by L. L. Raand
“Really,” Francesca murmured, slowly massaging the human’s cock. When he climaxed, the flood of adrenaline in his blood would spike Michel’s pleasure. “Did she state her business?”
“Personal.”
Francesca laughed. No doubt. Veronica Standish had called her just the night before, seeking assistance for one of her experiments. She’d been vague, but Michel had reported in detail. Dr. Standish was involved in some very secret and very illegal experimentation on Weres, and that knowledge was power. Now Standish was calling again, and the thought of having the doctor in her debt sent a frisson of satisfaction through Francesca’s blood. After so many lifetimes, the lure of blood had taken second place to the thrill of power. She enjoyed feeding, but enjoyed feeding off the submission of others even more. She leaned over and kissed the host, the stimulants in her mouth adding to the ones Michel injected into his blood. He cried out hoarsely, his cock arcing violently. She let him go as he came, stroking Michel’s midnight hair and running her thumb along the sharp blade of Michel’s cheek. “You’d better stop soon, darling. He’s close to depleted.”
Michel groaned, an agonized gasp of need, but she pulled away, her flat red eyes blind with bloodlust, a trickle of scarlet coursing from the corner of her mouth.
Francesca kissed away the blood trail and pushed Michel onto her back. She kissed her throat and then her breasts, sliding her hand between Michel’s legs. “I have to take a call, darling.” She slipped her fingers into her, a deep hard thrust of ownership, and Michel orgasmed in her hand. “Rest now. We’ll feed together when I return.”
She left Michel staring at the ornate carved ceiling above the bed and crossed to where Daniela quivered in the doorway, her face contorted and her eyes glazed. Daniela would have fed with all the other Risen at sunrise, but any Vampire in Francesca’s presence would be stimulated by her unshielded sexual thrall. And she hadn’t bothered to shield herself. Daniela pressed her back against the doorjamb as Francesca approached, her agonized gaze taking in Francesca’s nude body.
“You did well to come for me,” Francesca murmured, pausing inches from her.
“Thank you, Mistress,” Daniela gasped, her throat working convulsively.
“Kneel.”
Daniela dropped to her knees and Francesca threaded her fingers into the thick dark waves at the base of Daniela’s neck. She pulled the young Vampire’s face to the cleft between her legs. “Drink.”
Whimpering, Daniela closed her mouth over Francesca’s sex and sucked frantically. Francesca threw her head back, laughing quietly as her orgasm rippled through her like sunlight washing down a mountainside. She had not seen sunlight in a hundred lifetimes, a trade she would make a hundred times over for the power she had now.
*
Sylvan followed the scent of her injured young down the hall and knocked on the closed door. Any other time she would have entered unannounced, but she didn’t want to startle them. Sophia answered immediately and stepped outside, partially closing the door.
“Alpha,” Sophia said, dipping her head for an instant.
“How are they?”
“Restless. I can’t get either of them to eat. They seem to have an aversion to food.”
Fury roiled in Sylvan’s chest. “Why would that be?”
“Elena could probably tell you better than—”
“I’m asking you.”
Sophia straightened and the fatigue in her eyes dropped away. “The blood tests we’ve run indicate they’ve been drugged chronically, probably via their food and water. Their respiratory emissions also show breakdown products of silver. Their entire environment, from the food they ate to the air they breathed, was a prison. My guess is that their wolves will reject anything they haven’t killed themselves, and they’re too weak to hunt.”
Sylvan’s claws shot out and she threw her head back, struggling to contain a howl of rage. Sophia gasped, white pelt rippling beneath her skin, rising to the call of Sylvan’s wolf. Sylvan leashed her wolf, her jaws aching with the effort of holding her back. “Prepare the food trays and bring them in. They’ll eat for me. As soon as they’re stronger, I’ll take them out to hunt.”
Sophia flicked her gaze away, then fleetingly met Sylvan’s eyes. “Alpha, if I might make a suggestion?”
