by R. A. Boyd
That was odd. As far as Willow knew, Zeke had just been released right before the coven had to get Ronin and put him under. If they did know each other, they hadn’t seen one another for thousands of years. Unless Zeke went down in the catacombs to see where they kept Ronin. Still, Ronin had been asleep and never would have even known he was there.
“Willow,” Cass said from the table. “I’m ready whenever you are. I’ll help ease his saber-tooth’s rage. Oh, and I pulled out a few steaks when Ronin mentioned it. You have to thaw them out, but there you go. And I put a few K-cups of my favorite coffee next to the bag. It’s strong.”
Willow glanced at Ronin just in time to see his thick, dark eyebrows draw downward in confusion. “How can you help calm my beast?” he asked, eyes darting from Cass to Willow.
Cass shrugged and pursed her lips. “I’m awesome like that. We’ll talk later.” She winked at him and tucked a stray hair behind her ear before Jax leaned over and kissed her forehead.
This clan was wonderful. Despite the things Ronin had done in the past, the Ghost shifters were here for their brother. And for her. If she were back home with her coven, they would be ready to throw her to the wolves and tell her how imprudent she was being. Except for Sari. She’d be all for it. Sari would also be threatening to hex anyone who tried to hurt her.
Willow put her hand over her heart and mouthed Thank You to Cass. She winked and shrugged her shoulders.
These people were rallying around them to make sure they had everything they needed. Willow’s heart thumped in her chest. It was filled with so much happiness. For the first time in so long, she felt like she was home. A real home with people who loved and cared for her, not just people who she worked alongside for a common goal. And they gave a shit about them.
The thought of Remus jumped into her mind. She wanted to stop and tell everyone what they were still facing, but she decided not to. Not today. They’d had enough for today. She would tell them what they were up against tomorrow when everyone had rested, and her mate had a chance to eat and sleep through the night.
Wow. That was all he wanted. Steak, coffee, and sleep. He could have that today. If he knew as much about Samiyah’s back-up plan as she hoped he did, Ronin knew good and well that the trouble that haunted them today would still be there tomorrow.
◆◆◆
“Thanks for bringing these.” Willow smiled as she took a bag of clothes from Damon and set it down on the entryway table. “Ronin and I will go to Main Street and get him some clothes in a few days. You sure you don’t want to come in and talk to him?”
Damon’s light hazel eyes looked her over as they stood in the vestibule. “No. He doesn’t need me intruding on his thoughts just yet.”
As the Omega of the Ghost clan, Damon could sense the emotions of the people here and help them sort out whatever bothered them. His powers as an empath had multiplied since he and Jax mated Cass, and Cass’s ability to read them was downright intimidating at times.
Willow took a deep breath and shook her head. “I don’t know what to do here. I feel like I’m super attached to him. It’s the mating bond, I know, but it’s just really unnerving. Any tips?”
Damon clicked his tongue a few times as he scratched his hand over his head. “Do what feels right. It’s going to be overwhelming for a while, but you’ll know what to do. The both of you will.” He moved toward the door as if to leave, but stopped as his hand touched the doorknob. “Thank you, Willow. Not having him here has been a strain on all of us, especially with the way everything went down. Even before he had to be put under, he hadn’t been himself in decades. And he hid it really well. I blame myself for the death of those people. Audra likes to take responsibility, but if I was any kind of Omega, I should have known. It’s plagued me for years. Cass has really helped me deal with it. I still feel it, though.”
Willow felt for him. This wasn’t his fault. Not by a longshot. She reached out and patted his shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. I’ve seen this before. Why do you think we have an entire underground bunker for the sole purpose of rehabbing supernatural creatures? It happens. Especially with people like us, who’ve lived for what seems like forever. We get good at hiding it. And when it breaks through, it’s a monster to deal with.”
