by V L Moon
“Deal. And, thank you, for…for everything.” Sage offered a weak smile and brought her knees up to her chest as Copi steered them quietly out into the bay. Once they were clear, he opened up the throttle so that they rocketed across the water.
~*~*~*~
Finding her equilibrium, Alexa turned away from Damian. She would not allow him to see her shock at the zing that had coursed through her veins. It was a fluke, nothing more. Silence beat in the air between them, but it wasn’t Damian’s fury that filled the room.
“Do you smell that? What in the hell? Someone’s been in here, but how?” Alexa’s scanned the room. Damian’s grip around her waist tightened as a rabid snarl slipped from his lips.
“Wolf, but there’s something else?” Damian’s chest vibrated against her.
“No wolf is that fast, Damian. I caught the scent earlier. Whatever or whoever it is, it’s tracking or travelling with the female. What if she’s hurt? What if this thing is keeping her from approaching us? She was so scared.”
Alexa’s eyes flew to the table where she’d tossed her bag. “My purse is gone. The keys to the boat were inside. We need to find her. If she’s with whoever took the keys and they head to the island, things will get ugly. Call the boys; tell them to check the marina. If the boat's gone, they need to head to the island ASAP. She's not from here and the boat will take her straight into Trenton's viper's nest. We'll meet them there."
She patted the solid wall of muscle once more to test her reaction. The unfamiliar zip of heat raced up her arm. Stepping hastily around him to hide her confusion, she hurried for the living quarters to change. “Tell them to track only; not to approach her. We don’t know who or what that thing is traveling with her. It sure as hell isn’t a full blooded wolf, not with that scent.”
~*~*~*~
A half hour later, Alexa leapt easily to shore from the rented boat. As she'd guessed, the pair had palmed her keys and commandeered the speed boat. Only a few minutes behind her, the boys had easily caught her scent and tracked her to the north side of the island. Smart girl, getting away from the others. They also reported the strange scent Alexa couldn’t place. She waited impatiently for Damian to tie off the rental. The female's scent played on the wind, a siren's song to Alexa's wolf. The fear was still there, but there was something more. It tickled the back of Alexa's throat, teased her. She was missing something important.
“All done. The boys called. The she wolf is bedded down in wolf form and she has a male with her. They said she caught and devoured a rabbit earlier, but hasn't moved since. The male is sitting with his back against a tree watching her.”
“They smell blood so she's most likely wounded. She doesn’t seem scared of her companion so they aren’t sure if he caused the injuries or not. They are staying downwind, but she, at least, knows they are there. Khad sensed her tentative probes, and they both can smell her fear.”
Damian paused and sniffed the air. “I can smell it, too. She better be praying Trenton's holed up in his monolith of a home counting his money. With what she's putting out, he'll be hard as a rock and determined to have her. Bastard thrives on fear.”
“I know!” Alexa snapped, ripping off her black tee shirt. “I hope that male with her can protect her. Tell Shaver we’re here and to hang back. If she's hurt, she doesn't need to be running around in strange woods, and if she’s injured the male might feel forced to protect her or attack. We don’t want that here.”
“No matter what her objections might be, we've got to get her back to Iniquity. Take these.” Alexa flung her discarded clothing at Damian and dropped to all fours. Closing her eyes, she relaxed her muscles and called the change.
Bone and muscle shrunk and stretched transforming her from human to wolf. Fur sprouted along her spine, swept down over her ribs, and then lower to her legs covering the paws that rested against the ground. Her jaw popped and her vision blurred for a moment as her muzzle elongated. Sharp teeth replaced the dull human ones. When her transformation was complete, she shook herself and then tilted her muzzle up to Damian and whined.
Damian crouched down in front of her and buried his hands in her thick ruff. He brought their faces together rubbing his nose against her fur. “Be careful Lexi, you know I won't be able to keep up in this form. We don't know where Trenton is. I'm with you on saving her, sweetheart, but you are my first priority. We don’t know what’s doing with the male. His scent isn’t right, and she’s shielding him fiercely.” His thumbs came forward to stroke her muzzle before he straightened. “Alright then, let's go.”
