“Don’t kill them,” Brooklynn hollered. “It’s not them, it’s her.”
What? Frost wasn’t sure what she meant, but in animal form, he couldn’t question her. Under him, the wolf wiggled, fighting against his hold. Knowing he couldn’t get loose, Frost glanced in Brooklynn’s direction. Through the darkness he spotted Styx deeper in the woods with the woman. No, not just a woman, a witch. His bear clicked the pieces together. She had the wolves under her spell.
“Frost!”
The urgency in Alicia’s voice pulled his attention away from the others. Had someone made it passed them to the SUV? He hadn’t sensed anyone. Before he could look back in her direction, teeth dug into his shoulder bringing his attention back to the wolf under his paw, inches away from his neck.
His bear was ready to tear him to pieces while Frost’s human side reasoned he wasn’t responsible for his actions if he was under the witch’s spell. Still this couldn’t go unpunished. Glaring at the wolf, Frost snarled at him. Being pinned to the ground had only infuriated the wolf, making him desperate to get back into the fight. Instead of backing off, he sank his teeth deeper before pulling back, tearing away skin and fur.
A growl escaped his lips as he sank his claws deeper into the wolf’s side and lowered his head going directly for the throat—a kill shot even for a shifter.
His jaw wrapped around the wolf’s neck, causing him to go still under Frost. Teeth brushed along skin as the air around him buzzed. The man in his clutches shook, howling as his body shrank in on itself, until a naked man lay where the wolf had been seconds before. Blood oozed from the man’s side onto Frost’s white fur.
“Help me…” The man reached up to his neck, grabbing hold of the collar with what appeared to be black stones unlike anything Frost had ever seen before. “I’ve got to get it off.”
The stiff black leather with large ebony stones that seemed to shine, even though there was no light, hadn’t been there moments before. There had been black fur, Frost was sure of it, as his mouth had been wrapped around the man’s neck ready to end his life.
“Please…”
Frost’s gaze locked onto the man’s, hoping to convey his movements were out of request, and brought his paw up to the thick leather. Hooking a nail underneath, he tugged, cutting through the material like butter. The material fell away revealing red, blistery burns.
“Thank you.” The man tugged the collar away and tossed it out into the woods. “So long…”
“I think it’s safe now to let them up.” Styx strolled toward the group, the witch’s silver and black necklace dangling from his fingers.
“I didn’t think shifters could be bespelled by a witch’s magick.” Brooklynn leaned back against the tree, her gaze still on the other wolf who had also shifted back to human form.
“Only the weakest of us can fall victim, and it’s so rare most believe it’s superstition.” Styx explained. “Once she bespelled them, I suspect she knew she couldn’t keep them under control long term. Hence this.” He held up the necklace.
“Mate…” The wolf in front of Brooklynn rolled to his side, coughing.
“She’s your mate?” Carran stepped closer to Brooklynn.
“No. She had my mate. That’s how she imprisoned me in that fucking collar.” He dragged his hand through his shaggy hair and glanced up at them. “I’m Titan, and I’m forever in your debt.”
With the immediate threat over, Frost forced his bear deep within him, allowing himself to shift back into his human form. Stepping to the side of the male on the ground he glanced over at Titan. “What did she want with Alicia?”
“Loose end.” Titan clutched his side where he was bleeding. “She was here with Lou when he found her altar. Roxanne was unsure how much Alicia knew and killing her would end this. The man who met them at the hotel was supposed to kill both of them. It wasn’t until a little while ago she learned Alicia was alive.”
“She killed Lou because of the altar?” Alicia limped toward them. “He stumbled upon it months ago. Why would she think either of us would cause problems now? You’re lying. None of this makes sense.”
“The meeting today was an exchange. He was selling her the property in exchange for your life and to keep his past quiet. It didn’t matter you’d both have been dead before you left town. Why else do you think Lou was directed to bring you to the meeting?” the man in front of Frost mumbled.
