Alpha Hunter

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Bullets would likely be ineffective. We have weapons that can harm him, but we have to trap him first. That’s easier said than done. He’s fast and careful. If it were easy, he would be in custody.”

  “This isn’t personal. I just got back.” Her pain-filled gaze switched back to her sister. “Why are you sending me away again?”

  A sob escaped Tori and she pulled Angie into her arms. “I’m not sending you away. Blayne can explain it in more detail when you reach your destination.”

  “Nazerel knew where to find you,” Lor said, drawing Angie’s undivided attention for the first time. She wiggled out of Tori’s embrace and faced him. “That means he’s been listening in, perhaps even watching.”

  “You’re Lor, right? You’re the man in charge?”

  “I am. I’m also your sister’s—”

  “Lover,” Tori cut in. “We are lovers.”

  Lor looked at her with question in his eyes, then Blayne felt the faint ripple of a telepathic exchange. Why didn’t she want Angie to know they were soul-bonded mates? Wouldn’t Angie share her sister’s happiness?

  Just go with it, Lor advised. Tori insists knowing of our union will only upset Angie more.

  Blayne couldn’t imagine why that would be, but it was none of his business.

  Angie seemed oblivious to the undercurrent anyway as she latched on to her goal with laser focus. “I’m not a coward and I’m not completely helpless,” she spoke directly to Lor. “Give me a weapon and I’ll fight. I will not—”

  Lor flashed behind her and trapped her arms against her sides, lightly grasping her throat with his other hand. “And Nazerel is faster than I am.”

  Angie twisted out of Lor’s arms, ending up in the middle of the other three. “Why is this happening? I don’t want this…attention. Why did he pick me?”

  Tori reached for Angie, her need to comfort palpable.

  Rather than accept her sister’s embrace, Angie moved to Blayne and dropped her forehead onto his chest. For a startled moment he looked at Tori over Angie’s head. Was she just spiting her sister or did Angie really want his embrace? Feeling awkward just standing there, he slowly wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer to his body.

  Suddenly emotions burst from her in a gushing torrent. She clutched his back and sobbed into his shirt, trembling uncontrollably. He stroked her back and smoothed her hair, unable to do more than let the emotions run their course.

  Fury, frustration and pain contorted like wrestlers as they flowed into Blayne’s mind. Even minimized by the compressed link, the combination was staggering. The situation had inadvertently tapped into a deep well of past pain.

  “It’s okay, sweetness,” he whispered. “Everything is going to be okay.” Protectiveness surged within him. No one should have to bear this sort of sorrow alone. She’d turned to him for comfort and he was going to give it to her. He’d protect and pamper her, provide a safe place where she could heal. She might not realize it yet, but with one impulsive motion, she’d allowed him into her life. And until she no longer needed him, he was determined to stay there.

  Tori was obviously upset by her sister’s distress, so Lor pulled her into his arms. Soon she was sobbing nearly as loud as Angie.

  Females, Lor grumbled playfully.

  Blayne exchanged a helpless smile with his commander then buried his face in the softness of Angie’s hair.

  Chapter Two

  The staccato clatter of Sevrin’s high-heeled pumps echoed off the walls of the empty warehouse. Reminiscent of gunfire, the sound soothed her, helped her focus on what still needed to be done. Team South had vacated their house and Nazerel had verified that Allenton had no contact with anyone from teams East or West. Once the initial burst of anger had burned itself out, Sevrin had been able to admit that Allenton’s capture hadn’t been as devastating as she’d first thought. She’d intended to relocate the teams to different cities eventually anyway. This just forced her to make the move sooner than she’d planned. As for losing Allenton himself, one alpha hunter was as good as another. She would simply have to mate with Zach Westbrook or Darrian Eastman.

  Marat walked at her side, his long legs easily matching her agitated stride. “I’ve established a perimeter rotation, but I wasn’t sure where you wanted my men housed. I presume the crew’s quarters will be taken up with medical personnel.”

