Cursed Vengeance

by Brandy L Rivers

  That statement brought back a conversation Sierra and I had with Sean a few days ago. “You’ve met her, haven’t you?”

  “Met who?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, asshole. I’m already in a shitty mood. My mate wants nothing to do with me and I could really use something to take my mind off of that fact.”

  “She does want you.”

  I shook my head. The longer I could avoid thinking about Sierra, the better. “That’s not what I asked and you know it.”

  “Fine,” he sighed. “Yes, I met her about a year ago.”

  “I guess she isn’t a wolf, if she was able to resist the pull.”

  “Actually, no. She’s a wolf.” My mind frantically tried to figure out who moved into town within the last year. “Not from our pack,” he amended quickly.

  “Why the hell wouldn’t you two seal the bond?” The pull of a mate was strong enough to make two wolves go crazy while their bodies screamed at them to complete the bond.

  “Just like you, I didn’t want to mate her only to have her watch me die in a year.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. “But you’re not dead or dying.”

  “Yes, but it doesn’t mean it’s over. I let her go, all I can hope is she found someone to love. You know as well as I, not every wolf finds their mate anyway.”

  While that was true, when a wolf did find their mate, they didn’t let them go, except in the few instances where the mate was human and couldn’t handle this life. “Forget that bullshit. I can tell you from experience, once you meet her, you’ll never want anyone else and neither will she, especially since she’s a wolf.”

  “Whatever,” he snapped. “Can we drop it now?”

  “I will if you tell me what she looks like.” Sean should know better than expect me not to push.

  “Fine. Blond hair, hazel eyes, about five feet eight.”

  “That’s all you going to give me?”

  “Yes. You might be my best friend, and my sister’s mate, but there are some things I’m not telling you.”

  Without the distraction of worrying about someone else’s problems, my mood plummeted once again. The tension in the car was palpable. Sean didn’t know what to say and I wanted to sit there and drown in my misery. A few minutes outside of town Sean spoke up again.

  “Look, I’m taking you to your house to grab a shower. Then we’re going to head into work. We have enough paperwork piled on our desks to keep us busy the rest of the day. Sitting around moping isn’t going to do you any good.”

  “Fine.” I forced myself inside the house. If Sean needed me to push past all of the other shit, I’d do it. Whatever happened, until I could deal with Sierra, I didn’t want to talk about it.

  After a shower and fresh clothes for both of us, we spent the day overseeing the jobs we currently had, which all seemed to be on track. Sean tried to get me to eat lunch, but with Sierra on my mind I didn’t want anything. By the time dinner came, Sean was all over my ass about eating.

  “You can’t skip every meal today. How are you going to have enough energy to hunt or fight if I need you to?” Sean flopped down on the couch in his living room.

  I hadn’t really thought about it that way. “All right.” He wasn’t getting any more than that.

  Sean ordered a pizza and my stomach dropped. Something so trivial. With so few memories of Sierra it was hard not to focus on things like that. When the food arrived, I forced it down, letting it sit like a brick in my stomach. The whole time we were both silent. Sean, I’m sure, concentrating on the upcoming challenge, while I wondered what Sierra was doing at that moment. I wished I’d told her how I felt. That I loved her from the moment she woke up in my arms at her house. Faint, yet still there, it continued to grow and I hadn’t said a damn thing.

  “It’s time,” Sean said, pulling me out of my own head.

  We stopped by my house on the way to the clearing to pick up my truck. Parking off to the side, we walked the path that led to our normal meeting spot. Many of the pack had already gathered. Sean stepped into the middle of the circle on the raised dais, which had been there for as long as I could remember.

  “Tonight is our first run without Christian. While we mourn his loss and cherish his memory, we need to push on. As Alpha of this pack—”

  Bradley stepped out of the trees. “I challenge your claim.”

  Exactly as we suspected. Sean didn’t even bat an eye. Bradley’s bruises from the other night had faded. His eyes burned with hatred as his gaze swung between me and Sean. There were no gasps of surprise from the pack when Bradley stated his challenge. Most of them probably assumed it would happen. Explained why everyone was there so early.

