Lena leveled her gaze on Kade. “Where’s Molly?”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Be calm, little female. Molly is safe. I wouldn’t endanger her, but she’s not too happy with me at the moment. I had to use the crate.”
Her mouth hung open. She snapped it closed and glared at him. “You put my sister in a crate? Like a dog?”
Kade shrugged. “I figure if she gets annoyed enough, she’ll shift back.”
She glanced from Rafe and his mate then to Josh and finally Devin. Nobody else seemed surprised by Kade’s treatment of Molly. And she was certain Devin wouldn’t stand for Molly being mistreated. If he didn’t see a problem with this, she’d hold back her complaints. For now.
“Let’s hope so,” Lena grumbled.
Sympathy filled Kade’s eyes. “I have not given up on her, Lena. I will do everything I can to reach her. You must understand though, she’s acting more like her lioness than a child. I can’t allow her free rein of the house and she’s tried attacking everyone besides me and Devin. I have a wolf shifter sitting in the kitchen in case she needs anything. She’s safe.”
He stared at her until she nodded.
Rafe stepped closer to his twin, his equally piercing gaze on her. “Welcome, Lena. I’m Rafe. This is my mate, Jazz.” He wrapped an arm around Jazz’s shoulders and tucked the woman against his body. “We’re so very glad to have you as a part of our extended family.”
Lena grinned. It was impossible not to. The warmth in his expression was contagious and chased away the uneasiness Molly’s situation brought. “Thank you. I can’t actually claim to be a part of your family though.”
Rafe tilted his head as he studied her. His eyes bled completely golden for a moment before his cats retreated, leaving normal honey-gold eyes.
“You smell like my friend. Devin touches you like I touched my female when I was courting her.” Rafe nodded his head. “Yes, you are his mate, maybe not in truth, but it’s only a matter of time before you wear his claim.”
She stiffened and both Devin and Kade gave her warning looks.
Jazz playfully smacked her mate’s arm. “Give the woman a break. It’s quite daunting being the object of a cat’s focused attention.”
His mate might not have noticed the silent byplay between her, Devin and Kade, but Rafe had. He slid his gaze to Devin, a small crease forming between his brows. He didn’t comment on it, though. He dipped his head and peered into Jazz’s face. A sheepish look spread over his rough features. “I suppose, although I’m sure she’s enjoying it.”
Lena’s cheeks warmed at the implied reference.
Devin caressed her thigh, the soothing circles calming her. “My female is a stubborn one, but she won’t be getting away.”
Jazz winked. “You might as well give in, Lena. Nothing deters them, you know.”
Kade cleared his throat, effectively putting an end to the lighthearted banter. “Devin, I need to speak with you and Mira.”
“About Molly?” Lena asked.
Angry golden eyes flicked to her. “No,” Kade snapped.
She swallowed around the lump in her throat. Kade didn’t seem the type of man to lose his temper without a damn good reason. Something was wrong.
Kade closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. “Trust me. Molly is fine and I plan to make sure she stays that way.” His eyelids lifted to reveal swirling golden eyes. A slow tilt of his head focused his intense gaze on Devin, the discussion of Molly obviously closed. “Rafe and Jazz will stay with Lena until you get back.”
Devin leaned close, pressed his mouth to her ear. “Do you mind? I won’t be long.”
Although her belly churned with the idea of her little sister locked away in a crate, she peeked at Devin through her lashes and teased, “’Course not. It’ll be nice to speak to another woman who understands just how difficult my life is.”
Devin flashed a lopsided grin and she was glad she chose not to voice any more of her complaints. “Then I’ll have to do my best to ease your discomfort later.”
She gave a little shake of her head and shooed him out.
Kade motioned toward the employee hallway. “Let’s use the office.”
As they walked away, her gaze landed on Josh, the one person everyone ignored. Sympathy rose. The man adored Mira. It was clear from the expression of longing on his face and the way he tracked her every move, but he didn’t follow the shifters. He watched Mira until she was out of sight before facing them.
