Текст книги "Savage Awakening"

Автор книги: J. Tyler

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

But he controlled it, barely, and began to take her in unhurried but powerful strokes. The slap of their slick skin drove him crazy, and her channel clasping, squeezing his rod sent him to the edge in minutes.

“I’m not going to last,” he warned her.

“Me, either. Please, do me hard!”

He increased the tempo some, but mostly the force, putting even more strength behind the strokes. Enough to send them both into ecstasy, but not enough to harm her.

Her orgasm hit suddenly and she cried out, undulating on his cock, milking him. His own release was explosive and he came endlessly, hard and deep. Just like she’d wanted.

All too soon they were spent and he pulled out carefully, placing a gentle kiss between her shoulder blades. “Thank you, sweetheart. You were incredible.”

“So were you.” Turning, she gave him a blazing kiss. When he pulled back, he couldn’t help but stare, awed by her beauty. And right then, the truth hit him like a bolt—he wasn’t just losing his life by not claiming Rowan.

He was losing a special woman, one who would’ve made him the happiest bastard alive.

If only things had been different.

Twelve

Rowan was sitting by Micah’s bed, holding his hand and reading aloud to him from Jim Butcher’s latest book about PI wizard Harry Dresden’s adventures, when it happened.

“Hey, Ro,” a voice croaked.

The book fell from her nerveless fingers and she raised her eyes, looking straight into Micah’s. “Oh, my God! You—you’re awake! You’re back!”

“I’m back? Where’d I go?” He smiled tiredly, looking more than a little confused.

“You were hurt,” she answered carefully. “Don’t you remember?”

His handsome face scrunched, the scar tissue from the burn pulling on the left side as he thought hard. Thankfully he hadn’t noticed it yet, but he would. She wasn’t looking forward to his reaction.

“I… We were sent out—wait, where am I?”

“At the Alpha Pack compound. You’re safe, sweetie. Nick and the others rescued you.”

“From where? Who’s Nick?” He began to appear alarmed. “You know about Alpha Pack?”

Sensing his mounting anxiety, she stroked his hair. “One thing at a time, honey. Yes, I know about your team and what you guys do. How you eliminate rogue demons and different kinds of creatures, all of it. You can guess how fun that was for a nonbeliever like me.” The humor was lost on him.

He took a long moment to digest this, studying his lap. When he finally looked at her again, his expression was one of quiet dread. He spoke with difficulty, his voice raspy from disuse. “We were sent to an abandoned building, to rescue some hostages from vampires, I think. Then it’s just a blank. Where’s Terry? Is everyone okay?”

Her heart turned over, aching for his loss. “From what I was told, that op was a setup and you were all ambushed. Sweetie, Terry and some of the other guys are most likely dead. I’m so sorry.”

“I– What? That doesn’t make sense. How… Oh, God.” He sank into the pillows, seeming so young and vulnerable. Nothing like the tough warrior she knew him to be. He was scared and he had no idea what was going on. She let him process it all.

He went on. “Who is Nick?” he repeated.

“Nick Westfall. He’s your new commander. Everyone really respects him and from what I gather, he’s fit right in very well in the time he’s been here.”

“How much time? I mean, he couldn’t have replaced Terry in just a few days.”

“Micah, the ambush was more than six months ago,” she said softly.

“But… where have I been? What happened to me?”

Her brother honestly didn’t remember. Christ help them all, how were they supposed to get him healed with him blocking the whole thing? But his mind slamming the door on the horror was likely the only reason he was awake and communicative now.

“You were held in several different buildings, labs where this guy Orson Chappell, CEO of NewLife Technology, and his band of merry lunatics are doing experiments on shifters and humans, merging their DNA. Does any of this ring a bell?”

He thought for a time, shook his head. “No.” His brown eyes were shadowed, though, and she wondered whether his brain was struggling to keep the events suppressed.

