Fifth (A Cinco Series Book 1)

by Kit Lane

  By the time we reached Alex’s aunt’s place I was restless, and my wolf was threatening dire things if I didn’t shift and hunt. I wasn’t used to being in my human form for so long.

  We turned into a driveway and Alex stopped the car, turning to study us. “Guys, you need to get dressed. Much as my aunt would love to see naked gorgeous young men turn up on her doorstep, it’s not appropriate.”

  I growled under my breath. I wanted to go wolf, not dress in restrictive human clothing. But Lee and Ronin nodded and picked up their bags. Alex gave me a cool raised eyebrow, and I huffed. “Fine.”

  I shrugged into a T-shirt and sweats. No scaring the old lady. Got it.

  When we were all dressed, Alex drove up to the house, an old British colonial mansion. Just the kind of place a spinster aunt would live in.

  And then I discovered just how wrong I was.

  Ronin stayed with Matt as Alex got out of the car. Lee and I accompanied her to the huge oak-paneled door. The scent of roses hung in the air, although there weren’t any rose bushes near the house.

  A petite woman, her ash-blonde hair in a pixie cut, opened the huge oak-paneled door. She had piercing blue eyes, and a professional expression which faded as she spotted Alex, only to be replaced by an enormous smile which lit up her face. I expected an old woman, but Aunt Ruth couldn’t have been any more than fifty. She reminded me of an actress with the high cheekbones and angular face, but her name eluded me.

  “Alex? Darling, it’s so good to see you. What are you doing here?”

  Aunt Ruth swept Alex into a huge hug. Alex went with a beaming smile, and I realized she was very fond of her aunt. They embraced for a moment and then Alex stepped back.

  “Aunt Ruth, I need… we need your help.”

  The woman glanced past Alex’s shoulder and then she stilled.

  “What are you doing with wolves?”

  She motioned to Alex to get behind her, but Alex stepped back to be flanked by Lee and myself.

  “Aunt Ruth? You know these are wolves?”

  Aunt Ruth curled her lip. “I’d know that stench anywhere.”

  So much for the flirty welcome.

  Alex pushed Lee and me behind her, and I realized she was trying to protect us, which was adorable and futile at the same time. “Aunt Ruth? These are my friends. What is your problem?”

  “She’s Fae.”

  Ronin spoke behind us, his voice ice-cold, but I didn’t turn around. I wasn’t taking my eyes off Aunt Ruth.

  Alex’s expression was devastated. “You’re Fae. You and Mom—?”

  “We come from the same mother.” Aunt Ruth pressed her lips together. “I ask again, what are you doing with wolves?”

  “Hiding from our pack,” Ronin said.

  “Why?”

  Alex shook herself out of her fugue. “Aunt Ruth, I’ve got a lot to tell you, but we have an injured alpha in the car. Please can we use your boathouse to hide and recover?”

  I expected the Fae to tell us never to darken her door, or slay us where we stood, but to my surprise, she stepped back.

  “Bring him in. I have some healing powers. I might be able to help.”

  “I don’t trust her,” Lee said.

  I agreed with Lee, but Ronin focused his attention on Alex. “Do you trust her not to harm us?”

  Alex hesitated, but then she nodded. “She must have known my father was a wolf. We’re probably safer here than out on the road.”

  As if she heard us, Aunt Ruth said, “I don’t hurt anyone who accepts my hospitality. Your Cinco is safe, Alex.”

  Alex gasped. “You know we’re a Cinco?”

  Aunt Ruth sighed. “Oh darling, we’re going to have a long talk very soon. I told your mom she needed to be honest with you.”

  Alex turned to Lee. “Help Ronin get Matt out of the car. Kyle, stay by my side.”

  The implication was obvious to all of us. I was her bodyguard. I stepped closer to her, wishing I was able to shift. I’d have fangs and claws as wolf.

  Ronin brought Matt into the house, through the large oak-paneled hall and into a light drawing room at the back of the house. Aunt Ruth looked conflicted for a moment, then she said, “Lay your alpha on the sofa. I’d suggest the bedroom, but I have a feeling you want him in sight.”

  Alex nodded. If he went into a bedroom, someone would have to stay with him. This way, we could all be together.