  Sean stepped forward, arms crossed over his chest, menace radiating from every part of him. “Are you sure you want to do this? Because after the other night, I can guarantee the only way you’re leaving here is being carried out.”

  “You can’t beat me.”

  Bradley’s claim pulled a laugh from deep within my belly. I should have stifled it, but with all of the fucked up shit that happened in the last two days, I let it all go. Most of the pack turned to stare at me, while Theresa stepped into the middle of the circle. As the former Alpha’s mate, it was her job to oversee any challenges to the new Alpha, at least until the new Alpha had a mate of their own.

  “You’re an idiot,” she directed at Bradley. “There’s been a challenge to the new Alpha of the Pine Barrens pack. Sean, do you accept the challenge?”

  “You bet your ass I do.” Sean continued to stare at Bradley. No doubt all of the bullshit he pulled over the last week running through his head.

  Theresa turned to Bradley, the undercurrent of annoyance clear in her tone. “Bradley, name your second.”

  “Luther,” Bradley said without pause.

  Luther walked up next to Bradley, looking as stupid as he actually was. “I accept.”

  Idiot.

  Sean growled. Yep dumbass put himself in for a world of hurt when Bradley lost and the pack united behind Sean. Dipshit was dumb enough to challenge Sean later.

  “Sean, name your second,” Theresa said.

  “Dylan.”

  Oh, fuck. I knew it was coming, but damn. It not only meant I’d be second of the pack when Sean won the challenge, but it was my job to keep anyone from interfering in the challenge, including myself or Luther. Sean had the job before me, but it seemed so different without Christian there. Thoughts of Sierra’s reaction to all this tried to push through, but I forced them back to concentrate.

  “Dylan, do you accept?” Theresa pulled me out of my head.

  I knew the look in her eyes. She didn’t want to see her friend beat the shit out of her brother, but she knew she had no choice. Bradley called for the challenge and the consequences for that were on him.

  “I accept.”

  She nodded. “The challenge will continue until one combatant gives up, can no longer fight, or dies.” Theresa winced at the final word.

  Sean and Bradley began removing their clothes, followed closely by Luther and myself. Sometimes the only way to prevent an interference was to shift.

  Bradley shifted, Sean shortly after. While Sean had always been a fast shifter, the alpha power increased his speed, and he finished before Bradley. Now that Sean finally shifted, I watched the calculation in his movements.

  He might be pissed, but he wouldn’t attack first and waste the energy. Being the bigger, stronger wolf had its advantages. I could guarantee once Bradley made the first move that would be the end. And he didn’t disappoint.

  Bradley lunged for Sean’s right front paw. Bad move. Sean swiped his left paw across Bradley’s muzzle, snapping his head around. He jumped back away from the attack. The deep gashes bled instantly, dripping on the ground below. It wasn’t enough to stop him. Then again, I knew it wouldn’t be. Bradley came charging in again. In an attempt to knock Sean off his footing, Bradley threw his body toward Sean. He didn’t anticipate Sean’s s
peed. Most wolves his size were on the slower side. Not Sean.

  Bradley went rolling across the circle when Sean pounced, grabbing hold of his front leg. His teeth pushed down until I heard breaking bone. Bradley yelped.

  “Dammit, Bradley,” Theresa yelled. “Would you give up before he kills you?”

  Bradley managed to use his back paws to push Sean off, leaving a few gashes down his side, which Sean ignored and swiped his paw out once again. This time raking his claws down Bradley’s side, the blood now poured from the wounds. Bradley turned, diving at Sean, giving Sean the chance to clamp his jaw around his back paw when Bradley flew over him. The crunching of bone made everyone gasp, including me.

  Fuck, a broken front and back paw. He wouldn’t be standing for at least a week. He collapsed to the ground, but Sean wasn’t done. Bradley didn’t help his case when he continued to growl at Sean, refusing to submit. Sean bit down on his other hind leg, not enough to break it. Bradley’s coat slowly turned from a light gray to a muted red with all the blood.