With a sigh, she gave him the rundown of events over the past few months, without going into details about what was done to his body by those insane bastards. It might do more harm than good to tell him what he’d suffered before he was ready to hear it. She’d have to talk to the doctors. When she was finished, he lay there exhausted. Thinking, she could tell.

“So, since I survived, Terry and the others might still be alive somewhere, waiting for rescue,” he said hopefully.

“Maybe, but nobody knows. I’m not sure whether it’s cruel to hope that’s true or not.”

Licking his lips, he glanced at the plastic pitcher and cup on the nightstand. “Can I have some water?”

“Sure.” She patted his arm. “Be right back.”

Taking the pitcher, she found Noah leaning over a counter looking at a chart. “Good news—Micah’s awake.”

He turned with a bright smile. “That’s great! I’ll get him some water and then let the doctors know. Give me a minute.”

“Thanks.”

She went back to her brother’s room to wait. Neither of them spoke until Noah walked in carrying the pitcher.

“Here you go,” he said cheerfully. “Micah, it’s good to see you awake! We’ve all been worried, but you’re on the road to recovery. You’re going to be fine. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks,” he said hoarsely, trying to return a small smile. But the skin on his cheek pulled again, making the effort lopsided. “How are you, kid?”

“I’m good. Just small sips, okay?”

The nurse poured a half cup of water and placed a straw in it, then held it out while Rowan helped her brother sit up. He took more than he was told, faster than he should, and Noah removed the straw, placing the cup on the counter.

“Don’t guzzle it or you’ll get sick,” the nurse warned.

Nodding, Micah reached up to wipe his mouth. His fingers grazed the left corner where the puckered skin began, and Rowan held her breath. Frowning, he let the pads of his fingers explore his cheek, over the rough terrain to the bridge of his nose. Then down where it curved under his jaw. She and Noah shot each other a worried look.

“What the hell is wrong with my face?” he asked, panic creeping into his voice, eyes wide. “What is this?”

Rowan cleared her throat. “You were injured. There’s a scar, but it doesn’t look too bad.”

“I want a mirror.”

“I think we should wait—”

“There’s no we. It’s my face and I want a damned mirror!”

Rowan gave Noah a desperate look, and he stammered, “I—I’ll get one. And I’ll see what’s keeping Dr. Grant and Dr. Mallory.”

Hurry. Her brother was becoming more agitated, hands fisting in the sheets, glancing around the room, eyes a little wild. She couldn’t handle a repeat of when he’d leapt off the bed and attempted to tear out her throat. He didn’t even remember doing it, which was scary.

“Micah, calm down. Please. You don’t want the doctors to be forced to give you a sedative again, do you?”

“I don’t want to sleep. I just want to know what’s wrong with me.”

But he kept picking at the sheets, at the tape on his hand holding the IV in place. Feeling his scar. After what seemed an eternity, but was probably only a couple of minutes, Mac and Melina walked in, trailed by Noah. All were wearing neutral expressions. Mac was carrying a handheld mirror, the large round type one might find in a beauty shop—or a hospital, when a patient wants to look at an injury.

Mac moved to her brother’s bedside and gave him a broad, genuine smile. “It’s so good to see you awake. Do you know who I am?”

Rowan knew she was testing how “awake” and “present” he really was, checking for areas of concern.

“Of course I do.” He tried again to smile, but couldn’t quite manage it. “How are you, Mac? Pretty as ever, I see.”

She laughed. “Always the charmer. How long have you been awake?”

He looked to Rowan uncertainly, so she answered. “No more than ten minutes.”

“Ah.” Mac gestured to Melina. “Well, before we do anything else, Dr. Mallory and Noah are going to check your vitals, make sure you’re still physically doing well. Then we’ll get to the other stuff, all right?”

“Sure.”

“Micah, it’s good to see you back in the land of the living,” Melina said kindly.

“Thanks. Hey, you cut off your long hair.”