  Ronin placed Matt on the wide brown leather sofa. Matt was still a mess of injuries. He would need to shift to fully heal himself.

  “What do you need?” Aunt Ruth asked. My stomach rumbled, and she gave a sharp bark of laughter. “Food first.”

  “And sleep,” Alex added. “We’re all exhausted.”

  There was no way I was closing my eyes while I was under the same roof as a Fae, but I didn’t argue. Eating was more important.

  Aunt Ruth rang a bell and within a minute, a woman even tinier than the Fae appeared, dressed in a plain gray dress and the type of sensible shoes my gran used to wear when she went into the human world. My senses told me she was a wood nymph. She stared at us, her brown eyes wide and suspicious.

  “Kay, I need food for my guests. Meat and plenty of it.”

  Alex frowned. “You’re a vegan.”

  “I’ve catered for wolves before,” Aunt Ruth said dryly.

  Kay vanished with another suspicious glower cast our way. Then Aunt Ruth turned to us.

  “Let’s make it clear where I stand. You wolves are in a safe haven while you’re under my roof. No one will harm you. I doubt you’ll have the same out there. But you are still my enemy. Just so we are clear.”

  I expected Ronin to answer, but Alex did. “Aunt Ruth, I’m still fumbling my way through this. I found out I wasn’t human less than twenty-four hours ago. But these guys—wolves—have protected me and I won’t let anyone hurt them.”

  Aunt Ruth patted Alex’s cheek. “My sweet, naive child. What do you know of the world out there?”

  “Nothing,” Alex admitted with a devastating honesty. “But I know these guys in here.” She pressed her hand over her heart. “And they are honest and true to me as I am to them.”

  Her declaration made me feel guilty. My loyalty had been to Matt, not to Alex.

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I forgive you. One day you’ll pledge to me.”

  She sounded so sure of herself. I wished I had her confidence.

  Chapter 23 - Alex

  While we waited for food, Aunt Ruth asked to examine Matt. I wasn’t sure I wanted her anywhere near one of my Cinco, now I knew she was Fae, but Ronin assured me that Fae had healing powers beyond that of wolves, even a Shaman. I got the feeling he was curious to know more about the Fae.

  She sat next to Matt and asked Ronin questions about how he got so badly hurt. Her hands were gentle on Matt’s broken and battered body, but even that light touch hurt him and he moaned in our heads. I sensed Kyle beside me, desperate to pull the Fae away from his Alpha. I stayed him with a light hand on his.

  “Ronin is watching him,” I assured him. I didn’t want to believe Aunt Ruth would hurt him, not after she promised not to.

  Kyle was still radiating distrust but he stayed by me, a faithful bodyguard.

  Aunt Ruth shook her head. “I’m amazed he’s still alive.”

  “He’s very strong-willed,” Ronin said.

  She nodded. “You tried healing?”

  “Twice. The first time just the three of us and then with Alex.”

  “Was it stronger with the Quinto?” she asked.

  “Much,” Ronin said, “but he is still unconscious.”

  “Not for much longer. He surfaces, but the pain is too much for his human side and he sinks back again into the comforting darkness. He is very strong, though. Other wolves would have succumbed sooner.” Kyle bristled and Aunt Ruth gave him a cool look. “Keep calm, Hunter, it was a compliment on his strength, not a criticism of other wolves.”

  Kyle growled but he calmed w
hen I brushed his arm again.

  “When do you think he’ll wake up?” Ronin asked.

  “I suggest we give him more time. You four eat and sleep, then we’ll try the Primero again, persuade his human it’s okay to wake up.”

  “We haven’t got that long,” I said.

  Another cool stare from Aunt Ruth. “You’ll have as long as you need. No wolf would dare to attack my house.”

  I was shocked. My Aunt Ruth was a badass. Who knew?

  However, from the way they fidgeted my wolves didn’t seem convinced.

  “Do you think the Elders could attack here?” I asked.

  “No.” Ronin was definite. “The wards around the house are very strong. We are safe here.”

  Good. What were wards?

  “What happens when we step out of the house?” Lee asked.

  I took a deep breath. One problem at a time.

