by J. D. Tyler
Except the odor. Ryon detected old blood, and a more rancid smell that must belong to the beast. It was strong here, more so than at the first scene, for whatever reason. He wanted to gag.
The reminder that Daria had discovered the first body, and could easily have fallen victim to this creature as she went about her job, had him breaking out in a cold sweat. He was glad she was at the magically warded compound, well away from danger. That was about the only point in this day’s favor.
Just to the right of the area marked by the crime scene tape, Ryon saw the glow of a figure seated on the ground. He moved closer and saw that it was the spirit of a man with his arms encircling his legs, staring forlornly into space.
“Whatcha got?” Aric asked. “Another Casper?”
“Yeah. It’s the male victim. He’s confused.”
Ryon was about to try to question the man when another ghost appeared beside him—the woman that Ryon had seen twice before. Looking up, joy bloomed on the man’s face and he bolted to his feet, taking her into his arms. They held on to each other as though they’d never let go, and a lump formed in Ryon’s throat. He never got to see happy endings, and guessed this one was as close as he’d ever seen.
The man spun his wife around, then kissed her soundly. Then, hand in hand, they walked toward the trees . . . and disappeared into thin air.
Ryon cleared his throat. “They’re together now.”
“Well, that’s good,” Micah said quietly. “I guess.”
The others agreed halfheartedly. Ryon contacted his commander.
Nick? How’s it going?
Not great, Nick pushed back to him. We’ve found another body, six miles south of where Daria found the woman. It’s a god-awful mess.
Sheriff on the way?
Yeah.
Okay. Nothing here yet, except I saw the spirit of the man close to the site where he was found. His wife showed up and they were reunited.
Did either of them say anything to you?
No. They were too wrapped up in each other. Never noticed me.
Okay. I’ll check in soon.
“Nick said they’ve got a body,” he told the group. “Six miles south of where the woman was found. Said it’s a mess.”
There were several curses and expressions of general disgust. Aric was most likely about to pop off a smartass remark when he stopped and squinted into the trees ahead.
“Man, I think my vision is messed up.”
Ryon looked in the direction his friend was staring. “What is it?”
“Over there.” He pointed. “Do you see a big area where the trees look blurry?”
Micah piped up. “I see it. Looks like a kaleidoscope effect, only clear.”
Ryon’s eyes studied the big area, his brain slow to catch up with what he was seeing. And when he did, a roar shook the entire forest that sounded just as Daria had described.
“Fucking Christ,” Micah shouted as the blur detached itself from the trees.
The pum-pum of the beast’s feet slamming into the earth as it ran toward them reminded him of a scene out of Jurassic Park. Only instead of a T. rex, the creature bearing down on them was almost a dead ringer for Nick’s drawing of it.
Except the fucker was almost invisible.
No wonder the thing had been able to sneak up on unsuspecting hikers. They couldn’t see the damned beast until it was too late.
Nick! The beast is here, it’s attacking! We’re gonna try to catch it!
On our way, hang tight!
Whatever was going to happen, Nick couldn’t prevent it. Ryon just hoped their commander wasn’t forced to scoop up their remains with a shovel.
Ryon and his teammates formed a square around the creature as it skidded to a halt in the middle, bellowing. He watched in sick fascination as that maw opened wide, the outlines of two rows of jagged teeth visible if you knew just how to look. The beast snapped its broad head toward him and just stopped. Stared. Its bulky arms were held out slightly from its sides, long, razor-sharp claws deadly on the ends of its webbed fingers.
Ryon suddenly realized the beast was confused. It had obviously not encountered any sort of opposition from anyone in the weeks since it had escaped from the lab, and it didn’t know what to do now. For a fleeting few seconds, he thought maybe the man inside the beast would take over, allowing them to take him in peacefully so the doctors could work on a cure.
He should’ve known it wasn’t going to be that simple.
