Dani blushed at that and shoved him, and he chuckled before continuing.
“But yeah, slowly worked my way down to Texas, picking up odd jobs and learning more about machines as I went. Eventually, I reached this area. I heard rumors of Dragonclaw Ranch, and the rest was history. Managed to find my way here and offered my services as a lowly rogue wolf mechanic.”
“Were you happy? Here at Dragonclaw?”
He thought about it. “Depends. I’m not sure I knew true happiness until prom night when we kissed for the first time.” He laughed. “As awkward as it was.”
“It was so awkward,” she said, groaning. “We both closed our eyes and missed each other’s lips the first time around. That whole date, we were both so nervous.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t change it. That was the moment I knew you were my mate.”
Dani looked up at him. “I’ve heard you mention it before, and the basilisks talked about it earlier today, but what do you mean by that? What is a mate?”
“It’s like… well, like this.” He held up her hand in his, staring at her palm. “It’s the one person you love with all your heart that you want to spend the rest of your life with. Like marriage but more. When a shifter finds their true mate, it’s unbreakable. Forever.”
“Wow. So you think we’re…”
“Pretty sure, yeah.” He eyed her carefully. “Does that scare you?”
Dani pursed her lips. “I don’t know if it scares me so much as it sounds like a big commitment, you know? We want to be sure.”
He nodded. “I’ve always thought we were, since prom night, but I understand. We’ll go as slow as you want.”
Eager to change the subject and erase the hesitancy she was feeling, Dani spoke again. “Tell me more about the dragon blood, the risks of it.”
Reno sighed. “It’s dangerous. I won’t lie. Even with my alpha power, I have to use a special chemical stabilizer, or else the dragon powers start to become too much for my human form. And I don’t have much of it, only what I could steal from my family years ago along with a little more that I got from a friend who used to do a lot of sneaking around Tribunal facilities. But he stopped a couple years back, so I haven’t gotten more.”
She frowned. That didn’t sound good. “What happens when you run out?”
“I get edgy mostly. The dragon in me gets overprotective and angry, and I can feel it try to take over me.” He looked down at her, eyebrows furrowing. “I don’t know what would happen. But would you still love me if I was a wyvern?”
“You guys mentioned that word earlier today. What is it?”
“It’s a failed experiment, an abomination created when a wolf is injected with dragon blood. Often, they are grotesque-looking and gray-skinned, and the person loses the ability to shift into a wolf. They become a monster.”
Dani shivered. “That sounds horrible, but I mean, as long as you were still you, I’d love you.”
He looked relieved at that. “I’m strong, but oftentimes, weaker wolves lose their minds because the dragon blood intensifies desires. If someone wants to hurt or cause pain, they’ll become deranged and psychotic, but if they wish to love and protect, they can maybe hold on.”
“What about your alpha power? Your resistance?” she asked. “How does that apply to you being a wolf?”
“That’s the thing. I’m genetically flexible, but I’m not sure to what extent. I’m still not sure how far I can go with it. My family’s scientists were already pushing the limits of shifter technology.” He shrugged. “They didn’t want to lose their expensive investment if it turned into a wyvern. And it was never worth the risk anyway. So I can shift into my wolf form just fine, but shapeshifting while using dragon abilities… That was out of the question.”
She frowned, troubled.
“That’s why the stabilizer is so important,” he added. “Essentially, it keeps my wolf separate from my human form. Whereas with normal shifters, they’re connected. If it’s all gone…” Reno shook his head. “The lines could get blurred.”
“It’ll be okay,” she said, not sure if she was reassuring him or herself. Maybe both. “Whatever happens, we’ll have each other. As long as you’re by my side, things can’t go wrong.”
He smiled down at her, hope glinting in his eyes even against the darkness of the night.
“I know whatever happens, everything will be okay.” He leaned down, placing his lips to hers in a soft kiss. “I love you, Dani.”
She paused, feeling warmth and affection bubble up for this wonderful man that she could finally, finally call her own. Nothing, not even the worries and uncertainties of the future, could take that away from them.
“I love you too.”
He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to tell you, to hear it back. It feels like a dream.”
“Shh.” She leaned in against his chest. “If it is, don’t ruin it. I want to stay in it for as long as possible.”
Reno laughed quietly, holding her close. “It’s not a dream. I can promise you that.” Then he put a finger under her chin and pulled her gently up to face him, a knowing smile on the edges of his lips. “I can think of a few ways to prove it to you.”
“Is that so?” She giggled. “Well, I sure would love to see what you have in mind.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, standing up from the blanket and picking her up in his arms. “I promise you’ll like it.”
With that, he carried her off the roof, back inside, and to their bedroom where he showed her just how much she meant to him.
As the night grew long, he didn’t stop. Instead, his actions only grew deeper and more sensual, bringing her body to life in ways she hadn’t even known were possible.
If this was what being mated to Reno would be like, Dani would have no problems spending the rest of her life with him.
Deep down, it was what she had always wanted.
21
When Reno awoke the next morning, the first thing he did was turn over to face Dani, smiling as a few unruly dark waves fell over her face as she slumbered.
