Nic

by Dana Archer

  She nodded. “Riley’s made many pieces over the past few years, but that’s her best work.”

  He glanced from the paintings lining the hall to the one in front of him. “It’s amazing.”

  “Some human she’d dated taught her. She picked the hobby up easily, not surprising, really. Our Riley is an amazing person.”

  He waited for jealousy to grip him as it had before when he thought of Riley with other males. The emotion didn’t overpower him, however. He couldn’t say he liked the idea of what she’d done while he was gone, but he couldn’t judge her, not when he’d done the same. They’d found their way back to each other. That was all that mattered.

  “Yes, she’s an angel.” His angel.

  He turned his back on the woman and slipped inside his dad’s room. Nicholas Kagan, the old alpha of the Kagan pack, didn’t wake. He lay under a thin blanket, tubes running from his arms and monitors beeping behind him. Thinner with lines on his face and bags under his eyes, he’d aged severely over the past few days. Nic knew it was common for shifters in his dad’s situation. It didn’t make seeing the evidence of his disintegrating body and soul any more bearable.

  Nic’s wolf whined, the first peep he’d heard from the beast since the night before. He used a metaphysical hand and stroked the animal. It was the most comfort he could offer. They both understood what the deterioration of his dad’s condition meant—either he’d stopped fighting to stay alive or the infection had done it for him. Either way, the male who’d helped create him and guided the Kagan pack through a trip to the new world, wars, and unbelievable advances in technology would soon die.

  Today would be the last they spoke.

  Nic squeezed his eyes shut. They burned. He waited a moment for the sensation to pass, knowing his dad wouldn’t want to see tears pricking his son’s eyes, especially with the news he’d come to deliver.

  He dragged a chair over to the bed and straddled it. “Dad?”

  Hazel eyes focused on him after several seconds of blinking. “Is it time for the transfer?”

  Nic shook his head. “No. It’s just after dawn. I needed to speak with you, though.”

  “About what?”

  Nic held his dad’s gaze and told him the truth he should’ve admitted to years ago. “I love Riley.” Nic waited for a reaction. Got none. He cleared his throat. “And four years ago, I tried mating her.”

  “Your wolf stopped you.” No condemnation. No shock.

  Nic nodded. “Yes, and I left knowing I wouldn’t have been able to stay away.”

  “Or stop yourself from trying to mate her again and again, hoping to convince your wolf she was worth a piece of your soul.”

  Nic leaned forward. “You knew?”

  “I suspected but never wanted to learn you’d taken the same path I had.” His dad grabbed Nic’s hand in a surprisingly strong grip. “You need to send Riley away. She can’t be on our pack lands tomorrow. She’ll die. Don’t believe what your mate tells you. She might say she’s okay with you keeping a lover, but she won’t be able to help herself. It’s all about instincts, you understand?”

  Nic stared at his dad and saw the truth written on his anguished face, but had to be sure. “Mom killed your true mate, didn’t she?”

  “Yes, and I despised her for it. She promised me a lifetime with Agatha, only your mother deemed my true mate should only live a night.” His dad curled his hands into fists. “I understood she couldn’t control her wolf, but it didn’t make it right, nor did I ever forgive her for it.”

  Nic had been five when his mother had died. He didn’t have too many memories of her and his dad, save one. “You slept in separate bedrooms.”

  His dad snorted. “Yeah. Don’t get me wrong. I spent time in your mother’s bed every night, but the only woman I slept with was Agatha.” He dropped his head on the pillow. “Soon, I’ll see her again.”

  “I’m not following the path you did.” Nic waited for his dad’s narrowed eyes to meet his. “I won’t accept the spirit of our pack. I’m leaving with Riley. I plan on living out her life and following her to the grave.”

  A long moment passed before his dad asked, “What of our pack? Their safety and happiness are more important than its alpha’s wants. If it hadn’t been for my responsibility to the pack spirit, I too would’ve joined my Agatha in heaven years ago.”