He seemed to think it over. “I hear you. Still feels shitty. But thanks. My brother is back, and he seems like himself. I’m happy he’s happy. I know he still has a lot of fighting to do, but we’re here for him. For both of you. He’s still in pain, but the way he looks at you just—” The sound of the running shower turning off caught them off guard and apparently ended their conversation. Damon nodded and stepped away. “I’ll leave you two alone. Don’t be afraid to get to know each other. He may look like an angry yeti who is pissed that someone took his picture, but he’s a good man. And I can tell that he already adores the ground you walk on.”
Willow brought her hands up and cupped her cheeks. Heat gathered there and made her feel a little ashamed for how deeply she felt for Ronin already.
“Damon,” Ronin said, and when Willow turned around to look at him, she had to stop herself from letting the words ‘Hot damn’ roll through her lips.
Ronin stood on the second-floor landing across from the front door. All he had on was an orange towel wrapped around his waist, revealing a muscular Adonis belt, and abs hard and defined enough to grate cheese on. Dark ink ran up his arms and stopped just below his elbows.
He smiled and winked once he realized Willow was ogling him. Her mouth went dry as she took him in. To distract herself and save whatever dignity she had left, she grabbed the bag of clothes from the table and lifted them. “Clothes.” A few shirts fell on the floor. “Shit.” She bent down and picked them up, stuffing them back into the bag while still keeping her eyes on the man that was supposed to be hers. “Yours.”
Just the sight of his body turned her into a monosyllabic, drooling fool. She inwardly scolded herself for reacting in such a way. She was a centuries-old, badass, fallen angel, and a powerful witch. She needed to get a grip.
Damon leaned in close and said, “Are the clothes his or are you?” He snickered and backed away. “When you feel up to it, Ronin, I’d like to see you. Just to talk.” He opened the door and walked through it, giving them a two-fingered wave on his way out.
She closed the door behind Damon, and when she turned back around, Ronin was on his way down the stairs. His large bare feet padded down the steps. The sun shining through the windows hit his body just right, showing off every muscle as they glided beneath his skin as he stalked toward her.
Willow tried to put on a front like she was unaffected by his body, but inside she was on fire. And loving it. No man had ever made her feel like this.
Someone must have used Ronin’s body as a model for the ancient Greek statues of beautifully cut deities. His hair was damp and clung to his forehead. A light sheen of water still clung to his tanned skin. Muscles and tendons glided beneath his flesh, reminding her of a predator on the prowl.
Willow had been with men before, but none of them could stand up to Ronin’s sheer masculine magnificence. She had to get her shit together. She was behaving like a lovesick, horny human who wanted to hop on any man who had a face. Well, not any man. Just this one.
As Ronin came to stand only a few inches from her, her heart jumped into her throat as she took in his virile scent. She fought to maintain eye contact with him when all she wanted was to let her brain memorize every inch of his body.
A coy smile played across his lips as he reached and took the bag from her. “You can look at me if you want. I don’t mind. I like looking at you too. And I get not wanting to be rude about it. I don’t want you to think that’s all I care about.” He lifted his hand and ran his knuckles along the line of her jaw, forcing a shiver up the length of her spine. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my entire life. My shifter abilities may be muted, but I can still scent your lust for me.” His pupils dilated and
started to lighten.
Holy crap. If she wasn’t careful, she would definitely be hopping on his face if he kept saying sexy things like that.
“Shower,” Willow said as if he’d asked her a question. “I’m going to go take one. Long drive from Pennsylvania.” She was stuttering now. She moved from side to side a few times but then cursed herself for the small action. The friction from her tight pants rubbed her lady parts just right. “Your food is in the microwave. I hope you like Brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes with your steak. And there are three strawberry chocolate tarts from Riley’s shop in the breadbox. It’s to the left of the fridge. Save one for me.”
She brushed past him and walked as calmly up the stairs as she could, but she knew his shifter senses could pick up on her excitement. Once she made it to her bedroom, she closed the door and pressed her back against it. A low growl of frustration bullied past her lips.
