by Elissa Daye
“Haunted items seem to bring people in droves.” Amber grinned. “If only they knew what other oddities were involved.”
“What about Kyle?”
“He does landscaping. Keeps him busy and out of trouble.”
“Does he get in a lot of trouble?” Brina asked curiously.
“Oh, heavens yes. They all do. Although, Killian has been the one I’ve had to worry about the least. That’s probably why he was chosen as alpha of the pack. Now that Kenton is in....” She looked around to make sure her husband was not around. “His senior years, he is retiring his rank.”
“That must have been a difficult decision.” Brina had trouble seeing Killian retiring any time soon. He still had a lot wildness inside him, and the need to control everything and everyone around him. Killian was going to have to learn to get over disappointment.
“All right, let’s get this in the oven. Why don’t you go freshen up, Brina? I’m sure the boys will be here soon.”
“Good idea.” Brina headed up to the purple room where she had stayed the first night, and where she would stay tonight, because she did not plan on returning to the cabin with him later. Killian was going to have to learn that he was going to have to back down just a little.
Too bad she didn’t have any of her clothes with her. She wanted to make it as painful as possible for him. She undid the top two buttons of her shirt, hoping that just a little cleavage would make him squirm a little. Brina walked to the bathroom and found the lavender in the closet. She crushed some of it in her hands and wiped it around her neck. Then she puffed her hair up slightly to give it a little more volume. Siren. That’s what she wanted to be. Strong enough to pull him in and push him away. Let him feel her fury for a change.
Brina heard voices downstairs, and she knew that Killian had returned. She felt his presence almost as if he were right there in the room with her. That didn’t mean she was going to come down the stairs to greet him. Brina waited a good twenty minutes before she bothered to make her presence known, and when she did, she walked right past him and kissed his father on the cheek.
“Thank you for your help earlier.”
Kenton flinched slightly, then a small grin worked its way across his face. “Of course, dear girl. Always ready to help a damsel in distress.”
“Bri....” Killian called her name softly, but Brina ignored it.
“Excuse me, boys. I’m going to see if Mother needs any help.” Mother. She threw that in just to keep him guessing, but saying it felt nice.
A round of laughter rose in the air behind her as the brothers teased Killian yet again. The fact that she was the cause only made her smile even more. When she saw Amber pulling out plates, she walked over to help her. “Do you mind if I call you Mother?”
Amber nearly dropped a plate. “My dear girl, of course not.”
Brina gave her a warm hug. “I’d like to have a mother again.”
Amber sniffed slightly. “Oh, don’t make me cry, dear.”
“Never show weakness?” Brina asked her.
“Never. Those boys will eat you alive. Best to stick to anger unless you really want to keep them guessing. Tears are the last line of defense with the Knights. They are defenseless to them, but you have to wear them down first.”
Brina giggled. “Well, I don’t plan on crying any time soon.”
Amber looked her over. “Got your war paint on?”
“So to speak.” Brina was determined to not break down.
“Good. An alpha needs an equal. Make sure you remember that,” Amber cautioned her.
“He won’t know what hit him.” Brina crossed her heart with her fingers.
“Guarantee there’s already a bet to see who’s going to win this.”
“How much you got on me?”
Amber laughed so loud, the plates rattled on the counter. “Oh, honey. I only bet on sure things.”
“And?”
“It’s four to one so far. They seem to think he’ll wear you down.”
“And you?” Brina waited to see what side she stood on.
“I know better.” She winked at Brina and pulled her shirt down a little lower, then ran to get some oil from the windowsill. She dabbed a drop on Brina’s skin and rubbed it in. “My grandmother’s recipe.”
Brina smelled lavender and honey. “That’s beautiful.”
“I’ll make you a batch.”
“I would love that. Shall I set the table?”
“Thank you, dear.”
When Brina walked into the dining room, she saw Killian’s eyes on her. As she lowered the plates onto the table, she bent over lower than usual, exposing the valley of her breasts to him. She didn’t have to look at him to know whether or not he noticed. Brina had his full attention. When Karter entered the room, Killian quickly caught his attention.
“Karter, why don’t you get the glasses?”
Brina smiled to herself. Killian didn’t want his brothers to see. He was and always would be possessive of her. That didn’t matter to her really, because no matter how he felt about it, she was her own person. She tried to walk into the other room, but Killian stood in her way.
“Bri, we need to talk.”
Brina’s eyes met his. “I have nothing to say to you, Killian.”
His growl was so quiet no one else could have heard it. Nevertheless, Brina was not going to let it get to her.
“Stop being a bully, Killian.”
Brina side stepped him and went out the other door that entered the living room instead of the kitchen. She could sense his anger, but knew he was not going to make a complete idiot of himself in front of his family. When she made her way into the kitchen, Brina saw the reassuring smile that Amber gave her.
“Stay the course.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” She gestured to the food. “Can I carry something out?”
“Good idea. Not too high, though.” Amber’s face was filled with mischief as she gestured to Brina’s cleavage.
