by Becca Dale
Chapter Six—Protecting Kya
Ja waited until Kya turned around before he circled back to the compound. She had pleaded with him to run, but he couldn’t. Not with the enemy in the area. Savage pain clawed his shoulder like a son-of-a-bitch leaving him without options. He could neither escape nor stand and fight with any real hope of success. The battle with Dar earlier had nearly done him in. Kya would be better off where Grant and Harry could keep an eye on her. He would merely ensure they did so.
He crouched in the bushes as Kya stepped into the small circle of light on her patio. Dar rose in his human form and followed her inside. Rage swelled as the bastard closed the door behind them. On silent pads, Ja ran through the darkness to Grant’s cabin. The old one would understand and help. Rumors of who and what the place really protected were too wide spread to be false.
Hidden by the shadows behind Grant’s cabin, Ja willed his human form forward. The change hurt more than usual. It tore at his wounded shoulder and drove him to his knees as searing fire shot through his limbs. He struggled to stand. He had to face Grant as a man just in case he was wrong about the doctor’s true self. The night air soothed his overheated skin when he found his feet. He stole a pair of khaki shorts from the clothesline behind the living quarters and jerked them over his naked hips.
At Ja’s knock, the vet opened the door and motioned him inside. “I wondered how long it would be before you came to me.”
Ja entered the other man’s home with a respectful nod to Hannah’s boss. The distinct musk of wolf hovered in the air and calmed Ja’s fears. Although the scent did not carry the acid aroma of a disease-driven were, the stories of werewolves and such were obviously not wholly unfounded. Whispers claimed the sanctuary sheltered all shifters as equals. With luck, that would prove true as well. “I couldn’t leave Hannah behind.”
Grant gestured toward the living area and crouched on the arm of a chair when Ja refused to sit. “Who is she? I’ve tried to find out since she came to us, but no one seemed to know of a lost girl cat.”
“Canar’s daughter.”
Confusion flitted over Grant’s face. “Canar? He lost his position nearly twenty years ago.”
“Twenty-two, actually. Her father asked me to protect her before he died. Rumor of this place provided my last hope.”
“How’d she wind up without a mentor?”
Ja moved to the window and stared toward the staff quarters, singling out Kya’s cabin. “Kya—Hannah—was born in human form. She was only three when insurgents killed her parents. My folks couldn’t shelter her, so I took her to a nearby church. Eventually, her foster parents adopted her. Unfortunately, they moved around a good deal. I lost her until a couple weeks ago. Dar’s found her now as well.”
“Jensen?”
Ja nodded struggling to concentrate on the conversation while worry clouded his thoughts. Why was Dar still in Kya’s home? Why didn’t she kick the son of a bitch out? “His father led the coup against Canar. I’d hoped impregnating Kya would change things. I assumed even Dar wouldn’t harm a female in a sacred state, but he refuses to back off. He’ll try to seduce her and kill my cub at birth. I can’t let that happen.”
“Of course you can’t.” Ferris rose and moved to stand beside Ja at the window. “Where’s Dar now?”
“With her.”
“Then why the hell are you here?”
Concern in the old one’s voice clawed at Ja’s gut. “Dar won’t hurt her where he could get caught.”
“Do you know that for certain?”
“No.” Admitting the danger aloud made the situation seem more perilous than before. He couldn’t wait for help. “Fuck! I have to go.”
Grant caught his arm. “Wait. Let me handle this, Ja. You’re hurt.”
“You don’t stand a chance against him, old one.”
“No, but this will.” Ferris opened a closet and took out a bear rifle. The thick barrel gleamed.
“I’m going with you.”
“Fine, just stay out of the line of fire.”
* * *
Hannah beat against Darrack’s shoulders. She couldn’t breathe. She would smother with the asshole on top of her or worse.
Jensen lifted his head with a snarl. He squeezed her jaw tighter, refusing to let her look away. “Everyone thinks you’re so fucking special, but you spread your legs for Ja like an alley cat in heat. You should have been mine. Instead, you flipped for that lowlife.”
