Jonah shrugged. “Your men try to take me, and they’ll become dog food.”
The guards stiffened, belatedly glancing toward the trees where large predators were circling them with hungry eyes.
The Director licked his lips, glaring at Jonah. “That’s a very foolish threat. Your daughter-”
“Is safely on her way home,” Jonah interrupted with obvious relish.
Markham made a choked sound. It seemed his boys hadn’t kept him updated.
“Lies,” he rasped.
Jonah shrugged. “Check for yourself.”
Turning, Markham pointed toward the nearest guard. “Call HQ,” he snapped.
The man scrambled to pull out his phone, his gaze darting toward a nearby tiger who crouched near the clearing as he pressed a speed dial number. Within seconds, he was connected to the mother ship and being given the news that the prisoners were missing.
The Director clenched his teeth as he slowly turned back to meet Jonah’s mocking glance.
“I didn’t travel all this way to leave empty-handed,” he snapped. “The SAU has need of an Alpha. It’s in my right to demand that you accompany me to headquarters.”
Jonah shook his head. “No.”
“You’re refusing a direct order?”
“Yes.”
The guards shuffled their feet, clearly wishing they were anywhere but the isolated park surrounded by lethal killers.
“I have the authority to take you—and every shifter here—into custody,” Markham continued to bluff.
Jonah prowled forward, ignoring the guns that were suddenly pointed in his direction as he shoved the envelope into Markham’s hand.
“You bother me or my family again, and the press will receive these documents first thing in the morning.”
With a scowl, the Director pulled out the stack of documents, tilting them to the side as one of the guards rushed forward to shine a flashlight on them.
Seconds ticked past, the man’s face growing pale as he shuffled from one page to another.
He was seemingly smart enough to realize that they could pose a danger to the authority of the SAU.
“You expect the public to believe such blatant lies? The papers are clearly forgeries,” he at last muttered, lifting his head to glare at the two Alphas.
“It only takes one reporter to start asking questions,” Jonah drawled, leaning forward in a gesture of unspoken intimidation. “Are you willing to risk what they might find?”
Markham instinctively stumbled backward, only to halt when he realized what he was doing. Then, clearly embarrassed by his revealing retreat, he grabbed the papers and ripped them in two.
“You can shove your threats up your ass,” he snapped, tossing the paper to the ground.
“Those are copies,” Jonah warned, his smile revealing his elongated fangs. “I have a hundred more all printed and ready to go by courier post at daybreak.”
The Director deliberately glanced toward the collar that encircled Jonah’s neck. A reminder that the government considered shifters second-class citizens.
“You don’t frighten me.”
“I should. You crossed a line.” Jonah pointed a finger in the man’s face. “You and the SAU will pay for that.”
“No. You’re the one who’ll pay.” The two men glared at one another, but in the end, it was the human who was forced to back down. Trying to pretend he hadn’t been neatly outwitted, the Director spun around and stomped back down the hill. “Come on,” he commanded his guards.
Watching the humans scramble back into their Hummers and speed away, Holden glanced at his companion.
“You think this is over?”
Jonah grimaced, rubbing a weary hand over the back of his neck.
“Nope. But I think they realize that we’re not going to be spineless victims forever,” he muttered.
Reaching out, Holden laid his hand on Jonah’s shoulder. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
****
A week later, Soren snuggled on the bed with his beautiful mate.
The trip back to the compound from the SAU headquarters had been a gut-wrenching effort. Even after they’d managed to slip out the back gate and disappear into the woods, he’d been terrified they were going to be tracked down before he could get Cora to safety. And if he’d hoped for more than the basic necessities from the Unseen bunker, he was destined to be disappointed.
Following the map, they’d come to a small cabin where they’d found a couple of pairs of sweats, some water, and the keys to a pickup that was older than Soren. He assumed that at least one or two of the elusive shifters were nearby, but they’d refused to show themselves.
With no choice, Soren had urged Cora into the truck, and they’d chugged their way through the thick forest, wincing as the stupid engine backfired loud enough to alert any human within a ten-mile radius.
Thankfully, no one had stopped them, and they’d eventually made their way back to the compound.
Over the past few days, they’d worked to put the past behind them, determinedly concentrating on building their future together. And the evening before, they’d formally celebrated their mating with a communal dinner followed by the mating marks.
Holden had insisted on personally doing Soren’s tattoo, adding an exquisite cat to the Pack symbol and blending it seamlessly with the mark he had done when he’d mated Leah. It’d been Cora who’d urged him not cover up his previous tattoo. She understood that the young female wolf had claimed a part of his past, and instead of trying to banish Leah from his memory, insisted that they celebrate her too-short life.
Jonah had done Cora’s tattooing, pretending to be horrified, even as he’d created a large wolf that stood guard next to a smaller tiger.