Melina’s smile was strained. “I did. It just got in the way, so I went into town one day and had it whacked off.”

“When we find Terry, he’ll want you to grow it back,” Micah said softly. “He loves it long.”

Everyone fell silent for a moment. Rowan knew he was just trying to offer hope in his own way, and apparently from her expression Melina did, too.

“I know. Thank you.” She got down to business. “Okay, just relax.”

Rowan moved into a corner by the window, out of the way, and watched. Noah took Micah’s blood pressure as Melina shone a light into his eyes, checking the dilation of his pupils. Then she had him squeeze her fingers and checked some other reflexes.

“What’s your full name and birth date?”

“Micah Lee Chase. October 4, 1979.”

They went through some other simple questions, like when he’d joined Alpha Pack, what his job entailed, who was president of the United States. He answered them all with no more than the normal thoughtful pause in between, passing with flying colors. Until Melina addressed the most recent events.

“Micah, do you remember your rescue, or anything since you were brought here?”

“I… No, it’s all a blank.” His brows furrowed. “Was I ever awake? I must’ve been, or why would you ask?”

“You awoke several times, but you weren’t yourself.” Melina paused, but obviously decided not to mince words. “The first time, you shifted into your wolf form, leapt out of the bed and attacked your sister.”

“What?” He glanced at Rowan, and the rest of them, stunned. “I would never hurt Ro!”

“Like I said, it wasn’t really you,” the doctor replied gently. Despite her rigid demeanor, Rowan noted she did have a soft heart when it came to her patients. “You were hurt, in pain and traumatized, and your wolf was only protecting himself and you from further injury.”

“I went nuts is what you’re saying.” Collapsing back, he stared at the ceiling. “I attacked my own sister. This is so fucked up.”

Melina pulled up a chair and sat. “Micah, you’re going to get better, and we’re going to help you. But first we need to know what you remember from the time you were taken up until your rescue.”

Again, he appeared to try hard to remember. His frustration was evident as he sighed and buried a hand in his hair. “Not a damned thing. It’s all a blank, like one minute I was with the Pack and we were about to hit the building where some vampires were holding hostages, and the next I wake up and Ro is here—six months later? And half of us are maybe dead? God.”

Melina appeared shaken. Understandable when one of the men believed dead was her mate. “Yes, and I’m sorry. More than you know. But right now our priority is to get you healed, inside and out.”

“I want to see my face,” he demanded stubbornly.

After hesitating, Melina agreed. “Okay. Dr. Grant.”

Mac handed him the mirror. He took it with the hand not encumbered by the IV and heaved a deep breath. Lifted it and stared for endless moments at his reflection. Then slowly his hand began to tremble. And then shake until his fingers lost their grip and the mirror landed in his lap. Mac retrieved it and gave it over to Noah, who hovered anxiously.

“I’m a freak,” he whispered. “I’m a goddamned fugly son of a bitch.”

“No! You’re not. You’re still handsome and—”

“Why? Why would anybody do that to me?”

The explosion Rowan feared didn’t come, but the quiet anguish was worse somehow. His chin dipped to his chest and his shoulders started to shake. She hurried forward, nudging Mac aside, gathering her brother in her arms. “I don’t know why anyone would hurt such a wonderful, beautiful man as you,” she choked out. “I wish I could kill them all for you.”

He clung to her as he’d done when they were kids, wrapped his arms around her and hung on. She hated what he’d been through, how thin he’d become. His tears soaked the front of her T-shirt.

“How did it happen? What did they do to me, Ro?”

“Sweetie, I don’t think—”

“Tell me.”

She cast a look at Melina on the other side of the bed, silently begging for help with the subject. Melina gave a quick nod, indicating that she’d take over. Rowan eased back from Micah and he gave the doctor his attention, wiping his eyes.

“The damage to your face, and the fact that the skin scarred the way it did, suggests your captors poured hot silver on you.”