  “I am grateful for your endurance and sacrifice, but I’m not strong enough to do the same. Sean will accept the spirt wolf. He will continue the Kagan legacy.” Sean would hate Nic for putting him into this position when Sean didn’t want to lead either, but Sean would do what was right. Nic hoped, at least.

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  That was the outcome Nic hadn’t wanted to consider. “Then I accept the spirit wolf this month and die the next when I’m challenged. I won’t defend myself.” His wolf couldn’t stop him from committing suicide. He had Hannah to thank for reminding him about that.

  Silence stretched. Finally, his dad leaned forward. “I want him to challenge me. Please, son, I want to leave this world with honor and go to Agatha with a clean conscience knowing I did what was right for my pack.”

  “No!” Nic stood, the chair flying backward with the abrupt move. “You’ll be lost to the pack!”

  “But not to Agatha. She’ll be waiting for me. I know she will. True mates always find their way back to each other. Without my tie to the pack, I’ll be human. It’ll be easier to reconnect with her.”

  The seriousness of his dad’s words froze Nic in place. “You’re serious.”

  “Very.” A small smile flitted across his dad’s face. “And sacrificing my tie to the pack she condemned me for, saying I loved it more than her, might be enough to earn her forgiveness. If not, I’ll spend my eternity groveling at her feet for one of her kisses.”

  “But your wolf—”

  “Will return to the gods. They can offer it solace or join it with another shifter.”

  For everything his dad had done for him and the pack, Nic couldn’t deny him this, no matter how much it pained him.

  Nic covered his dad’s hand. “Sean would be honored.” And he would no matter how much it hurt to strike the blow that ended Nicholas Kagan’s life. Nic knew Sean too well.

  “Good. I’ll have the protectors guard me, form a wall around me until I get into the circle. Whatever needs to be done. And you better love Riley every day. Tell her. Show her. Don’t ever let her feel unwanted, no matter what time does to her body.”

  A tear slipped free. Nic didn’t bother wiping it away. They’d passed some point tonight. No longer shifters, they were men…no more, no less. “Of course. It’s her soul I love, not just her body.”

  His dad nodded, then looked expectantly at him. “And Hannah?”

  “I’ll do my best for her.”

  “That’s all I ask. She’ll figure out her own way. She’s a smart girl.”

  Nic half considered telling him about the crazy plan she had, but didn’t. There was no point in worrying his dad when Nic didn’t even know the details. Besides, neither of them could stop her. “I need to go, Dad. Riley’s waiting for me.”

  “Okay. Good-bye, son.”

  Nic wrapped his arms around his dad and held him for a long moment. “Bye, Dad.”

  With that, he turned and walked away. No other words were necessary.

  Chapter 20

  Riley knew the moment she woke Nic had left her. Sadness rushed up, and the first sob thickened her throat. She fought it. Deep breaths cleared the tightness and eased the burn behind her eyelids. There was no room for the crippling emotion.

  Nic loved her.

  Strength and determination replaced the doubt that had plagued her for years. Nic’s actions and unspoken words told the truth. She also suspected the depth of his commitment. He’d follow her to the grave. It wasn’t an outcome she wanted for either of them. She prayed it wouldn’t come to that. Yet…it was the fate they’d share if he were human too. A lifetime
—that was all she had to give any man. She had chosen Nic to be the one she wanted to grow old with.

  She sat up. A yellow piece of paper caught her attention. She snatched the note from her nightstand and read. A smile spread. And he’s chosen me.

  Her breathing quickened, and her heart swelled. More tears filled her eyes, happy ones. She hopped from the bed, grabbed her cell, and dialed Hannah.

  “Did you talk to the shifter couples for me?” Riley asked before Hannah could say hello.

  “Yes. I talked to them yesterday and asked all the questions on your list, but I don’t know how it’ll help you. You need to focus on winning Nic’s wolf, and time is running out.”

  Riley ground her teeth. “Which is why you set me up yesterday.”

  “Of course. You need to trigger Nic’s instincts, and there’s only one way you can.”

  She curled her fingers into a fist. “By making him feel protective of me.”

