A sharp cry drew her gaze to the sky and a massive bird swooped toward her. “Ian?” Hope and excitement tore through her with painful intensity. The eagle circled then flew parallel with a dirt road, as if to show them the way. She glanced at Dhane. Did he realize they weren’t in this alone? Lights flashed on and off in the distance and tears blurred her vision.
“They’ve got a vehicle down there. Come on!” She had never run so fast in her life. The alarm continued to pulse, threatening to draw reinforcements, so she put her heart and soul into each stride.
Dhane bounded to the truck then circled back, a courtesy that shocked her. Why was Nate Fizroy’s son being so noble to a cat? She couldn’t let his unexpected care distract her. They weren’t out of danger yet.
Ian was zipping up his jeans as she reached the truck. She threw herself into his arms, instinctively knowing he’d catch her. His strong arms wrapped around her body as her composure shattered. Rather than try to calm her down, Ian scooped her up and placed her in the truck then climbed in and settled her on his lap as he slammed the door shut.
“Drive. Now!”
She didn’t recognize the driver but Ian obviously did. And without comment or hesitation, the driver obeyed.
Reality blurred as she clung to Ian. There was only his scent, his warmth and the security of his embrace. She buried her face against his throat as harsh sobs shook her entire body. She was alive! And she was free. Joy burst within her followed immediately by crushing grief. How could emotions be so painful? Her arms trembled and her throat burned, but she couldn’t stop crying.
“Is the wolf with us or should I get rid of him before we reach the main road?” The driver’s unusual accent cut through her emotional tumult.
“He’s with me.” She roused enough to speak but not enough to lift her head.
“You’re safe, sweetheart. No one will hurt you now.” Ian stroked her hair, her arms and back in a hypnotic rhythm. For a long time he just held her as they bumped along the dirt road.
Gradually her emotions receded, leaving her shaky and weak. And aware. Ian’s scent was familiar, soothing, but it was inescapably male. Unbidden flickers of heat sparked to life within her abdomen. She turned her face away from his skin and tried to cleanse her senses with a deep breath of cool air.
“It’s really rude that you managed to save yourself before I could come to your rescue,” Ian whispered, his warm breath teasing her ear. “What will my adoring fans think of me now?”
The truck rocked sharply as they reached pavement, then the ride smoothed out considerably. She finally sat up and looked into the bed of the truck. The wolf had curled up against the cab, his face tucked into the warmth of his body. “That’s Dhane Fitzroy.”
“Seriously?”
She nodded in response to Ian’s question and the men exchanged worried looks.
“Does his pack know where he is?”
“He had no idea where we were, so I don’t think the wolves have a clue.” The driver’s golden eyes gleamed through the darkness, so she said, “Hi.”
“Ahoj zlatí ko.” His white teeth flashed in the dimness but his features were lost in shadow. “Most call me Payne.”
“His real name is Dilbert,” Ian whispered loud enough for Payne to hear.
“I’d go by Payne too.” Now that her emotions were more or less spent she felt self-conscious sitting on Ian’s lap. He was shirtless and she’d been crawling all over him like she had the right to touch him anywhere she pleased. “Am I crushing you?”
“Hardly. Just relax.”
Too worn out to argue, she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. But that only freed the memories. She tensed and Ian’s hand swept from her shoulder to her hip. She splayed her fingers over his chest, undeniably aware of his heat and the hard muscle beneath her palm.
“I’ve got you, kitten. No one will ever hurt you again.”
She wanted to believe it, needed to believe it, but they were just words. As long as her abilities were latent, she was helpless. Even against humans! She knew she was trembling again but she couldn’t seem to relax. She opened her eyes and lifted her head so she could look around.
They’d reached the interstate but she had no idea which direction they were headed. Were they even in Colorado? She couldn’t see much beyond the roadway. “Where are we?”
“A few miles east of Cheyenne,” Ian told her. “You’ll be home in about an hour and a half.”
