After his answer, the space felt even more cramped, the rough walls gouging into her flesh. She pressed her hands against the cold stone, struggling not to shove Reed to get him to move faster.
The air grew cooler the farther they traveled, the chill emanating from the stones themselves, and wrapping around her very soul.
Something was wrong.
She stopped moving, barely breathing, while she concentrated on locating the source of the trouble.
Then the sense of her unease became clear…the mountain of dirt and stone above them had muffled the connection to her pack. When she first learned of the connection, she hated the lack of privacy. She hadn’t realized how much comfort she took from that same connection until it was gone.
To keep from dwelling on the way she felt—like someone had reached in her chest and ripped out half her soul—she began to count her steps, and nearly jumped out of her skin when Durant touched her shoulder.
“You need to calm yourself.” He looked down, and she followed his gaze. Electricity crackled around her hands, little sparks of light that bounced off the solid rock like a sparkler.
Pure energy had a habit of infecting shifters, pulling their beasts closer to the surface. Since they were heading toward a cave full of them, they could be walking into a fishbowl full of piranha, and they were the only food.
“How?” The dragon sat crouched under her skin, ominously silent, claws pressed against her ribs, either biding its time, or plotting, but not helping her cope one bit.
It wanted out.
It wanted to destroy.
It refused to be imprisoned underground.
Not again.
All her senses went haywire, so heightened it only aggravated the dragon more.
Raven was desperate enough to try anything.
If she didn’t get ahold of herself, she might end up burying everyone alive.
Durant didn’t hesitate, wedging himself between her and the wall. With every breath she took, his delicious leather scent soaked into her. Though he was just as hard as the rock against her back, there was a lovely heat to the muscles surrounding her. The wicked gleam in his eyes told her he would do anything for her…all she had to do was ask.
Raven tried to keep from touching him—infecting him—but the big tiger would not have it. He reached for her hands, uncurled her fists and pressed them against his chest. He jolted at the touch, his breath escaping in a hiss, and she yanked her hands back.
But instead of releasing her, he kept his hold on her wrists, pinning her in place with his body.
A slight purr rose from his tiger, distracting her from her panic. Raven stroked her fingers against his shirt, more to sooth herself than him, and cursed the fabric separating them.
The air became electric for a totally different reason, and her cheeks heated. When she leaned back to give herself room to think, she ended up smacking her head against rock, the sharp pain knocking some sense into her.
“Are you sure this was such a great idea?” Raven swallowed hard, peering up at him reluctantly, afraid of what she would find. Even though the other shifters gave them space, she was very conscious of not being alone.
Shifters didn’t have the same privacy hang-ups as humans did about sexuality and nudity.
“This is the best idea I’ve had all day.” There was a smile and a healthy dose of lust in Durant’s voice. The heat in his gaze was pure animal, those beautiful orange eyes glowing hot enough to singe.
Then he dipped his head, stealing a kiss…stealing the air from her lungs, and making her forget they were in a cave.
Forget they were in a mountain.
Forget her own name.
He took charge of the kiss, like he was starving for her and one taste wasn’t nearly enough. Because of their proximity, the purr she found so enchanting seemed to tingle through her nerve endings, and any thoughts—other than figuring out a way to get closer—simply vanished.
She slipped her hands over his shoulders, enjoying the way his muscles bunched at her touch, as if desperate for more. When she nipped his lip, his hands tightened painfully on her hips, and she heard his claws slice through the fabric of her jeans. Only then was she aware that he’d lifted her up, making it easier for her to take what she wanted.
She slowed the kiss, reluctantly pulling away, already missing the way his lips felt so hard and demanding on her own. Raven rested her forehead against his, not ready to face the world yet. “Your timing sucks.”
Durant chuckled, sounding utterly masculine and very pleased with himself. “I didn’t expect—”
“—me to lose control.” When she tried to turn away, he pushed closer and pinned her to the spot. Cold stone dug into her spine while delicious heat soaked into her wherever they touched. The contrast heightened her senses, making her more aware of every inch of him pressed so intimately against her.
“I didn’t expect you to respond to my touch like something right out of my deepest fantasies.” He ran the tip of his finger across her bottom lip, looking ready to give her another panty-melting kiss. Much to her disappointment, he didn’t follow through with the promise. “And if you’re afraid of losing control again, I would suggest practice.” He dropped his hand to her shoulder, his thumb caressing the pulse pounding at the base of her throat. “Lots and lots of practice.”
Instead of feeling threatened, she imagined his hands roaming over her, his only thought to give her pleasure. “Durant.”
She meant his name to sound like a reprimand, not a husky plea.
Then, before she could change her mind, she pushed him away. She slid down the length of his body, his arousal like a brand against her stomach. They both froze, and her breath hitched as she struggled to remember why putting distance between them was such a good idea.
By the time she gathered enough willpower to pull away, she swore she heard a little growl of displeasure escape him. Without a word, not sure her brain could come up with anything but a mindless jumble of sound, Raven mindlessly headed down the crack in the mountain, very conscious of Durant following so closely that they touched every few minutes.
She felt pursued.
Cherished.