“So it’s going to stay this way?” he asked with a catch in his voice.

“I’d say it’s highly probable, yes. There is a chance that with our advances in healing various types of shifters something could eventually be done, but it’s beyond our capabilities at this time.”

“What else?”

“What do you mean?”

“What else did they do to me? I want to know everything.”

“We don’t know everything your body was physically put through, and we may never know. Even if your memory returns, you might not be clear on certain things. We have ascertained that you were tortured, extensively. There were also incisions to your torso and groin, indicative of experimentation. What this group hopes to gain is to create a breed of super-shifters.”

“Ro filled me in on this Orson Chappell guy and his operation, and that there’s a Seelie prince living here now whose father is probably this guy’s boss.”

“That’s right.”

There was a heavy silence before her brother spoke again, bitterness creeping in. “Finish. I know there’s something else you’re chewing on.”

“I think,” she said slowly, “that some memories are best left to resurface in the patient’s own time. When a person is ready, they’ll remember.”

“You don’t think I’m ready?”

“It’s early days and you have a long road ahead before you’re ready to rejoin the team.”

“I’m a head case. I get it. Doesn’t matter. I want to know what I’m up against so I can deal with it, or I’m going to go even more nuts trying to figure out what you’re all hiding.” His gaze encompassed everyone in the room.

Mac moved close, gripped his hand, and took over from her colleague. “All right. I can see this is going to hurt just as much if we keep it from you.” Rowan could see how Mac struggled with the decision to tell him. Even a doctor sometimes didn’t know what the best course of action was, psychologist or not.

“Micah… you were raped. I’m so sorry.”

He stared at her, uncomprehending at first. Then the shock bled in, the expression of a man who’d just watched his house burn down, or witnessed the death of a loved one. In a way, perhaps it was a death of sorts. The demise of any remaining innocence the soul might’ve clung to all those years, writhing and screaming on the ground.

“Once?” he rasped. “Just once, right?”

Rowan couldn’t see what difference once or a bunch of times made to a man who couldn’t remember, but it mattered to Micah.

“Tests suggest ongoing sexual abuse. But you’re physically healed now,” Mac emphasized. “As for mentally, you’re going to be all right. We’ll get you there.”

“You guys keep saying that, like I’m ever going to be normal again.” His laugh was painful, on edge.

“You will be. You arenormal—”

He cut Melina off. “I’ll never be anything but fucked up!” His voice rose to a shout and he bolted upright, yanking at his IV. “Why bother with all of this? I’m ugly, tainted inside and out! What the fuck does anything matter?”

“Micah, calm down,” Melina ordered. She and Mac grabbed his arms, and Rowan pushed his chest, pinning him to the bed.

“Micah, stop!”

“Fuck you!” he screamed. “Let go of me!”

“Noah,” Melina called. “Reach in my right pocket and get that sedative into his IV.”

The wide-eyed nurse leapt forward to do as the boss said, retrieving the syringe while the three of them struggled to hold Micah still. Noah hustled to grab the spout attached to the IV tube, yanked the cap off with his teeth, and inserted the needle into the tiny hole. Clear liquid flowed into the line and by the time the last of the medicine went in, Micah’s struggles were already becoming weaker. One minute max, and he slumped, eyelids drooping.

“No. Please…” Then drifted closed.

He was out. They released him and Rowan studied her brother, overwhelming love and grief clogging her throat. His entire body was lax, his torment washed away, albeit temporarily, by a drug-induced sleep.

This wasn’t fair. To Micah, to the missing ones who might still be suffering. None of it. Her brother was such a good man. He didn’t deserve this.

Turning, she fled the room. Outside, she leaned against the wall and slapped a hand over her mouth, fighting to win the battle over the tears threatening to spill. She succeeded, but it was a near thing.

The trio inside filed out, and Melina spoke softly to the nurse. He hurried away, and the two women faced her, prepared to give their best rah-rah speech. Rowan wasn’t in the mood to listen, but she did, anyway. Micah’s welfare was at stake.