“What?” Frost squatted down and wrapped his hand around the wolf’s neck.
“Lorcan’s man wouldn’t leave witnesses. They never do,” Titan explained. “Alvin and I have nothing to do with that. Roxanne’s control wouldn’t allow us to be that far from her, and she never leaves the area. Her powers dwindle the further she’s away from the ley line. That’s why she had to call in help.”
“Frost…” Alicia neared him. “What if they’re telling the truth? You can’t…until we know.”
“We know.” Letting go of Alvin, he stepped back, blocking the other man’s view of Alicia.
“What do you mean we know?”
“Shifters know when someone is lying. We can taste a lie and smell it.” Keeping Alvin in his view, he turned toward her.
“What secret from his past?” Brooklyn inquired.
“I don’t know, she never told us anything. We were kept in the soundproof basement,” Titan explained.
“Sugar, you should go back to the SUV,” Frost urged, needing her somewhere safe instead of out in the open.
“What’s going to happen to them now? They attacked you, but their freewill had been taken.” Alicia’s hand brushed along Frost’s arm. “What about Roxanne? Is she…I mean I don’t see her.”
“She’s bound to a tree further in the woods. Injured but alive,” Styx answered, his attention on Titan. “After I realized what was happening to you, I figured you’d prefer to deal with her.”
“Very much so,” Titan’s voice deepened, his wolf lingering near the surface. “If you allow us the opportunity to revenge what she’s done to us, I assure you she won’t be a problem for anyone again.”
“What about your mate?” Alicia’s voice was low, as if she was concerned about his reaction.
“She’s alive if that’s what you mean.” Titan turned to her. “She suffered a great deal from this. While not physically as I had, the bond linking us tortured her more than Roxanne ever could. My mate is human, otherwise she’d have been locked in her animal form like Alvin and I.”
“Deal with the witch,” Styx ordered. “Though with the connection she has to Lorcan’s clan, you need to watch your back.”
“How long have you been prisoners?” Carran asked.
“Eight and a half long months,” Alvin answered. “The three of us were traveling through the area when she captured us.”
“No pack then?” When Alvin shook his head, Carran continued, “We’re with the Alaskan Tigers. Once this is handled, if you need a safe place, get in contact with us. Ask for Carran, Styx, or Brooklynn. We’ll make sure you have a safe place to stay. It might be with a tiger clan, but it’s safer than being out on your own. Lorcan’s going to be gunning for you.”
Titan rose off the ground and held out his hand to Styx. “Thank you.”
Taking hold of the man’s hand Styx nodded. “No thanks needed. Take care of her and get back to your mate.”
Still on the ground, Alvin looked up at Frost. “You need to claim your mate before he sends more after her.”
A growl escaped Frost’s throat before he could pull his bear under control.
“Sorry man.” Alvin held up his hands. “No disrespect intended.”
“You might not want to hear it, but he’s right.” Titan agreed.
Frost knew they were right, but he wasn’t going to force Alicia to accept him or this mating. She needed time to adjust, time to understand the world she was thrust into, and he needed to get adjusted to his new life in Alaska.
I can’t believe how many changes the last twenty-fo
ur hours has led to. What if it’s too much for Evie? What about Alicia? Can she accept all of this?
Chapter Seven
Standing near the SUV, uneasiness crept into Frost’s muscles as he watched the two wolves disappear. He wanted to believe Titan and Alvin could deal with Roxanne, but with his mate’s life on the line, he wanted to be certain. The only way to do that was to handle the situation himself. Kill her before she has a chance to come after what’s mine.
“Frost.” Alicia’s soft voice pulled his attention away from the wolves. “I, um…found this in the SUV.”
In her hand she held a thin blanket he’d tossed in before leaving the airstrip in case she was in shock when they found her. He stared down at it, unsure why she was offering it to him.
“I thought…I mean…you’re naked, and it’s chilly. I wasn’t sure if it affected you or not.”