When they burst into a large cavern not ten minutes later, Raven was both disappointed and relieved. The cave was massive, thirty feet high, and nearly double that across. Stone towers held up the ceiling, while also offering some privacy. Sounds and smells were amplified in the enclosed space, which quickly became unbearable to her hyper-aware shifter senses.
The center appeared to be a kind of way station, a place where people gathered. It was a hive of activity, similar to a small city, where everyone appeared to carve out their own existence, some even hawking or trading small wares.
Small lanterns were scattered throughout, the dim light revealing the cave as much as it concealed. Shadows stole around the room, the darkness impenetrable, strategically blocking her from seeing everything.
“What do you make of the place?” Durant had been silent since they emerged. He looked a little worse for wear, scrapes and scratches all over him from the cramped fit. He absently brushed his arms, removing some of the dirt and smudges, smoothing out his clothes like a ruffled cat.
“The structure itself is amazing. They’ve built an entire community here, right under everyone’s noses.”
The rest of her team finally emerged from the jaws of death. London reminded her of a bristling hedgehog…with very sharp teeth and fangs. A snarl twisted his face, his bear obviously not happy with the snug passageway. Those massive arms of his flexed, as if holding back his animal counterpart, his normal soothing scent of leaves had an almost rotten smell, and his knuckles were bruised, as if he’d fought his way out of the mountainside.
Griffin popped out seconds later, just as wide-eyed, and more than a little feral. Shifters didn’t enjoy cramped spaces, and she imagined his confinement with a group of hunters made him appreciate it less than most. His eyes were splintered a bril
liant green, revealing his rogue status. Unlike most rogues, it was a permanent, hellish state for him, so she wasn’t too concerned. The fresh-cut wood smell she associated with him had a little singed flavor to it.
Dominick emerged last, those green eyes of his almost reflective in the darkness. His mop of black hair stood a little on end, matching the coat of his wolf perfectly. After a few seconds, his normal flinty look slid back into place, hiding his thoughts once more. The autumn scent she associated with him was muted, the freshness a little stale as he surveyed their surroundings.
She searched for signs of unrest. He was the only other one of her group who had been locked away in the labs, but he appeared to be in perfect control, as ever…until his attention strayed to Nadia. His eyes flared to a deeper green, and Raven couldn’t help but smile as she saw him struggle with his attraction.
The bastard deserved a little torture after his amusement over her similar struggles the past few months.
Observing them helped contain her beast, the creature watching like a mother hen with her chicks as it categorized all their injuries. They were all battered and bruised, but their injuries were already healing.
“A quarter of the shifters are normal. Weak. Rogue.” Durant stopped surveying the cave and turned toward her. “There are no purebreds.”
Meaning that he and Dominick were the only ones.
Which gave them an edge.
Durant had a certain charisma and charm that he used skillfully to get what he wanted, while Dominick exuded a pure alpha-ness that demanded obedience.
“Griffin, I want you to mingle and learn as much as you can. While you’re nothing like them, I think seeing a surviving rogue outside of their home will help them open up to you. See what you can find out about the labs.”
“I’ll take a more direct approach.” Dominick didn’t even turn in her direction while he studied his prey. She had no doubt if anyone could interrogate this group and get answers, it would be him. Ignoring the ramp to the main floor, he dropped fifteen feet to the main level and stalked through the throng of shifters observing them.
Nadia seemed to sense his location at all times, turning to keep him in sight, and Raven watched in amusement as the two of them circled each other. Both made googly eyes when they didn’t think the other was looking, the intensity scorching. Raven wasn’t sure whether they would ultimately tear each other’s head off…or their clothes.
Her wolves didn’t appear nearly as aggressive or suspicious of him. She wasn’t sure if it was something they were picking up from Nadia or if they noticed he was a pure, and recognized his authority.
“Where do you want me?” Although London didn’t look in much better shape, she should just be glad that he could even grunt words at her…his normal way of speaking. “You’re a fighter. You know injuries. Help patch them up. Let me know if you learn anything interesting.”
But he was already storming off, a pack of wolves scattering out of his path as he lumbered down into the miniature city.
“You’re one of the few shifters ever invited to our hidden sanctum.” A female tiger sauntered up to them, the slightly snarky tone belying the smile she bestowed on Durant, ignoring Raven as though she didn’t exist.
The she-tiger traced a hand down the front of Durant’s shirt, suggestively fingering the holes the claw marks left behind. “Why don’t you follow me, and I’ll see to your wounds.”
Without waiting to see if she would be obeyed, the woman sauntered away, confident she would get what she wanted. Her massive, wavy hair reached the middle of her back, the dozen shades of brown stunning, the strands swaying with the movement of her hips.
Durant turned toward Raven and lifted a single brow, his mouth quirked at the blatant flirting.
Raven heaved a sigh, wishing he didn’t have to go off with the young beauty. “Go.”
It actually hurt when he nodded and followed like an obedient cub who’d fallen under the female’s spell.
Against her better judgment, Raven found herself following their movements, unable to let him out of her sight.
