The Kyriakis Redemption

by Eve Vaughn

  She quickly dressed and headed out the room. Nina looked over her shoulder to see Aries was still deep in slumber. As she headed toward the door, a tear slid down her cheek. She didn’t want to leave but she had to. It was for the best.

  Nina was careful to make as little noise as possible as she slipped outside. Once she managed to make it a few feet away from the house she began to run. It took everything within her not to shift which was what her natural instinct called her to do. But as she continued to run, she realized she had nowhere to go. She found herself in the city in an empty field. Aries’s property was in the country where neighbors were far and few between.

  Knowing she would be a danger to any shifter within a certain radius of her, left Nina with few options. Now that she was away from Aries and she could think coherently, Nina discovered there was nowhere she could go without being a possible danger to anyone. Perhaps if she could make it to an area thick with forestation, she could live off the land in her second form. Besides, she’d lived most of her life in captivity and though she was aware of the technology that had developed since she was taken, through her observation of the hunters, it was still a lot to get used to.

  Wherever she went it would be a life of solitude but then again, she couldn’t imagine it being lonelier than when she was Gage’s pet.

  She continued to run until her lungs felt as if they would explode, but she couldn’t stop and it wasn’t safe to shift to her wolf form until she was certain she couldn’t harm anyone.

  Suddenly the sound of feet digging into the soft Earth caught her attention. Nina turned to see a large gray wolf charging in her direction. She recognized it immediately. Pushing herself harder, she sped up, trying to get away but it was futile because the beast caught up to her with little effort. He tackled her from behind, knocking her to the ground. The wind whooshed from her lungs as she landed on her chest.

  The wolf nudged her side with his nozzle, forcing her to roll over. He immediately pinned her down, placing his paws on her shoulder. He stared down at her with his amber gaze.

  Did you honestly think I’d let you go? Aries mind-linked with her.

  “This is for the best. I can’t be around you knowing I can harm you.”

  You can only harm me if you shift. And at this very moment my uncle is on Anisa’s trail. She helped you once. She can help you again.”

  “But what if he doesn’t find her. How long will I be in limbo? You make it seem like not shifting will solve everything. This thing inside of me is fighting to get out. It wants me to shift and I’m not sure if I can hold it off much longer. And it’s because of that, I have to leave.”

  Then go ahead and shift.

  Nina frowned. “What?”

  Shift.

  “I can’t do that.”

  Of course, you can. You just said that thing inside of you is fighting to get out. Stop fighting it. Let it out.

  “No!” she shook her head from side to side. Was he insane? He couldn’t possibly know what he was asking her to do.

  Do it! Shift now!

  Tears burned her eyes. “No! I can’t! It will kill you!”

  If you leave, I’m already dead so go ahead and shift. He got off of her and backed away a few feet. Well, go ahead. I’m waiting.

  Nina sat up. “No. I’m not going to do it. I couldn’t bear it if anything were to happen to you.”

  Because of your feelings for me. Go ahead and admit it. You do have the strength to fight this thing off for as long as you need to. You might not think you’re strong because of all you’ve endured. But you’re the strongest wolf I’ve ever met. I can think of anyone who would have survived as long under the conditions you have. But you were alone then. You’re not anymore. You have me. And I’ll be your strength when you’re feeling weak because I’m not going anywhere so you’re going to have to get used to that.”

  Nina wobbled to her feet and raced toward Aries. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his soft gray fur before bursting into tears.

  It’s okay. I’m never going to let you go. You have to believe that everything is going to be all right, otherwise, what the hell are we fighting for? Gage will see his end and we’ll be there to make sure it happens.

  Nina clung to the wolf, crying until no more tears would fall. She didn’t know how long they stood together that way. Any human that might have stumbled on the scene would have found the sight of a crying woman hugging a large wolf, an odd thing but to Nina, it just felt right.

  She didn’t realize he’d shifted until she felt his arms wrap around her.

  “Whatever happens, from here on out, we’ll do it together,” he whispered. “Just promise that you’ll never run away again.”

  “I promise.” She held him tight.

  And this time she meant it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Paris was thankful to have Dante, Steel and the other five Underground Agents that had joined him. Because he realized now, that it would have been foolish to come alone and that had been his original intention. Before they could even get to their destination, they were attacked by another pair of hunters, but fortunately, they were easy to take down.

  He knew they were getting close. Paris could feel it. Just as they came upon the location given to them by the now deceased hunter, he spied a handful of hunters chanting around what appeared to be an empty plot of land. One particular hunter caught his attention. He was tall and pale. There was an air of power that surrounded him that made Paris uneasy. It was Gage.

  Paris quietly disrobed, ready to shift and attack, but Steel held him back.

  Not yet. They’re performing a spell and if I heard it correctly, it’s a chant to reveal the unseen, the warlock projected to his mind.

  I don’t know what that means, Paris shot back.

  It means, we see an empty plot of land but all isn’t what it seems. Watch.

  Steel must have relayed the message to Dante and the others because they held off and silently watched the hunters, as quietly as possible so as not to draw attention to themselves.