“Thank you.” Knowing she’d be more comfortable if he was covered, he took the blanket from her, unfolded it, and wrapped it around his waist. “You okay?”
“Okay?” She let out a light chuckle as she leaned back against the SUV. “I’m not sure that’s the best word, but I’m not about to fall apart if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m concerned about you.” Shifting to face her he leaned closer and ran his finger along her arm. “I know you’re in pain.”
“I’ll live.”
“I don’t doubt that, sugar.” Her body vibrated under his touch, making him want to pull her close. “Let’s get you in the SUV and turn on the heat.”
“In a minute. You said before you know when someone is lying. How? I don’t understand.”
“A lie leaves a coppery taste on our tongue, almost like the taste of blood when you bite your cheek, but stronger. We can also smell the stench of it. Some of it is from a person’s fear of being caught. A pathological liar wouldn’t have that same stench, but we’d always be able to taste it.” He stepped closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders drawing her against him. “Human mates gain this ability through the mating connection as well.”
“That’s how you know he’s going to deal with Roxanne, isn’t it?” She tipped her head back to look up at him.
“That’s their intention.” Voicing his concerns would only add to her worries and for no reason. He’d protect her no matter what the future held. She could reject their mating bond, and he’d still make sure she was safe.
As the others strolled toward them, Brooklynn tossed the keys to Styx. “You drive. I’ll take the third seat in case we run into more company. Frost, we’re ten minutes from the plane, if her leg can wait then wait, otherwise see what you can do.”
“It’s fine,” Alicia defended.
“With you on your leg again, you’re bleeding more.” Frost opened the door and nodded for her to get in. “I don’t want to be in the middle of tending to your wound if we run into trouble. The bandage will hold until we get you on board.”
“You said I needed stitches. Shouldn’t we go to a hospital or something?”
“Hospitals ask too many questions. Frost is trained as a medic, and I’m sure he’s got something in his bag for the pain while he sews you up.” Brooklynn explained, slipping past her and climbing into the last row. “His medic training is another reason why he’s perfect for my team.”
“You just want someone around who can patch you up if you get injured,” Frost teased.
“I thought shifters healed quicker. I remember Lou was in a car accident a few years ago. He broke his arm, but within forty-eight hours, he was healed.”
“We do.” Frost joined them in the SUV and shut the door. “Brooklynn is human. Mating to Carran gave her some of those abilities, but it still takes her longer than a shifter. Maybe a week for a broken arm instead of two days.”
“Don’t forget an angry mate ready to tear apart whoever hurt her, might slow down the healing.” Settled into the passenger seat, Carran closed the door.
“Oh, I never thought…” Without meeting his gaze, she scooted across the back seat, giving Frost more room.
“Thought we could mate with humans?” Carran finished for her. “We even mate outside of our species. Once we’re in Alaska you’ll meet Kallie, she’s a white tigress mated to Taber and his twin Thorben, they’re Kodiak bears.”
“Taber’s brother Tad is mated with Courtney, a human, and Milo, a Bengal tiger.” Brooklynn added. “That mating was a surprise to me, but it works for them. They get along fabulously. For me, Carran is more than enough. I don’t think I could put up with two men and their possessive streaks.”
“Now that I think about it, I heard Titan mention his mate was human, but it didn’t register at the time.” She shook her head before looking up at Styx. “How about you, Styx? Do you have two or maybe three women waiting for you back in Alaska?”
“No thank you.” He let out a light chuckle as he cranked the engine. “My Catnip, Mira, is more than I can handle.” He shot her a glance as he pulled the SUV onto the road.
“What about you?” Alicia’s voice was low as she turned toward Frost. “The woman waiting on the plane. Is she your only mate?”
“Sugar…” He placed his hand over hers, intertwining their fingers. “The female in question is thirteen, and she’s not my mate. She’s my sister.”
