Jasper groaned as Sylvia’s lips traveled down his shaft, until he was deep in her throat. He pulled back, then plunged in again, and she reveled in how she could make his abs jump, make the muscles in his legs twitch. Putting her hands on his waist, she drew him in closer, urging him to thrust faster, faster.
Jasper groaned again, and Jet let out an answering moan. Their peaking arousal made her shudder, and all three of them felt it. On either side, her men thrust harder. Sylvia held tight to Jasper, wanting to anchor to something as the world dissolved around her in a kaleidoscope of colors. She was full of her mates, full of life. She never wanted this feeling to end. She wanted it to go on, unbroken, this perfect day by the river.
They thrust into her at the same time, and it was too much. Crying out, they emptied into her. Sylvia reached down to grip the grass, determined to hang on to the world as she was rocked by more pleasure than she’d ever felt before. It rolled through her like an ocean wave, and she was powerless before it. All she could do was hold fast and not get swept out to sea.
She came back to earth, gasping, her knuckles white as she clutched the long grasses. Her shaking limbs gave way, and she collapsed. Jet and Jasper lay on either side of her, draping their arms over her shoulders and waist.
“Sylvia,” Jet murmured.
“Our mate,” Jasper said.
Sylvia closed her eyes, completely content, warm in their embrace as the river meandered past.
“Alpha. Alpha!”
Sylvia sat, feeling slightly groggy. When had they fallen asleep?
“Hawke?” Beside her, Jasper rubbed his eyes.
Jet looked up at the shifter who stood over them. “I thought you were supposed to be patrolling the eastern border.”
“I was.” The shifter, lean with straw-colored hair, seemed agitated. “Dakota told me to find you. Someone wants to cross into our territory.”
Jet stood with a snarl. “Who is it?”
“A man… we’re not entirely sure. He wouldn’t give his name.” Hawke hesitated, glancing at Sylvia. “He’s asking for her.”
She felt her stomach drop, her heart go cold.
“He asked for her?” Jasper repeated. “By name?”
“Not exactly.” Hawke glanced back over his shoulder, as if he feared someone might be following him. “He asked if a woman on the run had been through here. He didn’t believe us when we said no.” Hawke bit his lip. “I don’t think he’s human.”
Sylvia put her head between her knees, the waterlily falling from her hair. She left it where it fell, her heart racing. This was it. Everything was over. It was time to run.
“Breathe.” Jasper grabbed her hand, but his voice seemed to come from the bottom of the river. “We’re here. We won’t let him hurt you.”
She knelt, putting her forehead to the grass, agony washing over her. He spoke like he had a choice, like he could prevent anything. She had been so selfish. She had wanted someone to protect her, someone to keep her safe. But no one would be able to. All she had succeeded in doing was dooming their pack.
Steeling herself, she took in a gulp of air. “I’m going.” She stood, not allowing Jet or Jasper to help her up. “I’m leaving. Don’t stall him, it’s too dangerous.”
“Stop talking like that.” Jet gripped her by the shoulders. “You’re part of our pack. We’re not leaving you to fend for yourself.”
“We can face him,” Jasper said, “together. We’re not afraid, Sylvia.”
They should be. Oh, they should.
Her mouth felt like it was filled with sawdust. Her lungs didn’t seem to be working. She had to make a decision. They wouldn’t let her run, and she couldn’t let them die for her.
But there was another choice.
“We’ll face him,” she said. “Tell him of your pack, and that may make him turn away.”
“Are you sure?” Jasper asked.
Jet looked at her, his eyes narrowed. She tried to keep her face expressionless. He had to believe her.
“I’m sure.” She looked into Jet’s golden eyes. “Are you, Alpha?”
He gazed at her for a long moment. “Let’s get this over with,” he said. “Dakota’s still at the border, right?”
Hawke nodded. “If she’s held him.”
Sylvia tried not to shudder.