  “Exactly. If he saw you cry—”

  “Whatever, Hannah.” Riley blew out a rough breath. Arguing with Nic’s stubborn sister only wasted time. “I don’t want to talk about what I walked in on yesterday. Did you get the details of the infertility treatments the couples tried?”

  “Yes. I have the list of everything they tried.” Hannah’s sigh sounded overly loud. “I can email it to you, but I don’t know what good it’ll do. From the looks of it, they tried everything.”

  Her stomach knotted. She hoped not everything. “Please do. Thank you, Hannah.”

  Riley ended the call and opened her email program. The moment Hannah’s name popped up, Riley clicked on the message. She read through the details. Her heart raced.

  No, they hadn’t tried everything. She jumped to her feet and did a little dance.

  All the traditional methods were tried, but the one that mimicked a natural conception hadn’t been utilized. She wasn’t surprised. Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer or GIFT wasn’t common, but it should work—biologically speaking.

  If a shifter’s donated egg and Nic’s sperm were inserted into her Fallopian Tube during the night of the full moon, conception and implantation would occur naturally. It would essentially turn her into a surrogate. Of course, like the other procedures the human-shifter couples had attempted, it might not work, but it was worth a shot. She just needed to find a mated shifter female willing to give Riley her eggs.

  Well, she also needed Nic’s wolf to accept her, something that might never happen. If she allowed the thought to take hold, it’d cripple her.

  One obstacle at a time.

  She dialed Jenna.

  “Hello?” Jenna’s sleepy voice filled the line.

  “I’m sorry to wake you, but I need to talk to you.”

  “What’s wrong?” Worry laced Jenna’s alert response.

  “Nothing. Everything might finally be all right. Will you come to the house?”

  “Of course. I’ll be there in five.”

  Jenna clicked off, and Riley ran to the bathroom. A quick shower later, she paced the length of her living room. After what seemed like forever, the door opened. Jenna walked in, hair in tangles and concern etched on her features. She rushed forward.

  “Talk to me, Riley. What’s happened?”

  Riley caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She’d been so caught up in her excitement she hadn’t given any consideration on how to approach the subject of her relationship with Nic. She blew out a breath and gave Jenna the truth. “Nic and I love each other. He tried mating me four years ago. His wolf stopped him.”

  “Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry.” Jenna laid her hand over Riley’s arm.

  Riley blinked more tears away. “No, don’t pity me. Help me.”

  “I can’t. You need to leave the pack. Nic’s mate—”

  “Is going to be me.” Riley raised her chin. “I think I’ve found a way to fool biology and give Nic an heir.”

  Jenna shook her head. “That’s impossible. If you’re thinking some kind of fertility treatment, it won’t work. Human eggs and shifter sperm aren’t compatible.”

  “I know. Just listen to me.” Riley explained her plan, then turned imploring eyes on her friend. “I know it might not work. I also know it won’t matter unless Nic’s wolf accepts me, but…”

  “But?”

  Riley took her friend’s hand and squeezed it tight. “If Nic did mate me, I’d need a mated shifter female willing to give me her eggs.”

  Jenna held her gaze. “You’re asking for mine.”

  “Yes.”

  Jenna pulled her hand free and walked into the kitchen. Riley followed. Jenna crossed the room, stopping in front of the patio door. An endless moment passed while she stared at the quiet background before she sighed. “If Sean is willing, I’ll do it.”

  Riley went to her and wrapped her arms around Jenna’s torso. “Thank you, Jenna. You’ve given me hope.”

  “I don’t know if it’ll be enough.”

  “You’re right. I need Nic to take a chance on me.”

  Jenna glanced over her shoulder. “Not Nic. His wolf.”

  Riley sighed. It all came back to the animal spirit sharing Nic’s body, and she was once more left with the same question—how could she win over a primal wolf who considered love unnecessary?

  She turned away. “You’re right, and I don’t have an answer.”

  All she could do was love both Nic and his wolf. She had nothing else to offer them.

  Nic paused in the doorway to Sean’s house and waited for his wolf to surface. The animal had to know what Nic planned. Yet, it remained silent. It had all morning except for when it whined in his dad’s presence. Did the beast finally understand what length Nic would go to in order to love Riley? He wouldn’t know until he tried to finish mating her, but hope rose. He let the feeling strengthen him and entered Sean’s home.