  Bradley howled and Sean bit down around his neck, making clear he was done with the bullshit.

  “Bradley.” Luther went charging forward.

  “Fuck, no.” I ran over and wrapped my arms around his chest. “Bradley brought this on himself and you’re not getting in the middle.”

  He thrashed against my hold, watching Bradley go limp under Sean. I knew Sean would never kill him, so he either submitted or passed out. Sean stepped back and howled, declaring his dominance. Bradley didn’t move. Apparently, he passed out. Sean’s power rolled through the crowd, every wolf baring their neck in a sign of submission. Will, a veterinarian and the pack healer, ran forward to tend to Bradley. Well, more like medic since he couldn’t actually heal the wounds, just bandage them and set broken bones.

  The tears streamed down Theresa’s face as she sat next to her brother. My gut clenched at her pain. Hadn’t she been through enough? Not that any of this was Sean’s fault. I let go of Luther.

  Sean shifted. “Get him the fuck out of here and be back before the moon rises.” He turned to Will. “Can he be left alone?”

  He nodded. “I’ve done all I can. He needs time to heal.”

  Luther and two others picked up Bradley’s broken body. His breathing was even, only after Will had given him something for the pain. Too bad for the son of a bitch it would wear off before the hunt was over. The two broken paws and probably a couple of ribs, not to mention all of the cuts and gashes that turned his coat red, were going to hurt like a motherfucker when he woke up.

  Theresa walked over to Sean, her eyes glistening.

  “Theresa, I’m—” Sean started to say.

  “Don’t even. Moron got what he deserved. I told him not to challenge you. Obviously he didn’t listen.” Theresa wiped at her eyes. “Thank you for not killing him. You had every right to when he didn’t submit.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “I would never hurt you like that. You’ve been through enough. I’m counting the fact he stopped fighting as his submission.”

  “Is your side okay?”

  Sean lifted his arm and turned. Gashes ran down his ribs.

  “Yeah. They’ll heal by morning.”

  After that the rest of the pack came over to congratulate Sean and proclaim their loyalty. Some had questions about Sierra and her ability to beat the curse. When a few of the wolves came over to me, to congratulate me on my mating, I plastered a smile on my face and said thank you. Although each one tied the knot in my gut tighter. I was glad when the idiots helping Bradley got back and Sean called everyone to shift and hunt.

  Hunting didn’t even appeal to me. Somewhere in the back of my head I knew I needed to, and it helped that Sean stayed with me, forcing my body to do what it needed when my mind was a million miles away. Shutting my mind down, I let my instincts take over until the sun came up.

  Eventually the night came to an end. Wolves shifted and dressed before returning to their cars. Sean came up beside me.

  “You all right?”

  I sighed. “I guess. Not really looking forward to going home alone.”

  “Time. She’ll be back. Be patient.”

  “I’m trying, but it’s really fucking hard. How’s the side?”

  He lifted his shirt, revealing smooth skin. “Fine.”

  I pulled my keys from my pocket. “She’d be proud of you for last night.”

  “Well, you can tell her all about it when you see her. I’m sure she’ll want to know, only because it’s Bradley.”

  Sean had a confidence I couldn’t match. Honestly, I didn’t have faith I’d ever see Sierra again. Why would she want to stay with a monster?

  “I’m heading home to get a real night’s sleep.”

  “Okay,” Sean said. “Call me later and we’ll check on a few more of the jobs.”

  “I’ll call you when I get up.”

  I climbed into my truck so I could head home to my empty bed. Now that the challenge and hunt were done, emptiness filled my chest once again. I turned onto my street and about slammed into a tree when I saw her car in my drive. Did she come here to get her things and tell me she never wanted to see me again?

  Unsure of the answer, I took my time, pulling into the driveway and putting the car in park. Slowly, I climbed out and walked around the front of the truck. There she was, sitting on my porch as beautiful as ever. Exhausted, I slowly walked up the stairs to face whatever might come my way. Better to find out now than have to wait until later.

  She met me at the top of the stairs.

