by Lola Taylor
“Are you sure?”
She swallowed. “Of course I’m sure.”
“You hesitated.”
She rolled her eyes, growing irritated. “It’s insane, Nik! To suggest my father is aiding in criminal activity is treason!”
“But what if I’m right? Huh? What if he’s been bought, or worse, what if he’s funding it?”
Her jaw dropped in outrage. “How dare you!”
“Look, princess, I know you’re daddy’s little girl and you hold him on a pedestal. But you have to consider all the possibilities.”
“My father’s not a criminal,” she said firmly, clenching her fists at her sides. “You’ll see. He’s going to be just as shocked as I was.” She started toward the door, but Nik grabbed her arm.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, sounding amused.
“To call my father. I can’t stay locked away when we have valuable information like this.” She tried to take another step, but Nik’s grasp held firm.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Ugh!” She jerked her arm free. “Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do! I am a princess!”
“Yeah, you’re sure acting like one right now,” he said, crossing his arms.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you, like most royals, want to think your shit doesn’t stink. But let me tell you something—power corrupts. I’ve seen it firsthand. How do you think Malachite became so nasty? He wasn’t always that way. Some of the wolves I’ve spoken with who were there at the beginning of his reign told me he wasn’t such a bad guy at first. Then he let his power go to his head. There’s a good chance your father’s been compromised. Until we know all the facts, we can’t take any chances.”
She crossed her arms. “So, you’re what, going to hold me prisoner?”
“Something like that. Don’t make me tie you down,” he said in a husky voice.
Heat stirred below her navel. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, which only made him grin. She was usually so careful at hiding her emotions. When had he torn through her emotional walls? “I don’t think you realize the severity of the situation.”
“I understand it damn well.”
“Then let me tell my father.”
“You’re not going back to him.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to lose you!”
She blinked, stunned by his outburst.
His shoulders slumped as he stared at her, begging her to stay with his eyes. “I’d given up on love. I’ve been dreading the mating Fever ever since I first heard about it. I thought after all I’d been through, my heart was broken beyond repair. Then I met you.” He stepped closer. “You’re my miracle. My angel. My princess. And I don’t want to risk the most precious person in the world to me right now. I’m not ready to let you go yet. I doubt I ever will be.”
Alara stared at him, speechless. Her heart swelled. “Oh, Nik,” she said, eyes dropping to his mouth.
He kissed her before she could get in another breath. She eagerly kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. She had just started to reach for his shirt when he abruptly broke the kiss. Cold fear flashed in his eyes.
“What is it?” she whispered, almost too afraid to ask.
He swallowed hard. “That was Gage, in my head just now.” His eyes met her. “They’re here.”
“Who?”
“The royal guard. They’ve found us.”
The hackles on Nik’s inner wolf raised, prepping for battle. If Alara weren’t involved, he might have been excited about a fight. Unlike Gage, he didn’t have many hold-ups about fighting—when it was needed, of course.
He could smell the fear rising off Alara. Instinctively, he pulled her closer, ears pricked for their enemies’ whereabouts.
“How many?” Alara said, glancing around anxiously.
“Don’t know.”
Nik heard several sets of footsteps approaching down the hall. The rooms were being searched. “Official business of the king,” he heard that prick Gerard demand. Fabulous. So he was here too. Nik hid a smirk. At least maybe now he’d get a chance to punch that prick in the face.
“Come on,” he said quietly, guiding Alara toward the wall. He grabbed her face, cupping it in his hands so her eyes had to remain on his. “Listen. We can’t run. If we go outside, they might shoot us. Same if we both run into the hallway.”
She froze, her eyes narrowing as she processed what he’d just said. Her eyes widened. “Don’t you dare—”
“It’s the only way.”
“Sacrificing yourself so I can escape is in no way noble! It’s reckless!”
