by Gwen Knight
Reagan held up her hands and spoke in a soothing voice. “I’m not moving until you listen to me.”
His power flared like a hot lash against my skin.
“Listen to me,” Reagan pleaded. “Please, Father.”
It must have been the father bit that gave Gabriel pause, enough so for the golden fire in his eyes to ebb. He’d raised Reagan to always call him by his first name, as though that would toughen her up. It was a rare moment to hear her address him any other way.
“Trust me,” Reagan urged. “I would never do anything to bring harm to the pack. You know that. Leif is here to help us with the vampire problem.”
The blaze reignited, and his upper lip curled back from slightly sharpened teeth. It was like staring into the eyes of a mad wolf. “I can handle our problems!”
“Of course,” Reagan placated. “But we thought he might be helpful.”
His lips peeled back from his teeth. “So, you decided to bring yet another ancient wolf into my territory.”
“He can help us. Leif’s the blood wolf, he—”
“I know who he is, girl,” he rumbled, his voice deep and gritty. “Now, move.”
“No.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, my eyes wide as I watched their exchange. Anyone else, and Gabriel would have torn out their throat as a lesson. But not Reagan. With a savage snarl, Gabriel unleashed the full brunt of his gaze on her, not that she cowered back. He’d raised his daughter to be as strong and stubborn as him. He’d just never expected her to have the gall to use those talents on him.
“Things are unsettled enough right now,” Gabriel yelled, “without adding another wolf into the mix. The pack is only now starting to bounce back, and you let this wolf stroll brazenly into my house—”
“Because he can help!” Reagan shouted above her father’s voice.
My jaw dropped. I’d never heard her yell at Gabriel before. And it seemed he was of the same opinion.
“Girl…” he growled. “This is the last time I’m going to tell you to step aside. Move, or—”
“Or what?” Jerrik barked, unleashing a threatening growl that rumbled from deep in his throat.
Just what we needed. Another riled-up wolf.
Gabriel’s fiery gaze darted to him, his jaw clenched. A flicker of something danced across his face. Was that…fear? I’d never known Gabriel to fear anyone.
“Maybe everyone should just calm down,” I murmured.
Not that anyone listened. Seemed common sense wasn’t present in this conversation. Instead, Leif brushed past me, his own wolf on the prowl. So much testosterone in one room—it was enough to choke a girl.
“I’ve been in your territory for nearly three months without your knowledge,” Leif announced, drawing Gabriel’s ire with a few simple words. “I’m sure a few more weeks won’t hurt anyone.”
My eyes fluttered shut. Nope, common sense had long since left the building. “Could you not antagonize him?” Everyone could clearly see the alpha was hanging on by a thread. But hey, let’s keep poking the bear—said no one ever.
“He can stand over there posturing all he wants, but we all know how this would go down in a fight. So, why don’t we stow our egos and have a nice chat before someone gets hurt.”
Gabriel’s whole body tensed, and I winced. Holy. Hell. My baby’s father was a complete and utter idiot. Here was hoping it wasn’t hereditary. Now was the time to try and calm Gabriel, not instigate matters further. Without thought, I took Leif’s hand. I’d only meant to hold him back, to keep him from pushing into Gabriel’s space, seeing as the man was a hairpin away from igniting. But the second my fingers closed around Leif’s, Gabriel’s lambent gaze darted toward us and his dark brows slammed into a severe frown. Too late, I pulled back from Leif. I shouldn’t have touched him.
But then Gabriel’s nostrils flared, and his gaze dipped south. He’d caught the scent of something—or someone—else. Surprised dampened his heated gaze, which shot toward Leif. Reagan had warned me my scent had changed. In all the excitement, I hadn’t considered it. From the look on Gabriel’s face, though, he’d quickly put two and two together.
Before he could utter a word, the whole house suddenly went black, and the chilling sound of shattering glass assaulted my ears. The dark didn’t scare me—never had. Too bad I couldn’t say the same for the creatures that came crawling through the smashed windows. I hadn’t bothered to memorize the vampires’ scents earlier, but I sure knew it now.
