by Rhea Regale
“Snow’s coming. Micah’s headin’ out to the store to pick up a stash of food for the next couple days. He’s taking Jordan with him,” Slade said, lowering his voice to a gentle husk.
“Jordan’s sleeping.”
“Not until he’s finished with Micah. Wanna take a ride? Get out of the cabin, and the woods, for a bit?”
Kasa looked up at him, and his heart did a funny little sputter. Damn him to hell, this woman could melt his will with her gaze. Her luscious pink lips twitched, drawing his attention. He wanted to kiss away the doubt that weighed against them. He wanted to tuck her small frame close to his body and shield her from the dangers that hunted her with as much determination as she hunted them.
Letting his guard down would be easy. With this particular wolf, that was dangerous.
“Sure,” she sighed in resignation.
“Great. I’m gonna wash up real quick. If you’re changing, better get to it. Micah’s waiting on your brother. Then we’re off.”
Slade couldn’t shake the unnerved energy that settled around them. The vixen was certainly stewing up something. The vibes ebbed and flowed, a gentle lapping of electric currents that caressed his spirit more than alerted it. He’d just have to keep a close eye on her until they took care of the Dark Moon problem.
That, too, nagged at him. He and Micah went to great lengths to obscure their scents while masking Kasa’s all together. Still, something whispered of a lurking threat. As crisp and cold as it was outside, a dense heaviness hovered in the air, pressing down around him.
He eyed the plate of eggs and snatched up a piece of greasy bacon. The bedroom door clicked shut, signaling that Kasa was indeed getting changed. Good. He wasn’t about to leave her here to mull about the forest on her own. Spirits only knew what trouble she’d find herself in. Or, what he’d be pulling her out of.
“Bro, coming?” Micah asked. Slade finished the piece of bacon and went into the bathroom. He splashed his face with cold water, washing away desires from his mind and instantly easing the pressure in his cock. Kasa had a dueling effect on him. He thoroughly enjoyed her spunk and fire, but her stubborn streak to remain independent hardened his resolve. He might end up having to leave that to Micah’s skill to handle.
“We’ll be out in a minute. She’s getting changed.” An exasperated groan filled his head and he chuckled. “And it’s not for the reasons you’re thinking. Nice try.”
“Well, your dick hasn’t been at rest for some time now. I can imagine you impaling her any chance you get.”
“Nah. Not this morning. She went all stubborn white on me.”
“If she’s anything like her brother, we’re gonna have our hands full with this one.” Micah’s quiet laughter echoed along their link. “Should bar the windows and doors.”
“Hell no. I’d much rather keep her bed-bound.”
“Hear you on that.”
* * * *
The sharp clap of footsteps echoed down the cavernous passageway, accompanied by harsh whispers and hushed demands. Eva ran her hand over the bloodied silver barbs at the end of the whip and cocked her head. The pathetic specimen dangling by iron shackles in front of her whimpered and moaned, distorting the quiet conversation quickly approaching the room.
“Shut up, pup,” Eva warned, snapping the whip against the stone floor. The deafening crack silenced her victim long enough for her to catch a crucial snip of the conversation. A small grin tugged at her mouth. With energy renewed, she stepped back, raised the whip, and slashed it across the were’s bared and tattered back. The man howled, his agony music to her ears. Fresh blood poured from deep gouges in his ruined flesh and filled her nostrils with the sweet scent of power. Ahh, yes. She loved the sound of a man’s weakness, the moment she knew she had complete control over him. Her breasts grew heavy and her nipples hardened against the light fabric of her sheath. Her pussy throbbed.
Sadistic bitch or not, she was turned on to high heat and wanted more. This was her pleasure. The moment she broke the man and had him at her mercy.
The footsteps faded down a separate tunnel. She hung the whip on a hook, taking only a short moment to enjoy the sight of blood dripping in thick swollen drops from the sharp barbs. The splattering over the floor mixed with the silent cries of the man hanging by his wrists. Her time was short. She had priorities to see to.
But first…
Eva rounded the man and took a seat in a wooden chair directly in front of him. His flesh had grayed from her torture, but his eyes were red, and wet, and oh so promising.