She nodded then realized other questions were far more important. “How did you find me? What happened to the others? I wasn’t the only one they were…”
“I know. When we attacked the lab in the mountains one of the doctors agreed to help us.”
“That would be Carly Ides.” Devon sneered as the name passed her lips. “She’s the worst of the worst.”
She squirmed and wiggled until he wrapped his arm around her waist and said, “You need to sit still.”
Understanding unfurled within her, spreading heat through her belly and chest. The unmistakable ridge of his erection pressed against her hip and she fought the need to cover her face with her hands. “Sorry.” His scent grew more tantalizing, more evocative.
“It’s called adrenaline,” he assured her. “It’s a natural reaction.”
Payne snorted and muttered something in his native language. Ian glared and Devon followed the direction of his gaze. A passing car illuminated the cab for a moment and she received her first clear look at Payne. High hollow cheeks, a wide brow and strong jawline. Stark and distinctive, his angular features were too menacing for true handsomeness. He was striking, she supposed, or just plain fierce.
“You’re staring.” Ian’s comment was only partially playful. Devon quickly turned her head before Payne caught her in the act.
Something smacked against the cab and Ian and Devon both turned to see what had caused the commotion. Dhane was on his feet, or rather his paws, shivering so violently she could see the tremors.
“Is he cold?”
Ian shook his head. “With all that fur it’s unlikely.”
“Why hasn’t he released the shift?” Payne mused.
“Maybe he can’t.” Using her concern for Dhane as motivation, Devon carefully climbed into the tiny seating area behind the main seats. She sat sideways, directly behind Payne so she could see both Dhane and Ian. Ian pivoted in his seat, his gaze smoldering. She’d basically shoved her breasts in his face in her attempt to assess Dhane’s situation and still he seemed upset by her relocation. Was it possible he felt the electric awareness that was making her skin tingle?
She couldn’t think about that right now. Dhane appeared to be in real trouble. “If you have a blanket I’ll ride in back and see if I can calm down Dhane.” She was worried about Dhane, but mostly she needed to be away from Ian so she could think, decide on a next step.
“As if.” Ian’s eyes narrowed to gleaming slits but his expression revealed nothing more. “If anyone gets back there with that wolf it will be the badass over there.”
Payne laughed. “As if.”
“He saved my life.” She glanced out the back window, as much to avoid Ian’s gaze as to check on Dhane. “We can’t let him suffer.”
“Why do you think he’s suffering? Dogs like fresh air and open spaces.” Ian peered through the window then shrugged. “He seems pretty restless, but he just escaped a brush with death. That’s bound to wind up anyone.”
“He was wound up before we escaped.” How could she explain what was wrong with Dhane without revealing what she’d endured, was still enduring? She rested her hands in her lap and crossed her legs at the ankle, doing her best to appear casual. “They shot him with a chemical that spiked his libido.”
Ian reached through the narrow gap between the front seats and lightly touched her knee. “Did he hurt you, Devon?” His tone was coaxing, but she sensed the threat rippling beneath the surface of his words.
Guilty memories made her glance away, so she ru
shed through her explanation. “He didn’t touch me.” Ian looked doubtful. “I swear. When he started feeling the burn he shifted. It was brilliant. I wish I’d been able to… I mean I wish I’d thought of it first.”
“I thought you were not yet defined.” Payne glanced in the rearview mirror before he looked back at the road.
“She isn’t. Unless… Did that bastard define you?” Ian’s fingers tightened on her knee.
“It wasn’t like that. Dhane did nothing wrong.” She moved her leg away from him and, with obvious reluctance, he pulled back his arm.
“Then what was it like?” The gold flecks in his sky-blue eyes began to shimmer. “Did they use the chemical on you too?”
“It doesn’t matter.” She knew he’d read between the lines, but she wasn’t ready to detail what had happened. And when she was ready, Ian would be the last person she’d… Anger and pain welled within her and her chin quivered. She didn’t want to cry anymore. If she started crying again she wasn’t sure she could stop. Dhane. She’d concentrate on Dhane and only Dhane. “We need to contact his pack. Only they can give him what he needs.”
