by Davis, Lia;
The young jaguar nodded. “I understand. What will they do with her?”
Kieran sighed and released him. “She will have to prove she has changed for the better. I’m not sure exactly how until I speak to the other Elders.”
“You will speak for her, won’t you?”
“I will tell the Council what I observed during my time in Onyx.”
“Thank you.” Ana cupped Kieran’s face. “That’s all we can ask of you. I know she’s done some unforgivable things.”
Ana released a soft sigh as she studied Nigel. Lifting her hand to him, she said, “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
Fatigue heavy in the boy’s eyes, Nigel took Ana’s hand and sagged into her as she drew him into a hug. Kieran’s heart ached for the boy. Poor kid had watched his grandparents grab his mother, then found out his father was alive.
Kieran sat on the sofa and ran a hand through his short hair. Savannah and Felix needed to be stopped. However, Kieran’s focus on the war wasn’t what it should be. No, he needed to fix whatever had broken in his and Ana’s relationship and work with her.
When she returned to the living room, Kieran indicated to the seat next to him. Only when she sat did his leopard calm some. He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I promised to come clean with you. No more secrets. I ask the same of you.”
She fingered the tassels of the decorative pillow. A moment later, the air around him charged with a power he’d only felt in an Alpha, but it was different, more magickly infused. Kieran staggered backwards, not expecting the rush of magick flowing around the room.
Just as fast as it had appeared, the power was gone. Ana drew her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. “Sable taught me from the first time I shifted to hide that power from everyone. Especially Felix.”
Kieran stared at her. How could he not know? It took a strong will to contain power like that. “Do you ever release it and relax?”
She shook her head. “Not even in my sleep.”
“You don’t have to hide it anymore.”
“I know.”
Shit. She’d begun to shut down on him like she had so many times in the past weeks. “Who knows of this?”
“Luna, Blaine, and Keegan. And now Jared.” She paused for a brief moment. “I didn’t understand where I got the magick from, but being here with my real family, I understand. I have Alec’s aggression, Blaine’s ability to teleport, a form of Keegan’s telepathy, and the elemental magick.”
He tossed her words around in his mind, trying to process them. She was as powerful as a full-blooded witch…with the ability to shift into a leopard. He refused to say that out loud. He didn’t need to encourage her to go full force into the war. Instead, he shared his secret with her. The one that could send her packing.
“My turn. I’m not just a spy. I’m an assassin.”
****
Ana met Kieran’s saddened stare for several long moments. Then a giggle bubbled up, turning into a laugh. When he crossed his arms over his chest, she released her legs and laid down on the sofa, laughing harder.
“What the hell is so funny about that?”
She held up a hand as she tried to calm herself. “I’m sorry, but when you met me, I was tracking down and killing Felix’s mutants.”
At the time, she’d believed the rogue Alpha was her father. She’d thought she was being a rebellious daughter because she hated the half-animal, half-human beasts, as well as Felix’s cruel ways.
Kieran pursed his lips and hardened his stare on her. She had to press her lips together to keep from laughing even harder. Sitting up, Ana held out her hand. “Come here.”
He moved closer and took her hand. Instead of sitting next to her, he knelt in front of her. “I traveled from Pack to Pack searching for rogues.”
She cradled his face in her hands. “It was your job to protect shifters from Felix.”
His eyes flashed, letting her know his leopard was close to the surface, as always. In the darkest, twisted part of her soul, she loved knowing her mate held such a tight control of his beast. In a way, she’d always known he was capable of taking a life if he had to.
She also saw the compassionate side—his human side—that kept the primal needs at bay.
When he parted his lips to speak, she pressed a finger to his lips. “I’ve known you were mine from the moment I saw you walking the caverns talking to Felix all those years ago. Nothing you tell me will change that. All I ask is for honesty because my whole life has been a lie.”
He hugged her tight, pressing his ear to her chest. A small crack formed in the wall she had encased her heart in. So much for playing hard to get and making him chase her. Damn male.
Kieran kissed her palm, then stood while scooping her up in his arms. “I’m taking you to bed to make love to you and pretend, if only for tonight, we’re not at war.”
Her heart thumped rapidly and her cat purred as desire filled her at the thought of Kieran naked and filling her.
Chapter Nine
Kieran laid Ana down on the bed and stretched out beside her, one leg pressed between both of hers. He caressed her bottom lip with a thumb, watching how her grey eyes darkened with desire. “I have another confession to make.”
Her brows dipped. “What?”
The sharp tone in that one word made him chuckle. Always suspicious. He couldn’t blame her after everything she’d been through lately. “When I found out that Savannah was freed, I made up my mind to not mate with you.” Her lips pressed together in an angry line and she began to wiggle out from under him. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close to his body. “The witch will go after everyone who imprisoned her. She will not rest until she gets her revenge.”
“I don’t need your protection,” she bit out.
“As your mate, it is my desire and duty to protect what is mine.” He lifted up on his elbow and turned her toward him so he could lock gazes with her. “I’ve lost my family to that bitch, and I don’t want to lose you, as well.”
