by Victoria Zak
Good, Adaira thought. Rafe needed to be angry so he could punish Ranger.
Rafe strode back into the room and picked Ranger up by the back of his tunic, placing him on his feet. “Are ye well?”
Wait…what? Did she hear him right? Are ye well? “Are ye daft?” Adaira joined Rafe. “He raped yer sister and ye’re asking him if he’s well?
“Adaira, stay out of this,” Rafe warned.
“I will no’. This monster needs to be punished for his crime.”
“Adaira,” Rafe growled. “Ranger is Seren’s mate.”
“I dinnae care if this man is a saint, he has no right to touch her like he did.”
Ranger finally came to. He glared at Adaira. “I told ye this was none of yer business.” He held his neck as he walked past her and out the door.
Stunned, Adaira turned to Rafe. “Are ye going to let him go? No questions asked?”
Rafe shoved his hands through his hair. “Shite.”
“Och, Wolf, ye better give me a damn good reason no’ to go after him meself and rip his throat out.”
“I cannot.”
Adaira took a step back. “Why no’? She’s yer sister.”
“And a wolf. Under wolf decree, another wolf cannot interfere with matters of a mated pair. Seren has been denying her mate, which isn’t good.”
Adaira couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “So, ‘tis well for him to rape her into submission?”
Rafe sat down on the bed, resting his arms on his thighs. “I cannot get involved,” he said.
“This is madness.”
Rafe leapt from the bed and grabbed Adaira’s arms, pulling her close. For a moment, her body betrayed her and she lost herself in his eyes. His glare heated her skin, making her forget how furious he made her.
“What do ye want me to do, Adaira? Kill him? That’s murder. I’d be banished from the pack. A lone wolf is a dead one.”
Adaira shook free from Rafe’s spell. “I thought I’d never witness the day Rafe Madok would turn away from family. Seren needs you more than ever.”
“And ye’re crossing the line, Adaira. Wolves are different from Baobhan siths. We have a hierarchy, rules to follow. We cannot kill recklessly.”
“Aye, thank the gods we are different. Yer wolf law is cowardly.” Adaira
spun around and rushed out the door. “I’m going after Seren.”
“Adaira—”
“Nay!” She spun around, pinning him with a glare. “I will no’ stand by and allow this to happen. Seren needs her brother, and if ye’ll no’ go after her, I will.”
7
FURIOUS, Adaira rushed downstairs. On her way to the door, she strode past some of the Honor Guard, slumped over the tables and passed out from too much ale. To her relief, most of the men had retired for the night. As she reached the entrance to the tavern, a man staggered her way. “Where ye think ye’re going, Keith wench? Ye’re not trying to escape, are ye?”
Adaira abruptly halted. The sound of his voice made bile rise in her throat. She was in no mood to deal with another wolf.
“I asked ye a question,” the man slurred.
Adaira charged him, grabbing by the tunic. “I will no’ answer ye or any other man.” She flashed her fangs.
His eyes were wide with fear as if the devil was staring back at him.
“Please…I have a wife and children.”
Adaira drew him in closer. “Then let me pass.”
“Adaira,” Rafe called from the top of the stairs. “Let him go.”
She pushed the bastard away and he stumbled, falling to the ground. She glared up at Rafe, hoping he’d had a change of heart about Seren. When he didn’t make a move, she shook her head, disappointed. Letting Ranger go free after raping his sister was unforgivable. Wasn’t Seren more important than some ridiculous wolf law?
Before she did something stupid, Adaira headed out the door.
It wasn’t long before she found Seren’s wolf tracks in the snow. Quickly, Adaira followed them behind the tavern. “Seren,” she called out. “This is no’
yer fault.” The tracks led her into the woods where they disappeared.
“Seren!” Adaira looked around, but Seren could be hiding anywhere.
A clump of trees moved up ahead. Adaira carefully approached. “Please, Seren, come out. I beg ye.” Through the snow-covered branches, Adaira saw a set of vibrant blue eyes looking at her. She crouched and held out her hand.
