by A. Mashburn
“How do I unbind Genesis and get my memories back?” Gretchen asked.
Nicoli paused and somehow managed to frown and look hopeful at the same time. “Well, about that, we have to go to Romania.”
She regarded him skeptically as she asked. “Romania? Why Romania?”
“Yes, the witch who worked with your mother to bind you is there; she is the only one who can undo it.”
“What if she’s no longer alive?”
“Oh, she’s alive,” he laughed, assuring her.
“How can you be so certain? If people have been after me, then wouldn’t they have followed the trail or something?” she questioned worriedly.
“Oh, I’m sure they tried. Slovenia is a dark witch and takes many forms. They wouldn’t know what or who they were looking for,” Nicoli answered with confidence.
Gretchen, however, looked at him skeptically, “And you, do?”
“Aye, Aingeal, I do.” He grinned.
She sighed and decided to take him at his word. “What does that mean? Aingeal?” she asked as an afterthought. “You’ve called me that before.”
“Angel, the day you saved me. The white puffball of fur and wings, like an angel of death growling at them.”
She smiled tentatively at the fondness that hung on every syllable he spoke. “I want my memories back, Nicoli. I need to know who I was and not just because you told me.”
Nicoli reached for her and cupped her face. “I get it. I guess that means we’re going to Romania.” He smiled.
She returned the smile. “I guess so.”
“You hungry?” Nicoli asked.
“No, I’m okay,” Gretchen replied as her stomach growled. Fucking traitor, she thought.
He laughed and walked into the small kitchen. She’d never had a man cook for her before, but as she watched him move around his modest kitchen, she felt the familiar tug of the invisible tether that had led her to follow him into the forest to begin with. It was as if her heart knew something she didn’t. She took a moment to ponder the fact that she should’ve been freaking out with everything that he had told her; yet, in that moment, the fact remained that having the casual conversation about shifters, royalty, and war, seemed as natural as breathing. It had felt right.
Mate, a quiet voice whispered in the back of her mind.
She frowned and eyed Nicoli as she wondered why that singular word would so randomly cross her mind and why it had made her heart ache in the best way possible. She shook her head, there was still so much she needed to know. For now though, she figured she would enjoy a home-cooked meal by this god of a man, because nothing was better than a good-looking man with a penchant for cooking.
Chapter Six
Leaving her was the hardest thing Jade ever had to do. His mind tried to grasp any reason Jayce would have had to lie to him about the Princess and Nicoli perishing in the war. He’d always been loyal to Jayce—even when he disagreed with his decisions, Jade stood by him. Jayce was the eldest of the three after all. What reason would Jade have not to believe him?
With the proof of his brother’s deceit staring him straight in the face, Jade had no choice but to question the truth in everything else Jayce had been telling him. Did Nicoli truly intend to kill the Princess out of jealousy and rage when he discovered that she was promised to one of his two other brothers? Was Nicoli really possessed by greed and the need for more power?
Looking back at everything that had happened and all that had transpired since, Jade considered the other options. There was indeed a possibility that Jayce was the one consumed. He had recently been turned into a hybrid against his will by the Hunters and he hadn’t had much control, if any, over Talon, his vampire side. Confusion ran rampant through Jade’s mind. Still in his wolf’s form, he shook his massive head in an attempt to sort his thoughts. When that didn’t work, he continued to run out his anger and frustration.
Archer, did you sense any deceit coming from Nicoli? Jade asked his wolf counterpart.
You would know if I did because I would have ripped his larynx out if he had lied to us, Archer replied with a growl. It seemed as though Archer was just as sore at leaving Gretchen with Nicoli as Jade was.
He said he has watched over her all these years. Why would her parents want to hide her from us and entrust her to the person who attempted to kill her? Unless we weren’t told the whole truth. Jade couldn’t seem to make sense of it.
My friend, Archer said, obviously we weren’t told the whole truth. His and her Highness were anything but lenient or stupid. You heard them that day, they told us Gretchen had died because of us, because of the rogues we employed to assist with the attack.