Hannah jerked from his hold and shoved. When he overbalanced and fell to the side, she scrambled off the bed and backed toward the corner away from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He rolled to his feet with an insane growl. “Of course you don’t. You’re a stupid female raised by stupid people. You have no right to my position.”
He stood less than a yard from her. His cold eyes darted back and forth as his broad chest rose and fell in agitation. Sweat trickled in a fine line between her breasts, and her hand shook as she held it out to stop him. “Don’t come any closer, Jensen.”
Moisture beaded on his lip as he sneered. “You won’t stop me, Kya.”
“But I will.” Grant slipped into the room with a huge rifle in his hands. “Back off and get out. Go and I won’t lock you up like the wild animal you are.”
“Aw, the wolf pretends he can protect you on his own. Isn’t that sweet?” Jensen smiled but did not move away from Hannah. “Where’s Ja? You didn’t come alone, old man. The cur is here somewhere unless he’s shown his true colors and turned tail. Is that it? Did he leave you to protect Kya by yourself?”
Hannah watched the two men carefully as she slid along the wall in an attempt to escape. Jensen had lost his mind. Ja and Kya sounded familiar, but she didn’t know them or what any of this had to do with her.
Hannah, get out!
The strident command drifted to her. Before she could react, Jensen’s hand lashed out and caught her arm. Steel fingers cut into her bicep as he jerked her in front of him. “Told you he was here. Come out, Ja. Fight!”
A low growl echoed through the room as Malachi’s long body slid through the patio doors. Dirt matted his sleek fur, his limp severely pronounced.
Release her, Dar. She carries.
“I know. I can smell your stink on her.”
She had to be dreaming. What else could explain the strange conversation? How could Jensen hear the voice in her head? If it were an illusion, then Jensen couldn’t really hurt her. He wouldn’t be able to harm Malachi or Grant either. A simple nightmare meant she controlled her destiny, but her arm hurt where Jensen’s fingers held her. Maybe it was real. She clenched her hand against his leg and blocked out the damage he would do to her if she pushed him too far. She needed to end this before someone she cared about got killed. The wild riot of thoughts coursing through her mind made no more sense than the situation itself.
Jensen’s focus remained on Malachi and away from her. She didn’t give herself time to think. She twisted and slammed her fist between his legs. His roar of rage destroyed the last hope that it was all a nightmare as he shoved her to the side. Grant’s rifle boomed in an earsplitting retort the moment before her head met the edge of the dresser. With a loud crack the room went dark.
* * *
Once again in second form, Ja sat beside Kya. Her chest rose and fell with a steady, reassuring rhythm. He held an ice pack to the bandaged side of her skull where Grant had stitched the split flesh. Her lashes formed dark crescents against her too-pale skin, and fingerprint bruises darkened along her jaw. Her quick thinking had neutralized Dar long enough for Grant to get off a shot. Unfortunately, it hadn’t been fatal. Dar had escaped while Ja tended to Kya. She had put herself in danger, something she had no right to do—not with his child inside her.
Grant stepped close and placed a hand on Ja’s shoulder. “She’ll be fine. Let her rest.”
“I won’t leave her.”
“What about Dar?”
Ja growled
. The son-of-a-bitch had touched her. “If he’s not dead from blood loss, he’ll pay with his life as soon as I’m certain Kya will be all right.”
“I thought your kind considered pregnant females sacred.”
“They are. I assumed Dar wouldn’t intentionally hurt her. Doing so jeopardizes any chance he has to replace his father without a war, but that wouldn’t have mattered if he’d made her miscarry without witnesses.” He could have lost her and their baby.
“I’ll make sure she isn’t alone.”
Raw anger burned in Ja’s throat as he brushed a kiss over her cheekbone. He wouldn’t leave her in someone else’s protection again. Not for long. He had spent too many years away from her. “Kya and our baby are my responsibility.”
Grant studied the monitor beside her bed. His big hand shook as he fisted it on top the machine and faced Ja. “Ours too. Once I inform the others who Jensen is, no one will let him within a mile of the girl.”
Ja nodded. The sanctuary staff would keep her safe while he dealt with Dar. Then he would take her home where she belonged. “Thanks, old one.”
