So, Finn and Brynn had run to the closest Healer.
That happened to be the Talons.
It was odd to think that two Packs could work so closely together, but after over thirty years of finding ways to work as one without creating a single Pack, the Talons and Redwoods were finding their way. It had all started when Ryder’s father, the former Alpha, had died by Gideon’s hand. Ryder would have killed the bastard himself, but it had been Gideon’s right to do it.
The Brentwood family had been born in agony and honed in fire. They’d suffered at the hands of their father and uncles more than anyone knew. But they were strong now. Or, at least, that’s what they told themselves.
What Ryder told himself.
While that had been happening, the Redwoods had been fighting a war themselves. Only instead of fighting within, they’d been dealing with another Pack that had gone dark. Way dark. Ryder and his brothers had battled alongside the Redwoods in the end and had formed a truce, and, eventually, friendship.
It had taken another fifteen years for members to start feeling as if they could trust freely, and another fifteen years after that for their Packs to become as close to a single unit as possible. Gideon had married a Redwood Pack princess, and now, Ryder’s Alpha female was a young, submissive wolf with Redwood parents and the softest smile he’d ever seen.
They were growing, settling, healing.
Of course, the world had gone to shit yet again when the humans found out about the existence of wolves. Ryder had known it would only be a matter of time before technology became too great for non-humans like him to hide anymore. Magic could only do so much, but he hadn’t been prepared for the death and blood that came with the world uncovering the truth of what lay beneath the surface of their truth.
Their losses had been small so far, but he knew it wouldn’t last.
It had been a year since his people were revealed, and just recently, human hate groups had begun to kill those they were afraid of. Now, politicians in Washington were debating his Pack’s future without consulting them.
There was even a politician named McMaster who had called out the wolves as not being part of the human population. He hadn’t called for war, but it had been damn close.
Ryder’s Pack, as well as the Redwoods, were trying to figure out what to do about it. They not only needed to keep their people safe, they needed to protect the other Packs in the world, as well. The problem was much bigger than them, and at times, it seemed insurmountable.
Ryder ran a hand over his face as he made his way through the den, nodding at the few members he passed along the way. Now, they had Leah and whatever problems she’d brought with her to add to the pile. Finn and Brynn had a feeling that Leah and her brother had been running to the Pack for protection, or at least running for something. His family wouldn’t turn away a person in need, even if she wasn’t Pack. They weren’t callous, but they would protect their Pack with everything they had.
Only he didn’t know how he was going to do that.
“Ryder?”
He froze at the sound of Brynn’s voice, then shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He’d been so stuck in his own mind, he’d almost passed Brynn’s place. Or rather, her old place. He guessed she was living with the Redwoods now, with her new mate. He wasn’t sure what they’d do with her place since it was mostly empty except for a few pieces of furniture. With the Pack on lockdown behind the wards thanks to the hate crimes and the uncertainty of their future, space was hard to come by. He was sure Mitchell, his cousin and Beta of the Pack, had a plan. That was his job, after all—to take care of the daily needs of the Pack while Gideon and Ryder dealt with the more harrowing jobs.
Though it seemed like Gideon was the one doing that more recently, with Ryder standing behind, trying to figure it all out.
You’re nothing. Nothing. Just a waste of space. Not a true Heir.
He pushed aside the familiar diatribe echoing in his head. He didn’t have time for that; didn’t have time for anything.
“Sorry, Brynn,” Ryder finally said as he turned to face his sister fully. “Too much going on in my head.”
She studied his face, seemed to see far more than she should have. “Is it the girl? Is she okay?”
His wolf nudged him at the mention of Leah, but again, he ignored it. “She’s fine.” At least, he hoped she’d be. He wasn’t sure if anyone could ever be fine after that.
He looked over his shoulder as people slowed to overhear their conversation. While the others of the Pack would know about Leah soon enough, he needed to make sure his family was kept up-to-date first, before there was an issue.
“Gideon wants a family meeting,” he said before he said too much more.
Brynn nodded with understanding. “Gideon and Brie’s place?”
“As always.” With that, he turned and made his way to the Alpha’s home, messaging the others as he did. For some reason, he’d wanted to tell Brynn beforehand—probably because she’d been the one to find Leah in the first place.
Brie was already at the front door when he made it to the porch, her arms wide. He let her wrap herself around him and he tugged her close for a hug. There wasn’t anything sexual about it; this was his brother’s mate and his wolf’s Alpha. But even with all of that, it was her submissive nature that his wolf needed more than anything right then. Her wolf soothed the beast, reaching out to comfort while others needed to protect. She was perfect for the highly dominant Gideon, even if it hadn’t seemed so at first.
“I have food on the table and drinks are in the fridge,” Brie said into his chest.
Ryder kissed the top of her head and let her go. “Just because you’re the Alpha’s wife, doesn’t mean you have to cook for us.”
She rolled her eyes and patted him on his stomach. “I didn’t. It’s leftovers from one of the maternals. I was working with the other submissives today and didn’t have time to cook. But since I made it home first, I figured I’d set out a spread. I’m not the baker my mother is, so it takes me extra time to make it as good as I want it.”