Archer shook his fur out as he came up to the edge of their territory just outside Bylorville. As he crossed onto their pack-land, he could feel the tension in the air; Jayce was in a mood again. They could feel it through the pack link. With the remnants of the previous beating Jade had received for losing the female the first time, he could only imagine what his punishment would be for a second loss. A shudder ran through him at the thought.
Silver whips with wolfsbane were a bitch for the healing process and Nicoli wasn’t wrong; the only reason the rogue got the best of Archer was that Jade had already been in a weakened state. We’ll have to keep this little run-in a secret for the time being. At least until I can figure out what the truth behind all this is, he thought to himself.
Jade was still in Archer’s form as he heard the roaring water from the falls and they itched to go for a swim.
Jade, Jayce mind-linked them.
I just crossed into the territory, brother. I had a run-in with a rogue.
Well, you’re alive at least. Hopefully, you weren’t at too much of a disadvantage giving your—Jayce sneered.
I’m fine. The rogue has been eliminated. Jade cut him off.
He doesn’t need to know by who or the details. Hell, I doubt he even cares that I made it back alive. Fucking douche. Jade thought to himself.
I want information on that female you found the other night, Jade. Was she bitten, or born?
Want in one hand and shit in the other, and see which one fills up first, asshole, Jade thought, but to his brother he replied, I know you do. I’ve never scented her before; she must be young, nearing her turn because, as I said before, I have never scented a female in the area on patrol prior to this.
Have you had any additional run-ins with our dear brother? Jayce asked.
Jade scoffed and allowed the venom to lace his words. You would know if I did, right?
Don’t get smart. You know what happened the last time you failed a mission and a repeat of that so soon would leave you in a less than desirable way, don’t you think? Jayce snapped.
Jade shook his head and thought, what a smug fucking bastard he is.
To his brother Jade, growled, I don’t know, I mean silver whips and wolfsbane, child’s play, right? According to you, you let me off easy because we’re blood.
Fucking sadistic asshole. Goddess, I hate who he has become, Archer thought.
Jayce’s voice was laced with sarcasm and volatility. Really, brother, you should be more grateful.
Jade closed his eyes, praying for patience as he swallowed his rage like a lead weight. Of course I am, Jayce. I’m exhausted, man. I’m going to wash off this rogue blood and I’ll see you when I get back to the castle.
Be sure that you do. We have much to discuss regarding our dear brother and his residency here. The link was cut off as abruptly as it came.
Jade rolled his eyes as the link severed. As a hybrid now, Jayce could do pretty much whatever he wanted because he was feared by so many, but not by Jade and Archer. He controlled them because they allowed it.
Why though? Archer asked his human for what seemed like the millionth time over the years. For the first couple of years, it didn’t even seem like a valid question; now though? Yeah, definitely valid. After seeing Gretchen and Nicoli last night and today, Jade could see how m
uch he cared for her. So, he found it hard to believe that Nicoli had tried to kill her. He even let Jade’s wolf interact with her freely, knowing their combined past.
When Jade scented her unique bouquet of sweet vanilla and sugar, it was as though his soul had shifted. He could have killed her and initially, that was his intent until she shocked him and fell to the ground in pain. That gave him pause because the scent she exuded threw him back in time to the little girl he once knew with brilliant red hair and eyes that changed color with her moods.
Jade couldn’t believe it was really her. He remembered the day that he and his brothers argued what she smelled like; for Jade, she smelled of vanilla and burnt sugar; for Nicoli, lavender and vanilla. For Jayce, he never said, but he avidly disagreed with both of his brothers' opinions. Regardless of what any of them thought, one thing they agreed on was that she had the most fantastic smell of any wolf they’d ever met, Lycan or Were alike.
