by Aliyah Burke
“You know, I like your bite.”
“Tora, I’ll take my phone back.” The sound of it changing hands before Kraven came back on the line. “Shit, I’ve never seen anyone get under Tora’s skin like this. Much less with a leopard shifter.”
“He’s from the pack we’re allying with. Remember, she spent some time down here last year.”
“I hope negations are sewn up because if he’s important to their alpha, it may go south. Tora looks ready to gut him.”
“Tell her to come up here with you. We need to talk.” He looked and saw Dyana lying in bed and gave the room number.
“Be right there. Tora, Alpha requested us.” The call ended.
Casimir went to his shirt and pulled it on then he padded to the bedroom, stuck his head in, seeing she slumbered, closed the door behind him. Doing his best to ignore the tear tracks on her face but failing miserably.
Why do I keep hurting her?
The knock took his attention—most of it—from the woman sleeping beyond the door.
αβ
“Weren’t you afraid he would find out?” Dyana asked as she scooped some eggs from the buffet onto her plate.
“No,” Shira replied, putting bacon on hers. “I’m extremely confident in how it covers the scent. The only way he’ll know is if we tell him.”
“He won’t hear it from me unless you okay it.” She sprinkled some cheese on her eggs. “Leave me some of that bacon, now.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You are different from last night.”
“I’m just tired of this whole thing. The people trying to kill me, him deciding now that we’re staying married. That somehow I’m worthy of him now because I’m a…well, you know.” She didn’t want to blurt aloud about being a shifter.
“So, you think it’s because the truth is out about that and not because he cares.”
“I know he doesn’t. I’m weak. According to him, weakness is something that can be exploited.”
“Not excusing his behavior but that is the mentality on the rig. You have to be strong, can’t show sign of weakness. I’ve known people tossed over into the frigid water just because someone else saw a glimpse of their weakness. So, I know it’s ingrained into his head. You just have to change his mind.”
“Why do I have to change it? If it’s not something he believes in now, he shouldn’t keep holding onto it.”
“You’re right. He should be the one, but if that’s the case, you need to meet him partway. You’re talking about a man who’s been shown that emotions can make you weak. I don’t think he’s ever going to get on his knees and profess his love for you, but I can see it in his eyes. The way he protects you, keeps you safe.” She put on some flapjacks and covered them with syrup.
“That’s possessiveness.” Dyana thought about the previous night when he took her hand and placed it over his heart along with his accompanying declaration. Okay, so that did get to me. She added some fruit then they headed for the table they’d already claimed.
Talk became lighter as they ate. A thrill ran up her spine and she looked up to see Casimir striding across the room. Jeans that just didn’t hide anything from her imagination, a tight tee, and heavy boots. His hair was in messy disarray but she didn’t care. She wanted to stroke her fingers through it and kiss him.
Damn it! What’s wrong with me? She noticed the way the other women in the place stared at him and it annoyed her.
“Dyana,” Shira snapped. “Stop growling.”
Hell, she’d not even known she had been. Flanking him were two of his lieutenants, Tora and Kraven. But behind them, that sight made her smile. Rainie and her mom. From another part of the room, she noticed Ranger making his way there.
This could be potentially volatile.
Rainie ran by the adults and hurried to her side. She hugged her tight. “How are you doing, Rainie?”
“Fine. I saw you yesterday. I cheered the loudest. Did you hear me?”
She brushed some curls away from her face. “Of course I did.” She glanced up. “Bethany, good to see you again. Tora. Kraven.”
“Dyana,” they said together.
The clatter of a fork had her turning her attention to Shira who had an adorable blush skittering up her cheeks. Kraven?
“I would like y’all to meet my friend and manager, Samhna Cortaine.”
Tora nodded, but didn’t say anything. Kraven reached for her hand and kissed the back of it. “Charmed,” he said, voice deeper than she remembered it being.
When Ranger walked up, the change was in Tora this time. Her posture grew even more rigid until she noticed Dyana looking at her. Then there was nothing, no expression at all.
Through it all, Casimir didn’t say a word to her, just stared. “If y’all will excuse us, we’ve got some strategy to go through.” She kissed Rainie on the cheek. “I’ll come find you after we finish our meeting and we’ll catch up, okay?”
Rainie’s smile banished all weariness. “Okay.” She took her mother’s hand and led her toward the food.
Ranger grabbed a chair, turned it backward and sat on it. Casimir’s expression darkened. “Something you needed?” she asked Casimir.
He glanced around before gripping her chin and kissing her. The potency of his kiss had her forgetting her own name and she leaned into him, needing more. Craving more.
“Morning, wife.”
The flashes of the camera alerted her to his plan. He was backing her into a corner and she didn’t much appreciate it. But she let it go for now, there would be enough questions at the press conference.
“Shouldn’t you be leaving?” Casimir asked Ranger.
“Nope,” he replied, snagging a piece of bacon from Shira’s plate and eating it. “I’m part of the team. I’m in on the meetings.”
He flicked his blue gaze to her where the hardness vanished under the onslaught of raw heat. “I’ll see you later then.” The trio walked away.