Damn, she was so beautiful.
He reached out, smoothing the hair out of her face and running a finger over her soft, supple cheek. If only they could stay like this forever.
Reno closed his eyes again and breathed out slowly, willing sleep to take him again, when he heard his phone chirp from his nightstand.
He yawned as he sat up, grabbing his phone from the nightstand and wondering who it was.
His heart froze when he read the message.
It was from his brother, Drenton.
D: It’s your day of reckoning, little brother.
Then another text.
D: I dragged half the pack out here to get your ass. You better believe I’m not going home empty-handed. After all, Operation Takeover wouldn’t be the same without you.
Reno frowned, dread seeping through him as the words hung, hauntingly familiar, at the forefront of his mind.
Suddenly, he remembered hearing about a plan, bits and pieces, whispers in the laboratory when they had been experimenting on him.
Everything made sense now. The Blackhearts, the basilisks, all of it. His family was finally going through with their plan to reveal wolves as well as use his brother’s alpha power to unite all wolf clans under his family’s banner—whether they wanted to or not.
It would be coercion, a massive bloody campaign that could only end in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent lives.
D: Don’t think your little friends at Dragonclaw scare me. They won’t stop me. Nothing can. You know that.
Reno considered it. Sure, it was true that Clancy was still out of town, but they still had two dragons, a tiger, and an alpha wolf on their side. Plus three basilisks, although that wasn’t certain.
It would take thousands of normal wolves to even have a chance at taking on Harrison or Beck, but then again, maybe Drenton had planned for that.
/> Plus, it wasn’t their numbers Reno was afraid of. It was Drenton’s alpha power. What if he used it on Reno? What if he turned him against his friends or even his mate?
He shook his head, banishing the thought. He couldn’t bear to think about it.
Drenton could do it. His alpha ability was incredibly powerful, extremely unique, and above all else, secret. Only a few high-ranking members of the pack had known about it besides their parents.
And if it had gotten even more powerful than it had been when they were kids, the situation could be dangerous on a global scale.
Reno leaned down, dropping his phone on his nightstand and putting his face in his hands, stress and anxiety working their way through his body.
He’d always known his past would catch up to him. Deep down, he knew it would be soon, but it had to be now? Today?
He stood up from the bed and grabbed a shirt and pair of jeans from the closet, then stopped for a second to look down at Dani who was still sleeping peacefully.
His beautiful mate.
Nothing would stop him from protecting her, ever, not even his desire to be near her. Nor would anything stop him from doing what was best for his home and his friends.
Reno dressed quickly, then stepped down the porch into the morning sunrise, which was just peeking over the horizon, offering gentle warmth to the cool, sleepy ranch.
Harrison was out on the porch, leaning against a pillar and drinking a cup of coffee, when Reno got there.
“Harrison,” Reno said, looking up at the surly cowboy.
Harrison nodded coolly. “Reno.”
“We need to talk. I know what’s going to happen, why everything’s happening the way it is.”
Harrison’s brow furrowed, and he watched Reno for a second before nodding. “Go on.”
“My family hired the Blackhearts to unleash a basilisk on the city.”
“Why would they do that?”
“They wanted to use the disturbance to create a power vacuum, one they could fill,” Reno explained, pausing. “And now they’re here for me.”
“Why?”
Reno frowned. “They need an enforcer. The plan was to cause destruction on a mass scale, then assert themselves as rulers of the new shifter order. Only, without a basilisk, they might be moving to step two if they think they can get enough wolves on their side.”
Harrison cocked an eyebrow. “Could they?”
“Yes,” Reno said. “With my brother’s alpha power, it would be a cinch. Other wolves wouldn’t even have a choice. One thousand—” He shook his head. “No, ten thousand wolves all under the command of a despotic ruler would be more havoc than the double dragons could contain.”
“Ten thousand?” Harrison’s eyes went wide. “That isn’t good. If they came here, there was no way they could hurt us, but I couldn’t say the same for our mates. With that many, they could get past.”
“And that’s just a start. My brother’s alpha ability is extremely powerful. He can command lesser wolves to do his bidding.” Reno shuddered. “There are probably only a few alphas in the world that are strong enough to resist his control.”
Harrison considered that solemnly for a second, right as Beck came around the corner.
He chuckled deeply when he saw Reno and Harrison talking. “Hey, isn’t this like old times? I hadn’t heard we were having a meeting. All we need is Dallas and Clancy here, and we’re all set.”
“We’re not,” Reno said, smiling nervously. “This was impromptu.”
“Tell me about it,” Harrison muttered, rubbing his eyes.
At that, Beck nodded understandingly and leaned down to look beneath the porch. Something skittered under the porch, and Beck grinned.
“There ya are, Gary,” he said, reaching into his pocket as the small raccoon appeared from beneath the porch and scuttled over to Beck, looking up at him expectantly.
Reno couldn’t help but laugh as Beck leaned down and handed Gary a small cracker. He also reached out as if to pet the raccoon, but apparently, the small creature had other plans.