Grant cleared his throat. “Dr. Ferris or Grant, even Ferris will do. Old one makes me feel ancient.”
“Kya looks up to you. It’s a term of respect.”
“I know, but I’d rather you called me something else.” He chuckled self-consciously and smoothed the sheet that covered Kya’s slender form. “I aged ten years when I saw Hannah with that bastard. I don’t need to feel any older.”
“I hear you.”
Grant brushed her hair from her forehead as he tested for fever. “She’s safe now. Go get some sleep, Ja.”
“Not while she’s like this.”
“Stretch out beside her and rest, then. You’ll be no good to anyone if you run down. I’ll post a couple guys outside in case Dar comes back.”
Ja hesitated. A giant bruise purpled Kya’s cheek making the rest of her face even paler than usual. He wanted his little spitfire back, the girl who had met his passion head on and risked her life to save a wounded animal. “Will I hurt her?”
“Your presence might do her good. It’s unlikely she’ll wake, but she’ll know you’re there.” Grant squeezed Ja’s shoulder with a chuckle. “Take care of your female. She’s the closest thing to a daughter I’ve got.”
Once Grant left, Ja carefully shifted Kya on the narrow cot and lay down beside her. She snuggled her head on his shoulder. He could smell her blood and Dar’s sweat, but her natural scent floated beneath the other odors. He wrapped his arms around her and held her. His body ached everywhere. His heart hurt more. Dar could have killed her, could have destroyed everything that mattered in a single instant.
Kya whimpered softly in her sleep. “Malachi.”
“Shh, little one, I’m here. He won’t hurt you anymore.” The foreign-sounding name on her lips rankled, but it pleased him that Kya wanted him near even in her unconscious state. He tightened his embrace and pulled her closer as he pressed the ice pack to her wound. “Sleep now, love. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
Chapter Seven—Deadly Combat
The sharp autumn wind bit Ja’s face and neck as he slipped from the animal clinic. His wounded shoulder still throbbed, but he felt better prepared to face Dar. Sleeping beside Kya had lifted the exhaustion and renewed his determination to protect her.
Two wolf-shifters stood on either side of the front entrance, and he could smell two more close by. He shook his head with a smile. Of course his Kya would choose to hang with an entire pack of freaking dogs. The guards had not crossed completely to first form. Rather, they hovered between states where the best of man and beast worked together. Rifles rested in the crook of their arms and savage canines gleamed in the dim glow of the outdoor lantern. “All quiet, boys?”
The taller of the two stepped forward. “Don’t worry. Hannah’s safe with us.”
“Make sure of it.”
The other shifted his rifle with a glare. His blue eyes sparked with anger, and his deep voice was more growl than speech. “Hannah’s cat but she’s our sister all the same. That feline cur won’t get close to her again.”
Ja acknowledged the boy’s pledge with a curt nod. Kya would be secure in their hands while he handled Dar. He moved quickly through the compound until he neared Hannah’s quarters. Blood and anger hung heavy in the air. He scented the wind seeking direction.
“Are you going after him?”
Ja turned. Grant waited for an answer with three mountain lions and a small wolf pack behind him.
“I didn’t hear you come.”
Grant shrugged. “You’re a little distracted right now.”
Rage boiled white-hot and debilitating. He drew in the cool night air and sought control. “If I find him, I’ll kill him.”
“That’s not a good idea, Ja. Do this right. Take it to the clan.”
“I can’t. Dar’s father rules.” He had no choice. Royal blood or not, Dar had touched Ja’s mate and would die for the violation.
With a brief squeeze to Ja’s shoulder, Grant pulled him back to the moment. “Rork won’t rule for much longer. Not once you tell Hannah who she is.”
“I can’t risk it, and I won’t spend my time wondering where Dar is or when he’ll attack Kya, again.”
“Can’t blame you, but at least take us with you. He won’t come back through those gates unless he wants to die.”
Ja shook his head. Too many things could go wrong with untrained soldiers. He couldn’t risk letting Dar escape for good. “I fight alone.”
“Not anymore.” Grant gestured to the wild animals milling behind him. “We protect Hannah with our lives.”