Sylvan’s wolf paced in furious circles, demanding retribution. She wanted to track down whoever had ordered her young to be tortured, drag him to the ground by his throat, and tear him limb from limb. She would, before this was over. She growled.
“About the young,” Sophia said gently.
A soothing hand brushed over Sylvan’s wolf and she paused in her incensed stalking. Drake was the only one who could truly calm her, but Sophia was exceptional among all the Weres in the Pack. She was Omega—neither dominant nor submissive—a peacekeeper, and her presence would settle anyone near her. She was also likely to absorb the rage and pain of others until she risked being battered herself. Sylvan ground her teeth, forcing her wolf to heel. “Tell me.”
“I know what it’s like to distrust everyone, even myself. They’re confused. They may fear you.”
“I am their Alpha.”
“Yes, and probably the only one they will be able to trust, perhaps ever—but until they can, they’re dangerous. Especially Gray.”
Sylvan snarled. “They are mine. I will care for them.”
“Gray’s shifts are unpredictable, but she’s fighting them. I think she was forced to shift in the lab.”
“She won’t say?”
“She’s not talking. Neither of them is.”
“They need to.” Sylvan cupped Sophia’s cheek and lifted her chin. The skin beneath her eyes was purplish, her cheeks hollow, her color ashen beneath the summer bronze. “So do you. You’re not well.” Sophia tried to look away but Sylvan held her jaw more firmly. She breathed in, catching the subtle wave of pheromones on her tongue. “You’re in heat and suppressing it.”
Sophia shuddered. “Please. When you touch me—”
Sylvan released her. She was mated and usually mated Weres had no effect on Weres in heat, but her touch would always produce a physical response. She should have sensed Sophia’s need instantly. “What are you doing to dampen the call?”
“Nothing prohibited. Just the hormonal blockers the soldiers use when they’re posted alone for long periods.” Sophia hugged herself, struggling for composure.
“More than you should be taking if I didn’t sense your need instantly. Why?”
“I don’t seek a mate. You know why.”
Sylvan sighed and lightly caressed her cheek. “Why haven’t you found one of the less dominant Weres to tangle with? They won’t attempt a mating unless you offer.”
“Hardly fair to them.” Sophia smiled wanly.
“That’s not true. Tangling with a female in heat is never a hardship.” Sylvan caught her gaze. “If you don’t, the buildup of hormones will weaken you. You know that.”
“I’ll be all right. I’ll do what needs to be done, just not yet.”
“Have you talked to your mother about this?”
“No. Please, Alpha. I’ll be all right.”
“We need you healthy, Sophia. Don’t put this off.”
“Of course.” Sophia colored. “Thank you, Alpha.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. You’re mine. Don’t forget that.”
“I never will.” Sophia sidled around Sylvan and headed down the hall. “I’ll be with Elena if you need me.”
Sylvan let her go, eased into the sickroom, and closed the door behind her.
A single shaded bulb in the center of the ceiling cast pale light on the two beds at right angles to each other at the rear of the room. Katya and Gray, both naked, had kicked off the plain white sheets. Katya lay curled in a ball, her arms around her middle, her eyes closed, giving no sign of sensing Sylvan’s entrance. Shock, exhaustion, malnutrition had dulled her protective instincts. Gray sat with her back pressed to the wall and tracked
Sylvan’s movements as she walked toward her, eyes wary and just this side of challenging.
Sylvan crouched between the two beds, reaching to touch both young at once. “You are my wolves,” she said steadily. “You’re home now, and safe. Feel me, feel the Pack.” She let her power rise and Katya whimpered, shifting in her sleep until a slender brown wolf with white-tipped ears and muzzle lay comma’d in the center of the bed, panting softly. Gray fought not to shift, rumbling in her chest. She absorbed Sylvan’s call, her teeth grinding, claws erupting from her fingertips, a wash of charcoal pelt sliding over her abdomen. She pulled away from Sylvan’s hand, her breath ragged and uneven.