“Look at me, dog,” she cooed. The man’s head dropped, his matted hair falling over his forehead. Eva shifted on the edge of the chair, the slight friction to her clit sending a powerful need through her body. She leaned forward and traced the top of his limp dick with one long nail.
“I don’t think you heard me.” Eva slid her fingers around him and slowly began to squeeze. “I said, look at me.”
His knees trembled with the mounting pressure she applied to his precious package. His head whipped up and his eyes—dim, hopeless eyes—caught hers. She smiled and sat back, stretching herself over the chair in the most seductive way possible.
“Better. When I tell you to do something, you will obey me. Otherwise, I’ll see to it you do not remember your own name from the pain you feel. For the moment, I’ve decided to be gracious. You’ve been pleasured by my men, but deprived of a woman.” She reached up to the lever next to her and eased the tension in the chains. The man dropped to his knees, his head falling against her thigh. “Look at this. Eager to please me. How wonderful.”
The lock on the door clicked. Eva growled and shoved the man off her. He crumpled to the blood-stained stone floor, sobbing quietly.
Lilia slid into the room. She shut the door, turned, and leaned back against the warped wood. Her eyes glowed and her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
“This had better be good. I’m still infuriated that you went off after I told you not to,” Eva sneered. She locked the lever and climbed to her feet, eyes narrowing on her sister. “Where the fuck have you been?”
“On a hunt.”
“Only a fool would believe that simple answer. I’m no fool, Lilia.” She stalked over to her sister and shoved her into the door. Lilia snarled, baring her sharp fangs. “Don’t get wolfish with me, or you’ll end up in a chamber until you learn how to obey orders.”
“I’m your sister, Eva. I’m not a fucking science experiment. Just remember you wouldn’t be here without my help. You won’t get far without it, either,” Lilia countered. She straightened off the door and faced Eva. “I went on a hunt for the white. Guess what? I found her. And her brother. And her mates. I found them all.”
For a moment, the room disappeared. Her arousal died, and the world ceased to exist. Had she heard Lilia right? How could her little runt sister have hunted down that elusive white and her legendary brother in a night, when they’d been hunting them since Laela sent notice that the whites survived?
“Shocked, are you? Thought me insolent and foolish and too weak to pull my own weight? Well, sister. Surprise. I know where they are and I’ve already set up a pack to attack at nightfall,” Lilia said. Eva shook the haze from her mind in time to see the victorious smile fade from her sister’s mouth. A sinister glow flared in her eyes, and Eva leaned closer to her. “But, I’m not bringing in the white. I’ll let her come to us.”
“And how do you think you’ll do that?”
A chill swept down her spine. Her sister’s dark intentions pulsed against her spirit. Her wolf reared with excitement.
“Because,” Lilia began. She tipped her head and pressed her mouth to Eva’s ear. “I have the perfect plan.”
Chapter Seven
Slade kept a close eye on Micah and Jordan. The two males were skating along a ridge of forced civility that could crumble at any moment. He didn’t care to tear two head-butting alphas off each other at every turn in the road, especially when he had t
o remain acutely attentive to the mastermind sitting next to him like a bounty of erotic temptation.
Well, he succeeded until they reached the motel. Kasa jumped from the cab and sprinted down the walkway. A room door opened and a tall, slender woman leaped in front of his white. The two women embraced tightly, and for the first time since Slade entered Kasa’s home, a sense of calm and comfort settled over her. His wolf eased, curling up within his spirit to rest until their departure. He drank in the moment, hoping one day Kasa would find that same carefree attitude with him and Micah.
“This way,” Jordan grumbled. His icy amber gaze lingered on Micah before he climbed out of the truck next to Slade. Without a glance toward him, Jordan headed down the walkway and stopped one door before Kasa. Micah rounded the front of the truck and grunted, a scowl straining his lips.
Slade chuckled and knocked his brother in the shoulder. “Easy, man. That’s our future brother-in-law.”
“Not if I skin his hide first,” Micah growled.
