Without Mercy

by Belinda Boring

  I nudged him with my snout, ignoring the blood stain I left on his not so immaculate t-shirt. His hand reached out and ruffled through my fur. It came back sticky.

  “Hi babe, you doing okay?” He gave me the once over, waiting to see how I would react to him. I leaned in slowly, taking my time to pull his scent into my lungs.

  Mason sat still and a feeling of security washed over me. I nudged him again. He threw his arm around me, pulling me in close.

  I could feel his strength permeating into my body, trying to soothe away my anger. I began to whimper, trying to tell him all that happened, my body shuddering against him.

  “I can’t understand you, Darcy; you’re going to need to change back. We need to move Jasmine and get back to the house. Come on, sweetheart, as soon as you’re ready.” He gestured with one of his hands to Eric and Daniel and they moved forward to pick up Jasmine.

  Instantly my wolf reacted and I nipped at them. Standing guard over my fallen sister’s body, I forced them to back up - Mason included. No one was going to touch her, not until we could figure out how to bring her back.

  “Darcy, you can let go and change back. No one is going to hurt Jasmine. Eric and Daniel need to pick her up so we can take her home. She can’t lie here all night. She needs the pack. She needs the rituals.”

  Everything he said made sense. There were things that had to happen now, but I couldn’t let go of the belief if we waited just a little bit longer, she’d wake up and be alive.

  The guys moved to step forward again and this time, I lashed out biting at the pant leg of Daniel.

  “Darcy. Stand down.” The Alpha command battered against me, ruthless in its primal demand. No one could resist it, but I sure as heck could try.

  “She’s fighting it!” Jonas exclaimed in shock. “Look at her. She’s got that hard set in her eyes, Mason. I don’t think she’s going to listen.”

  “Darcy. Don’t make me force you.” Mason ordered, sadness filling his eyes. Pure Alpha compulsion coated my body and soaked into my bones, forcing me to relax. Pain caused me to yelp as I struggled to hold my position. I didn’t want them touching her.

  “Darcy!” and with that one word, I crumbled. Eric and Daniel quickly stepped in, sweeping Jasmine up. As I watched them carry her away to the waiting car, I couldn’t help the grief stricken howl that began in my stomach and released itself into the night.

  On and on I howled, understanding all hope had been futile. She truly was gone and that the only “magic” ritual to perform now would be a burial one. I collapsed to the floor and buried my snout into my paws.

  I barely heard the voices whispering. Footsteps came and went, followed by the sound of a car engine starting and the vehicle pulling away. I gathered everyone had left, all but Mason. He still sat beside me, his hand gently stroking my fur. There was an almost soothing rhythm to his movement but my wolf was far from being calmed.

  I don’t know how long we sat there or why we weren’t found. I didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore and nothing made sense.

  Mason’s voice jolted me to awareness. “Aren’t you able to change back, Darcy? Is that why you’re still in wolf form? She won’t let go?”

  I raised my head and looked into concerned eyes. Mason lifted his hand and gently stroked the fur on my face, each touch filled with love. I nodded slightly, the best I could do to communicate with him. I knew this was serious; I needed to regain control, but didn’t know how to convince my wolf it was okay.

  “Well as Alpha, I can force the change but I’m worried if I do, the wolf will resent me and I don’t want that coming between us. We could wait and see if she relents, but something tells me tonight was too traumatic and she sees this as a matter of survival for you both.”

  Mason paused, looking thoughtful as he studied the problem out. I marveled at just how amazing he was. That he knew exactly what was happening not only spoke volumes about the type of leader he was, it showed the kind of man he was as well. He was my mate and it filled me with a sense of security to know that this was the man who would swear to love and protect me for the rest of my life.

  A thought popped into my head at the same time a smile spread over Mason’s face. The light that sparkled in his eyes told me he had an idea and he believed it would work.

  “I know how we can convince her to release you. She’s always been there to protect you, keep you safe and out of harm’s way. It’s a natural response, but she needs to realize that there’s another who can do that for you too, someone that wants to and is ready to step in. She needs to relinquish control over to me as your mate.”

  Relief coursed through me as Mason shared the same idea I’d had and something in my gut told me this was the answer. Who better to keep me safe at the moment and in the future than my mate? Even my wolf couldn’t argue too long with that.

