by Sage S Wolf
“That’s sweet.” Eagle snarked, his grip tightening even more.
“Shut up, dickhole.” I wanted to rip his throat out. “You’re all going to die.”
He laughed. “Wow. You lions like your empty threats.”
“It’s not empty.” I felt my lioness push me to shift and just like Blake had told me the first time, I didn’t fight it. It only burned for a split second this time.
“What the fuck!” Eagle yelled, taking a step away from me.
He wasn’t getting away that easily though.
I didn’t know how to control my massive lioness. She was more than happy to take the lead, swiping her claws across Eagle’s stomach. He grunted in pain before shifting into a pissed off wolverine with claws much bigger than mine.
He lunged at me, catching my shoulder with his claws as my lioness tried to dodge his attack. She roared and returned his blow, sending him flying against the wall. He hit with a loud thud but was quick to recover.
The door to the room Blake was in opened, distracting me long enough for Eagle to jump onto my back and sink his teeth into my neck. I roared in pain and tried to grab him with my mouth and pull him off. He was latched on good and biting deeper by the second. I made one last attempt to pull him off before deciding a different method.
Stumbling toward the wall, I slammed my side against it, putting all my weight into it until finally, Eagle started to come loose. I swung my head around and grabbed his leg, pulling him off my back and sending him flying into Denali who had just shifted and was running toward us. I had no clue how I was going to win a fight against both of them.
“Just a little longer.” My lioness encouraged.
I had no clue what she was talking about, I just knew I had to trust her. She was all I had right now.
The two wolverines started toward me and I chose to run. Not out of fear, but because my lioness was repeatedly telling me to stall the fight a little longer.
Knowing the layout of the fishery rather well, I headed toward the front entrance, dodging and weaving through machinery. The front door had just come into view when Mr. Haywood walked through it, spotting me right away.
“Going somewhere, Kailani?” He asked, an evil grin forming right as Denali and Eagle slammed into me.
One sunk his teeth into the back of my neck while the other went for my throat. My lioness repeated for me to wait to fight. I was starting to think maybe she was giving up and wanted to die since Blake was gone.
Fuck that. Blake wouldn’t want me to go out without a fight.
I ran my claws down the side of the wolverine that was latched onto my throat, making him release me before I took off toward one of the conveyor belts, ducking my head as I ran under it and knocking the asshole on my back off.
A roar suddenly sounded through the fishery, rattling the windows.
It couldn’t be… I turned just in time to see Blake’s massive tawny lion grab the wolverine that had been on my throat by the neck, ripping his head clean off and tossing it to the side. He gave me a quick once over before going after Mr. Haywood.
Eagle stirred behind me, having recovered from being run into the conveyer belt. Turning, I growled and readied myself, waiting for him to make a move. My lioness was ready to fight now.
~21~
Blake
Once I saw that Kailani was okay, I locked my eyes on the man who had tried to take me from my mate.
He looked a little surprised to see me. “You’re supposed to be dead-d.” He stuttered a little.
I shifted so I could smirk at the scent of his fear. “I won’t leave my mate that easily, Mr. Haywood.” I tried my best not to sway on my feet as I stepped closer. Even though my lion had healed most of our wounds, I was still weak from blood loss. “You’re going to die now. Painfully like you tried to do to me.”
Haywood shifted and charged me.
I managed to shift back in time to dodge his charge and rake my claws down his side as he passed. Letting out a yelp, he turned and came at me again, this time managing to sink his teeth into my shoulder. I could hear Kailani and Eagle fighting across the room and tried to stay focused on my fight. The faster I ended this asshole, the quicker I could help my mate.
Kailani came out of nowhere and grabbed Haywood by his back leg, ripping him off of me and giving me a chance to pounce onto him and pin him down. I roared in his face before raking my claws down his chest and belly, exposing his insides.
He shifted back, sputtering out blood as he spoke. “Kavik is coming home.” He coughed, trying to hold his skin together to keep his organs from spilling out. “He’s com-” He let out a choking gasp as his eyes rolled back in his head and then he was gone.
Watching him die wasn’t as satisfying as ripping Denali’s head off. I think I’d stick with that method from now on. Seemed much simpler.
“Thank goddess you’re alive.” Kailani cried, wrapping her arms around my lion’s neck. “I thought I’d lost you forever.”
I shifted and pulled her into my arms, kissing her with everything I had and then pressed my forehead to hers. “Fate will have to try harder than that to take me from you, my queen.”
She leaned back and smiled. “Was our first kiss seriously a random- after-battle-kiss?”
I chuckled and stole another kiss. “I think it was a perfect first kiss for us, considering how our relationship has gone thus far.”
I looked around us. Haywood’s dead body lay bleeding just inches away while Denali’s decapitated body lay about fifteen feet behind me, his head just a few feet from that. Eagle’s body was lying about thirty feet away near the conveyor belt.
I focused back on my mate. We were both naked and covered in blood.
“I guess you’re right. Should we try to find my aunt?” Kailani pulled away and blushed when she realized our nudity. “And find some clothes to cover ourselves with so we can go outside.” She added.
