Therian Promise

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Was there an access road? What about fortification?” Quinn asked.

  “No physical barriers other than the location. I spotted two sets of guards patrolling the perimeter, but I didn’t see so much as a dirt trail.” He rubbed the back of his neck then rolled his shoulders. “I haven’t flown that much in years. I’m going soft.” He chuckled then went on. “I’d like to return tomorrow with a camera and GPS. I’ll mark the exact location and see if I can verify the number of inhabitants, maybe identify patrol patterns and guard rotations.”

  “Without any sort of access road, this is going to be a logistical nightmare.” Kyle looked at her and tried to soften the observation with a smile.

  “How do we know this building has anything to do with us?” Ava couldn’t remain silent any longer. This sounded like a time-consuming wild-goose chase. “You guys are basing your strategy on the fact that I teleported to that location. I was panicked at the time. I think Kyle was right in the beginning. It was nothing more than my survival instinct.”

  “Perhaps.” Ian searched her gaze, his expression intense yet unreadable. “We’ll take it one step at a time. I’ll gather more information tomorrow and see where that leads us.”

  Everyone nodded though Ava remained uneasy. They all had much more confidence in her abilities than she did. Her visions were unpredictable at best and teleporting had been a fluke. She glanced at Carissa, still amazed by the ease with which her sister had shifted. The feline Carissa became wasn’t even an identified species but some unique blinding of the six animal natures she’d absorbed. Ava shuddered. Carissa had always been adventurous and brave while Ava analyzed each possible outcome and progressed with cautious deliberation.

  “We had a visitor while you were gone,” Quinn told Ian.

  “Do I even want to know?” Ian shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

  “Bruce Fitzroy mistook Natasha for Jake’s maid and ‘forced’ her to let him into the house,” Quinn explained.

  “How did he know Ava was here?”

  “Why do you immediately presume he was after me?” Ava’s stomach tightened as the implications of Ian’s conclusion sank in. The hunt wasn’t over. She was still in danger, still a conduit of unimagined power. Someone worth killing to possess. She’d seen a hint of Carissa’s abilities and the glimpse drove home all the fantastical claims she heard over the past few days. It was all real. The blood of an Omni Prime flowed in her veins. If she lived up to her full potential, she might be the next true Therian.

  “You’re the only thing here worth stealing.” Ian’s gaze moved over her face, the gold veins in his rich blue irises especially apparent as he searched her features.

  Kyle reached over and squeezed her hand, drawing her attention away from Ian. “You don’t need to be afraid. I wouldn’t have let him touch you. Natasha only allowed the situation to progress as far as it did so she had concrete evidence to present to the council.”

  “Fitzroy mistook Natasha for a maid?” Ian laughed. “I bet she laughed her ass off about that.”

  “Once Bruce was secured, she wasted no time mocking him,” Quinn confirmed. “But your question is interesting. How did he know Ava was here? Was the tavern open when Jake got the call about the kidnapping?”

  “The bar side was basically dead, but the restaurant was fairly busy,” Kyle said. “Jake was focused on the kidnapping, which is understandable. None of us thought about someone overhearing the conversation.”

  “Well, someone obviously did.” There was just enough disapproval in Ian’s voice to make Kyle tense.

  “Bruce is an arrogant idiot,” Quinn refocused the conversation. “He knew Ava wasn’t here alone and he still tried to snatch her. But when it came time to pull the trigger, he spent so long posturing that a newly defined female took him down.”

  “Thanks a lot,” Carissa huffed.

  “You did incredibly well.” Quinn wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer, chair and all. “That wasn’t my point.”

  “What was your point?” Already her irritation began to melt. Carissa was obviously helpless to resist her lover’s touch.

  The affection and longing flowing between Carissa and Quinn made Ava feel empty and restless.

  Are you all right? Kyle squeezed her hand and she looked into his eyes.

  I’m fine. She dragged her gaze away from his face. The smoldering desire in his gaze was far too similar to Quinn and Carissa’s.

