Twisted

Dark Protectors - 5.5

by

Rebecca Zanetti

Chapter One

The wolf ’s smile hinted at danger. Even in human form, Terrent Vilks was all male animal.

Maggie settled her shoulders and relaxed into the floral chair in the formal parlor. After living with stubborn-assed vampires for a decade, she at least knew how to look tough.

Though the butterflies dancing through her stomach mocked her. She blinked and sighed in what she hoped sounded like boredom.

“So, you’re finally where I want you.” Low and rough, Terrent’s voice bounced off the crackling stone fireplace.

“Well, I guess it’s your turn,” she said, her chin lifting.

Reminding him of the argument they’d had five years previous about whether she should live with vampires or with wolf-shifters probably wasn’t wise, especially since it had ended with him kissing her. But wise was for wussies. While she might not be as tough as Terrent Vilks, deadly soldier, she was still a woman who could shift into a dangerous wolf within two seconds. The man needed to understand that fact.

His dark eyes darkened further. Sprawled in a matching chair, he overwhelmed the fabric. In fact, he overwhelmed the small room. “Please understand I agreed to allow you to live in the pack’s guest mansion so long as you’re available when necessary.”

Allow? Oh, Maggie didn’t think so. “Available?”

“Yes. Available to our doctors, available to the Raze wolf pack, and available to . . . me.”

A slow shiver wandered down her spine and ended with a blast of heat. The double meaning should have ticked her off.

But . . . no. She met his gaze without flinching, taking a moment to study him. Thick, black hair swept back from a face that went beyond rugged to imposing. Sharp jaw, high forehead, piercing eyes. The fact that he walked among humans shocked her. No way could he be anything other than wolf.

He wore his customary ripped jeans and faded T-shirt, obviously not having made an effort for her. She cleared her throat. “I believe the King of the Realm requested autonomy for me if I visited wolf-shifter headquarters.”

The king, a vampire, led a coalition of shifters, vampires, and witches who had banded together to fight demons as well as the Kurjans, an evil vampire race. He’d provided protection for Maggie the last decade, and she owed him. So she’d agreed to visit wolf-shifter headquarters and do a little investigating for him.

Terrent’s eyebrow arched. “While the Raze pack and many other wolf-shifting packs are aligned with the Realm, the vampires don’t dictate how wolves live. If you had been living with wolves instead of vampires the last decade, you would know that.”

Not this old argument again. “You know why I wanted to stay with the vampires.”

“Because they rescued you.” Terrent exhaled slowly.

“Yes.” A decade ago, she’d been kidnapped by the Kurjans, experimented on, and then rescued by the vampires. Unfortunately, the experimental drugs injected into her system had resulted in total memory loss. She remembered nothing about her life before ten years ago. “I owe the king and his brothers my life.”

“I understand.” Terrent’s voice gentled. “Still, it’s nice you’re here among your own people. Finally.”

She’d met Terrent a few years past when he’d attempted, unsuccessfully, to retrieve her for the wolves. “I am looking forward to meeting other wolves.” Regardless of her true reason for being at wolf-shifter headquarters.

“Good.” Terrent steepled his fingers under his chin. “We have inoculations next week. Are you current?”

“Yes. Only one to go.” She hated needles and dreaded receiving the third and final inoculation. The Kurjans had created a terrible virus that turned male shifters into werewolves, mindless killers. The virus turned female shifters into humans. A cure had been created, and each shifter needed three inoculations within three years to be permanently immune. “Though, I heard that there might be problems with the serum.”

“Yes. Some of the vials have been sabotaged. Don’t worry, we’re on it.”

So was she. Somebody was messing with shifter inoculations, and she would ferret out the saboteur. But to do so, she needed autonomy. “You promised the king I’d have freedom if I visited the wolves.”

Terrent frowned. “The king sent Jase Kayrs with you to make sure of it.”

Maggie sighed. The king’s brother, Jase, was her friend, and she was thankful he’d accompanied her to Washington State. He’d wanted to get away from home for a while. “Jase won’t be here for long. He’s heading out on his own soon.”

“I know. He’s using my cabin up in Sacks Mountain. The area is totally isolated.”

Isolation for Jase might not be the best idea. She fought back another sigh. “You didn’t answer me about my ability to come and go as I choose here. So far, I’ve cooperated with you and I already let your doctors poke and prod me all morning.”

“I appreciate your cooperation. Our doctors understand wolf physiology better than the vampire doctors, so we should understand more about your memory loss tomorrow.”

The vampires had tried to figure out what the drugs had done to her brain for ten years now. She doubted wolf doctors would be any more successful. Maggie studied Terrent.

“What do you want from me?”

His silence thrummed with tension. With something that kick-started her body to life. “I want you to remember me from before you were kidnapped ten years ago.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

Tingles pricked her skin.

Focusing became a challenge.

Taking a deep breath, she mentally counted to ten. As she exhaled, her shoulders lowered. She had no memories of her life before the vampires rescued her from hell. “I knew you?”

“Yes.”

She frowned. “Um, how well?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Very well.”

She coughed. “You mean . . . we, ah . . .”

“Yes.” No expression crossed his face.

Irritation slid into temper. No wonder she felt such an odd connection to him. She exhaled. “Was I good, or what?”

His lip quirked. Amusement filled his eyes. “Yes, and you were a smart-ass, which apparently hasn’t changed.”

Covering her eyes with her hands wouldn’t help anything, but the idea was tempting. “So I’m a slut.”

He snorted. “No, you’re not a slut. We were a lot more than a one-night stand.”

Her heart clutched. “A lot more?”

“Yes.”

Why the hell was he just telling her this now? “So, we, ah, courted?”

He chuckled. “Not exactly. I followed you for months before finally catching up with you.”

Her instincts started to hum. “You were following me?”

“Yes—initially.”

“Why?”

“What do I do for a living, sweetheart?” he asked softly.

“You’re on the Bane’s Council.” The council of three wolf-shifters scoured the earth to take down werewolves, which were crazy beasts without brains. They lived to kill.

“You hunt werewolves.”

“I hunt. Whatever needs to be hunted.”

His tone shot adrenaline through her veins. He had hunted her? But then they’d become close—and he hadn’t bothered to mention it the last ten years, while she’d been trying to regain her memories? Her heels dug into the thick carpet in case she needed to jump for safety. Reality smacked her in the face. Even though she’d trained with vampires for a decade, no way could she outmaneuver the wolf. She couldn’t take him down without a weapon. “I—”

Glass shattered.

She leaped up, only to have Terrent slam her into the carpet.

Panic filled her yelp. Her shoulders hit first, followed by her legs. Air whooshed from her lungs. He stretched out atop her. She shoved against his chest, and he settled his weight, pinning her. Then he tucked her head into his neck.

The world exploded.

She cried out, clutching his shirt. Her mind fuzzed. Nau-sea swirled into her gut.

Strong arms grabbed her shoulders, hauling her up and through a haze-filled room. She stumbled, her brain mis-firing, tears blurring her vision. Bending at the waist, she allowed him to half-carry and half-drag her into the adjacent dining room. He kicked the door shut behind them.

Men’s shouts filled the afternoon.

Terrent shoved her into a hard-backed chair, pivoted, and yanked a solid-oak china hutch to the floor. The glass doors flipped open, and china spilled out, shattering into pieces.

But it blocked the door.

Someone pounded against the heavy wood. Crystal flew out of the downed hutch.

Terrent growled, whirling toward her. “Are you all right, lass?”

Her head jerked up. That brogue. She heard that brogue in her dreams. “No. You?”

“Yes.” Blood flowed from a cut under his right eye, and he wiped it away with a sweep of his arm.

Dots flashed across her vision. Tingles rippled up her spine. A roaring filled her ears. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t see. Bile crawled up her throat.

He shoved her head between her knees, rubbing from her neck to her tailbone. “Deep breaths, little wolf. Deep breaths.”

She breathed in and out just like the vampires had taught her. Good air in, bad air out. Several times. Finally, she relaxed and glanced up. “Sorry.”

“Still having the panic attacks, huh?” Terrent dropped to his haunches to meet her gaze.

“Yes.” She swallowed. “Not as often, however.”

“That’s good.” His smile somehow warmed her. “You okay now?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Standing, he tugged her from the chair to stand behind him.

The scent of male tickled her senses. Her knees trembled.

She shook her head. “What’s going on?”

He settled his stance. “Flash grenade. Bastards.” He rubbed his chin, gaze on the gauze-covered windows. “They’ll be coming in that way.”

“Who?”

A roar filled the day.

Chills rippled down her spine. “What the hell was that?”

Terrent turned back toward the china hutch, his head cocked and listening. Loud thumps and cries of pain echoed from beyond the door.

“Damn it.” Terrent huffed out a breath and reached for the hutch, lifting it with one hand to shove it out of the way.

“Stay behind me.”

Not a problem. No way did she want to meet whatever had made that sound.

Terrent yanked open the door, angling his body to strike.

Smoke filtered in.

Outside, vampire Jase Kayrs fought back three men who moved too quickly and fought too well to be human. But they didn’t smell like shifters, vampires, or demons. How was it they didn’t smell?

Maggie tilted her head. As a wolf-shifter, she had excellent senses. She should smell them.

Terrent rushed toward the fight.

The scent of wolf suddenly became overpowering. What in the world? Had the panic attack somehow short-circuited her nose?

Jase hissed, pivoting to throw one man against the fireplace. Terrent growled low and tackled one of the men away from his friend. He moved so fast the air popped. They crashed into an antique coffee table, smashing it into pieces.

Terrent punched the man several times in the jaw. The guy’s head battered against the floor, and his eyes fluttered shut.

Jase tossed the final interloper back through the gaping window.

Flipping to his feet, Terrent surveyed the hazy room. Slowly, his muscled back relaxed. A low whistle escaped him even as he angled toward her, partially shielding her.

Maggie rolled her shoulders and rested a shaking palm against her churning stomach.

Jase Kayrs clenched his fists in the center of the room, fangs down, blood coating his hands. His eyes swirled a wild, metallic, vampire green.

Maggie stilled. Poor Jase had made that crazy roar. She crept toward him.

Terrent grabbed her, tugging her to the side. “No. Stay here.”

Jase took a deep breath, and his fangs retracted. His eyes returned to their normal copper color. “We had visitors.”

“Apparently.” Terrent focused on the unconscious man by the fireplace. “He’s still breathing.”