“Alara,” he said carefully, holding her gaze. “I need to know you’re safe. I’ll be fine. They won’t lay a hand on me. I’m just going to distract them a bit so you can escape, then I’ll be right behind you.” He grinned. “I’m a bit of a wild dog when it comes to fights. They won’t know what hit ’em.”
Alara still didn’t look like she believed him, but her shoulders relaxed marginally.
He pressed a swift kiss to her forehead. “When I open the door, you change and run. You’ll be faster as a wolf. Don’t hesitate no matter what, okay?”
“But—”
“That’s my girl.” He kissed her hard, allowing himself a brief moment to memorize how she looked in case this didn’t end well. He was strong—and she was absolutely right about the reckless part—but he knew he wasn’t invincible. There was a real chance he might not come out of this alive. But the thought of having her captured and taken back to a life she didn’t want was not an option. If he couldn’t be her mate, then he could at least give her her freedom.
He went to the door and grabbed the handle, listening. They were stopped at the room next door.
Gage.
He had to help his brother and sister-in-law. Inwardly, he swore. Why the hell did this have to happen now?
Because things were looking up for you and Alara, a snide inner voice said. Should have known things would go to shit.
Nik’s attention snapped back to the hallway as Gerard spoke.
“Check the next room,” he commanded. “Kick down the door if you have to.”
Nik tensed. “Get ready.”
Alara, glaring at him, took up a position behind him. “You better come back to me.”
He smiled. “Oh, I plan on it,” he said huskily. “And when I do, I plan on doing all kinds of things to you.”
A whiff of lust caught his nose. “What kinds of things?”
His sex began to lengthen. “Ssh. You’ll distract me. Asskicking’s a hard enough calling as it is without a foxy she-wolf to tempt me.”
“You’re saying you can’t handle both?”
He glanced at her. “You wanna bet?”
They were at the door. This was it.
Nik’s adrenaline rushed as a wicked smile spread across his lips. Game on.
Raising his leg, he kicked the door so hard it flew off the hinges. It barreled into the startled guards, knocking them backwards and onto the floor. “Run!” he yelled.
Alara quickly shifted, becoming an elegant umber-colored wolf, and bolted past him out into the hallway.
“That’s her!” Gerard screeched. “Catch her! Alara, come back!”
Nik headed off the two other guards who’d started to chase her, blocking their path. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. “You’ll have to go through me first. And let me warn you—I won’t go down easy.”
They lunged, which was their first mistake. They might have been formally trained, but they were pussies. Their punches and kicks were precise, but therein lied their faults. They were predictable. Nik swiftly disarmed them, rendering them both unconscious within thirty seconds. Gerard stared at him, his face turning red with fury.
“GET HIM!”
Nik smiled as more guards rushed around their leader. It was like child’s pl
ay. Nik laughed as he pummeled his fist into the jaw of one man, knocking him into another. He ducked and punched and kicked and bit until a pile of bodies lay around him.
He chuckled as Gerard gaped at him. “Are these the king’s best?” he said, looking around as he cracked his knuckles. “I have to say, I’m a little disappointed. I expected something worthy of protecting royalty. Have these pups even seen combat?”
“You arrogant prick,” Gerard hissed.
“What’s the matter, love?” Nik said, raising a brow. “Afraid to fight me yourself?”
Gerard’s eyes were slits. His eyes blazed gold, and his teeth became fangs. “You should stand down. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”
Nik looked around at the bodies of all the men he’d just beat up. “Actually, I have a pretty good idea. I’m dealing with a bunch of amateurs.”
Gerard started forward, rolling up his sleeves. “I’m going to wipe that smug smile off your face.”
Nik stood his ground, yawning. “Come and get it, sweetheart.”
Gerard roared and charged him, fighting for all he was worth. Nik had to admit he was a little impressed. Gerard was no pushover. His movements were swift, but he could tell he’d learned to fight on the streets.
Which made him dangerous because he wasn’t as predictable as the others.