“All right,” Jet said. “If all of us go, then that’s four shifters against one. I’d like to turn him away without getting the entire pack involved. Does that sound good, Jasper?”
He nodded. “I’m ready. We’ll face him together, Sylvia.”
Jet knelt down. “Get on my back,” he said.
Sylvia swung a leg over him and had barely settled herself when he shifted. She surveyed the land astride a great black wolf. But she didn’t feel strong, or powerful. She felt like they were about to walk into a trap.
In a way, they were. But it would be a trap of her choosing. She would bargain with him, make him agree to spare Jet, Jasper, and the pack if she went quietly. He would agree—after all, how many times had he told her not to make a scene? Jet and Jasper would not agree, but they would have no other choice. If he was merciful, he might leave them with no memory of her at all.
Like I never happened. Sylvia clutched two handfuls of Jet’s fur to keep herself from shaking. She must let him think that everything was okay, that they could beat the man who hunted her. If she gave the game away, everyone in the Oak Canyon pack could die.
She would save them all. Even if it cost her everything.
Jasper and Hawke had shifted too, and the three wolves sprang forward. Jet led them toward the eastern border. Her heart pounded as they raced through the trees. The sun was sinking, light fading from the world. It felt like her hope was waning with it, waiting to be extinguished by the night.
There would be no more sunrises for her.
She closed her eyes as they got closer, not bothering to duck as branches whipped at her face. They didn’t hurt her. Not compared to what he would do.
Jet slowed, and the others followed suit. They must be near the border. Sylvia slid off his back.
He turned, observing her with golden eyes. Jet made a magnificent wolf, black but for a white patch on his chest. Her heart tightened. Would this be the last time she’d see him?
Jet shifted. “I know what you plan to do.”
She crossed her arms.
“You can’t give yourself up, Sylvia. We’ll fight for you. The whole pack will.”
“It won’t be enough,” she whispered.
“Give us a chance?” He clutched her hand. “I can’t lose you.”
“Jet?” The call came through the woods. “Is that you?”
Despite the distance, they could head Dakota’s voice tremble.
“We’re coming,” Jet shouted. He gripped Sylvia’s hand, eyes like steel. “You can run,” he said. “Jasper can take you away.”
She shook her head. “I’ll face him.”
Her mates exchanged a worried glance, like they both feared she’d break down. And she would. Just not yet.
Clenching her fists, she walked forward.
Jet, Jasper, and Hawke hurried to catch up.
They came to the edge of a small rise. Below, Dakota stood facing a man in a dark cloak. His face was covered by a hood, and no skin showed.
“Vampire,” Jasper muttered.
Sylvia’s legs almost gave way.
“I’ve got you.” Jet grabbed her arm. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not.” The relief that flooded through her made her feel lightheaded. “That’s not him.”
“What?” Jasper stared. “I thought a vampire was after you.”
“He is. But I’m not afraid of him. He’s a kitten compared to his master.”
“There you are.” The vampire’s voice had a whining edge. “Are you done playing your little game yet?”
“Hello, Dario.”
The sun sank behind the mountains, and Dario pulled off his hood. Red eyes gle
amed in his pale face. “There may still be time to return before the master finds out you were missing. Come back with me, and you can spare us both.”
“She’s not coming with you!” Jet barreled down the hill, halting right in front of Dario.
The vampire didn’t blink. “Your furry friends can’t save you. But you already know that.”
“You think I can’t fight you?” Jet snarled. “Sylvia is under our protection now.”
“Very nice.” Dario sounded bored. “I can’t wait all night for an answer. We need to leave now to hope to beat him back.”
Sylvia walked forward.
“Don’t go,” Jasper whispered, glued to her side. “We’ll think of something. We’ll make a plan.”
She put a hand over the inside of her elbow, remembering the agony Dario had put her through. The fangs weren’t the worst part—they stung, but only for an instant. It was the paralysis, the helplessness. And then the sucking, the insatiable sucking, and the fear that he might not ever stop, might leave her a carcass drained of blood.
