The Wolf's Mate Book 7: Lindy & The Wulfen

by Butler, R. E.

  A handful of male brownies wearing black trousers with swords strapped to their backs came to stand near her. One of them stepped forward and went down on one knee. “We would see you safe, she-wolf, until you are back in your mate’s arms.”

  She smiled in gratitude. “Thank you.”

  Veril said, “Yunni and I will come as well.”

  Lindy said, “I appreciate the company.”

  Levrin asked for Lindy to extend her hand toward him. When she did, he positioned her hand over the center of the stone circle and took a small dagger, the size of a letter opener, and made several quick strikes across her flesh. She winced, but the pain passed quickly. He turned her hand over, and a few drops of blood fell onto the stones.

  He said, “The blood of your mate is within your own blood, she-wolf Lindy. The portal will take you to his home. My people and I wish you a safe journey and a swift reunion with the one that you love.”

  “Thank you all for everything,” she said. The six warriors and the two females put their hands on Lindy as Levrin began to chant. A bright glow rose from the circle, multi-hued like a rainbow and sparkling like the sunlight on water. It grew until it enveloped her with warmth, as if she were standing outside on a hot summer day.

  Closing her eyes as the glow became too bright, she felt her body move and the air around her rush, and then she felt thick grass underneath her knees.

  Opening her eyes, she found herself staring at Crimson’s house and a very surprised woman.

  She’d come home.

  But where was Crimson?

  Chapter 18

  Crimson smashed his fist into the face of the dark wizard named Crakin.

  “Tell me where my mate is!” Crimson roared. He was struggling to keep his wolf under wraps. His beast wanted to tear Crakin apart with his claws.

  Crimson and his friends had been searching for Lindy for almost an entire day. The horse and carriage tracks leading from his home ended abruptly at the bottom of the mountain. The horse lay dead, and the carriage had been set on fire. He could sense dark magic had been used, and it only confirmed his belief that she had been taken by a wizard. As far as he knew, wizards only kidnapped for two reasons: for sacrifice or sale. Although he didn’t want to think about Lindy being sold in a maresh, he preferred that thought to her being slaughtered for some dark ritual.

  They didn’t know where the wizard had gone, so they were unable to open a portal. He had tried a location spell for Lindy, but it had been unable to tell him where she was. He felt as if she was still alive, and he assumed the reason he couldn’t spell for her location was because she was being shielded by dark magic. They’d had to fly over the mountain, which had cost them precious time. Then they split up, and he, his father, and Riyad went one direction while Merik and the others went in another.

  It had taken hours before he’d finally caught a faint scent of her. He followed it to a clearing just outside of Balladat City, which was known for its mareshes. There, he’d found the cage where Lindy had been kept.

  It hadn’t taken long to find the male who had taken her. There were three distinct scents near the cage: the wizard who stank of sulfur and ash, a fae male, and trolls. He wasn’t worried about the trolls. They were stupid creatures that only followed the orders of those who ruled over them. He’d bet that they belonged to the fae male or the wizard.

  First, they found the fae male named Nikao, who readily gave up the wizard, Crakin. Nikao had been restrained and was going to be taken back to the other side of the mountain to stand trial for his crimes. Crimson had a feeling that besides attempting to buy Lindy, he had done many, horrible things to others as well, and his crimes would need to be documented. From Nikao’s information, they’d found Crakin easily, but finding out what had happened to Lindy was proving difficult.

  Crakin spit blood on the ground and laughed. “Your she-bitch is gone. Hit me all you like, you will never see her again.”

  Riyad had restrained the wizard with thick vines filled with thorns, which were keeping the wizard kneeling on the ground. Crimson snarled and let go of the tight hold on his wolf a little. He felt his eyes change color, his fangs dropped from his gums, and his claws pushed out from his fingertips. Growling darkly, he gripped Crakin’s neck with his hands and dug his claws into his flesh.

  He snarled and said, “I will not kill you quickly. I will kill you slowly and painfully.”