“You know he’s going to be all right,” Mac said. “We won’t accept anything less than his full recovery.”

“I know, and I appreciate that. But you saw him in there—the only reason he didn’t shift again was probably because of the drugs.”

“Maybe so, but honestly, he handled the conversation better than I expected. Don’t you think?” she asked Melina.

“I agree. It could’ve been much worse.”

“I don’t see how, so I’ll have to trust you both.” She sighed, regaining some control of her raging emotions. “What happens now? Will you continue the sedatives?”

“In low doses,” Melina answered, “just to keep him calm and suppress his ability to shift until he’s mentally stable. We’ll wean him off as he shows real progress in his recovery. And before you ask, there’s no telling how long that could be. Months would be my professional guess, but that’s a shot in the dark.”

“Months. God, I have to go back to L.A. soon. How can I leave him like this?”

“He’ll be fine,” Mac assured her. “He’s got the whole team plus a bunch of staff looking out for him. The guys are in and out of here day and night checking on him, and when they find out he’s really awake, he’ll have tons of company. He won’t be left alone for extended periods of time, I promise.”

Damn, having to go was eating her up inside. And if she was honest, not just because of having to leave Micah.

Don’t go there.

“Then I guess I’ll have to hang on to that until I can get back here to see him.”

“When will you go?” Mac asked.

“In a couple of days. I took some vacation time in addition to my mandatory leave from the force, and it’s almost gone.” Belatedly, she realized they might not have heard why she was on leave from the LAPD. Then again, she hadn’t exactly kept it quiet and they didn’t ask for the story, so maybe word had gotten around.

“Make sure to say good-bye to us before you leave,” Melina said. “That way we can keep an extra close watch on your brother, make certain he’s handling your departure. I think he will, but it’s only a precaution.”

“I’ll stop by, no worries. Thanks for all you’re doing for him…” Damn it, she wouldn’t lose it. “Anyway, I’ll be back later.”

The walls were closing in. She had to get outside for a bit, and didn’t want to run into anyone. Not until she had herself under control. She exited through a side door and started walking, making sure to stay close to the building. If she was violating Nick’s “group of four” rule, well, he wasn’t her boss. It wasn’t like she could get fired.

Heading toward the back, she found herself standing at the edge of what Aric had said was the ball field. The grass was somewhat trampled, evidence that they weren’t all work and no play. Would Micah be well enough one day soon to join them in a game?

The thought of all he had to overcome was overwhelming to her; she couldn’t fathom how he must be feeling. Spinning around, she planned to head into the building again—and ran straight into a solid wall of muscle. A pair of hands steadied her, engulfing her shoulders, and she looked up, half-expecting to see Aric. Only this man was far too big and tall to be her lover.

“Hammer! I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” She stepped back, not out of fear or discomfort due to the man’s towering size, but simply so she could see him better. She could swear he’d been nowhere around just a second ago.

“That’s okay.”

His rare smile was blinding and she blinked. The huge bald man was truly stunning, the epitome of a beautiful, gentle giant. Especially with his usual reserve banished by a bright, welcoming smile. He sort of resembled Vin Diesel, only way hotter. And that was saying a lot.

“Did you… need something?”

“What?” He seemed startled from some deep thought. “Oh, not really. I spotted you through the window of the rec room and wanted to make sure you weren’t alone. I’m not sure if Nick’s rule applies this close to the building, but I wanted to, um, keep you company.”

The way he said it, kind of shy, was so sweet. The typically reticent man didn’t usually have much to say, but his quiet demeanor obviously hid a big heart.

“Thanks, Hammer.”

“John.”

“I’m sorry?”

“My name. It’s John,” he said softly.

“Oh, wow. That’s a great name,” she said, studying him. “Big John. I love it!”

