She had a choice here. She could succumb to weakness, allow these rogue wolves to take her, do what they wanted to her and let Annabelle succeed in her agenda, or she could fight for the very first time in her life. She could be that Alpha female she always wished she could be but never felt the desire and tools needed to achieve such a position.
So as she listened to the one called Burna contact Galan, a man who was supposed to be representative to the circle of elders, she knew that there was more to this situation. Perhaps the gods and Goddesses only had power over certain parts of one’s destiny and then it was purely up to the individual to make it happen. If that was the case, then she wanted her men. She was in love with them already, and the more this piece of shit rogue wolf inhaled against her neck and licked her skin, the more her wolf wanted to rip his throat out and show him just how weak she really was.
The fire inside her was combustible. She slowly opened her eyes, seeing they were way out in the open land and probably far from home. She hadn’t a clue. She’d never left Venificus land. She had lived in her tiny bubble, in her little world, for far too long. She had wanted to be independent and expand her online business to storefronts, but fear held her back. Success, love, triumph over evil came to others and not her. These men were evil. They would die, whether by her hands or someone else’s. She needed to escape. She needed to get to her mates and stop Annabelle from whatever scheme she was manipulating.
The thought brought back something she’d said to Maya outside of the building. Annabelle said that the men were hers. She wants my mates. Well, she can’t have them.
The burning need is consuming my body, and I know exactly what it means. The mating cycle has begun and it needs to be finished. If Annabelle had a clue, she would know she can’t force my mates to be with her.
As Maya thought about it, she thought about the stories she had heard and the people involved with this event. Galan could have been involved from the start and from when Ariella, Palidor, Orion, Draco, and their fathers went to them to try and make the elders accept Draco as Ariella’s mate even though they thought he went rogue. She remembered her mother talking with her own mother, Lexi, about what happened, and who was there. They had all come to assist Ariella in fighting a rogue Griffon named Saggar. Galan and Travert were present at the meeting. What if they were being controlled by the evil, too? Annabelle was Galan’s daughter.
Then she thought about where her men had gone. Another one of those illegal labs trying to force the mating bond between wolves. She nearly gasped as her mind worked faster than her heart could handle. But somehow she remained still. The element of surprise was her only weapon right now. What if Annabelle had some of the formula to force a bond on Maya’s mates? Could she have access to that? If her father was bad or being controlled, it was possible.
“I told you that it would work. He’s furious at his daughter.” Burna’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“He didn’t know his daughter was crazy?” Brie asked.
“He wants Maya. Said that he would convince her not to press charges or notify anyone of what happened.”
“And you believe him?” Mard asked.
“I believe the tune of a hundred thousand big ones.”
Mard whistled. “Holy shit. Who would have thought this weak little wolf would mean that much to a representative of the circle.”
“Unless she means something more. I can feel how special she is. There’s something about her,” Brie said as his hold loosened and he caressed the hair from her cheeks. Maya nearly gulped.
“You just want to play with her. All she’s got is beauty and big tits,” Mard stated.
“No, there’s something more. I don’t think you should give her to Galan just yet,” Brie added.
“Why not? We need to wipe our hands of this mess before worse happens and we lose the opportunity to make some serious dough,” Burna stated.
“I just got this feeling, okay?” Brie added.
“Yeah, it’s called being horny for some pussy. You can play with her for the next several hours, but then we’re meeting Galan and getting our dough,” Burna said.
Maya knew she needed to do something. She knew she couldn’t take on three wolves by herself, but she knew she was fast, and could probably outrun them. That was one asset the Goddesses had given her. The gift of speed, and of course her ability to make jewelry. She gathered her strength and controlled her breathing. The time to fight was drawing near.
Chapter 11
“Where is she?” Kedar demanded as they all gathered inside Annabelle’s office. Maya’s car was parked in the back parking lot and her bag was on the ground. They sensed other wolves as well as Annabelle’s scent. They knew the woman was lying.
