Текст книги "Savage Awakening"

Автор книги: J. Tyler

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

Fifteen

Somewhere, a bird was chirping.

No, not a bird. But it was insistent, and pulled him back to consciousness. Aric opened his eyes and fumbled for whatever damned thing was making noise, chirping and buzzing on his nightstand. And of course, in his groggy state, knocked the device onto the floor. His cell phone, he realized.

“Fuck.”

It was still night, and by the bedside clock, three twenty in the morning. Who the hell would call him at this hour? Leaning over the side of the bed, he groped for the phone. Lost his balance and landed on the carpeted floor with a thud.

A sizzling noise reached his awareness, and slowly it dawned on him that the sound was coming from the floor, where his palms and knees were braced on the carpet. An acrid smell reached his nostrils. What the hell?

Smoke. The carpet, smoldering.

Lunging for the lamp he switched it on and blinked, clearing his vision. The carpet was singed and blackened where he’d been kneeling.

“Shit!” Unreal. He was about to set his goddamned apartment on fire.

Scrambling into his bathroom, he sat on the tile, panting. He’d never been this freaking hot since he’d developed his gift as a Firestarter. In fact, he was burning up. Literally. Sweat rolled down the sides of his face, down his chest and spine. God, it was so hard to breathe. And his canines ached with the need to claim the woman who was hundreds of miles away, sleeping soundly. Unless that had been her calling?

Before he could check his phone, he had to try to get cooled off. Pushing himself up, he staggered to the shower and turned the water on cold. Climbed inside and leaned against the tile, facing the spray, watching the droplets hit his skin, then hiss and sizzle. At first he relished the cold water. It felt so good.

Then the soothing effect seemed to wear off. He was so hot he could barely draw in air. His knees gave out and he collapsed onto the floor of the shower stall, barely able to raise his head. Without his mate, his so-called gift had finally turned against him.

“Oh, God.” Help me.

But there would be no reprieve this time. To ease the pain, he imagined Rowan’s sexy face, how gorgeous she’d looked as he made love to her. How lost in the pleasure of their bodies joined.

At least he’d gotten to say good-bye, if only in their dreams.

Nick surfaced from sleep, wondering if he’d heard his cell phone—how long ago? He wasn’t sure. Middle of the night calls never boded well, and he had a feeling he should check. Wasn’t like he’d get more sleep if he ignored it. So he rolled over and grabbed the thing off his nightstand.

One call, from Rowan at three fifteen. It was three twenty-five now. Gut clenching, he turned on the lamp and pressed the button to play her message.

Nick, it’s Rowan. I know it’s after three in the morning, but I have this bad feeling something’s wrong with Aric. I had this dream and—well, it’s stupid, but call me back anyway when you get this message. Doesn’t matter what time. ’Bye.

Cursing, he jumped out of bed, completely awake now. Foreboding slithered through him and he knew this was no false alarm. Quickly, he threw on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and stuck his feet in his tennis shoes without bothering with socks. Then he jogged from his quarters down the hallway to Aric’s room, pausing only long enough to pound on Jax’s door.

The man opened a long minute later, wearing boxers, smoothing his goatee and peering blearily at Nick. “Boss, what the fuck?”

“I think something’s wrong with Aric. I need your help.”

Jax came awake, eyes wide. “Give me twenty seconds.”

“Tell Kira to go get Mac and Melina,” he called after Jax.

In no time the RetroCog was back. “Kira’s throwing on some clothes. They’ll be right behind us. Think we should get Zan?”

“Good idea.”

One more stop, and the three of them were running down the hall to Aric’s room. Time was of the essence. He felt the urgency, pressing down. He didn’t bother to knock but punched in his override code to access the door. Then he ran, his men behind him.

The sound of the shower relieved him, but only for a moment. There were no splashing noises, like someone taking a shower. Just a steady stream. No other sounds.

Then he yanked open the stall door and saw why. Aric was sprawled naked on the floor, unconscious. Dark auburn hair streamed over his face, stuck to his chest. Steam rose from his body as the water hit, fogging the glass.

