Red Eclipse

by McKayla Schutt

  “I have the second-in-command, Matt, and his mate, Heather, coming with us to help.”

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Worry took over her thoughts. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt for her. He lifted her chin to look into his dark blue eyes. You should take the first opportunity and run, Alia. Olsen isn’t safe around you! Ideas of her options started to play out. First thought was too pretend to be sick and dash away while Olsen ate or talked to Judden. It may work. Alia pushed shampoo in her hair while she pondered the plan. It’s lame and he would catch up to you. Every idea she came up with ended up with Olsen finding her and being extremely angry with her. What am I going to do? She didn’t want to face the coven at all, and the idea of putting Olsen in danger made her stomach turn.

  “We will stop those seekers from harming you and making you run.” His voice deepened, bringing her back to reality. She knew, deep down, this man would walk through fire to protect her.

  She stood under the water, letting her thoughts simmer. A wave of relaxation crashed into her body as the thought of not leaving settled into place. It brought her more peace than running had. If I stay, I can protect him and he can protect me. She caught his blue eyes watching her as she scrubbed her body. I’m not strong enough to walk away from him. While rinsing off her body, she decided to wash away the ideas of leaving her mate. No matter what, I’ll stick with him. Her hand traveled down his chest, eliciting a low groan from his lips. Her core tightened as the idea of shower sex filled her mind. You will get pregnant.

  The idea of her carrying his child only made her excited. The more she thought about it, the more it made the nerves fade so much. Only a deep need to see their little one replaced it. Having him fuck her again would be a great bonus.

  “Is my little mate in need of some more love?” Olsen’s eyebrows bounced. Alia bit her lip and nodded. A sudden wave of heat covered her from head to toe. He lifted her body and slammed her back into the tiles. His mouth came down on hers, eliciting a moan from her lips.

  “I can’t get enough of you.” His lips vibrated against hers as his lips hovered above hers. He pinned her on the cold tiles and pressed his lips against hers again. Her whole body lit up with his hot flesh on hers.

  Her thoughts faded the moment he entered her. “Mine,” Olsen growled into her ear. Yep, I’m all yours.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Olsen

  MATT AND HIS MATE, Heather, sat in the living room with Kindra and Judden. Heather had the same bright blue eyes and blonde hair as her twin sister, Kindra. Olsen had heard the stories of how they all had met, and at first, he thought it was completely crazy. Then he looked over at his own mate and realized his story was even crazier. While Kindra’s long hair swayed, her sister’s hair only reached the top of her shoulders.

  The scent of Alia’s heat still lingered in his nose making it harder to focus on anything. His wolf couldn’t wait to see what she would look like when she grew with their children.

  Matt, with his dark blonde hair and light blue eyes, rested with his arm around his mate. There was zero space between the two of them. Olsen looked out back to see two new kiddos playing with Avery and Chloe.

  “Logan, share with Chloe.” Kindra eyed the little boy barely younger than Chloe. His hair the same shade of light blonde like his mother’s. A little girl came up with Avery.

  “Mom, can Eva and I go running?” Avery stared up at Kindra.

  “You know how far you can go. Any further and you will be in big trouble.” Kindra’s stern voice reminded him of his own mother. The kids bounced away to the yard.

  Alia grabbed food before she greeted Heather and Matt. Her stomach had been growling before the lust took over her need to eat an hour ago.

  “So what’s the plan?” Matt asked, jumping straight to the point. It dawned on Olsen he had no idea where Alia’s coven resided.

  “The plan is to confront the seekers and the coven.” Olsen kept his eyes on Alia as he spoke. Alia stopped eating mid-bite and turned to Olsen.

  “Maybe there is another way,” Alia whispered. Olsen grabbed her hands and rubbed circles on the tops of her knuckles.

  “If you don’t confront them, it will only get worse. We can’t stay on the run forever.” Before he’d gone to bed, he had realized this would be the only way to bring peace to Alia. Or die trying.

  “Okay.” Alia sighed. He kissed his mate. He had expected more of a fight from her.

  “Where does the coven reside?” Olsen asked.

  “In Willow Woods. It’s in lower Ohio, south of Wayne National Forest.”