And it was a scent I’d never forget.
Chapter 11
I’d never seen a vampire in real life, but after Leif’s descriptions, I’d expected something monstrous. Scythe-like claws, razor-sharp teeth, slitted eyes…maybe even a forked tongue. Something sinister and demonic. Seemed Reagan’s claims about my overactive imagination had finally been proven true because these guys looked like…men.
Seven of them surrounded us, forming a tight-knit circle so that we stood in the middle. I eased backward and came up against someone else. A quick glance revealed Leif, his narrowed eyes alight with his wolf as he examined the impending situation.
The four strongest wolves in North America, and still, I trembled like a child. All I could think about were the vampires’ claws and the memory of Marie’s face.
“Jonah,” Leif growled. “How nice of you to drop by.”
My heart dropped. If Leif knew them, then this was entirely personal. Meaning they were here for him. For some reason, that terrified me more than anything else. I hadn’t known Leif long, but I wanted the chance to know him a hell of a lot longer than tonight. I wanted our child to know him.
“How could I resist?” Jonah replied, a cruel smirk curving his thin lips.
The vampires spread out and Jonah came to a stop in front of me. Even though the living room stood cloaked in darkness, I could see him, and what I saw hardly impressed me. Jonah looked more like a jock than a vampire. Chiseled features, bright green eyes, and sandy blond hair. Like he should be running quarterback instead of smashing through windows.
“You came all this way to see me?” Leif asked. “I’d say I’m flattered, but…”
Jonah’s grin slipped. “I owe you pain, blood wolf.”
That didn’t sound good.
“And you brought your friends to help?” Leif pushed.
Jonah casually strode forward, closing the distance between us. Before I could react, Leif grabbed my wrist and guided me behind him, securing me in the center of our own little circle. Gabriel, Reagan, and Jerrik surrounded me, their bodies tense.
Jonah arched a brow as he watched our exchange. “When I heard you’d left the country, it piqued my interest. What in this world or the next could convince the blood wolf to flee his home?”
Laughter rumbled from deep in Leif’s chest. “Your information is lacking. I wasn’t fleeing. I had business here.”
The vampire cocked his head toward me. “Business. With this captivating woman? I must say, she’s beautiful. I can see the appeal. All that lovely blonde hair. And her scent…it is rather intoxicating.”
I couldn’t see Leif’s face, but I felt his body tense against mine.
Jonah leaned forward, his nostrils flared as he scented the air. I would have bet any money his nose was as sensitive as ours.
“Oh, yes, quite an intoxicating fragrance. The fresh smell of new life, and…is that…” Jonah laughed. “Did you know she carries a bit of your scent, blood wolf?”
My heart tripped in my chest and I cradled my stomach as a moment of clarity came crashing down on me. This pregnancy had been a surprise, but there was no way in hell I’d let anyone hurt my baby. I’d kill anyone who laid a hand on me. Reagan, Jerrik, Gabriel, and Leif might be stronger, but I was far more dangerous.
A wicked grin peeled back Jonah’s lips. “Well then. Someone’s been busy.”
“Touch her and I’ll rip your heart out,” Leif snarled, his hands balled at his sides.
Jonah unleashed a bark
of laughter that made me jump. “This is just too perfect. Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment, blood wolf? Finally, you’ve given me the perfect opportunity to hurt you.” His eyes ignited in a blaze of liquid silver. “Like you did me.”
A chorus of snarls rose from all around us. The surrounding vampires were growing antsy.
“Remember what I told you,” Leif commented. Somehow, I knew he was talking to us, reminding us of their claws—not that I’d ever forget.
“I’m perfectly safe,” Jonah taunted, incorrectly assuming Leif had been addressing him. “Tonight, it’ll be you who loses his heart.”
Heat sparked in my stomach—a strange concoction of fury mixed with determination and self-preservation. I couldn’t shift, but that didn’t make me weak. No one would lay a hand on me tonight. I would ensure that. And so would Leif.