  They’d reached the stairwell, so Sevrin paused before descending. “I see no reason for the medical personnel to change their routine. They’ll just come here instead of commuting to my house. If they park on the back side of the building, their cars won’t be visible from the road. I’d rather have all the soldiers on hand in case anything goes wrong.”

  “What about Dr. Porffer?”

  She went to the landing halfway down the twisting flight of metal stairs, then pressed her hand over the scanner. The pad had been designed to blend with the concrete wall, so it was virtually undetectable to the naked eye. “Dr. Porffer needs to stay with her patient, so she’ll bed down in the infirmary. However, she’ll need access to the shower in your cabin.”

  “Easily arranged.”

  After confirming her identity, the scanner unlocked the door. Sevrin pushed the portal inward and moved onto a landing similar to the one she’d just vacated. A second set of metal stairs continued the descent on the opposite side of the wall. She paused at the railing to survey the chamber she only shared with her most trusted personnel.

  Marat moved up beside her and the door swung shut behind them. Her ship nestled in the middle of a large underground storage area. Ceiling panels could be retracted, allowing the ship to maneuver away from its subterranean hanger. From above, the panels looked like a massive parking lot. The only complication came if the parking lot was in use when the ship needed to depart. She was sole owner of the warehouse, so that hadn’t been a problem.

  With a higher level of technology than humans had achieved, the ship offered amenities not found anywhere else on Earth. Dr. Porffer and her research team had seemed almost relieved to be returning to the compact infirmary and tiny laboratories. Sevrin, on the other hand, had enjoyed the space and privacy her house had provided. Still, there was no point lamenting what couldn’t be changed.

  “Home sweet home,” Sevrin muttered as she turned toward the stairs.

  Falling into step behind her, Marat followed her onto the ship then melted into the shadows. It always amazed her that such a large man could move so soundlessly. He was her ever-present protector, a shield against external dangers, if not internal conflicts. Those she must battle on her own.

  The ship was divided into three decks, upper, central and lower. The upper deck contained the command center, while cabins, galley and cargo bays stretched out along the larger central deck. Engineering, the infirmary and both laboratories were situated on the lower deck. The entire ship was organized with an effortless flow that maximized its limited space.

  Sevrin found Dr. Porffer in the infirmary, studying images on a holodisplay Sevrin couldn’t begin to comprehend. The Team North deserter was restrained to a treatment table, despite his obvious sedation.

  “I’ve done it,” Porffer announced without tearing her gaze away from the images. “This is the illusive hormone, except it behaves more like a compound protein. I extracted it from his blood twenty minutes ago and already I can find no trace of it ever having existed anywhere in his body.”

  “What are you babbling about?” Sevrin nudged the doctor’s shoulder, drawing the other woman’s gaze to her. “Explain it in civilian terms. I’m not a microbiologist.”

  Porffer sighed and slipped her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. “The deserter was so battered and bloody, I didn’t recognize him at first. As I cleaned him up, I realized he was the hunter who attempted to bond yesterday. It was a long shot, but I decided to see if the bonding agent was still in his system.”

  “The bonding agent is what triggers metamorphosis in the females?”

 
“Their nanites also play a part, but reproducing the change is impossible without the bonding agent.” Porffer’s gaze drifted back to the holodisplay.

  Sevrin could almost hear the ideas churning inside the doctor’s mind. “Have you identified the bonding agent or not?”

  “I have, but I can’t figure out where it came from and synthesizing the compound will be nearly impossible without a larger sample.”

  The doctor was still too distracted to look away from the display, but understanding made Sevrin smile. “We already have their nanites. If you can synthesize this mysterious compound, we won’t need those irrational men.”

  A shockingly cruel smile parted Porffer’s lips and she finally looked at Sevrin. “They are chaotic and unpredictable. Today’s setback was unacceptable. Wouldn’t it be nice to eliminate them from the equation entirely?”