“Get a fucking grip,” she whispered. “He’s a man. Just a man.” She mumbled to herself as she walked to the bathroom attached to her bedroom. She closed the door and looked in the mirror. “You will not let your hormones control you. You are bigger than that.” She grabbed a hair clip from its usual spot on the sink and gathered her hair on top of her head. “I shouldn’t have cut my hair,” she said, grabbing a bobby pin to keep her bangs from falling in her eyes. “You’re stronger than this. Stronger than the bond.”
Was she really? She knew if she tried, she could turn away from Ronin. It would take time, but she’d find a way to purge him from her thoughts. Looking herself in the eye, she said, “You are fucking delusional if you think that.”
Mating bonds were unbreakable. Those who ignored their bond sometimes went crazy. Well, then she and Ronin would be the perfect match.
She swallowed as she turned on the hot water in the sink and grabbed her white washcloth. Making the water as hot as she could stand, she dipped the cloth in it and then brought it to her face. Once she finished, she took her cleanser and applied too much to her face and winced when the bubbles got into her eye.
With one eye open, she stripped down and got into the shower. She let the facial wash do its cleaning, oil-absorbing thing on her skin as she stood under the scalding water and let it beat down on her shoulders. It did nothing to soothe away the tension that had taken up permanent residence between her shoulders.
“Why?” she breathed as she reached for her pink washcloth and soap. “Why was I chosen?”
Thoughts swam through her head as she took her time and showered, hoping that Ronin would be fast asleep in the guest bedroom by the time she finished. She couldn’t face him after behaving the way she had. He did something to her that no one had ever done before.
Her life had been so predictable before she came here to the Ghost clan. She had intended to come and collect Audra all those months ago. Now, she had a family who made her laugh and accepted her for who she was. She didn’t have to be serious all the time, putting on an impenetrable façade to make sure the Coven of the Fallen stayed in line. They were a bunch of drunk babies. To be honest, she didn’t think she had it in her anymore to lead the Coven. The thought of not returning to her brethren had run through her mind a few months ago.
Watching the Ghosts and their mates live and interact with each other made her want more. Made her want love. So technically, this was all her fault. She’d wanted someone to love her and look at her like the stars shined through her. All the absent caresses that the people here gave to the ones they loved made her want so much more than she’d had in centuries.
Life with the coven was rewarding, but it was such a mechanical existence that made her hard. But Ronin made her soft. He made her want to hug him, and touch him, and sit on his lap like there were no chairs in the room that would fit her like him.
After she rinsed her body, she finally put her face under the falling water and let the biting stream rinse away the facial wash.
She stood like that for a few moments, letting the water run down her face and onto her body. “I’m not made for a mate,” she growled out, blowing the water from her lips.
“Apparently, you are.”
Someone was in the bathroom with her.
Fear and instinct to attack dumped icy butterflies into her chest. Willow would have sent an energy blast toward the intruder, but she knew the voice.
“Samael,” she muttered, using her hand to wipe the water away from her eyes. “Can you please get out so I can dry off and get dressed.” With one eyebrow arched in irritation and relief, she cut off the water and used her hand to smear away the fog and condensation from the shower door.
Oh, joy. Her brother Samael, the freaking Angel of Death, wanted to talk. He only dropped in ever few decades to tell her something that made her want to punch him in the throat. She really did enjoy his visits, though. Not many of the angelic host dropped in to speak to them.
“I don’t care if you’re naked,” Samael replied from where he sat on atop the grey marble and dark wood vanity. His voice was nonchalant and dismissive.
“Well,” she said, sliding the door open just enough to grab her towel. “I do.”
He heaved an aggravated sigh. “Fine.”
She dried her face first, and when she pulled the towel away from her eyes, he’d already vanished. Patting the water away quickly, she wrapped the towel around her body, slipped on her slippers, and exited the bathroom.
Samael sat on the maroon and beige recliner in the corner of her room with his long legs lifted on the footrest. His blond-grey curls fell just above his lavender eyes, and his black pantsuit fit him like it was made just for his lithe form. “You’re going to think of doing something foolish. Don’t.”
