After eating, Ivan told Amy he had some phone calls to make and left her to entertain herself. She decided to walk around the house and discover what she had missed. The place was massive. She wasn't sure how many rooms it had and knew it would be easy to get disoriented and lose her way so she was careful to keep track of her whereabouts as she went along. She explored the ground floor and then walked up the staircase. She turned right and went to the double doors at the far end of the hallway. She realized this must be Marcus' room. She glanced at the door handle and then turned it.One side of the double doors opened and Marcus was standing there. His hair was slightly mussed. He had on a pair of black silk pajama pants but his chest was bare. He had to be the sexiest man alive."It's probably rude of me to say so, but I smelled you. Don't run off, join me. I won't bite, I promise." With a predatory grin, belying his words, Marcus reached for her hand before she could back away.
Amy's head was swimming with how quickly everything had happened. She glared at Neil and Jacob. "If you think I'm staying here, you can get that right out of your minds."Jacob spoke first. "We can lock you in the basement if we must. We will not disobey orders. Neither of us has a death wish. If locking you away is what's required to keep you safe, that's what we'll do. It's your choice." This was said with absolute conviction.If Amy had a gun, she would have considered using it. The two of them stared at her as if she were a "thing" they could move at will. The problem was that they could move her if they wanted. Her anger grew as the minutes ticked away.She spent two anxious and fuming hours pacing before anyone returned. Marcus entered first. Ivan was again human and Alba, as a wolf, was at his side. Jacob and Neil made a hasty retreat. Amy had been expressing her anger to them throughout Marcus' absence. Her fury was now boiling over and her words did not express the relief s
Amy walked up to her room and Alba came in and jumped on the bed. "You look tired. Get some rest and then we have talking to do." Alba's voice held a smile."I think we should talk right now." Amy said sleepily."You will fall asleep in the middle of the conversation and I prefer not to say everything twice. Please get some rest."Amy woke five hours later. She knew immediately that she would need a nap later if she was to spend the evening with Marcus, but for now she was awake. She stretched. Her body was sore but in a pleasurable way. Alba stirred beside her and licked her hand. "I'll shower and then let's find some food. I'm starving. After that you and I will have that long awaited discussion." Amy said this as she got off the bed and went in the bathroom.It was noon when she walked down the stairs with Alba at her side. Surprisingly, Ivan was waiting along with breakfast on the sideboard."Since you missed breakfast, I decided to indulge you. Join me. I will be gone the res
Alba's voice dropped, "Lie back, close your eyes, and allow your body to relax. Clear other thoughts from your mind and just think of this room. Columbus is outside patrolling the grounds. You've met him and I want you to picture him mentally. Send your mind in search of him, but don't say anything in your head just think of him and try to narrow in.""I can't." She sat up and her face grew red. "When I close my eyes, I can only picture Marcus.Alba laughed inside her head. "Yes, and you don't close your thoughts so I get them too. Much more information than I need but quite the picture." Exasperation was clear in her voice and she gave Amy a stern look with wolf eyes. They both laughed. "I'll send Columbus a message and tell him to go check out the gazebo. He'll think it strange, but they're used to it when I'm pregnant."A few minutes went by while Amy tried to wipe the mental images of Marcus from her mind."Okay he's at the gazebo. Try to find him."Amy remained sitting and pi
Marcus escorted Amy downstairs so she could eat. He promised to stay with her until she was finished but then he had to leave and join Ivan."It's very important we find the person that killed Sinner, but it's more important that we figure out why. The attack was unprovoked and we need answers. I'm sorry to leave but I must investigate so I can keep us safe.""I don't like being left behind, but I understand. I'll stay here with Alba and catch up on some sleep until you return. I feel as if all I've done is sleep today, but I'm tired and lethargic." Her husky voice betrayed the sleepiness she felt.He took her hand and squeezed gently. "That's my fault. Giving blood is different for humans than for wolves. I got carried away and for that you have my apology.""Accepted. Will you come to my room and get me when you return?""No, I want you sleeping in my bed while I'm away and I will happily kick Alba out when I return.""Alba is pregnant and you are incredibly rude to her."Marc
All of this resonated in Amy's mind with no sign of movement from Alba. It was best that the men think she was unconscious. They dragged Amy outside. She resisted and the blow to her face was sudden and brought back memories of another struggle. It rattled her brain. She realized she needed to stay alert to try and communicate with Marcus. She stopped fighting them and allowed the men to pull her toward a large vehicle that was coming up the drive. She was airborne for a moment, traveling across the back seat and hitting her head on the opposite window. Her captor slammed the door behind him after following her in. She couldn't help reaching for the door handle closest to her but he grabbed her hands in a punishing grip and used duct tape to wrap them securely. The other man jumped in the front seat next to the driver. Amy was used to the scent of the wolves and realized these men smelled different, especially in the close confines of the car. She focused on Marcus. Her terror for hers
Marcus carried Amy inside with Alba in wolf form at his heels. "Don't you dare change; I can take care of her. My doctoring skills may not be as good as yours, but Amy will survive them."Alba whined.Amy's voice held a renewed strength when she said, "Alba changed when the men came in through the door. She attacked one of them and then changed back. She needs to be examined first. He hit her in the side of the head with his rifle and she's bleeding."Marcus turned away from the stairs and went towards the couch. He gently sat Amy down and turned to Alba."Let me see Alba, it will be easier to care for Amy if she knows you are well."Alba let him examine her head. The wound was below her ear and blood was in her fur. She didn't say a word as he touched and prodded the wound."I think you'll survive, but probably with a headache. Philip is coming with warm water and to clean you up. I don't believe you need stitches and this will help."Before Alba could move, Marcus struck. His
Ivan dropped his fork. Alba's laughter went off in Amy's head. "Now you've done it. Just be ready for the fallout.""How did that happen?" Ivan asked glaring in Amy's direction."What? You mean this." She projected her thoughts into his mind again."You shouldn't be able to do that. Does Marcus know?" Real anger was apparent in his voice.They all heard Marcus in their heads. "Yes, Marcus knows." He said to them, "And if you don't lower your voice and be polite to Amy, I'll be down to teach you some manners. I would prefer sleep though so pull in your claws. Amy, Mary means nothing to me. I'll prove it later." With that Marcus was out of their heads.Ivan looked at Amy and then at Alba. "This entire place has gone nuts."Ivan left the room as fast as he could.Alba was laughing again. "Ivan always retreats when he loses. He needs to think things through and then he'll be back. It was priceless though. He's such a control freak."Amy cleaned her plate then got up and made hers
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