“A willing female wolf?” She could see Payne’s face in the rearview mirror. His smile was surprisingly gentle given the aggression so obvious in his features.
“Yes.” She switched her gaze to Ian, more comfortable with his familiar face. He looked so damn handsome, and so worried. His burnished hair could use a trim, but she’d always liked his careless style. “Do you know how to contact Nate Fitzroy?”
“I’d rather get you home before we worry about the wolf.”
She shook her head. “This can’t wait. Payne’s right, Dhane should have shifted back by now. The chemical must be affecting his wolf too.”
“I’ll call Landon. He can decide what to do with Dhane.” He dug his phone out of the center console and turned back around.
She felt the absence of his gaze like a physical ache. The need to crawl back in his lap and feel the security of his strong arms close around her was nearly overwhelming. What was she doing? Ian thought of her as an annoying little sister. If she allowed herself to forget that fundamental fact, she was asking for disappointment and pain.
Landon was Dhane’s older brother. Devon knew he’d joined the rebels, but she’d never exchanged more than casual greetings with any of the wolves. Until tonight.
Like a slow-motion replay from a brutal sporting event, she saw Dhane’s attack on the first guard. The wolf’s sharp teeth sank into the human’s flesh, blood gushed and tissue tore as Dhane violently shook his head. She shuddered and forced the memory back into the past where it belonged. They’d been defending themselves against an aggressive enemy, an enemy that had launched the first strike. Without Dhane’s brutality, they might still be locked inside that cell.
“Hey Landon, it’s Ian.” His tone was deep and even as he spoke into the phone. “Sorry to call so late but I’ve got your brother in the bed of my truck.”
“Is he all right?” Though Landon’s voice was muffled, Devon could make out what he said. “My father called a couple of hours ago, wanted to know if I’d seen him. What happened? How did he end up with you?”
“Long story. Are you at home?”
“No. I was helping Eli with a programming glitch. I’m at the sanctuary.”
“Good. Tell Kyle and Erin that we have Devon. She’s safe and unharmed.”
Devon cringed at the word. Was she unharmed or were her wounds simply not visible?
“That’s wonderful.” Landon paused. “What about Dhane?”
“Dhane needs energy, badly. He needs a she-wolf willing to feed him.”
“I can pass him energy.”
“He needs a she-wolf,” Ian stressed.
“Where did you find him? What’s this—”
“I’ll explain everything when we meet. Head north. If you leave right now we should cross paths somewhere near Ft. Collins.”
He didn’t give Landon the opportunity to argue or ask any more questions. He ended the call and returned his phone to the center console. “You okay?”
She wasn’t sure why he’d asked until she felt a tear roll down her face. Rather than reply, she wrapped her arms around herself and huddled against the seat back. With Dhane on his way to recovery she felt empty and numb. She didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to think, just wanted to absorb the fact that her ordeal was finally over.
Ian watched Devon closely, trying not to think about how good she’d felt in his arms. She was soft and warm and trusting. And a close friend’s little girl. Devon was traumatized and vulnerable, and he could not let himself forget it.
Gradually her body relaxed, her arms slipping to her waist as she swayed with the truck’s gentle motion.
“How’s the wolf?” Payne asked.
“Still pacing.” He kept his voice soft, not wanting to disturb Devon.
“Is she asleep?”
“I think so.”
Do you think she was truthful about what happened tonight? If the wolf forced her she might not want anyone to know.
I don’t know. But the thought made Ian’s stomach clench and his blood boil. She’s definitely hiding something, but I don’t think it has anything to do with Dhane.
There’s an easy way to find out.
Ian shook his head. I never go where I’m not invited unless there’s a damn good reason. When she’s ready she’ll share her story. Though I doubt it will be with me.