  The hunters continued to chant for what seemed like an inordinate amount of time. The longer it dragged on, the more restless Paris grew. His wolf fought to break free and just when he was near his breaking point, something extraordinary happened.

  A house appeared.

  Paris knew with absolute certainty that Anisa was inside. She had to be, why else would Gage himself put in an appearance. Unable to wait second longer, he yanked the rest of his clothes off and shifted. He then charged toward the first hunter he approached. He immediately went for the neck.

  It was that surprise attack that allowed him to take the hapless hunter quickly. By now, the rest of his team had joined, each squaring up with an opponent. With his first kill over, he had his eyes set on Gage who looked as if he was heading inside, but Paris wouldn’t let him.

  He ran into the hunter, tackling him to the ground. Gage however recovered quickly and grasped Paris by the neck and squeezed. “You filthy beast,” the hunter hissed. “Did you really think you could best me?” And with that, a jolt of pure energy sent shockwaves through his body. It was quite possibly the most painful thing he’d ever felt in his life but he refused to give up. He had to get to Anisa.

  Though it felt as if his strength was being drained he reached into his reserves and swiped his paw against Gage’s face. It was just enough for the hunter to loosen his grip, given Paris the opportunity to break free. He then sank his teeth into the first thing he could reach, which was Gage’s hand. With all his might, he chewed it off.

  Gage screamed in agony. “You will die for this!”

  Before Paris realized what was happening a blinding light struck him, sending him flying backward. He landed on the ground with a hard thud.

  That hit seemed to take more out of him than it should have. The hunters they had faced earlier had been difficult to take down, but Gage was on another level.

  Just as he managed to w
obble to his feet, he noticed that Gage was the only one left standing. Either his remaining hunters had deserted him or they were all dead.

  “Give up, Gage. You’re surrounded and you can’t beat us all.” Dante declared with bared incisors.

  Gage’s eyes blazed with fury as he stood up. Blood dripped from the stump where his hand used to be. “This isn’t over!” he screamed. “You may have won the battle for now. But you will never be safe from me. There are other ways to get what I want.”

  Gaining his second wind, Paris readied himself to charge Gage yet again but the hunter disappeared in a puff of smoke.

  Paris howled in frustration. He was certain they could have finally taken him out thus ending the threat that he presented. However, something told him that Gage would eventually be back, more powerful than ever.

  In the meantime, with the area cleared of Hunters, they were free to enter the chalet. Paris shifted back to his human form and quickly retrieved the clothes he’d left on the ground.

  Once he was dressed, he stepped toward the house. His heart raced as he knocked on the door. He was certain that whoever was inside had heard the commotion and was waiting for them.

  When the door finally opened, a tall, slender man with dark red hair answered the door. Upon first glance, one would have thought he was human, but his scent was different.

  Warlock.

  Before Paris could speak, the man did. “I see you were able to fight off those hunters and for that, I thank you, but now I must ask you to leave.”

  “We know she’s here. Where’s Anisa?”

  “There is no Anisa here.”

  “Liar!” Paris grabbed him by the collar and the redhead’s hands began to glow.

  “What’s going on here? Gaspard?” A soft voice called from inside the house.

  Paris froze. That voice. He hadn’t heard it in several decades nor did he think he ever would again, but it was her.

  “Anisa?” Paris whispered.

  Gaspard, as Paris, figured the man was called, turned toward the voice and answered. “Don’t worry bébé. It’s no one. You should be resting.”

  The term of endearment Gaspard used toward Anisa was enough to set Paris off. When he would have thrown a punch, Dante appeared behind Paris, catching his fist. “Calm down, Paris.”

  “Calm down? My mate is in there!” he roared.

  Gaspard chuckled. “You are the one who is mistaken. It’s just me and my wife…Camille.”

  Hearing the warlock refer to Anisa as his wife pissed Paris off. He didn’t go through all of this only to find her claimed by someone else. She belonged to him! “You fucking liar! Let us in!” If Dante wasn’t holding him back, he would have charged the warlock and fuck him up. And then he’d take Anisa back home with him.

  Gaspard narrowed his eyes and held up his now glowing hands. “I think not.”

  Steel stepped on the porch, his own hands surrounded by what looked like lightning. “You’re not the only one with talents, so let’s be reasonable here.”

  Gaspard forced his gaze on the other warlock. “So I should lie down and surrender? It was you who have come to my home uninvited and I will do what I must to defend it.”

  Steel held up his hands which had gone back to normal. “Look, we mean you no harm. We would just like to talk?”

  Gaspard looked in Paris’s direction. “Is that everyone’s purpose? Simply to talk?”

  Paris, you’re going to have to handle this situation with more tact. You have to realize there’s something going on we don’t understand. Dante communicated with him telepathically.

  Paris wanted nothing more than rip this smug warlock’s head off but Anisa didn’t need to bear witness to that. There was something about this man he didn’t like but Dante spoke the truth. “Yes. We’d like to talk. Do you think if we were here to harm you, we would have fought off those hunters? Obviously, you’re in hiding and in need of protection or else you wouldn’t have used whatever spell it was to keep your house hidden.”