“What are you even talking about?” Willow said as she grabbed one of the shea butter body butters Paige made for her. She opened the container and was met by the scents of vanilla and peppermint. “I’m not thinking of doing anything foolish.”
“I said you were going to think of doing something foolish. It hasn’t hit yet.” He clasped his long fingers in a tent across his belly and laid his head back on the chair. With his eyes closed, he said, “Fight that insufferable thought when it comes to you. You’ll know.”
Silently, Willow covered her still damp body in the soft cream that made her smell better than a Christmas season latte and then grabbed her pajama shorts, tee-shirt, and the fluffy purple socks Cass gave her. “Is that why you’re here? Didn’t just want to say hello?”
“Hello,” he said, eyes still closed. He plastered a saintly smile on his face and then opened his eyes when she was fully dressed. “Besides. You asked a question, and you deserve an answer.”
She couldn’t remember asking a question. Hell, she talked to herself all the time, but she didn’t always listen. “What question was that?”
“You said you weren’t made for a mate. I’m here to tell you that you are.”
“That wasn’t a question, Samael.”
“It may as well have been, Willow.”
They studied each other for a few moments, and when Willow finally gave in, she went and sat on the bed next to the chair. “What if I fail at freeing him? You know what I’m capable of. What if Samiyah gets into my head by way of the mating bond?” She threw her hands in the air and then brought them to her large thighs in a loud slap, making them jiggle beneath her pajama shorts. “I care for him so much already, and it’s freaking me out. I’m scared. Never in my entire life have I ever cared for someone like this. And it was so sudden. Why me?”
She knew how mating bonds worked, but being on the receiving end of the bond was different. It unnerved her, making her worry not only for what could happen between her and Ronin, but what could happen to the people around them.
Samael’s face softened, and he leaned forward and put his hand on hers. “Because you are strong enough to face this storm with him. Besides, this is what you wanted. You’ve yearned for love for a very long time. The Coven of the Fallen will be just fine w
ithout you. You can counsel Sariel from here. And you’ve done more for your mate in mere days than seventy years in that crypt has done. You hold part of his grace.”
Willow breathed in a shuttering sigh that sent flutters to her heart. This was so much. Too much.
“Word of advice,” Samael said, standing and bringing Willow with him. “I wouldn’t return his grace or his beast until you know that he’s ready.”
Willow coughed out a laugh and smacked her leg. “Are you crazy? Do you think I would do that? His saber-tooth would demolish this town and the people of it.” Knowing it would make him severely uncomfortable, she wrapped her arms around Samael’s waist and hugged him, feeling satisfied when his body tensed from the contact. “Thank you, brother. I know you only come when you are needed. I think everyone may like it if you stopped by more often.”
“Fah,” he muttered in disgust. “I couldn’t bear it. This human form is so restricting. Besides, reaping and having charge over the reaper angels is very time-consuming.” He patted her back two quick times and moved away. “I will keep in touch. Don’t do the asinine thing that you’re going to consider,” he said, pointing a long, pale finger at her.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Can I get a hint?”
“You know the rules. I can’t tell you. Free will and all when the choice is made clear. You’ll figure it out.”
Willow looked down at her feet and shook her head, and when she looked back up to say good-bye, he was already gone.
“Rude,” she said to the empty room, knowing he’d hear her.
According to Samael, she was going to do something stupid. Or at least contemplate doing something stupid. How was she supposed to know what it was? Would she think it was a poor decision, or would she be so delusional that she wouldn’t recognize the choice once she was faced with it? That would suck.
Frowning as her belly growled, she pulled the clip and bobby pins from her hair and shook her head to release her hair. After putting the clip and bobby pins back in their usual place in the bathroom, she opened her door and headed down the stairs. The house was so quiet now, and the guest bedroom door was closed. Maybe she should have hurried so she and Ronin could have talked.