Xander

by Dana Archer

  Both Dante and Rick chuckled.

  She shook her head. “I’m glad you’re both amused.”

  Rick looped his arm around her in a loose hug. “Aw, sweetie, I missed you. You’re like the kid…” He cleared his throat. “You’re like the kid sister I never had.”

  The hesitation in Rick’s statement wasn’t lost on her. She wanted to uncover the reason behind it. She knew him well enough to know her questions wouldn’t be welcome in front of other men, though.

  “What are you doing here?” Last she’d heard, Rick had joined a band. They’d been touted by major music studios. She’d never learned if they’d signed, though. She’d gotten picked up by those bear shifters in Alaska.

  “It’s my first day back on the job. They’re setting me up with an office and everything.”

  “You’re moving here, then?” Dante’s voice held suspicion. “I thought you were done with shifter issues.”

  “Yeah, well, got tricked into investigating a shifter death that happened in this neck of the woods a few months back.” Annoyance tightening his features, Rick shook his head. “Freaking waste of my time. There’s no way I’m finding the killer now. Trail’s cold.”

  Dante shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. Won’t know until you try.”

  The blonde woman Gwen had spotted in the parking lot a few minutes ago stood by the receptionist’s desk, calling out Rick’s name.

  Rick waved his arm. “Over here.”

  A look of relief flashed across the woman’s face. She flipped a long braid of hair over her shoulder and moved toward them. “Rick Lyall?”

  “Yep, that’s me.” Rick held out a hand.

  The woman glanced at it a moment, then grinned. “I’m not used to shaking hands with shifters.”

  “I’m used to human customs.” Rick glanced from her face to his hand. “Are you going to shake or not? ’Cause if you dismiss me, I’m going to go sit in some dark room and cry.”

  Giggling, she grasped his hand and shook it. “I doubt that, but on behalf of the West Virginia Shifter Affairs division, welcome.” She glanced at Dante, and her smile dimmed. “Dante, it’s nice to see you again.”

  “Ella.” Dante tipped his head toward Gwen. “This is Gwen, Steven Burnett’s middle daughter.”

  The other female finally turned her attention to Gwen. She blinked rapidly as if fighting tears, then grasped Gwen’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m sorry about your father’s death. He was a wonderful man who helped me transfer into my role as a Shifter Affairs agent.”

  Memories of watching her stepdad being murdered by the shifters who wanted to kidnap Molly surfaced. She shoved them back. This wasn’t the time or place for those thoughts.

  “Thank you.” Gwen studied the empathetic expression on the woman’s face. It was the kind of compassionate look people got after they’d lived through hell themselves. Ella would be the perfect one to turn to for help. “This might not be the proper procedure for opening a case with Shifter Affairs, but I need your help freeing a friend from the fighters’ compound where I was held prisoner.”

  Ella’s gaze mapped Gwen’s face. A serious glint replaced the compassion in her blue eyes. “Do you have any details that can help me?”

  Relief flowed through her. Ella would do everything she could to help. Gwen knew it as surely as she knew her name. “His name is Elias Winchester, but he goes by Killer among the fighters. He’s also the undefeated contender of the death matches. I can’t say where he’s being kept now, but as of three days ago, he was being held within two hours of Lake Winnipeg, and he was supposed to fight in a match this full moon.”

  Ella inclined her head. “I have some contacts I can reach out to. I think we should be able to find him with a reputation like that.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Gwen sighed in relief. Between her efforts and Xander’s, they’d succeed in bringing Eli home. She was sure of it. “Promise me you’ll make sure he’s released into my custody.”

  Ella sighed. “I can promise he’ll be evaluated, and if he’s salvageable, he can be treated outside of a Shifter Affairs center, but that’s the best I can do.”

  Eli was coming home, whether they had to disobey Shifter Affairs or not. This wasn’t the time or place to make demands, though. She nodded. “That’s as much as I’d hoped. Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” Ella smiled. “Is there anything else you need?”

  “No.” Dante laid his hand on Gwen’s arm but addressed Ella. “Call my cell with any updates on Eli.”