“You’re a bad liar,” Ryder said as he followed her to the large dining room. It was open to the living room so everyone could grab some food and then sink into the large cushions on the couch or armchairs and talk about what needed to come next. “You’re just as good as your mother.” Willow Jamenson, Brie’s mother, had been a bakery owner in her human life years ago and even ran a new bakery on Redwood Pack land now. Brie had learned from her mother and treated the Talons on occasion.
Brie just shrugged and handed him a stuffed mushroom. “Eat. You look like hell.” She met his eyes. “Gideon called. Told me about Leah.”
He met her gaze and cooled his features.
She let out a sigh. “If you want to talk, Ryder. I’m here. I’m always here.”
“Thanks for the mushroom.” He stuffed it in his mouth before she could question him further. Or before he said something he didn’t want to share.
The others came into the house, saving him from Brie’s stare. Gideon walked in first, his attention on his mate. He wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet, bringing his lips to hers. They kissed like no one was watching, and Ryder had to look away before even he blushed. The two had been mated a year and acted as if they had just found one another. With all the time the two spent wrapped around each other, Ryder was surprised Brie hadn’t ended up pregnant yet. Though he had a feeling the two were waiting until they had more time under their belts…as well as a more definite idea of what their future would be.
The world had shifted on its axis, and Ryder wasn’t sure if bringing a baby into the world was safe. In fact, his friend Quinn and Quinn’s mate Gina, the fire witch, had been mated for fifteen years and were only now thinking of having a child. They were long-lived as shifters, their bodies sharing space with the soul of a wolf. Some mated couples waited a century to have a child. They were blessed with time.
Yet cursed with
it all the same…
Cursed bastard.
Again, he pushed the whisper from his thoughts. He had to in order to stay sane. Or at least as sane as he could be.
His cousins Max and Mitchell went straight for the food, their attention on each other as they continued their conversation from before. He wasn’t sure what it was about, but the two were brothers and had their own connection. Max may not hold a high-ranking position like his brother Mitchell, the Beta, but he was on the council that they shared with the Redwood Pack. Even if the moon goddess hadn’t blessed everyone with a sacred duty, they all had their roles nonetheless.
Brandon, Walker, and Kameron came in next. They were triplets, though fraternal. They looked alike, though, almost as if they were identical but with just a hint of uniqueness. Though they were the youngest of the Brentwoods, the goddess had touched them all. Brandon was the Omega, the one who cared for the emotional wellbeing of the Pack—his quiet and caring nature an asset for all members. Walker was the Healer and able to Heal using his powers for most Packmates’ wounds. Kameron was the Enforcer and it suited his icy personality. It was his job to protect the Pack from outside forces. He could feel the threat through his Pack bonds like the rest of the goddess-touched could.
Though with the way their Pack kept battling, he wasn’t sure that any one of them could do their duties to the full extent anymore. In fact, he wasn’t sure if they ever had. They’d been brought into the fold much later than most Pack royalty. They’d had to kill and fight for their roles, though he knew no one had truly wanted that blood on their hands.
He let out a breath and nodded at his brothers. He needed to stop thinking about the past. Yet ever since Leah had fallen into his arms and his wolf had gotten her scent, he hadn’t been able to think about much except how he’d come to be and where he had to go.
The damn witch was changing everything.
“Everyone’s here, so let’s get started,” Gideon said as he sank into his large armchair. He pulled Brie on his lap, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck. She melted into his hold, and Ryder couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of the display of affection. His brother had never been like that before, so open with his feelings, and yet the man couldn’t stop touching his mate.
Ryder wondered what that felt like.
You could know if you weren’t such a useless piece of shit.
He closed his eyes at the whispers. He’d heard them all his life, the voices. Only recently, it wasn’t voices. Just a voice.
His uncle’s voice.
He sucked in a deep breath and focused on Gideon’s voice instead. His Alpha would help. He had to.
He purposely ignored Brandon’s stare. His Omega brother saw too much, always had.
“How’s Leah?” Brie asked as she ran a hand over her mate’s thigh.
“She’s stable,” Walker answered. “I left her with my assistant. She should be up by tomorrow morning.”
Ryder let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. Brandon tilted his head at him.
Damn it.
“Hopefully, she’ll have answers when she wakes,” Gideon said.
“You think whoever was coming for her is on their way here?” Kameron asked. “I have my men on it, just in case, as do the Redwoods.”
“Good,” Gideon said. “And I don’t know. We’re all on edge, and having a witch get shot near our borders isn’t helping. The fact that her brother was killed just makes it worse.” He met Ryder’s eyes. “I know you and Brandon and the Redwoods are meeting with the local Coven next week and now with Leah getting shot like this…it just seems too much of a coincidence.”
The Coven had asked to meet with the wolves, as witches were afraid they would be next in the public eye. Shifters and witches had always gotten along and mated when the goddess willed it, but having something formal was different. He was on the taskforce to ensure there was an open line of communication, but it hadn’t officially started yet.
