All or Nothing [Shadow Creek 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove)

by Leah Blake

  Nico narrowed his gaze. Mikhail wouldn’t look at him. His cheeks were pink and his gaze shifted nervously from his arms to his feet to the mat.

  “Mikhail, what is it?”

  The man hung his head.

  After a long, drawn out silence, Mikhail rested his chin on his knee and lifted his gaze to Nico.

  “I can’t get out.”

  Nico’s eyes narrowed further. “What do you mean, you can’t get out? Of what?”

  He wasn’t sure he liked the direction this was headed. His wolf certainly sensed the ominous prelude.

  “I can’t get out of the team. Jude’s elite are bound. When you sign up, you’re in it until you die. Like the mob. We have too much information, know too much about the hunters and their tactics. Jude handpicks his men. He’s careful when he chooses. And those he chooses are only accepted if they sign a death contract before any access is given to them.”

  “A death contract.” Nico couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice. Nor could he keep his stomach from twisting at this sickening news. Mikhail’s brows lifted. “You mean to tell me you signed away your life if you try to leave? Forgive me, Mikhail, but do you hold no value on your own life that you would blindly give it to a stranger?”

  Damn it, he wanted to throttle his mate at this very moment.

  “I had a vision. I had a goal. I had no family left. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, why I wanted to do it, and nothing could ever deter me.” Mikhail shook his head. “I thought.”

  “What changed?”

  Mikhail’s attention shot up to him and pinned him with a narrowed glower. “Really? You don’t know?”

  Nico’s nostrils flared. Oh, he knew. He knew pretty damn well. It didn’t ease the level of pissed off he was to discover his mate agreed to his death on a dotted line for the sake of a cult.

  “Why don’t you tell me? Hear yourself say it out loud.” Nico leaned forward, burning his gaze into Mikhail. “Tell me that signature was worth the trouble it’s about to cause us all.”

  Chapter Ten

  Mik couldn’t suppress the shiver that tapped into his body. Nico was enraged. His wolf flashed bright and furious in his eyes, in his expression. His eyeteeth had tapered, not to complete points, but well on their way. Mik had faced his fair share of bad and scary, but the sight of Nico as pissed as he was…

  What the fuck have I done?

  He wasn’t lying when he said nothing could ever deter him. Nothing ever could until he came face-to-face with an enemy who sucked him in and shattered everything he believed.

  “How the hell was I supposed to know this was going to happen?” Mik asked, trying his damnedest to forge some defense against the infuriated wolf leaning closer and closer. “Do you think I’m happy about this?”

  “I certainly hope not, because I sure as fuck ain’t.”

  A growl, a sound so raw and predatory, brought Mik’s arms under the attack of goose bumps. Nico’s lips twitched as his upper lip threatened to pull back and give Mik a full on look at his wolf’s teeth. Mik could barely catch a breath. The air had grown so thick and dense between them it damn near suffocated him.

  “Let’s go.”

  Nico was on his feet before Mik could blink. He held out a stiff hand, one Mik took with a hint of reserve after retrieving his shirt. As angry as Nico was, Mik’s gut told him the wolf would not harm him. Nico pulled him up with such force his feet were air bound before hitting the mat.

  Damn.

  Nico was right. He hadn’t faced a wolf with the strength of his mate. He didn’t prey on the weak. It just happened that the weak were the ones who were scavenging. They were the ones that Mik believed posed a threat. The rebels.

  Nico held his hand in an iron grip a shade shy of painful, releasing him for a moment as he pulled his shirt on, and dragged him up the stairs.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  He had to jog every few steps to keep up with his long-legged and fiercely determined keeper.

  “We’re having a little talk with Raul.”

  His heart sank. “I’m not in the mood.”

  “That makes two of us, but since this revelation affects not only you but this entire sanctuary, guess what?” Nico cast him a short glance. “You’re changing your fucking mood.”

  “Are you mental, Nico? You go hot to cold in a blink.”

  “And if I was? Would it soften your dick around me?”