Jase rolled his shoulder, loudly popping it back into alignment. “I’m damaged, not destroyed. No way would I kill him . . . before we could question him.”

Maggie hustled toward Jase and touched his arm. “You’re neither damaged nor destroyed.”

His smile didn’t come close to reaching his stunning eyes. The vampire was over three centuries old, but he looked about twenty-five. Until you looked into his eyes.

They showed the torment he’d faced while being held captive and tortured by demons. “Thank you, Mags.” He prodded an unconscious wolf with his boot. “Are they after Maggie, Terrent?” Jase’s voice dropped to a tone filled with warning.

“I just arrived in Washington State.” Maggie eyed the demolished room. Overturned furniture, scraped wallpaper, and broken lamps littered the floor. “No wolves could be after me.”

“Right.” Jase glanced at Terrent. “You okay?”

Terrent nodded. “Fine.” He frowned down at his now tat-tered shirt. “Though I ruined my one good shirt.”

Maggie started. “That’s your good shirt?”

His eyebrows lifted. “Yes. It was rip-free.”

Maybe he had made an effort before seeing her. Sad, kind-of-pathetic-in-a-male-way effort . . . but an effort none-theless. She smiled at him.

Confusion blanketed his features. Then he turned back toward Jase. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Jase muttered. “Who attacked us?”

Terrent scratched his chin. “I don’t recognize any of them, but they’re definitely wolves.”

Awareness hummed through Maggie’s veins. “How could they be wolves? At first, I was unable to smell them. Then all of a sudden, their scents filled the room.”

He lifted a large shoulder. “Hmmm.”

Now that wasn’t forthcoming. Maggie tapped her foot.

“You’re the head of the Bane’s Council—don’t you know everybody?”

“No.” He prodded the downed man more forcefully than Jase had. “But I know the ones in this area. Somebody else sent these three—I have no idea how they knew you’d be here.”

Maggie’s head jerked up. “Why would wolves be after me?”

“What’s going on, Terrent?” Jase asked not-so-kindly.

The wolf set his jaw.

Maggie shook off anger. “Apparently I’m a big ole slut who fucked wolf-boy senseless ten years ago, and it sounded like more than once.” Heat filled her face.

Jase whirled toward Terrent. “Explain.”

While Maggie didn’t remember any wolves, instinct screamed inside her head that cornering one was a bad idea.

An extremely bad idea.

His eyes flared hotter than black, his jaw firmed, and something dangerous danced on his skin.

But what the hell. “He hunted me for months, knew all about me, and then got all carnal with me. For years, he’s known who I am . . . and hasn’t told.” She slammed both hands on her hips and stepped toward him. “Time to fess up.”

Jase growled low. “The king isn’t going to like your silence, Vilks.”

“I don’t answer to your brother, Kayrs,” Terrent snapped back.

Tension cut through the haze. Maggie sighed and inserted herself between the two furious males. “Let’s all take a deep breath. We’re allies and should act as such.” She pressed her hands together. “While the Bane’s Council doesn’t answer to anybody, they are part of the Realm, and we work as a team.”

The men continued to glare over her head.

Jase settled his stance. “Who the hell is she?”

Terrent’s nostrils flared. Slowly, he turned his head until his gaze pierced Maggie’s. “My mate.”

Chapter Two

Maggie ran.

Pure and simple, she turned tail and dodged through the house and out the back door. The smell of huckleberries hit her first, the glide of a waning sun next. She cleared a rough stone fence with one hurdle, running into the cool forest.

Thank goodness the guest mansion was near the trees.

Even in human form, Maggie’s wolf genes allowed her to see the world flashing by vividly. Bright colors, muted tones, life.

Her toe caught on a rock, and she barely kept from falling.

Windmilling her arms, she regained her balance. She ran until her breath panted, her knees ached, and her mind cleared.

Mate?

No way. The idea alternatively intrigued and terrified her.

Mated to Terrent Vilks?

No. Not possible. She knew her body, and there was no marking on her skin. No bite marks to show she had a mate . . .

that she belonged to somebody.

She didn’t belong to anybody.

And damn if that didn’t hurt.

Maggie halted and allowed the sun to bathe her. Several deep breaths sharpened her focus. A lumbering rippled through the woods behind her.

So she did what any self-respecting animal would do. She scrambled up a tree.

Bark cut into her hands, and pine needles jabbed into her hair, but she made the climb toward the top. From her vantage point, she could track the man jogging her way. He’d ditched his shoes. Interesting.

Terrent loped to a stop, his head upturned, his nostrils flaring. Slowly, he angled to the side of her tree and peered up. “You’ve been living with cats too long.”

“I live with vampires.” Sure, her best friend was a feline shifter, and they had lived together for some time in NOLA, but now she lived with the fanged.

He shook his shaggy head. “Wolves don’t climb trees.”

“I just did.” She wiped her stinging palms on her shredded jeans.

He kicked loose bark away from his bare, very masculine feet. “You made a mess. A feline wouldn’t have left evidence.”

What the heck did evidence matter? “You can smell me, wolf. Tree bark and trails don’t matter.”

“You can mask your scent.” He eyed the lower branches.

“Just like the three wolves back at the house.”

She stilled and then grabbed the nearest branch for balance. Leaning out, she surveyed him. “What?”

“Come down and I’ll tell you.” Low, deep, his voice wandered under her skin to her sex, settling right in.

She swallowed twice. Her nipples hardened and threatened her pretty pink bra. The man was dangerous on too many levels. She never should’ve agreed to this mission. Not even for the king. “No.”

“Don’t make me come up and get you.” The order held bite.

“You’re not my mate.” The branch below her cracked.

A deep growl rumbled from Terrent. He yanked a picture from his back pocket.

Even from a distance, Maggie could make out the photo-graph of her and Terrent smiling into the camera, their arms around each other. Her hair was a lot longer then. She swallowed. They looked close. “So we knew each other.”

“Yes.” He reached for a branch, only to drop it and grab a different one. His mouth twisted in a pained grimace. “Come down. Now.”

Wait a minute. She bit her lip. Was the big, bad wolf afraid of heights? “I think you should come up and get me.”

He stilled, his gaze piercing through the night. “If I have to come up and get you, little wolf, you’ll regret it.”

She levered out to sit on a thick branch, swinging her feet back and forth. “I’m waiting.” Her singsong voice filled the forest.

“Get back closer to the tree,” he snapped. Red swept across his cheekbones.

“Make me.” She scooted farther away from the trunk, her legs dangling, her hands on a branch above her head. This was the most fun she’d had in too long.

“Damn it, Maggie.”

“Tell me the truth, or I’ll start swinging from branches.”

To prove her point, she bent her knee and ran her foot along the branch.

“I should let you fall on your damn stubborn head.” He tugged on a lower branch, testing his weight. The thing snapped in two.

Maggie laughed and guided her other foot into place so she could stand. “Why did you lie?”

“I didn’t lie.” He reached for a higher branch and growled as it ripped from the tree. “You agreed to be my mate.”

“Were we in love?”

“Absolutely.”

Not likely. “I may not know a lot of wolves, but something tells me we don’t contract to mate. If we were truly together, which I’m not sure about, then any mating would’ve occurred quickly.”

“You calling me a liar, darlin’?” His voice lowered to a softness that slid danger into deadly.

The hair pricked up on the back of her neck. “I haven’t decided.”

“Let me know when you do.”

Her branch shuddered and then splintered apart. With a soft cry, she jumped and landed on a branch several feet down. Pine needles flew, and bark crumbled, but the damn thing held her.

He smiled. “Close enough.” Bunching his legs, he leaped.

The wolf hit her mid-center and tucked her into his hard body. She screamed as they sailed through the boughs. He rolled them several times in midair, wrapping long legs and arms around her.

Gravity yanked them down like the powerful force it was.

She landed on top of him and lost every bit of oxygen from her lungs. Maybe her muscles. Hell, maybe her brain.

Her chin thunked against his chest. Taking several deep breaths, she went boneless on him as she took inventory.

Nothing really hurt.

“Are you all right?” he rumbled, both hands flattening against her lower back.

Her entire lower back.

She lifted her head. “Fine. You?”

He grimaced and shifted his weight beneath her. “I’m good, though pine needles may have pierced my spine.”

All of that incredible muscle rolling into place against her body flared nerves to life. All sorts of nerves . . . in all sorts of places. She pushed against his chest to get off.

She didn’t move.

He exhaled. “We need to talk.”

“Then get your hand off my ass.” Yeah. He’d copped a feel.

His grin flashed strong white teeth. “Sorry. I’ve missed this ass.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Apparently not. It’s not like you tried to help me remember.”

He pursed his lips in what could only be termed a wounded male expression. “I figured the memories were so good, you’d remember on your own.”

Her eye roll made her dizzy. “Whatever.”

“Plus, I’ve been a bit busy fighting werewolves, demons, and Kurjans the last decade.” His jaw firmed. “As you know, the werewolf population exploded, and I needed to fight. The king promised to keep you safe. I hoped you’d remember while you healed. You’re damn stubborn, sweetheart.”

“You think you know me?”

“Yes. In fact—” he ran his fingers along the bottom of her buttock, where ass met leg—“I believe there’s a very nice, properly small, fang mark right . . . here.”

Fire blasted through her. She swallowed. Twice. “I thought that was just a scar.”

“It is.” His fangs dropped low. “See?”

Yeah. She saw. “Put those away.”

The sharp points retracted. He settled into the rustling leaves, both hands again pressing against her back. “Your name is Maggie Malone, you’re a wolf-shifter from Vaile Island, you’re being hunted by demons, and you make the sweetest sound of need right before you come.”

Now was not the time to flirt. “Malone?” she snorted.

“My name is actually cutesy Maggie Malone?”

“Yes.”

Her heart glitched in hope. “I’m from an island?”

“Yes. Vaile Island off of Scotland.”

Slowly, cautiously, she opened her mouth. “Do I, uh, have family?”

His eyes darkened, and he patted her back. Well, that massive hand smacked her back. But he tried. “No. No family, sweetheart.”

Surprising that hearing the truth she’d already known hurt. “Oh.”

“Except me.” He smacked her again.

God keep her from enormous wolves trying to comfort her. “I don’t know you.”

“Do you need to see the fangs again?”

She barked out a laugh—she couldn’t help it. For being a killer, the guy was kind of charming. And sweet. “No. I’m good.” She settled her chin on her hands, keeping his gaze.

“Why haven’t you told me any of this before?” She wanted to like him . . . but she might end up trying to kill him.

