Wild Desire (The Protectors Book 1)

by Toya Richardson

  Chapter Seven

  “So, Elias, what did we interrupt out there?”

  Elias shook his head at his brother’s question. “Mat, if you don’t know now, you never will. Do I need to draw you a diagram?”

  Mathis turned serious. “I didn’t mean to embarrass either of you. Sorry if it was leading to you guys mating.”

  “I know you didn’t. Mila is such a strong person, but I don’t think she’s quite ready for that to take place just yet. She’s also very vulnerable. I had to shift in front of her to prove I was telling the truth. Man, I had no idea mating would be this difficult.”

  “Hmm, and that’s why it’s good to leave her with Lily for a while.”

  Elias poured fresh coffee into a pot and hot water infused with herbs in a mug for Lily. “Why?”

  “You know why, Elias. She’s been there… you know.”

  Elias held his hands up. “Okay. Okay. I get the picture.”

  “I don’t just mean the whole mating thing, bro. But, you know, when she ran away too because she was scared and confused.”

  He handed a mug of steaming coffee to Mathis. “Yeah. I’m pleased that you did. Maybe she can explain it a little better than me telling her she was mine when we first met!”

  Mathis chuckled. “Yeah, not really the best way to win a woman over.”

  They sipped on their drinks, thoughtful for a while.

  “So,” Mathis said, seating himself at the large table in the kitchen. “What are we going to do about the Drake situation? It’s only a matter of time before he discovers what’s happened. Then he’ll want her even more.”

  Elias rested his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands. He looked up and studied his brother.

  “I know that, and I still owe him for what he did to me and others of our kind at that fucking facility of his father’s. Mila’s got her job as a ranger and I don’t think I can stop her from taking up the role. Not unless I keep her tied up here.”

  “Kinky,” Mathis teased. “Joking apart, we can speak to the other protectors, preferably ones without mates. They’ll watch her. She’ll be safe.”

  “That’s my job.”

  “Yeah, I realise that. I also understand that if she’s attacked, and you go to her rescue…” Mathis left it hanging.

  Elias realised what his brother meant. They’d be forced to breed at the facility. Their offspring used as lab rats for Scott’s vile experiments into creating the perfect killing machines. And Mila, well, he knew exactly who wanted her. Sick, twisted bastard would never get his hands on her. Hot coffee splashing on his skin made him yelp.

  “Damn.” Elias had been so angry he’d crushed his coffee mug.

  “Fuck, bro. It’s okay. I understand. Drake won’t touch her. She’s safe.”

  “What’s wrong, Elias? I could feel your anger in my head. Oh, God. Look at your hand. And what are you keeping me safe from?”

  Glancing at his hand, he saw it was bleeding. Cut from the mug he’d destroyed. When he looked over at Mila, her eyes were wide.

  * * *

  Mila sat with Lily on a wooden bench overlooking the herb garden. The scent of the plants mingled together perfectly. She closed her eyes and sighed her appreciation.

  “Lovely here, isn’t it?”

  Opening her eyes, she smiled at Lily. “Hmm. I’ve always preferred the forest to anywhere else, to be honest.”

  Mila leaned forward, her hands clasped together, watching whilst bees settled on the bulging purple flower heads of the chive plants.

  “Me too. When I was scared about my destiny, I ran away and lived in one of the larger towns up in the north. It was awful. Too much noise. Too much pollution.”

  Sitting back up, Mila watched the pained expression on Lily’s face. “Why did you run? Didn’t you know Mathis was the one?”

  A soft smile replaced the pained expression. “Yes. I always knew he was the one, but, oh my goodness, it was the physical pull on my body which scared me. Nothing to do with my seer abilities. It’s an intense thing when mates meet.”

  “Yes, I know. I fainted when I first saw Elias. That was before he tried to kiss me and I threatened him!”

  The women giggled.

  “I’d like to have seen that,” Lily admitted.

  “So, what happened?”

  Lily chuckled and then blushed. “Mathis came and found me and brought me back to the forest. To be honest, I didn’t put up much of a fight. My insides turned to mush as soon as I saw him again.”

  “Oh. Um, if this isn’t too much of a personal question, what is it like when two… you know.” A blush made its way up from her chest.

  Lily patted her hand. “Trust me, once you’ve made love the first time, it’s the most emotional thing you’ll ever experience. Sure, it’s intense, passionate, and so much more. It looked like you were getting on fine when we arrived.”

  Mila put her head in her hands at the memory. “I’m still afraid about it. What if I’m not good enough…?”

  Lily pulled her hands away from her face. “Listen to me, Mila. You belong together, and this will sound cliché, but so true. It will be the most natural and easiest thing in the world. Once you’ve had shifter, nothing else will ever come close.”

  Lily winked and they both broke into peals of laughter. She placed her hand on her swollen belly.

  “You okay, Lily?”

  “I’m fine. Just a twinge. There’s still a little while until the baby’s here.”

  “Have your senses given any hint to the sex of your baby?”

  Lily frowned. “No. It’s about the only thing hidden from me.”

  A wave of anger washed over Mila. She clutched at her head. Elias. Something was wrong with Elias. She stood up quickly, heading for the back door.