  “How long of a drive is it?” Heather asked.

  “My best guess would be twenty-plus hours, without stopping.” Alia shrugged. She took a bite of her food, and though her eyes drifted toward Olsen, they never stayed on him for long. He didn’t want his libido to return with a vengeance as his eyes wondered over his mate. Being so close made it hard with her heady scent filling his lungs. The scent teased him with images, making it difficult to focus. Olsen simmered under the surface with a surge of lust. Matt pulled out his phone and clicked a few buttons.

  “No stops, twenty-one hours and forty minutes.” Matt continued to study his phone. “If we go through Denver, we can pick up two more friends.”

  “Who?” Olsen asked.

  “Drake and his mate, Anne.” Matt clicked a few buttons. Olsen nodded. He had no idea Drake had actually found a mate. He hadn’t talked to Drake since his last visit west almost seven years ago.

  “Better call ahead, as it will add more time to an already lengthy drive,” Matt added. He stood and walked into the backyard. Olsen saw the kids on the edge of the property racing back.

  “What is the rest of the plan, other than force?” Heather’s eyes continued to dart toward her mate through the glass door. She moved one of her legs, then placed a hand over her lower abdomen, reminding Olsen she was carrying another pup.

  “We have two options, convince the coven I killed in self-defense, or try to kill the ones tracking me down.” She finished eating and set the plate on the table in front of them. Alia pulled on the bottom of her hair.

  “Which option do you think will work better?” Heather raised her eyebrow. Alia looked over to meet Olsen’s eyes, fear apparent in them. I will make that emotion vanish or die trying. He vowed to himself to do everything to never see fear in his mate’s eyes again.

  “The first, most likely.” Her hands shook in her lap.

  “Great. Well, let's head to Denver. Drake is on-board. His mate is expecting, so he may try to convince her to stay, but if she is like Heather, I bet he won’t win the argument,” Matt said as he walked into the house. Heather relaxed a bit in her seat and shrugged with a sparkle in her eye.

  “Leave in ninety minutes?” Olsen asked and everyone nodded.

  “Oh, I have good news. Drake pulled some strings, we now have their company plane to fly to Columbus.”

  “Awesome!” Heather jumped up. “Let’s go pack.” Heather and Matt said their goodbyes to Kindra and Judden before they walked out to give kisses to their kids. The young ones would stay with Kindra and Judden until they returned. Olsen heard Kindra prepping one of the bedrooms for the kids.

  “We’ll be back here in eighty minutes, give or take,” were Matt’s parting words after loving on their children. Olsen followed his mate to the spare bedroom they had slept in. He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into him.

  “What if this doesn’t work?” Alia whispered. He turned her around so she faced him.

  “It will work. You’re so strong.” He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her lips. The scent of arousal filling his nose. He loved her scent already, but when aroused, she became more mouthwatering.

  “I want you once more before we pack.”

  He chuckled at her comment.

  “Once more?” This time she giggled.

  “We do have an hour.” Her eyebrows bounced. His cock hardened. He nibbled on her neck, she
moaned and closed their door. I fucking love the way she moans.

  Once the door latched, all his thoughts were on her, and the seeker problem faded to the background.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Alia

  AFTER FOUR BORING HOURS of driving, they had finally arrived at Anne and Drake’s home. One suitcase and a bathroom break later, they were on their way to the Denver International Airport. Anne was short, with her curly brown hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Her blue eyes sparkled with delight as she climbed into the truck. Drake had cropped auburn hair, making him look younger than Olsen. The guy stood a bit smaller than Olsen, but taller than Alia. His chocolate brown eyes kept drifting back to his mate as they made their way toward the airport.

  Alia had many hours to plan her talk to the elders of her coven. Her aunt would be her in to get the coven to listen. Elder Cherish led the coven as the head witch, since she had the experience that came with age. Elder Cherish had even seemed to be a fair witch, but that night, Alia had been too scared to confide in anyone.