He sighed. “The wolves on Vaile Island are, ah, special.

They can mask their scents—and the world is unaware of the ability. Not even the vampires know the truth.”

“So they hide from people?” Her people were cowards?

“Ah, no. They’re contract assassins and soldiers.” His gaze wandered to her face. “So if I would’ve told you, or the vampires, then you would’ve been returned to the Vaile pack. Believe me, you didn’t want to be returned. So I figured I’d let your memories come back on their own, especially since I couldn’t be there for you while the war was exploding and I needed to fight.”

Her head started to ache. “So why tell me now?”

“Our contacts have informed us that the Vailes have discovered you’re alive, so I wanted you to know the whole truth.”

About damn time. “Why wouldn’t I have wanted to go home?” she whispered.

He sighed. “You were raised by your grandpa, and when he died, you had a falling-out with the new Alpha wolf, so you headed out on your own.”

“Falling-out?”

“Yes. Felix McClure is an insane son of a bitch, and when you refused to mate him, he went crazy. You fled.”

Good thing she’d trained with shifters and vampires the last decade. “I’d like to meet up with him.”

“He probably sent the wolves to get you now that everyone knows you’re alive.”

So they weren’t in town to kill her—only fetch her. “McClure’s crazy enough to want me back after all this time?”

“Yep. You’re from the strongest line of wolves who can mask, and you’re in demand, sweetheart.”

His eyes had veiled enough for her to wonder. What was he not telling her? “Why were you hunting me?” More important, why had she agreed to mate him?

He brushed hair away from her face. “Your grandpa saved my life in the last war and I owed him. He called me right before he died, and I agreed to find you and help you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “So you caught up to me. What happened?”

“We fell in love and decided to mate.” Terrent’s jaw firmed. “It’s the best course of action to keep you safe.”

Emotional and logical? Doubtful. She frowned.

“Okay. It took persuasion, but you did agree.” He sighed.

“As for my part, I owe your grandpa, I like you, and I’m ready to have a family.”

That was kind of sweet. And the erection digging into her belly showed he did like her. A lot. “So what happened?”

“You changed your mind and took off . . . the Kurjans somehow found you . . . and you know the rest.” Anger blazed through Terrent’s dark eyes.

Well, that did sound like her. Kind of. “Why did I change my mind?”

He shrugged. “We couldn’t agree about what to do after we mated. I needed to continue hunting on the Bane’s Council, and I wanted you somewhere safe.”

“I didn’t want safety?” That didn’t sound like her. She loved safety.

He sighed. “No. You wanted to train to fight.”

“I can fight.” She’d trained for years while waiting for her memories to return. They had to return so she could move on, so she could start living again.

“Do you like fighting?” Wisdom filled his eyes along with challenge.

“Nobody likes fighting.” She hated hitting people, in fact.

No way did the wolf know her so well.

“You hate fighting.” His hands flexed. “You’re a genius at strategy, and you love people. But you thought you should fight because of your lineage.”

“So I didn’t fit in, even with my own people.” The assassins who were her people, that is. Damn. Maybe she was born to be a misfit.

“Not really.” Terrent’s palms heated her skin. “You fit with me, though.”

Sweet. Very sweet. “I left you.”

“We had a silly fight, you went to cool off, the Kurjans kidnapped you.” His voice lowered to guttural.

“I don’t even remember being taken by the Kurjans,” she said. “We’ve never found records of what exactly they infected me with during that time.” Her mind was an empty, black hole. But, after two inoculations, she was feeling damn good—almost a hundred percent. Her damn memories just had to return.

“I’ve been trying for ten years—trying to get information. To discover why not only the Kurjans but also the demons want you.” He shook his head.

Yeah, the demons were at war with the Realm, and they had a hit out on Maggie, but it had never made any sense. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a demon,” she said.

“You don’t want to.”

Considering they’d hurt her friend, Jase, she wished they’d disappear.

A bird twittered high above. Maggie swallowed. She should probably get off the wolf. Getting all cozy with him seemed wrong, considering she was actually in town to investigate him, and any other wolf who might be tampering with the inoculations for shifters. The inoculations that kept them safe from the Kurjan virus. He wouldn’t mess with the vials, would he?

A breeze whispered through the forest. Life hummed around them with the scents of pine and jasmine.

She couldn’t look away from his hard face.

The anger morphed to something darker in his eyes. Tension wound through the peaceful afternoon. He studied her much like a hawk spotting prey. Tingles sprang to life down her back, and warmth spiraled through her abdomen.

His heated palms pressed down just enough to rub her against his cock.

Her mind blanked.

A low growl rumbled up from his gut, rolling along her breasts. Her nipples sprang to attention. Fire rushed through her so quickly her lungs compressed. She opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out.

He slowly lifted his head, determination and dare flaring across his rugged cheekbones. Then his mouth captured hers.

Kissing.

Heating.

Taking.

She closed her eyes on a whimper. White-hot mini-explosions rocketed through her brain. Her fingers clutched his thick hair, and her knees dropped to either side of his hips. Her tongue shot into his mouth, and his hands tightened on her waist. For two seconds she controlled the kiss.

Maybe.

The world spun. Her butt landed on the soft pine needles, and a wolf in human form stretched out on top of her. The kiss shot from intriguing to territorial. His elbows bracketed her, his chest flattened hers, and his hard—oh-so-hard—dick pulsed with a demand she could feel through her jeans. Her clit pounded in perfect time with it.

He released her mouth, sliding his lips along her jaw to nip her earlobe. She arched into him. With a chuckle, he wandered down her neck, licking her collarbone, and took one breast in his mouth.

Electricity ripped straight to her sex.

“Shirt—in—way,” he mumbled against the cotton.

A second later, her shirt flew through the forest. Claws shredded her bra.

“Hey! I love that br—”

Moist heat engulfed her nipple. Her protest deepened into a desperate moan.

Oh God.

Levering himself up, he reached for the button on her jeans. And stilled.

His head lifted.

No. No. No. “Don’t stop,” she breathed.

He frowned and lifted his nose to the air. “Damn.” Ripping off his shirt, he yanked it over her head and pulled her to stand. Then he shoved her behind him. The bare, very cut muscles in his back vibrated.

A pissed-off wolf was never a good thing. Never.

Maggie smelled the air. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Terrent growled.

Jase Kayrs strode down the trail, the forest shadows at home on his face.“You two all right?”

“Damn babysitter,” Terrent muttered. “Yes. Go away.”

Jase stopped. A slight grin lifted his lips. “Ah. Okay. See you back at the house.” Whistling a smart-ass tune, he whirled and sauntered out of sight.

Maggie stepped away from Terrent. He turned around, desire on his face, lust in his eyes.

She gulped air. The warm shirt covered her to her knees and smelled like male and power. Her body ached, but her brain had finally stuttered awake. She couldn’t do something like this without remembering who she was. How could she even think of going forward with her mind an empty darkness? “We should, ah, get back.”

His nostrils flared, while his lip quirked in satisfaction.

“Okay. Though you need to know. We had an agreement to mate. Remember it or not . . . you’re fulfilling that promise.”

Chapter Three

Two hours after being so rudely interrupted in the forest, Terrent glared at the six-and-a-half-foot-tall vampire sprawled smugly in the guest chair in his home office. Apparently Jase Kayrs was once again feeling amusement and fun. The relief filling Terrent made him smile when he wanted to growl. He pushed away from his mahogany desk, glad the heavy wood stood between them. “You interrupted.”

Jase shrugged a muscled shoulder. “Don’t care.”

So Terrent did growl.

Jase growled right back. “I’m not sure moving Maggie to your home is such a good idea. She should stay in the guest quarters.”

“The Vaile wolves are after Maggie. I can protect her from other wolves.”

“That’s not why you want her here.” Wisdom and an odd sadness filled Jase’s copper eyes.

“No. It’s not.” Damn vampires fought love and eternity—

wolves didn’t. Even furious wolves who couldn’t change the past. “She’s mine and has been for over a decade.”

Jase cracked his knuckles. “A fact you failed to mention to my brother.”

As if on cue, the mounted screen on the wall lit up, and Dage Kayrs came into view. He shoved papers out of the way and cleared his onyx desk. “Sorry about the delay.

What’s going on?”

Terrent leaned back. “Three wolves just came for Maggie.”

“From the island?” Dage frowned.

Terrent started.

Jase chuckled.

“You knew?” Terrent muttered.

“Of course I knew.” Dage glared, and five hundred miles away, it still burned. “I’m the fucking king.”

So he wanted to play that game, did he? Terrent leaned forward. “I appreciate your sending little Maggie my way . . .

such great timing.” Yeah. He knew she was there to uncover the bastard messing with his inoculations. “I can find my own damn traitor.”

The king flashed sharp teeth in what almost passed for a smile. He’d pulled his black hair back and wore sparring clothing. The silver of his eyes shone with a dark wisdom.

“Maggie needs to be with wolves, to see if her memories can be shaken loose—especially since her people are now aware that she’s alive. A mission got her there, didn’t it?”

Jase chuckled again.

Irritation clawed down Terrent’s spine. Was the damn king trying to matchmake? “I don’t need your help with my personal life, Dage.”

“The hell you don’t. It’s been ten years.” Dage didn’t blink.

“I’ve been trying to figure out why the demons are after her . . . or at least, what the Kurjans did to her.” For a decade Terrent had hunted, he’d searched, and he’d failed.

“I know.” Dage clasped his hands together. “We’re still trying to go through all the files from the last raid against the demons, and from when we, ah . . .” His gaze flicked to Jase.

Silver morphed to blue in his eyes, and he quickly blinked, bringing back the silver. “When we found Jase in Scotland.”

When they’d rescued the nearly dead Jase, that is. Jase didn’t move, and his face lost all expression. The eyes of a killer focused out of what had just been a charming face.

Terrent cleared his throat. “Let me know if you find anything in the files.”

Dage nodded. “I will. What happened to the wolves who attacked you?”

“They’re secure, and I’ll interview them tomorrow.”

The king nodded at the euphemism. “Let me know what you find out.” He focused on his younger brother. “How long are you staying with Terrent?”

“I’m leaving shortly,” Jase said.

Dage’s jaw firmed. “If you must. Remember you promised to check in once a month.”

“I remember,” Jase said.

The king exhaled. “You have one year to do what you need to do, Jase. At the end of the year, I want you back at Realm headquarters in Oregon.”

“I’ll take as long as I want.” No emotion sat on Jase’s predatory face.