  “You’ve had a vision,” Lily stated.

  Mila stopped to glance at her newfound friend.

  “Yes, I think I have. One more thing to confuse my already muddled mind. I don’t understand, but I need to be with him,” she explained, her face contorted in agony.

  Lily got up and followed her. “You two are getting much closer if you’re picking up on his emotions.”

  Mila silently agreed. Whatever had upset Elias, she had the overwhelming need to comfort him.

  * * *

  When she opened the back door, which led into the kitchen, Mila was shocked by the broken mug and blood on Elias’s hands. There was a mixture of anger and fear in his eyes. It was so strong it almost took her breath away.

  “What the hell?”

  “Mathis, let’s get the first aid kit,” Lily ordered.

  “But…”

  “No buts.”

  When they left the kitchen, Mila dampened a tea towel and moved to Elias’s side.

  “It’s okay,” he protested when she started to clean the small wounds.

  “No, it isn’t.” She continued to clean away the blood and small pieces of ceramic left by the broken mug.

  She worked in silence. Still she could feel the tremors of anger running through him. He closed his eyes, creasing them up as though in pain.

  “All done. Just need to wrap something around… oh.”

  When she inspected the wounds, they’d all disappeared.

  “An advantage to being a shifter; we heal very fast. All to do with our metabolism,” Elias explained.

  “So, when Lily said…”

  “Yeah, that was to give us some time on our own.”

  “Why were you so angry and terrified at the same time? I felt it like they were my emotions. I’ve never felt pain like it before.”

  “No easy way to explain this, honey, so here it is. Scott Tech has been designing some kind of new weapons.”

  “I know. I’ve heard the rumours on conspiracy sites.”

  “Not the sort most people think, Mila. They’re kidnapping any supernatural beings they can get their hands on. With the technology they’re developing, they have started to use it to control those of my
kind when they capture them.”

  She gasped with shock. “How?”

  “By inserting microchips they’ve developed into the host, the operator can use this to control the subject. It’s a kind of frequency tool which plays havoc with our senses. And if tuned to the right level, they can have complete control over that being, turning it into the perfect, indestructible killing machine.”

  Mila noted he rubbed at his arm. “Are you hurt?”

  “No. That’s where the bastards inserted a chip in my arm.”

  Her hand went to her mouth. “Oh, God!”

  He took her hand away and pressed it to his lips. “It’s okay. It’s no longer there.”

  “So, you were taken?”

  “Yes. I was kept there for two days. I was one of the lucky ones who escaped when the other Protectors rescued me.”

  “Protectors?”

  “I’ll explain that to you in a little while. It’s another name for our Supernat communities.” He huffed out a breath before continuing. “They also capture animals and try to mix their DNA with ours to see what kind of hybrid monster they can create.”

  “What about the women hikers who’ve gone missing?”

  He closed his eyes again, his mouth set in a tight line. When he opened them, she was shocked to see they shone with tears. She cupped the side of his face, and he turned his mouth to press his lips to her palm.

  “Taken mainly for sport. Used, I’m almost certain, by Drake and his associates. Once broken, the females are taken to the facility to be hunted by the soldiers they’ve created.”

  Mila broke down and wept openly. “Oh, Elias. This is horrible. Something has to be done.”

  He pulled her onto his lap, his thick arms curling vice-like around her waist. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, his scent warming her. After a while, he pulled away to fix his gaze on hers.

  “No one will listen. Scott is a billionaire with so many dishonest contacts it will be impossible to prove. He also has every corrupt group in the world supporting him. All desperate to get their hands on the ultimate controllable soldier. Their money helps to silence people.”

  This was unbelievable. “So, that’s it? They’ll get away with all of this.” Mila got up and paced the kitchen, aware of Elias’s eyes on her constantly.

  “No, of course not. Here, in the forest, there are so many shifters and other supernatural beings who want an end to all of this. Each and every one of us wants to live in peace. Here, as well as other places all over the world, Protectors, that’s what we call ourselves, are working together to try and put a stop to this.”

  Mila tried her hardest to understand. This was just like the books she immersed herself in coming to life.

  “Will it end, Elias?”

  He smiled, rose from his seat, and went to her. Elias held his arms open to her and she allowed him to hold her. His scent was like a soothing balm to her.

  “It will, I promise. It just takes time. We do have an escape route, though.”

  She lifted her head to gaze up at him, a frown creasing her brow. “How?”

  “There’s a portal in the deepest part of the forest, a lot farther in than we are now. Scott doesn’t know about it and that’s the way we want it to remain.”

  “Why not just go now?”

  He brushed her hair away from her face. “Honey, we cannot leave this place until we know the innocent humans and wildlife are safe.”

  Mila thought about Mary and Jim and understood why this had to be dealt with. She sensed he was keeping something from her.

  “What aren’t you telling me, Elias?”

  A shuddering breath escaped from him. The fear in his eyes was almost palpable.

  “Drake wants you, Mila. He already wants you as a human woman. If he ever discovers your other abilities, or the fact you’re mated to a shifter, he will pull out all the stops to have you. Once we’ve mated physically, you’ll be able to shift too.”