“I prefer you like that,” I chuckled, willing myself not to get hard.
This was not the time or place even if my goddess of a mate was standing bare in front of me. The blood smeared on her body only made her more beautiful. She really was just going to keep looking better today.
“Blake, I’m not staying naked. It’s uncomfortable and a little awkward.” I could see her insecurity in her eyes.
I stood and pulled her against me, smiling down at her. “Nothing uncomfortable or awkward about it, Kailani. I promise this won’t be the last time we see each other naked. Next time will be in a less violent environment.”
Kailani blushed again. It was adorable how innocent she was.
“Let’s go find my aunt. Eagle said they were saving me and her for Kavik so she’s not dead.”
I nodded, feeling relieved to know Leandra was still alive. “We’ll shift and look for her. Come on.” I released her and stepped away before shifting and looking back at her, waiting for her to follow my lead.
Kailani shifted into her stunning white lioness and then we were on the hunt for her aunt.
~22~
Kailani
We searched the whole fishery and my aunt was nowhere to be found. I would have cried if I were capable in this form. My whole body was starting to ache from the shifting and fighting. I was more exhausted than the day before.
I saw a coat hanging on a hook on the wall and shifted and put it on before turning to Blake. “She’s not in here, Blake. She has to be somewhere outside. I hope she’s okay.” Just because she wasn’t dead didn’t mean that all the horrible things Mr. Haywood mentioned didn’t happen to her.
Blake shifted back and covered his cock with his hand. “Calm down, Kailani. We’ll find her one way or the other.” He stumbled a little when he stepped closer to kiss me.
Kavik’s kisses never felt anywhere close to as good as Blake’s. These kisses made my whole body tingle. It was magical.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, already knowing he was still weak from being stabbed.
�
��I’m okay. Don’t worry about me, mate.” He hugged me and then stepped back. “I’m gonna shift and follow you outside since I don’t have any clothes to wear. Just lead me wherever we need to go and if I scent your aunt, I’ll let you know. Sound like a plan?”
“Yea sounds good. I wanna search some of the shipping containers in case they have her in one of those. If we don’t find her after that, then we can head to my house for clothes and go from there.”
“After you.” Blake gestured ahead and then shifted back into his lion.
I slowly made my way outside, the ground cold and squishy under my bare feet. I made my way from container to container, opening, and looking in each one, Blake was never far behind me. His warmth radiating into me when he stood close to comfort me after we found each one empty.
As we got closer to the last container, I began smelling something different than fish and blood. My aunt.
I turned and looked at Blake’s lion. “She’s in there, I can smell her.” It sounded weird to say. It was true though. I could smell her. She smelled like fabric softer and fur.
Blake nodded and gently pushed me with his nose.
I swatted at him. “Don’t get pushy, Simba, I’m going.” I started walking toward the container. I was nervous as fuck about the state I would find my aunt in.
I took a breath before reaching for the lock and pulling up the bar until the door popped open a crack.
Blake’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Let me.” His voice was soothing and calmed my nerves.
I nodded and stepped to the side so he could open the door.
Light flooded into the dark space, illuminating a figure huddled in the corner.
“Auntie?” I said softly, trying not to startle her.
She lifted her head, her glowing eyes locking onto mine. “Kailani?”
“Yes, we’ve come to get you out of here.” I stepped slowly into the container.
“Here?” My aunt looked around confused. Her eyes were glassy. They must have drugged her.
“I’ll get her,” Blake offered, going over and crouching in front of her. “I’m gonna pick you up and get you home, Leandra.” He waited for her to nod before slowly picking her up and carrying her toward me.
I waited for him to pass me and then followed him out, shutting the door behind me. I wanted to burn this whole damn fishery to the ground, but I didn’t want to draw attention and have people discover what we’d done before we were ready. This war wasn’t over yet. Kavik would be home soon, and the rest of his family would want justice for the ones we’d killed. Especially Mr. Haywood. They’d more than deserved what they’d gotten.
“I think I saw Mr. Haywood’s truck parked by the front gate,” I pointed in the direction I was talking about so Blake knew which way to go. “I don’t know how to hotwire a vehicle but I’m sure between the two of us we can figure it out.”
“Okay, let’s go,” Blake grunted as he tripped on a rock, stumbling for a step before getting his balance. “I don’t wanna alarm you, Kailani, but I need to rest soon or I’m probably gonna pass out.”
I stepped close to him and wrapped an arm around his waist to help at least keep him balanced. “Just make it to the truck and I’ll take it from there.”
Once we reached it, I pulled the passenger door open and I helped Blake put my aunt inside and then helped him in before running around the front and climbing in the driver’s side.
“You think you can figure out the hotwire thing or you want some help?” Blake asked, resting his head back against the headrest.
“Looks easy in the movies, right?”
He chuckled. “Yea, sure. Give it a crack MacGyver and tell me if you need my help. I’ll be resting my eyes for a moment.”
“Okay.” I removed some shit until I found wires under the steering column. I stared at them, not sure how I was going to cut them.
“Did you check in the visor for the key first?” Aunt Leandra’s voice startled me causing me to jump and bash my knee on the dash.