“Jesus Christ,” Zan cried, jumping in. He turned off the water and placed a palm on his friend’s chest. “He’s fucking burning up, from the inside out. I can’t—God, I can’t heal this. His temperature is out of control.”

Jax tossed in a large towel. “Wrap that around him. Can you carry him without getting burned?”

“Yeah, I can neutralize the heat, as long as he doesn’t burst into flames.”

It was a distinct possibility. Nick watched as Zan tucked the towel around Aric’s middle, then grasped him under his knees and behind his back, lifting his friend into his arms. Aric’s head lolled back, lashes dark against his pale cheeks.

Goddamnit, they were going to lose him—unless they got Rowan here, fast.

They met the women in the corridor, and the group hurried toward the infirmary. When they got there, a rumpled-looking Noah met them, obviously having been dragged from his bed as well. Mac stopped Nick from following Zan into the room where they were getting Aric settled.

“Let us help him. You’d only be in the way right now.”

“But he’s—”

“I know,” she said gently. “Let us do our job.”

Blowing out a breath, he relented. “Sure. I’m sorry.”

Squeezing his arm, she disappeared into the room. In moments, Zan emerged, having been booted out to wait with the rest of them.

“If that snarky bastard dies,” the Healer ground out, “I’m going to play nonstop country music over his grave as punishment. What the fuck is wrong with him, Nicky?”

Everyone felt his pain. The desperation of possibly losing a great soldier. A good friend and fine man. They deserved to know.

“Rowan is his mate, remember? And he let her go without telling her—and more important, without claiming her.”

“I can’t believe we let the dumb-ass do that,” Jax croaked. “He saw what happened to me!”

“He doesn’t feel like he deserves Rowan because of what happened to Micah and the team. He didn’t say anything about Beryl, and she ended up hurting all of you. Half your number are still missing, and he blames himself for that, too.”

Zan punched the wall, leaving a dent. “What a bunch of shit! Nobody blames him! Why can’t he wrap his stupid brain around that fact?”

“Now what?” Kira asked.

Nick took his cell phone from the pocket of his sweats. “We get a certain cop here, pronto. I’m sending the jet to L.A. Who wants to pilot?”

“I’ll do it,” Jax volunteered. “My license is current.”

Kira spoke up. “I’ll go with you. I’m betting she’s going to need another woman to talk to about the mating thing.”

“Good idea,” Nick said. “Go. I’ll tell her to meet you at our landing strip east of the city.”

The couple left and Nick went to the waiting area to make the call. Zan followed and sat across from him, silent. Nick waited, not surprised when she answered on the second ring.

“Hello? Nick?”

“It’s me. Rowan, listen to me—you were right. Something has happened and I need you here right away.”

“Oh, God! It’s Aric, right? What’s wrong with him?”

“Jax and Kira are on their way in our jet, and they’ll explain when they arrive. Pack your stuff and be at the landing strip in two hours. Can you do that?”

“Of course. Give me directions and I’ll be there.” Her voice had calmed, taking on that cop tone he’d come to know so well.

Right then he knew without a doubt that Rowan would do whatever she could to save Aric. She loved the man. There was hope.

He gave her directions to the strip and hung up, slumping in his seat. He and Zan didn’t speak. They just listened to the clock tick on the wall, and prayed that Jax could get Rowan back here in time.

Rowan showered quickly, got out, dressed. Opting for simple, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and went with little makeup, applying only enough so that she didn’t look like a corpse at almost six in the morning.

Next she repacked her duffel with clothes for a good week or more. Then she called Dean and left him a message, telling him what she knew. Which wasn’t much.

A call to her sergeant was next, and boy, was that one as fun as a colonoscopy. He wasn’t amused to learn that she wasn’t coming back on shift this morning as scheduled. His ominous tone as he spoke the words “We’ll talkwhen you return” didn’t bode well. It hit her that she might not have a job to come back to.

And then it occurred to her that she really didn’t care.

The one thing that mattered was Aric, and something terrible had happened. All she could think of was getting to him. After watering her plants, she scooped up the bills from her table and stuck them in her purse. She’d mail them from Wyoming.