“You two passing private conversation on the way over?” Slade took after Jordan as a brawny man greeted him at the door. The two men exchanged a quick clap on the shoulder before Jordan turned back to them. He arched a brow and planted his fists against his hips.
“I don’t have all day to wait for you two,” he called. A deep growl reverberated in Micah’s chest. Slade shrugged and picked up the pace.
“Remember, this is our opportunity to do some damage after what that pack did to our sister,” Slade said. The brief glance he tossed his brother assured him he hit home. Micah’s hardened features smoothed, if only a little. The deadly glint in his eyes dimmed. Even his wolf came to pause along his spirit for the second time since Reiny’s murder.
The first was last night, when he held Kasa in his arms. Slade didn’t want to take that moment away from Micah, knowing the pain and guilt he suffered daily.
As they approached Jordan, Slade inhaled the scent of the stranger. The mixture of woodsy spice and cotton sheets filled him, but he instantly recalled the man from the night before. This one had engaged Micah. Another sniff. His attacker was lingering in the shadowed room before them.
“Luke, meet Slade and Micah Castrove,” Jordan introduced. The feral snarl that added a dangerous husk to his tone merely brought a smile to Slade’s mouth. Damn, this man was as hard-willed as his brother.
“The two dogs that had your sister beneath them?” Luke smirked. Slade didn’t miss the flash of sharpened teeth behind Luke’s loosely closed lips. He ignored the insult, but Micah tensed. Luke glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, Nicco. We’ve got pups at our door.”
Slade barely had time to react before his brother lunged for Luke. He grabbed Micah by the shoulders and shoved him into the wall.
“Quit it, brother. Now isn’t the time,” Slade warned in a hushed tone. Micah’s eyes blazed with rage. His body trembled as he fought to restrain his wolf from coming forth.
“He wants to fight? Let him have at me,” Luke barked from the doorway. Slade shot the man a sharp glance. Jordan held the man in the room, his nails digging into the doorframe as his body absorbed the brunt of Luke’s fight to escape.
“You’ll end up fodder for the insects,” Micah growled.
“Fuck it, enough!” Jordan bellowed. Luke immediately stopped trying to rip through Jordan’s barricade and stepped back, but the fire in his eyes never died. Slade released Micah, who yanked down his jacket and nearly tore it off his shoulders. “Get in the room. All of you.”
“Bite your tongue, bro. Stay in the corner if you must, but don’t give them reason to want our blood. We’re on the same side. Kasa is our priority now. Nothing else matters except for her safety and our ability to do everything to ensure that safety,” Slade reminded. Micah grunted and followed him into the cramped motel room before storming to the far corner. Slade perched himself on the edge of the dresser and arched a brow at Luke. “Bro, I’d think you smarter than a college frat boy looking to pick a fight.”
“I didn’t have an opportunity to show you just what you’ll deal with if you cross this pack,” Luke sneered. His eyes glowed a fierce blue. Slade chuckled, unfazed by his threatening tone. He nodded to a door across the room. From beyond, he could hear the quickened chatter of the women.
“That joins the rooms? Suggest leaving it ajar, especially not knowing whether your scents were detected by the pack last night. Safety first,” Slade said.
“They’re fine.”
“The man’s got a point. Open the door, Luke,” Jordan said. Luke’s shoulders stiffened, but he followed the orders of his leader. Micah slid closer to the door, ignoring the scowl Nicco shot him, and stood ground guarding the women beyond. After one final survey of the men in the room, Slade noted the slight relaxation of Jordan’s shoulders, and smiled inwardly. At last, the man learned to breathe out tension. “Before you go tearing into either Castrove, I’d wisely advise against it. They’re Kasa’s mates. I’d be left tearing into you if you laid a finger on them.”
“Well, that’s comforting to know,” Micah muttered. The ice in his eyes, Slade realized, hadn’t melted in the least. It kept Luke and Nicco on edge, despite their cool fronts.