He held out a hand. “Hey, man. We want to help you. Why don’t you—”
The creature let out another deafening roar and charged him. Scrambling backward, Ryon barely managed to escape a swipe with those deadly claws. Then the net was thrown over the beast’s head, stopping his attack. It swiped and screeched, pissed off and trying to get out of the net. Jax tossed the rope, attempting to lasso its shoulders, but the creature managed to grab the rope, yanking it right out of Jax’s hands and trampling it underfoot as he dropped it.
Rushing forward, they grasped the edges of the net and tried to wrestle the beast to the ground. If they could make him fall, all four of them might be able to hold him until he was tied up.
It didn’t work out that way. The creature used the net to sling them with all his strength, the net flying off him. Ryon, Jax, and Aric were flung in different directions—
But Micah, the closest one to the raging monster, was now caught in the net. As the thing stomped over to him, Micah’s eyes widened and he worked frantically to free himself. He shifted his hands into claws and sliced at the net, just as the monster seized his leg and started pulling him backward.
“Fuck! Somebody do something!” he yelled.
Ryon and the others bolted toward them, Ryon pulling his gun from his waistband. He squeezed off a couple of shots to the creature’s shoulder, just as it raked Micah across the ribs. Micah screamed, then went horribly silent as it threw him down. The beast turned toward Jax and took two steps, but the others joined in, firing at it.
Apparently not happy with this development, it whirled and fled into the woods. As far as Ryon could tell, they hadn’t even wounded the damned thing.
“Jesus. Come on, kid, hang on,” Aric begged.
Ryon ran to where his friends were kneeling by Micah, worry etched on their faces. Jax stripped off Micah’s shirt and balled it up, pressing the cloth into the wound in his side. The slice was long and deep, made by one of the claws. If the beast had struck with a bit more curve, their friend would’ve been gutted.
“I’m all right,” Micah panted, pale and sweating. “Burns, though. Like acid.”
He wasn’t okay by a long shot. Blood was fast soaking the ground, and his eyes drifted closed. Though they kept talking to him, he was losing ground fast.
Jax put his arms under Micah’s knees and back, and lifted him. “Let’s go.”
They made the long hike as fast as they could, jogging a good part of the way. Nick’s group had just arrived at Ryon’s Range Rover when they came through the trees. The commander jogged up to them, laying a palm on Micah’s slack face—the scarred side.
“Dammit, we just got you on your feet,” Nick said grimly. “Your sister is going to kill me.”
The younger man didn’t stir. Nick helped get Micah into the back of the SUV, and climbed in with him. Ryon jumped in the driver’s seat and soon they were on their way, the other team racing behind them.
Nick spoke into his cell phone. “Melina, get the trauma room ready. We’ve got one coming in with an open wound to his side. Coming in hot.”
Meaning he was in bad shape.
Gripping the steering wheel, Ryon sped up. This day had been a clusterfuck from the time the alarm went off.
It appeared things were going to get worse before they improved. One thing for sure, they needed to develop a different strategy to catch the monster.
Because that one sure as fuck didn’t work.
* * *
Daria was losing her mind.
<
br /> All she’d had to hear from Blue while sitting in the cafeteria was that one of the Pack had been badly injured fighting the creature, and she had almost fainted. How was she going to take this every time they went on an op? Always terrified that her mate would come home in a body bag?
She was waiting by the emergency entrance doors when the first teams poured in. Jax was carrying the hurt man in his arms—and it wasn’t Ryon. The man had shoulder-length brown hair, not blond. Her knees nearly gave out, her relief was so great. Then she heard Rowan’s stricken cry and realized it was her brother, and guilt flailed at her.
Rowan followed after Jax, and Daria could only stare at the doors and wait for Ryon.
When he walked through them, she ran toward him. The instant he saw her, he opened his arms and she ran into them, clasping him tight. He returned the embrace, holding her against his strong body. She could feel every muscle and ridge, and took joy in him being there.