  Just then Kay arrived with a tray of food, and all my wolves’ attention snapped to the piles of steaks. I tried to hide my smile as they drooled.

  Aunt Ruth raised a hand. “Dig in, boys.”

  I let them go first. I was hungry, but they had wolves to feed. Even Kyle, who’d been radiating a need to hunt in all likeliness he wasn’t aware of, brightened at the sight of the meat. The three men dove in and moaned as the flavor hit their taste buds. Aunt Ruth had always employed the best chefs.

  She glanced at me. “Aren’t you hungry?”

  On cue, my stomach growled, reminding me I’d barely eaten in twenty-four hours. “I am, but they need it more.”

  Kay returned with another tray and brought it over to me. I smiled. She’d remembered. Lemon sole, with new potatoes and green beans. “Thank you.”

  The wood nymph gave me the briefest of grins and then vanished.

  Aunt Ruth said, “It was your favorite.”

  “It still is.”

  I was touched at her thoughtfulness and wasted no time in clearing the plate. I was almost finished when it occurred to me the mound of food was huge; enough for more than three people. I hadn’t realized just how hungry I was.

  Aunt Ruth raised an eyebrow at me as I finished the last mouthful. “Feeling better?”

  “Much.”

  The boys were still eating; Kay had brought another tray of meat in, and they were chowing this down as quickly as the first.

  “Do they ever stop?” I murmured.

  Aunt Ruth snorted. “They’re apex predators. What do you expect?”

  I didn’t remember my father eating so much, but then he hadn’t been starved and on the run when I’d known him. I wanted to ask Aunt Ruth about him, but I didn’t want to let her know he might be alive. The less information I gave out the better.

  Finally, the wolves fell back and I heard discreet belches. Kay brought in soda and coffee for everyone.

  I had a cup of coffee to my lips when Matt groaned. We all rushed to his side, and I dropped to my knees and took his hand. He was warm, and his face flushed.

  “Do you think he’s got an infection?” I looked at Ronin, but it was Aunt Ruth who answered.

  “No, it’s his shifter metabolism kicking in. This is good news. His body is starting to repair itself.”

  I nodded but I sent a quick message to Ronin. “Do you agree?”

  “Yes. He smells like wolf now and his spirit is stronger.”

  “He’s still not awake, though.”

  It stressed me that my alpha was still unconscious. We were not a Cinco until he was with us again.

  “I know, my Quinto, but he was badly hurt. I don’t know what your aunt did, but she accelerated his healing.”

  “But she just examined him.”

  Ronin chuckled in my head. “I forget how much you have to learn about us.”

  I bristled a little, but he was right. I knew nothing about wolves or Fae. How was I going to be of any use to my Cinco if I was so ignorant?

  “You saved Matt,” Ronin pointed out. “You saved us by coming here. We can teach you about your heritage, but you can teach us how to be a real Cinco.”

  There was a warm feeling in my consciousness and I realized Kyle and Lee were there too with Ronin, and a light touch with Matt.

  We were Cinco.

  Cinco apparently meant Lee could call me every name under the sun. He’d stalked into our bedroom as I sat with Matt and told me it was time I got off my ass and learned to shield because if we left Aunt Ruth’s, I’d put us all in danger. I thought we’d find a room and work, but he dragged me out of the house and found a small glade in the forest to work. Thirty minutes later I understood why. For a quiet self-contained wolf, Lee had no patience with me. Small birds flew up from the branches in alarm as his voice got louder.

  “You’re not trying,” he yelled.

  I clenched my fists in frustration. “I can’t do it.”

  His lip curled. “A small pup can learn to shield.”

  “Bastard!”

  “I heard that.”

  “Good.”

  He threw his hands up. “Not good. You’re supposed to be hiding your thoughts.”

  I took a deep breath and bit back my response. He’d hear them anyway. From the way his lips twitched, he knew what I wanted to say.

  “You can do this, Alex. You saved Matt. You can learn to shield.”

  “I already knew how to drive,” I pointed out.

  “Shielding is just like driving. Once you’ve gotten the basics, it’s automatic.”

  “If you say so.” I wished Ronin was the one teaching me to do this, then I wouldn’t feel like I was under fire.