“I told you that I don’t know, Kedar. Calm down and I’ll do whatever I can to help you. She’s such a nice young woman. A bit of a weakling, but sweet,” Annabelle replied as she kept her hand on a box and looked Kedar over. He could tell the woman was high on herself. He was only in the room with her for ten minutes and he disliked her.
“You know what happened. Now cut to the chase, tell us where she is,” Saxton stated.
Annabelle’s phone was ringing and she wouldn’t move. She kept her hand on the damn box.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” Alden asked, as he walked around her desk.
“No. It’s not important. Helping you is.”
The phone stopped and then began ringing again. “Tell us what you want and where Maya is now,” Caton stated as he stepped closer toward her cell phone.
He saw the name.
“It’s your father. Perhaps his call is important?” Caton asked.
She reached for it and said hello while still staring at Kedar and Saxton. She licked her lips, trying to act seductive.
“What?” She asked in response to her father’s call. They could hear the conversation. Saxton gave Kedar’s arm a tap. Annabelle was so caught up in her own agenda she forgot how keen a wolf’s senses were.
Her father explained that the rogue wolves she’d paid to abduct Maya were now demanding money from him, so he was going to get rid of Maya.
Kedar decided to play dumb. He wanted to see what Annabelle was after.
“Everything is fine. As a matter of fact, Kedar and his brothers along with Saxton and Tango are with me now. We’re getting to know one another,” she said.
Kedar had no idea what was wrong with her.
She disconnected the call and leaned back against her desk, showing off her open blouse and perky little breasts. He only had eyes for one woman—Maya.
“Where is she?” Kedar asked again, this time Saxton grabbed her upper arm and squeezed.
Annabelle gasped as she reached back and opened the wooden box. Grabbing a syringe she was about to stick Saxton when Kedar grabbed Annabelle by the hair, twisted her around, and held her hands behind her back. He pressed her over the desk as the syringe went flying, missing Saxton.
“What the fuck?” he roared.
“She’s in on the labs. She’s part of this,” Alden stated.
“Fuck, that means so is Galan, and he knows where Maya is,” Caton stated.
“We need to call Charity and the others. We have to find her before they try and make her mate to someone else. You saw those people in the lab today. My God, Maya wouldn’t survive that,” Tango stated, and the room erupted in roars.
“Where is she?” Kedar growled.
Annabelle spit at him as she growled and bared her teeth.
“She’ll be dead before you find her. She doesn’t deserve any of you. She’s weak and simple.”
“She’s more woman and wolf than you, scum!” Caton roared. Alden held him back from doing any harm.
“The others are on their way. Derry, Eamon, and Talib along with others from Caliber will help,” Tango stated as he held the phone to his ear.
“Palidor, Orion, and Draco are headed to Galan’s office along with their fathers. We’re going
to need all the help we can get,” he added.
“That’s because your mate is nothing. She won’t get away from those wolves. She’ll die,” Annabelle said.
The door burst open and Brutas and Langly, along with members of the special order, arrived.
“What’s going on?” Saxton asked.
“We received a call from Travert. There’s been a security breech within the circle. All hell is breaking loose,” Brutas told them.
He began to fill them in on events around the area. An issue was given by Lord Crespin and Samantha that something had penetrated the circle and some of its members. It was believed to be the evil that had been trying to destroy the entire Were population. Every soldier was needed. There were other labs and other wolves being forced to go rogue or be mated to things they should not be mated to. Whatever this thing was, it had manipulated the minds and souls of many.
“She got a hold of the chemical. She needs to be interrogated while we search for our mate,” Tango told Brutas, nodding toward Annabelle.
“Of course. That’s why we are here. We’re securing the royal family. Across the United States and around the world, all guards of the gods and Goddesses have been placed on alert. They are trying to figure out what this evil is so we can destroy it.”