Then she was on her way, leaving L.A., and she had the strangest notion that she wouldn’t be back. But she’d have to return, wouldn’t she? She chewed on that all the way to the strip, and some more as she waited for the jet that would whisk her to Aric.

Finally it appeared, dipped low and came in for a smooth landing. The craft taxied to the end of the runway, and the pilot didn’t even bother to shut it off. Instead, the door opened and Jax popped out, jogging over.

“Here, let me help you with that,” he said, taking her duffel and slinging it over one shoulder. “Come on. There’s not one minute to waste.”

She trailed him, panic beginning to eat at the edges of her self-imposed calm. What could have happened? What could be so bad? And why would they come after herin the middle of the night? She didn’t see how she could help, grateful as she was to be able to get to him quickly. Jax tossed her bag in, and held out a hand to assist her into the plane.

“In you go. Kira rode along with us. She thought you could use some company, and an explanation.”

Relief swamped her. “I appreciate that, more than you know.”

“Oh, I have some idea.” With a kind smile, he climbed in and shut the door, heading for the pilot’s seat. “Buckle up.”

She took a seat next to the petite blonde and snapped her seat belt in place. Normally she hated takeoffs, but this one barely phased her. She was much too upset to think about the plane ride.

Kira smiled warmly at her, but Rowan could see the worry shadowed in her eyes. “Hey. I thought you could use a friend.”

“I could, thank you. You know, I don’t have many girlfriends,” she mused. “I guess it’s because I’ve worked for so long in a male-oriented environment. Most women don’t warm up to me because of it, especially the cops’ wives.”

“They think you’re out to prey on their men?”

Rowan laughed humorlessly. “Something like that.”

“Well, they’re stupid bitches, then. Anyone can see what a great heart you have.”

“Thanks. So tell me, what’s wrong with him?”

Kira was silent for a long moment, then met her eyes. “He’s sick, Rowan. I mean, deathlysick.”

“He… he could die?”

Kira’s eyes filled with tears. “Yeah. I just hope we make it in time.”

Rowan felt the blood drain from her face. “With what? How? He seemed fine when I left him!” But had he, really? Now that she thought about it… he hadn’t seemed like himself. There was also that fever the doctors had been concerned about.

“You know about wolf shifters’ mates, right?”

“Some. The other day, I didn’t want to leave Aric. The idea alone made me sick, and it physically hurts to be apart from him. Before I left, Micah told me to ask Aric if he felt the same pull I did. So I asked, and he denied it. Christ, it still hurts.”

Kira took her hand. “Honey, Aric lied to you. He felt drawn to you, like you did to him.”

“That’s what he said in my dream. What does it mean?” She blinked, making the connection at last. Damn, she was dense. “Wait, are you saying we aremates?”

“Yes. And he’s known it all along.”

The truth ripped through her, the pain almost too much. “Why would he lie? Does he not want to be tied to a cop? Or he doesn’t want anymate?”

“Nothing like that. He doesn’t feel worthy of your love, of being your Bondmate.”

Rowan stared at her. The light shone through. “Because of Beryl and what happened to Micah and the team.”

“Exactly. He feels like he should pay, and to him that means denying his mating. When a wolf shifter doesn’t claim his mate within a certain amount of time, he gets sick. Jax got sick because he didn’t want to push me into mating before I was ready, the idiot.”

“Hey, I heard that!”

“Anyway, what Aric is going through runs deep. He honestly feels he’s doing the right thing, and is unworthy.”

God, this was messed up. “How does he claim me?”

“He bites you. Pretty simple, or it would be if he was conscious. They’ll have to try to rouse him so he can do it.”

She didn’t want him to die. No matter her remaining doubt about them as a couple, she would not let that happen.

They fell silent for a few minutes. Then Rowan looked at the hand still holding hers and felt the tears well up. “Thank you for being here. It helps.”

“You’re welcome,” Kira said softly. “But there’s one more thing you need to know. After you mate, there’s a good chance you could turn into a shifter, too.”

“Sure, why not?” Her laugh was a little desperate. “I’ve encountered just about everything else, why not me getting furry?”