Mine. Possessiveness seared through him. He did not intend to share her with the motley crew sheltered under Grant’s name no matter how long they had stood by her. He snarled at the group behind the old wolf. “Her name’s Kya and she’s mine to protect. I’m her clan.”
“So are we. Blood bonds don’t matter. Hannah’s instinct brought her here to the sanctuary. That makes her our concern whether you want us or not.”
Ja snarled at the smaller man. “You’re not going to drop this, are you, old one?”
“Nope.” Grant’s eyes sparkled with indulgent humor. “Ready then?”
With a growl, Ja dropped to his knees and allowed his true form to drive off human restraint. He’d let the others trail behind. Dar would die. Witnesses or no. When his limbs settled into place, he studied the greying wolf beside him. The aging vet looked like he could hold his own despite his years. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to have the extra hunters along. Ja caught Dar’s scent and loped toward the woods, toward the one being who could destroy everything that mattered. Kya’s adopted family ran behind in an unlikely gathering of felines and canids. None were of the clan, but all belonged to her personal tribe.
Dar’s scent intensified as Ja entered the forest. A red stain soaked the dirt where he had rested before moving toward the hills. Ja’s anger grew stronger, and a growl tore from his throat at the sight of the blood pool.
Grant caught up and sniffed the ground. He’s not far.
Lifting his head to the breeze, Ja tasted the air again, searching for the bitter copper of the wounded cat. He better not fucking die before I get to him.
I thought you wanted him gone.
At my hand.
Grant stepped in front of Ja, his faded blue eyes stern. Blind rage destroys reason. Slow down, boy. Face this logically.
Get out of my way, old one. He shouldered the graying wolf aside with ease as he found the scent trail. I hold no claim to human reason. The cat in me wants to rip his throat out and leave him for the wolves.
Grant found his balance and jumped in the path once more. As happy as we’d be to clean up after you, once Rork discovers his son’s dead, he’ll have no reason to hold back. Killing Hannah will become his main goal.
Then he won’t know.
Ja—
Enough! Stand asi
de or fight for the right to stop me, Grant. Ja took off again—caution be damned. Blood lust thundered in his brain as the need to keep Kya safe overrode all else. He would find Dar, destroy the enemy, and protect his love. Then he’d worry about what came next. One word pounded in rhythm with his paws against the solid earth. Kill, kill, kill….
Caught up in his thoughts, Ja almost missed the place where Dar’s trail faded to a shimmer in the breeze. He stopped and circled back. A small creek ran along the path, and the tracks disappeared into the water. Ja leaped across the stream and landed on the other side. Nose to the wind, he tracked the faint waterlogged scent.
A branch cracked overhead. Then, a driving weight slammed him to the ground. The blow knocked his breath away. Savage jaws sank into his wounded shoulder and claws tore at his chest. With a growl, Ja flipped to his side and shoved his opponent away. Dar regained his feet and leaped again. Ja braced and rolled with the impact, ripping and biting into the other cat’s neck. He could not lose this fight; would not leave his Kya unprotected.
Growling with insane rage, Dar broke free then crouched to attack again. Does the cunt still live or did you follow me for revenge?
Ja fought to maintain a semblance of cool though anger surged in his head. He snarled at his opponent. She lives, but I came to kill you anyway.
Dar lashed out. Claws barely missed Ja’s eye but still slashed deep. Ja spun away stumbling before he shook off the pain with a roar.
Hot-headed and reckless, Dar lunged again. She’s nothing, and you’re less. He missed and skidded before spinning back with a snarl. Fucking worthless housecat.
The childish insult released some of Ja’s anger and allowed him to find a cold hatred as he pounced and brought the other cat to the ground. He pressed Dar’s head to the dirt with a paw, claws sunk deep. Who’s worthless now?
Dar bucked Ja aside and staggered to his feet and circled. You think she’ll welcome your inferior hide once she realizes she’s of the blood? That she’s born of kings? What will you do when she casts you and your lowborn brat out and flips for me or my father? Will you stay to meekly serve her or will you run while she squats to accept a more royal cock?