  I felt her respond to the idea and stubbornly acknowledge that maybe Mason was right but she still needed a little convincing. She wasn’t going to hand over anything just yet.

  I tried to understand the hesitancy. He was a good man and wolf. I’d seen Mason in action and so had my wolf. What she was waiting for was beyond me.

  I looked at him again; trying to share what was happening and got up to sit on my haunches as Mason quickly pulled away. His body began to shimmer and pulse.

  He was changing. It was one of those blink and you miss it kind of deals. One minute Mason was sitting there and the next a magnificent wolf.

  I could never tire of looking at him – if there was ever the poster child for werewolves, Mason was it. All sleek curves and muscles, he was the color of midnight, perfect for blending into the darkness.

  His black fur was immaculate and covered every inch of his perfectly formed body. With strong legs and finely tuned agility, he was a lethal predator and competition to all who crossed his path.

  And he was all mine.

  With a quick shake, he padded over and nudged me with his nose. When I didn’t move and tilted my head in question, he nudged me again. Let her look, a voice echoed in my mind and I understood. If my wolf was going to release control, she needed to see and approve of who would be taking over.

  I jumped up onto my paws, prodding at my stubborn wolf and showed her Mason’s wolf. Even she couldn’t deny he was glorious and I begged for her to take a closer look.

  Standing at attention, waiting for inspection, Mason’s wolf didn’t flinch as I began to nip and poke at him. Rubbing my body against his, energy emanated off of him, causing my own to sizzle from the contact. Energy like that meant only one thing - power and lots of it.

  My wolf nodded at the feel of it and approached the front of our mate. Without warning, she growled and barked at him, baring her fangs as she set back in a pounce like stance. She was preparing to attack. I screamed for her to stop. We don’t attack our mates, but she wouldn’t listen.

  He stood stoically, never flinching as she launched us at him. Landing on top of him, he let my body pin him to the ground as my wolf snarled and snapped. She was provoking an attack on purpose, wanting to see his reaction.

  A rough tongue whipped out, licking the side of my snout. Seconds later, Mason’s wolf tilted his head and bared his throat, a total sign of submission. Instantly, the fighting instinct fled and I began to change. Apparently, Mason had passed her test.

  It took only moments before I felt myself being scooped up into strong arms. Mason’s scent wafted over me and I couldn’t help taking in a deep breath. After all I’d been through, it spoke of comfort and I wanted to wrap myself up in it.

  Everything was quiet except for the sound of Mason and me breathing, still slightly labored from our changes. For a moment, it was as if everything was okay and then the crushing weight of reality bore down and threatened to bury me alive.

  “Oh my gosh, Mason. Jasmine...” I couldn’t finish my sentence as a sob ripped from me. It was impossible to hold back the barrage of emotions that washed over me as tears streamed down my face. />
  Over and over I cried as Mason held me, gently rocking me back and forth, not speaking a word as he joined me in my grief. My sadness knew no end, and I felt like I was drowning as the events of the night replayed themselves in my mind.

  “Oh no, Mason. I ripped him to shreds!” Vomit forced itself up my throat and I was barely able to pull myself free before it violently erupted out of my mouth. I could feel my hair being held back as my stomach emptied itself. I continued to heave when there was nothing left, like I was trying to purge the events from my body.

  When I finally settled, I wiped the back of my hand over my mouth and glanced back at Mason. He looked haggard, the worry and strain of tonight clearly written on his face. Love shone from him as well as deep anguish over the death of his sister.

  “Take me home Mason. I want to go to sleep so when I wake up I can say this was all a dream. That’s what this is right, it’s just a dream?” I begged for him to lie to me, tell me anything but the truth.

  “We’ll talk about it when you wake up, okay? Here, let me help you.” Scooping under my legs, Mason tenderly lifted me into his arms again. “Sleep Darcy, you’re safe. I have you now.”

  My wolf howled in agreement and I felt my body slowly begin to relax. Hesitating for a moment, I closed my eyes and it wasn’t long before the blessed blanket of sleep embraced me. My last thought, Please, let this be a dream.

  ***

  About The Author

  A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self-proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devouring her latest read, you can find her celebrating her passion for books on her blog The Bookish Snob.

  With all that excitement, it wasn’t long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can’t help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn’t be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.

  Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!

  For more about the books or to contact Belinda:

  Official website: http://belindaboring.blogspot.com

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