She was just a kid, so obviously there was no sexual tension there but it’s in a shifter’s nature to be protective. Especially since all three brothers were born Alphas and all three connected to her in some way. Nicoli was always more protective and levelheaded. He made sure to have fun but also made sure she attended her studies. Jade was always playing with her, laughing, running, and playing jokes. He had even assisted in her skipping lessons, and Jayce…. well, he was very overbearing, almost obsessive about her.
They all knew that she’d grow into a great beauty, but to have seen her alive and breathing and to see she how she had grown—an image of Gretchen lying on the ground in front of Jade appeared in his mind as he reached the edge of the waterfall and shifted into his human form.
As he submerged his naked body into the water, he remembered the way Gretchen’s sweater and jeans hugged her body. The image of her shapely legs, small waist and large breasts burned into the back of his mind. Her scent still lingered in his nose, Damn.
Archer was putty in Gretchen’s hands from the moment they put their nose to her neck. At that point she could’ve ran away. She could’ve left him and he wouldn’t have stopped her. Hell, she could have stabbed him through the heart and he wouldn’t have retaliated. He was just grateful she was still alive. Instead, she did the unthinkable; she sat up on her knees and reached a timid hand forward and Archer allowed her to pet him.
Holy moly, the feel of her fingers scratching their ears and scruff, good Goddess. Jade knew she didn’t recognize him in his wolf form, but the obvious affection in her eyes made their combined heart race. She was magnificent and brave, so damn courageous. The way she dove for the gun to help him, knowing it would put herself at risk—it was either the most daring thing anyone has ever done for him, or the most stupid.
The water flowed freely over his skin and he wished he knew then what he knew now because if he had—Well, fuck, that’s irrelevant now, isn’t it? Jade thought to himself. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty and at the moment, he was seriously kicking himself in the ass. But one thing was for sure, he’d never tell Jayce or Nicoli how much he regretted his past actions. All that mattered to him now, was Gretchen. Somehow, we must break that bond completely.
Jade closed his eyes and leaned back against the rocks and let the natural current from the falls rinse off the remaining blood and grime. He imagined what he would have done had she remembered him and felt himself stir. The thought of sliding his hands along the smooth skin of her stomach towards her breasts quickened his heartbeat.
“Hey, Jade,” a seductive voice interrupted his fantasy.
“Hey, Scarlett,” he said, as he opened his eyes and took in the curvy raven-haired beauty in front of him. “Just get back from training?”
“Yeah,” she chuckled as she removed a twig from her hair. Her eyes perused his naked body, appreciating the sight before her. As her gaze reached the semi-hard appendage between his thighs a slight blush crept across her cheeks and she cleared her throat. “Your brother is a real pain in my ass.”
Jade laughed and raised an eyebrow at her in question. “Is he now?”
Realization of his insinuation turned her flushed cheeks even redder. “No, oh Goddess, no, not like that. I mean, my glutes are hurting because he refused to let up on our session’s extreme nature. I get that he wants me to be careful, but damn, look at my ass.” She turned around to reveal a bite mark in her butt cheek. “He bit my ass cheek, Jade!”
Jade smiled wider and she realized her mistake. “Oh stop, you know that’s not what I meant.” She swam over and slapped him upside the head.
“Could you not do that in public, please? If someone saw you beating me, they might think I’m a pushover.” Mischief shone in Jade’s emerald eyes as he reprimanded her.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about on that account,” she laughed. Scarlett was one of few people here who Jade could really relax around but she was only seventeen. Jayce was especially tough on her because she was a female Alpha and shifted early.
“He blindsided you again, didn’t he?” Jade asked with a grin.
“Yep,” she said, letting the p pop at the end. She leaned against the rock next to his.
“Jade?” Scarlett said to get his attention.
“Hm?” Jade mumbled and closed his eyes enjoying the feeling of the cool water rush over his battered skin.
“I’ve wanted to ask you a question regarding the princess that you told me about.” Scarlett mentioned Gretchen hesitantly.
Jade opened one of his eyes and peered at her.
