by Leilani Love
Liam gave her a smile before he bent down and kissed her cheek. "Why don’t I leave you to get dressed? I need to check on the Jeeps and see which one I can get running."
He put on his shirt and grabbed his socks and shoes as he went out of the room. Once the door had clicked shut, she put her hands over her eyes and laid back in the bed. "Fate has given you a second mate, and instead of embracing the gift, you cower in bed like some young girl scared of her shadow."
When she said the words out loud, she realized she was not acting like a newly mated female. She was still feeling guilty about losing her first mate. "He would want you to be happy."
A memory of her sitting in the rocking chair nursing their very greedy son came to mind. He was watching her from the doorway. The little boy in her arms looked so much like his father. She always knew their time would be short. She had told him when they met. He had kissed her and said he would just have to make each moment with her a treasure and called her his gift. When he had approached her that night, he’d kissed her head while stroking their son’s cheek with his finger. "Women are the gifts we men never deserved. Before we are even born, you put us first, and when we are lucky enough to find our mate, you bring joy and wonder into our lives."
She smiled at the memory before looking out the window. "I will always hold you in my heart. I also know, deep down, that you brought Liam and his sons into my life. Please help guide me to our children."
Feeling like a weight had been lifted from her chest, she raised from the bed and quickly got dressed.
When she stepped into the living room, both Talon and Dominic where already up and dressed. Before she could greet them, Madison opened the door and smiled shyly. "Good morning."
Emily gave her a once over, marveling at how a day away from that place had already changed her. She stood taller, and the bruises had faded. She observed Madison still had some issues with her ribs based on how she kept one arm wrapped around herself most the time, but the fact that she was standing straighter told Emily the pain had started to subside. "I hope everyone got a good night’s rest. Today is going to be a long day," Emily warned.
She glanced up to see Talon and Dominic studying her neck intensely, making her cheeks heat up. Dominic had a very smug smile on his face, and Talon grinned from ear to ear.
"I don’t think we slept as good as you did, but well enough," Dominic teased before giving her a kiss on the cheek and heading out the front door.
Talon said, "I was out there earlier. One of the Jeeps started fine, but we’re going to siphon gas from the other to make sure we have a full tank."
Emily nodded. "Good idea. Are you guys prepared?"
Madison frowned, clasping her hands together. "Are you sure they’ll believe us?"
Emily took her hand in hers. "They will."
After eating the Pop-Tarts they found in one of the cabinets, Talon did a quick once over. "We need to make sure we restock this place once everything is done."
Emily rolled up the sleeping bags in her room, and the others did the same. They couldn't do anything about the stuff they were taking just yet, but they wanted to make sure they left it clean.
The Forest Rangers had fully stocked this cabin. There were cases of water and some packs of jerky, and they grabbed them and took them outside to divide between the groups. Liam was busy preparing what he could. Worry was clear to see on his face. Emily couldn't fault him. As much as she was ready for what was going to happen, she found herself still nervous.
She placed her hand on his back and stood next to him. "Are you ready?"
His muscles relaxed under her hand. "As much as one can be when getting ready to fight some witches while waiting on wolves."
A glance at Madison, and she noticed the way the girl looked down and fidgeted. “Madison, I want you to know you have a place with us for as long as you want. We would love for you to be part of our little pack."
Madison looked at the men, and she asked, "Are you wolves too?"
Liam grinned while his sons chuckled. "No, we shift into bears."
Madison's eyes couldn't get any larger, and the color drained from her face. "Bears."
Before Emily could try to reassure her, Dominic spoke up, keeping his voice calm and level. "We would never hurt you, Madison. Please remember that."
Madison gave a short nod, and when Talon offered her a bottle of water and a piece of jerky, she tentatively took it.
"Okay, you guys load up in the Jeep and start heading up that trail along the river," Liam said as he grabbed a few waters.
"I’ll sit in the back with Hunter. Hopefully, he stays asleep while we deal with the witches," Dominic said.
Liam clapped his hand on Dominic’s back, and Emily added, "I think it might be best if we put something in your ears, so they won’t be able to enchant you."
Dominic agreed, and Emily looked at Madison. "That goes for you, as well. Make sure you tell the wolves to wear ear plugs if they are not mated.”
Liam helped Madison into the passenger seat while Emily spoke to Talon. "Tell my children that whatever happens I love them, and I did everything I could to keep my promise."
“You guys just stay safe. We’ll get to them in time.” Talon surprised her with a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I'm sorry about how you two met, but you are a member of my family. Keep yourself safe, and don’t let my father do anything stupid." With that, Talon jumped in the Jeep and winked at her.
Emily blushed. Her family had gotten a lot larger practically overnight. Mating was a stronger bond than any marriage. When Liam came around, he raised an eyebrow, looking between Talon and her. Her heart raced. This big man...big bear was all hers. "Come. It does no good for us to split apart if we don't keep the witches distracted."
They did a quick check on Hunter before getting into the truck. His breathing was so heavy you could hear it outside the trailer door. Emily approached Hunter and placed the back of her hand against his cheek. His skin was grayish in color and clammy to the touch. They needed to get him to the witch quickly.
