“That’s why you don’t want anything to do with me?”
“You’re not the fool Jasper was. But I know what it feels like to lose a mate. I have no intention of going down that road. Find another woman.”
“And Jay, you hold a grudge.”
“It’s why I don’t talk about it. Doesn’t matter who’s right, who’s wrong. It fucking hurts.”
Bran caught her shoulders and told her everything he learned prior to coming. About what Jay did to find both him and Nate and bring Savon help.
“He isn’t the asshole I want to believe he is. But he ripped my heart to shreds.”
“Fuck. Okay. So, I’ve had it out for him without a valid reason.”
“I told you not to hate him on my account,” she snapped back.
“Yeah, well, my stupid heart hasn’t given up on you. I need to go.”
“Why haven’t you given up on me?” she asked softly, vulnerability shining through.
“Because I’ve been drawn to you from the beginning. I wish I hadn’t been, but damn it, I want you. Always have.” He brushed past her, slipped through the door, and left.
* * * *
Jay couldn’t fathom how he’d fucked up.
Killian wasn’t dead.
Though that shit made sense considering he wasn’t Alpha. And why hadn’t he figured that out? Why did Canagan drag his ass out there? Because he had a feeling she knew Killian wasn’t dead. Why keep going after Nate?
And yeah, being Killian’s son was enough to assume Nate would be the same asshole, but after that day, seeing how much he cared for Savon, he no longer believed it.
Sadness filled the void where the deep urge to claim Savon had been. That need evaporated soon after he left Nate’s home. She’d sealed her bond with Nate.
First time in over a hundred years he felt something real for another person, and he was back to emptiness. Somewhere inside there was hope. His wolf was ready to accept a new mate. Maybe he could find another.
That could wait until they dealt with Killian, and apparently Canagan. What had she gotten herself involved in? Revenge he understood. But she’d had eons to get that. Why here and now?
All over some artifact? All that shit went over Jay’s head.
Yet, it made sense. So many wolves came and stayed as if stuck in Silvertail Ridge. Very few managed to leave. They generally wound up coming back, eventually.
He opened a damned bar, for Christ’s sake.
Canagan waltzed up to the counter with a devilish smirk. “I understand you’re now helping Nate.”
“He is not his father,” Jay growled, thankful they weren’t open.
“No, but not many have the stomach for cruelty Killian has. Still, Nate must die. Then, and only then will you become Alpha.”
“What makes you so sure of that?”
“An oracle has ensured that Nate’s death brings a newer better pack. That means his woman must die too.”
“I’m done playing your games, Canagan. You don’t want me to be Alpha. You knew he wasn’t dead. Why kill Nate?”
“You’re done?” she hissed, leaning over the bar.
He stepped out of her reach, but her magic followed. The pull was real, but he resisted thanks to his dual nature. A smile spread across his lips. “I don’t take your orders. Never have. Find someone else.”
“It’s begun. Choose wisely, Jay. If she’s already pulling your strings, it may be too late.”
“Savon hasn’t asked for anything.”
“Not yet. She will. Nate may claim the Alpha title, but Savon will rule you all with an iron fist.”
He hadn’t seen a damned thing to make him believe that. No, Canagan was far more likely to do that. “Get out of here,” Jay growled.
Her eyes widened and she dashed out of the bar, slamming the door.
Jay leaned against the counter. It felt good to tell the bitch no for once. Which lent worry to Savon’s ability to control the wolves, but she was more than a Sylvan Fae. And he didn’t get the sense she wanted to rule a bunch of werewolves.
He didn’t envy Nate. Poor bastard had his hands full with her. Though, he wished she had at least given him a real chance.
Nate had his…but Killian had stood in his way.
Oh, who was he fooling? Savon wasn’t going to choose him. She had history with Nate. And after her story, he couldn’t stand in their way.
Chapter 21
Savon moved everything in her parents’ old room. Nothing, not a damned clue.
She slid down the wall next to the closet and dropped her head into her hands.
“Relax, Sav. We’ll find something.”
“Will we? I didn’t see shit when I was organizing everything.”
“Then we’re looking in the wrong place.” Nate knelt before her. “Have you looked in your old room? Is there a chance your parents knew you’d need to know this stuff eventually?”
“Your secret stash, under the bed,” the familiar voice murmured next to her ear.
Savon rubbed at her face and rocked forward, planting her hands on the floor to push herself up.
Nate caught her, standing fluidly, pulling her upright. “I don’t care what we find. It changes nothing.”
“And if it changes everything?” she countered.
“Won’t change what’s between us.” He swept her hair back. “Nothing is going to change my mind where you’re concerned.”
A small smile pulled at her lips. “I don’t know why you want me. I’m a serious pain in the ass. Sooner or later, you’re going to remember that.”
He pulled her against him and whispered in her ear, “Nothing important has changed, Sav. You’re still mine. Always were. Even when you’re a pain. I love you.”
She dropped her head to his shoulder, breathing in his scent. “Why did I run so long?”