  Gaspard raised a dark red brow and smirk. “Or perhaps I’m just someone who prefers my privacy.”

  “Well, if you value your privacy that won’t last for very long because those hunters will be back in full force, possibly with more of them next time. I need you to understand that you’re in grave danger as long as you’re protecting Anisa. I can keep her safe.”

  The warlock narrowed his eyes. “As I’ve said before. There is no Anisa. Only my wife Camille. If you must see for yourself then you can come inside briefly and see for yourself.” Gaspard stood aside enough to allow him inside.

  When Dante released him he walked toward the house but Gaspard shook his head when the others attempted to follow. “Only him.” Gaspard pointed to Paris.

  Dante shot Paris a questioning look but Paris nodded his consent. He had to see for himself. “I’ll be fine.”

  “If you try anything, we’ll be out here waiting,” Dante threatened.

  Gaspard shrugged. “I would expect nothing less.”

  Paris walked inside to see a modestly decorated home. There wasn’t much in the way of furniture, but it seemed cozy. The fireplace was lit. Paris noticed the lack of modern appliances as if this house hadn’t been updated in decades.

  “As you can see, there is nothing nefarious inside my home.”

  “It’s not the home I have a problem with. It’s what you’re hiding inside of it. I can smell her.” The scent was driving him insane. Everything within him cried out for her. She was so close. “I need to see her.”

  “You’re wasting your time.”

  “Now!”

  Gaspard glared before leaving the room. Paris presumed he had gone to retrieve Anisa, which is exactly what he did. When the warlock returned, Paris only had eyes for her.

  She looked almost exactly as she had all those years ago. She had matured a bit. Though she was still petite and fine-boned, her body had filled out more. Her breasts were larger and hips wider. Her height was below average but most wouldn’t notice because of her regal bearing. And all that beautiful hair that had crowned her head like a huge halo was pulled back in a neat bun, but she was still just as beautiful as he remembered. Paris couldn’t stop staring at her. From the large expressive brown eyes to the full lips that he’d never forgotten the taste of.

  He wasn’t sure if he should cry or howl with relief that she was actually here. “Anisa,” he whispered. He stepped forward to touch her but she backed away from him and moved behind Gaspard. She looked up at the warlock with uncertainty in her beautiful eyes.

  Gaspard bent over and gave Anisa a kiss on the top of the head. “It’s okay, bébé. This man believes that you’re his lost mate.”

  It suddenly dawned on Paris that there was no recognition in her eyes when she saw him and his heart fell to his feet.

  “Anisa…” he whispered her name as an ache he didn’t expect took over his heart.

  She shrank away from him when he took a step forward. She shook her head vehemently. “Who are you? And…who is Anisa?”

  Epilogue

  Aries pinned Nina’s arms above her head as he slammed into her. “Mine,” he growled. “Don’t you ever think about leaving me again,” he commanded.

  “Aries,” moaned as the thrill of his possession sent a burst of pleasure shooting through her body. She desperately wanted to touch him but every time she tried to break free of the tight hold he had on her wrists, he held her tighter.

  “Say you’ll never leave me again,” he growled.

  “I won’t leave you again.”

  “Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  He thrust into her pussy harder than before, making Nina feel it to the depths of her core. “And that’s a promise, I’ll see you keep.”

  Then he hit her spot just right sending her to a screaming orgasm. Using all the strength in her reserve, she yanked her hands free and ran her nails down his back.

  Aries howled, sounding more wolf than human as
he shot his seed deep inside her channel.

  Aries collapsed on top of her, burying his face against her neck.

  Nina enjoyed the weight of him pressing her into the bed. Absently, she stroked his back which was damp with sweat. She could feel his skin heal beneath her fingertips where she’d scratched him.

  Nina enjoyed the comfortable silence as she lay in his arms. Though she had no plans on leaving, Nina couldn’t help but be uncertain about their future.

  Aries was the first to break the silence. “I can feel your anxiety.”

  “I wouldn’t call it anxiety, more like concerns.”

  Aries kissed her on the shoulder. “Tell me about it and I’ll try to allay them.”

  “This darkness is still inside of me. I’m scared that I’ll hurt someone or kill them. Worst yet, what if something happened to you. When I lost my Micco, I wanted to die. I actually felt like I had died. But then you came along. And you healed me. You made me whole again. But if you died and I was the cause, there’d be no recovery from that.”

  Aries raised himself up enough to look her in the eyes. He cupped her face in his hands. “I vow to fight for you every step of the way. But I need you to fight as well. I need you to be the strong she-wolf who survived in the face of adversity. What you went through would have literally killed a lesser wolf. But we you won’t be alone. We have each other. And we’re going to win. Gage is going to pay for what he’s done.”

  Nina shuddered at the thought of Gage. That man was pure evil. She had seen him perpetuate so much harm in the name becoming all powerful that Nina wasn’t sure what could possibly take him down. Just when his enemies thought they had him, Gage found a way to escape and come back stronger and more malevolent.

  “I hope so. But in the meantime, what are we going to do? I can’t expect you to stay here like this with me, cut off from everyone. You have pack duties to fulfill. I can’t stand in the way of that. I know how important they are to you.”