The talk remained mundane for the rest of the meal, for she knew, as did the others there, that her husband and his lieutenants were listening in on the conversation.
Crap, I’m actually thinking of him as my husband. Knowledge that pissed her off and it wasn’t any help in calming her down to see the number of women who were giving him blatant invitations with their behavior.
“He’s not interested in anyone else,” Ranger said, without turning from the plate he’d moved from Shira to himself.
“I don’t care,” Dyana protested.
“Right, just like I’m not eating any bacon.” He crunched extra loud.
“Ass.” His grin made her laugh. “You’re just a pain,” she complained.
“Yes, yes I am.” His comment was unrepentant.
“I need to get some practice in before the match. Can you meet me in an hour or so out there? I need to see Rainie for a bit.”
Shira swiped her plate and began eating Dyana’s her bacon. “Sure thing. I’ll be there.”
“Why is it that my food is the one to disappear?” Dyana glanced between the two of them. Neither appeared apologetic.
The eagle shifter shoved her thumb in Ranger’s direction. “He took my bacon and since you’re leaving, I’m taking yours. We’re not done yet so we can keep eating.”
Dyana bared her teeth at her and they both laughed. “Looks who’s embracing her wolf.” Shira’s comment had her nearly snorting out her juice.
This time she flipped them off, keeping it to the two of them since they were in a hotel. They only laughed harder. A few moments later, drink gone, she got up from her chair and made her way to find Rainie.
While she enjoyed her time with Rainie, she was happy to feel the smooth composite of her bow in the palm of her hand. It was just her, Ranger, and Shira.
“After we finish here, Shira, I want to know what that was between you and Kraven.”
“Kraven?”
“The wolf who had you stammering and blushing.”
Her expression went haughty
. “Don’t you have practice?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, plugging her ear buds in and turning on her music. This time was for her. A time to shoot fast. A time to not be in competition, but closer to her grandfather who’d taught her, encouraged her.
When she’d emptied her quiver a number of times and she was happy with her results, she yanked them from the target and closed her eyes. A few deep breaths and she opened them again. Removing her music, she glanced over her shoulder to find not just Shira but also Casimir standing there.
A thrill shot through her. She shifted her eyes to Shira who winked then walked toward the door. “Two hours until check-in.”
“I’ll be there.” Where Ranger’d gone, she hadn’t a clue. When the door shut, leaving her alone with Casimir, she laid her bow into its case. “Something you needed?”
Something inside her clamored for his touch, to submit to his caresses, allow him to take her. She locked it down, ignoring the angry nearly violent response it gave. She shuddered at the pain and took a deep breath. An act which turned out to be a mistake in itself for then she got a nose full of Casimir’s woodsy masculine scent.
“You slipped out this morning.” He flowed toward her. She could see the wolf in him, hovering near the surface, its power in every movement.
Her pussy clenched and she turned her back to him and focused back on the case. This isn’t good. “I’m not here to be your bed bunny, I’ve got a competition to win.” She closed her case and hefted it. Whirling around, she faced him head on, ensuring her expression gave nothing away. “I have work to do.” She marched by him as if every cell in her body didn’t cry out for him, for his touch, his love.
Chapter Fifteen
Casimir stood at the back of the room, pride filling him as he watched his wife handle the press after her win. When she’d first stepped out on the field for the final, he could smell the nervousness on her. Then Ranger and Samhna each took one of her hands—he’d had to control his rage at the leopard touching her—and they’d spoken to one another for a small bit. Upon separation, he’d seen the change in her. Her eyes burned with a feral fire and he got to see her in her zone.
Her accuracy had been deadly, speed incredible. As she accepted the trophy, she’d kissed it and held it up, claiming the victory for her lost family and friends.
He wanted her out of here, but she’d refused to avoid it, telling him it was her job. So, he had his Pack patrolling the room as well, he’d be damned before he lost her. Rainie had anchored herself to Dyana, stars in her eyes to be allowed to hang out with her Alpha and her idol.
The leopard’s scent reached him and he snarled low.
“Rendón says he’s good with the terms you’ve set for the alliance.” Keane—Ranger to his wife—leaned against the wall beside him.
“What’s between you and Dyana?”
“Friendship.”
“You know I have every right to kill you, don’t you?” Casimir didn’t raise his voice.
“Not sure how Dyana would feel about that, but yes, I do know according to our laws you do.” He crossed his arms. “Don’t know if it matters to you but had she known she was married neither of us would have gone down that road.”
“It doesn’t.”
“Wasn’t sure it would, but she’s an honorable woman and wouldn’t ever disgrace her vows.”
“And you?”
“I’d never touch a woman who’s with another.”
His wolf settled at the sincerity in his tone. Didn’t stop the wish to smash him in the face but it was a start.
Casimir took his eyes briefly off Dyana to look at the man beside him. Handsome enough if he thought about it. His Latin heritage obvious, he was surely a hit with the ladies. However, as he followed the leopard’s line of sight it took him to Tora not Dyana.
“Dyana mentioned she has met an eagle shifter. Have you met her?”
“I have.” Eyes moved from Tora to Casimir before landing back on the wolf lieutenant.
“And does her friend Samhna know you’re a shifter?”
