Were Slave (2010)

by Slater, Lia

  His Adam's apple bobbed unsteadily as he continued to study her face. "Saul has promised he'll dispose of Fenton and whoever else dares to threaten you. As soon as I find a home for us, I'll come for you."

  Tears burned her eyes but she stayed strong. "Come back with me."

  "I won't leave my pack without a leader."

  "Bring them with you." Determination pushed all doubts from her mind. "Paqualette is my country and I welcome your pack." She smiled as every piece began to fit together. "Saul?"

  "Yes, my, uh, Nayla."

  "The country respects you. If they realize a Were has been living amongst them for all these years and that I've trusted you as my guard, then they're bound to accept Mace's pack. Don't you think?"

  "I don't know. I suppose it could help."

  She turned back to Mace. "There's a thousand acres of undeveloped land in the eastern section of Paqualette. A generous river runs through it and I've heard the soil is rich. I want to give that land to you and your pack. You can finally have a home of your own. All I ask is that the Weres obey Paqualette law just as the humans do. There can't be any separation or it won't work."

  Mace looked at Kaige, his second-in-command. The Were had seemed very important to Mace, possibly a good friend, Nayla had observed during their time at the castle. But did the Were have a say in this pack? She didn't quite understand the dynamics yet.

  Kaige transformed and, just like every other time Nayla had seen him in his human form, he left her a little breathless. He was almost as handsome as Mace, but in a carefree way with his long brown hair unkempt, sitting in clumps that hung down his broad shoulders. His smoky gaze met Mace's and he murmured something in their secret Were language.

  Mace shook his head, apparently dismissing whatever his friend had said, then turned back to Nayla. He squeezed her shoulders gently but gave no sign of acceptance. Doubt shadowed his eyes. "Your offer is very generous but I can't accept your charity."

  "Charity? Mace, isn't this what you've been searching for? A home for your pack? Equality and peace with the humans?"

  "Equality?" He scoffed. "That'll be the day." He dropped his hands to his sides and cursed under his breath as he walked away from her.

  Rage built up inside and she followed him, determined to win this argument. "Does my offer offend you so? Do you have any idea what I've overcome to even consider it?"

  He stopped at the riverbed and whipped around, cutting her with his dark gaze. "Tell me, Nayla. What did we scary Weres do to the precious Queen of Paqualette?"

  She stifled the memories rushing to her mind. This wasn't the time to show weakness, but Mace needed to know her story. "Paqualette has always been a peaceful country. We tried to remain neutral during the Great War. Our soldiers stayed home to protect our boundaries and didn't allow any Were to step over. But it wasn't enough. One night, a bloodied, battered Were broke into my home and murdered my mother and father. He tore them apart while I watched, helpless and terrified. There was nothing I could do to save them." She stopped to take in a calming breath. The memory was still too fresh in her mind.

  "Nayla. I'm so sorry." Mace's voice was a gruff whisper. Her stomach churned. She'd never told anyone but her physician about what else had happened that day. But Mace needed to know. If he chose not to want her after he heard the story, then so be it.

  "His fur was covered in blood as he approached me. I was curled up in the corner of the room, paralyzed with fear. I couldn't even gather the nerve to scream, to yell at him for murdering my parents. I couldn't fight back. I was a coward."

  "You were a child." He grabbed her wrist, but she twisted away, unable to feel his touch at that moment.

  "I was a young teenager." She gulped down her anxiety and continued. "He laughed at me then and...and, in his dirty, foul human form, he hurt me so savagely that I--" Her voice betrayed her and she broke into a sob.

  A violent growl ripped from Mace's throat and Nayla winced. She gathered the courage to look into her lover's eyes to say the most important part.

  "I can't have children." She held her stomach and a familiar knot twisted deep in her womb as she recounted the memory. She'd tried to forget, tried to make it not matter. But it did matter. Now that her future wasn't only her own, it mattered more than she ever wanted it to.