  “Bruce Fitzroy is an annoyance not a threat,” Quinn stressed.

  “Nate will either keep him on a leash or Kyle won’t need to stop next time.”

  Erin’s easy conclusion made Ava feel sick. She could still see Kyle crouched over the wolf, blood dripping off his chin.

  “I’ll mention it to Jake once things quiet down,” Ian decided. “A customer overhearing a conversation is one thing. He needs to make sure he doesn’t have a leak.”

  No one argued with that, so the impromptu briefing ended.

  “Is anyone else hungry?” Erin asked. “I’d love a pizza, but it’s probably unwise to tempt fate with a delivery.”

  “Check the freezer,” Ian suggested. “Jake’s a bachelor and bachelors always have frozen pizza.”

  “This bachelor owns a restaurant,” Carissa reminded with a smile.

  Erin crossed to the surprisingly large refrigerator and opened the freezer side. “Ian wins. Plenty of frozen pizza. What’s everyone want?”

  Ava slipped off her chair and went out on the deck. The night was cool and clear, the sky studded with flickering stars. She crossed her arms on the railing, needing a moment alone.

  How had Carissa accepted all this so easily? Ava no longer doubted the things she’d been told, but she wasn’t sure how to process her new reality. In less than a week her life had gone from a semi-boring routine to life-and-death struggles, attempted murder and kidnappings.

  And what the hell was she going to do about Kyle? People in high-stress situations frequently developed intense connections, but as soon as the danger passed, the attraction faded away. She didn’t want to offer more of herself than Kyle offered in return. Everything was too new, too uncertain. She couldn’t let her insecurities turn him into some sort of hero.

  As if summoned by her musings, Kyle suddenly stood behind her and wrapped her in a soft blanket. “I know you’re conflicted and I’ll give you some space. I just didn’t want you to freeze to death.”

  She reached back as he started to leave and caught his wrist. “Please stay.” His arms wrapped around her and his body heat sank through the blanket, adding to the comforting weight.

  “Would you really have killed him?” she whispered without turning around.

  He took a moment to answer and she felt his arms momentarily tighten against her waist. “I won’t lie to you and I can’t pretend to be something I’m not. Therians are predators and we’re intensely protective of those we care about.”

  Did he honestly care about her or was he just grateful she’d saved his life? The question echoed back and reversed. Did she care about him or was she simply grateful he’d saved her life?

  “Do you want me to answer that or are you just working things out in your mind?”

  She smiled and rested the back of her head against his shoulder. “Once I’m defined, will I be able to shield my thoughts from you? Being this transparent obliterates my feminine mystique.”

  He chuckled then rubbed his cheek against her hair. “I assure you your mystique has lost none of its power. I’m fascinated by you.”

  “Why?” Even though it revealed her vulnerability, she couldn’t suppress the word.

  “Why am I fascinated by you?” He sounded disbelieving, so she turned around, dislodging his arms in the process. He moved his hands to the rail and stared into her eyes as he waited for her to reply.

  “You can have any woman you want. Enya was hostile until she realized we were in sync.”

  “Enya was likely hosti
le because we’re in sync.”

  “That doesn’t change the fact that she wants you.” He didn’t deny it, so she went on. “Are you leader of your clan?”

  “Yes.”

  He seemed reluctant to elaborate, but she wasn’t in the mood for evasions. “Explain how all this works. Why is Ian annoyed by our connection? Was he hoping to bond with me?”

  “The most powerful male in each clan becomes alpha. The twelve most powerful alphas serve on the Alpha Council. All the clans are organized into four networks. Quinn and I belong to the Rocky Mountain Feline Network. There is a Southern Feline Network, Canine Network and the Minority Network. The most powerful alpha from each of these four networks becomes their network’s Prime.”

  “Why are there two feline networks?”

  “Because there are more feline shifters in RMFN than all the other networks combined. I don’t know why we’ve fared better than the other Therians, but it’s been that way for a very long time.”