  “Actually…” Gwen shook his hold off. “Hannah Kagan is supposed to have an office here. Do you know if she’s in today?”

  “Yes. I can take you up to her if you’d like,” Ella offered.

  “Wonderful.” Gwen glanced at Dante. “You don’t mind waiting for me, do you? I’d like to talk to Hannah alone.”

  Dante shrugged. “Sure. You’re safe here. I’ll wait outside with Rick. Call my cell when you’re ready to go.”

  “Perfect.” Gwen pressed her lips together to hide her smile.

  She’d lucked out coming here today. Ella would do everything she could to find Eli, and Hannah would be able to answer the long list of questions Gwen had been compiling, including how both Xander and Vlad would be able to have sex with her the way Dante had suggested they would. Once she knew the details from another woman’s point of view, she’d be able to wipe away any of Xander’s and Vlad’s concerns about their naïve, innocent lover, because, one way or another, they were having sex tonight.

  Chapter 30

  From the raised deck off his bedroom, Xander had a perfect view of the ceremonial circle. Lush, green grass had sprouted in the sacred gateway to the realm of the goddesses overnight.

  The coming winter would stunt the grass’s sudden growth, but until then, it would be the perfect place to share Gwen’s body with Vlad for the first time. Xander looked forward to the once-in-a-lifetime encounter, but at the moment, the sight of the ceremonial circle filled Xander with dread. Several dominants, including Xane, were gathering in there.

  Xander had a good idea why they’d decided on the impromptu appearance. Either Xane had told them Xander’s plan to mate Gwen and share her with Vlad, or Corey had spilled the details. Going by his pack mates’ angry expressions, they weren’t accepting of Xander’s decision. Only Xane stood impassively. Of course, his twin usually did remain neutral in most situations. He was a diplomat, not a leader.

  Too bad Xane couldn’t meet with the Shifter Council’s delegates tomorrow. After the harsh reception Xander had gotten when he’d called asking for a special meeting, he would be hard-pressed to keep his tact and patience. It’d be vital he did, though. Instead of granting his request, Brock, the eldest Royal wolf shifter on the Council, and James, the single wolf shifter representing West Virginia, would be visiting the Winchester pack to assess Xander’s needs.

  “Do you want me to go with you?” Vlad asked.

  Xander glanced over his shoulder. Vlad leaned against the wall directly across from the open patio doors, out of sight of their pack mates who might be watching. “You can, but I’d rather you find out when our female is coming home. I don’t want Gwen here if this is going to turn into a fight.”

  “Already did. Dante’s stopping to get Gwen something to eat. That’ll delay them, and, if necessary, he’ll keep Gwen inside the house and away from the windows once they arrive.”

  “On top of things as always.”

  Vlad shrugged. “I know how you think.”

  There was no need to express thanks for the foresight or outwardly acknowledge what a relief it was to know he didn’t have to deal with everything on his own. As Vlad had said, he knew how Xander thought.

  Vlad’s insight had come in handy earlier in the day too. Xander’s criminal contacts had attempted to con Xander out of money by booking him a death match ticket at a fighting ring that had been burned down when Shifter Affairs raided it.

  Once Xander had ca
lled them on the lie, they’d admitted to not knowing where the next match would occur. Had Vlad not been present, they might’ve wasted valuable time investigating a dead lead.

  Xander wanted Vlad’s assessment of their pack mates’ visit tonight too. He trusted his friend’s thoughts.

  “Good. Let’s go.” Xander vaulted over the railing of the deck and landed in a crouch on the ground below.

  A thump from behind him signaled Vlad’s landing, but Xander didn’t wait for his friend. He hopped to his feet and headed toward the circle. Connor, a century-old male who ranked below Xane in the pack’s hierarchy, broke away from the others.

  “You abandon us for months, then come home and upset the peace we’ve found here.” Connor stopped inches from Xander’s face and sneered at him. “Selfish is what you are. You—”

  Xander wrapped his hand around Connor’s throat and lifted him until his toes brushed the ground. Connor grasped Xander’s wrist and unleashed his claws. The tips of his sharpened nails bit into Xander’s skin.