Plenty of emotion filtered across the king’s. “As I’ve said, you have one year. Come home, or we’ll come and get you.”

The screen went black.

Terrent was suddenly very grateful to have been an only child. “Family.”

Jase grinned and rubbed his short brown hair, the charm back in place. “No shit.” He stood and strode toward the door. “If you need me, you know how to reach me.”

The last thing Terrent needed around was a furious, slightly crazy, still-dealing-with-the-hell-he’d-gone-through vampire. “Be safe, Jase.”

Tension escaped the room along with Jase. Seconds later, the entire cabin relaxed. Terrent lifted his head to double-check and then flicked a button on the desk.

Dage Kayrs once again took shape. “Is he gone?”

“Yes.”

“You have plans in place?” the king asked.

“Yes. We have wolves all around the mountain. If he’s in trouble, or if he needs help, we’ll know it.” Terrent leaned back to study the king.

Lines of worry and anger cut into the sharp angles of Dage’s face. Lines he’d hidden from his brother. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Maybe you should talk to him instead of having us watch over him as he lives alone for a while.” Shit.

What did Terrent know? He’d never had family.

Dage grimaced. “He won’t talk. Not to anybody.” Dage scrubbed both hands down his face. “I should never have let him be captured.”

“Maybe that’s part of the problem,” Terrent said softly.

Dage’s dark eyebrows drew down. “Meaning?”

“All of you Kayrs brothers—you blame yourselves for your younger brother being captured. That’s a lot of responsibility and guilt to carry. For him to carry.” Terrent shifted his weight. No wonder the poor guy had wanted to get away from family and home.

Dage’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Interesting. I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

“I don’t mean to interfere.” Terrent shook his head. The last thing he wanted was to get involved.

“Actually, I appreciate the insight.” The king leaned back in his chair. “Are you any closer to figuring out who’s messing with the shifter inoculations?”

“No, but I will be.” The idea of any wolf messing with the inoculations that kept their people safe fired rage in Terrent’s blood. Well, at least the situation should be firing him into a pissed-off state. He sighed. “I can’t figure it out. The saboteur always strikes here at wolf headquarters before the drugs are sent around the world, and so far, we’ve discovered the faulty vials in time to fix the problem.”

“So no shifter has been given the damaged inoculations?”

Dage asked.

“No.” Terrent leaned toward the camera and rested his elbows on his knees. His people had been safe from Virus ever since the vampires had created the inoculation. “Nobody has been harmed by the damaged drugs. It’s as if this is the worst terrorist we’ve ever met, or—”

“Someone wants you distracted?” Dage rubbed his chin.

“That’s disconcerting.”

“I know. If successful, this plan could be quite the terrorist move, considering shifters need three inoculations spaced three years apart to be permanently immune to the virus. We only have two series completed for most people.” Yet, Terrent couldn’t quite get excited about the matter. Nobody had been harmed. “If this is some sort of trap, I haven’t figured out for whom or why.”

“Need backup?” Dage asked.

“No.” Terrent worked alone. Even as part of the Bane’s Council, he hunted alone. “I’ve got this.”

Dage nodded. “Are you ready for, well, Maggie?”

Talk about a loaded question. “I take it you knew I knew her?”

“Of course.” The king shrugged. “There isn’t much I don’t know.”

Terrent sighed. Now he owed his old friend for keeping the secret. “The lass still doesn’t remember me.” The words cut through him with a familiar pain, and he let the damn brogue slip. It’d been years since he’d trained to speak without it. “A decade to heal, and she’s still a blank slate.”

“She may never remember.” Dage leaned forward. “She loved you once. Maybe she’ll be foolish enough to do so again.” His lips tipped in almost a smile.

What if she didn’t? What if she’d changed enough they’d lost their chance? “I’m sure my charm will work again.” Terrent forced a grin.

Dage tapped a communicator in his ear and listened for a moment. “I have to go. Call me if you need me.”

The screen went dark. For real this time.

Terrent took a deep breath. He needed to visit Realm headquarters more often. The worry and frustration seemed to be getting to the king, and nothing ever got to the king. A creak outside caught Terrent’s attention. Interesting. Little Maggie had found his favorite spot.

Smiling, he loped through his two-story cabin to the back porch. The woman sat on his porch swing, bare foot pushing off the wooden planks to stay in motion. She stared at the rippling river and overgrown grass, lifting her gaze to the sprawling forest on the other side. Curly brown hair cascaded to the middle of her back, wild and free like the woman.

Pale skin covered delicate features, and her pretty brown eyes had the power to stop him cold. Although she’d trained with vampires for a decade, she was finely toned, but not muscled. The wolf had always been petite and rather delicate.

Not that she had ever admitted that fact.

The sight of her in his domain hit him square in the chest.

He’d fallen for the clever wolf the first time she’d outmaneuvered him during the hunt. Then the months they’d spent together had captured him for all time. The smart-ass owned him . . . body and soul.

And he was just fine with that.

As a wolf, as a hunter, he knew how to stalk. How to take his time and win. Ten years was a long enough time to plan and allow her to breathe. It was now over.

Slowly, so as not to spook her, he strode forward and dropped onto the swing. His hips easily fit, but his shoulders nearly knocked her off. So he stretched an arm along the back, bringing her close.

Close enough to smell vanilla and woman. Her scent made his mouth water. His cock hardened.

The night pinpointed in focus until he had identified every sound, every scent, every possible threat out there. Clearly and unequivocally. A male wolf ’s instincts when his female was near.

She kept her gaze on the moonlit forest. “I like your cabin.”

“Thank you.” He tried to keep his chest from puffing out.

Making her happy warmed him.

Her bare feet stretched against the wood. “I’m surprised you have a permanent home. I mean, with you being the head of the Bane’s Council.”

He took over the swinging, eyes glued to the hot red pol-ish on her toes. Sexy. Definitely sexy. “I’ve headed the Council for three centuries, always moving, always hunting.

When you live on the move, you need someplace to call home every once in a while.” Wolf-shifters lived in packs, and the Raze pack led them all. He liked the Raze pack, and he had several friends in the area. More important, Washington State was a safe place to put his mate while he hunted.

She turned to look at him, her eyes deep pools of chocolate. “You don’t have any family?”

“Nope.” Except her.

She nodded. “Me, either.”

He planned to change that.

The moon rose higher in the sky. “Would you like to run, little wolf ?” he asked.

Yearning filled Maggie along with trepidation. Yes, she wanted to run. The moon was high and the forest inviting.

But she’d never run with another wolf. At least, she didn’t remember running with wolves. What if she was slow? Or clumsy? Or what if she’d forgotten something every wolf knew?

For so long she’d been only able to shift under the full moon because the Kurjans had infected her with the damn virus. Even after a cure for shifters had been found, she hadn’t bounced back as quickly as other shifters. But now, finally, she could shift on command. Unfortunately, she sometimes had problems keeping the shape. “I, ah, I’m not sure.” There.

She’d said it.

He stretched to his feet, uncoiling all that strength in a lazy move. His shirt landed on the swing, and his jeans hit the porch.

Her mouth dropped open. Nude, lit by the moon, Terrent Vilks was all hard, all muscle, all male.

He grinned. “Take your time and think about it. I’ll go scout the other side of the river.” Turning, he leaped across the small yard, shifting into a massive brown wolf before touching the ground and hurtling across the water.

She couldn’t jump that far. Standing, she squinted into the night. A large, flat rock sat in the middle of the river at the perfect distance for her. Terrent was sure a planner. Indecision shuffled her feet.

Then her shoulders went back, and her spine stiffened.

She could do this.

She kicked off her jeans and tossed off her shirt.

Energy spiraled through her. Her hands elongated, and then her arms stretched wide. Fire rippled down her spine.

She dropped to all fours. Her jaw cracked, bones re-formed, and fur sprang up on her body. Freedom soared inside her veins. A hundred sounds hit her just before a thousand smells filled her nose.

One smell jerked her head up.

Male. The scent of night and musk. Terrent.

She padded along the grass until reaching the river. Bunching her back legs, she jumped for the rock, touched down, and soared to the other side.

She skidded in the reeds, sniffing to find him. His scent was everywhere, but she couldn’t hear him. Her nose down, she followed his trail, going in circles.

Where the heck was he?

Suddenly, four hundred pounds of muscle and fur hit her, sending her rolling end over end. She jumped to her feet and snarled. He gave her the canine equivalent of a smile, turned, and ran.

She yipped and bounded after him. So the wolf liked to play, huh?

Increasing her speed, she jumped, stretched her whole body, and landed square on his back, digging in her claws.

He growled and skidded to a stop.

Her yowl echoed off trees as she flew through the air.

Twisting mid-flight, she landed on all fours. A wet nose snorted into her ear. She turned and batted his face.

With a head-butt to her flank, he flipped around and rushed between two trees. She followed, emitting an excited yip.

They played for hours. Through trees, along the river, up a rocky mountain. Wild smells filled her world, spicier than the ones in Oregon. Finally, he led her up an outcropping, sharp and jagged, where the smells turned fresher and sweeter. She picked her way carefully, her paws not accus-tomed to the craggy rock.

A trembling started in her back paws and wandered up her hind legs.

Oh no.

She blew air from her nose and tried to shove down panic.

Her ears went numb. She glanced down at the ground twenty feet below, swiveling her head to see the wolf above her. A panicked whine sailed out with her breath.

Terrent glanced down, golden eyes wild in the night.

She searched for a ledge. Nothing was large enough to hold her human body.

Closing her eyes, she tried to stop the change.

With the softness of a whisper, her body shifted from animal to woman. Her nails clawed into the rock even as she began to fall. Her eyelids flew open to see a powerful wolf lunge straight at her from above.

Terrent made the split decision to shift from wolf to man just in time to smack into the woman and start twisting through the air. He timed the movements so he’d hit first, calculating the distance and ground cover. Tucking her close, he allowed his right shoulder to impact, immediately rolling over several times and keeping her off the ground. The pain didn’t hit until they’d finally stopped.

Agony burst like fire through his shoulder.

He took a deep breath, mentally dispatching healing cells to the muscles and tendons.

She shuddered on top of him, her heart beating so hard he could feel it on his chest. The woman levered herself up, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Straddling him, she patted his chest, his stomach, his face. “I’m sorry.”

God, she was cute.

Her breasts glowed in the moonlight, and she was sitting smack on his cock.

Suddenly, he forgot all about his shoulder. “Why did you shift?”

