by Anita Cox
Colin shook his head. “She’s always been different. Stephany never fit in here, which is why she migrated to Chicago. She wanted to be by the big city, not among the dirty forest. Roman suspects they have different fathers, though never had any real reason to think his mother was unfaithful.”
“What?” She shook her head. “Weren’t his parents bonded?”
He shrugged, his lips sagged into a frown. “It was an arranged marriage. They never went through with the bond.”
“So why was the Centaur here?” She posed the question to give her mind time to catch up. Stephany might have a different father than Roman…and she never really fit in. Now she’s money and power hungry. It could explain her motivations.
“Because I get to see you in a dress.” His laugh was quiet as his brow wagged at her.
“Excuse me?”
“Well, he came with wedding invitations. So I get to see you in a dress again.”
Her heart fell in her shoes. She didn’t have a dress, nor was she comfortable wearing dress shoes now that she had to watch her back even more. “I see. Who is getting married?”
“Hey!” He nudged her. “I felt that. Why so glum? It just gives us another excuse to take a trip into town.”
When his hand reached her thigh, the soothing warmth of his palm eased her off her internal ledge. “You still haven’t told me who is getting married.”
“Ah, yes. Wendy’s little Gnome friend, Mary. The Gnomes are so excited they wanted to invite nearly everyone. You are among the most wanted because you were the first Lycan Alpha to invite them to integrate. We have special seats and everything.”
Oh good, easy targets.
“Hey,” he whispered in her ear, “you’re really shaken up by this. I get that, but you’ll be surrounded by dozens of warriors. Relax. It’s a party.” His gentle kiss pressed against her temple momentarily and once again, she felt her nerves ease up.
“But I have been challenged, Colin. How am I supposed to celebrate when I’m so worried?” She scrubbed her face with her hand. “I can’t even exercise without fear of another ambush. Don’t think for one second I took that mutt for his word.”
The clacking of hooves approached. Prometheus wore a serious scowl that did little to keep Nala calm. “The heathens are gone, Nala. But I must warn you, they’re concocting some plan. I overheard the thoughts of the female. She clamped up before I caught it. But I heard her think something about a surprise for us all.”
She stood and brushed her hands on her pants. “We’re already on high alert here. We know who we’re dealing with.”
The air shimmered briefly as he shifted to human form. “If I may…give you some advice?”
“Advice? Sure.”
“Your aura reads of self-doubt. You must believe in yourself, Lycan warrior. You are a true Alpha. If you go into battle assuming he’s stronger and more skilled, you will lose. You must cleanse yourself.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Nala, just listen to him,” Colin begged.
Prometheus continued. “If you can remove the doubt, your will be clear headed and have a full advantage. You’ve fought and won. You have taken on three Lycans…and won. You defeated a brutal ruler while in a weakened state. This Jackson fellow will be a challenge, but you will win. You must believe that. In two hundred years I’ve not met a female of your caliber. Also in that two hundred years, I’ve never met a Lycan more determined, more concerned that you, ma’am. That’s two centuries of experience I have to offer.” He cleared his throat. “Now, to a more tender subject…I’d like to offer a few of our men for extra security.”
“Absolutely not! You leave them at that school to protect those kids!” Her voice boomed through the air, startling Colin and Prometheus.
“As you wish.” His lips spread wide, his teeth gleaming as he smiled. “Pure of heart as well. Yes, a true warrior. You’ll walk through the heathen if you believe in yourself.”
“Training starts now!” A voice came from behind her as large hands pushed hard on her back and a foot looped around her ankles. She hit the dirt, face first.
“What the hell?” Colin screamed.
“Stay back if you love your mate,” Prometheus ordered with a finger pointed at Colin.
Tom, head of security, jumped on her back, pulling at her wrist. Nala bucked, knocking him off her back as she scrambled to her feet. She shifted to wolf at growled. Tom wasted no time shifting and lunged at her once again, grabbing her by the back of the neck and flipping her in the air. Twisting, she managed to land on her feet running as she charged him.