“Thanks.” He actually blushed, and suddenly seemed fascinated by his tennis shoes.

“You know, the guys are all betting your name is something really nerdy or embarrassing. And here you have a strong, solid name that suits you so well.” She leaned forward. “But why’d you tell me?”

He shrugged. “You’re a cop, and you’re Micah’s sister. I know I can trust you. I feel it here,” he said, placing a plate-sized palm over his gut.

She was beyond touched. “Thank you. Your secret is safe with me. After all, we wouldn’t want to upset the betting pool, would we?” He laughed quietly. As she watched him, gave the man some thought, the pieces began to fit together. “You joined the team with Nick six months ago.”

“Yeah.”

“He said you were in the FBI together. You were undercover, weren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You were deep inside and you got made, didn’t you?” she asked, gauging his reaction to see if she was right. He tensed, looked into her eyes, and she knew before he spoke.

“They made me, the group of terrorists I helped take down. After the job was done and the lot of them were arrested, they figured out I was an agent, learned my real name. Mine got erased, and I didn’t bother to pick a new one. If I don’t exist, why do I need some name on paper?”

“True. So who coined the nickname Hammer? Or did you make it up?”

“No, Nicky did, by accident. When we first met, he said my fists were as big as the business end of a sledgehammer. The short version stuck.”

“Well, that’s true, too, but I still prefer John.” She winked. “I won’t spill it in front of anyone.”

“Say, I was wondering…”

The big man faltered, and stared over her head into the forest. Not because he saw anything dangerous or interesting out there. He had that look on his face men sometimes did when they were about to—

Uh-oh.

He cleared his throat, and tried again. “I thought maybe, before you head back to Los Angeles, I could, um, take you to dinner sometime? If you wanted. I mean, nothing serious. I just think you’re really cool and well, sexy and– Crap, I’m totally messing this up.”

Oh, God. How sweet was that? There was just one problem. A big, snarky redheaded one.

“You’re not messing anything up,” she assured him. Lord, how to let him down without hurting his feelings? “It’s just that I’ve already sort of been seeing someone. Not that it’s serious, but I don’t think—”

“Damn.” He smiled ruefully. “Should’ve figured, considering how much time you’ve spent together. But I thought maybe there was an outside chance for me, since he won’t claim– Never mind.”

“Won’t claim what?”

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.” Now he seemed anxious to drop the subject.

Sweeping the man with her gaze from head to toe, she came very, very close to accepting his dinner invite. However, wonderful as he seemed, the temptation was fleeting. In fact, the idea of being with a man who wasn’t Aric made her stomach hurt. It was an actual physical reaction that was troubling, how her entire being rejected the mere suggestion of getting close to another male.

Oh, God. I don’t want any man but Aric.

“I don’t really understand what’s going on with me and him,” she admitted. “I thought it was a simple out-of-town affair, as slutty as that sounds, but now? I don’t know. It’s more complicated than I thought if I can’t go out with someone as great as you.”

“It doesn’t sound slutty to me. Being alone sucks, you know? Sometimes it’s really nice to have someone, even if it’s not forever.” His expression grew wistful for a moment; then he shook himself. “Anyway, thanks for being honest. I’d thought maybe things were different with you two. At least I know it’s not me, and I’d never poach off one of my friends.”

“That’s good to hear, ’cause I’d hate to rip out your heart and eat it for a snack.”

Both of them faced Aric, who’d somehow come upon them without either of them noticing. He seemed mighty pissed, too. As she took in Hammer’s smile, she wondered if the big man hadn’t heard his friend approach.

“It’s all good, Red.” He waved a hand at Rowan. “You can’t blame a guy for trying to catch a gorgeous, smart, kick-butt woman, can you?”

Aric snorted. “Guess not. Just don’t let it happen again.”

“No prob. I’ll leave you two alone. Rowan, until later.” With a wink, he headed toward the building.

“I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings,” she said, frowning. “He’s a fantastic man.”