“It’s not so bad. Actually, it’s really fun to run with Jax through the woods while we’re in wolf form. And then there’s the hot, naked forest sex when we shift back.”

This time Rowan’s smile was real. “You do make a good point.”

“I thought so.”

They lapsed into silence and Rowan fidgeted for the rest of the trip. After what seemed forever, the plane was touching down. Scrambling out, she turned to reach for her duffel and Jax waved her off.

“Go on. I’ll take this to the room you were in before.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you guys coming to get me in the wee hours.”

“Not a problem.”

Rowan hurried to the infirmary, Kira at her side. They burst in and Noah jumped up from the desk on seeing Rowan.

“Thank Christ! Come on, the docs are waiting for you.”

He hurried her to one of the rooms, a couple of doors down from Micah’s, and ushered her inside. Nick, looking haggard, was propped in one corner. The two doctors hovered on either side of the bed, Melina taking Aric’s vitals. There were bundles wrapped in towels, one sitting on Aric’s chest, others tucked against his sides. Rowan walked over, laid her hand on one bundle. Ice packs.

“He was literally burning up,” Melina told her. “Those seem to be helping.”

“How is he, really?”

“Not good. Honestly, I don’t know if he’ll be able to bite you—if you agree to it.”

“Of course I do! I lo—” She stopped herself, took a deep breath. “I want him to be the first to hear how I feel. But, yes, I agree.”

“Great. Now we need to get some of your blood into his mouth, try to stimulate his instinct to clamp down on you. Give me your finger.”

Rowan held out her arm, palm up. Melina snapped on a pair of latex gloves and took a finger-pricking device from the counter. Rowan hated those things. The doctor wiped the tip with alcohol and positioned the instrument, then let it snap. Blood welled and the doc squeezed to get a nice, fat drop, then swiped the drop onto her own latex-protected digit.

“I’m going to put my finger in his mouth, and hope your blood stimulates a response. It’s worked before, so hopefully it will again.”

“Why not let me put myfinger in?”

“You can, after I make sure he’s not going to become too aggressive. Step one.”

“Okay.”

Melina used one hand to pry Aric’s jaw open. It didn’t appear too difficult, as lax as his muscles were. Then the doctor eased the finger with the droplet between his lips, and seemed to be massaging his tongue. Though it was to save his life, a big part of Rowan coiled in anger at the idea of anyone touching her man’s tongue, or any other part of him.

After a moment, his jaw moved. His lips closed around the finger and he began to suckle like a babe at his mother’s breast—another image she could do without.

“All right, come here and we’ll replace my finger with the one I poked. Be sure to squeeze out more blood first.”

Rowan did as the doctor said, and slipped her finger inside Aric’s mouth as Melina removed her own. It felt weird, his tongue curling around it, hot and wet. Even that small connection was far too intimate with an audience, but she resolutely ignored them. This was for Aric.

With her free hand, she stroked his hair. “Come on, baby,” she whispered. “Come back to me, you stubborn man. Why the hell did you do this to yourself? Wake up so I can yell at your stupid ass.”

Making a noise in the back of his throat, he sucked a little harder, more eager to get her essence. She doubted he was aware of what he was doing or why, but maybe it would bring him to the surface. A few more minutes passed, however, and he seemed to be tiring again.

“I have an idea,” Rowan said to the group. “Scoot him over so I can stretch out next to him. If I envelop him in my scent, maybe that’ll bring him around.”

“Excellent idea,” Mac said. “At this point anything is worth a shot.”

Nick assisted the women in moving Aric over just enough for Rowan to lie next to him. She situated herself on her right side, facing him, and stuck her finger back into his mouth. “Now do me a favor and give us some privacy, please? He’s going to bite me, or he won’t. Either way, we don’t need an audience hovering.”

Obviously reluctant to give her assent, Melina thought for a few seconds before replying. “All right. But we’ll be back to check on you both.”

The group filed out and Rowan let out a sigh. “Well, at least we can talk privately. Or how about I talk and you listen? You’re going to be a good wolf and bite me, do you understand? And then if you don’t want a mate, I’ll go back to California and you’ll never have to see me again.”