Don’t be so sure. I saw the way she was looking at you. You might insist on treating her like a sister, but she doesn’t think of you as a brother.
It doesn’t matter. She’s not for me.
That’s not for you to decide.
For a moment he thought Payne meant Erin and Kyle would decide Devon’s fate, then he saw the challenge in Payne’s eyes. If she were the one, I would have felt the bonding pull a long time ago.
Payne’s smile was slightly mocking. How could you possibly know what you feel when you’ve convinced yourself that she’s forbidden? She’s a direct descendant of the Historians. It makes sense that—
Stop it! She’s little more than a child.
Payne’s laugh was audible as well as telepathic. Are you blind?
Ian didn’t reply, but Payne’s speculation lodged deep in his mind. With a frustrated sigh he felt around on the floor of the truck.
“What are you doing?” Payne’s dark brows drew together over his nose.
“Where’s my shirt?”
“I think she’s lying on it.”
Sure enough. Ian spotted his shirt directly under her pert little ass. He shook his head and turned back around. All Therians either lost or destroyed their clothes when they shifted. No one would think anything of his bare chest. So why was it bothering him?
Was it possible he’d squelched the bonding pull, shut himself off from even the chance that he would finally find his mate? His bloodline had been connected to the Historians for nearly as long as the Historians had chronicled the lives and deeds of the Omni Primes. That was the main reason everyone expected him to mate with Erin. Had he felt no attraction to Erin because she was destined to provide him with a mate rather than be that mate?
It didn’t matter. There was no way he was going to complicate Devon’s recovery with inappropriate attention. He’d hand her over to her family as soon as possible and get on with his life. Only after this trauma was far behind her would he revisit the possibility that he could feel more than familial affection for Devon. It was the only rational choice.
Landon sent a text letting them know he was at a rest stop just off the southbound side of I-25. They arrived a few minutes later and Ian spotted Erin’s red SUV as well as Landon’s Acura. “Looks like the whole gang tagged along.” There were at least three people in the SUV and two in the car. Would Devon be thrilled by the support or overwhelmed by their concern?
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it? If you’re going to run for the hills.”
&nb
sp; The problem with longtime friends was they knew exactly which buttons to push. Ian ignored Payne’s provocation and gently roused Devon. “Time to go, love. Your family’s here.”
She pushed away from the seat and looked out the back window, her expression muddled. “My family? Where are we?”
“Ft. Collins rest stop,” Payne told her.
She opened the door and slid to the ground. But rather than running into her mother’s arms, as Ian had expected her to do, she waited for Landon by the tailgate. Dhane was sprawled on his side, panting, yet motionless.
“What the hell happened to him?” Landon demanded as soon as he saw his brother.
Ian grabbed his shirt off the backseat and pulled it on before he opened his door.
“Dhane was captured by the same people who had me.” Devon’s tone was suspiciously calm. She didn’t look at her mother or Kyle and her movements seemed jittery. “He killed two people tonight. Has he ever killed before?”
And she’d had a ringside seat for the event. Had she witnessed death before? Ian moved closer to the tailgate, watching her carefully. Despite her outward composure, her façade was ready to disintegrate.
Erin stood on the other side of Landon, her gaze sharp and assessing. As usual she’d missed nothing. Is she as calm as she looks? Erin’s worried thought whispered in his mind.
Not even close.
Landon told us she was unharmed.
Ian ignored the accusation that accompanied Kyle’s thought and focused on Devon. Her hands shook and her chin quivered, and still she only had eyes for Landon. “Dhane was amazing. You need to let your father know he did his pack proud.”
“Ian said he needs energy.” Landon’s anxious gaze darted toward him before he switched back to his brother. “Wolves revert to their human form when their levels are depleted. What’s really wrong with him?”
“He was injected with gods-know-what. Get blood samples if you can. He needs energy and he needs sex.” Ian cut through the ambiguities. This wasn’t helping anyone. “Lots and lots of sex.”
Therian Prisoner Page 3