  Shame consuming her, she looked away from Mace's watchful gaze and continued. "I was a virgin, but he didn't care. He had his way with me and made it so I can never bear children." She sucked in a breath and slowly looked up to see his reaction. "So can you understand that when I was made Queen, I swore I would never allow such a travesty to happen to anyone else in my kingdom?"

  Mace's nostrils flared, his eyes narrowed and his muscles tensed to make him seem at least a foot taller. "I'll find him, Nayla." His lips tightened as he bared his teeth. "I swear to you I will find him and make him pay for hurting you."

  She believed him and honestly wouldn't have minded seeing that bastard punished at the hands of her lover. But the past had been settled in the past. There was no one left to penalize. "He was already found and brought to justice for killing my parents, as was his pack." By the Paqualette Guard, so it was told. They'd hunted down the pack during daylight hours and decapitated every one of them.

  Mace clenched his hands so hard, she heard his knuckles crack. "I'm very sorry you went through that," he said through gritted teeth, obviously holding back his rage. "Is there anything I can do, Nayla, to make it up to you?"

  She swallowed and looked away from his fierce stare. "That day is the reason I had you captured and imprisoned. I was wrong to judge all Weres by the actions of one, I see that now and I want to make it right. I trust you, Mace. I trust your pack. And I want to show the people of Paqualette what I see in you."

  He stepped closer and she allowed him to wrap his arms around her. In his arms, she felt safe. In his arms, she could almost forget.

  He kissed the top of her head and drew her close. "Nayla, my Nayla, had I known you then, I would've protected you and your family." His hand cupped her cheek and his muscles relaxed.

  Nayla leaned into his palm, welcoming the warmth, needing it.

  He stared at her for a long moment and she hoped he wasn't rethinking wanting to have her as his mate.

  She'd never be able to bear his children.

  Finally, he spoke in a low voice. "Are you okay?"

  "I am." She ran her fingers down his chest. "I would be better if you agreed to come back with me."

  "I won't be your WereSlave."

  "I know. I would never ask that of you now." She watched hopefully as the hard lines of his face softened some. Her fingertips gingerly circled his bare chest.

  "I won't live apart from you, Nayla. You're my mate. You'll live with me in a home that I build for us." He held her hand still above his heart.

  "The castle could be our home. We have everything we need there." Joy was quickly smothered by reality. "But I'm afraid there is a law, stopping me from having a husband."

  He shook his head. "I don't need your country's approval. In the eyes of my people, you're already mine."

  His. But what of love? Did Weres declare their love? Or was she a means to an end? She couldn't help wonder if Mace knew she'd offer land to his pack. Did she really mean something to him or was this all just a well organized effort to find a home for his people?

  No. Of course he cared for her. She saw it in his adoring gaze. She felt it in the way he made love to her so passionately.

  "You'll change the law. If their approval means so much to you." He tilted his head. "If I mean something to you."

  Change the law? It seemed so simple. She'd never considered it before. She'd always thought her country deserved her individual attention, that the law was there for a good reason. She'd been prepped and prepared to be a selfless servant until her last breath. Certainly having Mace at her side as her consort--no, her King, an equal ruler--would only help her be a better Queen.

  "The council w
ill have to agree."

  "They will. I'll see to it."

  Nayla didn't want to ask what he meant by that. "Then you agree? You'll come back with me?"

  His jaw visibly ticked as he nodded. "Yes, I agree."

  * * * * *

  She'll never bear my children. Mace let the knowledge sink in as he carried her in his arms through the dark forest. He'd spent countless years dreaming of finding a mate and having the family he'd wanted since he'd been human. A dream that had been torn from him just as his wife had been.

  He'd lost everything with this plague that had transformed him into every man's enemy. A Were. A drifter.

  Now that he'd found Nayla, he refused to let her go. Children or no, he'd love and protect her. He'd never allow anyone to hurt her again. And as they traveled closer to danger, to Fenton and the unknown, he held her tighter to his body.

  She nuzzled up to his neck, her arms enfolded loosely around his shoulders, her legs wrapped around his waist. She hadn't spoken a word since they'd started their trek back to the castle.