Gerard managed to clip him across the cheek. Nik’s face throbbed from the force of the blow. He reached up, smearing blood between his fingertips. “Not bad,” he said. “You’re fast.” He grinned. “I’m faster.”
This time, he didn’t hold anything back. Gerard started to tire, his movements slowing. He was too pampered. While his fighting skills may be up to par, his stamina was not. “What’s wrong?” Nik said, trying hard to control his breathing and still concentrate. He slammed his fist into Gerard’s stomach, knocking the wind from him. “Your gym membership expire last year?”
“Shut. Up.” Gerard swung, but Nik blocked him, following up with an uppercut that sent the insolent were sprawling backwards across the floor.
He sat up, shaking his head. No doubt the hall was spinning. To his credit, he rose to his feet. He swayed a little, blood dripping down his face from the blow Nik had delivered to his temple. “You think I’m some pampered lapdog, but at least I’m in the king’s good graces. Someone like you, with no pedigree to his name, could never hope to win his favor. It doesn’t matter you’ve marked his daughter—the king will never call you son.”
“I’m twenty-eight. I haven’t needed a daddy since I was thirteen.”
“You’re not worthy of her.”
“Says who? You? Who are you to judge my self-worth? I’ve had people talking down to me my whole life. My brothers and I grew up in the projects. The town looked down on us as white trash. Were society shuns our pack because of our past maniacal Alpha. You shun all of us because we’re not royal. But you know what? Neither are you. I know a street urchin when I see one. You don’t learn to fight like that in a castle, pretty boy.”
Gerard regarded him for a moment, then smiled slowly. “We are what we pretend to be. And for all your bravado, you’re not going to win this fight.” His eyes turned steely. “Alara is mine.”
Out of nowhere, guards poured down the halls on either side. Nik braced himself. Gerard watched him with a small smile on his face. “Kill him,” he said.
They charged.
There were too many; Nik knew that the second he sensed more than ten were signatures. He was good but not that good. Not even he could hold off an army.
Don’t be a pussy. You’re sure as hell gonna try. Remember who you’re fighting for.
Alara’s beautiful face flashed through his mind, of her resting her head against his chest and trailing a fingernail down his skin. The memory was enough to drive him into action.
He raced toward them when Gage’s door flew open, and he launched himself at the nearest guard. The guy didn’t stand a chance. Gage had grown into a kickass fighter. He better have—Nik spent enough time beating his ass when he was training him to take down Malachite. And if he could win in a match with that asshole, these guys were cake.
Together, they fought side by side, taking them on as they came. They disarmed them quickly. Without their guns, they were virtually harmless.
“Shoot them!” Gerard bellowed in outrage.
“We can’t, sir!” a guard said. “We’ll hit our own men!”
“I don’t care! Just take them down!”
The guards looked at each other, giving their leader dirty looks. “The king said not to kill them.”
Behind them, Jason and Shawna had joined the brawl.
What took you guys so long? Nik asked them irritably.
Hey, you sounded like you had it covered, Jason said with a smile.
Danica, was all Gage said.
Nik understood. They may be brothers, but since Gage had mated to Danica, her safety came first. He didn’t fault him for it. He would’ve done the same thing if their roles had been reversed. You should have stayed with her. Where is she?
In the room, hiding as I told her to. And I couldn’t stay hidden any longer. I knew you were outnumbered. I had to act.
Nik smiled at him. Thanks.
More werewolves came at them, driving the pack of four together. Nik realized too late what was going on. Gerard’s men were boxing them in. Gerard must have issued the command silently, regrouping them. It had crossed Nik’s mind this might happen. He had planned on trying to get them outside, but the opportunity had never presented itself. Before he knew it, the guards had them surrounded, their weapons raised to their heads.
Gerard smiled at them. “You’ve fought valiantly. But it appears I have won.”
“We’re still standing,” Nik said in a steely voice.