A small growl rumbled in his chest, and she took that as a positive sign. Snuggling closer, she nuzzled his cheek and his hair, doing her best to make sure he couldn’t escape her scent. This had to work. If it didn’t…

She would notlose him. Not an option.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she began to talk. And talk, until her voice was hoarse.

He floated, twisting in agony. Nightmares of fire and death consumed him.

He’d surfaced now and then, but the pain was too much. Not just physical, but the awareness of all he’d lost. He was ready to give up, to embrace the end.

And then a sweet flavor burst on his tongue. Delicious. There was something in his mouth, and it carried whatever tasted so good. Candy? No. It was warm, alive.

Flesh. Someone’s finger. And… blood?

That made no sense. He was a wolf, not a vampire. But wolves liked blood when they ate a rabbit or a deer. This taste wasn’t from an animal, though.

As his thoughts became more lucid, he became aware of warmth at his side. Instead of adding to the discomfort of the internal fire that raged, it was a comfort. So was the heady scent teasing his nose. Ocean spray and flowers wrapped around his senses, giving him peace, soothing the agony.

His wolf recognized the owner of that wonderful scent before he did, and whined, needing to get closer. Mate. Mine.

Rowan?

Had he said her name aloud? He tried again. “Ro?”

“I’m here, honey.” Arms wrapped around him and his face was pushed against her skin.

Jesus, she smelled so good. Felt right against him. He nuzzled the curve of her neck and his canines lengthened. He longed to claim his mate, thought he shouldn’t, but couldn’t remember why not.

“Bite me, Aric,” she whispered. “Make me yours.”

Parting his lips, he let his teeth graze along the delicate skin. God help him, he couldn’t resist one more second.

He struck, sinking his teeth into her neck. Her ambrosia exploded on his tongue and his body detonated. Rode wave after wave of ecstasy as his mate screamed her pleasure.

Mine!

His. For always.

“Bite me, Aric,” Rowan whispered. “Make me yours.”

For a second, she didn’t think he would give in. His teeth scraped the curve of her neck and shoulder, and he hesitated. And then he sank his canines deep.

Instant, unbridled, bone-melting joy lit her like a torch, from the inside out. A golden thread wound its way through their souls, binding them together for always. She actually felt it, and saw it in her mind’s eye, and knew it was real.

Vaguely, she was aware of screaming. That’s me. God, it’s so good!

Footsteps came running, the door opened. Then they must’ve quietly slipped away, because as she drifted back down to earth, she opened her eyes and they were alone together.

Withdrawing his fangs, Aric licked the wounds. “Mine,” he rasped. “My mate.”

“Yes, yours. And you’re mine.” She hugged him close.

Then his body went slack. At first she was alarmed, but then she realized the horrible heat that had radiated from his body was noticeably lessened. His face was relaxed, but he wore a faint smile, as though he’d just seen heaven. He was simply sleeping.

“Thank you,” she said to whatever higher power had saved him. Or maybe he’d saved himself. But she had to thank someone.

And she owed him a butt-chewing when he woke up, for scaring the shit out of them all.

Sunshine. Warm, on his face.

The light didn’t burn, and to Aric’s surprise, he wasn’t hot anymore. In fact, he was damned cozy, with someone snuggled against his side. Prying his eyes open, he let his vision adjust and craned his neck to look down at the woman whose head was resting on his chest, brown hair fanned out. He liked being her pillow, and smiled a little.

But wait—he was supposed to be sick. Dying. How was she here, and he was… normal?

Yeah, he felt fine. Tired, but okay. Thinking hard, he cast about for an explanation—and remembered. “Oh, God.”

He’d bitten Rowan. Claimed her.

Mine,his wolf rumbled, immensely pleased with himself.

The man, however, was ashamed. How could he have done this? Tied her to the likes of him forever? “Rowan,” he said quietly, jostling her gently. “Baby?”

She stirred some. “Mmm?”