  She was thankful for the signs of heat fading yet her libido still raced. Every time she looked over toward her mate, her gaze became a bit hazy. At one point, Matt had pulled over and went in a small dinner to eat with Heather, while Olsen took Alia into a cheap motel room and fucked her hard. Her heat wasn’t as strong as the first time it hit her, but when Olsen touched her, she hadn’t cared one bit about anything but him.

  “How did you and Olsen meet?” Heather asked. She seemed to be interested in asking a bunch of questions. The airport came into view, but was still a good twenty minutes away.

  “I saved his life from someone who shot him,” Alia said. Olsen explained in more detail about a hunter trying to prove himself as a great werewolf killer. The kid was barely eighteen and Alia felt a bit of grief for being the one who ended him. Then again, he would have killed you if he had the chance. The thought gave her a bit of comfort.

  The sky grew darker as heavy clouds covered the sun’s rays. Rain clouds covered the sky and Alia felt the charge of energy in the truck. Alia placed her hand on her mate from her spot up front in the center while he drove. She liked being close to him.

  “Turn up here.” Drake instructed. Olsen listened, his eyes continuing to dart toward the rearview mirror. It made Alia nervous. He hit the gas, and picked up some speed. His grip squeezed on the wheel, making Alia’s stomach tightened.

  “Shit,” Olsen muttered under his breath. In front of them was all clear, and a sudden wave of nausea filled her stomach. Alia turned to see a sleek black car hot on their tail.

  “How?” Alia asked. She thought back, wondering if she had accidentally cast a spell, but none came to mind.

  “No idea, but we need to lose them,” Olsen said, hitting the gas even harder this time. Their bodies jolted back into the seats as the truck sped down the road.

  “Girls, get your asses on the plane.” Matt’s stern voice boomed in the small space. The women nodded. “Drake, you grab a few bags and get as much as you can on the plane.”

  “Done.” Drake nodded.

  “Don’t stand in front of me. No one.” Alia looked around. All nodded but Olsen.

  “I will protect you.” Olsen growled. They reached the private section of the airport. Olsen slammed on the brakes as a large security gate blocked their entrance. The car chasing them slammed on their breaks, the sound of squealing met her ears but it was too late as the car crashed into the back of the pickup truck and their bodies jolted forward from the impact.

  “Now.” Matt called out. They all poured out of the truck. Alia jumped out and put her hand up toward the car. Fire started on the hood. She saw her companions freeze for a moment from the corner of her eye.

  “Go!” Alia yelled. After a moment, she stopped the fire. She moved the metal in the driver’s side door to jam it. Her body’s energy slowly drained. Her knees buckled but Olsen caught her before she fell. Lifting her up, they ran through the gate and to the plane.

  Olsen reached the stairs of the sleek private jet, but some kind of spell pulled him back. They landed on the ground next to the steps with a thud, knocking the wind out of Alia. The seasoned seeker, Dean, stood eight to ten feet away. She knew he had teleported from the car. Most witches couldn’t do this magic, as it took a lot of energy. His left hand shook slightly.

  A roar tore from Olsen’s mouth, as his right leg had been shattered.

  “Matt, grab him!” Alia called out. Her eyes didn’t leave the seeker. She scrambled to face him on shaky legs.

  “Shit!” Matt lifted Olsen and carried him onto the plane. Dean raised his arm, but Alia was faster.

  “Prohibere!” Alia yelled and focused on the seeker. He froze with his face set in a scowl.

  “Bitch.” Dean narrowed his eyes on Alia.

  “I’m going home, Dean. Tell your friends, I’m going home.” Alia walked backwards to keep him in her sight. Her body trembled as she moved up the steps. Once she released him, she worried he would attack. The next spell rested on the tip of her tongue. Her body was so tired, she worried if she used the spell she might pass out before he died. To her reprieve, he teleported in a blink of an eye. Alia sighed with relief the stumbled in to sit next to Olsen. His leg had a compound fracture.

  Matt closed the doors, and the plane took off into the air.

  “Matt or Drake, I need you to set the break,” Olsen said through gritted teeth. Drake stood and moved over toward him.

  “This is going to hurt,” Drake said, before he set one fracture. Olsen’s roar of pain filled the small area, making Alia’s heart ache.