  There was just a glimmer of fear in Crakin’s eyes. Crimson tightened his hold and reached his other clawed hand to grasp Crakin’s arm. He drew his hand up and opened his mouth widely over Crakin’s wrist. Crimson hid his disgust at the stench of the male’s skin that made him want to retch. He would do anything to see Lindy back in his arms. Anything.

  With a swift motion, he snapped his jaws around Crakin’s wrist, and the bones cracked. Crakin tried to scream, but he could do no more than gurgle because Crimson held his throat in one hand.

  “Tell me,” Crimson said.

  Crakin panted, his eyes wide with fear, but he remained quiet. Crimson opened his mouth again, moving up to the elbow joint of Crakin’s arm. Just before Crimson would have bitten down again, Crakin whispered, “Wait! Please! Wait! I’ll tell you!”

  Crimson released his hold on the wizard, and Crimson’s father and Riyad grabbed him by the shoulders to keep him from falling over. Crakin cradled his broken wrist against his chest.

  “The she-wolf fled into the mountains. She was too fast for the trolls to grab her, and when I cast a tracking spell for her, I lost track of her on the mountain. It’s like she vanished.”

  Crimson clenched his hands into fists. “You lie! Tell me where she is!”

  Crakin tried to scoot backward but couldn’t move because of the thorny vines. “I’m not, I swear!”

  Riyad gave him a shake. “What were you going to do with her?”

  “Nikao was going to sell her as a sex slave in the maresh. I was told she was human, or I would have used a different potion to keep her from getting away.”

  Crimson moved closer. “Who told you that she was human?”

  Crakin grinned suddenly, and his lips moved as he whispered very softly, his eyes flashing. Crimson manifested his sword and thrust it through Crakin’s thigh and into the ground, skewering him into the dirt. Crakin screamed in pain, the transportation spell he was casting stopped in its tracks.

  “Try to spell yourself out of that, asshole. Tell me where my mate is!”

  Crakin seemed unable to do anything except cry and try to pry the sword from his leg with his good hand.

  Riyad looked at Crimson, frowning. “You should try a location spell for her.”

  “I already did.”

  “That was before. It’s been hours. If she escaped, then you might be able to find her now.”

  Crimson moved away from the group and gathered several stones, arranging them in a circle in front of a thick tree. He used his fangs to pierce his palm and let his blood drop onto the stones as he cast the spell to locate Lindy. Location spells were normally done with candles and an item belonging to the one that was supposed to be found. Crimson’s blood was mixed with Lindy’s because they had shared blood when they mated. She was a part of him forever. The important part of the candle was the flame, and he called his power forth and lit the drops of blood on fire, laying his hands on the tree and willing his power to find Lindy.

  An image appeared, hazy like he was looking through frosted glass. He saw Lindy sitting on a hide couch surrounded by brownies and his mother sitting nearby with a cup of tea.

  Hades! She was at his home!

  Scattering the stones with his hand to break up the circle, he said, “She’s home! Lindy made it home!”

  Riyad and Crimson’s father smiled in relief. His father said, “Riyad and I will wait for the authorities and contact Merik and the others. We’ll find out how this wolly-mouthed tryuo found Lindy and was able to capture her. Go home to your mate.”

  Crimson embraced his d
ad and his best friend. “Thank you.”

  “You can thank me by naming your firstborn after me,” Riyad called as Crimson took to the sky.

  Crimson laughed, happiness blurring his vision as tears filled his eyes. His mate was home and safe. He flew as fast as he could towards home.

  Chapter 19

  Lindy sipped at the selli-root tea Crimson’s mom had made for her as she sat on the couch. Three of the warrior brownies were sitting on the floor in front of the couch, their swords drawn while the other three were outside patrolling. Crimson’s mom, Thalia, told her the protection spell had been destroyed by a powerful wizard, and that Crimson could cast it again when he came home.

  Lindy was worried about him. She’d been back at his home for two hours. Thalia had tried to contact him, but had been unable.

