by Jana Leigh
When they finally landed in the small private airstrip, the air was thick with anticipation. Cami stood and knocked the side of her head. “Quin, let it go, we are here so give it up. Go and take care of my children. I will be back in a few days.”
They all looked at her with astonished faces. “What?” Cami said. “He is being an Alpha sized pain in my ass.”
They laughed and Mia knew it was going to be fine.
*****
Striker checked once again with Mia and Eric, they were on the move to the outdoors fancy mall. They were in place just waiting. Orfeo was trying to push out his power to find Diavolo, but so far he hadn’t been able to tell if the man hadn’t already snuck out. Darien lifted up his head and sniffed.
“Something else is here. Can you feel it? I have never felt someone like this before. A shifter I have no knowledge of, strange,” he said.
Striker looked around and couldn’t feel anything different. “Abort?”
Darien turned his head and said, “No, it is watching the house as well, something to think about. We may have another player in this game. Could be interesting.”
*****
They rode in the back of a huge limo so they were all together. The plan was to wander around, shop, buy a few things, and then wander to the restaurant they had already cleared out. Eric had strict instructions to get pastries, and she smiled. Striker missed his favorite pastries.
“Ladies, I don’t have to tell you to stick together, no wandering and keep in touch with your mate. Cloe, keep with Cami,” Jaden ordered. He was in charge of the mission here and he would be distracted so Cloe was to protect Cami. The buff woman snorted and looked at her friend and winked.
They exited the car and Mia felt the atmosphere of the city. High fashion, love, and contentment. She could see the Eiffel Tower from where they stood at the Arc de Triomphe, the beginning of the famous mall. Cartier was to her left, and Dolce and Gabbana to her right. Holy shit, it was the real stores with guards standing right out front and everything. Mia and Eric walked with the others as they dove right in and began to shop.
*****
“They are shopping,” Orfeo groaned. “I hope you all padded the accounts this morning.”
The men laughed and Striker frowned. “Mia isn’t like that. Although I did give her my black card.”
“You are so fucked,” Darien shook his head. “You sent her with Cami and Jo, as well as the others. You better hope Eric keeps a leash on her.”
Striker frowned and then spoke to Eric in his head, ‘Eric?’
‘Yes?’ his friend sounded a little shaky.
‘Is everything okay?’ Striker said.
‘Depends on what you are talking about. No sign of the Rogues, Jaden and the others are keeping a look out. But Mia, she has been taken over by some kind of alien. All of the women have. I have never seen anything like it. We have already sent one car loaded to the plane and we have been here an hour. I think your card could fire any minute. Shit, I tried to talk sense into her and she started to put things back all pathetic looking. I couldn’t do it, man. I am not strong enough for shopping. Next time you go. I can’t say no!’ Eric screamed in his head and he almost laughed aloud.
‘“Whatever, as long as she is happy.’ Striker laughed.
‘She is looking at lingerie. I am dying here,’ Eric said and moaned.
“Yeah we are good,” Striker said to his leader and friends slowly.
“She is buying out the stores, isn’t she?” Orfeo laughed.
“Just a little,” Striker said weakly.
“You are so fucked, along with the rest of us, saying no to them is like painful.” Darien laughed and they paused when they saw movement.
“Gentlemen, are you ready?” Orfeo said the all of them in their heads and they nodded.
‘Eric?’ Striker said.
‘At the restaurant,’ Eric said stiffly. ‘We have a problem.’
*****
“Fuck,” Orfeo swore. “They found another one.”
“What?” Striker asked.
“A female, she is a waitress at the café, she didn’t get the call not to come in,” Orfeo said. “We are going to have to bring her. The Rogues will scent her. It will be a feeding frenzy scenting her.”
The men swore and looked helplessly at each other. “Focus, we need to get this over with. Kill first ask questions later,” Darien said and the men nodded.
‘I love you,’ Striker said to Mia and then ran when Darien howled.
*****
Cami was in shock when Fredi and Jo stood and grabbed the hand of the beautiful woman who was serving them. The woman was apparently in shock as well since she looked around the room and frowned not seeing anyone she knew.
The poor woman had no idea what she walked into. But not answering her messages would never happen again, Cami was sure. She looked at Cloe and shrugged. Protect the human, that was their motto and Cloe nodded. Cami could take care of herself.
The Rogues burst through the back door right when the woman opened her mouth to ask what was going on. Instead she screamed in horror as she saw the man shift into a wolf and attack. More pouring in behind and in front of them. They had truly come prepared to capture Mia.
Everyone stood and either shifted or prepared their magic. It was a swirl of energy flowing around them. With growls and grunts and the scream of one human woman who could not believe her eyes. Cats, wolves, bears, and others thrown in, who wouldn’t scream. Unfortunately they had to keep her quiet for now. They were off the beaten track, and no one would come in.
Cloe swore and turned to look at the human. “I am sorry,” she said before she punched the woman in the cheek and she went down unconscious. “Move,” she yelled as she turned around. “I got the human.”
Cami nodded and then began to fight.