Scarlett began again, “Well, you know my family comes from a Native American tribe, and we were gifted with visions—”
“I told you, you cannot tell anyone about that, not anyone, Scarlett; especially not my brother,” Jade whisper-shouted at her effectively cutting her off.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. “I know but listen to me—I think she’s alive. I saw a woman in my dreams the other night. She’s bound, Jade. That’s why you can’t sense her. I don’t know how I know; I just do. I know it was her.” She had tears in her eyes and Jade pulled her close, rubbing her back.
“Hey, I’m sorry I snapped at you; but listen to me, you can’t tell anyone of this vision. I know okay, I’m aware that she’s bound.”
“But that’s a horrible thing to do to a wolf, let alone a Pterolycus as powerful as her. It’s so painful for her—we have to find a way to help her, and somehow we have to keep her safe from your brother, too,” she pleaded with Jade.
“My brother?” he asked.
She nodded and wrapped her arms around him as her face nuzzled his neck. “So people don’t question why I’m here and think we’re up to something,” she explained, pushing herself as close as she could get.
Jade’s body stiffened, the feeling of the female being so close, her soft skin against his and her breath caressing his neck gave him goosebumps and he felt himself stir again. He pushed those thoughts aside and couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto his face as he kissed her dark hair—she was smart. With her wrapped around him in such a close embrace, no one would dare to approach them and anything they said would be drowned out by the crashing water from the falls.
She continued, “Jayce is out of control. I know he’s your brother and I know you love him, but we cannot allow him to get his hands on her. Since he’s a forced hybrid, it’s a constant battle of wills and he’s getting tired of fighting, I can feel it. He’s been allowing Talon to drain the life force of low-level Omegas to become more powerful. It’s only a matter of time before he wants more. He will mate with her for an heir, and then he will kill her.” Jade felt a warm tear drop on to his skin. He continued to rub her back and pull her close to him as though they were having an intimate moment. She had the purest soul he’d ever seen. She was honest and loyal, but fierce, which is why Jayce trained her so hard.
“Why are you telling me this?” Jade asked as he pulled back looking into her eyes.
“It’s simple Jade, you loved her and you’d
never forgive yourself if something happened to her.” She pulled back slightly, looked down between them and back up into his eyes. “And I love you and would never forgive myself if I kept that secret and caused you pain,” she confessed.
They sat in silence for a moment before she leaned over and their lips met. Every time he kissed her was like the first time. Tingles flooded through him and calmed him in ways he never dared to imagine possible. The fire in her kiss set him aflame from the inside out as her naked body pressed against his. They were part animal, comfortable in their own skin, but damn it if this little she-wolf didn’t engulf Jade in flames at that moment. Her need for him was almost too much as he forced himself away from her, breaking their kiss.
“You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?” he whispered to her, still holding her flushed face in his large palm.
She grinned sheepishly. “You make me feel as though I am the big bad wolf trying to corrupt you and steal your virtue.”
“It’s not my virtue I’m worried about, Scar. You’re only seventeen—I can’t.”
She kissed him again, this one with less fire and more sweetness. “You are an honorable male, Jade. I don’t care what anyone says about you; most men would have taken me, regardless of my age. You? Pshhh.” She smiled widely as she showed off her perfect white teeth and gleaming canines. “I won’t be seventeen forever you know and then maybe you won’t feel the need to push me away.”
“And when you turn eighteen and find your destined mate, you will thank me for this.” He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her forehead affectionately. “I pity the fool if he breaks your heart.” And he meant it, he’d kill him; Archer grunted in approval.
She pulled away from Jade a bit as she laughed at that and snorted. “Okay, Mr. T.”
He grinned like a Cheshire cat in amusement as he asked, “Did you just, snort?”
She sighed, as she stared intently into his eyes. “Oh, Jade. I hope my mate is not foolish enough to throw away such a treasure as my heart.” Her smile dropped and she looked away as Jade noticed a sadness wash over her features.