Soren knew exactly what her father was demanding of him.
Mate. Protector. And most importantly…partner.
Leaning his cheek against the top of Cora’s head, he watched as she lightly traced her new tattoo. The morning sunlight slanted through the window, warning that the day had already started, but he was in no hurry to move.
Not when Cora’s naked body was pressed tightly against him.
As far as he was concerned, this was where he intended to spend the next few hours.
“Well?” he murmured as she continued to stroke her fingers over the mating mark.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
He buried his nose in her reddish-gold curls, breathing deeply of her scent.
“Now the world knows that you belong to me,” he said, smug satisfaction laced through his tone.
She reached to touch his tattoo, her own smile filled with satisfaction.
“And you belong to me,” she said.
“Forever.”
“Forever,” she echoed.
A peaceful silence settled in the cozy room. A peace that Soren was reluctant to break. There was, after all, a hope that they could enjoy another bout of hot, sweaty sex within the next half hour.
But, dammit, after a week of waiting for Cora to take the initiative, he was tired of waiting. She was his mate, and it was time for her to take the final step.
Clearing his throat, he lifted his head so he could watch her reaction to his words.
“Now that we are officially mated, I think it’s time you move in with me.”
Her lips twitched. Was she laughing at his gruff tone, or the idea of living with him? Neither did anything for his male pride.
“Yes,” she at last murmured.
His wolf stirred with a restless annoyance. “You could be a little more enthusiastic,” he muttered.
Tilting back her head, she met his searching gaze. “We’re going to have to discuss some guidelines.”
Her teasing tone eased his wolf and allowed him to shake off his brief flare of nerves.
“Guidelines, hmm?” He leaned down to kiss the top of her nose. “Why do I think I’m about to be nagged by my wife?”
A flush touched her cheeks. S
he was still enchantingly vulnerable at the newness of their mating.
“Because you’re a slob,” she muttered, waving a hand toward the clothes he’d tossed on a nearby rug. “You can’t just drop your clothes on the floor.”
He arched a brow, wise enough not to remind her that she’d helped him strip off a few of those clothes in their eagerness to get naked last night.
“Why not?”
“It’s disgusting.”
He chuckled. “Ah, my finicky cat.”
“Not finicky,” she protested. “Just opposed to growing mold in my bedroom.”
“I see.” He allowed his fingers to thread through her glorious hair, his thoughts becoming distracted by the sight of the sunlight warming her ivory skin. He was fairly certain that he’d tasted every inch of her, but it wouldn’t hurt to make sure. “Anything else?” he asked in distracted tones.
She made a choked sound as his hand moved over the hateful collar to find the sensitive skin at the base of her throat.
“You can’t hog all the covers,” she managed to say.
His lips brushed her forehead, his fingers continuing to explore her satiny skin.
“And?”
She shivered as he followed the tempting curve of her upper breast.
“And you have to promise to make me pancakes with warm maple syrup every Sunday.”
“I think that can be arranged,” he murmured, his lips moving to trace the curve of her cheek. At this moment, he’d promise this female anything she wanted. “Now can we discuss my rules?”
She lifted her arms to circle them around his neck, studying him with emerald eyes that were darkening with a ready hunger.
“What are your rules?”
His hand boldly cupped her breast, his lips skimming to whisper directly in her ear.
“Hold me and never let go.”
Her fingers threaded in his hair, her slender body arching beneath him in a silent invitation.
“You’re easy,” she teased.
“Hey.” He gave a faux frown as if he’d been insulted. Then, he flashed a wicked smile. “Okay, I’m easy.” He rubbed his foot up and down her leg. “Have your way with me.”
Her hands moved down his back, sending tiny jolts of electric pleasure through his bare skin. His wolf gave a low growl, enjoying the sensation of being petted.
“I just had my way with you.”
“Only once,” he protested, refusing to count the half-dozen times he’d turned to her during the night.
“Soren,” she breathed as his fingers circled the hardened tip of her nipple. Then, without warning, she was pushing away his hand. “Did you hear that?”
“What?”
“I think someone is at the door.”
Lifting his head, Soren sniffed the air. Wolf.
“Ignore it,” he growled, kissing a path over her cheek before finding her lips.
Her hands pressed against his chest. “I can’t,” she protested.
At the same time, there was the sound of a fist slamming against the front door.
“Soren, open up,” Holden shouted.
With a furious growl, Soren forced himself to climb out of the bed and pull on a pair of sweats.
“I’m going to kill him,” he muttered, watching as Cora hurriedly slipped on a robe to join him as he left the bedroom and crossed the narrow living room.
He was beginning to understand why humans chose to hop on a plane or a cruise ship after their wedding. Clearly the only way to have time alone with his new mate was to go far, far away.
“You can’t kill him,” Cora took away his only comfort. “He’s your Alpha.”