"He doesn’t look good," Dominic said as he entered the trailer and touched his brother’s cheek. "He's burning up."
"Keep him covered with the sleeping bag. Tear pieces of his shirt, and make little earplugs for you both. We need to make sure he doesn’t hear the witches either," Emily said just before the back door was closed.
She walked around to the passenger side and got in. There was no hiding Liam’s concern for his son as he got in and started the truck. Moving over on the bench seat, she clicked her seat belt in and put her hand on his thigh.
"I can't lose either of you," Liam said through clenched teeth as he drove them away from the cabin.
"You won't," she said with more confidence than she felt. The future was now muddled. She could not hold onto a thread fast enough to see what was to come.
She had seen her grandchildren and knew she was going to be there, but she never saw this. They drove in silence, and it didn’t take them long to get back on the main road. The mountains in front of them would have been a beautiful sight if it weren’t for the black storm clouds moving in their direction, determined to stop her from getting to her destination.
The clouds seemed to get thicker and darker. If she didn't know the evil that came with them, Emily would be awed by the lightning racing throughout.
When the rain finally hit the truck, it came down like a solid sheet, making her jump. Liam turned the wipers on high and slowed down. The last thing they needed was to get in an accident before things got rough.
When he started to round a bend, Emily felt the push back of the witches. She put her hand on his thigh. "Speed up. Don't stop."
"Don't stop?" Liam asked, his voice almost a squeak as he pushed on the gas. At the end of the curve, two witches stood before him, their hands up to the sky.
"Don't stop," Emily said, leaning forward.
The witches didn't even look at them until they were s
o close, Emily could actually read their lips. With a snarl, both witches lowered their hands as if they were going to strike the truck. When they realized he was speeding up, they let out frustrated screams before jumping out of the way.
Almost immediately, the rain stopped, and the clouds began to break. Liam leaned forward in his seat, looking up at the sky. "Is that it?"
Emily’s skin began to tingle. In the distance, Aura was waiting for them. Emily shook her head. "That was just the beginning."
Liam’s hold on the steering wheel tightened as he shifted in his seat. "How do you think the other two are doing?"
"I can't see them, which means they at least made it past where I’m being blocked." Emily didn’t think she sounded hopeful, but he would know if she was lying.
After a few miles, Liam chuckled, and Emily frowned. "I don’t know what you think is so funny, Liam."
He tried to look serious, but the sparkle in his eyes betrayed him. "I was thinking if someone brings your mate into your life, you typically thank them, and they have a very special place in your life. This time, I just want to run them over. Normally, that feeling would have taken years to develop."
She smiled and shook her head. "No need to thank them for their part in bringing us together. If you get close enough, please run them over."
Chuckling again, he squeezed her hand. "Yes, ma'am."
Emily tensed as a dark energy closed in. Soon, they would come face to face with Aura. Her voice barely a whisper, she said, "She's close."
Liam stepped on the gas, and when the road opened up, Aura was standing in the middle with rows of witches behind her.
None of them moved, and Liam pressed down harder on the gas. As they got closer, Emily narrowed her eyes and shouted, "Liam, stop!"
He slammed on the brakes, and she lunged forward in her seat, the belt keeping her from flying into the dashboard as the sound of wheels skidding on pavement made her flinch. Before they could come to a complete stop, the front end smashed into an invisible wall. The trailer kept going forward and smacked into the truck, causing another whiplash effect.
Like a pinball, the truck bounced off the invisible barrier. When the trailer hit them, it tried to roll. The roll caused it to unhitch and land on its side, firmly planted at the back of the truck. The barrier stayed up, keeping the truck pinned between an invisible force and the trailer. Emily winced as she looked at Liam. "You okay?"
Liam had a small cut over his eye from hitting the steering wheel, but he nodded. "Yeah. You?"
Emily nodded and undid her seatbelt. The bruise left by the restraint hurt so badly that she wondered if it would be permanently imprinted on her chest. Every part of her body ached as she slowly followed Liam out of the truck.
He helped her out, and she looked at the trailer. Liam growled, "Fuck! We need to get them out of there."
Emily took a step forward and almost stumbled, her head dizzy from the crash. When Liam turned to help her, she shook her head. "Go get them out of the trailer. I'll be right behind you."
He nodded and ran around the trailer. The mating bond with Liam increased her healing and magic strength, but that didn’t mean things didn’t hurt. When she felt strong enough to stand on her own, she took a shaky step and was glad when the world stayed straight. Before she could take another, a familiar voice called to her.
"You can save both your new mate and his children, Emily. You don't have to watch another man you care about die in front of you."
Emily turned and moved toward the barrier. Most of the women who were lined up behind Aura where vessels—women who had volunteered to have their power drained by other witches. Women who had been tricked into thinking that one day, their sacrifice would make them a witch.
Aura took a step forward, her hair blowing in the wind, her red lips curved in a triumphant smirk. There were sparks flying off her and several of the other witches as they drained power from the vessels. Emily put her hand on the barrier, and she felt it pop like a bubble. "So sure of yourself, aren’t you, Aura?"