Alexa looked up at him with new clarity, her thoughts and her body in utter turmoil. Her wolf wanted him. Intimately. The urge to mate, to claim him roiled in her gut. But, the call of the female beckoned her just as forcefully. She whined, torn between the two of them and terrified of the ramifications of her feelings toward Damian.
With a flick of her tail, Alexa whirled and took off like a shot leaping over fallen trees and dodging bushes. Fear drove her. Fear for the female, yes, for her safety, but also fear of Damian and her burgeoning feelings for him. Everything she'd believed in, everything she held to be true was being threatened. Alexa ran but was she running to the she wolf or away from Damian. A howl pierced the air causing her to stumble to a stop, and then she realized she'd been the one to break the silence.
“Alexa, what the hell? Are you trying to bring Trenton out here?” Damian skidded to a stop beside her and dropped an absent palm down to stroke her heaving sides. For the first time ever in their relationship, Alexa flinched away from his touch.
“Alexa?”
She couldn't meet his eyes. Instead, she stuck her nose to the ground and trotted away picking up speed gradually. Just short of the coordinates the boys had provided, Alexa stopped. She sensed her boys and the two visitors. Damian caught up with her, stowed the backpack and stripped before quickly starting his shift. He'd just shaken out his fur when the boys appeared from the shadows.
Where are they?
“Just over the ridge. She’s curled up next to a fallen log with water on her right and a large rock outcrop on her left. He’s leaning against a tree facing her, and he’s not asleep. His eyes keep tracking the tree line when he’s not checking on her. I’m sure he knows we’re out here, but he hasn’t moved. They’ve chosen a good defensive spot.” The observation came from the ever practical Shaver. Alexa bobbed her head and jogged up the small embankment. Not far below her, the other female lay curled in a tight ball against the snow.
White on white, Alexa would have missed her if Shay hadn't told her exactly where to look. Across the way, the ominous presence of the male loomed. He rose while she watched and paced the few steps to the female’s side. Tall and muscular, he nearly blocked her from view as he brushed a hand over her fur as she drank.
When a coughing fit ensued, followed by a moan of pain, the male looked up to the Heavens as though asking for help. He looked distraught. His eyes constantly scoped the area around them before returning to the moon to watch its descent. In the moonlight, Alexa caught the glint of fangs protruding from the male’s mouth.
Shit! Fucking shit. No fucking way. Alexa couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It couldn’t be. He’s a fucking hybrid. Khadlyn, Shaver, back the fuck off. Don’t move unless I tell you to. Damian stay between him and our boys. Alexa’s immediate thoughts were to protect her family.
You need to tone it down a notch, Red. For all we know, he could be listening to us. Some vamps can read the minds of others. Pair that with wolf telepathy, and I’m betting my ass this dude knows we’re here, probably heard us back in the bay. I dare say he’s the one who snagged your purse from the club. Damian moved up to stand at Alexa’s side. Both of them were wary of the male; yet, they were more concerned for the female who had yet to come around.
Alexa probed with her mind and hit a brick wall. She froze when the male turned to look directly at her. Maybe it wasn’t the female shielding him; maybe he had his own powe
r. He didn’t rise, but kept his eyes fixed on her position. Alexa scented the wind. Fear, pain and exhaustion wafted on the breeze. All of it from the female. She couldn’t get any reading on the male.
Slowly, she made her way toward the pair. She shifted her probe to the female and cringed. Though the air hinted at fear, the female's mind gave away her outright terror. Alexa froze where she stood, reassessing the situation. How could the female hide such strong emotions? When the obvious answer surfaced, Alexa's muscles went weak.
The female was an Omega!
Damian, she's an Omega. We have to get her the fuck away from here, right now. She cannot get past us. Alexa sent the thought and hit her belly. She had to win the female's trust however she could. Any threat from her companion paled in comparison to the female. All of their lives would be forfeit if Trenton caught wind of her. Whining softly, Alexa crawled on her belly over the forest floor. Her eyes remained locked on the female. She trusted that Damian would keep his eyes on the male.