“Let me help ye. I know yer pain. Ye dinnae have to be alone.”
Seren crept out from the bushes. Though in wolf form, Seren’s shame was complete. Just the way she held her head with her shoulders sagging, demonstrated it. “Ye can trust me.”
When Seren came within inches of Adaira, Rafe came running toward them. “Seren!”
The she-wolf snarled, then ran deeper into the woods.
Damn her bad luck. Adaira had been so close to gaining Seren’s trust.
Now she’d never be able to find her. She stood and faced Rafe. “Ye have poor timing, Wolf.”
“Ye need to let this go.”
“Let it go?”
“Aye. What happened between Seren and Ranger is their business. Tis wolf—”
“Wolf law, I know,” Adaira said abrasively. “Mayhap if ye explain it I’ll understand it better.”
Rafe rubbed the back of his neck. “We do no’ love freely, Adaira. Our mates are chosen for us when we’re born. Wolves can’t change that. Once a male has met his mate she’s the only woman in his life that matters. ‘Tis like they’re woven into the very fiber of our being.”
“Then why would Ranger hurt Seren if he loves her?”
“This is where it gets complicated. ‘Tis not enough to be mates. To a male wolf he must claim his mate in order for them to be fully mated. He must…ye know…”
“Know what?”
“Consummate the union.”
Adaira’s eyes grew wide.
Rafe closed the distance between them and cupped her face. “Do ye understand why I cannot get involved?”
Adaira stood speechless as she absorbed this newfound information. Was she Rafe’s mate? They had laid together. Was that his way of claiming her?
Is this why he never gave up on her? She stared into his eyes. “Rafe, are we…” she swallowed hard, “mates?”
Rafe cleared his throat which was enough of an answer. Nay, Adaira
couldn’t, wouldn’t accept this—she was not his mate. “Obviously, I’m daft.”
She stepped out of his embrace. “I dinnae know what I was thinking. I’m no’
a wolf yer laws dinnae pertain to me. What yer laws lack in common sense, hurts yer sister. She’s hurting right now and needs our support. How could ye allow that swine to walk away like nothing happened?”
“’Tis not my place.”
“Not yer place? Ye are Alpha. Seren is yer family. What pricks my arse, ye didnae defend her.”
Rafe crossed his arms, and Adaira could hear him grinding his teeth, resisting the urge to lash out with hurtful words.
“Yer sister does no’ deserve to be treated like she’s beneath the men in yer pack. She’s a warrior and deserves respect.”
“Do not question my love for Seren.”
“Then why didnae ye help her? She should no’ be alone.” As she recalled her own pain and suffering as a child, tears wet her eyes, but she held them back. “I know her pain, Rafe.”
Rafe closed the distance between them. “There’s much more here than Seren’s situation, isn’t it?”
Adaira averted her gaze. The walls surrounding her heart began to crumble. What she’d worked so hard to hide—her dark past and uncontrollable emotions connected to it—started to resurface.
“Adaira.” Rafe tipped her chin up. “Ye can tell me anything.”
Aye, she wanted to, but it wasn’t that easy. Telling him would strip her bare, revealing a vulnerable side. As long as she had strength left in her body, she’d never reveal
her weaknesses to anyone, not even Rafe.
Rafe cupped her face. “Let me in, Adaira. Nothing will ever change the way I feel about ye.”
Adaira looked deeply into his sliver depths. “Once ye understand that I can no’ return yer love the better off ye’ll be.” She pulled free from his embrace.
“Once again, Adaira Keith hides behind the same pathetic excuse that she cannot love.” Frustrated, Rafe threw his arms in the air.
Adaira slapped him. “How dare ye.”
Rafe turned his head slowly and glared at her. She’d never hit him before.
Her emotions were out of control.
“Go on, push me away like ye always do.” He grabbed her arm, pulling her against his chest. “Heed my words, lass. One day ye’ll push me too far.”
He released her, then strode off.
Adaira stood speechless. Did she truly want the wolf out of her life for good?
