Emily ran. The trees flew past. Her paws sank into the familiar black earth and pine needles while she ran. Time passed. Subconsciously she veered her direction finding herself at Patricia's house; winded and lonely.Wolfred walked outside with Kinsee by his side.Emily's wolf smiled.The child's cry of joy and then the feel of the little girl's small arms wrapping around her neck, finally opened a warm place in Emily's heart."Patricia is taking a nap. The cats killed her brother Leeland and she's taking it hard. She's chosen to remain in wolf form so the baby arrives earlier, but she's struggling." Exhaustion plagued his eyes. Before he continued Kinsee began speaking."Can I play with Emily? Please, I want to run."Telepathically Emily spoke, "She can come with me and we won't go far, but I'll keep her occupied for an hour or two.""Give me your dress and off with you. Don't cause any trouble." Wolfred's voice was lovingly gruff.The dress flew over her head with a tiny spli
Brandt remained on the phone most of the following day. Emily, Thomas, and Samson worked with the information Brandt relayed to them. They were fed numbers and locations. The cats were splitting up. It was obvious they planned carefully and tracking them became almost impossible. Their spies found no information on the vampires leading them and they could be anywhere including across the ocean. There were rumors that the cats disposed of Nicolas' body before crossing into Mexico. Several teams continued searching.In the late afternoon, Cheri woke and let them know she would be down shortly. When the last rays of sun left the horizon, she joined them and immediately caught up on the latest news."You know Nicolas would not want anyone in additional danger to bring his body home." Cheri directed her words to Brandt."It doesn't matter, he's not around to give orders, and he deserves to rest with his pack. The soldiers searching know this could be a setup and they are to clear out imm
Three months later...The days, weeks, and months brought wartime changes to the clan. The pack remained on constant guard. There were small skirmishes over the border but revenge was not yet within reach and the delay was difficult for the wolves. Columbus had similar problems.Nicolas' body was still missing and the clans had called off the official search.Two weeks after Emily called the wolves, Patricia came to the cabin. She requested Emily place her hand on her barely visible stomach bump. The baby rolled beneath Emily's startled fingers. Her soul began to melt.Patricia gave birth to another girl. Sheeann was a miracle. Emily watched when the small cub opened her eyes for the first time and then again when she first shifted to wolf. The child brought joy to everyone. The wall around Emily's heart crumbled slowly and the pull of motherhood put her on constant edge.It took her another month to speak with Brandt even though he already knew. He only waited for Emily to make
Dim lights. Muted sound.Pain.Darkness.***His brain barely functioned, but then the distant sounds turned into voices. He tried to connect the words from a male voice."Enough already, how...times...let him die."Darkness.***Awareness came slowly. Everything hurt and then pain seared into his back, bringing him off the cold, hard surface."Hold him down, dammit, or tighten the chains."Something or someone mashed him further into what laid beneath him. He managed to open his eyes to see... cement. He was on a cement slab. Dried blood. Was it his? He smelled burning flesh. That was his and he was in hell.Again.The pain intensified. He couldn't hold back his scream, and when it tapered off, his bleary mind heard laughter."He's back with us."His cloudy eyes blinked past the tears and he saw the branding iron held by someone he didn't know; it went back into the fire.That someone jerked his head up suddenly so he was staring into cat eyes."Hello, Nicolas. W
Months later...Nicolas lost count of the days, weeks, and months of his captivity. Rarely did light come through the solid door that kept him imprisoned. The wall secured his arms and legs with chains, making it almost impossible to lie fully on the floor. The tight restraints kept him from changing into wolf unless he wanted his joints torn from their sockets. The skin around his wrists and ankles was past scabbing over and was little more than torn flesh and bone, oozing thick puss. A bucket for waste sat next to him, but he hadn't eaten in weeks or had a drink of water in days. He no longer needed the now-dry and crusted foul pail.His body was giving out.Lack of food, torture, and the loss of his pack had finally taken away his will to live. The next beating would be his last. No vampire had visited him in weeks. When he got here, he swore he would take cats with him when he died, but that wasn't going to happen. Thoughts of revenge barely managed to get past his pain and suff
Not using her to lean on was impossible, and ten minutes into their escape she wedged her body under his shoulder. Her cat odor overpowered his other senses and made him angrier, if that was possible. He stumbled, fell, and gasped for air. He could feel several broken ribs grinding, compliments of his last beating. His arm was broken too and needed resetting. Sweat dripped down his face and the hot humid air didn't help. Her body was soft but made of iron when it came to taking his extra weight.He managed to stay conscious, barely. There wasn't any activity at the camp, and Zenya kept to the shadows until they hit the jungle. Brambles stuck to his socks, but he was past caring. Everything hurt, but at least if he died now, it would be someplace other than the hellhole he'd been kept in.They trudged along. Her breathing wasn't quite as loud as his, but taking his weight was finally having an impact. Suddenly, he felt a tree against his back and her arms slipped away. He was too tire
He woke with his head in her lap and the smell of cat permeating his nostrils. "Do you have a death wish? I fucking don't want your filthy cat body anywhere near me," he said as he rolled away too quickly. The pain in his ribs caused him to suck in air."I think if you were going to kill me you would have, so please stop with the death threats and your foul language."He almost laughed. The bitch had balls. She was right, though; he probably wouldn't kill her unless she gave him a good reason. His brain was finally functioning past thoughts of her death, but she was still a cat and he didn't want her touching him.He rested quietly until the sun set and knew they would start off again soon. "Why did you help me?""For some reason Amy cares about you.""I barely know her.""She thinks of you and Brandt as part of her family. I didn't ask her why, but she was upset when they all thought you were dead.""I am dead.""That's nice. If you want any pity you're asking the wrong woman.
He woke in a feminine room. A frilly comforter covered him and a pink canopy hung over the bed, along with a noticeable feminine cat scent. Pushing back the cover, he stood quickly. Not caring about his nakedness, he walked to the door. He needed answers, and his growling stomach needed food.Opening the bedroom door, he tripped over a feline on the floor in the hallway. His wolf almost burst through his skin with the need to kill the cat scrambling from beneath him. Before she could slip and fall due to three legs, she changed into a young woman missing her left arm.Fuck. Even he couldn't kill a one-armed woman who was little more than a child."You must be hungry." She sounded exasperated."Are you my guard?""If I was, I think you've healed enough to eat me. Hmm, I like the thought. Why don't you have a bite?" Now she sounded outrageously flirtatious. "You're a child.""I'll be eighteen next month.""I like grown women.""You probably like women with two arms.""I don't
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