“I’m going to help out at the bar. Yell if you need anything,” Josh grumbled before he strode away.
Jazz took the spot he’d vacated. She glanced up at her mate. “I hate this. It’s not fair. Josh is so in love with her it’s not funny.”
Rafe slid into the seat next to Jazz and petted her hair. “I know, love. I wish things could be different but they’re not.”
“Because Josh is human?” Lena asked.
Rafe nodded. “Female shifters do not take human mates, only royal males can.”
“Well, why not? If mating just involves a bite and sharing your cats, Mira can do that if she wants.”
“No she can’t.” Rafe sighed. “The gods deemed it so and their laws cannot be broken, even by them.”
Curses rang out, stopping her next question. Rafe slid out of the booth and stood in front of it, arms loose at his sides. Lena took in the protective stance, for once not being bothered by it, and shifted her attention to the front of the bar.
Vader stormed in, the customers parting for him without prompting. She did a double take, almost couldn’t believe he was the same man she’d known for years. He wore all black, from his leather jacket to his boots. The shaggy hair he’d always loved was now a rough buzz cut. At his back, three other equally tall men dressed in similar clothes and hairstyles followed. He locked angry eyes on her and strode forward.
“Where’s Devin?”
Rafe stepped closer. “Why do you want to know?”
Vader huffed. He dug an envelope out of his coat pocket and waved it at the other shifter. “Because the Council gave me one last job to do before they’d accept my resignation and I’m here to deliver it so I can get on with my life.”
Eyes locked onto the manila envelope, she swallowed down the bitter taste in her mouth and asked, “What’s in that letter?”
He flipped it over, exposing the heavy wax seal. “I don’t know. I don’t have X-ray vision.”
At least he hadn’t lost his sense of humor.
“Give it to me.” Rafe reached for it but Vader yanked it back.
“Sorry, can’t. I was ordered to hand deliver it.” He laughed and the sound raised the hair on her arms. “I think someone on the Council has a sick sense of humor. Anyway, we have less than an hour before the enforcers arrive to make sure I followed through.” He winked at her. “Council’s not too happy with me at the moment.”
She sensed Devin’s approach before he appeared behind Vader, towering over him by a couple of inches. The rage stamped on his face matched the contorted look on Vader’s.
“Well, deliver it.” Devin held out a hand.
Vader handed it behind him without taking his eyes off her. The pain in them bothered her but Devin’s guarded ones worried her more.
Devin slit the seal, pulled the single sheet of paper out and read. His nostrils flared and he crumbled the paper in his hand.
She scrambled out of the booth and went to him. He automatically engulfed her within his embrace. His heart raced under her ear. “What’s wrong?”
Instead of answering, he tipped her head back and kissed her hard. She opened to him, drew him in as he tried to crawl inside her. Her feet left the floor and she linked her arms around his neck while he made love to her mouth. Finally, he broke the kiss and buried his face into her hair. His pants heated her skin.
“Lena, baby, I…”
She tensed, waiting for the words, anticipation making her heart race.
He set her on her feet without sayin
g them. He turned to Mira and stared at her for a long moment. Her expression fell, tears filled her eyes but she didn’t say anything.
“Take my female home.”
Mira nodded, the tears spilling over. She reached for her. Lena evaded her grasp and grabbed Devin’s shirt as he stepped away. “Don’t walk away from me. What’s going on?”
He ran his thumb over her lips. “Nothing for you to worry about, angel.”
“Don’t you give me that crap. Tell me the truth.”
“It is the truth.” He ran gentle fingers through her hair, soothing strokes she knew he did to calm both her and him. “The Council is being difficult. I’ll deal with it then come back to you.”
“What do you mean come back to me? Where are you going?”
“Hopefully, nowhere,” Kade said. He handed the wrinkled letter to Rafe who read it and cursed.
“Give me that.” She reached for the paper.
Mira blocked her. “Don’t make this difficult, Lena. “
She watched Devin walk away with Vader and the other men. Panic set in, speeding her pulse. “Devin, wait!”