8
ADAIRA MARCHED to her bedchamber and slammed the door.
“Wolf law,” she spat. She would never understand it. Family was the only thing Adaira had left. She couldn’t imagine walking away from them.
Seren didn’t deserve this kind of treatment just because she was a warrior.
Adaira prayed wherever Seren was hiding that she was safe. When and if she returned, Adaira could only imagine the consequences she’d face. And seeing how Ranger and Rafe showed no mercy when it came to wolf law, it wouldn’t surprise her if Seren never came back. Mayhap, she saw too much of herself in Seren. Rafe was right about one thing—this was none of her business. And why should she care? The Honor Guard meant nothing to her.
She owed them nothing, except for Rafe. It pained her to know he didn’t want her help with Seren. All she wanted to do was save his sister from making the same mistakes she’d made.
Adaira blew out a frustrated breath and walked to the window. She pulled the fur covering back and a blast of cold air hit her face. She leaned against the stone wall and closed her eyes, welcoming the calming breeze. The wolf had a way of crawling inside her heart when she least expected it. She’d been so angry at him; however, she never meant to hurt him.
Over the past few days, he’d brought out old feelings Adaira had long ago buried. There was once a time she’d dreamt about having a future with the honorable wolf, but that was before her innocence had been stolen. Before she returned home a blood drinker.
He never judged her for being who she was. In fact, he was too damned understanding. It would be easier to walk away if Rafe had shunned her, but
he hadn’t.
Ten years with the fae queen had changed her. Rafe had been there for her, comforting her through the dark nights. And it was always the night that brought out her demons. He was the only one, besides her sisters, whom she trusted. Before she knew it, he had charmed himself right into Adaira’s heart, which only angered her. He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her. He’d melted away her fears and loved her with an undeniable passion. Even now, as angry as she was with him, she longed to feel his warm breath against her ear, assuring her there was nothing to fear.
Rafe made it too easy to want to live in the light, to love him back.
Her heart felt like someone had reached into her chest and squeezed it as she thought about a life without Rafe. She’d never be right for him. She was incapable of loving Rafe in a way he needed—the queen had made sure of that. The queen always took those who she dared to love away. Besides, the monster inside her didn’t deserve a man like Rafe.
Aye, he was in close proximity of her heart. She was in trouble.
Adaira opened her eyes. Flurries danced like fairy fire falling from the sky. She looked up at the stars and moon, hopeful one would fall. Before she knew it, she had a wish fresh on her tongue just like the night she had changed her fate.
“Leana, where are ye, lass?”
She didn’t know why she watched for a falling star, for wishing upon a star had only brought her trouble, yet she was desperate. Adaira had to find Leana. If anything bad happened to her sister, she’d never forgive herself.
She rested her head against the wall and fell asleep.
She awoke, but wasn’t in the bedchamber. She was in the forest, crouched behind a tree spying on three men. Spying? Nay, hunting. They were handsome, no more than eight and ten, and looked travel-weary.
Unfortunately for them, wandering too close to the fairy mound made them perfect prey.
Adaira ran a few yards ahead so the lads would cross her path. She adjusted her breasts so they were accentuated just enough to catch their eyes in her tight bodice. She arranged her hair over her shoulders. Aye, no mere mortal could resist her. She grabbed her basket and stepped out of the shadows.
It wasn’t long before the lads reached her.
“Pardon me,” one said. “Would ye know where the nearest village is?”
Adaira stood from picking nuts off a hazel bush. “Och, ye startled me.”
They stared at her in awe.
One finally spoke,“I—I dinnae mean to scare ye, lass. We’ve been traveling for days and have run out of food. Can ye point us in the direction of the nearest village?”
Adaira averted her gaze. “I’m terribly sorry. I must go.” She turned around to leave when one of the boys grabbed her hand.
“Please, we will no’ harm ye. We are hungry.”
Me, too. She hid her wicked smile before turning back around.
“We’d be most grateful.” He pulled a small, black pouch from his tunic.