“Come to me,” Sylvan murmured and Gray snarled. She was strong, but she couldn’t be allowed to defy the call of her Alpha. She needed to reconnect with the Pack. She needed the security of belonging. Sylvan held Gray’s gaze, staring her down until Gray’s gaze slid to the side. Still she did not shift. Sylvan unleashed the full force of her call. “You are my wolf. Come to me.”
Still struggling to resist, Gray shimmered in midshift, her pelt sliding and receding over her torso, her face morphing and changing back. She’d damage herself if she fought Sylvan’s call much longer. Sylvan grasped her by the neck and pulled her from the bed, forcing her down on her back on the floor. She straddled her and stared into the wild dark eyes. “You will submit to me. I am your Alpha.” Gray arched, a plaintive whine breaking from her throat. She shifted and a charcoal wolf shuddered beneath Sylvan.
You’re safe, my wolf. Sylvan sank back on her heels and pulled the wolf into her lap, tucking Gray’s head against her shoulder. She ran her fingers down Gray’s back, over her muzzle, behind her ears. She rubbed her cheek against Gray’s head. You’re safe with me. You’re strong now, but I need you to be strong in skin. Find your strength, Gray.
The wolf shivered and whined again.
Sylvan sat with her back against the bed, holding the wolf in her arms, letting Gray absorb her strength, letting her feel her connection to all the hundreds of hearts beating in the Pack. It’s time to come back, Gray. You’re safe. Do it now.
The wolf tensed, shimmered, and after a few convulsive seconds, Gray shifted to skin and lay curled up in Sylvan’s arms, her breasts against Sylvan’s chest, her cheek on Sylvan’s shoulder.
“Alpha,” Gray moaned, her mouth against Sylvan’s throat. Heat poured from her skin and pheromones erupted from her pores. She was young, dominant, and aroused.
Sylvan lifted her and laid her gently on the bed, stepping back. “Look at me.”
Gray focused on Sylvan’s face, her eyes clearing.
“You’re home. You’re safe. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Gray murmured, licking her lips.
Sylvan nodded, bent over, and brushed her fingers through Gray’s hair. “I need you. The Pack needs you. Can you stand strong, my wolf?”
Gray’s stomach contracted, her thighs tight as iron bands. She sucked in a breath. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Good. First you’ll eat, then we’ll hunt.”
Chapter Five
Sophia hurried down the deserted corridor to the pharmacy and pushed inside. She halted abruptly when she realized the room wasn’t empty. Elena and the Prima stood on the far side of the room, computer printouts in their hands. Of course. Reviewing the test results from the early-morning blood she had drawn from Katya and Gray.
“I’m sorry to disturb you.” Sophia backed up quickly, reaching behind her for the doorknob.
“That’s all right,” Elena said. “I was just about to call you. Is there anything new?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I can’t get them to eat anything, and they keep pulling out their intravenous lines.”
An ominous rumble rose from Drake’s chest. “The Alpha is with them?”
“Yes,” Sophia said, shivering although the room was warm. She glanced at the locked drug case in the far corner, her stomach cramping, muscles quivering. The hormonal suppressants were wearing off faster and faster every hour. She’d hoped this time she’d be able to anticipate when she was about to go into heat and blunt the process with a megadose of drugs. She should have known by her urgent, uncontrollable desire to tangle with Niki yesterday that she was close, but she’d thought her irrational need was because Niki was in need. Niki, the only Were in the Pack who refused to answer her call when she couldn’t hide it, was the one she could never completely deny. She’d been caught up in Niki and hadn’t started the drugs soon enough. Not that they could completely control her biological urgency for sex. Nothing prevented the insistent need to tangle, but at least if the rest of her system was functioning normally, she could stand the unrelenting arousal. When her heart was racing, her skin drenched in sweat, her stomach tied into knots, she didn’t have enough mental control to contain her need. And she had to, somehow. She’d tripled the dose of drugs the sentries took when they were alone for weeks at a time and went into heat, but she needed more. She needed more now.
“Is there any evidence of incisions?” Drake asked.