  Her body trembled slightly, but not as she had the night before. Tonight there was no rain. There was barely a breeze as he ran alongside his pack.

  "Are you all right, love?" He hoisted her higher up his abdomen.

  "I don't know." Her soft voice ruffled against his ear. "I'm...I suppose I'm nervous."

  Mace clenched his jaw. Is this when she changed her mind? He couldn't say he hadn't seen it coming. However, her anxiety was irrelevant. Weres mated for life. She'd have to accept that. But for now he'd allow her to think she had a choice in the matter. It would make their lives easier. "Do you wish to stop?"

  "Only for a moment. So I can stretch."

  "Of course." He carefully set her on the ground and called for his pack and Saul to continue without them. They'd most likely need some time alone.

  Her cheeks were rosy and her green eyes glistened as she looked up at him and gave him a brave smile. So lovely and sweet. She licked her plump lips, swiped loose curls from her cheek and perched her tiny hands on her waist.

  God, she was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen.

  His cock grew stiff at just the sight of her. And her eyes dipped to watch as he grew hard for her.

  "Mace." She quickly met his gaze again and drew out a long breath. "Here?"

  He grinned. "Anywhere."

  She let out a heartfelt laugh and the tense lines in her forehead eased. "You're insatiable."

  "Only for you."

  Her smile twisted anxiously. "I want to tell you something, Mace. Before we go any farther."

  "There's no need. There's only our destiny. We move forward and never look back. That's all there is to do, love."

  "Love." Her lips flattened and her eyes lost their sparkle. "Why do you call me that? Do you, you know, do you feel that way for me?"

  "Isn't that obvious?" he asked too sharply.

  She took a step back as if he'd slapped her.

  Hell. What was his problem? Why couldn't he just say the damn words? He knew they mattered to a woman like Nayla. They'd mattered to his wife so many years ago. He'd said them freely and often back then. Until she lay on her deathbed.

  "I suppose we don't have to speak about this now. You probably have a lot on your mind." She straightened her dress and looked toward the trees. "I was only curious."

  Mace opened his mouth to speak, to force out the words that teased the tip of his tongue, but stopped when a strange scent seized his attention. He jerked his head to the right then the left. Where was it coming from? Why hadn't he heard footsteps? Had he been so wrapped up in this woman he'd missed something? Damn.

  No breeze meant the scent was near.

  Too near.

  He looked back at Nayla and saw that she'd taken steps away from him. "Nayla." He moved toward her, to grab her and run.

  "Stop right there." Fenton stepped out from behind a tree like a panther in the night and captured Nayla in his arms. A knife pressed to her neck. "I'll kill her if you try anything, Were."

  Chapter Ten

  He'd kill her anyway.

  Nayla sensed it deep in her bones. Fenton's fury was a tangible force, evil and barely contained. His body shook as he held her to his chest, the blade jabbing too roughly against her skin. A thick drip of blood sloped down her neck and puddled at her collarbone.

  She didn't dare breathe or move, even though her racing heart demanded it. Instead, she concentrated on Mace. The moon glistened against the whites of his eyes and cast shadows down his face. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. Every muscle on his naked body was tense, ready to pounce. He looked fierce and deadly.

  It was no wonder Fenton shook. The bastard was going to die tonight. Whether she lived or not, Mace would surely kill him. With his bare hands, no doubt.

  She took a small satisfaction in that thought. Her life would end but Mace wouldn't be harmed. He was immortal and powerful. What was Fenton thinking?

  "You'll drop your weapon." Mace's voice was deep and menacing, alarming even to her ears. "You'll let Nayla go free and unharmed and I won't torture you before I kill you. It's your choice."

  The blade sliced deeper as Fenton tensed but Nayla bit back a scream. Oddly, it frightened her more than it hurt. Was she ready to die? Would this moment be her last? She'd only now dared to question the need to give up happiness to fulfill her destiny. With Mace, she could have everything she'd ever wanted but hadn't had the courage to ask. But did she deserve joy and love? Or was her fate to follow her mother and father?

