They waited in tense silence for Trevon to arrive. Kaitlyn used the time to work through her feelings. Hunting rogues while battling jealous, shunned girlfriend emotions would only get her, and possibly others, killed. A tickle feathered the edge of her mind. She brushed it off. Her focus was pinpoint.
That bastard. He’d belittled her, been ashamed of her history, and he’d been promised to another this whole time.
Long inhale. Longer exhale. He was supposed to be her mate and he treated her like that? He couldn’t have made the promise to Tika after he met Kaitlyn, but he certainly didn’t put a stop to it. Because it circled back around to Kaitlyn’s history. It wasn’t one he could be proud of.
She wasn’t proud of what her dad did to her mom. She wasn’t proud of her birth father, who didn’t stick around long enough to know she existed. But she was damn proud of everything she’d accomplished and especially where she was at now. If that was the only thing she had going for her, so be it.
Who needed a man, anyway?
Her heart said she needed Chayton, but she’d give herself time. It wasn’t every day she got deeply hurt and insulted. But as far as she was concerned, she had a mission to save a fellow Guardian. Once those rogues’ hearts ceased beating, she’d go back to West Creek and keep doing her job. It’d save her sanity like it had before.
A male approached. Kaitlyn spun and eyed him. Tall, with the typical features of the predominantly Native American community, his clean, guileless scent hinted at his honor and loyalty. Mato’s choice was a good one. She was briefing him on the mission when the male she remembered as Thomas stormed in.
Thomas glared at Mato, his fists clenched. “What’s going on in the colony, Mato?”
“None of your business.” Mato ignored the male like he was no more important than a bug.
Thomas pointed to Kaitlyn. “Guardians show up with no announcement from you. Then I get word you’re demanding one of my pack without consulting me?”
Mato’s expression turned menacing. “I am leader. I don’t need your permission.”
Thomas’s brown eyes flicked between Kaitlyn and the male he obviously reviled. “We deserve to know what’s going on.”
“When I decide you need to know, you’ll know.” Mato’s arrogance overwhelmed Thomas’s anger.
“You don’t always make the best decisions for your people.”
“But they’re my people. Leave us.”
Thomas’s nostrils flared and his lips twitched like he wanted to bare his fangs.
“Thomas,” Mato snapped. “Challenge me for once or get out. Otherwise, I’ll rip your throat out.”
With hate in his eyes, Thomas stalked out, his posture so rigid Kaitlyn suspected he was under Mato’s influence.
No one said a word, but Kaitlyn was grateful it’d been a brief confrontation.
Good a time as any to make her announcement. “I’m staying in human form.” The males started to argue, but she held up a hand to silence them. There was that pesky tickle again. Suspicion grew. Was Mato trying to interfere, or was it residual emotions from Thomas’s outburst? “I’m in charge.”
“Guardian,” Mato’s brows lowered to glare at Kaitlyn. “This is my colony.”
He’d made that clear and she’d have to be clearer. Kaitlyn pounded the top of the desk. Tika jumped, much to Kaitlyn’s satisfaction. “I am a Guardian. For this mission, I am in charge. One of those rogues is dead because of my shooting. I have silver-laced bullets that will take out a shifter faster than teeth or claws.” She slapped the bowie knife strapped to her thigh. “This will behead a shifter faster than teeth or claws. Just make sure you don’t slow me down.”
She paused to glare at all of them one by one. One thing she’d learned in her few years as a Guardian was that colonies like this thought of fighting in terms of four legs and fangs.
When she got to Des, she saw the gleam of approval in his gaze.
Trevon glanced at Mato before nodding. Kaitlyn pushed past him to storm outside. “I’ll drive us the edge of town, where you’ll shift. And,” she stopped and spun, “if any one of you runs off ahead of me, thinking to take over this yourself, I’ll plug silver in your ass before you go a hundred yards. Understand?”
Mato’s thunderous expression satisfied Kaitlyn on a deeply personal level, but not as much as the fear of Kaitlyn in Tika’s eyes.
