours into their escape, Aster, while scouting, ran across a large contingent of cats that were following the wolf and bear scent.Esta gave Nico
Everyone was too tired to talk and the last day took the women almost past their limit. Esta kept them going with not-so-gentle coaxing and non-subtle threats. They continued their pace and finally reached the remote airfield using the GPS navigator located in one of the bags. A rough-looking cargo plane waited.Samson and his pilot rested under the shade offered by the aircraft. He looked at Honey and shook his head with sadness. They boarded and took off. The women were past caring about anything but sleep and they passed out almost immediately. One of the babies became restless and for the first time since Korep's death, Honey responded and picked up the unhappy she-cat. He walked to the back area of the plane and sat down to play with the infant. Everyone else settled down and fell asleep, including Nicolas.They changed to Brandt's jet at a military base on U.S. soil. It took an hour for the last part of their trip.Nicolas took time to ask each woman's name and assure them the
Zenya woke up with Nicolas's head on her belly. His hair tickled. Gentle kisses began covering every inch of skin around her bellybutton until she giggled. His teeth nipped gently in answer to her trying to squirm away.Nicolas finally rested his hand on her stomach and his chin on his hand, looking up at her smiling face. "I've never been a father.""You will be wonderful.""I think so, too."She pulled his hair slightly for being so arrogant. "You don't believe me?""Of course I believe you. Is there anything you don't do well?""I would need time to consider your question. Nothing comes to mind immediately."She gave another tug, but then her playful mood vanished."You promised not to leave again until the baby is born.""Yes, I did promise.""And?""And I never break my word.""You will let someone else go if there are she-cats needing rescuing?""Yes.""I love you.""I'm glad. I want to take you to see Dr. Stevens before you change to cat full time.""Is there
Everyone attended the ceremony. Amy and Marcus brought Sierra and Roland. The new cats brought Alana and Nessa, the youngest of the beastkind.Marcus began with a short speech. "Two of my wolves have expressed their desire to join Nicolas's pack. Amy, Columbus, and I give permission. Cheri, Brandt, and Emily also permit Isaac to join with Nicolas. We wish Torrent, Blayne, and Isaac a long life filled with contentment and the warmth of their new pack. Will the three step forward and offer their fealty to Vorlyk and Nicolas?"The three wolves approached Nicolas. He first sliced his palm, and then held the sharp knife out to them. They each cut their palm deeply, and then shook Nicolas's hand, mixing their blood. The wolves stepped to Vorlyk and went to one knee.Vorlyk walked to Torrent and tapped his shoulder.Torrent stood. "My liege." He offered his neck and the vampire struck quickly, and then went to the next man.Nicolas called Talya, Nikka, and Sheeba forward. Nicolas drew th
VedaWe hear the music before the lights come into view. The party is outside on the large patio at Dmitri's house. Nikka decorated with white sparkling lights and paper lanterns. The music is unknown to me, which isn't a surprise. Technology is not my friend and I prefer the peace of the forest.Dmitri's voice echoes over the music. "Welcome, Veda, Witch from the line of Josephine, mate to Tyboll, and new member of the bear clan."The music shuts off suddenly and I can do nothing but return the formal greeting. "Thank you, Black Demon Bringer of Death, mate of Nikka, Liege to the bear clan."A restless mumble from the bears fills the night. Have I said something wrong? Tyboll's hand tightens on mine. Nikka appears slightly shocked before she steps forward and wraps me in her arms. "What have I done," I ask her silently."You're fine. He just hasn't used his full title in centuries," she replies into my mindI turn to Dmitri, who looks at his mate with a soft smile. "I am sorry,
TybollShe shows me her circle of herbs - explains about upsetting the balance and using all the Goddess's gifts wisely. I listen. Part of me is terrified and the other in awe. To live separately from everyone to hide your secrets takes great sacrifice.She understands my need to examine what I've learned. She heads to the cabin to cook while I go running as bear. She holds no fear that I will give away her secrets. We are mates. Her secrets are mine.I close my mind from Dmitri as I think about all Veda has told me. I shouldn't have been surprised when the largest bear of our clan blocks my path a few miles from my cabin. The Kodiak, alpha to the greatest clan, stands in front of me. He is also my brother by blood and like most brothers, we have our differences. This situation will be no different."Tyboll," his snarly voice rings through my head."Alpha," I reply pleasantly."You don't fool me. You are mated to the witch. Did it occur to you that I should be informed of this?"