Brina was glad she had at least one person on her side. She was sure that all the men thought it was their job to rule over the den, but they had a lot to learn about women. The only one who seemed smart enough to stay out of it was Kenton Knight, and that was probably because he already had a lifetime of experience with his mate. Killian was just getting started, and boy was he in for a surprise.
Brina set the food on the table and saw several pairs of eyes on her. Most were trained to her face, but at least two pairs had been distracted. Brina wasn’t surprised to see Karter looking too, but he was harmless. His attention had the desired effect though, because she heard a loud “Stop!” and saw Karter visibly flinch, then look away.
Brina sat down in one of the empty seats, making sure not to sit next to Killian. Instead, she sat between Kyle and Kam in what she thought might have been Kendrick’s seat. She turned to Kam and started talking to him.
“Kam, your mother was telling me about your time in the military. It must have been hard being away from home.”
Kam was taking a drink of his water, which he gulped down almost painfully as Killian’s eyes were on him. “It had its moments.”
“I’m glad you made it home.” She smiled at him.
“Uh…thanks.” He held one hand in front of him as if to deflect Killian’s glare.
“Kyle, did you design the garden out back?”
Kyle smirked at Killian and turned to smile at her. “Yes, I did. How did you know?”
“Well, I’m pretty observant. When your mother told me you did landscaping, it reminded me of the garden outside. I can feel your touch there.”
Karter nearly choked on his food. Killian started to pound him much harder on the back than he needed to. Karter held a hand up. “I’m good. It just went down the wrong pipe.”
“Sure you’re okay? I’m certified in CPR and first aid.”
“NO! No…I’m good.” He answered quickly, and looked over at Killian with raised eyebrows.
Brina sighe
d. She ate her food slowly, enjoying every single bite. When she had eaten half her food, she realized that Killian had barely touched his. Instead, he was angrily moving it around his plate. “Karter, I hear you’re behind the wildly successful Glamz. I’ve been to the one in Boston, although that was a few years ago. Great place for single ladies to—”
Karter interrupted her before she continued. This time he seemed to be throwing his hat into the ring, as if to say “What the hell...why not?” “I’d be happy to show you the club in town. It’s not as hopping as Boston, but we do a fair amount of business.”
“I’d like that.” She gave him a sweet smile.
Killian put his napkin on his plate and pushed away from the table. Brina watched him leave the room without an inch of remorse. She smirked and looked over at Amber, who was nodding at her in approval.
“Well, that was intense. Are you trying to get me killed?” Karter asked her.
Brina giggled. “He wasn’t going to hurt you. Besides, if he did, he’d have me to deal with.”
“Oh?” Karter’s eyebrow raised in curiosity.
“Nobody messes with my family.” Her chin held high, she made her feelings known. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ve made my point.”
“Not staying here?” Amber asked her.
“Oh no, thank you, but the battle’s just beginning. Time to bring it home.” Brina smiled at her.
“Man, I’d hate to be him right now,” Kyle whistled.
“Liar,” Karter interjected. “We’d all like to be him. No offense, Brina, but you’re one hell of a catch.”
“None taken, and just so there’s no confusion. There was never a chance with any of you. No offense.” Brina reached over and patted Karter on the hand specifically. The rest of the room broke into an uproar of laughter.
Brina stood up and sighed softly as she left the room. She had heard the outside door close, so she knew he was no longer in the house. Time to drive her point home once and for all.
Chapter 20
The night had just started to make its presence known to the world around it when Brina left the house. She knew Killian was furious, but he had a lesson to learn whether he wanted to admit or not. Turnabout was fair play, after all. When she found him sitting on the bench in the garden, she smiled to herself. He looked so rigid, so withdrawn.
“Killian?”
“So, now you’re talking to me?” His voice was definitely angry. Served him right.
“If I choose to. I am my own person.” She moved in front of him and stood with her arms crossed. Her eyes met his.
“You’re mine.” His eyes flashed angrily.
“I’m not a possession, Killian. I am a living, breathing person, and if you think you are going to spend a lifetime ordering me around, you have another think coming.” She was ready to spit nails.
“God, you’re sexy when you’re mad.” Desire was definitely on his mind.
“Too bad for you then, I guess.” Brina wanted to rip her hair out, she was so angry with him.
“It doesn’t have to be.”
“Do you know I had a life before you?” Brina ignored the heat coming off from him. Even in her anger she wanted every inch of him.
“Yes, but—”
“My job is important, Killian. If you take that away from me, I have nothing.” Her face was flushed.
“You still have me.” His voice was soft, almost haunting.
“What did you give up?” She challenged him.
“I....” He looked thoughtful. “My sanity.”
Brina turned around and stomped back into the house, letting the door slam behind her. She didn’t even look for the others. Instead, she raced up to the purple room and locked the door behind her. She grabbed one of the pillows from the bed and crammed it into her face so she could scream at the top of her lungs.
She heard his footsteps on the stairs, followed by a loud pounding on the door, but she refused to open it. Instead, she put the pillow over her head and tried to block out the noise.