Chapter Nine
Someone was touching him and it wasn’t Kaitlyn. He hated passing out and being at their mercy, but he dreamed of a redhead with emerald eyes.
Did she get out of the lake?
“We didn’t find your partner’s body,” the female purred and stroked his brow. “We’re patiently waiting. While you’re here, why not enjoy your time.”
Had he mumbled out loud? He gave her a sidelong glance. Was she coming on to him? Did she really think he could get it up after she’d castrated him three times already? His balls hadn’t fully grown back and all Chayton felt from his nethers was fire and agony. It was a constant struggle not to dry heave.
She petted his bald head. Her hand bumped over scabs and slices, proof of his decreased regenerative ability. Neither of the male rogues would get hired on as a barber, not with Chayton’s recommendation.
“I could get it up if I had a little water.” He could barely get the words out. They not only starved him, but withheld all water. His vision was constantly fuzzy, his body never regaining adequate healing ability.
Her sinister laugh sank all of Chayton’s hope to soften her. “I wasn’t talking about that kind of fun. Although,” she trailed her fingers over his mangled ball sac until he flinched and jerked against his binds, “I’m sure you’d be an admirable lover. Does that little Guardian know what this can do?”
He tried not to react, but his sluggish mental control wasn’t enough to keep him from tensing.
The female chuckled. “Oh yes, she does.” She sat back on her haunches. “Good. Then she’ll come for you. Your death will send a message to the Guardians that we’ll pick you all off one at a time.”
“The colony will stop you.”
Would she reveal anything? Would Chayton be alive to tell anyone?
Her guffaw bounced off the trees. “The colony is next. Mato rules with an iron fist. Or should I say an iron mind?” Her face twisted in a sneer. “That bastard controls everyone with a thought.”
He frowned, which in his state meant his mouth only twitched. He knew Mato’s ability was some sort of mental influence, but Chayton had underestimated it. Mato had never used it on him. Chayton had wanted him to when he was younger and testing out his abilities. A good thing he hadn’t. Mato had known a young and brash Chayton would’ve turned it around on him to see how far he could take it. The fallout of doing that to a leader might’ve gotten his family kicked out, or worse.
Could Mato be that strong to alienate his own people? Rogues weren’t known to be individuals one could reason with. As the madness set in, it amplified baser drives like entitlement, resentment, anger. It was hard to say if they became rogues because of Mato, or in spite of him.
“Why didn’t you go to the Guardians?” The words almost stuck around his drying tongue and parched throat.
“Guardians? Why didn’t we notify them?” she clarified. When he managed to nod his head, she rolled her eyes to the treetops. “Seriously? When everyone knew you, a Guardian, were influenced into mating his daughter?”
Influenced? Chayton groaned. Keeping his ability under wraps must have fooled everyone in thinking he was susceptible to Mato, too. It might still be useful if the rogues tried to use any of theirs on him. If they had any useful abilities. Chayton hadn’t seen them display anything. Their main talent right now was insanity.
“I’m tired of talking.” The female flipped up a blade and grinned wickedly.
Chayton sighed and ignored her. The pain would start soon enough. He gazed through the trees towering over him. A white speck drifted down to land on his cheek, followed by anoth
er.
Snow. An inhale told him nothing about the weather. His senses were shot until he could recover fully. More flakes dotted his face, his bare abdomen. He welcomed the cold until the blade cut a line of fire into his stomach.
***
Kaitlyn surged over a crest and leaped to tuck and roll down the countryside. Sweat dampened her shirt, but the early winter air cooled her off. The weather was as warm as it was going to get in late afternoon this time of year.
She batted snow out of her eyes. How much of the white stuff were they going to get? Like any shifter, she could sense major weather events, but her concentration wasn’t on the atmosphere. Any more snow and the ground would get slippery for her, a factor she hadn’t planned for. Grimly, she figured she could always shift if needed.
Cian trailed them. Would she ever tell anyone the ancient was her father? For fuck’s sake, she even had a sister.