We won't hurt you. Alexa sent the thought out. The male shifted his position, placing himself between Alexa and the white wolf. The female stirred, lifting her head to sniff at the air. She was so pale. Dread washed over Alexa in waves; she inched closer.
Please, female, you can trust us. We mean you no harm. Just stay calm. We won't hurt either of you. She added for the male’s benefit. I give you my word.
The moment the other female caught wind of the males she reared up and stumbled back against the rocks. Alexa cursed and tried to catch the white wolf’s unusual eyes, one blue, one green, but they wheeled wildly from spot to spot. They landed exactly where the males hid in the shadows. The male squared up to her approach. His eyes turned a dangerous shade of red.
“It would be more helpful and less of a threat if the males with you showed yourselves,” the male growled. Alexa watched as he gently eased the female into his arms and lowered her to the ground.
“It’s ok, Sage. They’re not going to hurt you. I promise.”
Lexi. Stop. He’s dangerous. Damian’s growl darted into her mind. Khad’s and Shaver’s voices agreed in stereo. Alexa glanced back over her shoulder at her pack mates, and then back at the strangers before them. She made a decision and threw caution to the wind.
With a gentle nudge, Alexa pushed into the female's mind only to be swept away by the terror. Her wolf struggled with the fear unable to comprehend the paralyzing human emotion. In the space of three heartbeats, Alexa caught a glimpse of the atrocities visited upon the female before her. Rage crackled along Alexa’s fur, standing it on end.
That won't happen here, Sage. Alexa called her by name, hoping to soothe her. Not if you let me help you. Alexa forced her own change and crawled slowly on her hands and knees toward the dainty female huddled in the snow. The male refused to move from his position blocking the other wolf, but he didn’t interfere as she tentatively reached out for the other female's shoulder. “Please let me help you, Sage.”
Sage whined, rose up on all fours and shook the snow from her fur. Her change came slow and painful. When she lifted her head, Alexa swallowed a gasp. Mottled bruises ran like a jigsaw puzzle over the female's face and upper body. Old bruises indicative of deep injuries. Shifting should have healed them. The fact it hadn't told Alexa the magnitude of what Sage had suffered at the hands of the monsters in her nightmares.
“My name is Alexa. I can help you. The males that are with me are safe. They won't hurt you.” Sage trembled beneath her palm. A wildness born of pain, fear and exposure lurked in her eyes. Alexa looked up at the male and offered him her hand. She didn’t care that she was naked. All that mattered was getting Sage away from the island and getting her some much needed medical aid.
“The males with me are Damian, Shaver and Khad. They are my pack mates; they only want to help. It’s not safe here.” Alexa explained, hoping to ease the male’s defensive posture.
“Cophious Dane, formerly of the Anchorage, Alaska Police Department. Sorry about the boat and keys. Sage was convinced she’d feel better once she left the mainland and changed, but she just got worse. When she couldn’t change, I didn’t know what to do. Then, I felt you guys tracking us. I thought it would be best to see if you could help.” Alexa was stunned by the male’s open declaration. He was genuinely concerned for Sage. A unique trait for a vamp.
“Lexi, we've brought you some clothes.” Spooked, Sage jumped to her feet prepared to flee only she froze in place. Damian, Shaver and Khad stood in a semi-circle around them in their human forms. The clothing dangled from Shaver's hands. Alexa pushed to her feet warily. If Sage ran, they’d have no option but to stop her.
“Sage, Shaver’s on your right holding the clothes. Damian’s on the left and Khad’s in front of you. They are my friends. They want to help you just like I do.” Everyone stood frozen trying to give Sage the time she needed. Precious time they needed to get the hell off of the island. Again and again, the female’s eyes flicked to Khad.
Alexa sensed her curiosity and confusion, but no fear. Motioning Khad forward, she urged him to move slowly. He took the clothes from Shaver and carried them to Alexa. He backed away as she quickly got dressed.