  “You have no idea.” The Shadow Assassins were a necessary evil or so she’d thought. If they could… Reality intruded on her flight of fancy. They’d yet to produce a successful transfer with the Shadow Assassins’ cooperation. How did Porffer hope to accomplish the ultimate goal with a synthesized version of the bonding agent? Still, she didn’t want to discourage the doctor from trying. Control was the key to success in any project and the hunters were almost impossible to control. “Keep with it. I would love to dial back the chaos in this project more than anyone.”

  * * * * *

  “Is this supposed to be funny?” Angie wiggled out of Blayne’s arms and looked around. They were back in the desert. She’d had less than ten minutes with her sister and then Lor flashed out of sight with Tori, and Blayne brought Angie here—wherever the hell “here” was.

  “This is a quick layover. Our destination is much farther away.” One corner of his mouth quirked and secrets shimmered in his silver-blue eyes.

  She crossed her arms over her chest and glared. Why did he have to be so damn cryptic?

  “I’ll explain everything, in minute detail, once we reach our destination.”

  Taking another step back, she unfolded her arms and widened her stance, instinctively preparing for a confrontation. “I told you to stay out of my mind. I will not—”

  “I’m not in your mind. Your annoyed expression said it all.”

  She wasn’t sure she believed him. She did have a terrible poker face. “Then tell me where we’re going.”

  “The name would mean nothing to you, but everything to Nazerel. Stop arguing with everything I say.”

  “I’m not arguing with everything you say, just the parts that piss me off.”

  He chuckled and turned to the side. “Then you’re easily angered.” Spreading his arms wide, he raised his face to the sun and closed his eyes.

  “What are…”

  Thunder rumbled in the distance as clouds materialized above their heads. She felt her jaw drop and barely managed to shut her mouth before lightning branched out across the sky. He could manipulate weather? But why—clouds shadowed the area all around them while sunlight hallowed the gloom. Then six bolts of lightning struck at exactly the same time. The ground shook and Angie gasped, holding out her arms as she struggled for balance.

  An opening formed in front of Blayne, rotating outward in a smoothly expanding circle. Angie pressed her hand over her pounding heart, awed and horrified by what she was seeing. He’d opened some sort of portal, just commanded it into being with the power of his mind.

  Her insides turned to Jell-O and her knees went weak. What had Tori gotten them into?

  Inside the opening colors swirled and stretched, blending into hypnotic patterns. Angie forced her gaze away from the spectacle and looked around. As before, there was nowhere to run and no one to help her. Did she even need help? Tori obviously trusted these men. She hadn’t been happy about the separation, but she’d done nothing to prevent it from happening.

  Blayne turned his head and lowered one arm. “Our host knows we’re coming. Let’s go.”

  “Go where and who the hell is our host?” She motioned toward the portal, hand trembling. “You expect me to go through that thing without any more explanation?”

  “I don’t expect you to do anything.” His expression grew stern, voice reflecting his frustration. “I’m offering you a safe place to plan your next move. If you want your life back, this is the only way.”

  “How do I know Nazerel is as much of a threat as you claim? Maybe he just doesn’t like you.”

  “Trust me or don’t. I won’t force you to go, but consider this. You are endangering everyone you care about by remaining on Earth.”

  There was no way Tori would have agreed to this unless the danger was real. Angie fueled her determination with the thought and moved closer to Blayne. “I don’t give my trust easily. Don’t screw this up.”

  Warmth melted his expression and brightened his gaze. “I won’t.” He took her by the hand and pulled her into his arms. “Hold on tight.”

  The warning seemed ridiculously insufficient as soon as they stepped into the portal. Even with his arms anchoring her to his chest, she felt as if her body were being torn apart by the momentum. Her hair whipped around her face and clutching his back still left her suspended in midair. It was terrifying and yet exhilarating, like a carnival ride on steroids.

  Gradually the rushing sensation slowed and she began to relax. Watching the streaking colors made her feel nauseous, so she buried her face in his throat. His hair tickled her check and he adjusted his arms, pulling her more snugly against his body.

  “You okay?”