As soon as the cracker was in Gary’s tiny furry fingers, he scampered back beneath the porch and out of sight.
“Damn,” Beck said, scowling. “Ungrateful varmint.” Then he folded his arms and cocked an eyebrow at Reno and Harrison. “Sorry to interrupt. You were both saying…?”
Harrison shook his head, then looked back at Reno. “So what exactly was your part in all of this?”
“As I said, they needed an enforcer, someone who could go toe to toe with dragons,” Reno said. “Someone powerful who they thought would want to take part in their schemes.”
Harrison’s eyes flared with recognition. “Like a wolf with dragon blood who was strong enough for them to use to enforce their new order?”
Reno nodded.
“Okay, what are you going to do?” Harrison asked, eyes narrowing. “I’m guessing you have some kind of plan.”
Reno nodded again. “I do. My brother’s here, but I don’t know how much stronger he’s gotten in the years since I left. I think I could resist his powers, but on the off chance that I can’t…” He trailed off. “Either way, I can’t risk being within proximity to him, his powers and my powers in the same space.”
“So you’re going to run?” Beck asked, scowling. “I don’t think that’s—”
“It’s the only option. I’ve thought about it,” Reno interrupted firmly, although, deep down, he wasn’t completely sure he who he was trying to convince. “I refuse to put Dragonclaw at the center of my family’s drama. If I’m not here, they should leave everyone alone, including Dani.”
God, he hated the idea of leaving her, even if it was only temporary. But he’d done it before; he could do it again if it meant saving everything he held dear, if it meant there was even the slimmest of chances that he could be with her in the future.
The dragons considered it for a second. Then Beck shook his head. “I think you should stay. We’ll fight these bastards, show them that they don’t get to mess with our ranch and our family.”
Reno shook his head. “You don’t know them, what they’re capable of. What if we fail? The risks are too high. You have mates to think of.”
“No risk is too high when it comes to protecting one another,” Beck replied insistently, looking to Harrison for help. “Back me up, boss.”
Harrison was quiet for a second. Then his eyes fixed on Reno. “I don’t know. I’m still trying to get over the fact that you’re related to the strongest, most dangerous pack of wolf shifters around. The Tribunal. I don’t keep up with shifter society, but even I’ve heard of them and the atrocities they’ve committed.” He looked at Beck and shrugged. “I hate to say it, but if the risks are really this big, Reno could be right.”
Beck opened his mouth to retort but seemed to decide against it. Instead, he leaned against one of the porch pillars and eyed them grumpily.
“I’ll leave as soon as I can, but would it be okay if Dani stayed here? I’d feel better knowing she was safe.” He sighed. “At least for a while until I can find a new place for us to hide, lay low.”
“Of course,” Harrison said, his eyes softening. “We’ll take care of her.”
Reno nodded gratefully, though all he felt inside was hollowness. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flurry of dark-brown hair disappear around the other side of the porch and out of sight, followed by the sound of footsteps running away.
Shit.
Dani.
She must have overheard, though how much, Reno wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he needed to go after her. Now.
22
Dragonclaw Ranch faded in and out of sight, blurred by tears that wouldn’t seem to stop falling from Dani’s eyes as she ran away from the side of the porch where she’d been listening to Reno’s conversation with Beck and Harrison.
Loss, loneliness, and pain all began to well up in her stomach like apparitions from her past, feelings that she hadn’t felt so deeply s
ince her mom had passed away or since Reno had left for the first time.
It was all happening over again. History was repeating itself.
Reno was leaving.
She didn’t know what they’d been talking about, something about his brother and a war and dragon powers, but she’d heard very clearly the part when he said he’d be going away.
That was really the only part that mattered to her.
Suddenly, big, strong arms caught her, enveloping her and holding her tight. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was Reno.
“You promised you wouldn’t run again,” she sobbed, still struggling to break free of his grasp.
But he only held her all the tighter, his voice quiet. “This isn’t running.”
“No? Then what is it?” Dani exclaimed, collapsing against him, frustrated and furious by the fact that he could leave her, but she couldn’t seem to escape him. “You’re going away without me… just like before.”
Reno looked down at her sadly. “I have to do this. If I go, they’ll leave you and everyone here at Dragonclaw where you should be: out of this.”
She looked up at him. “Then take me with you if you’re so set on leaving.”
“I can’t let that happen,” Reno said, running his thumb across her cheek, wiping away a tear. “You don’t know these people like I do. You don’t know what it’s been like not knowing how the love of my life was doing because she was being threatened.” He looked away. “These people, my family, are ruthless and will stop at nothing.”
“I don’t care,” Dani replied stubbornly. Couldn’t he see that none of the risks mattered to her? She knew that nothing was promised, nothing owed in life. Heck, she knew it better than most.
He smiled softly, wiping away another tear. “They won’t stop. It’s why they’ve been tailing you for so long, just to get to me. Imagine what they would do if they caught us, if they caught you.” He shook his head. “I’d die inside if something happened to you.”
“I’ll die inside if you leave.”
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