VedaTyboll's new rule works. Less talking and more sex. This is one demand I am incapable of dismissing. We are stretched out on the bed with me lying on top of him. His fingers run up and down my back while he breathes into the hair against my neck. Where he bit me is sore, but I wouldn't dream of complaining. It feels right. Being in my mate's arms is right. I whisper a silent thank you to the Goddess.Tyboll answers. "You're welcome."I roll my eyes, but don't bother correcting him. I'm actually thankful to him, too."Come on, woman, we're taking a bath." He lifts me as he stands. I'm cradled in his arms and feel incredibly safe. And loved.Does he love me? I'm careful to keep this thought from drifting into his mind. Nikka told me how to do it. I just need to practice. He doesn't respond, so I must have been successful. Tyboll lowers my feet to the floor when we're in the bathroom. I watch as he leans over and turns on the water. His back and thighs are muscular and sexy. His
Tyboll"I've listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear."I hear the end of patience in Dmitri's voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn't easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseated and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I've run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri's front room."I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins." He holds up his hand. "Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done."My stomach twists painfully. "You cannot reverse it is what you're saying?""No, I cannot. I'm not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities." He continues before I can object. "The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you."I
VedaThat did not go well. I didn't think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I've made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I'm not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It's strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decid
TybollI wake from what feels like a winter hibernation. I'm starving and the rumble in my stomach only enhances my need for food. Something smells wonderful. I'm naked in my bed and vaguely recall my illness the night before. I remember Dmitri coming to the rescue. I also remember my thoughts that Veda poisoned me again. Unlikely, because I ate nothing before going to Mandy's. She is a witch, though, and there's no telling what they're capable of.My nose leads me to the kitchen. Veda stirs a large pot on the stove. I peer over her shoulder to see what has such an amazing smell. Without looking at me she speaks, "Clothes or I will not feed you, bear.""Humph." I wrap my arms around her and run my nose down the side of her face and stop at her neck. "I could eat you, woman, and I'd start right here." She stops stirring the pot. I can smell her arousal. I bite down gently on the skin holding my attention. "How did you know I'm not dressed?" I breathe against the mark I've just left.
VedaStupid hare-brained bear, I mutter as I look the other way, pick up the slab of nearly raw meat, and toss it out of the cabin. Serving cooked meat was the hardest thing to do while I worked at the diner. The only blessing was that Becky didn't prepare the blood-dripping horror I just got rid of. I look through the kitchen and there are no vegetables. I settle on bread and cheese, though I'm no longer hungry. I just know I need to eat."You stay here or when I find you I'll lock you up," were the last words Tyboll yelled before he left.I thought about challenging his dictate, but right now I am too tired. I finish my meal and walk outside in the opposite direction from the barely cooked meat. My hope is that a wild animal will take it away in the night. This is what I did with all the meat given to me over the years by the bear clan as payment. My mother accepted their offering and then gave it to the wildlife, so I did the same. Maybe I should have said something, but politene
TybollThe feelings running through me are impossible to comprehend. It took hours to drive to Dmitri's club and another hour to track Veda's scent and find the diner. The closer I came, the more insistent an inner... well... buzz intensified. When our eyes finally met, I felt as if a mountain had crumbled over me. I fought collapsing at her feet. I knew it was her witch's power and wondered if she cast a spell that made it difficult for me to come close to her.I continued thinking this until her lips met mine. Now we're on the floor and she's wrapped in my arms. Words that turn me into an utter pussy slip from my mouth and I don't care. If it bothers her so much that she leaves me, I won't call her woman. Though, she is. A beautiful woman."I can hear your thoughts," she sighs against my neck. "Maybe the word woman is not so bad." She lifts up slightly and stares at me. "I've never done this, Tyboll. I've had very little interaction with anyone. I never thought to have a mate. You
VedaWhy is the pull to a mate so strong? I pour over the great texts expecting the answer it usually offers. Nothing. I've read sections about mating, but they don't offer a solution to the problem.Mating is a bond that only death can sever. A witch's power is not stronger than the bond and a witch shall not interfere with a mated pair.Blah, blah, blah. My mother told me not to mess with a mated pair. I understand this. But now I'm part of a mated pair. I need answers about a witch mating and there is nothing.A witch will take a human male into her body. A female child will form from this union. You will know the time to search out your human. Do not call the power of your beast when in the human's arms. Control your beast or bear the consequences.It's too late for that. Tyboll and I allowed our bears to rise when we mated. Now I feel Tyboll pulling my power from me. Can he feel it? He must. The texts are written for a human and witch. Not a beastkind and witch. I fli