  “Wait, I’ll do this one.” Alia put her hands on Drake’s shoulder and he moved out of the way. She couldn’t stand listening to his cry of pain. She glared at Olsen while kneeling next to the seat.

  “You’re weak, Alia. Let him do it,” Olsen whispered. Alia scowled as she squared her shoulders.

  “I’m fine,” Olsen said. Alia placed both hands on his leg, then she closed her eyes. “Valetudo basar, valetudo basar.” A gasp sounded, but Alia focused on healing her mate before the exhaustion took over. She tried to say the spell one more time, but she couldn’t manage to utter the words. A darkness weighed on her body. Her legs shook, then her shoulders weakened. Her whole body ached like she had exercised for hours.

  “It’s healed, Alia.” Olsen’s hand touched her shoulder. The darkness took over.

  Chapter Twenty

  Olsen

  OLSEN WRAPPED HIS MATE in a blanket while she rested in the chair. The dull pain in his leg lessened as his body finished healing itself. Alia had been shaking so much, it looked like she had been vibrating. He somehow convinced her he was good, before she passed out on his legs.

  “That was crazy,” Anne whispered.

  “She’s a witch and a wolf.” Olsen looked over toward Anne.

  “Like I said, crazy.” The plane quieted down. The others talked to their mates, but they didn’t try to engage him. He focused only on Alia.

  He thought it over; he should’ve had Drake set it so Alia didn’t weaken herself even more. She needed every bit of strength she could get. The longer they were on the road, the more nervous Alia acted. The stop at the cheap motel had been for her benefit, to calm her down. Relief from his raging hard-on had been a bonus.

  Olsen noticed her heated scent had started to dissipate after twenty-four hours. Her fertile scent still lingered, but it faded faster than a regular werewolf. Olsen wondered if her magical side tried to overpower her new wolf side which, would make her heat shorter than a regular wolf. The new wolf wasn’t strong until Alia shifted. Somehow, all the bonuses a newbie normally received, Alia didn’t have until she shifted. Her hearing didn’t seem to be heightened, and her sight wasn’t much better. She is a human witch who can shift. Normal probably won’t cut it here. Yet, she had put herself at risk to heal him. I need to protect her, not the other way around. It had pissed him off to no end that Dean had managed to get control of
his body again.

  Olsen listened to her heartbeat and watched her chest rise and fall. He knew she was asleep, which gave him a bit of peace, but he wished it wasn’t his fault. I need to be better for her.

  “We are forty minutes away,” Drake said as he returned from the cockpit. Olsen looked at his watch. They had been in the air for two hours and ten minutes already. Alia finally moved her arms and opened her beautiful eyes. They locked with his, and he saw lust in her gaze.

  “How are you feeling?” Olsen rubbed her leg. His cock hardened instantly, and her heated scent grew a bit stronger as she stared at him.

  “I’m okay. You?” She stretched and yawned. The pain had finally disappeared, leaving him sore, but all healed. He moved it in front of her and she nodded.

  “Better.” A light smile touched her lips. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “You were amazing. Just in case no one told you.” The smile widened, a light blush touched her cheeks. Sexy as hell!

  She leaned up toward him so her lips rested next to his ear. “Is it bad that all I want is to fuck you?” Alia relaxed a bit while she nibbled on her lip for a moment. Olsen shook his head. Heather rested on Matt, both of their eyes were closed. Anne relaxed in Drake’s embrace. Olsen met Drake’s eye line, and he winked with a smirk, before nodding toward the bathroom at the back of the plane.

  “Let’s fix it,” he whispered, grabbing her hand, and leading her to the bathroom.

  “But they will hear,” Alia whispered.

  “Every person out there understands what heat does.” His mouth crushed her lips, making a moan escape. All her reservations disappeared.

  “You’re all mine,” Olsen growled as he yanked down her pants. “And I’m going to satisfy your lust-filled gaze.” He pushed down his own pants while she kicked off the jeans. He wanted to taste every part of her, but the tight quarters made maneuvering difficult. He grabbed her hips, propped her on the door, and slammed into her warm cocoon. Her nails dug into his shoulders, making small beads of blood appear. So fucking tight.