  “How will they? I don’t understand.” A ragged breath slipped from between her lips.

  He held her face in his hands.

  “Because somehow he’ll know you’re with me. He took my DNA when I was held captive. If they come to check your house, they will know I was there too.”

  Her head shot up, a hand going to her mouth. “Will Mary and Jim be safe?”

  Elias smiled a soft smile and stroked her cheek. “They’re watched over by other Protectors twenty-four-seven. Please, don’t worry.”

  Mila watched while the smile slid from his face, a shiver running through him.

  “What else, Elias?” she asked, even though she was afraid to discover any other information.

  “We know Drake and Luther are toying with the idea of injecting themselves with our DNA. It’s why they’re taking humans to use as guinea pigs. They’ll keep testing on them until it’s perfected.”

  A cold chill covered her. Even Elias’s warm body couldn’t take it away. “And?”

  “If this happens, Drake will want you even more. He’s totally obsessed with you. His actions in your home were all the proof I needed.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he’s searching for a female shifter he can mate with. I have a feeling that’s why he’s trying to get under your skin now. Hoping you’ll confront him. If you do, your anger will leave you vulnerable.”

  She folded her arms over her chest as though protecting herself. “Not going to happen.”

  He clasped her against his chest and she was certain she felt tremors running through him. “And that’s why you have to stay with me.”

  Silence fell between them.

  “There must be other females apart from me who are strong. Surely one of them would be a much better mate.”

  “He’ll stop at nothing to get his hands on you.”

  Mila burrowed closer to Elias, needing to feel his strength surrounding her. No way could she allow Drake to get close to her. Not ever.

  Chapter Eight

  Elias hadn’t meant to tell Mila in quite such a dramatic fashion about Drake, but she needed to understand exactly how much danger she was in. Her confusion and concern beat at him. She muttered under her breath, most of it swear words which made him cringe. This woman was used to being self-sufficient and he had to prove to her that she needed to be by his side.

  “I hate that man so much. If I could take him down right this moment, I would. Now I know for certain he killed my parents, hoping I’d be left alone so he could use my vulnerability. What an asshole.”

  Her body was shaking with rage and grief. He rocked her gently whilst he still had hold of her. Mila rested her head against his chest, her warm lips pressed against his T-shirt. Closing his eyes, he rested his chin on the top of her head.

  “I have so many questions and I don’t know where to start,” she mumbled against him.

  “We’re on our way home, Elias. We figured you two needed some alone time. Come and visit us for lunch tomorrow.”

  Elias smiled softly at Lily’s words. “Thank you. I think that’s a great idea.”

  “Just call if you need us, okay?”

  “Sure, Lily.”

  “They’ve gone, haven’t they?”

  Elias nodded when she gazed up at him. He ran his fingers down her soft cheek. “Lily thought we could do with some time alone. She’s invited us for lunch tomorrow. But if you’re not up to…”

  She placed a finger to his lips. “That would be lovely.”

  Mila slipped from his lap. He felt the loss of her closeness instantly.

  “Let’s go and sit outside again. I need to feel the air on my skin.” She held out one hand for him, which he took. They returned to the swing chair on the porch.

  “I don’t want to talk about Drake and his father for now, or what they did to you whilst you were captured. Tell me about the Protectors.”

  Elias smiled, grateful to leave that subject alone.

  “Great idea. I will have to explain it all to you at some p
oint, though.”

  “I know. So, Protectors?”

  He smiled and laced his fingers with hers. “Protectors are shifters and other paranormal beings that formed an alliance in order to protect our species, and humanity. For centuries, almost since the beginning of time, our people have suffered persecution. Hunted and tortured. All in the name of science, and in some cases, purely for the pleasure of twisted, sick people.”

  He paused to study Mila. She listened with interest, her eyes shining like beautiful gemstones. If he didn’t continue, he’d be lost in their swirling depths forever.

  “Because we have many abilities, such as shifting, gift of sight, strength, and many other skills, it makes us targets for testing. With our combined powers, we can enjoy the relative safety of living out peaceful lives like we do here.”

  “So, there are others living this deep in the forest? Don’t all the different species feel the need to fight one another? Some of you must be natural enemies.”

  Elias smiled and dipped in for a light kiss. “Yes. Many different species. We all have heightened intelligence and understand the need to band together. Even some species that normally live solitary lives are close.”

  “Do I get to meet them?”

  “Yes, tomorrow evening. We’ll go with Lily and Mat. Every so often, we have gatherings. The main reason for these events is to exchange information. It’s also an excuse to enjoy a great party. They’ll be excited to meet the Head of the Protectors’ mate.”

  Her eyes almost popped out of her head. “Really? Wow, do I need to call you sir?”

  Elias chuckled wickedly. “No. Not unless you want to in the bedroom.”

  Mila gaped at him, her cheeks turning crimson. He winked.

  “Sorry, honey. I was only teasing.”

  “How long have you been the boss?”

  This was going to be the hard part. “Over a thousand years.”

  “What? Are you kidding me?”

  He shook his head. “No. Our kind live for eternity. You will too… after we’ve mated.”

  “My head hurts with all this information.”