“Just how fantastic is he?” Stepping up, he wrapped both arms around her, pulled her flush against his over-warm body. “As good as this?”

His lips nibbled at hers and his tongue flicked gently, rather than swooping in for the searing, take-charge kiss he usually delivered. This one was no less dominant, but was… tender. Sweet and searching. Instead of a bolt of lightning, the tingle spread to her belly and toes like ripples on a beautiful pond, sparkling with light.

One of his hands cupped her cheek, and his thumb stroked her jaw as he deepened the kiss. He ate her mouth slowly, as though savoring her as long as possible, before drawing back. “My room?”

“Let’s go.” The words were out before she thought twice. The need to be with him was like an irresistible pull, so powerful a force it was useless to fight it. So she didn’t try, just for tonight.

Again, she thought of Hammer—no, John—asking her out, and mused over her refusal. Though she’d been tempted, there was really no question that she couldn’t have done it. The two men were as different as night and day; one a gentle giant, one all fire and tempest. John was very nice, but… the redhead called to her blood, challenged her, excited her as no man ever had.

For all his sarcasm and rough edges, most of it was a front. Aric was kind, and he cared almost too much. His guilt over Beryl had nearly killed him. He was loyal and loved his “brothers.” He’d stuck by Rowan through Micah’s recovery.

He was spontaneous and fun, too. She thought of their rendezvous outside the Grizzly and her libido heated. No man had ever taken her in public before, or at least in a place where anyone could’ve happened along. He made her feel alive, and he had a wicked sense of humor.

Aric had wrapped himself around her heart. And refused to let go.

The walk to his quarters was quick, and they burst inside stripping off their clothes. In his bedroom, he pushed her gently onto her back and moved over her like a blanket, alive and real. Her palms skimmed his back, mapped his muscles, his spine. When he brought the head of his cock to her opening and began to push inside, she opened, welcoming him. Sought the connection that was more than just physical, though she didn’t know what exactly that might be. It was the same mysterious thing that drew her to him time and again, a force bigger than the both of them.

Then she quit analyzing and let herself go, got lost in the thrust of his body, the way he danced over her gracefully. Stoked the fires higher. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she arched to meet him, taking him in as far as possible, kissing and licking the salty skin of his neck and chest. His chest rumbled, so obviously he liked her attentions. She kept it up, kneading the round globes of his ass as he made love to her.

And there could be no doubt—this was making love.

Right then, her heart trembled under an assault it had never experienced before. Hadn’t wanted to know. She wouldn’t name it, but it hung there in all its soul-shattering intensity, with the power to heal, to liberate.

Or to decimate.

“Oh, God, baby! I can’t stop,” he panted. He drove into her, picking up the pace.

“Don’t stop! Please, Aric! I need you!”

That sent him over the edge and he buried himself to the hilt, shouting his pleasure. Hot seed bathed her womb as she found her own release, clinging to him. Her lifeline in the storm.

The man she’d soon have to tell good-bye when she left for a city and a cold apartment that would no longer feel like home.

Not since a certain wolf and his family had gotten under her skin. And buried themselves in her heart.

The voice was noxious, like poison in his veins. Carbon monoxide in an enclosed space. A spike driven under a fingernail.

Kalen sat on his bed, head in his hands. Tried to shut out the intruder, but it was getting harder—no, almost impossible—to do. Even Nick with all his strength in foretelling the future couldn’t know what Kalen truly suffered. How bad the torment really was. The lure.

Nick had “seen” only a hint but couldn’t have guessed that the possible destruction of the entire Alpha Pack team—the world—rested on the shoulders of a young Sorcerer who’d never known love, or loyalty. That the Unseelie beast enjoyed exploiting that weakness. Had no idea that Kalen was losing ground every day in his battle against the darkness.

Because if Nick knew, Kalen would be dead already.

Without the pendant he was lost. His wards didn’t work on himself.