  Veril and Yunni were sitting on the couch between Lindy and Thalia, nibbling on crackers. Veril said, “Your mate will figure out where you went soon enough, Lindy. He’ll come storming through the door any moment, I’m sure.”

  “I must say,” Thalia said, “the dress you made for Lindy is lovely. The weaving is so delicate.”

  Lindy also liked the dress and had complimented the brownies several times. Veril blushed, her tan skin pinking. “Thank you, Thalia.”

  While they were waiting for Crimson to come back, Veril told Lindy about the hidden entrance to their cavern. The cavern was hidden by a type of Fae magic, and Veril believed Lindy was able to not only find the cavern but fall into it because she was not in any way Fae or from the Fae Realm.

  Lindy’s wolf sat up, and she stood. “He’s coming.”

  “How can you tell?” Thalia asked in surprise.

  “I can feel him,” Lindy answered.

  She had taken two steps toward the front door when it was thrown open, the knob cracking against the stone wall. Crimson stood in the doorway looking like a pissed-off angel, with his white wings spread wide and his eyes glowing bright red.

  Lindy’s mouth fell open as he stalked to her. Her voice was caught in her throat as emotion welled up inside her. With little more than a grunt of acknowledgement, Crimson hauled her over his shoulder, and she found herself upside down between his wings as he stomped back to the bedroom and slammed the door closed.

  He righted her quickly, and her head swam. Her back pressed to the wall as he caged her in, his palms flattened on either side of her. “I love you.”

  Her mouth fell open in surprise. “You do?”

  He growled. “Yes. I swore to myself that the first thing I would say to you was how I feel about you. I love you.”

  The red faded from his eyes until she was staring into the pure, beautiful green eyes of the man she loved. She cupped his face. “I love you, too, Crimson. I thought I wouldn’t get to tell you.”

  He kissed her, and then he pulled back abruptly. His hands roamed down her arms. “Are you hurt? What happened? Tell me everything.”

  He picked her up, more gently this time and with less growling, and set her on the bed. While she told him what had happened, he paced in front of her, occasionally asking for more details or snarling.

  He nodded when she finished the story. “We found the fae and the wizard, and they are both being held for trial. My father and friends are handling things. But that leaves Giwyn.”

  She reached for his hand. “I’m sorry.”

  He looked surprised. “What for?”

  “I shouldn’t have opened the front door. He wouldn’t have been able to get to me if I had left it shut.”

  He went to his knees in front of her and took both of her hands in his. “It wouldn’t have mattered. He was very powerful. The spell he used was more powerful than my protection spell, and he would have gotten inside no matter what. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I should not have trusted that you were safe. I was foolish, and I almost lost you. I won’t take that chance again.”

  “You can’t stay glued to my side forever, Crimson.”

  “Yes, I can.” He stood and pushed her backward, leaning over her.

  She laughed. “What about when I have to pee?”

  “Be serious, chelle,” he groused.

  “I am! I don’t pee with an audience.” She placed her palms on his chest and felt the heat of his skin. “I love you, Crimson.”

  “Fine. You can pee alone, but other than that, forget it.” With a soft growl, he kissed her and whispered against her lips, “I love you. I love you so much.”

  * * * * *

  Out in the front room, Crimson spoke to the warrior brownies and thanked them for their help. Crimson invited all the brownies to stay for the mating ceremony, and they seemed very pleased to be able to do so.

  Crimson used the portal to contact his commander and explained what Giwyn had done. Fenick was incensed that the female had been part of something so terrible and promised to find her swiftly and see her to trial.

  Lindy said, “Was your commander pissed because he likes you so much?”

  He shook his head. “It’s a serious crime to try to destroy a mating. Her punishment would be more severe if you had been physically injured or killed, but it is still a grievous offense. She will not see daylight for many years, and her family will be shamed.”

  “Good.”

  Thalia chuckled. “Are you two up for the ceremony still? We can have it tomorrow evening. That will allow time for everyone to get home safely and rest.”