Adaira took the offering and looked inside. Coin. She eyed the lads.
“What makes ye think I know where the nearest village is?”
“We have no’ seen a soul out here for days. Ye must have come from somewhere.”
“Aye, in my dreams.” The larger of the three said as he stepped forward.
“Me name is Alex.” He bowed. “These are me brothers, Thomas and Kenneth.”
She giggled, pretending to be flattered. “’Tis a pleasure. I’m Adaira. My village is no’ far. Ye’re welcome to follow me back for food and drink.”
She led the sacrificial lambs through the forest. She could sense their hesitation—hear their rapid heartbeats, yet they kept following her. “My mother is working at the tavern today. She’d be delighted to prepare provisions for ye,” Adaira said over her shoulder.
“How much longer?”
“Just past the clump of rowan trees.” Adaira pointed straight ahead.
She escorted them inside the tavern. “Have a seat.” Adaira placed her basket on the table.
“Brother,” Kenneth whispered to Alex.” I do no’ have a good feeling about this. “Look inside the basket.”
Alex hovered over the basket. “Adaira, if ye were picking nuts why is yer basket empty?” He looked up, and Adaira met him with a grin.
“Sit.” Adaira stared deeply into his eyes. “I’ll go tell mother we have guests.”
Entranced, Alex nodded and sat at the table.
Seconds later, Adaira returned with her two sisters.
“I can no’ believe me eyes,” Alex said. “There’s three of them.”
“Aye.” Adaira continued to play along. “This is Leana and Masie. They
are my sisters.”
Leana and Masie smiled, deepening their spell on the lads. “We thought we could keep ye company while ye eat,” Masie said and placed a bowl of stew on the table before Kenneth.
“Aye.” He stood and pulled out a chair for Masie. “I’d be daft to turn away such beauty.”
They sat while the brothers ate. Adaira kept their tankards filled with mead, and before long, their guests were drunk.
A harp began to play. “Where is the music coming from?” Alex asked.
Adaira stood and offered her hand to him. “Dance with me.” She smiled.
He couldn’t resist her magic and joined her in a seductive dance.
It wasn’t long before everyone was dancing.
“It’s time,” Adaira finally said.
“Aye,” Leana agreed. “I’m hungry.”
A gust of wind blew into the tavern causing the tapers to flicker and blow out.
“What the devil?” Alex exclaimed as he frantically looked around the room.
“I told ye something was wicked here,” Kenneth said.
“Aye.” Adaira whispered in Alex’s ear. “Yer observations are correct.”
He tried to latch onto her, but she vanished.
The tapers flashed into blazing torches. The lads stood back-to-back in the center of the room watching the tavern transform into something they’d never seen before. The floor creaked as blackthorn branches sprouted from the ground. Adaira smelled their fear as the spikey vine weaved closer around them.
The brothers huddled closer together. “Dinnae touch the branches,” Alex warned. “The spikes are poisonous.”
The branches formed a tunnel. They couldn’t see what or who stood at the end of it, but whatever it was, evil emanated from the other side.
Adaira came up behind them. “Dinnae be frightened wee lambs. She can smell yer fear.”
Adaira and her sisters shepherded the lads through the tunnel until they reached a dark figure standing in the shadows.
A woman stepped into sight, and Adaira heard Alex gasp. She breathed in their bone-chilling terror, electrified by it. The anticipation before a kill was always exciting.
“My queen.” The sisters bowed.
Queen Galanthus drifted toward the boys with two of her fae princes behind her. She stopped in front of Alex, took his chin in her hand, moving his head back and forth, inspecting the prey. “Yer strength is mighty.” Her eyes raked down his neck.
The queen released him and continued to the next brother. “Aye, strong, young lads.”
“Please, have mercy. We mean ye no harm.” Alex’s voice shook.
The queen turned and smiled at the princes standing behind her. “They want me to show mercy. I do consider myself gracious. And I reward those who show me loyalty. However, dear fools, ye could never give me what I seek. Therefore, ye mean nothing to me. Yer fate has been sealed.”