Something hard crunched against her ribs and sending her flying to the right. The Centaur had transformed and kicked her with a hoof.
“You must be prepared for anything. Keep focused. They might take a formal challenge and use it as an ambush.” Prometheus stood high on his horse body. “Move your eyes constantly. Keep aware.”
Still sore from the last rib breaking, she noticed that healing had already begun as a normal Lycan should. The poison had left her body. For the first time, she had hope.
Tom lunged at her once more, this time taking a bite out of her front and hind quarter as he passed. She yelped at the searing pain in her wound.
“I can’t watch,” Colin yelled as he ran into the house.
Fighting to ignore the pain in her mate’s voice, she looked back and forth between Prometheus and Tom. Who would attack first?
“Don’t play defense. Take the offense!” The Centaur yelled at her.
She stalked around Tom. He moved to keep his muzzle and body pointed toward her. She took a mental note of it. She faked to the right before darting left, grabbing his leg with her teeth and yanking, which dropped him to the ground. She bit at this shoulder first, then his hind leg. As he scrambled and yelped, she took another bite at the back of his neck.
This time, she kept an eye on the Centaur. When a hoof came at her, she jumped out of the way and bit at it, scraping it with her teeth before taking another swipe at Tom.
“Excuse me!” Jake yelled. “Chances are, there won’t be a Centaur on their side. Let’s make this as real as it comes.”
Prometheus stepped back as Jake shifted and headed for Nala. Growling and snarling like a true opponent.
Her head dropped below her shoulders as her heart sank. She was now going to have to attack her brother-in-law. As he approached, she crouched down to give herself better leverage and leaped. Pain shot through her core as her chest collided with his shoulder. Jake fell over and yelped before scrambling to his feet. When Nala attempted the same move, he grabbed the back of her neck and jerked hard. She felt fire where his teeth pierced her coat. He wasn’t taking it easy on her.
“Stop thinking like a wolf. Fight! Use all of your resources!” Prometheus ordered.
Nala and Jake stopped at looked at him. Tom shifted. “That’s not how Lycans fight.”
“You don’t think that man is going to cheat? Really? Because that whole pack is as filthy as it gets.” The Centaur crossed his arms over his chest.
She paused and looked around. When Tom shifted, he ran at her to attack once more. She waited…watched…until he was a foot away, and then shifted, grabbing a stick and stabbing him in the shoulder.
“Yes!” Prometheus cheered. “That’s it. Again!”
Now lying on the ground in human form, Tom pulled the stick out of his shoulder. “That fucking hurt. Do it again!”
When Jake lunged at her, she chose a rock and bashed him in the head.
Tom’s final attack broke her jaw as his fist connected. She fought back the tears as blinding pain radiated through her face. When she shifted back, the Centaur walked over to her. “It’s just dislocated. Hang on…this is going to hurt.” With more unbelievable pain, he pushed her jaw back into place.
“Ugh,” she groaned, fighting back the real tears of pain that were lingering beneath the surface.
“Don’t sweat it, Warrior…I doubt your op
ponent is going to be this skilled. Keep practicing. Stop three days before battle. It’ll give you enough time to heal fully and anticipate the fight.” Prometheus pounded his chest twice before heading into the house.
Nala plopped down on the bench. Jake sat next to her. “Damn, you’re tough as nails. I’m very impressed. If we weren’t pack mates, Tom and I would be dead.”
“Speaking of training, no more morning working out alone. We will train every morning.” Tom bowed slightly and headed down the path toward the security shack that now housed the monitors.
“Jake, make sure you don’t take it easy on me.” Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her knees. “If I’m going to survive a challenge from an Alpha or a Beta male, I need you to give me all you’ve got.” And I’ll do my best not to kill you out of instinct.
“We won’t kill a pack mate. Relax.” Her wolf’s reassurance did little to calm her worry.