“I don’t know if we should inform the Coven we have Leah yet,” Ryder said. From the looks on others’ faces, he must have surprised them. With his words or the fact that he’d actually spoken, he didn’t know. He didn’t speak much for a reason.
The voices would know. They would hear. They always did.
“Why?” Brynn asked. She sat next to Finn, their hands clasped. “Do you think the Coven has something to do with this? Isn’t she one of theirs?”
Ryder sighed. “She said she was alone,” he whispered. “I don’t know if she even meant to say it aloud, but she cried it. Wouldn’t someone with a coven to call home not be alone? I don’t know if the Coven had anything to do with it, but I just have a feeling we should stay silent about it until Leah wakes.”
Gideon nodded. “I agree.” With that, his brother began the next bit of business, and Ryder kept one ear on it while he went into himself. His wolf needed to run, needed to breathe. But he couldn’t do that, not with Leah so close…and he didn’t know why he even thought that. Why was she so important?
His body ached. His wolf ached.
His wolf wanted her. Wanted her as his mate.
And he would never have that. He couldn’t.
The voices in his head grew in number, and he barely held himself in check, barely held back the whimper. It was the voices of the dead, those who had passed, those who had left this earthly realm.
They called for him. Called for help. Called for death.
He couldn’t have the witch. Not with who he was.
But maybe he could help her.
Because that’s what he did.
He helped.
Nothing more.
Chapter Three
This time when Leah woke, she didn’t fight back, didn’t scream at the lights overhead. Instead, she slowly opened her dry eyes and stared at the ceiling. She remembered where she was this time. She hadn’t forgotten, hadn’t pushed aside the pain and tried to ignore the agony that lay within.
Instead, the anguish churned inside her, an ever-present part of her soul she wasn’t sure would ever fade away. She didn’t know if she wanted it to. Because if she let go, if she ever thought of her life without this pain, then Roland would be gone forever.
Her side still ached, but not quite as much as it had before. She remembered the fiery pain now, the way she’d fallen. She remembered it all.
Of course, that meant she remembered the way she’d fallen into Ryder’s arms and broken down. She didn’t even know the man, and yet she had used him as her crutch, her salvation. She honestly wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
“You’re awake.”
She stiffened only for a moment at the baritone voice before turning her head to look at the man sitting comfortably in a rocking chair next to the wall. He had a book in his lap and reading glasses on the tip of his nose. She didn’t know if wolves truly needed reading glasses with their enhanced senses, but she had to admit, the look suited him.
“Walker, right?” she asked, her voice hoarse. She cleared her throat and licked her dry lips and tried to ignore the odd sense of disappointment she felt that it wasn’t Ryder looking over her. She didn’t understand her fascination with that man, and to be honest, it bothered her. She wasn’t a wolf, but a witch. Witches didn’t have fated mates and instant connections like shifters did. She only had her powers to tell her if she would find someone her soul could be happy with. And even then, it was on the wolf to provide the mating bond.
She coughed, this time harder and in rapid succession at the track her thoughts had taken. What the hell was wrong with her? Mates? Fate? She didn’t believe in all of that, not for her. She was nothing. Just a witch with no home and not enough power since she could never fully stop to train. She was too busy running for her life. There had been nothing more, nothing less than that.
Maybe she’d hit her head when she’d been shot. That could explain the idea of mates and all the crap that had nothing to do with her swirling in her mind. Her side b
urned as she coughed and she put her hand over her mouth, trying to control herself.
Walker set his book on the table beside him as well as his glasses and hurried toward her. Well, if you could call the way he prowled a hurry. The man looked as if he were on a leisurely stroll, yet still moved quickly.
He held out a cup of water to her then slowly moved her hand away from her mouth. At his touch, she noticed the IV attached to her hand.
“Drink this,” he drawled. “I have you on a saline drip since you needed fluids.”
She greedily gulped the water down, quenching her parched throat. Her magic flexed, and she let out a sigh when she lowered the cup.
“Thank you.”
He nodded and filled the cup again. “I don’t know what your powers are, and I hadn’t wanted to ask another witch to come in here while you were unconscious to tell me. Because of that, I couldn’t give you too many pain meds, as I didn’t know how it would affect you. So I’m sorry if you’re hurting. I also couldn’t Heal your wounds like I would if you were Pack. I don’t have the bonds to work with. You did need fluids, though. So I could do that at least.”
He sounded annoyed that he couldn’t do more for her, and yet he’d saved her life. She wasn’t sure what more he could have done under the circumstances.
She drank again, this time slower. “You did more than most would do,” she finally said.
Walker tilted his head, looking so much like a wolf it startled her. “I don’t know about that. And if that’s what you’re thinking, perhaps you need to meet better people.”
Instead of commenting on that, she went back to something he’d said earlier. “I’m a water witch.” She gestured with the mug she was still holding. “So thank you for the water. You’re helping more than you know.” Belatedly, she worried that he’d take the water away from her, afraid of her powers like so many others had been. It wasn’t that she was ultra powerful, but that she’d come from…him. Come from a place that wasn’t meant to be.
Mated in Mist Page 3