“We’ll be there to help. But we must find Maya,” Saxton said, and they looked to Annabelle for answers.
She smirked and refused to talk.
“Good luck,” she whispered, and a series of growls echoed through the room.
* * * *
“Are you sure, Samantha?” Lord Crespin asked his granddaughter as she held her head and cried out in pain. Dustin, Kyle, Donny, Trey, and Adam were on the floor next to her, trying to bring her comfort.
“Why can’t it stop? What is happening?” Dustin demanded as he caressed her hair.
“The evil. The one who has been trying to stop the completion of the Security Ring has taken Feldman,” she cried, the tears rolling down his face.
“I was joined with him, as well as Lexi, Antoinette, Charity, Ariella, and Batya. The beast has him chained to the ground and is using a force field of pain to keep him from fighting. It knows who the third Goddess is. We must join together to fight him.”
“Who is the Goddess?” Lord Crespin asked.
“What is the evil?” Adam asked.
“Feldman has told us. The Goddess is Maya, Lexi’s daughter. The evil is a demon.”
“A demon?” Lord Crespin asked as he grabbed his chair and nearly lost his ability to stand.
They all looked at one another.
“What do we do?” Trey asked.
“Yes, anything that is needed to save our friends, our packs and people,” Donnie added.
“Maya’s mates don’t know that Maya is the Goddess and neither does she. All we can do now is prepare for the battle. Bethany will call on the three Goddesses.”
Samantha lowered her head to Trey’s chest as the others caressed her hair. “How do they fight a demon so strong?” Dustin asked.
“No one has ever had to. The Goddesses must figure it out.”
* * * *
Lexi cried out along with Charity and Antoinette. Their men were all gathered around them, as news came in of the abduction of Maya and a breach of security in the circle of elders.
Antoinette grabbed onto Lexi. “My sons will find her and keep her safe.”
“It has Feldman, Antoinette. It’s a demon. How in the world can she fight it? Maya is so quiet and gentle.”
“Feldman states that Maya is the third Goddess. Bethany has confirmed it. Kamea is on her way,” Charity whispered.
“Oh god, she can’t come here. The demon obviously wants that. He wants the three Goddesses and Kamea together so he can destroy the circle and all were kind,” Lexi cried.
“Maya must fight part of this battle on her own. All we can do is try to support her and send good thoughts of power and strength to her from afar. It’s something she needs to do to prove her abilities, her love of unity of all packs and her fate. The demon will try to manipulate her mind and weaken her resolve,” Charity told them.
“Then we must help her, too. Samantha knows what to do. She has information left by Alex. She’s sorting through the details now.”
“So what do we do right now? I can’t just sit here while my daughter could be hurt or in pain.”
“Then we do what all servers to the Goddesses do in times of trouble.” Charity reached out and grabbed a hold of their hands. Ariella and Batya joined in.
“You’ll need us, too,” Batya said and joined them.
“Why do I get the feeling that they’re going to disappear and we won’t have a clue where they are?” Saber asked.
“Charity, all of you need your mates by your sides to help protect you.”
Charity smiled. “It is out of our control, Maximus. Trust that our love and our bond is strong.”
“Love is sometimes the strongest weapon one has when dealing with evil,” Ariella said, and the women smiled, as they closed their eyes and thought of Maya.
* * * *
The SUV stopped and Maya felt Brie’s hand against her ass. The doors unlocked and she decided that it was now or never. She had to make an attempt at escaping. No one was coming for her. No one even knew what was happening. She had to do this on her own.
The door opened and Brie carefully stepped out of the truck. She noticed that Burna and Mard were already by the front door to the small, abandoned-looking house. She used all her might to slam her hands against Brie’s ears, making him release her to grab his head, and she took off, shifting in midair and leaping into the woods. She could hear yelling, and then growls and soon they were following. She didn’t know where she was or what direction to go in, and she damned herself for living such a sheltered life.