"I just thought I would give you a chance to prove you are as kind as everyone believes. Your life for theirs," Aura said, the smirk still on her face.
"Your spell has already almost killed his youngest," Emily pointed out.
Aura’s dark red lips pursed. "The bear has two more sons. How much do you think he will love you if he finds out you are the reason they will all die? I will kill his sons first. In his grief and hatred, he might just kill you himself."
Heat tightened in Emily’s chest. "Do you give me your word that if I cross this barrier right now, you will not harm them?"
"I only want you. Once we are away, I will make sure they never find us again, and thus, I will have no more reason to harm them."
Emily looked behind her, the voices of Liam and Dominic drawing her attention. Whatever they were doing, she hoped they would be done soon. She just had to keep them safe a little bit longer. With the knowledge of how wards work, Emily took a step, breaking the plane and straddling the border. "I know the moment you have me, you’ll kill me."
Aura’s laugh was chilling as she tilted her head. "Well, we can't have you using your ability to stop us."
Emily raised an eyebrow. They were up to something, but they kept her weak enough, she couldn't see past the barriers they kept up. The only thing she knew was since the earth witches had been found, they had been in a frenzy. "How does it feel to be so close to five witches who will be stronger than any of you will ever be?"
"They will never be as strong as I am," Aura said through gritted teeth, her hands fisted at her sides.
Emily threw back her head and laughed, adding to the witch’s fury. Liam and Dominic were moving quietly on the other side of the truck. She just had to keep the ward down long enough for them to cross over with her.
With two low growls, Liam and Dominic ran from around the truck and crossed over. Emily did the same. Liam and Dominic charged straight for Aura. Because of Aura’s magic, they wouldn’t be able to get close, but Emily hoped they would provide enough of a distraction as she took off running.
When Aura’s hand came up, so did the hands of the women in the first row behind her. They pointed at Liam just before an invisible blast hit him, throwing him into the barrier behind them. Dominic let out a war cry that echoed in the forest around them.
The witches directly behind Aura started chanting, and Dominic let out a cry as he put his hands over his ears and went to his knees. Emily was almost close enough to reach Aura when the witch turned and faced her. Aura’s eyes locked with hers and narrowed. Her hand shot out, holding Emily in place. "You think you are so clever. You just got them both killed, and I will make you watch."
The spell tightened around her, making it hard to breathe. "You held me prisoner for years, using my blood to strengthen your powers. What do you think will happen to you and your little coven when you quit tapping into your power source? You will fade away, and no one will ever know your name."
When Aura’s hand tightened by her side, Emily felt the magic wrap tighter around her, like a boa constrictor squeezing the life from its prey. She gasped for breath.
Aura hissed, "No, when you are dead, I will make everyone you ever loved pay, starting with these bears..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of wolves howling filled the air. One of the witches behind Aura flew backward as a dark wolf jumped on her. Five more sprung out of the woods, all attacking the witches.
One by one, the witches were forced to fight the wolves attacking them. The barrier around them cracked until, with a flash of blinding light, it disappeared.
Out of the corner of Emily’s eye, a flash of movement drew her attention. Liam ran past her and tackled the distracted Aura, who had turned fully around and was trying to use her magic to attack the wolves already inside the barrier.
Once Liam made contact with Aura, the spell holding Emily in place was broken. Emily dropped to her knees as she tried
to catch her breath. As Liam and Aura fought, Emily looked around to see Dominic still being held in place, struggling to breathe.
Liam saw red as he swung at the witch who had dared to hurt his son and hold Emily captive. Each time his hand connected, he felt some kind of wave of power from whatever protective spell she’d put on herself. When his hand connected with her jaw, it was like a backlash where he got hit with the same punch. He backed away.
Aura smirked. “Do you really think your brute strength is enough to beat someone like me? Even now, your son is on the edge of death. The only question is do you live long enough to watch me kill your new mate, or do I spare you that pain?”
As she spoke, the witches kept dropping as more and more wolves appeared. Hoping whatever protective barrier she had had fallen too, Liam lunged forward, and this time, his punch was not answered by a force he couldn’t see, and her head swung back. She cried out, and with one quick motion, he grabbed at her head and felt no remorse as he broke her neck and dropped her limp body to the ground.
During Liam’s battle with Aura, Emily got to her feet and as quickly as she could approached the raven-haired witch. Raising her arm, Emily yelled as she brought it down hard, landing on the girl’s elbow, forcing her to break her hold as she cried out in pain.
The moment her hold was released, Dominic growled, his eyes never leaving the witch as he struggled to catch his breath. Keeping the witch distracted, Emily threw a punch, hitting her squarely on the left cheekbone.
The raven-haired witch looked at Emily, and her eyes turned as black as her hair. Black sparks flew off her too as she continued to pull magic from the women behind her. "You will be the reason your family dies," she spat at Emily, a sadistic smirk curving her face.
"You will be dead long before you touch my family," Emily said before swinging her hand in a hook motion and connecting with the other woman’s jaw.
The hit was hard enough to send the girl’s head to the left, but the second Emily’s hand touched her cheek, a shockwave went straight up her arm and exploded in her body. She screamed as she went to her knees.