He huffed. “Are you kidding me? I was giving it all I had. I hit and bit as hard as I could. Nala, really, you’re going to plow through that douchebag.” Standing, he offered a hand to help her off the bench. She gladly took it. “You’d better go see my brother. That was hard on him.”
“Yeah, thanks for everything. I chose my Beta wisely.” She winked and spun on her heel toward the house. The smell of breakfast hit her hard, causing her stomach to growl. As she entered the dining room, she found Colin staring at a plate of yet-to-be-touched breakfast.
“You okay?” he asked as she pulled out her chair.
“I was about to ask you the same question.”
“That was awful. But I swear on our bond that I won’t run when the actual challenge happens. I’ll stay and will you to win.” A weak smile spread across his face. “Lycan’s honor.”
Breakfast went down quickly. The soreness had subsided by the time she hit the shower. She thanked her Lycan genes for the quick recovery and ridding her body of whatever toxin had slowed the healing until now.
Colin had taken the training hard. Having a large Centaur and the head of security both attack her at once had been too much. How would he react if she lost her life in the challenge? She cursed their bond yet again, and the very real risk to her mate’s heart.
“It’s my risk to take,” his voice was low as he opened the shower door. “I know what I’ve gotten myself into, Nala.” Stepping in, he closed the door behind him. “I have faith in you, just not Stephany’s mate. He’s as dirty as they come, I can just feel it.”
She wrapped arms around his neck. “I love you. I am sorry that you constantly have to worry about me.”
“We get to celebrate at a wedding this weekend. Two days later, you’re going to be fighting for your life and the wellbeing of our pack. I want you to promise me you’ll eat as much as you can. Get as much rest as possible. Let Jake handle the business end of the pack this week. You need your strength.” His arms closed around her back and squeezed her. “Do those things for me. The challenge is what it is. We knew it would come.”
Resting her sopping wet head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax. “I will win.”
“Yes. You will.” Soothing hands stroked her back as the hot shower poured over them. “Until then, we’re going to train, shop, and celebrate.”
When she lifted her head, his lips met hers in an instant. Knotting her fingers in his hair, she pulled him in harder, her heart leaping with the sudden excitement that had taken the place of fear. Her mate believed in her as did key members of her pack. A Centaur had admired her skills and her heart. She had to remove her trepidation and practice faith once again.
Teeth lightly bit at her neck, sending flames of need to her core. His hands slid down to her thighs and he lifted her up while stepping toward the stone shower wall. After gently easing her back against the hard surface, he positioned himself at her opening. Their eyes locked as he eased her down on his cock.
A small gasp released as her body accommodated him. Small jets of water tickled her nipples which stood at attention. His head fell forward and rested at her collarbone as he thrust into her again. He lifted his head, kissing her once more. The kiss held urgency and passion like she hadn’t experienced before. As he devoured her mouth, his cock filled her to her core.
Gone was the need to be so delicate. With their bond, he could sense exactly what she felt and aggression rocked her mind. After easing her feet to the floor, he turned off the water and exited the shower, pulling her with him. He dropped a towel on the floor before the sink and positioned her wet feet on it, shoulder width apart. Strong hands made their way down her arms, until they held her wrists and planted them on the counter.
Their image reflected in the mirror made her heart race even more, both sopping wet, cheeks flushed. He guided himself in from behind, impaling her once more. Rough hands made their way to her hips, holding her firm as he thrust into her.
“Look at me!” she cried out.
He looked at her in the mirror, eyes illuminated in their beautiful golden glow. A low growl rumbled in his throat and he squeezed her hips, picking up the pace. Her heart raced as he pounded into her from behind, exhilarated at the pace…at his need. His right hand released her hip and quickly fisted in her hair, forcing her head to turn so that he could devour her lips once more.