“I couldn’t help the change.” She ran her palms down his arms, obviously searching for injuries. “I’m still regaining my strength from having the virus for so long, and sometimes I can’t hold the wolf form.”

His eyebrow lifted. “Maybe you should’ve told me that before we climbed rocks.”

“Um, yeah.” She bit her lip. “But I was having so much fun. You don’t like heights, anyway, so I wouldn’t have thought to tell you.”

“I don’t mind rocky hills when I’m in wolf form. But flying? Or climbing trees? Or, God forbid, high-rise buildings?

No way.” Then he waited for reality to hit her.

She finished patting him down and relaxed, her knees on either side of his hips. Straddling him. All movement stopped.

Her pretty brown eyes widened. A lovely pink flush rose from her breasts to her face.

Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.

He expected her to scramble off him. To stutter. Instead, she tilted her head to the side and slowly, so damn slowly, flattened her palms against his chest. A low purr rumbled up from her abdomen.

A wolf who purred. His head might explode, she was so damn perfect.

She swallowed. “You’re naked.”

“So are you.”

She wiggled a little bit. Heat roared between his ears and down his spine. He grabbed her hips to hold her in place.

“Ah, don’t wiggle.”

Her blush strengthened to a red that had to burn. “Sorry.”

She didn’t look sorry. Heat lightened her brown eyes, and curiosity filled her expression. Wolves. Always curious.

She wasn’t the only one wondering.

He slid his palms up her flanks, ignoring the pull in his injured shoulder. It’d heal within minutes. Her skin was smooth and so damn soft. He remembered how soft. It had been hell leaving her in safety the last decade while he hunted the additional werewolves created during the war. He’d had a job to do, and he’d done it.

She ran her hands along his ribs, a small smile tilting her lips. “You’re so big.”

“Too big?”

“No. Just big.”

He outweighed her by a couple hundred pounds. When they’d dated before, she’d liked his size. Before she’d been taken and infected with a virus by their enemies. Did soldiers scare her now? Rage ripped through him, but he forced his anger down. “I won’t hurt you.”

She nodded, absorbed in watching her hands drive him crazy. “Why the one fang?”

“Huh?” His anger dissipated in a flash.

“The one fang mark on my butt. You have two fangs.”

Oh. “I had broken one off in a fight with a werewolf earlier that day. It took about a week to grow back.” Probably a good thing, too, or he would’ve marked her. Not that he wasn’t going to soon.

“Oh.” Her gaze met his, and she blinked. “Well, ah . . .”

She bit the inside of her lip and looked away.

“What, Maggie?” He tried to gentle his voice, but her tight little body on him had the words emerging guttural.

“I don’t remember how to do this,” she whispered, her gaze on his collarbone.

His heart flipped over. Jesus. She might as well cut it out and wear it for a hat. The little organ—and anything else he had—belonged to her. The sexy, cunning, pretty little wolf had a sweetness to her that shocked him, considering what she’d gone through. He wanted that sweetness to wrap around him and never let go.

His hold tightened. “Wanna learn?”

Chapter Four

Maggie’s grin flashed adorable dimples. “Yeah, I want to learn.” She tucked her chin. “But just because I like you, and I want fun. No marking, no mating, and no forever.” She sighed. “A bunch of my friends are now mated because the vampires never seem to understand that kind of thing.”

Neither did wolves. “I won’t push you tonight.” Tomorrow was fair game.

“Maybe I’ll push you.” She licked her lips.

There was the tough wolf he’d spent months chasing so long ago. Smart and tough. And so fragile his skin burned to protect her. He held no illusions about himself—he’d trained and worked as a killer for centuries. He’d rip apart anybody who dared threaten her. It wouldn’t be easy being his mate.

“Good thing you’re a strong wolf,” he mused.

She frowned. “Thanks?”

“You’re welcome.” He stamped down on impatience. No way would he scare her now. “I remember your body. Well.”

Her chin went up in challenge . . . and delight. “Prove it.”

“Well—” he drifted his hands over to cover her breasts, her hard nipples sending fire through his palms to his cock.

“You have very sensitive nipples.”

She hummed, her lids half-closing as she pressed into his hold.

“And—” he tugged both nipples with a pinch—“you like a bit of bite.”

She gasped, her eyes went wide, and she grabbed his wrists. More important, she dampened his cock. Yeah, she was getting wet.

He kept his hold firm and absolute. “Put your hands back down.” Doubt clouded her face. “Now.” His order held the tone of an Alpha this time.

She hesitated, and he pinched harder.

The slap of her hands on his chest echoed around the forest.

He allowed the wolf to dance under his skin. Her pupils dilated, and she got even wetter. Surprise, confusion, and raw need spun across her face like an emotional slide show.

She was perfect for him—now to prove it to her.

His hands flattened out, and he soothed the ache, feeling her soft moan against his groin. Then he rolled them over and changed their positions, his hands on her breasts, his body over hers as he pressed her into the soft leaves. Her nails bit into his shoulders.

He growled low. “Put your legs around my hips.”

Indecision filled her eyes. Then she spread her legs, bend-ing her knees, her thighs sliding against his. Sure, she’d challenge him . . . and soon. But she wasn’t there yet.

He settled more comfortably against her, stretching her hands above her head. “I want you open.”

A shudder wound through her. One palm cradled the other one above her head, scraping those pretty breasts against his chest. Her wide eyes watched him warily, her body vibrating with need. The demand to claim her, to take her, ripped through him with desperate claws. Keeping his face calm, he tamped down on lust. For now.

Female wolves were crazy dangerous. This one probably more than most—even more than she knew. He could match her. He could protect her. This was the first step in proving it to her. Again.

So he dropped his head to nuzzle her neck in the way of their people. She sighed, relaxing into the ground. He bit where her neck met her shoulder, clamping down just enough to taste blood, but not enough to mark. She tasted like sex and honey . . . all his. She stiffened and arched against him, rubbing her clit against his aching cock. Wetness coated him.

His balls flared to life.

He held his breath until he could control himself. If the woman had any clue how close he was to shoving her onto all fours and making her his, she’d run up another tree. So he licked the slight wound in her soft skin.

She moaned, her eyes fluttering closed.

Now that was trust.

His lungs filled with the scent of vanilla. His mouth on her, he wandered south, his ears pricking to survey the forest around them. No predators were around. Well, at least no predators more dangerous than him. His lips enclosed her nipple, and this time he groaned in pure appreciation. Several lifetimes wouldn’t be enough time to truly enjoy her taste. But he’d give it a shot.

He nipped, licked, and tasted his way across her breasts until she was a quivering mass of nerves beneath him. She was practically bucking him off by the time he took pity on her and coasted down her abdomen. One lick at her clit and she went off like the Fourth of July.

He fucking loved the Fourth of July.

God, she was gorgeous when she came.

Time to see that again.

Pressing her still trembling thighs apart with his shoulders, he settled in to play. Her entire body shuddered when he dragged his tongue across her clit. Slowly, he inserted one finger into her heat, followed by another. God, she was tight.

The animal inside him roared for him to take.

Searching for the tiniest of seconds, he found her G-spot.

Yep, right where he remembered.

She cried out and arched into his mouth.

God, he’d missed this woman. Her powerful orgasm shot pine needles in every direction. He let her ride it out, prolonged it until she started to mewl.

Wolves probably shouldn’t mewl.

With regret, he released her clit. She sighed in relief.

Hmm. He couldn’t grant her relief quite yet. Crawling up her body, he took her mouth in a kiss that promised posses-sion. Her small hands drifted down his back, and it felt too good to stop—to put her hands back over her head. She could touch him all night if she wanted.

Her tongue glided along his at the same time her nails bit into his butt.

Fire roared down his spine. The control he’d kept so strongly spun away. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her off the ground and plunged inside her with one brutal push.

She cried out, her nails sinking deeper. Her gaze on his, she blinked, and then relaxed beneath him with a soft sigh of pure pleasure.

Her wet heat enclosed him, pulsing, demanding. His balls pulled tight. He gritted his teeth and withdrew to plunge back in. Her internal walls gripped his cock in so much fire, sparks flickered behind his opened eyes. Going blind was well worth the price of such heaven.

He picked up the speed, holding her down, keeping her as close as possible. Her thighs lifted, and her ankles clasped at the small of his back, pushing with surprising strength. He fought back the orgasm, wanting to prolong bliss for as long as possible.

Then she came again.

Her entire body stiffened, and those dangerous walls clenched him tighter than a vise, rippling along his entire length.

He lost it.

Grabbing her hips strongly enough to bruise, he fucked her hard. Too hard, but he couldn’t stop. Never in his life had anything felt so good. So— He roared like the wolf he was when he came, his entire body jerking with each ejaculation. Seconds later, he collapsed on top of her, his senses instantly tuning in to the forest. God, he’d lost it so completely, anybody could’ve snuck up on them. He tried not to frown.

The goofy smile on her face made his frown disappear.

He smiled back.

Step one . . . accomplished. Now all he had to do was convince her to mate him again.

How hard could that be?

The next morning, Maggie struggled to walk naturally and not wince as tender muscles protested. Very. Tender. Muscles.

Private ones that Terrent Vilks had worked like crazy the previous night. And she had to lose the satisfied smile . . . but her face wouldn’t cooperate. Sex was awesome . . . and sex with Terrent explosive.

Sometimes being a wolf rocked. Even a damaged wolf with only ten years of memories.

When Terrent reached for her hand, her grin widened.

Her whole face felt happy. But how could she move on without knowing who she was?

The manicured trail ran for several miles up the hill. Pine trees shadowed the sides, and birds chirped high above. She loved walking through the woods, especially in the fall warmth of the sun. Huckleberries sweetened the air. “Okay.

Let me try again.” Taking a deep breath, she tried to mask her scent.

“Nope. Vanilla and, well, me.” His smug smile was too cute to get irritated about.

“Shoot.” If she had known how to mask her scent at one time, the virus had taken away the ability. For now.

They emerged into a grassy field. A sturdy cedar-sided lodge rose high in front of another rocky hill, while several more buildings spread to the north. Wolf headquarters for not only the Raze pack but for all wolf-shifters.

Maggie cleared her throat. “How many wolves are there in the Raze pack?”

“Usually about three hundred, but many are off fighting in the war. It’s the largest wolf pack in North America, however.”

“Is that why this is the headquarters for all wolf-shifters?” Maggie asked.

Terrent nodded. “Somewhat. The Raze pack is also com-prised of excellent fighters and strong leaders.”