  Xander ignored the trickle of blood dripping off his forearm and leaned close. “Mind your tongue around your alpha, Connor. Otherwise, you’ll be re-growing a tongue this full moon after I rip yours out for your disrespect.”

  Connor lifted his lip on a snarl, revealing a fang. “You can silence me, but I speak for the pack. Their concerns and opinions will remain the same. One of the males behind me will simply take my place and speak for them.”

  A dark, cold fury slithered through Xander. It wasn’t the appropriate response for an alpha. Connor was acting as any honorable dominant, looking out for the welfare of his pack mates. Still, Xander wanted to punish him, but with Gwen in his life, he held himself in check. He didn’t want word of his harsh reprimand to get back to Gwen. It wouldn’t matter to his mate that Connor could regrow any body part he lost, including a tongue. All she’d focus on was the minor discomfort he’d be in while he learned his lesson.

  “You speak for Xane, too. Is that what you’re telling me?” Xander squeezed Connor’s throat until Connor’s nostrils flared before easing the pressure. “If it is, I’ll call you a liar. My twin supports me in all things.”

  “Not all, brother.” Xane stepped forward. “I share the pack’s concerns.”

  Xander threw Connor away from him and pivoted toward his twin. The worried expression Xane wore cut through the aggression slithering through Xander. Maybe they weren’t as close as he’d like them to be, but the twin bond was powerful. They’d die for each other. Xander didn’t doubt Xane’s loyalty. “Last night, you were onboard with my plan to contact the Shifter Council. What changed?”

  “Corey called her contact at Shifter Affairs today to learn what rumors are being spread. Seems some of the elders on the Council want to nip the rash of perverted matings among our species before it becomes acceptable to tie humans or other shifter males to our souls.”

  Xander glanced over his shoulder at the group of dominants who’d come here to confront him. Regret landed hard in Xander’s gut. He’d spent the day searching for leads on Eli instead of meeting with his pack, explaining what Gwen meant to him. That had been wrong. They deserved to know his plans.

  “What have you heard from Xane about me?” Xander asked his pack mates, scanning each male’s face before focusing on Connor. Disappointment and worry bled through their stony features. Not rage. Not disgust.

  “Nothing. Xane has remained loyal to you as a twin should.” Connor once again approached with guarded aggression. Hands clenched and jaw tight, Connor stopped several feet away, close enough to set him apart from the others but not invading Xander’s personal space and triggering his need to defend himself.

  “Corey, then.” Xander nodded. He had ordered her to spread the word about treating Gwen with respect.

  “Corey warned us to stay away from your little beloved human. Then Xane comes and tells us to be vigilant. We are to increase security on our borders and alert him immediately of any outsider on our pack lands. No explanation. No other details. Nothing.” Connor flexed his hands. “Don’t you think it’s about time you told us what’s going on?”

  Both pack mates he’d confided in last night had walked the line between loyalty to him and to the pack. Xander met Xane’s eyes, letting him see what it meant to know Xane had his back. Always.

  Xane inclined his head slightly, and Xander faced Connor. “Gwen is my true mate. She’s also Vlad’s. We will soul-bond to her once…”

  Once they figured how to do so without risking her life. In order for a human to soul-bond with a Royal, the linking of souls occurred at the point of death. Doubling the number of bonds they had to form with Gwen would undoubtedly increase the danger.

  A Royal-human soul-bonding didn’t always succeed, a tragic outcome that had, until this past year, kept most Royals from considering tying a human to them eternally. Rafe’s, then Devin’s successful matings had eroded some of the fear associated with human-shifter matings, at least for Royals. For singles, it had always been safer as it didn’t occur at the point of death.

  For Xander, Vlad, and Gwen, their three-way soul-bonding had to happen. After walking through Vlad’s soul and experiencing the loneliness Vlad had suffered on the outside, Xander couldn’t risk leaving him out. Vlad needed Gwen as much as she did him. Witnessing how Vlad’s words to her last night had immediately soothed her after she’d woken upset proved that. So had the intimate encounter they’d shared.

  “Once your human develops a backbone?” Connor asked.

  Fangs bared and claws extended, Vlad lunged at Connor.

