by Jenika Snow
She looked at Adrik, his eyes seeming hard and void of some unknown emotion. “You knew my brother was here all along? In the mountains?”
God, if he admitted it, admitted that he had kept something so vital from her, she knew her heart would break. The muscles in Adrik’s jaw tensed, and she could hear his teeth snap together. His stare leveled on her, and she could see the torment in his ice-blue eyes. He nodded, but didn’t speak. Her heart broke, but a far stronger emotion was growing inside of her. Her anger was being fueled by the fact that she had been lied to, deceived.
Not only did Adrik leave her all of those years ago, he had kept what he was a secret and everything about her brother hidden. To top it off, her brother had been lying to her about his whereabouts and what his true nature was. She stayed quiet, knowing it wouldn’t do anyone any good to let her anger out. She needed to stay calm and see what the hell was really going on.
“Okay, so I can let go that you decided to play mountain man, but I think you need to start explaining everything to me, Kaleb!”
He turned around, then looked at Adrik before glancing back at her. “I’m…” Kaleb seemed to be struggling with his words. “We’re different, Kayla.”
“What do you mean we’re different?” Her heart beat frantically against her sternum.
“We’re Lykens, Kayla.”
She could only assume her confused look prompted him to explain a little further.
“Werewolves.”
Chapter 10
Kayla liked to think she had an open mind. Hell, the man she was in love with was a vampire.
“Lykens?” She had heard Kaleb clearly, but the very idea that two mythological creatures were standing right in front of her, that she was one, had her feeling dizzy and light-headed. At Kaleb’s sharp nod, Kayla took a deep, steadying breath.
“Just breathe, Kay. I’ll explain everything, but you’re looking a little pale right about now.” Kaleb walked over to her and sat on his haunches. He watched her with concern.
“I don’t understand. Werewolves?” Oh, God, could things get any weirder? “I don’t feel any different. I certainly have never looked like you did.” She shivered, just imagining the transformation Kaleb had gone through.
“You never will feel different or look like I did. Our female counterparts don’t change.” He let out a deep breath. “They’re essentially human.”
“So you’re telling me I’m a werewolf?”
“Not so much a werewolf, in the sense Lykens don’t change into a wolf or anything that resembles one. The males of our species change into what I looked like during extreme emotion. It’s uncontrollable, but with age, we can suppress some of it.”
Adrik placed his big, warm hand on hers, and she knew he was trying to calm her.
“All of this is so overwhelming.” Kayla felt like all of her emotions inside would burst forth.
“I’m sorry I kept all of this from you. I was training with our kind. I was becoming what a proud male Lyken should be. I was doing it to better protect you, Kayla.”
As soon as the words left Kaleb’s lips, she felt the air begin to grow thick and tense.
“She doesn’t need your protection. She is my Chosen, and I was born to protect her.”
Kaleb and Adrik started arguing again, their gruff words causing the pain in her already throbbing head to intensify. “Stop it, both of you. Believe it or not, this isn’t just about you two. What about me? Did you even think about how all of this is affecting me?”
They stopped arguing and stared at her intently. She could see clear regret in both of their expressions. Turning her attention back to Kaleb, she swallowed and braced herself for her next question.
“Mom and Dad were Lykens?” At his nod, she took a deep breath, just barely reining in her anger, fear, and sadness. Everyone she ever loved had lied to her.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen this way. I wanted to tell you sooner, you have to believe me.”
“I would have been more inclined to believe you if you had actually done it, Kaleb.” She gritted the words out.
“It’s no excuse, I know. The truth should have been said a long time ago, but I guess I didn’t know the right time to tell you. I came home to surprise you, knowing it was due time you found out. When I found out you weren’t at work, I tried calling your cell. When you didn’t answer that, I called Lana, and she told me you had a date with him.” He stabbed his finger at Adrik, venom dripping from the last word.
She could hear Adrik gritting his teeth and was thankful that he didn’t reply.
“I was so fucking pissed, Kay. As soon as I drove onto his road, I could smell his goddamn lust for you and I about retched.”
She didn’t miss how Kaleb had changed the subject. She may let him deter her for the moment, but the conversation was sure as hell far from over. “Why are you so against us being together?”
Kaleb looked down, and she held her breath. This question had dragged with her for years, and one way or another, she would get the answer.
“Tell her, Kaleb. Tell her how fucked up your species’ beliefs are.” Adrik’s little outburst got a growl from Kaleb.
“Our kind doesn’t believe in mixing species, mixing bloodlines.”
Kayla stared at her brother. She was silent for a moment, trying to understand exactly what he was saying. “Lykens discriminate?”
Although discrimination was anything but normal or right, the fact that she was now surrounded by mythological creatures, and the fact that they didn’t believe in mixing bloodlines, was almost laughable. Not being with the one you loved seemed so minute compared to everything else going on in the world.