  “Are you your network’s Prime?” She’d had no idea it was this well organized, but she’d sensed authority in both men, the sort of confidence that only came with power.

  “I am and so is Ian. And you’re right. He’s hoping you’ll join with him and become part of the Minority Network.”

  “Does that mean it’s still my choice to make?”

  “Of course.” He sighed, removing one of his hands from the rail as he brushed his hair back from his face. “Nothing will be forced on you, ever. Even if you don’t choose me, I’ll make sure no one harms you or pressures you needlessly.”

  “If I don’t choose you?” Her mind stalled on the phrase, unable to move beyond the concept. “You want me to…bond with you permanently?”

  He ran his knuckles across her cheek and smiled. “Don’t panic, sunshine. You know damn well I want you, but any permanent decision is a long way off. You don’t have to be afraid any longer. Any one of us would give our lives to protect you.”

  “How very medieval of you.”

  Despite her grumbling response, he chuckled then tilted her chin up and searched her gaze. “The concept might be antiquated, but I mean it literally. We are sworn to the Omni Prime. Your life and the life of anyone within your bloodline is more important than ours.”

  “I refuse to accept—”

  He placed his fingers on her lips, halting her words. “It doesn’t matter what you accept. The choice was ours to make. And when you are ready—regardless of how long that takes—you will choose the male who best meets your needs and balances your abilities.” His fingertips brushed over her face as he drew his hand away.

  “I won’t have abilities of any importance until I’m defined.”

  He nodded, his gaze lingering on her mouth. “That decision must be made sooner, but you still have time. Relax. Allow yourself to adjust to all these changes.”

  Carissa hadn’t needed time to adjust. She’d learned all the secrets their mother had hidden from them and chosen her new life path while Ava ran and hid like a frightened rabbit.

  Erin slid the door open and called, “Pizza’s almost ready.”

  “We’ll be right in,” Kyle told her.

  The warmth in his gaze made Ava smile. “Have you and your mother always been close?”

  “Yes, but we became especially so after my father died.”

  She nodded. “Death seems to do that to the ones left behind.” She’d thought she was close with Carissa until their mother died. Then they became inseparable, having no other family but each other. Or so they’d believed at the time.

  Ava sat across from her sister as Erin set two steaming pizzas on the kitchen table. The men waited as Erin served the younger women then they attacked the rest of the gooey slices. They spoke of people Ava didn’t know and it made her feel even more like an outsider when she realized Carissa understood the references. Erin tried to include her in the exchange, but the conversation quickly became too lively to control.

  Quinn and Kyle enjoyed exchanging playful insults while Ian remained quiet and watchful, his gaze frequently straying to Ava. He was handsome and imposing, but she felt no attraction, no elemental connection like the one she felt with Kyle. So it wasn’t Therian males as opposed to human men. She hadn’t felt the overwhelming urge to jump Jake’s bones. It was only Kyle who made her irrationally…horny. She’d always hated the word, but nothing else expressed the continual restlessness only his touch quieted.

  “Has anyone checked in with Jake?” Carissa asked as the men divvied up the final pieces of pizza.

  “I talked briefly with Enya,” Ian said. “Jake’s still out in the field.”

  “Any new information? Has he picked up a trail?” Erin’s eyes were the same forest green as Kyle’s, Ava noticed as they filled with compassion. “Those poor girls.”

  “They don’t know anything yet, but Jake will keep at it until they’re found. Stubbornness is a common Therian trait.”

  Stubbornness, protectiveness, compassion and ferocity, Ava added to the list. Most modern women would consider their attitudes chauvinistic and out-of-date. Ava found them charming. She’d spent so much of her life trying to be strong and self-sufficient. Knowing someone was there to protect and care for her was incredibly appealing.

  Kyle pushed back from the table and held out his hand. “Mind if we desert you with the dishes?” he asked his mother. “We’re still recovering from our adventures in the wild.”