He didn’t stop.
Mira pushed her toward the front entrance. Lena gave up trying to fight her. The ache in her chest returned and this time it matched the pain in her heart.
He hadn’t turned around.
This time, she’d been the one left behind.
* * * * *
“Lena, let’s go inside.”
The muffled words sounded far away. Lena frowned. She knew that voice but couldn’t place it.
“Lena.”
Somebody shook her shoulders. She blinked. Kaleidoscope eyes came into focus but they were the wrong ones.
“Lena, are you okay?”
Mira. The name registered in her fuzzy brain. God, she felt drunk. She pressed a balled fist against her heart and nodded because the other woman looked so upset.
The car door opened. Mira helped her out and led her across the gravel driveway by her hand, like a child. It should’ve bothered her. Lena recognized the act as something that would normally annoy her. Tonight, it didn’t. The reason behind the lack of response eluded her.
Mira opened the door and ushered her inside. Lena stood there while Mira moved around the small room. She tossed her wallet on the ugly brown couch. The image of Devin stretched out on it while he waited for Lena to get dressed flashed across her mind.
Awareness returned along with a sense of loss.
She grabbed Mira’s arm as she walked past. “Why did Devin send me away?”
Mira crossed her arms over her chest. She studied the shag carpet for a long moment before meeting her eyes. “To protect you.”
“From what?”
“Losing your soul.”
Anger warmed the chill in her chest. She threw her arms up in the air. “What the hell does that mean?”
Mira rubbed at her temple. “It’s only going to be for a week. He’ll be fine. He’s survived it before.”
Lena’s heart skipped a beat. “Survived what before?”
“He didn’t tell you why his mind is fragmented?”
She shook her head and Mira cursed.
“Damn stubborn males.” Mira blew out a rough breath. “At fifteen, Devin took my punishment for killing my mate. He spent months being tortured in ways you can’t even imagine so I wouldn’t have to suffer.”
Lena covered her mouth. “Oh god.” She replayed the event in the bar and cursed. The letter Vader delivered. Devin had been ordered back there by the Council. That was what was in it. “Why is he going back there now?”
Mira dropped her gaze to Lena’s stomach. “To prove he can still control his cats. They’re saying if he can’t be trusted not to attack innocents, he doesn’t deserve to live.”
Lena stumbled backward. She grabbed the edge of the couch to steady herself. “It was an accident. It’ll never happen again. He said so. My scent calms him.” She sucked in a rough breath. “He needs me. Why did he send me away?”
“You’re a distraction he can’t afford.”
Lena dug her nails into the cushions. Anger rose, filled her up and gave her strength. “I’m not a distraction, dammit!”
Mira stepped closer, waved at Lena’s shoulder. “You’re his female, Lena. You might not be fully mated but if you’re close by, your scent will affect him.” She bent closer and sneered. “And how do you think he’ll react if he smells your fear or pain?”
She flashed back to the scene in the woods and his vacant, enraged eyes filled her vision. She choked back a groan. “But if they hurt him, he’ll react just as violently.”
“Exactly. He needs you tied to his soul and you won’t finish the bond. Sending you away is his best shot at surviving the week and returning to you. He won’t force you, Lena. He blames himself for your pain, for putting you in this position and he refuses to allow you to mate him out of pity.”
Lena pressed a hand against the sharp pain in her chest. “I’m going to finish it. I love him. I just needed time to get over losing my family.”
The front door flew open and a frazzled man who looked nearly identical to Xander said, “Molly is gone.”
Mira whirled around. “What do you mean she’s gone? Weren’t you watching her?”
The man straightened his spine. “Of course I was watching her. I went into the kitchen to get her fresh water because she spilled hers. When I got back, the crate and the back door were open and the cub was nowhere to be found. With her scent masked, there’s no trail.”
“No paw prints?” Mira asked.
The guy snorted. “Yeah, right to the road. I don’t care what anybody says. That little girl is still in charge and she just ran away from home.”