Leif briefly caught my gaze, then transformed. My jaw gaped as I watched. Never in my life had I seen someone shift so quickly, so flawlessly. The process had always been painful for me. Broken bones, torn muscles, ripped flesh… But Leif seemed to complete the change in a single breath. One moment, he’d stood next to me a man, and the next, a beautiful silver-maned wolf.
He shook himself out, then crouched, his muscles bunching beneath all that fur. I took comfort in the feel of him pressed against me. With him at my side, I knew we’d win this battle, knew he’d do anything to protect his unborn child—as would I.
Leif wasn’t the only one who shifted. A massive black beast stood next to Reagan, his familiar blue eyes burned away by the gold. Only Gabriel, Reagan, and I remained in human form.
Right before my eyes, Jonah’s face thinned back to reveal the monster I’d first expected. His teeth lengthened into jagged daggers, and he sprouted the lethal claws Leif had warned us about. I couldn’t let those things touch me, not if I wanted to survive.
Jonah barked out a single indistinguishable word, but that was all it took. His lackeys lunged forward in a burst of speed and grace I hadn’t expected.
“Lucy!” Reagan shouted as she ducked under the first set of claws, swinging out with her sword. “Get out of here!”
Yeah, right! Like Jonah would ever let me leave, and no way in hell I’d abandon my friends. My family. But neither could I rush headfirst into battle without a care in the world. I needed a proper strategy.
With all the interest Jonah had paid me, I’d expected him to lunge toward me. Instead, he hung back, watching the fight unfold. Worry niggled deep in my gut. Those who held back, who didn’t rush into battle, were generally the ones we needed to worry about. The way he moved, the way he watched us—he knew exactly what he was doing. Letting the gophers go first. Testing our strengths. Watching for our weaknesses.
A clawed hand slashed the air in front of my face, drawing me back into the battle.
I gasped and feinted back, my eyes now locked onto the beast in front of me. This moment right here was the one I knew would give me nightmares for the rest of my life. I’d never forget the gleaming eyes, gaping mouth, and dripping fangs. Every inch of him was pure demon.
“Pretty little girl,” he hissed.
“Wolf,” I retorted, a low growl rumbling in my throat.
The sound gave him pause. Maybe my claws couldn’t paralyze my prey, but I wasn’t weak either. And when my lips curled into an evil grin, the vampire blinked. Without warning, I lashed out and slammed my fist into his jaw. The vampire grunted in pain right before his eyes rolled back and he slumped to the floor. I hadn’t expected one blow to knock him out, but knowing I could sent a fresh rush of adrenaline through my veins.
No time to celebrate, though. Not when another monster came rushing toward me. Damn thing leapt into the air, practically defying gravity as he flew at me with extended claws. I had a split moment to consider my options. Duck or weave? But before I could decide, a bloodied paw came out of nowhere and struck the flying vampire in the head.
I whirled around to find Leif at my side, eyes blazing gold. With a monstrous snarl, he stalked forward and clamped his mouth around the vampire’s throat. One sickening crunch, and the vampire dropped to the ground.
Leif danced back, his attention fully on the remaining vampires. It was amazing the things adrenaline could do during a fight. It felt as though time itself had slowed. As though the vampires were crawling toward us. I kicked the nearest one in the head, then spun around to find Reagan and Jerrik as they dropped their own vampire, while Gabriel broke the neck of another.
Four down.
But now wasn’t the time to celebrate. Not when I caught movement from the corner of my eye.
One of the vampires raced toward us. With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he leapt into the air, teeth flashing in an errant beam of moonlight. I saw his trajectory, knew I needed to do something, anything. But I couldn’t move, caught in fear’s grip. And when his teeth scored against Reagan’s throat, I screamed.
Everything fell silent—I couldn’t hear anything above the deafening roar in my head. I watched as Reagan fell, as her infamous sword clattered to the ground, as Jerrik and Gabriel unleashed identical howls and launched into full-blown rages. A burning hatred filled me, so hot and fierce, I thought I might burst into wolf form right here and now. Instead, I focused that rage on one single target.