Ana’s body relaxed and her features softened a bit. “I survived a mutant attack, grew up with the monsters, and learned to track and kill them. But I understand your leopard’s need to protect.”
Dipping his head, he kissed her quickly on the lips. “I’m willing to compromise.”
She raised her brows, and one side of her mouth lifted. “I’m listening.”
“I want you to take down your shields and train to use your powers. Build up strength and be ready for whatever Savannah throws at us.” He pulled her close, inhaling her berry scent. “I will not be an easy male to deal with until the threat on your life is gone.”
She pressed her lips together and stared at him for several moments before speaking. “When have you ever not been difficult?” Her lips lifted. “I want you to trust that I’m more than capable of fighting by your side.”
A low growl rumbled out of him. “I do trust you, and know you are capable. But the instinct to keep you safe isn’t something I can ignore. With Savannah loose, you have a huge-ass target on your back.”
She threw her arms around his neck and nipped at his chin. “I will work on removing my shields and honing my power, but I need you to work with me. I’m just not sure I’ll like feeling so exposed.”
His heart skipped a beat as he realized that her shields were a coping mechanism, the walls that kept her safe from the outside world. Running his fingers through her silky, black hair, he said, “Only lower the ones containing your magick so you can learn how to control it.”
A soft white inner light rippled across her irises and her features relaxed. “Deal.”
In the next moment, they were both naked. He raised his brow in question, drawing a laugh from her. “Hey, magick comes in handy sometimes.”
“It sure does.” He lowered his head, but she placed a finger over his lips.
“I want you to be the first to feel my full power.”
Confused, he stared into her grey eyes,
which changed to dark grey and then blue before the two colors swirled together. Suddenly, he was surrounded by a thick, heavy power he hadn’t felt since the day he’d come face to face with Savannah.
“Ana?”
She lowered her lashes. “The vision Jared saw earlier was of when I was attacked by a mutant. I was bitten. Sable killed the beast, then created an antidote from her blood. I share her power now.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He should feel hurt, but he didn’t. Part of him understood why she hadn’t told anyone. That amount of power would make them fear her, and possibly want to harm her. With a shake of his head, he added, “Don’t answer that.”
“I wanted to, so many times. I didn’t tell you after everyone left because I didn’t want Nigel to know.”
“Who else knows?”
“No one. Well, Jared might now.”
“Good. We’ll keep it that way for the time being. But you might want to tell Keegan and the Alphas. Knowing you have magick is one thing. Knowing the extent of your gifts is another.” He kissed her forehead. His thoughts turned to pleasuring her until they passed out. “I’m not ready to bond yet, it’s just not the right time. But I will start the mating dance like I should have years ago.”
She swept a thumb over his bottom lip. “I can deal with that, for now.”
He lowered his head and playfully nipped at her throat. “Of course, I’ll have to mark you.”
Her laugh turned into a startled gasp as he bit into her shoulder. A surge of power arched in the air as she wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed. With a quick thrust, he entered her, intensifying the pleasure rolling through him. He would have to claim her soon. War or no war. The urge, along with his damn leopard, would drive him mad if he didn’t.
The sting of her nails scoring his back flared his desire, and his cock throbbed as he rocked his hips and increased the tempo. Sex with Ana had always been great, but starting the dance with the intent to mate her had heightened his awareness of her emotions and power.
He released her neck and stared at the bite mark, a possessive pride filling him. Halting his motions and raising his gaze to hers, he smiled. “I love you.”
A tear slid from the corner of her eye. “I love you, too.”
The acceptance in her words made him realize just how much he’d pushed her away in the last few months. He was an ass and didn’t deserve her. He cupped her head, gazed into her grey eyes for a few moments, and then kissed her. She threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled slightly as her tongue met his halfway.
Tingles skittered over his skin and seeped inside his heart. She was his, and he’d make it up to her by giving her the courtship she deserved. Even if the dance only lasted a few days.
He broke the kiss and thrust deeper inside of her, holding her gaze as he made love to her like he hadn’t before, gentle and demanding at the same time. Ana moaned and moved her hips with him, meeting each thrust. She shuddered under him and cried out as an orgasm tore through her. His own release crashed over him a moment later, explosive and raw.
After pressing a kiss to her forehead, he rolled to his side and cuddled her into him. With a gentle squeeze, he kissed the top of her head. Her power was still unshielded, and even without the bond he could feel it.
“How do you deal with this much power?”
She threaded her fingers through the light dusting of hair on his chest and lifted a shoulder. “It’s better than turning into a monster, and that’s exactly what would have happened if Sable hadn’t shared her power with me.” Her tone was flat before she inhaled, nuzzling her nose into his neck. “Sable helped me build shields to contain it.”
Noting the sadness in Ana’s tone, he hugged her. “We’ll find her, but I have a feeling Jared will beat us to it.”
“I’m not sure if that would be good or bad.”
He wanted to tell her everything would work out, but he wasn’t a hundred percent sure. The war had only gotten started, and with Savannah free, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot worse.
Ana yawned. “We have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Yes. Go to sleep.”
She nodded and relaxed into his side. A few moments later, light snores came from her. He kissed her temple and sighed. “Sweet dreams, my mate.”