Sweaty, salty, dirty. But alive.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I was such a bitch to you last night, and if that had been the last time I ever saw you—”
“No, shh. I’m here, honey. I’m safe.”
“This time.”
“This is my life. There will always be danger, but I’ll always move heaven and hell to come home.”
“I was awful to you,” she repeated. She couldn’t get past that she could’ve lost him in the wake of her stupid pity party. “I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to you.”
“You’ve had a lot thrown at you, so give yourself a break.” He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s just move forward, all right?”
“Can we?”
“Good grief, woman.” Pulling back, he gave her a mock frown. “Do I look like a man who gives up easily?”
“No. Rowan may have said something like that.”
“Well, she’s right. I’m a stubborn bastard and I like getting my way. Now, why don’t we join the others and wait for some word about Micah?”
“Sounds good.”
Ryon told everyone assembled about the doomed fight with the creature, and how Micah was injured. Rowan, eyes red from crying, sat huddled next to Aric, shushing his repeated apologies for getting her brother hurt.
“You didn’t get him hurt,” she snapped finally. “So knock it off, okay? He’s a grown man.”
“Sure, baby.” They kissed gently, with such love, in their own universe.
Three hours later, Melina came out to inform them all that he would recover, and the relief swept through the group like a storm. But the creature’s claws contained some sort of venom that was making his system and the gash slow to heal. It was a word of caution for future battles against the monster.
Ryon squeezed Daria’s hand. “Now that we know he’ll be okay, shall we go back to my place?”
“Sounds great.”
On the way, she got one more confession off her chest. “I’m still not sure about the whole wolf thing, and I’m still angry at having fate decide my life for me.”
“I understand,” he said, and she read the truth in his eyes. He was an incredible man. “I’ve been there, Daria.”
“God, I’m an idiot! Of course you have.”
“You’re not an idiot. You’re doing the best you can, and no one blames you for being upset, least of all me.”
“But I do care for you,” she said softly. “I realize I don’t want to miss out on something wonderful with you because I’m so busy looking backward.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” They came to his door, and he let them in.
“Make love to me?”
“With great pleasure.” His gaze burned into hers. “You don’t know the hell I went through back there, battling that monster. Do you have any clue what was going through my mind?”
“Um, if I die at least I’ll be free of the old ball and chain?”
He laughed at her pitiful joke, but his blue eyes glistened with tears. The sight melted her heart, warming a path clear to her toes.
“No, baby. Not even close. I was thinking, What if she never forgives me? Then it wouldn’t have mattered if I was dead or not. I’d never again have a chance to do this.” Ryon cupped the back of her head and lowered his lips gently to hers.
Electric.
Daria’s mouth moved under his, loving his soft lips. She twined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, inviting him. His tongue swept inside, stroking, and she reveled in his warmth.
His hands skimmed her shoulders and down her arms. He helped her off with her shirt and bra, and she arched against him. The puckered tips of her nipples brushed the material of the shirt covering his chest, and a bolt of heat shot straight to her sex.
“Sweet, so sweet. I’ve gone to heaven.”
Daria buried her hands in his hair, suddenly the aggressor. She sucked at his lips, exploring his mouth at will, making love play with her tongue. Her knees threatened to buckle.
Helpless, dying for this. For you. God, I want more.
He broke the kiss, panting. “If I don’t stop now, I might not be able to.”
“So don’t stop.”
He didn’t need more encouragement. Pulling her to his bedroom, he pushed her gently to the bed and removed the rest of her clothing. Then he positioned himself between her thighs, began to ease inside. Holding her close he started to move, whispering words of passion in her ear, stoking the fires until they were both straining toward the precipice. It was raw, tender, honest. All too soon they cried out, hurtling over the edge together.
As he held her close, she pretended they were safe, that the danger was over. And for a while, they were given a reprieve.
It was a beautiful fantasy while it lasted.