*****
Striker drew his sword and began as he felt Eric do the same, it had happened at the same time, and the Rogues were divided. He could tell some of them were being notified of their men going down. Striker grinned as he heard a howl of rage coming from the interior of the building. Orfeo responded, he knew it was Diavolo and ran for the front door. Striker and the others followed as their leader made to end this once and for all with Diavolo.
Striker felt the presence of strange shifters, but he couldn’t stop. From what he could tell they were helping them not attacking. So for now, Darien told them all to keep course, he would try to see their intentions.
He swung his sword again and felt the satisfaction of the splash of blood that arced in front of him. He fought alongside his friends and knew they were going to slay every single rouge they could find.
Orfeo made it to the entrance of the building and yelled out his battle cry again. They all followed, killing anyone in their path. There was no mercy for those who tried to stop them.
*****
Mia stood and watched for a moment, blocking out everyone as the powers grew in her. She drew off her mates who were encouraging her in her mind. When she closed her eyes briefly and opened them, she felt it.
A Rogue drooling with rage appeared to be coming right for her. Instead of flinching and hiding, she stood straight and opened her palm. An orb of energy appeared. This is what her new powers were. A combination of her men’s strength and magic and it flowed to her fingertips. The men had been impressed she had learned to control it into an orb. So far, she had been unable to show the others, they said she would use it when needed—and damned if she didn’t. She could feel the others glancing a look at her. They were surprised but the pride showed in their eyes as they realized what was happening.
Mia grinned and looked at the Rogue and bounced the orb up and down, teasing him as he charged. She lifted her arm and threw it and the Rogue stopped in place and then disintegrated in front of her. She brushed the little particles off her sleeve and looked up.
“I need a new shirt,” Mia yelled. “I got gross shifter residue on me.”
“I saw a cute one at Lacoste, it was red,” Cat said. “I can’t fight, I can go shop if needed.”
“Oh yeah,” Cami said throwing the wolf off her and turning around. “There is a suit in the Hugo Boss window that would look fabulous on Quin and Jaden, one in black and one in silver.”
“Cello, had a sale on sweaters, I want a few to take back to the others. Just get a variety of colors in all sizes. I can sort them out later,” Jo yelled and then shifted into her white wolf and charged a Rogue.
Everyone began calling out their orders and Cat smiled and wrote down each one of them. The group fought, tearing the Rogues apart, as they continued to enter. The men paused every once in a while and shook their heads at the devastation the women were reeking.
“Shit, boots, black and sturdy,” Cloe yelled and she pulled out her gun and began shooting. “Also, Darien wants a wallet, so two for my men.”
“Right, shoes from Adidas,” Mia yelled as another one ashed on her nice tennies.
“On it. Honey, can you come with me?” Cat said to Tripp who was covered in blood. “Oh well, nice doggie, I guess not. Who is still clean? I apparently need to get clothes for all,” she yelled and a man stood. He was huge, Mia thought, wait, she knew him, it was Conal, the man from the plane.
“I will go and bring the human that way she is safe,” he stated and walked to where the woman lay and picked her up effortlessly. Mia didn’t have a chance to see the strange look that passed over his face. But Cami did and grinned.
*****
Orfeo roared in rage as he swept through the building. Diavolo had escaped, how? It didn’t make sense, but one minute he was here and the next he was gone. The fucking slimy bastard.
“End it now, make our presence known. The Senate will no longer sit back and wait for them to come to us. Now we are taking the fight to anyone who dares touch one of ours,” he yelled.
Striker grinned and went about his killing. His mate was safe, his partner was safe. And he got to kill the bad guys, all in all a nice outing to France, he loved this country.
“Someone see if they can find anyone who helped us, they ran from me,” Darien called and the men responded that they had not seen a stranger since their battle outside. “I know what they are and we so want them on our side.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mia felt Eric lift her into his arms and carry her off the plane. They had fought and won, showed those fuckers who they were dealing with. And the entire way home the women cheered, laughed, and congratulated each other. And then they crashed. Their mates amused at their obvious exhaustion. They spoke quietly of their pride. Quin demanded a report from Jaden who delighted in telling his mate how Cami fought. Apparently, the Alpha of the New Council was amused that Cami had been so amazing. He promised to be stern though when he spoke to her, never give her an inch or she would take a mile.
Mia opened an eye and looked around. “Home.”
“Yes, äskling, we are home,” Eric said and grinned when Striker came running for them.
“Is she wounded anywhere?” Striker asked, like he had for the last three hours.
“Uh, no, once again, they finished shopping once they were done and changed,” Eric said dryly.
“Striker?” she murmured as her other mate took her in his arms.
“Yes, baby,” he whispered and kissed her temple as he carried her to the car.
“I got you a new sword, and some croissants for tomorrow morning,” she said tiredly.
“Oh good, what a breakfast that will be. Now sleep. We will worry about everything later.” Striker laughed.
“Luv you,” she said and fell back to sleep.
“Love you too, my mate,” Striker and Eric both said and grinned. It wouldn’t be boring, that was for sure.