“Brina, if you don’t let me in right now, I’m going to knock this door down,” he threatened.
“Killian Ian Knight!” A loud female voice interrupted him. “I’ve taught you better than that.”
Brina smirked. Watch him squirm for a minute. He deserved it. Killian hadn’t even wanted to talk about compromise. Brina might have been able to handle that, but it had never been breached.
“Mother, we need to talk.” Killian’s voice was still angry, but held a quieter tone to it.
“Talk? You’re practically ripping the door off the hinges. That is not how you treat a lady. You also do not order her around. You are not her boss. You are her equal. I thought I raised you better than that. You need to get yourself under control.” Amber’s voice was still coming in hot.
“She won’t see reason.” Killian sounded like he was now leaning against the door.
“Reason? So, what is your reason?” Amber was now tapping her foot loudly on the floor.
“I’m trying to keep her safe.”
Brina shivered at the words. She did understand what he was saying. There was a fair amount of danger out there in the woods, but she had been sent here to erase it.
“That very well may be, but you cannot break someone’s spirit, Killian. It’s who she is.” Amber’s voice was filled with emotion. “Give her time.”
“I love her.” His voice sounded ragged and hurt.
That was enough to break through her anger. Brina walked over to the door and unlocked it. When she opened it, he nearly fell inside. Brina held up a hand to keep him steady. “Are you ready to listen?”
He turned to look at her with a softer expression on his face. “Yes.”
“Good. Let’s take a walk.”
Brina stepped around him and nodded to his mother. Brina knew she didn’t want to see her son in anguish either, but at least she had been on her side. One thing she had learned for sure, Killian was a tempest. He needed to be tempered and softened on his hard edges if they were going to have any kind of future together. She may have promised to be his and no one else’s, but that didn’t mean she had to stick around and put up with him when he was trying to master her. There were times she would let him, but on this, she could not let up.
She didn’t even wait for him to catch up to her. Brina found the marker and started to follow it back to the cabin. When she heard his breath behind her, Brina sighed slowly and turned around to look at him. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the moon shine down on his face. Every inch of her wanted to reach out and touch him, but she refused to give in to it.
“Killian....”
“I’ve been overbearing.”
His words surprised her. “And?”
“I will try not to do so in the future, but I’m worried about you.”
“I know.” She looked away. “People are going to die.”
“You could die.” His voice was almost inaudible. “I just found you, Brina.”
Brina felt a tear slide from the corner of her eye. She reached over and touched his face. “I know you’re scared.”
The truth of the matter was she would feel the exact same way if it were him going up against this unknown entity. His lips turned to kiss her hand.
“I know I’m a brute. Maybe it’s the alpha in me.” He gave her a half-smile.
“An alpha needs an alpha,” Brina pointed out. “I have to push back sometimes, Killian. But, there are compromises that could be made.”
“Oh?”
“If you’re so afraid for me, then help me. I want to find him, but I’m not stupid. I have no plans to attack him, or to even try to face him on my own.” Brina pulled her hand away and put it on his arm.
“I thought you were trying to—”
“Clearly you made an assumption. This is why we need to communicate, not shut down.”
“You’re a lot like my mother,” Killian accused her.
“Good. I rather like her.�
�� She smiled at him. “If your work allows, I’d like to visit the witch’s camp. I’d be happy for the company.”
“I’ll take you tomorrow afternoon after I finish up some of my work,” Killian agreed.
“There. See. Was that really so hard?” She started to continue her walk through the woods.
“Where are you going?” Killian asked her.
“I guess you’ll find out when we get there.” Brina smirked at him.
“Bri....” His voice was gruff when he realized they were now standing outside the cabin.
“Yes, Kilian. We’re home. For as long as it suits us. And if you want to know what happens after a fight, you’ll come inside.”
She bit her bottom lip and walked inside. Brina wasn’t surprised to see he followed her in right away. Brina turned around to see him stalking her, but she held up her hand.
“Ah-ah. You don’t get to do that. Tonight, I make the calls.”
He shivered visibly. “Am I being punished?”
“Hmm...if you want to go that route, I guess I’ll just go to sleep.” She turned and started to head to the stairs, but his hands pulled her back.
“So, what was option two?” He looked almost desperate for her, and she hadn’t even started yet.
Tonight, Brina was going to take her lesson just a little bit further. It was risky, considering she had never done anything like what she had planned, but somehow, she knew it would be a night he wouldn’t soon forget. “You don’t get to be alpha here.”
He gulped, and the golden light that flashed through his eyes seemed to be even brighter. “What if I’m not prepared for that?”
Brina started to remove her clothing, one piece at a time. When she was completely naked before him, he stepped toward her and she held up a hand. “No touching.”
“Bri...,” he grumbled.
“I’m in control here, Killian. Put your beast on a leash,” she cautioned him as she reached down to slide his belt from his jeans. His hands flinched at his sides, but he didn’t move.
Her hand slid beneath his shirt and she scratched her nails along his abdomen. Desire ripped through her when she felt him clench beneath her.