“You didn’t understand. And I was an asshole to stalk you in your dreams, but even when I tried to let you go, I couldn’t.”
“Because my dumb ass was holding on. Fuck, I’m an idiot.” She stepped away and turned to move the easel aside. The bed was no longer in the room. The loose board came free easily and she found a shoe box she’d never laid eyes on.
Savon sat down cross-legged and pulled it out. Lifting the lid revealed a stack of handwritten letters both from her mother and father.
“There are a hundred letters.” Savon looked up at Nate, who sat down beside her.
He cupped her face with a smile. “They had to have their reasons.”
“Yeah, I guess. And what about the Branches of Emrys?”
Nate’s lip curled slightly. “I remember my father yelling at my mother about them. About the Dark Templar too. I don’t know this Ms. Murdock, but it sounds like your friends aren’t terribly happy with her and the situation.”
“She is a strange woman. Always knew what was coming. Her warnings were always accurate. Problem is, I don’t listen too often.”
He lifted her chin. “You get an idea and you stick to it until someone busts through your mindset. That’s not always easy.”
She lifted a shoulder, dropping her eyes. “Yeah. I need to work on that.”
“As long as you listen to me from here on out, we’ll be fine.”
“You’re stuck with me.” Savon hopped up, and Nate smiled as he glanced past her.
He moved forward, taking in the painting on the easel. She painted them under the willow tree. Colors streaked through the scene.
“When did you paint that?” he asked against her ear.
“This morning when I realized why the mate bond would develop, I gave up on fighting it. We’ll work it out.”
He turned her to face him. His mouth covered hers as he took the box and set it aside, then he pulled her into his arms. “I’ve missed you so damned bad, Sav. Every moment of every day you’re on my mind.”
“That’s why you haunt my dreams, my thoughts, and me.” She sta
red into his eyes. “Things are going to be messy. And I know you’re going to want to keep me locked up until the danger is over, but that’s not happening, Nate. I can stand against him in ways you can’t.”
“And get hurt.”
“Last time I wasn’t prepared and wasn’t thinking. Next time, I’m going to demolish him.” She pulled away, picked up the box, and took it downstairs. Dropping into a seat, she unfolded the letter on top. It was in her mother’s handwriting.
Dearest Savon,
If you’ve found this, things certainly have changed. You’ve learned your gifts are far stronger than we led you to believe. We hoped to protect you from a war that started eons ago and has nothing, yet everything to do with our own world. We never wanted you to go to Ceridwen, but you left with no warning.
Maybe she was right and we should have prepared you for what was coming. She always believed you would find your way, even with the steps we took to prevent your power from fully manifesting. We feared you would become a target for the Dark Templar if they learned of your natural gifts.
We are part of the Branches of Emrys and work to protect Earth from falling to the Burning Dawn. By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of some of it. Ceridwen has probably trained you as well as she could.
You must understand, there are people who would force you to abuse your gifts. We believed if you couldn’t fully access them, you would be safe, unlike so many of our peers’ children.
Please know locking away your ability was not an easy choice. At the time, it was the only way to slip from sight.
Ceridwen had sent us on a mission to gather information. You were in the children’s section of a library when a boy, a year older, took the book you were reading and gave you a papercut. Your scream set off every spirit in the building. Books flew at the boy, injuring him. We took you away from there, hid here.
Your brother is only your half-brother. Killian and I were together until he learned what I was. He left me days before I found out about your brother. Darron was there for me, he picked me up, and we fell in love. Then we had you. Between your Sylvan heritage and sorcerer magic, you will always be a target for those who would use you or destroy you to get what they want.
Please, forgive us for our secrets. We always meant to tell you everything if you came to us. And we knew Ceridwen would fill you in on everything we were too afraid to tell you.
These letters are from both your father and me. It’s our effort to prepare you for what we couldn’t before. Read closely. There are clues to more than we could simply write.
We love you and hope you can find it in your heart to accept that things are not always what they seem. And hopefully, you’ve found your way back to the only one who could ever complete you.
Love always,
Your mother
Savon shook her head, staring at the letter. First of many. “A puzzle. I suck at puzzles.”
Grinning, Nate sat down beside her. “Better than you think. Remember how we used to play Clue? You always won because you remembered the little details. Whenever we watched a movie, you knew the ending long before we got there.”
“I couldn’t figure out where you went, or where he had you. I knew he did something. Just not what.”
* * * *
“I’m sorry I let my father stand between us.”
Her lips twisted into a sneer. “I hate your father.”
“So do I.” He glanced away. “Did even before the accident. He kept telling me I’d replace him in this pack. That I was the next great Alpha. I needed to be stronger, harder, and ice-cold. He told me I wouldn’t become a doctor because they saved people. I needed to destroy them.” It felt good to finally offload that. He hadn’t even told Bran.
“I knew he hit you when you pissed him off. I remember the bruises.” Her eyes closed as a shudder worked through her. Tears shone in her eyes when they opened. “You never talked about it.”