  “I’m in the living room,” Sean called out.

  Nic walked toward it and found his friend, dressed in khakis and a button-down shirt, on the sofa. A computer sat on his lap and several folders were scattered on the seat next to him. In his outside life, Sean was the face behind Kagan Industries, a conglomerate of companies owned by the Kagan pack and run by humans. Every couple of decades, a new shifter took over as the contact position that toured the business and sat in on conferences with buyers and clients.

  There were other pack members who’d taken positions in accounting and human resources, but all those jobs were easily completed via computer. The electronic world had helped the shifter community as much as it had hurt them.

  Sean motioned to the recliner. “Sit and talk to me. You look troubled.”

  Nic hadn’t bothered guarding his expression. What was the point? Sean knew too much of Nic’s personal issues to begin with. Soon, Sean would know everything.

  Nic shook his head. “I’m not here to discuss my problems.”

  Sean set the laptop on the coffee table and leaned forward, elbows propped on his knees and hands clasped in front of him. “Then why are you here?”

  “I’m leaving the pack with Riley in a few hours. I want you to accept the spirit wolf and take my place as alpha. I know that’s not something you or your mate ever wanted, but I hope you’ll honor our friendship by making this sacrifice for me and Riley. That Jenna will do the same for Riley.”

  Sean held his gaze. “You’re serious.”

  “Yes. I can’t live without her. If my wolf won’t come to accept Riley as my mate, I’ll follow her into death.”

  Sean squeezed his eyes shut. He breathed deeply for several minutes. All the while, Nic’s wolf watched him through his eyes. Nic fisted his hands, ready to tighten his hold on the animal, yet it didn’t react—aggressively, at least. It waited with what Nic could only describe as eagerness tensing its body. His earlier thought surfaced, and he was more certain than ever of the truth of it. His wolf had accepted Nic’s love for Riley as being the only thing that would heal him. That would heal them.

  God, he couldn
’t wait to get Riley alone to test his theory.

  “Well?” Nic asked. “Are you going to do it?”

  Sean cracked his eyelids. “Yeah, I’ll take over the pack. Jenna wants Riley happy too.”

  Nic’s pent-up breath escaped in a rush. “Thank you.”

  “Is your dad onboard with the plan? We’re going to have to come up with some story to explain why you’re late or something. Maybe I can—”

  “He wants you to challenge him.”

  Silence stretched while Sean held his gaze.

  Nic ran a hand through his hair. Uncertainty gripped him. Did he tell Sean the full extent of the danger their pack mates were in? His dad’s plea to leave this world with honor stopped him. “He’s dying. He wants to leave this world a true alpha. I know it’s a lot to ask, but it’s his only wish.”

  Sean cursed. He pushed from the couch and strode toward the fireplace. He picked up a picture of Sean, Nic, and his dad from years ago. They’d gone fishing and stood in waders with their catches proudly held up. “He’s like a father to me.”

  “I know, which is why I’m asking you to do this.”

  Sean sighed. He placed the photo on the shelf and faced him. “I’ll make it quick.”

  Nic gripped his shoulder. “The Kagan pack will thrive under your direction.”

  “And I hope you find what you seek.”

  Nic turned his back on his friend. “I already have, and it’s time I make it permanent.”

  Because he was surer than he’d ever been about his wolf’s stance. It had accepted the truth.

  Riley was their true mate.

  Their one.

  Chapter 21

  Riley paced the length of her living room for the second time in a matter of hours. The note Nic had left her along with its unspoken promise no longer comforted her. Lunchtime had come and gone, and Nic hadn’t showed. She’d tried calling him. His cell she’d found in the hallway with his wet pants, and nobody answered at his house. Riley had left messages on both his home phone and Hannah’s cell. Neither had been returned. She wanted to ask the other pack members if they’d seen him but couldn’t. Unless she used his dad as an excuse, she had no legitimate reason to seek him out, in the pack’s eye at least.