*****
After receiving thanks for her presents in a most satisfying manner and then establishing her connection with her men. Mia finally walked into the main house with her mates at her side. They were having a debriefing, and the New Council was leaving to go back to Milliken.
As they entered the large room, Mia frowned, something had happened. “What?” Striker said and looked around the room.
Cami walked to them and pulled Mia off to the side. “We have to leave, others are coming over. I am so proud of you and your friends. If you need me, call. Don’t forget to tell Cat next week is a girls’ night,” she whispered as she hugged her.
Everyone waited until they had left. Then Orfeo stood up again.
“Conal refuses to leave the human’s side, but he won’t admit to being her mate. She has yet to regain consciousness and we have no clue who she is. We had to leave so fast. Also, we are expecting a phone call from whoever helped us in France. They are asking for asylum for them and their Pack,” Orfeo said and sat down in the chair.
“We can handle Conal,” Cat said and nodded to the other females. “You take your call, make the decision, just remember we will all have to live with it.”
Mia kissed her men and then followed as the women left the room and went to where they had given the female a room. Cloe and Darien had checked her over, they said it was a matter of time, the poor woman looked exhausted as well as injured.
“Conal,” Cat barked as she entered the room.
The large Enforcer stood and nodded to them. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh shut up. Leave us, we will take care of her,” Cat ordered.
“But,” Conal began to argue and Cat’s voice grew softer.
“We will take care of her. I will call if anything changes, the others need you as well,” Cat said.
The large man nodded and looked down at the woman and sighed before leaving. When he closed the door, they waited a few minutes to make sure he was out of hearing range and they all began to laugh.
“How long do you think that will last?” Fredi said.
“Until she opens those beautiful blues, then he is in for it, just like the others,” Jax drawled.
Mia laughed and joined them around the bed. Cat took the small towel from the washing bin and they followed, washing the woman as she slept so she wouldn’t feel completely gross when she woke.
They sat and talked. And then ordered a meal while they waited. The knock came on the door. When their food was arranged and smelling wonderful, the woman on the bed groaned in pain. The women jumped up, went to the bed, and surrounded her.
“Order up,” she whispered and tried to open her eyes.
“Honey,” Cat said softly. “You aren’t in Kansas anymore.”
The others laughed and the blonde woman sat straight up. “What the fuck? Where am I?”
Cat smiled and said, “Italy.”
“Oh shit, another weird dream,” the woman said and collapsed back on the bed and closed her eyes.
Epilogue
Virani picked up the phone. His brother was furious, and threatening to kill him. His men were worried about helping the Senate, they had apparently caught their scent, and none of them were prepared for them actually hunting them, which was happening.
He had to fix it; somehow, he had to make sure they would come through this. No more sitting on the fence. It was join one side or the other.
“Orfeo.” He heard the leader of the Senate say.
“My name is Virani, my brother is Diavolo. My Pack and I need help. We want to join you,” he stated firmly.
There was silence on the other end.
“Where would you like to meet?” Orfeo said slowly.
“I will come to you, we meet on the outskirts of town where the Senate is located. Three days and we will be there unarmed and ready to surrender if needed,” Virani said.
“You were the ones who helped at the hide out?” He heard a voice ask.
“Yes, and we will continue to help even if we are not taken in. It is time for us to join the Senate or help them. My brother is crazy, and no matter what he wants to do to me, my men do not deserve it. They have been through enough. I need you to promise s
anctuary for them at least. As long as they are safe, I will fight to the ends of the earth to make sure you win this war,” Virani promised.
“Come and see me and we will discuss your surrender,” Orfeo said and hung up.
“Nice talking to you.” Virani laughed and called his men into the office.
“We are preparing for surrender. Bring your possessions, I believe them when they say they will help. Soon we will be able to live without hiding our true selves. I promise all will be well,” he said.
His men looked hesitantly at him and his Beta stepped forward and bowed.
“We will follow where you lead. But know if they will not take you as well, we will not remain there. You are our leader and have been for hundreds of years,” Tao said and then his men did the same.
*****
“Looks like the dragons have come to play. Lagon, Blaine, Kira, and Dalton will be arriving soon. Lagon thought he was alone, although these are somewhat different, he was shocked in hearing there are more, he wants to see who they are,” Orfeo said.
"Don't we all," Tripp muttered while the other men nodded in agreement.
Books by Jana Leigh
Denver Pack Series
Alpha's Mate
Tey's White Wolf
Devon: The Beta's Double Trouble
Cloe: Two for the Bite of One
Reggie: A Wolf's Changing Heart
Blaine: A Wolf's Second Sight
Lacy: Seeing Double
Jordan's Misunderstanding
Trinity: Heart of the Shifters
Argus: Meeting the Challenge
Trace: Following His Destiny
Shea: The Last Hope
Denver Pack Twelve 1/2
Chosen Wars Series
Cat’s Choice
Dante’s Dream
Finally Home – Taming of a White Wolf
Race to Destiny
Other books include
Dangerous Series
Dangerous Trio