“Watch me,” he said. Reaching the door, he grabbed the knob and yanked it open, glaring at the large male who was pacing the porch with a tangible impatience. “What the hell?”
Whirling on his heel, Holden stomped his way back to the door, his expression clenched so tightly he looked like he had a lemon shoved up his ass.
“We have troubles,” the older male snapped.
Soren slammed his fists on his hips, glaring at his Alpha. “I’m on my honeymoon.”
“I truly am sorry, Soren,” Holden said, his expression softening with genuine regret. “But this is important.”
Cora moved forward, standing at Soren’s side. “What’s going on?”
Holden grimaced. “You know we’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop after our little powwow with Markham from the SAU?”
Soren’s muscles clenched. Holden had shared the details of his and Jonah’s meeting with the Director of the SAU, including Jonah’s bluff with the files he’d received from the CDC.
They’d all been waiting for the bastards to retaliate.
Now, Soren could only hope that it wouldn’t come to bloodshed.
“Are they here?” he demanded, instinctively moving to shield Cora from the narrow pathway that ran in front of their cabin.
“No. But they sent their retribution,” Holden warned, moving to jog down the steps of the porch. “Come with me.”
Spinning toward his mate, Soren reached up to place his hands on her shoulders.
“Cora-”
“Don’t even think about it,” she interrupted, her voice filled with a warning not even a male lost in his fierce need to protect his mate could miss. “You start treating me like a helpless little woman and I’ll slice off your nuts.”
“Give it up, Soren,” Holden called over his shoulder.
Soren heaved a sigh, reaching out to enfold her fingers in his hand. They were both right.
As much as he wanted to keep his female safe, he couldn’t exclude her from the troubles that they would be facing in the coming days.
She was a vital part of their Packs.
He couldn’t diminish her worth.
Threading her fingers with his, Cora pressed herself close to his side as they followed Holden through the nearby trees toward the communal area of the compound.
They’d reached the fringes of the opening when a large male brushed past them, his expression grim.
Soren frowned. “Who the hell…” His words trailed away as he caught the unexpected scent. “Was that a bear?”
Holden gave a short, humorless laugh. “They shut down the Ursine Compound.”
A very bad feeling inched down Soren’s spine. “What do you mean they shut it down?”
Holden waved a hand toward the communal area that was suddenly seething with unhappy bears.
“Meet our new neighbors.”
Soren gave a slow shake of his head, already sensing the shit-storm that was about to hit with all three predators forced to share the cramped space.
“God. Damn.”
Look for more of the Branded Packs series with ABANDONED AND UNSEEN coming soon.
A Note from Alexandra and Carrie Ann
We hoped you enjoyed reading STOLEN AND FORGVEN. This is just the start of our dark and gritty Branded Packs series. With more to come, we can’t wait to hear what you think. If you enjoyed it and have time, we’d so appreciate a review on Goodreads and where your digital retailer. Every review, no matter how long, helps authors and readers. You won’t have to wait long for more in this series! Happy Reading!
The Branded Pack Series:
Book 1: Stolen and Forgiven
Book 2: Abandoned and Unseen (Coming Sept 2015)
Abandoned and Unseen
Next in the Branded Packs series:
Abandoned and Unseen – Coming Sept 15th – 2015
Abandoned
When bear shifter, Anya Tucker fell in love with the wrong man, the only thing she left with was a broken heart—and her two bear cubs. Now she’s mended her wounds and learned that in order to raise her babies she can only trust herself. When her sons meet the lazy cat next door and fall heads over tails for him, she’ll do whatever she takes to protect them—even from a past she’d thought she’d left behind.
Cole McDermott is a jaguar on a mission. Long naps, a willing w
oman, and a full stomach is usually all he needs when it comes to relaxing after a long day of protecting his Pack. Then he meets Anya and the burn of temptation is silky and tantalizing indeed. When a horror from Anya’s past threatens everything she loves, Cole will put everything aside and fight for her family—as well as his own.
Unseen
Nicole Bradley had no reason to live after the humans murdered her son. Not until she learns to hunt down those responsible for his death. Shifting into her wolf form at night, she slips out of the compound, determined to do as much damage as possible. The last thing she expected was to discover secrets that could destroy the SAU.
Polar shifter, Tucker Stone, lives off the grid. It’s the only way the Unseen can avoid being rounded up by the humans and tossed into a compound. Besides, he’s a loner by nature. But he can’t walk away when he sees the pretty female wolf in danger. Risking exposure, he takes her to his hidden den and tries to heal her wounds.
Can a reclusive polar bear and a wolf with a death wish find happiness together?
Preorder now Here!
About Carrie Ann and her Books
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.
Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.
Make sure you’re signed up for her MAILING LIST so you can know when the next releases are available as well as find giveaways and FREE READS.
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