Sylvia bit the inside of her cheek, willing herself not to shudder, not to show weakness. Stopping beside Jet, she stood before her former captor. Now that she was faced with the prospect of walking alone through the woods with him, letting him return her to his master, she couldn’t go through with it. Her best hope would be that he bled her out on the journey back.
“Are you ready?” Dario asked. “Don’t make me ask again.”
“I’m never going back.”
On either side of her, her mates stood straighter, daring Dario to protest.
“So that’s what you want to do, you want to anger him?” The vampire arched an eyebrow. “You know as well as I how he’ll react. Are these your new friends?” He swept a scathing glance over the shifters. “If you want us all to remain alive to see the autumn, I suggest you come with me.”
She swallowed hard. “No.”
“Fine.” He inspected his fingernails. “It won’t be my funeral.” Dario turned to go.
“Wait,” Jet said. “Who is he? Your master?”
The vampire shivered. “Pray you never learn his name. But he will break you. All of you. Easily.”
Silence descended over the clearing. It was as if the forest itself held its breath.
“I’ll be going now.” Dario put his hood back up. “It was nice meeting you.” With one last look at Sylvia, he walked into the trees and vanished.
Jet watched him go, looking like he wanted to follow and rip him apart. Finally, he tore his gaze away. “Let’s get back to the den.”
The five of them strode back, Dakota and Hawke occasionally throwing furtive glances over their shoulders. Sylvia wasn’t afraid. She knew Dario wouldn’t bother following them. He had bigger things to worry about.
“Why must you carry on so?” The voice was like a snake in her mind. She shook her head, willing it to go away. They must be able to outrun or outsmart him somehow. Together, they could think of a plan. How many days had it been since she’d escaped? Surely they had a little more time…
“You were my guest once. You will be my guest again. Forever, this time.”
She clapped her hands over her ears. She couldn’t let his voice inside her head, not even for a second. That was how it started, right after he pulled you under with those bright green eyes. With those eyes, and that voice, he could convince a mouse to climb into a hungry lion’s mouth.
She felt her steely resolve crumble. This was all a mistake, one huge, terrible mistake. She felt herself losing control, little by little, then all at once. She couldn’t breathe enough air, she was drowning, her legs were folding under her—
“Sylvia, what’s wrong?” Jet and Jasper were kneeling beside her.
“Bring him back.” She clutched Jet’s arm, her words reaching a hysterical pitch. “Find Dario, and tell him I’ll go. If I don’t go, it’ll be all my fault.”
Jasper smoothed her hair. “It’ll be okay,” he said. “Don’t worry.”
“I won’t worry. I won’t worry when you bring Dario back.”
Jet looked at Jasper, who nodded. Quickly, the Alpha scooped her up.
“No,” she begged, reaching back the way they’d come. “I need him. We all need him. It’s the only way you’ll be safe.”
“We want you to be safe,” Jet said.
“Put me down!” Furiously, she tried to wriggle out of his arms. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
“Sylvia, no!”
She twisted from his grip, and fell to the ground. Jumping to her feet, she set off running. She didn’t expect Jasper to tackle her. They both hit the forest floor, sprawling in the dirt.
“Come back to the den,” Jasper pleaded. “Just for tonight. You’re tired, stressed—in no condition to make grand plans. We’ll figure out what to do tomorrow.”
Sylvia sobbed.
Jet put a hand on her knee. “Let us help you,” he said.
“Help me?” She rubbed a hand under her running nose. “How?”
“Let us Bite you—you can be one of the pack, a shifter. Stronger, faster. He won’t be able to hurt you.”
Tears welled again. “But he will.”
“How? How is he so bad? Tell me.”
She could see it so clearly, the snakes writhing and twisting. “He can… he can make you do things.”
“Like what?”
Sylvia closed her eyes. “Whatever he wants.”
Chapter 8
They sat around the fire eating venison, but Sylvia could barely taste the meat. The pack was all gathered, and the meal was a quiet, tense affair. She wanted to leap onto the table, to shout at them, to demand to know why they were even bothering. He was coming, and there was nothing they could do to stop him.