She moaned into the kiss, which sent her mate wild. After lightly biting her bottom lip, he clenched his jaw, thrusting into her a final time before pulling out and spilling his seed on the towel. Still breathing hard, he spun her around and kicked her feet apart. A gentle push on her shoulders had her leaning back on the counter before he commenced in kissing and licking her neck. He trailed down to her breasts, gently sucking on her nipple. A firm hand between her legs massaged her nerve bundle, making her whimper. Keeping his thumb on her clit, he slid two fingers inside. As the delicious sensation buzzed within her, she panted. Her knees, threatened to buckle as the blood rushed to her core, which quivered at the precipice.
His loving fingers massaged her to the crest as her orgasm swept over her. She cried out as she rode the wave of ecstasy.
“That’s it, love.” He kissed her neck.
“Wow,” she gasped. Her shaky legs revolted against her as she stood upright.
“Indeed.” He winked then stepped away, turning the shower on.
After a good rinse, she toweled off and headed for the bed. Colin soon followed.
“Every time I curse this bond; you’re going to remind me of its benefits, aren’t you?” She chuckled realizing how phenomenal the bond made the sex.
“If I have to keep you in perpetual orgasm, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
She turned to see a large smile on his face. “Oh, the horror!”
Laugher echoed in their room. She pushed back thoughts of the challenge. There was no way on earth she was going to spoil the post-coital bliss, but the thought of that damned note crept in.
“What note?” Colin asked.
With a sigh, she rolled over and opened her night stand drawer, pulled out the note and handed it to Colin.
“Enemies within our pack, Colin.” She closed her eyes, wishing it all away.
Chapter Ten
Against her better judgment, she allowed Colin to give the note to Jake who was enraged at the message.
“I’ll get down to the bottom of this. Mark my words!” Jake roared and slammed his fist on his desk. “For now, don’t worry about this. Train and prepare. Let me handle this nonsense.”
While it was quite possibly the best course of action, she hated that it made her feel weak, needing the men around her to watch over her. This was one of many times she’d question her choice to be Alpha. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the risks, the responsibility…but the amount of enemies she’d acquire had far surpassed her expectation.
Dinner in their room was followed by two rounds of vivacious lovemaking that kept Nala in a state of euphoria she wished would last forever.
The n
ext three days followed the same pattern of training, breakfast, showering, followed by lovemaking, lunch and numerous other distractions. Colin had succeeded in the distraction department with two trips searching for a dress for Nala to wear to the wedding. While she only concerned herself with mobility in the event she’d have to defend herself, Colin argued for a more form fitting cocktail dress. They’d met in the middle with a thigh length black dress that flowed once past her waist with a formfitting lace bodice on top.
She was once again in her bathroom, on a stool, while Carissa, the pack beautician, worked her magic. Her dark hair had been pulled into an elegant French twist, accentuated with baby blue gems along both sides. Carissa had insisted on a bit more makeup since it was an evening event.
“What are those?” Nala pointed at the black, caterpillar like things on the beautician’s finger.
“Fake eyelashes. Hold still.”
“Nope! No way. Get those things away from me. My eyelashes are fine.”
With a sigh, she tossed them in the trash. “Really, it would have been so beautiful.”
She snickered. “I already let you put three extra layers of makeup on me. I think I’ve given as much as I’m willing.”
“Well, let’s see what you think.” Carissa stepped back and held her arm out toward the mirror.
Nala stood from her stool and looked at her reflection. She had to hand it to the crazy Lycan beautician. The extra makeup had given her a magical transformation.
“Stunning. Right?”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Ha!” She tossed her brushes in her bag. “You could be on the cover of Vogue. Who are you kidding? With that bone structure and skin tone…it was the perfect canvas.”
Pulling the tissue from around the neck of her dress, which plunged too low for her liking, she had a view of the full deal. It would be impossible for her not to feel sexy like this. The low neck line made her feel less a warrior and more a harlot, but it had given her mate an erection he couldn’t hide in the store. It seemed like the perfect torture device for him, so she conceded.