Sophia jolted back to attention, forcing her mind to what really mattered. Taking care of Katya and Gray. “Katya has a short vertical incision just above her pubic bone.”
Drake’s brows drew down and her growl intensified. “Laparoscopy?”
“Probably,” Sophia said.
“We’ll need to ultrasound their ovaries,” Drake said. “If they’ve had a recent biopsy or harvesting, we should see swelling.”
“I don’t know that we can get close enough to them to do that,” Sophia said.
“We won’t force anything on them,” Drake said, “but it has to be done. In the meantime, you both look like you could use some rest.”
“You’ll need help with the procedure,” Elena said.
“We’ll let the Alpha decide on the timing. If she doesn’t think they’re ready, we’ll have to wait. I’ll call one of you to assist.” Drake slowed on her way to the door, her dark eyes moving slowly over Sophia’s face. “You need more than sleep. Are you all right?”
“Yes, Prima,” Sophia said, a featherlight sensation of heat passing through her, almost as if invisible fingers had stroked her. She held her breath, searching to recapture the feeling, and then a glow suffused her consciousness. She gasped, and a flood of joy erased her pain and disappointment. “Prima! You’re…How wonderful!”
Drake smiled wryly. “I am, and thank you.” She glanced at Elena. “I gather this is going to go on pretty much continuously?”
Elena nodded.
“Maybe we should just make a mass announcement,” Drake said.
Elena grinned. “Oh no, Prima. We wouldn’t want to rob anyone of that first exciting instant when they recognize a new member of the Pack.”
“Two,” Sophia whispered. “Two of them. And so strong already.”
“You can sense them that clearly?”
“Yes,” Sophia said, glancing at Elena.
Elena said, “Sophia is a very strong empath. She could sense her Packmates even when she was young.”
“Hmm.” Drake slid her hands in the pockets of her BDUs and rocked back on her heels, her eyes going distant as if she waged some internal debate. “How much can you tell about them?”
“I’m not sure I should say without the Alpha—”
“I understand, but you can be sure if you know, she’ll know too. Just…are they healthy? Can you tell that?”
“Oh yes,” Sophia said, her awareness heightened now that she was seeking out the young. Wonder such as she hadn’t felt since the first time she’d shifted and run through columns of sunlight under towering trees streamed through her, and she reveled in long-forgotten pleasure. These young would bring the Pack new energy and vigor. “Very strong.” She laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever sensed unborn pups so early before.”
Drake rolled her eyes. “Well, of course. They are the Alpha’s young after all.”
“Do you want to know—”
�
��You can tell?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Not without Sylvan.” Drake cupped Sophia’s chin. “You’ve told me what I most needed to know. Now do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
“I…” Sophia drew a shaky breath. “With your permission, Prima, I’d rather not.”
“We’ll have need of you more than ever in the days ahead. We’ll need you strong.”
Sophia nodded. “I understand. Thank you for trusting me.”
Drake drew her close. “I’ve known you for a long time, well before I was Prima. You knew me as human. If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. Friend to friend.”
Sophia’s throat tightened. She had friends in the Pack—but none who could really understand what it was to be an outsider, even if she could tell them what kept her apart. Drake, more than anyone else, would know. She rested her head on Drake’s shoulder, allowing herself brief comfort. “Thank you.”
“Not necessary. I know something of what you feel.” Drake hugged her quickly and, grasping her shoulders gently, put distance between them. “The Alpha is coming. She’s a little possessive these days.”
Sophia’s heart jumped into her throat. All Weres with pregnant mates became irrationally possessive, but the Alpha? She took another step back just as the door swung open with a bang. Sylvan strode in, a warning snarl reverberating in her throat. Drake intercepted her.
“How are Katya and Gray?” Drake asked.
Sylvan drew up short, her hot gold gaze sweeping the room. Her canines gleamed against her wide, cruelly beautiful mouth. “You are well?”
Drake caressed Sylvan’s chest and angled her body against Sylvan’s side, her bare arm nestled against Sylvan’s breast. “I’m fine. Sophia tells me we’re all very healthy.”