  No. Not yet. She wasn't ready. Please, God, not yet.

  Fenton's sour breath was hot against her ear. "Stay back, Were. Your threats are useless. I won't allow Paqualette to suffer under this foolish woman's control any longer. Don't you see? If you have any sense in your mind, if there's any human left in you, you'll understand my actions."

  "No." Mace stepped closer. "I won't understand anything if you harm her." His lips curled up into his teeth as he seethed. "I'll tear your goddamn limbs off and feed them to my pack if you hurt her."

  Fenton wheezed and his hand at her arm felt clammy as his grip loosened. "Stay back!" he choked out.

  The edge of the blade eased some, allowing her a shallow intake of air. It was now or never. She jolted to the side and the sharp edge of the weapon carved into her flesh as she dropped to the ground.

  Blood seeped from the wound and oozed down, staining her dress. Too much blood. Oh God. Help me. She pressed her hand to the raw sliced flesh, felt the burning pain and watched in shock as chaos erupted around her.

  Mace lunged forward, changing into his wolf form. A chilling scream cut through the night air as Fenton stumbled, futilely trying to run away. The enormous black wolf trapped him against the earth and didn't waste one second before chomping his sharp teeth into Fenton's jugular.

  Nayla clamped her gritty eyes shut as both nausea and exhaustion claimed her.

  She prayed for sleep. She prayed for the calming blackness to save her from her aching heart, her woozy stomach, her helpless, paralyzing fear.

  She prayed the horrifying sounds from her past would stop, from the day her parents had been murdered just like this.

  Mace. Mace was the executioner now, she reminded herself. Yes, it was for her sake, for her protection, but the putrid coppery smell and the sound of flesh being torn from bones was unbearable. Her stomach roiled and her pulse pounded at the back of her head.

  She dug her forehead into the damp leaves on the forest floor and gave in to her extreme fatigue. The dark bottomless pit consumed her, but the promise of peace was a lie. A god-awful lie, ripping her from her senses and forcing her back to that terrible day she'd lost her parents.

  Stop. He has to stop.

  The sharp teeth. The screams of horror. Scarlet puddles of blood pouring from their bodies, seeping through the wooden floor.

  The sounds. Oh God, the sounds of death.

  There's no end to the torture. Her
parents are going to die. She'll never see them again. Never hear her mother's sweet laughter or cuddle into her father's large embrace.

  The monster is too big. I'm too small. Can't stop him.

  I'm so sorry. So very sorry.

  "Nayla. Nayla!" The monster's voice was familiar as he called her name, hacking through the mist in her mind.

  Wet velvet licked at her neck over and over again. His tongue. The animal's tongue. It burned her wound but she couldn't move, couldn't push him away.

  "Nayla, you can't leave me. Come back to me. I love you. God, I love you."

  No. You're a murderer. Stay away from me.

  She had to save herself, to drop farther into the trenches of her mind where he couldn't find her, couldn't see her. She fell until the cavern of night ended, its spongy floor bouncing her up and sucking her down.

  Safe. I'm safe here.

  A twinkling light flickered in the corner. Just there. Gone then back again.

  "He loves you." The soft melodic sound of her mother's voice floated above Nayla's head.

  "Mother?"

  "Yes, it's me, sweetheart. Rest your head and listen. You've pained for too many years."

  Nayla gasped for breath as her lungs grew heavy. Her eyes stung.

  "I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry."

  "Tsk. You mustn't blame yourself, child. And you mustn't blame him either. The one who loves you."

  "He's a Were, Mother. Like the animal who killed you."

  "No, Nayla. They're of two different minds. One of evil, hate and vengeance, the other of honor, love and loyalty. Confuse them and you'll never find happiness."

  "I'm not sure I deserve love. His love or any love. Not when I survived and you..."

  "Shush, child. You always were a stubborn one."

  Sweet laughter filled Nayla's ears and heart.

  "I never thought I'd hear your laugh again."