  Mik groaned, keeping his gaze diverted from the curious and angry looks they received from shifters wandering the manor halls. Some smirked and chuckled. Some pointed. All did little to help Mik’s change of mood.

  Nico brought him to the entry foyer and to the set of double doors beneath the stairwell. One of the doors pulled open without Nico having to knock, and Mik was dragged into the room.

  He ignored the hateful stare from Vuk as the wolf closed the door behind them and found a far more welcoming sight.

  Raul leaned back against a sideboard, Victor resting comfortably beneath one of his arms. Another vampire sat in one of the upholstered chairs placed in the large room, silver eyes gauging him curiously. The sorcerer from his healing, as well as Storme and a few other shifters—judging by the reflective night vision lenses—were settled in additional chairs.

  Raul lifted a tumbler to his lips and took a sip of the golden liquor, but it was Victor who approached Mik, his violet eyes nothing shy of warm. Nico released Mik’s hand and moved a few feet away, but remaining within easy reach as Victor filled the space before him.

  The vampire held up a hand. “May I see this contract?”

  Mik shot Nico a startled glance. Nico’s brows lifted and he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Really? You’re really getting in the habit of talking to people without my knowing it?”

  “Nico did not tell us about the contract, only that you two needed to speak with Raul immediately,” Victor said in his calming voice. “May I see it?”

  “I don’t have it.”

  A small grin touched the vampire’s mouth. “That is not what I mean. May I have your hand, if you will allow me?”

  Mik leaned away. “Why? What are you planning? How do you know about the contract if he didn’t tell you? And don’t use any of that mental trickery on me.”

  “I have visions. As for my plan, I can access your memories through your energy. All you must do is bring the memory of signing the contract forth and I will not have to search for it. I promise you I will not invade your mind beyond the contract.”

  “You expect me to trust a vampire?”

  “Yes.” Victor’s grin grew. “You may find your trust well placed in a vampire.”

  Mik looked over at Raul. The alpha’s ice blue eyes watched him closely, the tumbler twisting slowly, methodically, between his fingers. It didn’t take a genius to see that Raul wasn’t thrilled about his mate diving into another man’s head. Hell, he wouldn’t want Nico doing it…

  Mik swallowed, a faint shock jolting him. The possession he experienced over Nico was unnerving. He cast Nico another glance. This time, his mate’s expression softened slightly.

  “You’ll be fine,” he assured.

  Mik nodded once and dropped his hand into Victor’s. He was surprised by the smoothness of his skin and that it was cool, not cold. Victor’s fingers closed around his, the dark nail polish catching the radiant firelight. For a brief moment, Mik imagined fire on these very fingertips. Destructive fire.

  He turned his attention back to Victor’s face. His pupils dilated and his gaze went through him. His face relaxed, almost trance-like. A strange essence of an itch spread in his head. Instinctively, he reached to scratch his scalp, but paused when he realized the sensation was everywhere and nowhere.

  It was Victor inside his mind.

  “This is awkward,” he mumbled.

  A breathy chuckle was his response from one of the shifters in the room. Mik shifted, lowering his head. He found a little comfort in another stolen glance
at Nico.

  Victor’s gaze refocused. His eyes narrowed for a brief moment before he released Mik’s hand and returned to Raul’s side. Nico came up behind Mik and rested a hand on his waist. The simple touch did wonders to calm him as Raul continued to spear him with those hypnotic eyes.

  “I find it interesting that you deem all paranormal creatures evil and deserving of death when your own leader would have you forfeit your life if you wish to leave the hunters.” Raul’s lips curled in a half-grin and he chuckled, shaking his head. He took another sip of the liquor. “Such irony.”

  “I’m glad you find it funny.” Mik leaned back a fraction, seeking more of Nico’s strength and comfort. He really didn’t like being the center of attention in a room full of beasts.

  Raul lowered his tumbler to the sideboard and hooked a thumb on the pocket of his jeans.

  “Well, I’m not the one who willingly agreed to suicide, now am I? However, the ways of hunters do not escape me. I’ve been around long enough not to be surprised by their antics.”

  “And you’ve taken plenty prisoner.”