A graveled parking lot spread out to the side, but she was glad they’d decided to walk the several miles.

A stream of people, all women, emerged from an opening in the rocky mountain.

Women shaking signs and chanting about inequities in life.

Terrent stopped short, yanking her to a halt. “What the hell?”

Maggie smelled the air. Yep. All wolves. She eyed the twenty angry women. Several younger ones, teenagers actually, wore cheerleading outfits with the logo Egerton Eagles across their chests. “There’s a protest?”

“Humph.” Terrent scratched his chin. “This is new.”

Three men strode from the lodge to stand on the wide porch. The middle one had long white hair, sizzling eyes, and the overbearing posture of a leader.

Maggie tilted her head. “The Alpha?”

“Yes. He has led for almost a thousand years. But he lost his mate a few years ago, and he hasn’t recovered.”

Maggie’s heart lurched. “How did she die?”

“For a while, there were bands of shifter-werewolves being controlled by the Kurjans. They raided different places to prepare to take down the king. She was killed by a werewolf.” Anger and sorrow cut harsh lines in Terrent’s face.

“Now he wants to retire and go travel.”

“Who will take over?”

Terrent nodded to a lumbering blond with a red face standing behind the Alpha. “His nephew, Roger.”

There was something in the tone. “You don’t like Roger?”

“He’s a hothead.” Terrent gestured to the third man on the porch, who couldn’t be more than twenty. “Nash Johnson.

He’s training as an enforcer. Good kid. Tough and thinks on his feet, but too young to lead. Now, anyway.” Grabbing her hand again, Terrent tugged her closer to the group. “Come on. We don’t want to miss this.”

His shadow was cast long by the sun, and she was re-minded once again of his size. Thank goodness he was a rather reasonable wolf. Well, as wolves went.

The Alpha cleared his throat and held out his hands.

“Now, ladies. A protest?”

The woman in front, a thirty-something with streaked blond hair, shook her sign. “With all respect, Gerald, the new laws are stupid. The girls should be allowed to go to nationals.”

A rip-roaring “Nationals!” shot from the crowd.

Roger jumped forward and yanked the sign away from the woman. He held it high, yet close enough to use. “The Alpha has spoken.”

Terrent stiffened and stepped closer to the lodge.

Gerald cleared his throat, his eyes searching. Relief filled them when he spotted Terrent. “Vilks. This must be Maggie Malone.”

Everyone turned to look at her, and she fought the urge to step back.

“Yes.” Terrent faced the crowd. “Did we come at a bad time?”

“No.” Gerald sighed. “Sorry about the state of the area— we’ve been busy.”

Empty planters and weeds disfigured the area. The landscaping plan was beautiful, but apparently nobody had the time to nurture flowers and plants. The earth appeared as if it had lost a battle.

Terrent nodded. “We’ve all had a tough decade. Things will improve.”

The woman who’d lost her sign reached for another one.

“We’d like the Bane’s Council to weigh in on this one. Hopefully you can talk some sense into our leadership.”

Roger stepped toward her, menace vibrating the muscles in his arms.

Maggie gasped.

One second Terrent stood by her side, the next he had his hand wrapped around Roger’s throat, the sign in his other hand.

Holy crap, he moved fast.

The growl rumbling from his chest shot chills down her spine. Muscles flexed in his arm, and Roger dropped the sign.

Terrent tossed him against the wooden building, where he dented the grooved wood. The building shuddered, and the glaring man dropped to the deck. Terrent hissed out a breath.

“We intimidate women, now?”

Gerald stuttered. “No. We don’t. Things are just in up-heaval as we transition leadership.” His hands shook as he clasped them.

Maggie took a deep breath. The guy didn’t want to let his psycho nephew lead. Couldn’t blame him.

Terrent slowly turned, fire in his eyes, his jaw rigid. “How can the Bane’s Council help, Bobbi?”

The woman glared at Roger before focusing on Terrent.

“The girls finaled in their regional cheerleading competition and have been invited to compete in Georgia next month.”

She gestured toward the girls. “My daughter, Shannon, and her friends have worked hard to accomplish this. Yet, they’ve been told no.”

Roger shoved off from the building, irritation in his eyes.

“Integrating into the human community was a mistake, one that will be rectified soon. We never should have allowed our females to attend a human school. “

“You don’t allow anything, jackass,” Bobbi hissed.

Roger dodged forward again only to somehow smack into Terrent’s fist. Air shimmered around the other wolf as he began to shift.

“Stop!” Gerald ordered.

Everyone froze.

So that was what an Alpha sounded like. Maggie twitched her nose. Yep, she felt like stopping. Interesting.

Terrent stretched his neck. “The Bane’s Council will escort and protect the kids on the trip.”

All eyes turned toward the Alpha, and several of the girls seemed to be holding their breath.

“Are you sure?” Gerald asked, his shoulders relaxing.

“Yes. I’ll contact Lock and Ace later today,” Terrent said.

A chorus of excited shrieks from the girls sent birds scattering for safety. Maggie tried to keep her hands off her ears.

Several of them rushed forward to hug Terrent, and she tried to keep her claws sheathed.

Then she tried to keep from laughing her ass off at the panicked look across his strong face. He awkwardly patted a couple of the girls on the back, sending them sprawling toward their mothers.

Bobbi raised her sign. “To town—ice cream for everybody.” Turning, she sent Gerald a look. “On the Alpha.”

The girls squealed. Two of them approached Maggie. The closest one shook her hand. “I’m Andrea, and this is my friend, Shannon.” Both girls had green eyes, long brown hair, and pretty smiles. They looked like wolves.

“Nice to meet you,” Maggie said.

“You, too.” Andrea grinned. “So, you’re Terrent’s mate?”

“Ah, no. Just friends.” Even as Maggie said the words, heat climbed into her face.

The girls giggled.

Maggie cleared her throat, trying to look like an adult.

She felt like a dork. “Enjoy the ice cream.”

“We will.” The girls ran for the parking lot, where everyone piled into a bunch of cars, which went speeding down the road.

Terrent gestured her toward him. She took her time across the uneven ground. Nobody ordered her around, including her current lover. Period.

Amusement lifted his upper lip as he took her hand.

“Alpha Gerald McDunphy, please meet Maggie Malone.”

Gerald clasped her hand in his big mitt. “It’s so nice to meet you, my dear.”

They all turned as a dirty black Cadillac screeched to a stop. A man in a doctor’s white smock jumped out, shoving his glasses back up on his nose. A haphazard pile of papers was clutched in his hands. He hustled forward and bowed his head to the Alpha.

“Dr. Philips,” Gerald said. “What’s going on?”

Philips sucked in air and pointed at Maggie. “Her test results are in. The Kurjans changed her.” Yanking out a mask, he pressed it to his mouth. “I know why the demons want her dead.”

Chapter Five

Maggie settled onto the hard seat, her gaze on the mountains outside the floor-to-ceiling window. Terrent sat next to her in the lodge’s conference room, displeasure vibrating from him with an intensity that sped up her heart. The Alpha, his nephew, and the enforcer sat across the table. The stupid doctor sat at the end, still wearing his mask.

“I knew I shouldn’t have let the wolf doctors poke me,”

she muttered. The vampire doctors had examined her for years without discovering anything off.

The doctor sniffed behind the mask. “We know more about wolf anatomy and the workings of the Vaile wolves than do the vampires. Unfortunately, if the demons want you dead, they know about your gifts, too.”

Terrent was still. Too still. “What the hell are you taking about, doctor?”

The doctor’s hand trembled. “The tests came back. We tested her brain waves. They’re just like a normal wolf ’s.”

The doctor’s eyes bugged out over the paper mask, and his tone hinted at disaster.

Claws emerged from her fingertips, so Maggie hid her hands under the table. Her stomach pitched. “How is that bad?”

“Well—” the doctor waited for a nod from Gerald before continuing—“you’re from the island, and your brain waves should reflect the ability to shield, or mask your scent.”

The blank hole that had contained her memories mocked her. Maggie’s lungs heated. “So, my memories are lost not because of the virus, but because the Kurjans messed with my brain? Or my brain waves?”

“Apparently.” The doctor leaned forward. His eyes glowed with interest. “Your people send out brain waves to mask your scents much in the same way the demons send out images of pain and death to torture. My guess? The Kurjans were trying to take your natural gift and make you a weapon. To demons, to wolves, to everybody you might demolish mentally.”

“I can’t demolish anybody mentally,” Maggie said. She couldn’t even get into her own head, much less anybody else’s.

“Yet.” The doctor snuffled behind the mask. “Brain waves have a rhythm. Yours are normal waves for a wolf, but that could change. Just being exposed to your own people might alter your rhythm.”

“Bullshit.” Terrent’s fist hit the table.

Maggie jumped.

The doctor sighed. “Even humans understand that music can alter brain waves in children. In fact, I believe the vampires invested heavily in all the CD music that was sold for pregnant women the last few decades. What the humans haven’t figured out is that anybody’s brain waves can be altered. It’s not easy, and it has consequences, but it’s possible.”

So the Kurjans had messed with her brain? Maggie swallowed down the bile rising from her gut. “So, what? The Kurjans let the demons think I’m some sort of demon destroyer?”

Terrent nodded. “Makes sense. The vampires rescued you, the Kurjans were stretched thin with the war, so they let loose the fact that you were dangerous to demons. Let the demons take care of you.”

“But I’m not. I mean, I can’t do any big brain tricks.”

How cool would that skill have been?

The doctor grimaced and repeated, “Yet. I mean, your brain has been altered. In repairing itself, who knows what you might be able to do?”

Yeah. Doubtful. Very doubtful. Maggie sighed. “Um, why are you wearing a mask?”

His eyes bugged out. “I don’t know what else you might’ve been infected with. Sorry.”

What a complete dumbass.

Roger pushed back from the table. “I’ve heard enough.

I’m sorry, but you have to leave our pack.”

“Wait a minute—” Terrent stood.

“No.” Determination and an odd satisfaction tilted Roger’s round face. “Protecting the pack is my duty, and I’ll do so. Take her and leave. Now.”

Terrent’s wolf shimmered beneath the surface. “You’re not Alpha here, asshole.” He turned toward Gerald. “We have an agreement. Maggie lives here.”

“Whoa.” Maggie stood up. “I never agreed to live here.”

One of the younger soldiers ran into the room, his face scraped and bloody. “The prisoners escaped.”

Terrent lifted an eyebrow. The temperature dropped at least ten degrees. “The three wolves I brought to you escaped?”

