“Your will is strong, but I am stronger. You’ll do well to remember who is dominant and who is submissive. That’s been your problem all along. When you killed for money, but didn’t use your wolf abilities—abilities I bestowed upon you—I didn’t care what you did. Kill all you want as a human. That activity doesn’t concern me.” Flidae lowered her hand and the splitting pain stopped, but not without leaving Reardon with a headache so intense his eyes hurt. “It’s when you chose to use your wolf to kill and made other wolves to do the same… well, that’s when I had to step in. I’m in charge of all wild creatures, Reardon McAlator. You are not.”
How he wished he could shift to human. He had some words for Flidae and he didn’t care if she didn’t like those words.
“You can give me your words, wolf. I hear everything even if it is not spoken aloud.” She folded her arms across her chest and reduced her size back to normal.
I made a mistake. You sent me from this place, this time, as punishment. You took my life here away. I felt that loss, Flidae. It was a fitting consequence for my arrogance in changing my men without their consent… or yours.
He sat up on his haunches, not wanting to stay in the cowering position and sensing that Flidae was truly listening to him.
My men were the only family I had and what I did to them is unforgivable. I don’t expect them to accept any apologies if I ever see them again, but separating me from them hurts for I have no chance to make it up to them. They have been scattered and their hatred for me has no doubt only grown. I do not know how they fare. Have they been sent to times and places that are harsh? Are they getting a chance to do something worthy? Are you tormenting them as you are me?
At that last question, Flidae raised an eyebrow. “I think your men have been tormented enough simply by being turned into werewolves. Regular men do not always handle such a change well. You were made to be able to endure it. And my purpose in scattering them was to further punish you.”
Does that mean they have been sent to good times and places? He hoped this for his men who had not only suffered because of what he’d done to them, but had suffered because of the very life they’d led as mercenaries. Trained killers for hire under his leadership. Damn. Had he ever done anything to benefit those men? He’d basically led them to probable death each time he’d accepted a contract. Most of those jobs had ended with them receiving a handsome reward, but had it been worth it?
“I can’t see how it could have been worth it, wolf,” Flidae said. “Your life before this point has been nothing but brutality. I fear you are incapable of truly putting another first. You even managed to get something for yourself out of your time with the wolf scientist.”
But she got something too.
“Did she?” Flidae floated toward the cell door. “That’s what I want to confirm next.”
Confirm? How? Reardon’s stomach did a sick roll. He didn’t want Flidae even thinking about Brandy.
“The fun I mentioned earlier,” Flidae said. “It’s about to begin.”
****
“I most certainly am going.” Brandy held her hands out for Parker’s truck keys as they stood in Chella’s driveway. “Flidae’s giving me a chance to see him. I’m taking it.”
“Okay. Okay.” Parker waved his hands in a calm-down-now gesture. “Let’s think for a minute here.”
“She has to go.” Dylan looked at Parker then back to Brandy. “You’ve read all the comic books with me. Sometimes the superhero needs saving too.”
Parker’s gaze softened. “I know, bud, but I’m worried about your mom.” He looked at Brandy now. “You don’t know what Flidae is up to or what she might do to you.”
“She’s offered me an invitation to see Reardon,” Brandy said. “That’s all I need to know.”
“But you don’t know where you’ll end up, B!” Parker raked his hands through his hair, his frustration clearly growing by the minute.
“I know you’re concerned, Park, bu—”
“Concerned! I’m a shit-ton more than concerned, Brandy. I mean, in the span of a few hours, I’ve watched a man turn into a wolf, a Celtic goddess take over my fiancée, that same goddess toss a fairly large man around like a ragdoll, and then she disappeared into thin air along with the wolf.” Parker paced between Brandy and Dylan, muttering a few more words Brandy couldn’t quite hear and probably didn’t want to.
“But that wolf, Park? That wolf is mine. I’ve cared for that wolf. We’ve cared for that wolf and last I checked, we’ve made a career out of helping wolves anyway we can. Factor in that the wolf in question is also the man that I…” The next words got caught in her throat as the truth of them slammed into her chest. “He’s the man that I love. Just like you love Chella. Wouldn’t you do absolutely anything for her?”