“I wouldn’t say we discriminate. We have no problem with other species. In fact, we’re allies with the Blood Breed. We just believe that the more a species mixes with others and produces offspring, the more the child’s powers and abilities are diminished.” Kaleb talked so matter-of-factly, as though this was an everyday conversation he was having. “For instance, if a vampire and Lyken were to procreate”—he stifled a shudder—“their offspring would be half of each species. The child wouldn’t have any of the full capabilities that their mother or father had. The child would be at a disadvantage, would be vulnerable. We just want our kind to be the strongest they can be.”
“That is so”—she struggled for the right word—“stupid.” Maybe it wasn’t the right word, but it seemed to fit. Staring at her brother, she saw how his face had gone hard, and she knew she had struck a nerve. “Is this why you don’t want Adrik and me to be together? Because of what he is and what we are?” It was so strange talking about herself that way.
Kaleb held up his hand and shook his head. “I don’t want to get into all of that. That isn’t even anything we need to be talking about since you aren’t going to be getting involved with the vampire.”
Adrik stood up so fast he was a blur. “She is mine, and I will not let her go. You were already forewarned, wolf.”
That was the last straw.
She got off the bed and fought the wave of dizziness and nausea that assaulted her. “I’m sick of all of this. You two can stay here and fight all night. I’m going home.”
“I think you should stay here tonight, just so I can watch over you and make sure you aren’t seriously injured.” Adrik reached out and ran the pad of his finger down her cheek.
“Like hell she’s staying here. I’m her brother, and I’ll be taking her home.”
She held up her hand for Adrik and her brother to be quiet. “Adrik, I’m going to have Kaleb take me home because we have a lot to talk about.” She looked over at Kaleb, who had a smug look on his face. “I’m pissed, scared, and confused, Kaleb. I’d wipe that smug look off your face.” He seemed to sober from her words.
She grabbed her heels and slipped them on. “Kaleb, please wait for me outside. I’d like to talk to Adrik, alone.” At his growl of disapproval, she looked squarely at him. “You have no right to act like this, no
t after everything that has just happened. Please, wait for me outside.”
Finally he let out a long breath and descended the stairs. She flinched when she heard the door slam shut.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay here tonight? I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’ll be okay. Kaleb and I just have a lot to talk about. I’m so confused right now, Adrik.”
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “I know, love.”
She thought about what Adrik had said, how he had called her his Chosen. She knew being his Chosen entailed something much deeper than what he was telling her. Lana had said something about being Aleksei’s Chosen, but the two hadn’t really gotten into it. She wanted to delve into that more, but now was not the time.
“I need to find out more. I need to know exactly what I am, what being a Lyken means.” Her mind and body were in turmoil, but she needed to dissect what was happening around her. One moment her life had been normal, and the next she was in love with a vampire and had found out she isn’t even human.
They walked downstairs and opened the front door. Kaleb was leaned against his truck, his beefy arms crossed over his chest and a look of irritation covering his features. Turning around, Kayla was immediately embraced by Adrik. His gaze was on the side of her face, and after everything that had transpired tonight, she had forgotten she probably looked like hell. As if on cue, the side of her face started to throb in pain. Adrik leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.
“Will you call me when you get home so I know you’re there safely?”
Smiling, she tilted her head and pressed her lips to his. “Yes.”
He let her go, and she made her way toward Kaleb’s idling truck. Her brother had the door open for her before she even got there. His expression was stern and fierce, but she ignored it, pissed that he was even acting like that.
She slipped into the cab and stared at Adrik standing in the doorway. His frame was so massive, so rock solid that she couldn’t help the warm feeling that suffused her. Kaleb slipped into the car, and a moment later, her window went down. She turned to him and raised an eyebrow.
“I need the fresh air to clear out the scent of your arousal for the leech. It’s nauseating.”
She couldn’t help but blush from embarrassment and rage. “Quit acting like an asshole and drive us home.”
Chapter 11
They sat in silence for the first ten minutes. Kayla didn’t really know what to say, but she knew she needed to talk because the silence was killing her.
“Why didn’t Mom or Dad ever tell me?” Talking about her parents had her heart clenching in pain. It had been so many years ago, but it was still like a fresh wound. She heard Kaleb exhale but didn’t look in his direction.
“They didn’t think it was best to tell you right away. Mom and Dad didn’t like the hierarchy of the clan. The only reason they told me was because I would have eventually gone through the change. You wouldn’t have changed at all, so they figured it was safe to keep it from you until the right time. They wanted to leave, but when you are in the clan, the alpha has a strong hold on you mentally and physically. It’s hard to just break away from the clan. You’re born into it, and it’s a part of you.”
She turned her gaze toward him then, not knowing what to say, but feeling the weight of the conversation all the way to her bones. “I don’t understand any of this. What do you mean the alpha has a strong hold over you?”
He breathed out roughly. “It’s ingrained in our brain when we are first born. The males feel the pull of the alpha. It is like a calling to follow and obey.”
“Why didn’t I ever feel this pull?”
“The females aren’t subjected to the same rules as the males. We are here to protect and cherish the females and children. They don’t have the strength, speed, or senses like the male Lykens do. It’s a hard concept to really grasp when you are new to all of it.”