Kaitlyn’s lungs burned as she ascended another steep incline. She’d made up her mind to look up her half-sister and hope she wasn’t a bitch. On the hunt for rogues after learning she was officially dumped before she even formed a relationship with her mate had showed her what she was in for if she didn’t use her support system. Turning out like the rogues she hunted, her mind descending into a feral state, was not an option. But she had her pack and that was it. It’s not like she could approach her human aunt and uncle. But she had a shifter sibling and father. That meant she needed to allow Cian into her life and pray he didn’t go crazy and kill her.
She reached the top. The shifters accompanying her spread out to each side and jumped. The ground was wet enough to kick her feet out from under her. She twisted and rolled with it, comfortable with her agility, grateful to save face in front of the males.
I smell him, Des announced. The ancient’s senses were more acute than hers.
It started with a faint taint to the air. Chayton’s blood and pain. Several more steps and she ran into a cloud of his torment.
No matter how he’d hurt her with his rejection, he didn’t deserve that much torture. At least his death didn’t linger in the air.
Fall back, she ordered.
The wolves stumbled to a stop. Mato, no surprise, had the hardest time listening to her.
The snow will help mask our scent. Kaitlyn tasted the air. Mato and Des, circle to the right and keep low. We don’t know if all three of them are in one spot. Trevon, you’re with me.
Kaitlyn trusted Des to keep Mato in line. The ancient deferred to Mato, but she suspected it was only because he didn’t care otherwise. With Chayton in danger, Des would make sure Mato didn’t fuck it up.
She glanced at Trevon. His tongue lolled out from the exertion, but he gave her a solemn nod. No wonder Mato trusted him. Kaitlyn barely knew him and she trusted him, too.
Move out. She trotted in the opposite direction of the other two. Chayton’s scent grew stronger. Sounds of fornication filtered through the trees, the smell of sex filled the air. She drew in a sharp breath. No, nothing but blood from Chayton.
They’re going to be distracted. She blew snowflakes off her face. It was coming down heavier now. Getting stranded the forest would hinder them, but they’d have the advantage as shifters, as long as injuries were at a minimum.
Kaitlyn withdrew the gun at her hip. The heft felt weird, but it was Chayton’s weapon. Using it felt intimate. A pang of regret hit her, but she pushed it out of her mind. If this mission went well, she’d have her whole long life to regret letting things go too far with Chayton.
We have eyes on them. Des sounded serious, but she could determine nothing else. One male and the female are copulating against a tree in human form. I can’t see Chayton yet.
Hold your position until we find Chayton. Trevon and I will keep going.
We can take them out now, Mato growled.
And the third rogue can gut Chayton and carve out his heart, Kaitlyn retorted. Hold your position.
A fading rumble was the only acknowledgement she got from him.
Trevon looked back at her over his shoulder. She motioned for him to swing out further to widen their search.
It worked. Chayton’s scent was stronger, but weaker at the same time. Kaitlyn hadn’t experienced a dichotomy like that: his blood and pain surrounded her, but his naturally strong life force was draining from constant abuse.
I see him. Trevon stopped behind a tree trunk and crouched down. He’s been drawn and not quite quartered. A male stands over him, waiting.
Weapons?
He’s armed with blades and guns.
Kaitlyn swore to herself. They were probably hers from the lake, dammit. Cian hadn’t dragged them in and she assumed she’d get back to recover them. She hoped they jammed.
Two more males and a female sit in a circle behind him, naked and ready to shift.
Shock choked her. What?
Mato and Des both cursed through their mental connection.
I thought you said there were only three, Mato accused.
And I told you that they were getting help from your colony. Fuck. Kaitlyn ran the odds. She and Trevon could take out the most immediate threat to Chayton. But fighting four more? Mato and Des would take care of their two rogues within minutes and race to help, but what damage would be done in between?
Guess she’d find out. I’ll take out the sentry over Chayton with a silver-laced bullet. Trevon, as soon as I shoot, you charge and I’ll cover. When I pull the trigger, I’ll signal you and Des. Incapacitate them and find us. We’ll take care of the fallen after they’re all subdued.