Parker jammed his hands into the pockets of his cargo pants and sifted out a long breath. When he pulled his hand out of his left pocket, his truck keys dangled from his fingers.
Brandy snatched them up before logic and reason made him change his mind. She stepped forward and quickly hugged her friend. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
“Yeah, well, you’d better get your ass back here in one piece to tell me, in person, that I was a fool for worrying about you.” He dropped a light kiss on her cheek then stepped out of the embrace to rest a hand on Dylan’s shoulder. “I’ll keep an eye on the kid until Meredith can come get him.”
Brandy kneeled in front of Dylan. “Any last minute words of advice from your vast comic book knowledge?”
Dylan squinted as if he were searching his mental database of all things comic book and looking for any pearls of wisdom. “Yeah, no monologues and consider everything in your environment a possible weapon.” He threw his arms around Brandy’s neck and squeezed. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I know you will. The good guys always win.”
Brandy ruffled Dylan’s hair then ran to Parker’s truck before her rational, scientific brain could take over and agree with Parker that what she was about to do was insane. She hopped in the truck and started the engine as she took a mental picture of her son and her best friend to carry with her into the unknown.
As she drove, she reviewed Chella’s message from Flidae. The goddess had invited Brandy—and only Brandy—to go to the spot where she and Parker had first found Reardon injured in wolf form. Flidae had promised to allow Brandy to see Reardon. Sure, it all sounded like a plot to lure Brandy in, but she didn’t care. She had to go. She had to try to get Reardon back.
Brandy had always considered her life a good one. Even with the loss of her twin sister all those years ago, she’d made the most of what she did have—an amazing boy, a fulfilling job, the company of beautiful wolves, a breathtaking woodland property to call home, a phenomenal best friend, a supportive and loving mother. What more could a woman ask for?
I know the answer to that now.
Reardon McAlator. Having him in her life would change it from a good one to a happily-ever-after-fairy-tale-romance-novel one.
And she wanted that. Desperately. She also wanted Reardon to be happy and he seemed happy with her, Dylan, and the wolves of Silver Moon.
He belonged with them.
She slammed on the brakes once she got to the entrance gates of the sanctuary, making Parker’s truck stop at an odd angle in the dirt. After hopping out of the truck and fumbling with the latch on the entrance gates, she bolted for her cabin.
Meredith stood in the door. “What’s happening? Parker called and gave me the details, but he couldn’t be serious.”
Brandy’s gaze swept over her mother’s worried face. “He was serious, Mom.”
Meredith let out a pained cry. “Oh, Brandy. What if something happens to you? I’ve already lost one daughter. I can’t lose two.”
“You’re not going to lose me. You’re going to gain Reardon. As a part of this family. I can’t imagine the universe would give him to us a
nd not let us keep him. I’ve got to fight for him, and that’s what I’m going to do.” She’d never felt surer about anything in her life.
Meredith managed a small smile. “Determined as always.” She tugged Brandy into a hug. “Should have known a regular man wouldn’t be enough for you. You need one that can turn into a wolf and piss off goddesses. You do like a challenge.”
“And fortunately I come from a long line of kickass bitches.”
“Damn straight.” Meredith kissed her on the forehead. “You get Reardon and get both your asses back here. We’ll all be waiting.” She motioned behind Brandy with her arm.
When Brandy turned around, all the sanctuary’s wolves were fanned out in a semi-circle in front of the house. That was strange enough to witness—again—but what really got Brandy was that she could feel… something. Wolf energy, maybe? Pack power? Canine courage? She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she definitely sensed that her wolves approved of her mission to get Reardon back.
After giving Meredith another squeeze, Brandy set off into the woods to the place Flidae had indicated. The rest of the wolves followed behind her, Lug and Midir in the lead and often rubbing against her.