Jonah.
I turned toward him, visibly shaking. He was the cause of all this. The one we needed to take down. The one I wanted dead.
And it seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
With a deafening roar, Leif attacked, wolf versus vampire. His strikes were almost too quick to follow, but Jonah parried every blow, his eyes glittering with silver light. Only one would come out of this fight—and I had to make sure it was Leif.
I shot Gabriel and Jerrik another glance, my heart slamming into my ribs at the sight of them fighting off the last two vampires. And Reagan…she lay sprawled on the floor, whiter than a ghost, her eyes closed and lifeless fingers next to her sword.
No. I couldn’t let her die. Couldn’t let it end like this.
Leif had never mentioned how to kill a vampire. I had to go by the stories. The lore always listed three ways to guarantee a vampire’s death. Decapitation, fire, or a stake through the heart. Even now, the vamp with the broken neck was picking himself up off the floor. If I didn’t end this soon, they’d outnumber us again, and I refused to let that happen.
I dashed across the room and grabbed Reagan’s sword. She’d never let me use Rory before, too afraid I’d hurt myself, or worse, break him. But tonight, I knew Rory wouldn’t let me down.
As I rose from the ground, my fingers tightened around his leather-wrapped hilt. I felt a surge of power wash over me. It had nothing to do with Rory, and everything to do with me. I wanted Jonah dead, and Rory would help me accomplish that. Even if I had to hack the damn vampire into a million pieces.
Sword in hand, I approached Leif and Jonah. It was a savage battle, packed with brutal blows and vicious snarls. Every time Jonah swiped, Leif danced out of reach, then retaliated with a biting lunge. Somehow, his fur seemed to protect him from the worst of Jonah’s attacks.
Leif’s golden gaze flashed toward me, gauging my position. Then, with a deep growl, he lunged at Jonah and slammed into him, knocking him toward me.
I didn’t hesitate.
The second he was within range, I thrust Rory up and through Jonah’s back, the blade cleaving through the vampire like a knife cutting butter. Jonah gasped, his fingers touching the bloodstained steel impaled in his chest. With a wet breath, he glanced my way, his eyes wide as though surprised to find me on the other end.
I leaned in close, then gave the sword a gut-wrenching twist. “For threatening my child, you bastard.”
His lips parted as though he meant to say something, but I refused to hear him out. Instead, I withdrew Rory and finished Jonah off with one final slice. Maybe decapitation wasn’t necessary, but I refused to take any chances.
The second Jon
ah’s headless body toppled to the ground, the room cleared. The two remaining vampires scattered through the broken windows, vanishing into the darkness.
By the time I turned toward Leif, he’d already shifted back into human form. With a heavy frown, he cupped my shoulders and held me at arm’s length. “You’re all right?”
I nodded, not quite able to speak. Maybe I was fine, but Reagan wasn’t. I dropped Rory and raced to her side, terrified of what I’d find.
Having also shifted back, Jerrik held Reagan in his arms, his face blank as he stared down at her. Gabriel perched at her side, his fingers hovering in the air as though he feared touching her. So much blood. So much carnage. The gashes in her throat looked deep. I could see parts of her I’d never intended to see before, and hoped never to again.
After whispering a soft prayer under my breath, I took her hand into mine. “Will she be all right?”
“Yes,” Leif rumbled, his voice edged with a growl. “I know it looks bad. But we werewolves can take a lot of damage. She’ll heal. You have my word.”
Relief eased the shadows from Jerrik’s face, but he didn’t utter a word. He simply sat there, rocking her in his arms. The sight of his devotion brought tears to my eyes. And for the first time ever, I realized I wanted that.
I wanted someone who would love me and cherish me as he did her. My whole life, I’d avoided relationships. My father had taught me at a young age that anyone could let you down, anyone could abandon you. And my mother…she’d only ever shown me the dark side of love. The obsessive and damaging parts. She’d never been content with just herself. Always hopping from relationship to relationship with the hope finding happiness. She’d taught me it was impossible to be happy with the one you were with.