  I caught Lee’s hurt and angry expression. “You heard that too?” I sighed. “I’m sorry, Lee. I am trying.”

  He gave a curt nod, obviously not mollified by my apology. “This is the reason you need to learn. You can’t broadcast to everyone.”

  I ran my hands through my hair. “Let’s try again.”

  “Close your eyes.”

  I did as he asked. It was warm in the glade, the sun shining on my face. I could feel Lee near me, sense the other wolves in the house, hear the birds singing, smell the scents of the forest. My senses were heightened now.

  “All you have to do is shutter your sense of self,” Lee said.

  But where was my self? My self, not myself. I struggled at the concept. Then I felt it, something, an awareness of a barrier. I reached for the barrier and drew it to me.

  “That’s it,” Lee said. “I can feel it. Think something.”

  “You have nice eyes.” Whoa, where did that come from?

  “Nothing. I can’t hear you.”

  Seriously? I say you have nice eyes and that’s what you miss?

  “You did it. Alex, you did it.”

  I let the barrier go with a sense of relief and opened my eyes.

  Lee had a huge grin on his face. “Shielding 101. I knew you could do it.”

  “That’s not what you were saying five minutes ago.”

  Lee shrugged. “Five minutes ago you weren’t listening to me.”

  I collapsed to the fragrant, grassy ground and rested my head in my hands. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. Is it going to be like this every time?”

  “Remember what I said about driving? It’ll get easier with practice.”

  He sat next to me and I leaned against him. Now I just wanted to fall asleep.

  Chapter 24 - Matt

  It hurt. Everything hurt, from nose to tail. I felt my Cinco near me, but my eyes didn’t want to cooperate, and I fell back into the darkness.

  The next time I roused it hurt less, but I was so tired. I wanted to be awake, to check on my pack, but my damned body still wouldn’t cooperate. I let out a moan of frustration and someone said, “Hush, it’s all right. You’re safe.”

  I frowned because I didn’t know that voice. I struggled to move, but a firm hand pushed me back. I was as weak as a pup. The hand was small, and I realized I was being held down by a woman.

  There was a mental
snort. “Try again, alpha.”

  I sniffed tentatively, the aroma of roses filled my senses. Fae? Where the hell were we?

  “You’re in my home. Alex came to me for help. She didn’t know I was Fae.”

  “Where is my Cinco?” Panic filled me as I tried to work out where I was while I still couldn’t move.

  “They’re sleeping next to you. You’re surrounded by them.”

  I inhaled again and that time, I smelled the unmistakable aromas of my wolves and Alex’s lighter scent. Then one of them snorted and rolled closer to me. Ronin in his wolf form. I would know him from a thousand wolves.

  “They’ve all shifted to sleep on the same bed.”

  “Where is Alex?”

  “She’s on your right. The big black wolf is on your left. The smaller wolves at the top and bottom. They surround their alpha.”

  “But I’m not the alpha.”

  Another snort. Whoever this Fae was, she could express a lot of feeling in one small noise.

  “You’re the alpha, Matthew Ranulf. Make no mistake. They follow you.”

  “But—”

  “Go to sleep, little wolf, everything will be clearer in the morning.”

  I wanted to argue, to get more information, but the thought of sleeping seemed a really good idea, and I sank down into a midnight-dark slumber once again.

  The next time I opened my eyes, it was light. I’d lost track of time. I was in a large bed, larger than a king, presumably where we’d all slept together. I turned my head and saw Alex sitting next to me, reading a book.

  “Hey.” My voice was rusty, as if I hadn’t used it for a while.

  Alex started and turned to me, a broad smile on her face. “You’re awake!”

  She bent down and kissed me, her lips soft and gentle, the smell of coffee on her breath.

  “Wow,” I managed. “I’ll have to get hurt again if this is the response I get to waking up.”

  She flushed and rolled her eyes. “Ass! You’ve been awake thirty seconds and you’re already causing trouble.”

  “You’re the one who woke me with a kiss,” I pointed out.

  The color deepened in her cheeks. “You’re no sleeping beauty, and it’s the last time that happens.”

  “We’ll see.”