“Um, yes.” The wolf lowered his gaze.

Gerald stood, anger whitening his lips. “What happened?”

“I can’t explain. We heard a noise, went down to the cells, and nobody was there. I couldn’t smell anybody, so we opened the doors.” He rubbed his face. “I have two men down.” The soldier wiped blood off his chin. “They escaped down the north side of the mountain—heading toward Canada.”

Terrent eyed the wolf. “I told you they could mask their scents.”

“I know. But I couldn’t hear anything, either. And there was no window in the door,” the soldier said.

Maggie clutched her hands together and bit back a wince when her claws cut into her skin. They’d be coming for her again.

Roger strode toward the door and shoved the younger wolf out. “Get me five teams of three ready to go.”

“Yes, sir.” The injured man took off running.

Roger turned back toward Gerald. “This is unacceptable.

It’s time for a change.” Red suffused his face. “Don’t make me challenge you.” Then he focused on Terrent. “Take your woman and leave—I’ll handle the Vaile wolves.” He turned on his heel and disappeared.

Gerald wiped his mouth, fatigue fanning out from his eyes. “I’m sorry. We’ve lost many to the war, and our soldiers are still off fighting. I haven’t trained them as I should.”

Terrent clasped his shoulder. “You can’t give up now.”

“I need to go.” Gerald’s shoulders slumped. “I lived here for nearly nine centuries with Lois. She’s all around me here, and I need to go. To travel and try to heal.”

“I miss her, too, and I’m sorry she’s gone. But Roger is not prepared to lead a pack,” Terrent said, grasping Maggie’s elbow and assisting her up.

“There’s nobody else right now. The war has us stretched thin—many wolves are still fighting in the south. I can’t beat him if he challenges me. He’s the best fighter I’ve ever seen.”

Gerald shook his head.

Maggie coughed into her hand. “He doesn’t seem that great. I mean, Terrent contained Roger easily yesterday.”

Gerald tucked his chin and lifted his eyebrows. “Terrent isn’t exactly a normal fighter, now is he? Believe me, against most wolves, Roger would prevail.”

Interesting. Maggie’s shoulders straightened with an odd pride about Terrent. “Cool.”

Gerald eyed Terrent. “I don’t think this will be a safe place to leave your mate.”

Leave her? Maggie stumbled. “I thought you wanted to settle down with this pack.”

Gerald’s head jerked up, his eyes swirling. “You want to settle with a pack, Terrent?”

“No.” His long legs ate up the distance to the door. “I want a safe place for my mate while I’m out on tours. I thought this was it.”

“I won’t be left.” Maggie tried to yank her arm from his grasp. Unsuccessfully. Besides, it wasn’t like she had agreed to mate him. Well, agreed again to mate him.

Terrent turned at the doorway to pin the too-quiet doctor with a hard look. “I want additional tests run on Maggie, and I want you to send all results to the Kayrs headquarters for a second opinion.”

“No.” The doctor’s hands shook. “The vampires don’t know about the Vaile wolves, and if I send them the data, they’ll figure it out.”

Terrent chuckled, the sound completely lacking in humor.

“Dage Kayrs knows what you had for breakfast, doc. I guarantee he’s informed about the Vaile wolf pack and their strange abilities. Trust me. There are no secrets from the king.”

Gerald gave a weary nod. “Send the king the results.”

“Thank you,” Terrent said. “I also want a guarantee of Maggie’s safety while she’s here. For ten years she hasn’t harmed anybody with any demon brain ability, even under extreme duress. The tests are wrong.”

“You have my word,” Gerald said.

Terrent nodded. “I’m borrowing a pack rig to take Maggie to safety, and then I’ll return for the three wolves. Your soldiers need help.”

“Yes, they do. Threats are aimed at us from all sides.”

Gerald’s hands shook.

“You still being threatened by the Ausgel pack?” Terrent asked.

“Yes. Until our soldiers return, we’re vulnerable to attack,” Gerald said.

Maggie frowned. “Who?”

“A feral wolf pack that doesn’t belong to the Realm.

They’ve wanted our mountain for centuries.” Gerald stretched his neck. “But they’re not your concern. I’ll step up training tomorrow just in case.”

Terrent frowned. “We’ll talk later. Let’s go, Mags.”

She followed him through the lodge and out to an old but sturdy Ford truck. “I can fight, you know,” she muttered.

He pivoted so quickly she almost fell on her butt. “Ten years of training doesn’t make a fighter. Especially when someone still suffers from PTSD.”

That was a nice way to say she had terrible panic attacks.

“I find I don’t like you very much right now.”

He grinned, flashing sharp canines while opening the passenger-side door. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard that from you.”

Damn. Would her memories ever return?

She jumped inside, glaring out the window at the peaceful forest as he stepped into the truck and started the igni-tion. Quick movements had the vehicle maneuvered down a dirt road, heading south toward town. She bounced around in the cab, clutching the dash, growling at the terrible potholes.

They made it halfway down the mountain before she turned to look at him. They needed to find common ground.

Arguing with the stubborn wolf gave her a headache. “So you fought with my grandfather in the war?”

Terrent started. “Ah, no. I was just a kid when I met him.”

Instinct whispered if she waited a second, the wolf would talk. Maybe her memories were returning. So she studied his strong profile. Or was it just hard?

Terrent sighed. “Three hundred years ago I lived in a small village in Scotland. The first war between the vampires and the Kurjans exploded, and any allies of either were taken down. My people were wiped out. Completely.”

“I’m so sorry,” Maggie whispered.

He lifted a shoulder. “I was only two years old and barely remember. Somebody hid me, and three days after the mas-sacre, your grandpa found me.”

Maggie blinked. “My people raised you?”

Terrent coughed out a laugh. “No. Your people don’t mix well with other wolves because of their weird ability. Your grandpa brought me to Gerald, and I was raised with his pack until I was eight.”

“What then?” Had the poor guy found a home?

“I had skills—fighting skills that were beyond the norm.

Plus, I came from an Alpha bloodline but lacked a pack. So I trained to sit on the Bane’s Council. All over the world, I trained with the best shifters, vampires, even a couple of demons in order to fight.” He checked the rearview mirror.

“Since the age of eight, I was trained to kill.”

The matter-of-fact tone chilled her more than the actual words. “Sounds lonely.”

“It was.” His dark eyes warmed as he glanced her way.

“Then I found you, and I wasn’t lonely any longer.”

Her heart thumped. Hard. “I wish I remembered us.”

“I wish you did, too.” His hands tightened on the wheel.

“You need to believe that even though we argued, and you took off for a bit, we didn’t break up. You just needed to cool off.”

Relying on somebody else to fill in her past flared her instincts into awareness. “I don’t know many wolves, but it seems we’re ruled by emotion. If we really wanted to mate, why didn’t we?”

His upper lip quirked.

Cute. Way too cute.

“You wanted to get married first,” he said, shaking his head. “Totally unorthodox, kind of silly, but you’re a true ro-mantic.”

Well, yeah. The whole white dress, veil, walking down the aisle sounded sweet. She wanted sweet. “You agreed?”

He scratched his head. “I agreed to anything you wanted except allowing you to fight.”

She’d ignore that word for now. “You didn’t trust me.”

“It wasn’t about trust.” His brow furrowed. “You have many fine skills, but you’re, I mean, you’re—”

“Clumsy?” she muttered.

He snorted. “Horribly clumsy. I tried to train you in blade fighting once, and you almost took off your own foot.” He laughed, the sound deep and free. “God, you were a menace.”

She still was a klutz. But every fighter had difficulties.

She opened her mouth to explain reality to him when something hit the side of the truck.

Hard.

Metal crunched.

The vehicle swept sideways across the road, throwing gravel and protesting with the screech of fuming brakes.

Fear blasted through her nerves. Maggie screamed and claws shot out of her hands. Fire rippled down her legs.

Terrent swore and jerked the wheel toward the center of the road.

At the wolf propelling the truck full force toward a stand of tall pine trees.

Air stopped in Maggie’s throat. She turned to meet feral yellow eyes outside her window. Gray fur was matted down his back. Saliva dripped off his sharp canines. A roaring filled her ears. Her entire body shook. Not now. Not now. Not now.

Terrent yanked the truck into park. He shot an arm out, shoving her back into her seat and bracing her. Fury lit his eyes. “Get ready for impact.”

A thought later, the Ford slammed into a century-old pine tree. Glass shattered inward, cutting her leg. The passenger side tires flipped off the road and landed back down with a hiss of air. The seat belt cut hard across Maggie’s chest, and her skull smacked the headrest.

The world roared into silence.

She panted, her eyes opening, her heart clutching cold.

Terrent grabbed her shoulders. Blood flowed from a cut along his cheekbone, and rage shimmered in his eyes. “Are you all right?”

She gulped air. “Yes.” Tingles cascaded up her spine. Her lips went numb. Panic swept through her on the heels of terror.

Terrent slashed her seat belt in two with sharp claws and shoved her head down to her knees. “Stay here and breathe deep. Cover your face.”

She turned her head and rested her cheek on her leg.

Tightening his lips, he yanked a knife from his boot. In a blur of motion, he exploded through the windshield. Glass torpedoed in every direction.

She gasped and sat up. Had he cut himself ?

Rolling across the hood, he landed on the gravel, immediately slashing the wolf in the jugular. The beast yelped and turned tail, stumbling until collapsing in the center of the road. Two men instantly dashed from the opposite forest, one lifting a handgun.

The attackers from the previous night! They sure hadn’t gone far after escaping.

Bullets ricocheted off metal. Terrent dropped to his knee, propelling the knife end over end toward the shooter with a flick of his wrist.

The knife embedded itself in the guy’s neck, and he went down.

The other man stood at least seven feet tall with a barrel for a chest. Muscles bulged along his arms, and his hands were the size of hubcaps. He smiled and angled closer to the truck. His blue gaze flicked toward her. “She’s ’ars.” The brogue lay thick and heavy in the quiet morning.

“Wrong.” Terrent angled around to the north.

“Let’s ask ’er,” the wolf said, his head tilted.

“Go ahead.” Terrent slid his feet into a fighting stance.

Maggie swallowed, her gaze on the dangerous scene.

Shards of glass framed the hole in her window. “Who are you?”

“Gregory Newt, a friend of yer betrothed.” Gregory aimed his thumb toward Terrent. “Ye don’t want to be with him. He’s Skene clan.”

Terrent took advantage of the moment and attacked.