“Not for long. Alara! I know you can hear me.”
Nik silently prayed his mate had run away as he’d asked her to. When he picked up her signature nearby, drawing closer, he swore. No! Stay back! It’s a trap!
“Alara,” Gerard bellowed, “either come out now and surrender, or I kill your friends.”
“No!” Nik shouted, but it was too late.
Alara’s voice rang through the hall. She stood naked at the other end, chin lifted defiantly, eyes glued to Gerard. “Here I am. Let them go.”
Gerard pushed forward through the crowd, removing his jacket and using it to cover Alara. Nik growled, but Gage grabbed his arm to keep him from rushing off to pummel Gerard some more. He should have knocked him out when he had the chance. If this mess was anyone’s fault it was his. He’d had his opportunity and he’d blown it.
He cursed.
Gerard gazed at Alara with concern, reaching for her face. “Are you hurt?”
She turned her head away from his touch. “No,” she said coldly, glaring at him.
His hand clenched and fell back at his side. “I can see we’ll have a lot to talk about,” he said tersely, taking her shoulders. “You’re coming with me.” He looked back at his guards.
Nik knew he was issuing another silent command, and his heart started pounding.
Alara turned around, fighting to break free of Gerard’s grasp. “Wait! Stop!” She dug her heels in. Two more guards stepped forward and took her.
“Handle her with care,” Gerard instructed as if giving them instructions about handling a package.
“No!” She fought against her captors. Her eyes caught Nik’s before she vanished around the corner. “Nik!” she screamed.
“Alara!” he yelled. He broke free of Gage’s grasp.
“Wait, Nik!” Gage yelled, but Nik was already driving his fists into people’s faces and stomachs—whatever he saw first.
The guards closed in on him. It took five of them to take him down, but at last, his knees bit into the carpet as he was forced down. Behind him, his friends had been taken captive as well.
Gerard stalked toward him and jerked his face up to meet his eyes. He smiled. “Looks like I
win.” He leaned forward, his voice lowered so only Nik would hear.
“I can’t wait to fuck your mate.”
Nik growled viciously, snapping his teeth. He wanted to rip Gerard’s throat out. Gerard backed out of the way just in time. Composing himself, he gave a lazy snap of his fingers.
Someone raised the butt of their gun from the corner of Nik’s vision. As he turned his head, something hard collided against his skull. Pain blossomed through his brain, blurring his vision.
He slumped forward as someone began tying his arms and legs together. The heavy darkness around his vision grew thicker until he could no longer hold his eyes open.
“Ala… ra,” he rasped with his last breath before he couldn’t think anymore.
Alara kept screaming Nik’s name all the way to the car.
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” one of the guards said, right before placing a gag in her mouth. They forced her upside the car, tying her hands and feet together, then they lifted her into the backseat.
She kicked and struggled, but all she succeeded in doing was rubbing her wrists and ankles raw against her binds. Her pulse pounded in her head as the worst played through her mind. What if Nik was already dead? Gage? Danica? The thought of them lying in a pool of their own blood made her sick.
A tear rolled down her cheek, but she refused to cry. She wasn’t going to seem weak to Gerard, whom she hated more than anyone else in the world right now.
She heard him outside the car. “Where is she?” A moment later, he opened the door. The first thing she did was try to kick him.
He caught her feet, his eyes immediately going to her binds. His face went red. “What the hell is this?” he roared, rounding on the guards who’d tied her up and tossed her in the car.
“Um, she was resisting,” one said, fidgeting.
“She is our crown princess! Untie her at once!”
“Ye—yes, sir!”
They gently helped her out of the car and undid her binds. She tore the gag out herself soon as her hands were free, and threw it to the ground. Gerard stared at the raw blisters circling her wrists and ankles. With a growl, he turned and pummeled his fist into the face of the closest guard. He then stalked to the other and did the same. Blood spewed from both their noses, which were now set crookedly.