  Xander slammed his shoulder into Vlad, knocking him away from Connor. He hit the ground hard, landing on his knees. The impact tore a curse from Vlad but didn’t dissuade him. He pushed from the ground and rammed his head into Connor’s chest. Connor flew backward. Vlad landed on him, shoving an elbow into his gut.

  The deliberate move, meant to hurt not kill, eased Xander. He stepped back, allowing the brawl. Connor enjoyed fighting, and Vlad could use the opportunity to burn off his aggression.

  In a frenzy no human could match, Vlad and Connor rolled over the soft, new grass, crushing the blades. Their elongated claws tore chunks of the dirt free, and their blood dripped, staining the grass.

  Each held his ground, even as they circled and lunged at each other. However, the slight restraint Vlad showed, not pummeling Connor’s face and not blocking every punch Connor threw, showed those watching that Vlad was deliberately holding back.

  Finally, the force of their blows lessened, and their growls turned into grunts. Xander gave a small nod to Xane, a sign his twin would understand. It was time to end this, saving one of their fighting pack mates the disgrace of conceding the fight.

  “Enough!” Xander fisted Vlad’s shirt at the same time Xane grabbed Connor’s. They yanked the two males apart. “This is over.”

  “Not until Connor apologizes.” Vlad stared at his opponent. The look on Vlad’s face dared Connor to oppose him.

  “It wasn’t meant to be disrespectful. Your female can’t help who she is. Maybe that’s why she needs two mates.” Connor shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t particularly care. She’s not mine.”

  “But Gwen will become your alpha female,” Vlad shot back. “As such, she deserves your respect.”

  “Respect is earned. Until she proves herself, Gwen will just be the lover sharing our alpha’s bed in the pack’s eyes.” Connor sneered. “But Vlad? Maybe he’ll be—”

  “The same thing I always was to Xander.” Not looking at Xander, Vlad brushed the grass and dirt from his chest. “His confidant, his friend, his partner. Only this time, the lover we share will be the keeper of our sanity, and, if the goddess allows, the mother of our children.”

  Connor snorted. “If you’re thinking to follow in the footsteps of the Kagan pack’s alpha couple, you shouldn’t count on it. Singles have a lot easier time breeding than we do.”

  Which was also why some Royal groups were dy
ing out.

  Xander dipped his head in acknowledgement. “Nothing worth fighting for is easy. As a Winchester, you know this.”

  Connor looked between Xander and Vlad. “A true mate is a blessing. If this human is yours, we will come to accept her and protect her as we would any female mated into our pack. As I said, respect is earned, though. No matter what you say or how much you threaten us, Gwen will be treated as our alpha female, if and only if she deserves it.”

  As much as Xander would like, he understood this. He always had. It was why he’d failed her twice before. He’d thought to shelter her from the harsh realities of being his true mate. That option was taken away in this lifetime.

  “Understood, but remember, for now, she is a mortal human. Losing her will destroy me. I will follow her.” He’d have no choice. This was their last chance. If that meant spending his eternity with his true mate in the heavens, then he’d pay someone to take his head.

  “And me. I won’t live without her.” Vlad stepped next to Xander, a show of solidarity their pack mates would understand.

  “Then it’s best she’s watched twenty-four/seven.” Connor met the gazes of the other dominants, who each nodded their agreement. “We’ll set up a schedule so she always has a guard.”

  Added to the protection Dante already provided, Gwen would be safe. The knowledge freed Xander to deal with the threats against their future. He simply had to come up with a way to counter the fear and disgust of those elders who’d look upon his and Vlad’s mating to Gwen as abhorrent.

  No ideas came to Xander. He’d come up with something, though. He had no other choice.

  Chapter 31

  Armed with the information she’d gotten from Hannah, Gwen carried an armful of blankets, along with a small tube of lube Hannah had insisted was essential, from the house to the ceremonial circle. The bonfire Dante had started brightened the area. More importantly, it warmed the night air. While not exactly cold, she didn’t want her lovers to be concerned about how the slightly cooler temperatures affected her. She wanted their entire focus on pleasuring her. Only.