He shifted in his seat as if he were uncomfortable talking about it. “I know all of this is a shock to you. Mom and Dad had different beliefs than the clan. They didn’t want to be run by an alpha, yet we need that for stability. The night they got into the accident, they planned on telling you everything, planned on taking us away.”
“You seem very…engaged in this whole life. Would you have left if Mom and Dad said so?” Kayla watched as he ran a hand over his hair.
“Yes, because I was young. Now, though…I couldn’t. I didn’t know how important the clan was until I became a part of that world.”
Kayla mulled that over. All of this seemed so strange and unreal. Here she was, a part of this world now. “What happened when you turned eighteen?” She didn’t know if she really wanted to hear it.
“A male Lyken will go through a change during his most physically powerful time in life. Mine happened to be when I was eighteen. I started noticing things happening within me. I felt wild inside, like there was a beast that needed out. I noticed my muscle mass grew even though I wasn’t working out.”
Kayla thought back to all those years ago, remembering how she had noticed something different in Kaleb. He had always been a big guy, but now that he mentioned it, he had seemed to become bigger overnight.
“Aedan Masters, the alpha of the Lyken clan, came to me. He explained everything, and so it was then that I told you I was going into the military. I trained with him and the other males, learned all I needed to learn in order to protect you and the clan. I was going to tell you, but as you can imagine, this is something not everyone would believe.” He turned and looked at her, speculation clear in his eyes. “Come to think of it, you didn’t seem all that surprised once I did finally tell you.”
“I wasn’t, really. I mean, Lana told me about Aleksei being a Blood Breed. After that, my mind opened up to the possibilities of other beings out there. Don’t get me wrong, what you said still came as a shock.” Kayla tried to absorb what her brother was saying.
“I know, and I’m sorry for letting you see me like that without fully explaining it to you.”
That was the thing with Kaleb. He could be so scary and brooding at times, yet he knew how to be caring and considerate. One day he would make someone very happy.
“I want to introduce you to the clan.”
She looked over at him with apprehension. “I don’t know.”
“You have nothing to be scared of. You’re safe there. You’re one of us.”
“What about Adrik?” Kayla didn’t miss the dark mask that covered her brother’s features. “Why do you hate him so much? Why are you so against us being together?”
He didn’t say anything for the longest time, and Kayla thought he wouldn’t answer. When he finally spoke, his voice was void of all emotion. “Not only does he drink blood, Kayla”—the look he gave her spoke volumes—“but he is way too old for you.”
Before Kayla had found out Adrik was a vampire, she had known he was older, but thought it was only by a few years. Now she wondered just how old he truly was. “How old are we talking?”
He gave a snort and shook his head. “It figures he would keep that from you.” He looked over at her and then shook his head again. “He probably didn’t want you running away once you found out he was some crusty old man.”
“How old, Kaleb?” She was becoming irritated.
“He’s over two hundred and fifty years old.” He spoke matter-of-factly.
Kayla started at her twin, not knowing how to respond. Her mouth opened as if she meant to say something, but when nothing came out, she snapped it closed. She should have put the pieces together. He was a vampire, after all, and from everything she had ever read or seen about vampires, weren’t they all immortal? She looked at her brother again, dawning horror coming together in her mind.
“Are we immortal?”
Although the idea of spending the rest of eternity with Adrik appealed to her, could she really stand back and watch everyone she knew die? Again, Kaleb didn’t answer ri
ght away.
“Answer me!”
He looked over at her, his jaw clenched tightly and his eyes full of emotion. “We are.”
“Un-fucking-believable! When the hell were you going to tell me?” Kayla didn’t bother hiding her anger. “What if I don’t want this life?” She was on the verge of tears, and she didn’t care. The truck lurched to a stop off the side of the road, and Kaleb put it in park.
“Look at me, Kayla.”
She turned and looked at her twin. He stared at her for a second before unbuckling his seat belt and moving next to her. He wrapped his big arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. That was when she broke down, cried because of everything that had been revealed, cried because of her anger and fear, cried because she didn’t know what else to do.
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
He ran his hand over her hair. “All I’m asking is that you try. If you are too uncomfortable with the life, then you are free. I will not force you into something you aren’t ready to handle.”
She leaned back, eyeing him speculatively, not sure if she should really try this whole thing out. She looked into his face, knowing that even though life didn’t seem real anymore, she had to try for Kaleb and Adrik. He wiped a tear away and kissed her forehead. He was her twin, her brother, and had always been there for her when she needed him. Looking down at her, his expression was one of understanding and love. She had to try, even if it was the hardest thing for her to do.
Chapter 12
A week had already passed, and Kayla was filled with anxiousness and a little bit of fear. Although she spoke with Adrik every day, she hadn’t been able to see him. Along with her busy schedule at the hospital, and his at the club, there didn’t seem to be enough time in the day for them to be together.
The bruise on the side of her face had healed nicely, and now there was only the faintest hint of discoloration. If she was a male Lyken, the bruise would have been gone within an hour, but because she was a female of the species, she healed no different than a human.