“Am I back to being Alpha now that Reardon’s gone?” She scratched Lug between the ears then rubbed Midir’s nose.
When she reached the section of fence where Reardon had been found on the other side, the wolves each took a turn nuzzling her.
“You guys keep an eye on things here. I’m counting on you.”
Brandy climbed the chain link fence and hopped down to the other side. She stood in the general area where she’d found Reardon and turned in a circle.
“Not sure where the door is, Flidae?” What was she supposed to be looking for?
A moment later, all the wolves let loose howls that made Brandy’s skin prickle. A bright bolt of lightning crashed down to the ground and the woods around her were gone.
****
Reardon’s head still hurt so when the thunder boomed and the lightning crackled right inside the stone cell, he howled and covered his head yet again with his paws. When the echoing stopped, he considered staying like that until Flidae left.
“Reardon?” But it wasn’t Flidae who’d called his name.
His eyes shot open and he immediately got to all fours, straining at the golden rope tethering him and trying desperately to get to Brandy who was now in the cell too. He barked in an attempt to yell at her. Yell at her to run away from this place.
I need to shift. He’d never been so frustrated.
Brandy took a step closer, but Flidae got in her path.
“I’m not ready to let you touch him,” the goddess said. “And the only rules we are playing by are mine.”
“What a surprise.” Brandy folded her arms across her chest and turned her blue gaze to Flidae. “Why don’t you tell me how this is going to work so we can get on with it?”
Flidae glanced back at Reardon, who was still pulling on the leash and barking. “You actually want this beast?”
“Yes, I do,” Brandy said. “Very much. I happen to love beasts. I’ve made a career out of caring for them, and the one you’re holding prisoner right now is my favorite. I’d like him back.”
Brandy looked around Flidae, and when Reardon saw her face, he stopped barking. He knew he must look a sight. Spittle no doubt dripping from his mouth. His fur standing on end along his back. His claws extended and scraping the stone floor of the cell. He’d nearly lost all sense of civility.
But one look at Brandy’s face brought him back from the edge. She’d come for him, though it was at great risk to her own life. He meant enough to her that she was willing to face—and sass—a powerful Celtic goddess on her own terrain. Damn, was there anything sexier?
“That’s all that is on your mind, wolf? How physically appealing she is?” Flidae spat the words at him and her wrath grew. Again. He couldn’t have her angry now though. Not with Brandy here.
No. I’m also thinking of her bravery, loyalty, kindness…
“Lug and the others say hello,” Brandy said. “Silver Moon isn’t the same without you, Reardon.”
Oh, how he loved her.
“He hasn’t been gone long enough to be missed.” Flidae’s disgust multiplied before Reardon’s eyes.
“Reardon became an important part of our lives in wolf form. We love him as we love all our wolves.” Brandy shook her head. “Actually that’s not true. My son and I love him more than our other wolves. We knew right from the start he wasn’t quite like the others.”
“This is true. He’s selfish, greedy, brutal. A killer,” Flidae said.
What hurt most was that the goddess was not lying. Reardon was all those horrible things and more.
“The Reardon McAlator Dylan and I came to know was none of those things. He protected us in wolf and human forms. He was sweet and playful and caring. He was exactly what our lives were missing.”
Brandy’s voice cracked and Reardon needed to get to her. Mustering every ounce of strength he had, he surged forward and the golden rope snapped in two, allowing him to run to Brandy.
Flidae stumbled out of the way, nearly falling over in the process, but Reardon didn’t stop until Brandy’s hands were rubbing over his fur, until she crouched and wrapped her arms around his neck, until she pressed her lips to his jagged ear and whispered the only words he wanted to hear.
“I love you, Reardon. So much.” She buried her face in the thick fur around his neck.
A strange sensation washed over Reardon as Brandy held onto him. He felt as if he were about to…
Seconds later, his very human arms were around Brandy, squeezing her as close as possible to his very human body.
“I love you too, Brandy. More than I ever thought I was capable of loving anyone.” He captured her mouth and tasted home on her lips. A home he’d always wanted. One he thought he could never have.