She bent to loosen her boots, then unhooked her shirt. She had a feeling she’d end up getting furry before the night was over.
I think you should strip altogether.
She shot a sharp look at Trevon, but his tone was respectful, professional. Loose clothing will only be a detriment.
Shifters ran warmer, but undressing in the cold didn’t promise a pleasant experience. With stealth, she undid all her weapons and gently placed them on the ground. Next, her clothes came off. She’d never undressed so quietly and that included the times when she was a teenager and snuck guys into her room.
Retrieving Chayton’s gun that she’d loaded with the deadly bullets, she calmed her thoughts. Step-by-step, she moved soundlessly through the snow closer to Trevon. Cold snow covered her feet, but her stress-filled veins kept them from going numb.
Nothing’s changed, he spoke to her mentally. They’re joking about what they’ve done to Chayton and taking bets on who can cut his heart out.
Kaitlyn shivered. She’d sever their arms before they got close to his heart. As she crept closer, the scene came into view.
She swallowed the growing lump in her throat. There wasn’t a section of skin on Chayton not covered in blood. Including his bare scalp. So, they had sought to humiliate him, too. A great majority of the blood centered on his genitals.
Rowdy laughter drew her attention to the nude group behind the prisoner.
“I say we castrate him for real,” one male called.
The rogue standing over Chayton shook his head. “We want his balls to grow back so we can keep slicing them open. We filleted his junk twice now.”
The female spit. “I say cut his lips off. I’d love to never see that arrogant smirk again.”
“Nah,” the male replied, “we’ll save the lip job for Mato.”
They were distracted. She raised her weapon and put the male with the knife in her sights. Slow breath in. Snowflakes landed on her nose; she blinked them off her lashes, ignored the chill in the air and on her feet. Slow exhale. Pause at end of breath, add pressure to the trigger.
She released the mental command. Go.
The gun fired.
Right between the eyes. The rogue dropped.
The other three jumped up, but Kaitlyn had already sighted on one of the males. Before he shifted, she felled him, too.
Trevon charged the remaining two. Echoing snarls met his. The two other shift
ers ignored Chayton, which worked in Kaitlyn’s favor.
She took aim, but Trevon had moved into the line of fire. Shit. The gun hit the ground, Kaitlyn flowed into her wolf, embraced the kick of heat it gave her, and took off.
Trevon engaged the female. The male was in a midair leap onto Trevon’s back when Kaitlyn hit him from the side. They both thudded to the ground and skidded on the snow-touched surface. She couldn’t spare a glance at Trevon, but the female was yelping and he was growling. A good sign that his jaws were engaged.
Kaitlyn rolled and sprang to all fours, but the male beat her. He lunged and clamped his jaws around her neck. She snarled at the stabbing fire of his fangs and shook her head, spinning to throw him off balance. It wasn’t her quick reflexes that made him lose his footing but the slick ground.
Kaitlyn tumbled with the male, but twisted the other direction. He disengaged, but a hunk of her flesh went with him. She let out a yelp. Her blood joined the cloud of copper in the air. She whirled on the male. He was almost back to standing. She attacked, but slid on the pool of blood gathering under her.
The male bared his fangs as if laughing at her. She snapped out a paw and gouged his side. Instead of jerking back, he leaned into her hit. Her claws dug deeper, but he got closer. If he was going to play that game, she would, too. Flinging out another paw, she slammed her claws into his hide and tugged him close. He couldn’t fight the Velcro effect of her grip. Her hind feet sliced into his belly. He howled and buckled over. She pulled him close, avoided his snapping jaws, and closed her jaw around his neck.
Warm blood seeped around his fur into her mouth. She rabbit-kicked him again with her hind legs while sawing her jaw back and forth for the greatest damage possible. They pushed and skidded over the ground. Her back rammed against a tree trunk; she used it for leverage. The male couldn’t quit slipping, his movements growing weaker.
Kaitlyn! I can’t move.
Ancient Ties (Pale Moonlight (Wolf Shifters Romance) Book 2) Page 11