Tigers were rare, females even more so. Even though Durant was a part of her pack, he hadn’t joined it willingly. When he seated himself before the female, the smile Raven found so charming lit his face. He was so good at oozing charm, she couldn’t tell if his apparent fascination was real or an act. A little voice in the back of her head couldn’t help but wonder if he regretted his decision to join her pack.
Even as she watched, the tiger pulled Durant’s shirt off, pressing herself against him until her breasts were practically smashed into his face…as if he needed help finding them the way her figure-hugging top put them on display.
Much to her gratification, Durant stiffened at the assault.
Too bad the she-bitch didn’t notice.
Tigers weren’t pack creatures, the males only interacting with their own kind during mating season. That didn’t keep the dragon from watching the woman’s every move, its temper a slow simmer waiting to erupt.
Then the dragon pushed it too far, starting to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“Are you in the neighborhood for long? We could use a man like you to lead us.” The she-bitch then proceeded to put even more bandages around his already-wrapped ribs. “I could show you the ropes.”
Those eyes of hers peered up at Durant, gauging his reaction, leaning over even more to give him a better view down the front of her shirt—just in case he missed the broad hints of what ropes she was willing to show him. “We would make a great team. We could take this group and build them into a real army, force the other shifters to see us as something more than trash.”
Durant met Raven’s gaze, his own eyes slanting to gold as he stared at her. “Sorry, but I’ve already been claimed.”
The amusement in his voice soothed the dragon, and the beast eased her claws from the undersides of Raven’s ribs, where it had been trying to claw its way out.
The she-bitch followed his gaze, then gave a husky laugh, easily dismissing her. She batted her lashes up at him. “I can take you away from her any time I want. I think you’d find my company much more enjoyable.”
Durant grunted. “I doubt it.” his bland tone utterly lacking in any kind of romantic interest.
His response, or lack of response, only pissed the tigress off more. “I could petition your alpha. I’m sure he would find us to be a suitable match.”
She very deliberately ran a suggestive finger over Durant’s bottom lip.
Mine.
The dragon hissed the one word, expanding under her skin, ready to take flight.
Chapter Nine
Every time Durant rebuffed her, the woman became more entrenched, digging in her heels, determined to make a conquest out of him. If the she-bitch hadn’t really wanted him before, she was certainly more determined to claim him now.
Durant captured her wrists, then pushed her away. “I have no interest in a liaison with you, but if you want to petition my alpha, be my guest.” He bowed his head in Raven’s direction, a pleased-with-himself smile curling his lips.
The woman straightened, the act dropping away as she whirled and searched the cave. When she saw no big, strapping man, her attention came to rest on Raven for the first time.
She snorted, then laughed outright, only to stop abruptly when she saw Durant was dead serious. Then her eyes narrowed, her gaze assessing…then dismissive. “She’s weak and pathetic. However did she manage that feat?”
Durant rose slowly, pulling his shirt over his head, no longer amused. “Appearances can be deceiving.”
Without another word, as if the woman no longer existed, Durant turned away, and began helping London patch up a few of the more skittish wolves. He prowled like his tiger counterpart, his golden eyes pinning them in place, many too petrified to move until he finished with them.
The dragon calmed at his easy dismissal of the conniving bitch, wrapping itself around her bones, although the urge to
skin the female cat of her pelt and use it as a rug didn’t abate in the slightest.
A heaviness hung in the air, the dirt nearly suffocating. She noted the exit—the single exit—and her lungs tightened further with the need to flee. Only the thought of rescuing Rylan calmed the beast, and it immediately went dormant, ripping away more than half her senses.
It made her feel like she was under water, everything happening at a distance.
The lack of any electricity left her even more unbalanced.
“You can ignore Sheba. We all do. She wants power, and will sleep with anyone she thinks will give it to her. She has a vicious tongue, but she’s harmless.”
Reed leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, calmly observing her. Something about his voice eased the relentless need to get out.
“The cave is a series of tunnels, a veritable maze that we’re still mapping. For thousands of years, water has been trickling down from the mountain, slowly widening and expanding the cave system. If you close your eyes, you can smell a hint of freshness underneath the dirt, even feel a cool breeze when you stand in certain spots.”
Raven found herself following his suggestions.
Cool air snaked around her ankles, and she found herself turning, following the slight trail. When she opened her eyes, she saw an opening behind a large block of rock, cleverly hidden.
“What is this place?” Raven noted how the wolves had been circling her since she entered the cavern, appearing more curious than threatening. A few others watched her from a distance, more than a little suspicious, waiting for her to make a move so they could rip her apart.
The half dozen cats were a smidge friendlier, but they tended to linger in their group, not really mingling with the others.
“It’s a sanctuary. Most of the shifters rescued from the labs vanished, but more than a few had no place to go. They were no longer wholly sane and wouldn’t be able to handle being surrounded by humans. They would snap.”
“So the wolves here—”
“The labs destroyed their psyche long ago, trying to discover what made us tick. Some of them escaped with us, and many are alive only because the labs never bothered to kill them when they finished with their experiments. More than a few of them were released to run wild in the woods. They staked their claim on this area, and would hunt shifters who tried to escape.
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