  His voice barely penetrated the cacophony surrounding them. Rather than try to shout loud enough to be heard, she nodded. His scent filled her nose as the warmth of his body surrounded her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had someone to depend on, someone to protect and shelter her.

  She smiled against his skin, knowing he couldn’t see the expression. There was still so much she didn’t understand, so much she would need to learn, but her guide was certainly appealing.

  The painful roaring lessened, becoming crackling static and then a subtle hiss. She raised her head and blinked into the light, watching as shadows became shapes. Blayne moved forward, walking on air until the ground solidified beneath his feet. He loosened his hold and she slid down his body, standing on the ground as well.

  “Welcome to Bilarri.” He eased her back without letting go.

  Her legs trembled and her surroundings tilted as she fought for equilibrium. Green blurred with blue and she instinctively closed her eyes against the vertigo.

  “No. Keep your eyes open.” Blayne slipped his arm around her waist and held her steady. “Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will pass. I promise.”

  “First-time traveler?” The speaker’s deep voice was laced with humor and oddly accented.

  She tried to look at the newcomer, but moving her head renewed the spinning.

  “I’ll make the introductions once she recovers,” Blayne told the other man. “Would you please send for a beverage?”

  “Of course.”

  Blayne swept her up in his arms, causing Angie to gasp. “My legs are fine. It’s my head that’s gone all wonky.” His warm chuckle penetrated the dizziness and sent a tingle down her spine.

  “When’s the last time you ate anything?”

  “Awhile,” she grumbled. Unless she counted the bag of chips she’d bought with the last of her money, she hadn’t eaten since the night Jordan abandoned her.

  She only had a vague impression of trees, sunshine and a sky more green than blue, then Blayne carried her into a building and her vision began to clear. They passed through a cavernous entryway with three staircases leading to different parts of the house, or was it a hotel? Constructed of unpolished stone and exposed timbers the building was both rustic and elaborate.

  “Take her into the library. I’ll arrange a light repast.”

  Blayne turned into the library and Angie only caught a glimpse of the other man.
He appeared tall and lean with dark hair, but a more detailed impression would have to wait until he returned. Instead, she looked around, amazed by the timeless beauty of the room surrounding them. Floor-to-ceiling shelves crammed full of books dominated two walls while a massive stone fireplace was centered in another. The outer wall was made up almost entirely of windows and a large transparent door.

  A trestle table with six matching chairs had been arranged at one end of the rectangular room and a grouping of high-backed armchairs faced the fireplace. Blayne lowered her into one of the chairs, his gaze narrowed with concern. “You’re still really pale. Has the vertigo stopped?”

  “I’m fine. Stop hovering.” She shooed him away even though she’d enjoyed his embrace far more than she cared to admit. He straightened without retreating, obviously as determined to baby her as she was to reassert her independence. “Who is our host and where are we?”

  “This is Hautell. It’s the largest region on the planet of Bilarri.”

  He was right. The names didn’t mean anything to her.

  They were on another planet! The rest was incidental because her mind was still reeling from that fundamental fact.

  Beyond the windows stretched a breathtaking view of rugged mountains and towering trees. If it weren’t for the turquoise sky, she could almost pretend she was in Montana or Colorado. “Is the sky always this green?”

  “The Bilarrian sky is more reflective than the sky surrounding Earth. All the trees in Hautell make it appear green, near the ocean it’s sapphire blue, and over the San Adrin desert it takes on a golden cast. It’s really quite lovely.”

  She dragged her gaze away from the scenery and looked at Blayne. One side of his hair was tucked behind his ear, the other brushed against his cheek. The wavy fall drew her attention to his slashing cheekbones and the sensual fullness of his lips. She knew how those lips felt as they moved over hers, hungry and demanding, yet soft. She generally preferred her men clean-shaven, but his goatee fit his style so well, she’d let it slide.

  Clearing her throat, she forced her gaze back to his eyes. “Are we close to Ontariese? Why didn’t you take me to your homeworld?”