"Sage, Copi, I need you both to listen. This island isn’t safe. The alpha that lives here is dangerous and power hungry. It’s probably the reason why you had trouble shifting. If he finds Sage in his territory, he will lay claim. Believe me when I tell you, you don’t want that. The club on the mainland belongs to me. It will be safer there. I can bring in a doctor to asses Sage’s injuries. But, we have to leave now. I need you both to trust us. Please.” Alexa couldn’t convey just how serious the situation was. Trenton would most likely kill them all and keep Sage as a trophy.
When they both nodded their agreement, the tension in Alexa’s shoulders eased a bit. If they moved fast, she could save two more from Trenton’s venomous attentions and quest for more power.
“Khad, you and I will take the speed boat with Sage and Copi. Damian, Shay, could you guys take the rental and return it. We'll be at Iniquity.” Alexa quickly gave orders and then held out a hand to Sage. The she wolf never got a chance to take it. Copi lifted her slight body easily into his arms.
“Lead the way, and if I get a whiff this is going sour, we’re out and it’s best you let us go. You don’t want to see my other side.” In his arms, Sage whimpered. “It’s ok, little wolf. I’m not going anywhere without you. You just rest.”
Copi seemed to be the only one Sage would allow to get close. Alexa wondered what the story was between them. A strange sense of rightness filled Alexa when Copi slowly eased past her and Sage's palm reached out to brush against her cheek.
“I'm going to take care of you. You don't have to run anymore.”
~*~*~*~
Chapter Thirty-Six
~*~*~*~
By the time Sage's mind calmed enough to process the situation, she was shocked to find herself tucked up tight in Copi’s arms. When she opened her eyes, he was carefully placing her on board the same boat they'd stolen earlier. Sage wanted to scream in denial. The fear of being taken back to the mainland where Khurn could track her down left Sage mortified. He'd kill her for sure. No matter what Alexa said there was no way to protect her from Khurn. He was a brute, a selfish rogue whose idea of dominance was ruled by his fists and his violent nature.
Sage shivered uncontrollably at the memory of being treated like a piece of meat. The burn of tears stung against the freezing cold wind whipping over her face. She couldn't go back, not after she'd come so far. With an ache in her chest, Sage watched the peaceful island fade mysteriously into the distance. Dragged reluctantly into the reality of their situation, she caught a scent that stopped her breath. Had her own distress manifested the painful memory of a beloved scent? There was no way she'd fail to recognize it. The familiar scent leeched into her nose. Her gaze flew to the male steering the boat.
Tightening her hold on Copi, Sage dropped her eyes. Instead, she focused on th
e white flesh stretching over her knuckles and breathed in the scent that reminded her of home. The male's aroma stirred in her breast. Sage's wolf reacted to the male. The male returned her wolf’s interest with a low rumbling growl.
A sudden slam of power from Alexa brought the curious young wolf to his knees with a surprised yelp. Sage met the haunted, piercing stare. Familiar eyes she'd thought were a long time dead. She hadn’t connected it. It couldn’t be…
“Khadlyn?”
Pushing up to her feet, Sage's voice cracked under the strain of recognition. “I'd know those eyes anywhere.”
Sage would never forget how excited she'd been when her parents had finally lowered their protective instincts over their Omega daughter and allowed her to visit her Uncle Jorn’s home. She'd loved babysitting Khadlyn when he’d been a pup. She’d earned spending money from her Aunt Clarice, but the real prize was spending time outside of her own pack. Parental wolves were protective of their offspring, and in Sage's case even more so because she was Omega. Omega’s were rare; female omegas even more so.
After being cosseted and homeschooled, Sage loved the freedom that came with looking after Khad. As a young and boisterous toddler, he'd been a breath of fresh air in Sage's dull and routine life. She could still remember, as if it were yesterday, when her Uncle Jorn's phone call came in the early hours of the morning.
His heartbreaking sobs to his brother, her father Able, were rife with anger and fear for his son. Night after night, Uncle Jorn, her father and all of the pack males searched for Khadlyn and followed lead after lead only to find another dead end. Jorn had even contacted the human authorities, but there had been no trace of Khad.