“She is aware of that.” He cut his gaze once more to him. “Samhna is a friend, a very good friend. I will hurt your lieutenant if he hurts her.”
“Kraven won’t.”
“See he doesn’t. Excuse me.” Keane walked away. Casimir refused to call him Ranger. He noticed how he stopped to check on the woman named Samhna, kiss her cheek and move along. He sliced his gaze to the left and saw Kraven standing there with one hand in a fist as he watched the exchange.
Casimir made his way to his friend. “He cares about them, doesn’t he?”
“He kisses her again and he’ll be dead.” Kraven’s tone came out wolf and full of aggression. A few shifters around looked at the two of them before putting their focus elsewhere.
“Focus, Kraven.”
His best friend snapped his head to glare at him. “I respect you as my Alpha and my friend but don’t think to get between me and my mate.”
His own wolf rose to the challenge. “And if you ruin this for mine, the fight you’re spoiling for will find you.”
Kraven glared at him then stalked around to another part of the room. Nothing else happened during the party. When it was over though, he went to Dyana’s side, sliding an arm around her. Her entire body stiffened and it killed him because he knew it wasn’t from her undeniable attraction to him or feelings for him.
He dipped his head down and whispered, “May I have a word with you?”
With a smile for those watching, she moved with him to the side. “What?”
“No hoss?”
She blinked and he wished he could go back and do it over. Do it, right.
“I don’t want you going anywhere alone. It doesn’t have to be me at your side, but at least one of my LTs need to be with you.”
“I’m safe here. Plus Ranger is here.”
He flashed fang. “You keep pushing him at me, mate. I don’t like it.”
Her eyes narrowed a fraction. “I don’t care. He’s my friend and I’d wager as good as your LTs. He’s one himself so I’m safe with him.”
He swallowed his anger. “And if your friend is with him. He can’t protect you both.” Okay, so he probably could but he didn’t want her with him.
“Fine. Put Tora with us. I don’t want Kraven.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s going to be Kraven. I have Tora making sure that Rainie is safe.”
Her confusion stamped all over her face and she opened her mouth when her phone rang. She dug for it and answered. The color in her face drained and she stared at him, eyes wide. “It’s for you.”
He took the phone, curious to know who the person was and what they said to place the look of pain on his mate’s face. “Hello?”
“I hear you’ve been looking for me.”
“Who are you?” His wolf had come awake with dangerous alertness.
“Your nephew.”
Ice chilled his blood. “What do you want?”
“That’s obvious, I want my birthright. I want my Pack. I want you to pay for killing my father and banishing my grandmother. Since I can’t kill your father, I’ve taken someone else who means something to you.”
Casimir waited, barely breathing until a new voice came on the line.
“Don’t let him goad you, boy.” Paps.
“Paps,” he muttered. Casimir glanced down at the squeeze of his hand to find Dyana looking up at him.
“Old man’s pretty tough, considering all the torture we’ve put him through.”
The evil laugh had Casimir closing his eyes. “I’m going to rip your fucking throat.”
“No, you’ll give me your Pack and leave.”
“You want my Pack, you have to challenge me.” He opened his eyes to find his Pack near him, the fire raging within him, burned in their eyes as well.
“Consider this your challenge. You have one day to get here. Oh, and he’s not the only one I have. I have some twins here also. When the
old man can’t hold out any longer, I go to work on them.” The call ended.
Dyana reclaimed her phone and slipped her hand back into his. “We’ll get them back.”
He relayed the situation and when he finished, Keane and Samhna were also nearby.
Tora looked around, her expression blank except for the feral blaze in her eyes. “So we go, kill, and reclaim.”
“He’s going to expect that,” Dyana said. “He’s going to be expecting the entire Pack to roll up and fight.”
“He’s right, that’s what we do,” Kraven confirmed.
“Look, I know that but if you all come in from the front, you’re giving him what he wants. Let the two of us go, you find Paps and the kids, get them safe, then come in and kill whomever you want.”
Casimir glanced at her. “And the purpose?”
“He expects your lieutenants to be with you. They typically are nearby, although you can handle yourself, it’s their job to protect you. Coming alone, or rather, with me, is sure to throw him a little.”
“I won’t put you in danger.”
“I’m not asking,” she retorted. “Look, I get it you’re the Alpha but according to you, so am I by being your mate. So this is my fight too.”
“Now you admit to being my mate, what’s changed?”
“The bastard told me how much enjoyment he got out of killing my friends. Before I gave the phone to you.”
Casimir glanced around him, aware how little his lieutenants approved of this idea but knowing it had to be this way. “Find the kids and Paps. We’ll take care of my nephew. Also, checkup north by where Martha and that bitch were banned to, if they’re there, bring them back with you, they’re all in this together. They can all die together.”
“What can I do?”
Casimir looked to Keane. “Kraven will fill you in on the way.” The leopard was offering, he wasn’t going to turn him down. Not when Paps and children were involved. Who knew how many assholes this fucker had working with him. “Let the Pack know not to hurt the cat,” he advised his lieutenants before turning to stare down at Dyana, he tugged her in close. “You’ve admitted you’re my mate.”