“And you still can’t have it.”
Reardon had almost forgotten Flidae was still in the cell with them. He got a painful reminder when she ripped him away from Brandy and threw him across the stone room. His head slammed into the wall with a thud that resonated in his skull like a drumbeat. Something wet oozed out of his nose and when he touched his fingers to it, they came away red with his blood.
“Please, don’t hurt him!” Brandy made a move to run to his side, but Flidae was quicker.
“Fine. I won’t hurt him,” the goddess said. “You will.”
“What do you mean?”
Reardon struggled to remain conscious as blood continued streaming from his nose and the cell spun around him. He fought with his eyes, because if they closed, he feared they might not open again, and he could not leave Brandy at the mercy of Flidae.
Another flash of light sparked in the cell and a fierce-looking sword appeared in Brandy’s hand. It was long and looked mighty sharp, its polished blade nearly glowing with its own power. The sword must have been heavy because Brandy stumbled a little until she got both hands around it. When she realized it was a sword, she unwrapped her hands from the hilt, but the weapon would not drop.
“That’s my little gift to you,” Flidae said, amusement clear in her voice. “Take it.”
“I don’t want it.” Brandy shook her hands. “I have no need for a sword.”
“Maybe not, but I have a need for you to have it.” Flidae lowered to sit on a stone bench in the cell. She rearranged the folds of her billowy cloak then leveled her gaze on Brandy. “I brought you here to further punish this werewolf. This is not a rescue mission, dear girl. He has disregarded my rules, acted selfishly, and has not done anything worthy that I can see.”
“Yes, he has,” Brandy said as she fought against holding the sword. No matter how far she held her fingers apart though, the hilt wouldn’t move from her palms.
“What has he done that is worthy?” Flidae asked, her tone mocking and disbelieving.
“He has loved me and my son.”
“Love is nothing worthy.” The goddess huffed out a breath and rolled her eyes to the ceiling.
“It is the only thing that’s worthy,” Brandy said softly. “Without it, we have nothing.”
“I have much more than love.” Flidae stood. “I have power.”
Brandy let out a scream and Reardon moved so he could lean his back and head against the cold, stone wall to look in her direction. He gasped at the sword tip arrowing for his heart.
“Reardon, I can’t stop it! She’s controlling the sword and me!” Brandy dug her heels in, but the rubber of her boot soles shredded under Flidae’s power. “No, no, no.”
His head hurt so much, but somehow Reardon managed to get to his feet, using the stone wall behind him for support. “Flidae,” he roared. “This is between you and me. Send Brandy back. Now.”
“Spoken like a true Alpha.” Flidae words bounced off the walls, sounding as if they were coming from all directions at once. “Only problem is, I’m the Alpha around here.”
Again, Brandy surged forward with the sword pointed directly at Reardon’s midsection. Her muscles strained as she battled to keep the blade away from him.
He probably deserved this. To meet his end right when he’d found the one person who was truly capable of making him happy. The one person he wanted to make happy as well. The one person who was ready to accept what he was, who embraced it fully and wanted to be turned into a werewolf like him.
His soul mate was right here and he couldn’t give her everything she—and her son—wanted.
“Reardon, I’m so sorry,” Brandy cried, tears rolling down her beautiful cheeks. Was there anything in the world, her time or his, as perfect as she was? She was an amazing woman, a wonderful mother, a gifted scientist, a caring animal protector, and a skilled lover. She was everything.
And he was nothing. Nothing but an abomination of nature. One the protector of wild things no longer wanted under her domain.
That blade heading for his heart would definitely miss its mark. His heart was already gone. It belonged to the woman standing before him. It had belonged to her from the moment he’d awakened in wolf form at Silver Moon’s clinic and first set eyes on her. He hoped Brandy would remember him always and know he would have spent his life trying to give her everything. The sun, the moon, the stars. Whatever she wanted.
Wolf Kiss (Warrior Wolves Book 1) Page 23