“Ro, wake up.” He kissed the top of her head, his heart beating a strange tattoo in his chest. He wanted to deny what he’d done, but he felt protective of the bond. Like his soul absolutely would not accept his denying it now.

Stretching, she raised up and gave him a sleepy smile. “You’re awake. How do you feel?”

“Pretty good, actually. Better than I should.”

“Oh, no. We’re having no self-pity in this mating,” she said firmly. “Grow a pair of balls, wolf, and use them.”

His eyes widened. “Are you calling me a pussy?”

“If the vagina fits.”

He choked, not sure whether to laugh or be pissed. He went with amusement, as he just didn’t have the heart to be mad at his mate. She’d obviously rushed to his side, and saved his sorry ass. “Is that so? I don’t care how tough you are, officer. My balls will always be bigger than yours.”

“Thank God for that.” Her chocolate eyes were soft with emotion. “I’m so happy the bite worked. I hope you’re happy, too.”

He cupped her face. “I don’t deserve to be, but yes, I am.”

“See, we’ve got to work on that ‘I don’t deserve you’ thing. It’s self-destructive, and you’re wrong. Beryl and Malik are the ones who’ve orchestrated every step of their plan, no one else. Isn’t it time you stopped taking the blame for that bitch’s manipulations?”

For the first time, he really thought about that. The truth seeped in, and looking into Rowan’s beautiful face, he was freed. From the horror and the guilt. All of it. “Yes, it is. I’m not saying it will be easy, but I’m willing to put it behind me for you.”

“For us.”

“Right. For us.”

“Will you talk to Mac? Let her counsel you so you can heal? I want you healthy, honey, inside and out. It’s the only way we’ll make it.”

He could refuse her nothing. “Sure.” Something else occurred to him, a big stumbling block. “What about your job? I know how much you love being a cop.”

“I do, but…” She thought for a moment. “When I left here, I felt like my heart was being ripped out. Yes, a lot of it was the mating pull, but that’s not all. This place, with you in it, feels like home. Micah is here, and I know if I stay, eventually I’ll be as close to the guys as I am to my own brother.”

Anxiety made his pulse pound. “What are you saying?”

“That I want to stay.” Tracing his lips, she whispered, “I love you.”

This is happiness. I’ve waited so long.

“All my life I’ve wanted to hear those words from someone who meant them,” he said in a tight voice. “Baby, I love you, too.”

Their lips came together and his body ignited—in the best way possible. His cock hardened between them, demanding to get in on the lovin’. “I need to be inside you,” he gasped. “I can’t wait.”

“I don’t think you’re in any shape to do the actual deed just yet.” She smiled when he made a noise of protest. “But I can help with your problem.”

Scooting lower on the bed, she pushed the blanket aside to reveal his naked body. A couple of towel-wrapped bags fell on the floor on the other side of the bed, and he vaguely remembered being iced down. Now he relished the good kind of heat and she leaned down and licked the leaking crown of his cock.

“Do you feel naughty?” she murmured. “Getting head from your mate when anyone could walk in?”

“Shit,” he moaned. “Please…”

“Well, since you beg so nicely.”

Her tongue traced circles around the tip, captured the tiny beads that continued to seep out. He was hard as a freaking rock, the shaft red and throbbing. When she slid him into her mouth, down her throat, he thought maybe he’d died after all. She sucked him, putting just the right amount of pressure, laving the ridged underside. His hips canted upward and he buried a hand in her silky hair, urging her on.

“I’m not gonna last, sweetheart,” he panted. “Oh, so good.”

The tingle started at the base of his spine and his balls tightened. True to his word, he couldn’t have stopped if he’d wanted to. There would be more time, all of their lives, to make love any way they wanted.

That thought alone made him lose control. With a shout, he shot hard, pumping his seed endlessly down her throat. She drank him greedily, not spilling a drop, then released him to sit up and wipe her lips, grinning.

“Next time, I want this bad boy inside me,” she said in a naughty voice. “As soon as you’re on your feet.”

“Nothing will keep me away from you. That’s a promise.”

“One I look forward to you keeping.”

They snuggled together again, and Aric focused on healing. For himself, and his mate.