Chapter Ten
“I can’t believe how much he looks like Jared and Sable.”
Ana smiled at her new sister, Shayna. “They are his parents.”
The tigress meet her gaze, then rolled her eyes. “I know that, silly. Josie looks like her mom,” Shay pointed to the photo of Travis, Josie, and Josie’s mother, Myra, over the fireplace. “But she still looks like her. Nigel looks like a clone.”
Suddenly, Nigel’s spine straightened. A moment later, a knock sounded on the door. Shayna wiggled in the sofa to get up, but Ana placed a hand on hers. “I’ll get it.”
The other woman smiled brightly, but it didn’t hide the tiredness in her features. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Ana went to the door. Shayna was eight and a half months pregnant, which was a half month overdue for most shifters. Pulling open the door, Ana frowned at Jared. “Hello.”
“Morning,” he said and entered.
“The males are at Blaine’s. They’ll be here shortly.”
He nodded before locking his gaze on Nigel. Ana growled as she walked by and sent Jared a thought. “He’s your son. Get over it and talk to him.”
“I plan to, mindbender.”
She’d been about to snap back at the comment, but she heard a whisper of amusement in the telepathic statement. When she reached the sofa, she shook her head at Shayna’s curious stare. The other female pursed her lips but smiled when she glanced at Jared.
“Well, I’ll have to be sure to take a picture of you. Jeans and a T-shirt. So casual.”
Nigel and Ana chuckled at Shayna’s teasing. Jared’s lips twitched as he bent down to kiss her on the cheek.
Travis walked through the door at that moment and let out a low, playful growl. “Watch whose mate you put those lips on, cat.”
Straightening, Jared met Travis’s stare, then shook his head as Josie skipped through the door with little Max - Blaine, Cam, and Graham’s son - in tow. Both of them had an armful of toy cars. When they reached the middle of the living room floor, they dropped their loot and sat.
As if catching Nigel’s scent, Josie looked right at him. She tilted her head and sniffed the air. “Who are you?”
“Josie,” Shayna said in warning.
Nigel smiled. “It’s okay. I’m new, and she’s curious.” He studied her for a moment. “She can shift.”
Travis stepped closer to his daughter, and Ana sensed it was out of instinct more than aggression. “How do you know?”
“I’m part witch. Besides, all the children in Onyx can shift.”
It was Blaine’s turn to move in closer. “How is that possible?”
Nigel glanced to Ana as if unsure what to say. She grabbed his hand and spoke to the group. “Felix uses fear and aggression to bring on the change early.”
Several growls cut through the room. Max covered his ears. Josie took his hand and gave him a new car to play with.
It had amazed Ana how mature the four-year-old was. That was until she discovered that Josie had come in contact with the mutant serum, and that Luna had to force the change on the child to save her life.
“Felix will pay for everything,” Kieran bit out as he sat on the arm of Ana’s chair. “We need to find him, which is why we are here this morning.”
Travis nodded. “Nigel, Blaine, and I will go to where she was taken. I just hope the scents are still there.”
“I’m going, as well,” Jared said.
Blaine nodded. “I was hoping you would.”
Travis glanced to his mate then to the Alpha. His brows dipped and he wiped his hands on his jeans. Ana’s heart melted. Of course the wolf wouldn’t want to leave Shayna when sh
e could deliver at any moment.
“Kieran and I will stay with Shay. If she experiences the slightest amount of discomfort, I’ll come get you.” She glanced to Blaine as he cleared his throat. “Everyone will find out sooner or later, I might as well tell them now. I can teleport, and I have enough aggression running through my veins that my powers are amped times ten.”
Kieran nudged her and she closed her eyes. She was already the outsider of the Pack, she really didn’t want to give them any more reasons to distrust her. But they did need to know. “I can also control minds.”
Everyone fell silent. Dread crawled up her spine and her stomach soured. The urge to run for the door was strong. Kieran closed the small gap between them and hugged her back to his chest. “Ana uses up a lot of energy containing her power. She did it in Onyx to stay off Felix’s radar. Here in Ashwood, she hides it out of fear of being cast out.”
He kissed her temple, reminding her why she was so close to giving her heart to him forever.
Before she responded, Jared spoke. “I was a lone jaguar raising his sister. When I felt she was safe in Ashwood, I left. I found my mate, bonded with her, and we spent six months together. Then I found out she’d lied to me about who she was. So I broke the bond, not caring that it could kill one or both of us.”
Travis met Ana’s gaze. “I use to be the Alpha of Hunter Ridge. My den was attacked and everyone was infected by the mutants.” He held his hand up, palm facing the ceiling. Flames appeared, coiling around his hand and up his arm. “I burned my den to the ground, killing everyone but my mate, Myra, our daughter, Josie, and my mother. Although Myra died about twenty-four hours after escaping.”
Ana sagged into Kieran’s arms, feeling like a weight had been lifted, while at the same time, her heart ached for Travis. She couldn’t imagine having to kill her Pack, feeling each soul disconnect and die.
Her vision blurred, but she blinked away the tears. “I have never felt as much love and honor as that which comes from Ashwood. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m home.”