  “I love you,” she said.

  No explanations, no anger, only the three words I’d been longing to hear. Cupping her face, I threaded my fingers through her hair and brought her lips to mine. It had been less than twenty-four hours and my body craved her more than I ever thought possible. My tongue slid across her lips and into her mouth, dancing a sensual dance with hers. Her moan was music to my ears.

  Without breaking the connection of our lips, I reached behind her and unlocked the door, backing her through it. Needing to say the words that had been sitting on the tip of my tongue for days, I released her lips.

  Looking into her eyes, I told her what was in my heart. “I love you more than words can say.”

  “I’m so sorry about yesterday morning,” she whispered. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

  “You’re here now, that’s all that matters.”

  She pulled my head down to hers. “Make love to me.”

  “Fuck yes!”

  Hoisting her into my arms, I carried her down the hall to my room. I wasted no time pulling off her shirt, followed by mine and throwing them to the floor. Her hands worked on my pants while I took care of her bra. Once I finally had her naked, I slipped my hand between her legs, rubbing circles around her clit.

  “Dylan,” she moaned. “Oh God, I missed this.”

  My body surged with the need to be inside her, but after everything I put her through she deserved a little pleasure first. Dropping to my knees, I pulled one of her legs over my shoulder and let my tongue replace my fingers. Licking across her sensitive folds, her fingernails dug into my shoulders.

  “Shit. You’re making me crazy.”

  “That’s the plan, sweetheart.”

  I swirled my tongue around her clit. Her body quivered as she came closer to coming undone. After a few more flicks, I sucked her clit into my mouth, making her scream. Before the tremors ended, I flipped her around and pushed her down on the bed, keeping her gorgeous ass facing me. In one thrust, I slid into her tight, wet heat.

  “You feel fucking amazing.”

  “Damn, damn, damn,” she cried out, her hands curling into the sheets by her face.

  Her body welcomed me, over and over again. I set a rhythm, needing to find my own climax. More than that, I needed to take her with me. Her body shuddered and I knew she was close. Pulling out, I flipped her over and thrust back in. I took hold of her hands, threading out fingers toge
ther as my mouth captured hers. Our tongues in the same erotic dance as our bodies.

  “Please, tell me you’re close,” I whispered against her lips.

  “I’m there, I’m there,” she shouted, her body rippling around me, taking me with her.

  Practically boneless and exhausted from the day before, I got us onto the bed and pulled up the covers. Sierra cuddled into my embrace, laying her head on my chest.

  “Promise to never push me away again.”

  “I promise,” she said, tracing patterns across my chest.

  I tipped her chin up to face me. “I love you, Sierra.”

  “I love you, too, Dylan.”

  Joyous, I placed a brief kiss on her lips and let sleep take me, knowing my angel was back in my arms.

  Chapter 19

  Sierra

  The day before had been a nightmare. Yes, I was scared when I sent Dylan away with Sean, but most of that was not knowing how long the effects of whatever the hell they gave him would last. Would he only shift once? More than that? Was he in the clear? I had no way of knowing.

  Ten minutes after he left I wanted to call Sean and beg him to bring Dylan back. One major problem. I was worried about Rachel. That sick fuck had brainwashed her somehow and I needed to attempt to fix it.

  There was no way in hell either Sean or Dylan were going to go along with me intervening in witch business. I could hear Sean lecturing me about danger, while Dylan would tell me no fucking way.

  Once I took a shower and felt a little more myself, other than the gaping hole in my heart, I dressed in running clothes and jogged to the café Rachel and I frequented. Luckily her car was in her driveway when I went past. Hopefully that meant she was alone.

  I wasn’t real keen on the idea of running into Remy until I talked to Sean, but Rachel was my best friend and I wasn’t going to let some scumbag turn her into a zombie fuck toy.

  Once I had our favorite drinks, I made my way back to Rachel’s and knocked on the door. I heard a groan and rustling, then heavy footfalls.

  Frowning, I tipped my head to the side. It was only Friday. Why was she crashed on her couch?