Mira peered over her shoulder. “Stay here, Lena. We’ll bring her home. She couldn’t have gotten far.”
Lena nodded, instinctively knowing Mira would make good on her word. Lena waited for Mira and the other shifter to disappear into the woods before she grabbed the keys to Devin’s car.
Mira wasn’t the only female who’d do whatever she could to uphold a vow. Lena would too. No way would she allow Devin to suffer when she could help him.
They were finishing what they’d started. Tonight. No more waiting.
She jumped into the car, turned the key and floored it. Gravel dinged off the metal trailer behind her. She cringed, half expecting the sound to alert Mira that she’d left the house. A quick peek in the rearview mirror showed only a cloud of dust, no pissed-off shifters. Lena focused on the narrow driveway ahead of her and skidded out onto the main road. Tires squealed. She evened out the car and pressed the pedal to the floor.
Urgency pushed at her. She had to get back to Devin before she lost him. The thought took hold. The Council didn’t always play by the rules. Look at what they’d done to Molly—condoning a prearranged mating. Who was to say they’d abide by whatever they’d stated in that letter?
Vader had said they had less than an hour before the enforcers arrived. She glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Twenty minutes. Plenty of time. She forced her eyes away from the dash, looked out the front and screamed.
She slammed on the brakes, whipped the wheel to the side to avoid the white lion cub in the middle of the road. The car hit something. The thud reverberated in her ears. Crunching metal, breaking glass and her screams surrounded her. Then the car was tumbling. Her stomach lurched. The seat belt cut into her neck and her head bounced against the headrest. Images of tree trunks and dirt flashed quickly as the car rolled.
The vehicle finally stopped with a loud thump. Pain stole her breath and silenced her cries. Smoke and dust filled her lungs. Spots danced in front of her eyes but she fought to stay conscious. She had to get out of the car, go after Molly. Yet when she tried to move, she couldn’t. Numbness was spreading down her legs like ice slithering into her veins.
She bent her head slightly to look down the length of her body. Chunks of glass, leaves and dirt covered her, not
surprising. It was the tree branch piercing her stomach that sent dread through her. Blood flowed steadily from around the stick.
“No.” She coughed and pain shot through her body. “Don’t want…to die.”
Scuttling noises then a flop on the car caught her attention. Molly, in her cub form, peeked through the broken window. Lena forced a smile.
“Hey…sister.”
Molly whimpered. Her little nose twitched and her pale blue eyes widened.
“Don’t…be upset.” Damn, it felt like she had cotton in her mouth. “Not,” she closed her eyes to stop Molly’s image from going fuzzy, “your fault.”
She coughed and groaned as the stick moved. Oh, god, she’d never felt such pain, not even when Devin had clawed her. Devin. Her tears slipped free. She was going to die and he didn’t even know how much he meant to her.
She forced her eyelids apart. The world swayed and she focused on the center image of Molly. Lena swallowed the blood filling her mouth and mumbled, “Tell…Devin I…loved him.”
Molly scrambled through the broken windshield and licked her cheek. Lena smiled or tried to. She wasn’t sure if she pulled it off.
“Love you.” She gathered her strength and said, “Go…home…to Devin.”
Lena watched Molly climb out then the darkness took the world away.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Devin listened to the other males arguing around him about how to get around the order the Council gave. He tuned them out. His cats’ trying to claw their way out of his body captured all of his attention. A couple of weeks with Lena and he’d forgotten how draining it was to keep three unstable cats under control twenty-four seven. He conjured Lena’s face. A week. He could survive a week. Compared to three hundred years of hell, a week was nothing.
He’d slay his demons and return home to his one. Everything would be fine.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what was in the letter,” Vader said.
Devin nodded, unable to manage anything more.
Time stretched while his lion’s snarls and Kade’s curses echoed in his head.
“She loves you,” Vader commented.
“I know. I love her too.” And he’d tell her and soon as he saw her again. No more waiting.
Beautiful Mistake: 2 (Royal Pride) Page 34