As she leaped over broken trees and sniffed the air, she decided to head straight. If her senses were right, she would be going back to the Venificus land, or at minimum along the highway.
If I get out of this alive, life is going to change for me. No more being sheltered and living in isolation. I’m going to go after everything I want, starting with five Alpha wolves who, coincidentally, my body really needs right now.
Maya leaped across another set of tree limbs and then into an open field. A quick glance over her shoulder and she saw that the three wolves were slowing down. Before she celebrated her speed and ability to evade them, she wanted to be sure they couldn’t catch up and that this wasn’t some sort of trap. One more glance over her shoulder and she saw there were only two wolves. She pushed on, trying to move faster and then ran toward the left. Just as she headed into another set of thick trees, she saw the figure coming from the side and growled as it leaped over her, scratching her fur.
She growled and nipped at its back paw, and the wolf went down whimpering.
Maya continued to run when suddenly she sensed something ahead. By no recollection of her own doing, she slowed down. There was something out there, just before the next set of tree line. It stood tall, dark like a man, but too tall to be human. As she slowed to a trot, she heard the growl and then felt the hit to her side as the wolf pounced on her. Maya realized that it was Burna. She bit into his side and pawed with her claws at his flesh. They fought and she wondered if she could beat him. She feared Mard was getting closer now, too. But Brie must have been the one whose paw she snapped.
The growling continued and then she thought of her mates and wanting to see them again. The fight within her was strong, and she heard the voice.
“You are stronger than him, Goddess. I know that you are. Kill him, and then come to me so you can take your rightful place beside me.”
“What? Who are you?”
She asked as she continued to fight the wolf.
Burna tore at the flesh on her side. She howled and then countered his move, pinning him to the grass before taking a bite of his jugular.
Maya’s wolf was excited and triumphant
. She released the dead wolf, rolled, and then began to slowly walk toward the black figure. She was curious about what it was. Could it be the voice, the feeling that had guided her all these years in making the bracelets and assisting the pack members?
“I am more than that. You are more than just a Goddess. You are my mate. We will be one.”
The hit from Mard struck her by surprise and cost her. She howled in pain as he bit into her side, taking a chunk of her flesh. She was filled with anger and rage at possibly losing this battle out of fear and weakness. She wouldn’t go out like this. Not by some rogue wolves who did illegal jobs for cash.
She counter moved, and they rolled around on the grass, nipping, biting, clawing at one another. When he tried to bite her throat, she lowered her head, taking a nip to her skull but then lifted up and bit into his jugular. She tore into the flesh, ripped it out, and shook her head as his lifeless body fell to the grass below.
Feeling triumphant and accomplished again, she shook. The gash in her side was bad. It was deep and she would need to shift to elevate the pain and heal faster.
She didn’t know what that darkness was and her focus was on getting to her mates. She couldn’t do that if she bled to death.
Maya shifted back into human form, and fell to her side. She lay there, eyes closed, thinking that a rest would be a great idea.
“No time to rest, mate. The ceremony is about to begin and we are the guests of honor.”
“Maya!” She heard her name just as the shadow from the tree line appeared before her. His eyes were red, and he was handsome. Had he called her name?
“Maya, no!”
She heard it again, glanced over her shoulder and saw Kedar, Saxton, and the others running toward her.
The man smiled, his eyes held hers, and she felt the grip on her heart as he lifted her up and they disappeared.
The next thing she knew, they were in a dark room and candles were lit around a large bed covered in black satin. He laid her down and her clothes changed to black satin. She could hear crying, and then moaning. “No, you must stop him, Maya. You must not let the demon win.” The man with the red eyes snapped his fingers toward the voice and she heard the man howl in pain. She looked in his direction, shocked to see Feldman chained to the wall. He was hanging from his arms, his body battered and bruised. She knew only of him from her mother and times he visited her and the others.
Goddess of Unity [The Men of Five-O #8] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 10