  Crimson nodded, looking stern. “I want to be mated officially as soon as possible.”

  Lindy agreed wholeheartedly.

  Thalia stayed until Desmin, Merik, Riyad, and the other males returned to Crimson’s home. Lindy hadn’t met his best friends officially, having been hustled away from them her first night in the realm when they’d been busted at the hot springs.

  “We’re glad you were able to escape,” Riyad said, smiling at Lindy. Riyad leaned in to give her a hug, and Crimson snarled so loudly that it made everyone but Lindy take a step back. She wasn’t surprised or worried by the noise he made. He was a wolf and they were possessive creatures with their mates.

  “Thank you for helping Crimson. I feel better with those assholes behind bars.” It still amazed her that Giwyn thought nothing of Lindy being sold as a sex slave. Lindy had hated some females before in her life, but she never would have wished sexual servitude on any of them. Giwyn gave new meaning to the term “vindictive bitch.”

  “…it means that we’ll live in her realm,” Crimson said, and Lindy brought her attention back to him.

  “What?”

  Crimson snuggled her a bit closer to his side, which was a nearly impossible feat since she was plastered against him. “I said that it’s too dangerous here for you, and I think the best thing to do is live in your realm.”

  She was both happy and worried. “Are you sure? The people who took me are in prison. The danger from them is gone.”

  He leaned down, kissed her cheek, and whispered, “Later.”

  She hummed in her throat and nodded, saying nothing.

  After thanking his family and friends once more, she and Crimson helped the brownies settle in for the night on the couch, with the warriors insisting on standing guard around the house overnight. Lindy and Crimson went to bed.

  After they made love, Crimson rolled onto his back and pulled her with him. His fingertips twirled across her shoulders as he stared at the ceiling for several moments in silence.

  “The loneliest times for me are on the full moon. When I was a teenager, Riyad and Merik would go out hunting with me, but it just aggravated my wolf because they weren’t like us. I never told anyone that; I never shared much about my beast because, although people like my friends and my parents try to understand, they just can’t. My mom said that she wished my biological father’s family had been alive. He was an only child and his parents were much older when he was born and they died before he even met my mom. When I became a wulfen, she tried to lo
cate his former pack, but they had disbanded and left the area, and since they weren’t family anyway, she thought I was better off.”

  “You must feel torn in half sometimes, between the beast that wants things the fae part of you doesn’t understand.” She stroked her hand across his chest, loving the way his muscles flexed under her touch.

  “I muzzled the wolf a lot.” He looked at her with a smile. “He’s very bossy.”

  “They can be.” She planted her hands on either side of him and straightened her arms, looking down into his handsome face. “Crimson, we can be our own pack here. I don’t want to take you from your family.”

  “You’re my family now, Lindy. I know we could be happy here, but aside from the safety issue, I find myself longing to be part of a pack and run with other wolves. If you think they’ll accept me.”

  A lightness settled over her. “They’ll accept you because you’re my mate. On the next full moon, the alphas can preside over our mating, and they’ll welcome you into the pack.”

  He pulled her down and rolled her onto her back. “Tomorrow we’re following my people’s traditions, and then we’ll leave for your realm. We can keep our home here and visit whenever we like.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, and she murmured, “Sounds like a good plan to me.”

  * * * * *

  The following afternoon, she was back in the bedroom with Thalia, Veril, and Yunni, who were helping her get ready for the ceremony. Crimson was supposed to get dressed at his parents’ home, but he had refused to leave her alone again. Crimson’s commander had contacted them earlier in the day to explain that the military had been unable to find Giwyn, and it was believed she had disappeared so she wouldn’t get into trouble for her part in the scheme. Crimson had gone berserk, nearly shifting into his wolf form with the news. She’d managed to get him calmed down by speaking to him softly and petting him like she’d seen some mated females in the pack do when their mates were wound up. Until Giwyn was found, Lindy didn’t think Crimson would relax.