“Still don’t. Didn’t want to think about anything but us. You were always my escape. My joy. My happiness.”
Her fingers brushed over his face. “I would have listened. I will now.”
A smile pulled at his lips. “I’m telling you now. Told you, no more distance, which means laying out all the reasons I didn’t come to you before.”
“Start with why you moved to New York if your father was your Alpha. And why you came back.”
“He made me a werewolf, but I didn’t accept his pack. I refused. Evangeline and I had become friends while she helped me find my way back. Dad wrongly assumed I needed time to forgive him and let me go to college in New York. Then medical school, and by then my Alpha had a firm grasp on the situation and convinced me not to come back for the major events. It’s why you never saw me at weddings or funerals. Why I stayed in New York. I didn’t want to deal with my father.”
“But you did come back.”
“Needed answers. Someone came for me. A dark mage.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “He wanted to know where my father hid the Wolfssengen Pendant. I have no damned clue what it’s supposed to be. My Alpha at the time banished me to keep his pack safe. I came home for answers, and to challenge my father. Shit, I was ready to slaughter him.”
“What happened?” Savon asked.
“Jay. I was here two days before Jay challenged my father. I didn’t. And the bastard came after me and lost.”
“Jay?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but he couldn’t best me.”
“Why didn’t you kill him?”
“I’m a doctor, remember? I’ll kill if I need to, but it’s not my first move.”
“You’ve killed before?” Savon asked. Complete shock on her face.
“Twice. The dark mage who wanted the pendant, and a werecat who wanted to get back at my father. He challenged me and lost.”
“I’m sorry.”
He took her hand. “You’ve killed, haven’t you?”
“Yeah. But always assholes who threatened our way of living.”
“Our?”
She huffed. “Others in general. There are groups that take us to breed, to experiment on, and to fight with each other. So, I helped stop the hunters. Tends to end with killing.”
“So, a magic special agent?”
A giggle escaped her lips, light dancing through her eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far. Usually, someone I knew was taken, endangered, or being hunted. Ms. Murdock would send me and other people after them.”
“Tremaine know?”
She half-laughed. “He took me the first time. Wanted to make sure I was safe. This was before we, uh…” She sighed.
“I get it, Sav. I do.”
Her eyes closed. She was thinking the same thing that kept creeping up on him. What if.
He leaned down to her ear and murmured, “We move forward, we don’t dwell in the past.”
She nodded and lifted the box. “Looks like I’ll be too busy trying to piece together what’s in here.”
“I can help. At least try. I’m sure Bran could too. He needs to know some of it, at least your mother’s part, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. I still can’t believe Bran didn’t tell me about Killian being his dad.”
“He tried. But you shut him down too many times to count. He didn’t know how to get through to you without you being here, and now, it’s one thing after another. He wants to sit you down and talk, but he’s frustrated. Hell, he was more pissed you were considering Jay than I was.”
“Why weren’t you?”
“Told you, I knew it wouldn’t last, and I can be patient when I know it’s worth it.”
She rose up and threw a leg over his thighs, straddling him. Her fingers delved into his hair. “Never was patient. You helped with that. You gave me balance I never find. Twelve years and I’m a mess.”
“You’re beautiful, amazing, and so damned tempting, but we aren’t done talking, Sav.”
“We have forever,” she wh
ispered.
“What are you hiding?”
She sat back, her eyes darting away. “What was the longest you were with someone?”
“Few months. I didn’t see the point in trying if I didn’t feel anything.”
She laughed sadly and moved away. Before she could climb off the couch, he pulled her back down.
“You?”
“Three years. It wasn’t live in or anything, just together when we were both around. More than casual. I was trying to forget you. Nikolai helped in ways.”
Nate ignored the anger wanting to rush forward. He got it. There was just one thing he needed to know. “Did he hurt you before you tried to leave?”
She shook her head. “No, which was why I thought maybe I could move on with him. Only, you were always there. How much do you know about him?”
He shook his head. “Just that he was a normal fixture in your life. You didn’t dream much about him, so there wasn’t much to go on.”
“Because he didn’t fill the void you left.”
“I’ll fill it now.”
“You can fill a lot more than that,” she murmured, rocking over him.
Chapter 22
Bran dropped into a seat at the back of Evangeline’s shop. He half-hoped she wouldn’t show up, except he wanted to see her without that devastated look.
He felt like a fool for immediately hating Jay, but the bastard made her uneasy. Evangeline was too confident and smart to let him get under her skin, so he searched for any reason to take the bastard down. She may hate Jay, but she didn’t blame him. And she never said a bad word about him, but her tension was all Bran needed to push him against Jay.
He scrubbed his face, waiting on Nate. He needed to talk to the dumbass and make sure he actually got Savon under him. Maybe if Evangeline saw Nate happy with his mate, she could give him a damned chance.
Fuck, she’d been mated before.
Evangeline placed his almond cappuccino in front of him and took the seat opposite. “Still hate me?” There was a vulnerability he’d only seen the night before.
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