* * *
There probably wasn’t a more delicious sight than a bunch of shifters playing baseball. Or playing anything at all, really, but today they happened to be wielding bats and gloves.
From Daria’s spot on the grass, sprawled on a blanket, she sipped a beer and eyeballed the tight tushes as they bounced around in an assortment of jeans, athletic shorts, and baseball leggings. She had to admit, when they blew off steam the results were lovely to watch.
All of that glistening male flesh, sweat dripping off the ends of their hair. Broad chests heaving, muscles bunching in exertion—
“Do you even have a clue who’s winning?” a voice asked from her right.
Glancing over, she grinned at Micah. Forbidden from playing while he recovered, he was convalescing in his lounger. “Winning what? Is there a game being played right now?”
He snorted. “Figures. You’re just like the rest of the lovesick mates around here.” He jerked his head at the other mated women who were observing their men just as avidly as Daria had been.
Then the word lovesick lodged in her brain, and her smile dimmed some. The other women loved their mates to distraction. The emotion was etched on every one of their glowing faces, and shone in their eyes. And Ryon is my mate.
Do I love him? Can I, when I’m still not completely at peace with what I’ve become?
“Hey, did I say something wrong?”
“No,” she assured him. “Just thinking.”
“You looked really preoccupied for a few seconds.”
“Oh, it’s just . . .” She tried to think of how to explain.
“I know how hard this must be for you,” he said softly. “Believe me.”
Studying this man who’d been through such hell, she felt ashamed. “How did you deal with it? When you were turned, how did you cope?”
“I just did. I had no other choice. I woke up in a military hospital and I was changed. I had known for some time that I was a Dreamwalker, but now I was more than I’d ever been, with a wolf living inside me. I wanted to crawl out of my skin, or rip it to shreds with my claws, trying to get at the new beast that wouldn’t let me rest.”
“That’s how I feel, too. She wants to run, to hunt.” Daria gazed at h
er new friend, and saw complete understanding. “She wants to be free, and it’s so hard to rein her in. It’s weird and scary to have all of that wildness inside me. Not to mention ironic, considering my job.”
His brown eyes were sad. “As difficult as it is, remember you have a mate who’s a fine man to help you. We didn’t, and learning all of that alone was tough. I mean, we’re like brothers and we’re there for each other, but it’s not the same as having someone special to comfort you at the end of the day.”
Her heart went out to him. “I am grateful for Ryon. He’s been nothing but wonderful to me and I care about him very much.” She paused. “You’re going to have someone, too, one day.”
“Who’s going to want me?” he questioned, gesturing to the ruined side of his face.
“That’s not who—”
“Who I am? Is that what you were going to say?” He laughed, the sound hollow. Aching. “Even if my mate could get past how I look, it’s what’s on the inside that’s really fucked up. I don’t remember much about my time in that shithole with Bowman, but from what the doctors tell me, that could change anytime. The point is, I’m more messed up inside than out. No mate deserves to be stuck with me.”
“I won’t believe that for one second,” she said firmly. “You’re going to meet your special someone, and then you’ll eat those gloomy words of yours.”
“Wanna bet?”
Before she could respond, Ryon came jogging over, looking sexy as sin in his tight athletic shorts and sweaty tank top. She almost swallowed her tongue as he beamed at her.
“Hey, good lookin’! Some of the guys suggested going out to the Crosseyed Grizzly in a bit. Want to go hang out?”
“Sure, sounds like fun. Anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”
“Aww, how sweet.” Leaning over, he gave her a big, sloppy kiss as Micah made a choking noise. Ryon pulled back and winked at his friend. “Jealous?”
“Not on your life.”
But Daria knew the truth. Ryon missed the flash of pain on his friend’s face, but she didn’t. “Micah, are you feeling up to coming?”
Nick’s voice broke into their conversation. “That’s not a good idea. Micah needs to stay here and finish healing.”