  “I have, yes.” Raul slipped his arm from around Victor’s shoulders and moved closer to Mik. “And those who did not sacrifice themselves prior to becoming my prisoner were released once I found it safe enough to release them.”

  Mik suppressed the urge to sneer. “You torture your captives.”

  “Ahh. Is that what Jude says?” Raul chuckled, then shrugged. “This last ambush, the one that killed three of my guards, left numerous others injured, and threatened to take my life, yes. I tortured those I held in captivity.”

  Mik hardened at the confession, reminding himself not to be so quick to dismiss what Jude had told him over the years. These were beasts, plain and simple.

  “I use magic to torture my prisoners. I also use the old technique of withholding necessities. Before you pass judgment, Mikhail, think about it for a moment. Your brothers were murdered by lamabra and you have sought revenge for their deaths. Not only against lamabra, but against all paranormals, correct? What do you do when you have a prisoner?”

  Mikhail’s shoulders stiffened. He shuffled back a half step when Raul took one last step toward him, leaving nothing but a mere foot between them. No matter how much he straightened up or puffed his chest, he was about as small and helpless as a teenager. The damn wolf was huge and towered over him.

  “You take no prisoners. You kill on sight. Your justice is biased and corrupt.” Raul’s voice had lowered to a whisper. Somehow, that whisper resonated loud and clear in his ears. “You were quick to turn a gun on Nico after he saved your life, were you not? You shot at him with intent to kill him. One of my guards who was protecting you and the rest of the humans in that town.”

  Mik’s nostrils flared. “You break your prisoners. You mentally destroy them.”

  “I will not sugar-coat my tactics, Mikhail, but I will ask this of you. When I release my prisoners alive and you kill yours on sight, who is more of a monster?”

  “Men have killed themselves after being your prisoner.”

  “And many have gone on to live happy and healthy lives. Away from the hunter life. It depends on the strength of the person, but at least I allow them that chance to change. You, Jude, and all hunters do not give that same respect to my people.” Raul took a small step back. Mik sucked in a deep breath of air, filling his lungs. “If you want to learn what we are all about, what we are truly about, let down the barriers and look around you. Accept what you see. Don’t fight what you feel or how you need to be to conform to the ideals of another. If you choose your mate, Mikhail, you will be under my protection. However, you will have to earn your place among the shifters. You will have to prove yourself, your loyalty, to us. We will do the same for you. Your leader has filled your head with nonsense, skewing your views and blinding you to the truth.”

  Mik toyed with his lip between his teeth. The anger he wanted to cling to dissipated. Slowly, he surveyed the room, and the paranormals present. Yes, they were fierce, cruel-looking, and downright deadly. Yet, beneath the predatory exteriors, Mikhail sensed a similar camaraderie, friendship, and good-heartedness that he recognized in Nico immediately. The images from earlier in the night, those of the shifters relaxing and partying like humans would, crossed his mind.

  “Sometimes the hardest of shells are the easiest to break,” Raul murmured, drawing Mik’s attention back to the alpha. The hardened wolf softened enough to melt away some of the ice in his gaze. “Sometimes, the more you fight, the more you shatter.” Over Raul’s shoulder, Mik caught Victor’s chin lift and a smile cross his mouth. “A word of advice, Mikhail. Don’t cause yourself more grief trying to hold on to what isn’t and sacrifice what is.”

  “The contract—”

  Raul gave a short wave of his hand and returned to Victor. “The results of the contract will be left up to you. My suggestion is that you learn the truth before making any hasty decisions. And with that, I suggest you get some rest.”

  Nico’s fingers tightened around Mik’s waist. Mik hesitated before he allowed Nico to lead him from the room. He didn’t question why they were headed outside. He didn’t question where Nico was taking him as they moved by the groups of shifters enjoying the night. Moonlight cast majestic shadows over the property, giving an extra glint to the shifters’ eyes.