“These two fools are mates to your sister?” Nicco asked. His dark gaze moved between Slade and his brother before his fist pounded down on the table. He barked out laughter. “You’re kidding, right? They couldn’t defend a squirrel if their lives depended on it!”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Jordan said. Nicco laughed even harder. Luke joined in the rumble. Slade merely smiled, leaving the two pups to draw conclusions from the short interlude last night. If they thought them fools, so be it. They’d learn the hard way if they ever crossed him or Micah on a bad note.
Micah’s eyes rolled up to the water-stained ceiling. He crossed his arms over his chest and angled himself to peer through the open door. Slade leaned to the right. He could barely see the women in the other room, but their conversation, soft as they were, rang through crystal clear. One benefit of being a Castrove. Their family’s blood had a specially enhanced sense of hearing that outdid even the most acute wolf.
“We’re not gonna waste time bantering over strength and skill,” Jordan continued. He shot Slade a sharp look. “We’ll see, in short time, whether they live up to the reputation we know little about. As it is, we’re closing in on the Dark Moon pack and the main artery of their operations. They’re somewhere nearby, most likely strategically hidden in the mountains.”
He tossed a short glance toward the door. Slade instantly felt the telepathic link between Jordan and the rest of them light up. “I’ve warned Kasa she is not to accompany us on any more missions. After the close call last night, her presence is too tempting to these deranged wolves, and I will not sacrifice her safety. She doesn’t see how important her life is to us just being who she is. With that said, I would suggest either Micah or Slade remain with her when we hunt. The other can come along with us.”
Micah turned away from the door. His gaze landed on Slade. Slade recognized the flare of feral desire in his brother, felt the shiver of excitement in his wolf. Micah was the hunter of them both. A savage beast that could easily be colored to life in storybooks. He was the epitome of true wolf, barely tame enough to be considered human. Only one other wolf came close to Micah’s predatory ways, and Coal Demmering couldn’t bare a tooth next to him.
“Micah will go with you. I’ll stay with Kasa.” The quick decision earned him the sole focus of three sets of eyes. Slade shrugged. “I love the hunt, the kill, but I also know how to handle the humane side of a relationship better than my brother. He’d be an asset to your hunt.”
“We work best as a team, but I agree with Jordan. One of us must stay behind with Kasa, and Slade is the better man to do so,” Micah added. He flashed Luke and Nicco a dangerous smile. “I’m sure you can learn a few things from me along the way.”
“All right, Micah. Tamp down the testosterone,” Jordan said. Sl
ade propped his heel on the edge of the dresser and rested back against the mirror. Jordan tugged a hand through his hair before a sigh left his mouth. The man’s exhaustion was taking a toll. If they had any hopes of launching a hunt by nightfall, he’d need rest. “Time’s wasting away. Let’s get to work so I can get some shut-eye.”
* * * *
Kasa continued to bristle even an hour after she overheard Luke and Nicco questioning her mates’ capabilities. She wanted to jump into the room and defend her men, but she realized she didn’t know enough about them to build an argument. Maya was also in the process of passing along the information she learned from Luke about the upcoming hunt. A hunt, she duly noted, her brother had full intentions of leaving her out of.
That she wouldn’t stand for. She would stay by his side, even if it ate at his undercoat and incensed him until he turned red in the eyes. And if either of her mates were heading out in league with her brother, the spirits could bet she’d be right there with them.
Micah guided the truck over the rough terrain of the overgrown road leading to the cabins. The first signs of the approaching snow storm began to show, small wet snowflakes that splattered against the windshield and quickly melted away. Kasa leaned close to her window and peered out into the gray forest. Rocks and trees held the smallest hint of moisture, but the ground held no blanket of white.
By nightfall, they’d be playing on a different ball field. Micah’s dark coat would be a stark contrast against virgin snow. Slade’s gray and white fur would be easy to spot.
Her gaze shifted to Jordan. He would stand out terribly.
The snow was a great advantage for her. Perfect camouflage.
“You okay?”
A warm spark slid down her spine. She tipped her head slightly, enough for Slade’s hot breath to caress her cheek. He looked out her window, the strength of his muscular body pulsating around her.
“Fine. Looking at the first snow.”
“Not much to see.” His dark gaze lowered to hers. The corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish half-grin. “Yet.”