“Stop it,” Jet murmured. “I know you’re thinking of running, or giving yourself up. Neither of those is an option.”
She bit back a laugh. He was right. When the time came, she wouldn’t have a choice at all.
“The Bite will solve everything,” Jet said. “What could hurt you as a wolf?”
Sylvia set her venison down. She couldn’t stomach any more.
“That’s a terrible idea,” Jasper said. “What if she doesn’t survive the Turn?”
She bit her lip to keep from blurting out that it didn’t matter either way.
“She’s strong,” Jet insisted. “She’d survive.”
Compared to what was after her, a shifter’s Bite wasn’t scary at all.
On the canyon rim, Clay yipped. But the sentry’s bark was cut short.
Within seconds, everyone was on their feet. Sylvia stood slowly, not bothering to reach for weapons as the others had. They’d find out soon enough that resisting was useless.
They waited long minutes, staring into the darkness. Icy dread seeped through her. It was all over.
There was a scuffling of pebbles over rock. Clay appeared around a bend, leading a tall man. The pack seemed to relax, but they hadn’t yet noticed that Clay’s arms were slack and his eyes blank, that he was responding to other orders now.
A wave of despair washed over her. He was here.
Jasper peered at the man who walked behind Clay. He didn’t like how Clay had abandoned his post, or how the man seemed to be using him as a shield. Something about the situation set his teeth on edge.
Beside him, Sylvia had gone rigid. Her hands shook, and she didn’t seem to be breathing. She stared down the canyon, naked fear in her gaze.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” he murmured.
She took in a shuddering breath. “You should have let me run.”
Jasper shifted, hoping his wolf form could comfort her, and intimidate their visitor. But the man hardly seemed to notice him, or care that he was walking into a den of angry shifters. He was tall and lanky, his long hair was drawn back, and he moved with a swagger that indicated he had little need to fear much at all.
The stranger stopped ten paces from the fire, and Clay
halted too. The sentry looked straight ahead, as if he didn’t recognize any of his fellow packmates.
Jet tensed, letting out a snarl. The stranger didn’t even glance at him. He merely rolled up the sleeves of his blue robe, which was strewn with stars and could have been made of night. He only had eyes for one person.
“Hello, Sophie,” he said softly.
She screamed, a terrible sound that seemed to rend the air around them.
“Hush,” the stranger said.
Sylvia did, instantly, sending chills down Jasper’s spine.
“I leave you for a week,” the man said, “in the best of care, and this is how you repay me? After all I’ve done for you, Sophie?”
She let out a dry sob. “You left me with D-Dario. You knew what he’d d-do to me.”
“He kept you safe. And for a tiny payment. What’s a little blood loss compared to your safety, my dear?” His words were like caramel, soothing and sweet. Jasper shook himself to keep from being lulled by them.
“But you ran away.” The stranger advanced. “From me, after everything I’ve given you. I’m not done with you, Sophie, and your desertion just proves that. I promised you that I was going to break you. You won’t make me break my promise too, will you?”
Rowan stepped forward, growling. “Leave this place while you still can.”
He whipped around to look at her, the fire seeming to grow in his eyes. “This does not concern you.”
She stepped back, and sat calmly. Around her, the rest of the pack relaxed.
Jasper felt queasy. This was an extremely powerful sorcerer. Could he make them do whatever he wanted? Had Sophie been right?
Sylvia! He snarled to himself. Her name is Sylvia. Don’t let his words poison your mind.
“What was our one rule?” The sorcerer’s words echoed off the canyon walls. “The only rule you needed to follow to guarantee that I would never irreparably harm you?”
She stared into his green eyes, like she couldn’t help herself. “Never run away.”
“And so… it’s time to surrender to me once more.”
She held out a hand to him, and he moved forward to seize it.
“No!” Roaring, Jet leapt at him.
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