  She chuckled then winked at him. “Go on. I’m sure Carissa and I can handle it. We wouldn’t want you to strain yourself.”

  Ava’s face flamed as the others laughed, everyone except Ian. His gaze followed her with obvious interest. Kyle slipped his arm around her shoulders and ushered her from the room. “Ignore him.”

  “Ignore who?”

  He stopped walking and turned her to face him, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Answers like that will make me think his attention isn’t unwanted. Are you attracted to Ian?”

  “No. I’ve just never had one man this interested in me, much less two.”

  “Better get used to it,” he advised in a whisper. “Until you choose your mate, you’re going to draw a lot of attention.”

  Kyle led her to the bedroom he’d selected for them and motioned toward the suitcase on the chair near the connecting bathroom. “Carissa brought some of your clothes and stuff.”

  “Yeah, she told me Quinn drove her to our house while we were lost on the mountain. I guess she was pretty upset and he was trying to keep her distracted.”

  “I can think of more interesting ways to keep a woman distracted.” He grinned at her, but she was too busy rummaging through the suitcase to notice.

  “It will be so nice to wear my own clothes.” She looked at him and flashed a beaming smile. “She remembered my toothbrush!”

  “It’s amazing how much we take for granted. All the simple pleasures of life.”

  With her toothbrush in one hand and a sleep shirt in the other, she looked at the bed then nibbled on her bottom lip. “Do you mind if I take a bath before we go to bed? I really need to relax.”

  “Anything you want. Tonight’s for you.”

  She glanced away while her cheeks turned pink. He loved it when she blushed. It made her seem so innocent, so untainted by the harsh realities of life. “Why is that? It’s not my birthday or anything.”

  “You promised not to run no matter what happened.”

  “I kept that promise.” Her brows scrunched together over her nose, creating adorable furrows in her brow. He wanted to smooth away the faint lines with his lips then kiss his way down to her mouth.

  “I know you did. Now it’s my turn to prove that I’m a man of my word. Last night was not what I intended for our first time together. I promised to make it up to you and I intend to keep that promise tonight.” Before she could reply, he swept her into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. The large sunken tub was the reason he’d chosen this bedroom. “I was going to fill the
bath and bring you chilled champagne, but you ruined the surprise.”

  “Sorry.” She slid down his body as he released her legs. “Are you going to join me?”

  “That’s up to you. I’ll remain your obedient servant if you’d rather just soak or I’ll wash your hair and rub your shoulders if you’d rather have company.”

  Mischief glistened in her blue eyes and she placed her hand on his chest. “What if I’d rather have my obedient servant in the tub with me?”

  He laughed. “It’s your night. What would you like me to do?” He wasn’t sure how long his Therian nature would allow him to indulge her, but he’d give it a try. She’d already experienced forceful and demanding. This might be fun.

  “Undress for me. I was too worried about you dying on me last night to enjoy your visual appeal.”

  “As milady commands.” He swept his arm in front of him as he bent into a courtly bow. Then he turned on the water so the bathtub could fill while he obeyed her first directive. He tugged off his boots and socks then pulled his t-shirt off over his head. Her gaze boldly followed his movements, frequently lingering in strategic areas. Therians were blessed with a higher metabolic rate than most humans, so obesity wasn’t a problem. In fact the vast majority of human diseases didn’t affect Therians.

  Glancing at the tub, he made sure he had time before he asked, “May I undress you as well?”

  “Not until you’re naked.” She pointed to the front of his jeans.

  Desire rolled through him, fueled by the challenge inherent in her attitude. They’d barely begun and already he wanted to regain control, to rip the clothes from her body and press her up against the wall. Instead, he lowered his zipper and slowly removed his pants. Her gaze followed the descent of his hands until his shaft sprang free then her focus locked into place. Their positions the night before had kept her from seeing more than an occasional glimpse of his cock. Her rampant interest now only made him even harder.