“Son of a bitch.” I cursed, rubbing my knee. I looked at my aunt who was smiling at me.
“What happened?” Blake asked, clearly having been asleep.
I laughed at the hilarity of it all. I was wearing nothing but a coat reeking of fish, and my aunt was waking up from a drug-induced stupor while Blake was butt ass naked looking tired and confused as hell.
I rested my forehead on the steering wheel as my laughter faded. “Nothing happened, Blake. Everything is fine.”
I heard the visor move and then a metal clink.
“And we’ve got the keys.” My aunt dangled them in front of my face.
“Thank fuck, now let’s go home.” I took the offered keys and started the truck, heading back to my house so we could regroup and put on proper clothes.
This shit was far from over and I had a sudden craving for tacos.
~23~
Blake
I tried my best to stay awake on the drive back to Kailani’s house, but I was just too drained. My body needed to rest and heal, and it wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Leandra had her head resting on my shoulder, she was still recovering from whatever drugs they had given her to keep her from fighting them. The poor woman couldn’t seem to catch a break. Neither could my mate, it seemed. I was so damn proud of her for staying strong for both of us even when she’d thought I was gone. I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing mate to be my queen and help me run our pride. When the day came for us to have cubs, I knew she’d be an incredible mother. I hoped our cubs inherited her strength and courage. They wouldn’t need anything from me but for me to fertilize the egg from which they would grow. Poetic, I know. My weakened state was making me a little emotional as I dozed off. That was my excuse and I am sticking to it.
“Blake, we’re here.” Kailani’s voice woke me followed by a hand gently shaking my shoulder.
I groaned. My body was so sore. “I’ll be in in a minute.” I just wanted to sleep.
“Bullshit. You’ll get your ass up and come inside with me. I’m not leaving you out here naked in the cold.” I heard Kailani get out of the truck, slamming the driver's side door so hard the truck shook.
Then my door opened.
I started to fall out and braced my hand on the roof to stop myself. “Careful, mate,” I warned. Not because I was afraid of me getting hurt but because I didn’t want her to hurt herself by trying to catch my weight.
“I am being careful. Now get your stubborn ass out of the truck so we can all get some rest before the next battle arrives. You know Kavik and his family will be coming for our asses once they find out what’s happened. We need to be as prepared as we can.”
Kailani was right. Though I had no intention of staying and waiting for Kavik to show up and be able to outnumber us. No. I was taking my mate home so that our pride could fight with us in this battle.
“I’ll be inside making us all some tea,” Leandra announced, sliding out the driver’s side and heading inside.
“We’ll be in in a minute,” Kailani assured her before turning her attention back to me. She held her hand out toward me. “Come on, mate.”
Her calling me that had my lion purring. “As you wish, my queen,” I took her hand and slowly got out of the truck. Then I pulled her against my chest and hugged her tightly. Not enough to hurt her of course. “I love you, Kailani. I didn’t get to finish saying it earlier, but I want you to know the truth of my heart before anything else happens.”
Kailani pushed on my chest gently and I loosened my hold enough for her to lean back and look up at me. Her eyes were glowing that breathtaking violet color. “I know you love me, Blake. I can feel it here.” She pressed her hand over her heart. “You were right when you said I’d understand everything once my lioness was free. Even if my brain tries to rationalize those thoughts and feelings away. They are absolute. I love you and I know you’re mine just as I am yours. Forever.”
I smiled as I lowered my he
ad and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. “Forever, my queen,” I whispered against it. “I’m ready to go inside and rest now.”
She nodded and stole another kiss and then helped me inside.
“We can share my bed tonight,” Kailani suggested once we were standing in her living room.
She must have noticed me mean-mugging the couch.
I looked at her, needing to know she was comfortable with that and not just trying to be nice. “Are you sure? I can sleep on the couch again. Hell, I’m exhausted enough that I would have continued to sleep in the truck if you’d let me.”
“I’m perfectly fine sharing my bed with you, Blake. It’s only full size, so it'll be a little snug, but we can make it work.” She began leading me toward her room, stopping at the door. “I’m gonna warn you now, it might be a little messy.”
I grinned. “Are you admitting that you’re a slob, Kailani?” I was mostly joking.
“I’m not ashamed.” She shrugged, pushing the door open to reveal a fairly neat room. It had a few clothing items on the floor but for the most part, it was clean.
“This isn’t messy,” I said, stepping inside to get a better look. The bed was unmade. Still not what I would consider messy.
“Maybe not messy to you, but I have high standards for myself. It’s the best way to push myself to be better. I might even have some briefs you can wear.”
“And why do you have men’s underwear?” I was only a little afraid of the answer. I knew she was a virgin so her having slept with another male wasn’t on the list of possible answers.
“I went through this phase a couple of years ago where I just wanted to lounge about in men’s tank tops and briefs. Don’t ask cause I haven’t a clue what made me want to do that.”
I chuckled. “Okay. Show me what you’ve got. Something is better than nothing at this point.”
Kailani’s eyes went to my cock, who was happy to be in her presence. She blushed and quickly looked away. I should have remembered to cover myself.