  For a long time, Mik and Nico walked in silence. He followed the wolf into the forest, accepting his hand as they trekked through the uneven terrain. Their silence allowed for Mik to contemplate his decisions, those that included Nico, Jude, the dangers of breaking his contract and what it could mean to the shifters at Shadow Creek. He released his hunter’s mindset in search of what he wanted. What he truly wanted. He released the complications of his choices to join Jude, created a world where he did not see every paranormal creature as he had for the last twenty years.

  A world where he would give himself to the hunger, the desire, and the need that consumed him in Nico’s presence. He would have no second thoughts, no regrets, and no worries that his actions would bring Jude’s wrath down on his mate.

  The soothing sound of water grew louder and louder until Nico brought him to the edge of a narrow river. Moonlight shimmered over the clear water as it swirled around rocks and branches.

  Nico faced Mik, a mouthwatering sight of shades and shadows beneath the silvery light of the moon. Every angle, every hollow of his face became a piece of art, an enhanced slope, dip, curve that elicited a primitive craving inside Mik. The honeyed streaks in his hair glowed. The gold of his eyes glinted.

  He looked every ounce a wolf, and every ounce a man. A perfect combination of man and beast.

  Perfect.

  Mik’s heart fluttered and his lungs constricted. How could he refuse himself this man? How could he fight against everything his body screamed for?

  “He will never hurt you, Mikhail. I won’t let him,” Nico murmured, lifting a hand to caress Mik’s cheek. Mik tipped his head into the touch, absorbing the warmth, relishing in how the wolf sparked his entire body into a raging inferno. “No one will ever hurt you.”

  Give in, Mik. If only for tonight, give in.

  Mik stepped up to Nico, holding his mate’s gaze for a long moment.

  Then, he reached up, sank his fingers into Nico’s hair, and pulled him down, crushing his mouth to the wolf’s.

  Chapter Eleven

  The rush of desire that came over him washed away any lingering reserve. Every inch of his body hummed, alive. He wasn’t about to walk away from this need. Not again. He’d deal with the consequences later.

  Mik moaned into Nico’s mouth, pressing into the wolf’s solid body. Nico’s arms snaked around his waist and shoulders, bringing him to his toes. Here, now, he held no inhibitions.

  Like a switch, his control of the demanding kiss turned over to Nico.

  Nico inhaled, stealing the breath from his lungs. His tongue swept through Mik’s mouth, claiming him with each powerful, possessiv
e stroke until his knees were so weak he clung to his mate for support. Lightheaded wasn’t even the word for how Mik felt.

  Elated. Free, yet a prisoner to his own hunger.

  Mik dropped his hands to Nico’s back. Nico growled when he began to bunch the shirt until he yanked it over the wolf’s head. Nico tore Mik’s shirt off the moment he was free of his own, but he gave Mik no time to revel in the sight of his beautiful body. Nico grabbed him beneath his ass and lifted him from the ground. Mik gasped, locking his ankles at Nico’s waist.

  His back hit the rough bark of a tree a moment later. A dull throb spread along his skin as the sharp wood dug and scratched at his bare flesh.

  “Ahh.” Mik dropped his head back, surprised by the shock of pleasure those scrapes brought on. His cock swelled, biting into the zipper of his jeans.

  Nico’s mouth dropped to his neck, kissing and sucking along the column of his sensitive skin. Mik rocked his hips, seeking that delicious friction to drive him closer to climax. Teeth nipped at the juncture of his neck and shoulder, followed by another, stronger pinch. His body erupted in a tidal wave of heat and delight. A moan fled his lips. His fingers burned to touch and learn.

  “Damn it, Nico.”

  Mik fisted his hair and pulled the wolf away from his neck. To his utter shock, and absolute delight, Nico’s eyes glowed like flames in the night. His teeth had tapered to his wolf’s fangs. Everything he despised only days earlier turned him on unlike anyone before.

  “What? I won’t bond, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Mik’s forehead creased. “Bond. I didn’t even think…”

  Nico slanted his mouth over Mik’s, kissing his thought away as their bodies crushed together. Mik lowered his legs, his toes barely touching the ground. He used the base of the tree for support and fumbled to kick his sneakers off. Nico stopped him when he tried to wedge his hands between their bodies to get his jeans off.