His mate was right in front of him but coming clean with an audience didn’t suit him. He was a private person. Styx, Carran and possibly even Brooklynn no doubt already knew from the change in his beast, and the scent in the air, but he wasn’t ready to publicize it yet. Soon. First, he needed to convince her to trust him. Then make sure Evie was okay with it. Only then would he tell the world.
Chapter Eight
Alicia couldn’t believe a man like Frost wasn’t already mated. He was sweet, protective, and hot. Any woman would no doubt be interested in him. What was he hiding? Was there some dark secret she didn’t know about? Did he have a hidden side making him unbearable to be around? She couldn’t picture any of those being true. The sweet caresses they shared made her long for more. What’s the point? He’s a shifter, they mate, they don’t look for anyone temporarily. He’s not interested in me.
“Alicia, you were telling us about a woman. I’m assuming that’s Roxanne.”
Styx’s words pulled her from her thoughts, forcing her back to the situation at hand. “Uh…yeah…she lives up the road.” She leaned back against the seat, gathering her thoughts on Roxanne Sullivan. How was she supposed to describe a woman who had instilled fear in her from the moment she stepped into the office? There was something off about her, something that Alicia couldn’t describe.
“I guess it’s better to start at the beginning. Hazel Sullivan—Roxanne’s mother—wasn’t only a neighbor to Lou. They were friends, and I think in some ways he considered her a mother figure. She was a sweet older grandmother, and she always kept Lou supplied with food whenever he came up here. When she passed, Lou met the daughter, Roxanne Sullivan. She’s the one who inherited her mother’s property. There was nothing unusual during the estate proceedings, but a few months after she moved in, she started pressuring Lou to sell his land to her. Since he rejected her offer, he’s had issues with her.”
“How did you know it was her magick we felt?” Frost shifted in his seat to look at her.
“When he wouldn’t sell, things got…strange. I guess that’s the best word for it. Strange before becoming dark and deadly.”
“What do you mean?” Frost questioned.
“Lou believed she was into black magick.” Reaching up she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I did, too. Now I guess it’s proven.”
“For the moment, forget about what you saw, and tell us why you believed that.” Styx glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Do you have any proof?”
“She has a reputation for delivering whatever you need. Curses and potions are only the start of it. She can make you see things that aren’t there—hallucinations—and hear voices. She will do th
ings to you that will make you wish you were dead.” Glancing out the window as Styx sped out of the woods, the trees whipped passed her and blurred together. “For as long as I’ve known Lou, he’d spend one long weekend a month at the cabin. Eleven months ago, he mentioned something was different. He said he couldn’t explain it, but it was something he could feel. The land was changing. He tried to shrug it off, but every time he came he said it got stronger.”
“The timeline fits with Titan and Alvin’s enslavement.” Carran glanced over at Styx. “That’s not coincidental.”
“Go on,” Styx encouraged.
“Eight months ago, he was uneasy about coming here, so we came together. That’s when we found it…” Sucking in a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut trying to block out the memories flooding back to her.
“Found what?” Frost’s hand cupped hers, instantly pushing the fear back.
“The altar.” Her body shook uncontrollably, making her uncomfortable. Mentally she cursed herself for being weak. No one else in the vehicle would fall apart over what had happened, yet she couldn’t keep it together.
“It’s okay you’re safe.” Frost slid into the middle of the seat and pulled her against him. “Sugar, everything’s going to be okay.”
“So weak,” she whispered more to herself.
“No, sugar, you’re strong. You made it this far all by yourself. That’s more than a lot of people would have.”
More than anything she wanted to believe him. Instead of arguing she clung to him, allowing his embrace to bring her comfort as she finished telling them what they needed to know. “There’s a ley line running on the far side of his land. That’s where we found it. Fresh blood stained the ground. We called the police, but they didn’t believe us. It was close to Halloween, so they wrote it off as teenagers being kids and the blood was that of an animal. Lou was positive it was human blood. I guess he could smell it. We were packing to leave when there was a knock at the door.”
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