Head down, he hammered into Gregory’s gut. The men cata-pulted across the road and hit the ground with the force of a wrecking ball. Gravel, rocks, and dirt exploded from the earth, leaving an indentation. Gregory roared and threw Terrent off him.

Terrent somersaulted and landed on his feet.

Gregory charged.

Maggie screamed and pushed open her door. She dropped to the gravel, clutching the truck to remain standing. Her knees wobbled. Damn panic attacks. She shoved this one down. Time to control herself. Terrent was about six-and-a-half feet, but the other wolf was bigger. She needed to help Terrent.

Oh. Oh. Well, now.

While Gregory might be bigger, Terrent was faster. Brutally faster.

He jabbed, kicked, and punched faster than she could track. The impacts drove Gregory back a foot. Another foot.

His enormous hands swept out, and he finally connected with Terrent’s jaw. Terrent’s head shot to the side. Slowly, he turned back toward his foe.

Maggie gasped. Dread slid up her esophagus.

Fire lit Terrent’s eyes with the promise of death. Gone was the charming wolf who liked her clumsiness. Gone was the smooth lover. Gone was the fierce fighter.

Here was the killer they’d created.

While her head held no memories, she knew without a doubt she’d never seen him as he truly was. Something she hadn’t known she’d been missing clicked into place.

There. He. Was.

The wolf rippled beneath his human skin. Beast and man combined in a configuration she’d never imagined. The deadliest form of both animals. That wasn’t normal.

He clapped both palms against Gregory’s face.

Bones cracked. The other wolf howled in pain.

Terrent plunged all five claws in his right hand straight into Gregory’s neck, jerking up.

Gregory hit his knees, shock flickering in his eyes.

God. She needed to stop this. Tentative steps toward Terrent made her legs wobble. Fear heated her earlobes. Slowly, she pressed against his vibrating back. “Terrent? Please don’t kill them.”

Sure, they’d wanted to take her to Scotland. But they hadn’t intended to hurt her. Even the bullets hadn’t impacted Terrent and were more of a warning than an actual murder attempt. The wolves were people she’d once known. Maybe.

“Please,” she said softly.

Muscles undulated beneath her palm. His claws retracted.

Gregory fell to the side, his hands clutching his neck.

Terrent pivoted and lifted Maggie. The ground spun away.

Safety and warmth enveloped her. She pressed her face against his heated neck. Good air in. Bad air out. She could control the panic.

Her eyes fluttered shut. The three wolves would survive, but they’d be on the injured list for a while. Although shifters weren’t as indestructible as vampires and could die from natural causes, they would still regenerate unless the wound was absolutely fatal.

Terrent hadn’t killed them. In his moment of rage, he’d listened to her. He’d stopped before killing.

She kissed his neck.

His body shuddered.

She inhaled again. “I think I remember loving you, Terrent Vilks.”

Chapter Six

Maggie snuggled closer to the wolf as he ran through the forest. In what seemed like mere minutes, he kicked open the door to his cabin.

While her mind might not remember the man, her body certainly did. Home lived in his scent, in the feel of his arms around her. She licked her way up his neck.

Salt and man. Male and strong.

Yeah. On some level, she remembered him.

He’d been right. She’d loved him. Hell, maybe she still did. Seeing him taking down three wolves heated the blood in her veins. As an animal, as a shifter, he was all Alpha. The perfect mate to protect the children she wanted to have.

Someday.

Finding a jaw harder than granite, she nipped. His low growl sent flutters right through her abdomen to her sex. Her breasts ached. Heat flushed along her skin, the sensation too demanding to be comfortable. Need and want held nothing on the craving capturing her blood.

Air swept against her as they maneuvered to the rear of the cabin. The scent of Scotch, musk, and male filled her senses. Her butt slapped the hardwood desk in his study.

Then he was on her.

Hands in her hair, mouth taking hers, his jeans barely containing the hard cock pressed against the apex of her legs.

She fell back. Her elbows caught her and sent a stapler spinning off the desk. Papers scattered. Pens rolled away.

He ripped open her shirt, flinging buttons to slam into walls. His mouth went to work tracing her jugular down to her breasts. Hard kisses, firm lips, heated tongue.

His hands palmed her elbows and lowered her to the desk. Flat on her back, her legs hanging over, her body exposed to him, she tangled her fingers into his thick hair. Vul-nerability rushed through her along with lust. The two shouldn’t coincide. Yet, with the powerful hunter, the combination spiraled her need higher.

Sharp fangs split her bra in two, and fire engulfed her nipple as his mouth enclosed it. She cried out, arching against him. With a low growl, he kissed along the underside of her breast until reaching her other nipple. The man did have a fine attention to detail.

Sweat broke out on her brow. She shifted against him, her breath panting out.

Licking down her torso, he reached the button on her jeans. The snap gave, and he slowly pulled them off along with her thong. Dropping to his knees, he settled in, his shoulders pressing her thighs wide.

The hard kiss to her clit almost shot her off the desk. Her elbow smacked the phone, and it rolled away with a ringing clatter. Shards of plastic flew up. Her hands pressed against the wood. The man was too much. “Was it like this with us before?” she ground out.

He rubbed his cheek against her inner thigh, his whiskers scraping. “Always.” Turning his head, he sank his canines into her leg, his palm cupping her sex.

The orgasm surged inside her so quickly, so powerfully, tears swept into her eyes. She blinked, her body moving, explosions rippling through her. “God.”

His fangs retracted, and his lips wandered over her mound. He chuckled and licked her, swirling his tongue around her clit.

“No—” She grabbed his head. It was too much.

One broad hand encircled her wrists and pinned her hands against her stomach. He sucked her clit into his heated mouth.

Way too much. She kicked out, her mind spinning.

He tightened his grip.

A warning.

She stilled. Mini-explosions fired out from her sex. “I can’t—”

“You will,” he rumbled against her, the sensations so erotic, her eyes rolled back. Her head dropped to the desk.

Her muscles relaxed.

“Good girl,” he murmured. His tongue pressed her clit.

“No—”

“Yes.” Pleasure rode his words, while demand filled his tone. The Alpha in full force . . . and he wasn’t letting her go. He’d play until he was satisfied.

The truth of the thought surged desire through her veins so quickly her breath heated. Hot and desperate. His hold immobilized her on the desk, his shoulders kept her thighs wide. Vulnerable. One finger slowly entered her.

Her shoulders tightened. “I had an argument once with a friend about the existence of the G-spot,” she breathed out.

“You mean . . . this?” He wiggled his finger.

Electricity bolted to her nipples, her entire body a string he’d plucked. She bit her lip, but a small moan escaped.

“Yeah. That.”

“Hmmmm,” he said thoughtfully, his mouth on her, his finger inside her, his broad shoulders branding her skin.

“Maybe it’s time we talked about our agreed mating.” His canines scraped along the side of very delicate tissue.

“Goblegack,” she said. Her mind blanked, her body short-circuited.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He slowly licked her slit.

Did wolves have rougher tongues than people? Not that she remembered doing this before. But still. “No . . . mating.”

Another finger entered her. He went to work with pur-pose, with some serious damn talent. Vibrations shook her legs. Her stomach muscles contracted. White sparks flashed behind her eyes.

Could a shifter go crazy from too much pleasure?

Who the hell cared?

She twisted against the cool surface, nerves firing. A ball of lightning uncoiled into tendrils of flame deep inside her.

She gasped, holding her breath, trying to jump into the fire.

If he’d just give a little more pressure—

He sucked her entire clit into his mouth.

She cried out, arching her back until only her shoulders remained on the desk. The orgasm crested through her on shards of raw need, finally breaking over into waves of intense pleasure. She rode them out, panting, her mind blank-ing. The intensity sheeted the entire room white and silent.

Awareness returned as she relaxed into mush. He stood, fully dressed, male satisfaction crossing his face. His gaze dark and intent, he tugged his T-shirt over his head. Hard, sculpted, natural muscle shifted as his hands went to his jeans. He was too male, too beautiful to be real. She sighed.

“I really love your chest.”

His upper lip quirked as he kicked his jeans away.

“Ditto.”

“Whoa.” Her eyebrows lifted. He was erect and so freakin’

huge. Tingles cascaded inside her abdomen.

The dark determination in his gaze shot awareness up her spine. An odd craving throbbed between her legs. Again.

How was this possible?

Naked, real, Terrent Vilks was all strength, all predator.

And right now, his absolute focus pinned her in place.

Her heart fluttered in female awareness. An instinct as old as time. One that had her stilling, watching him, part of her wanting to run . . . the other part needing him to make good the demand in his dark eyes. To take her as he wanted.

He grasped her biceps and tugged her into a seated position. Warm palms swept the shirt off her shoulders and down her arms.

Her breath caught in her lungs. Desire spun inside her stomach with harsh wings.

Erotic sparks danced on her skull as he threaded his fingers in her hair, tilting her head. Between his hands, he cradled her face and brought his mouth down on hers. Her heart jumped into action as he held her in place, hunger swirling through her. The kiss was firm, demanding, possessive. A statement. A claim.

A sharp nip to her lip made her open her mouth, the small bite a declaration that there would be no barriers between them. No protection—no hiding. Plunging in, his tongue stroked her, heat rolling off his strong body to warm her front.

Her nails sank into his powerful biceps, while flames licked her into a craving so intense it’d be frightening if she had time to think.

He released her, pleasure curving his smile.

She swallowed and searched for reality. “Um, bedroom?”

Heat flared in his eyes. “No.” Sliding her off the desk, he turned her around to face the far wall. His erection brushed her bare buttocks.

She stopped breathing. Again. “Um—”

Flattening against her upper back, his rough palm gently pushed her down. She turned her head, resting her cheek against the chilled walnut. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she swallowed a moan. His foot nudged her thighs farther apart.

Oh God.

His hands grasped her hips, tilting them.

On all that is holy.

He plunged inside her with one strong stroke. The heavy desk moved a foot. Fire lanced along every nerve in her lower body. Her nipples hardened to steel against the desk.

Her head shot up, her chin on the surface. The wall danced and morphed in her vision, so she closed her eyes.

Tightening his hold, he withdrew, slowly pushing back inside her. Large, he caressed needy nerves she hadn’t realized she had. He tilted her hips to a higher angle. She turned her head and buried her face in her arms. Too much feeling . . .

too much pleasure. God, she craved him.

He slid out and then back in. His palms branded her skin.

Their breathing filled the heavy silence.

Embedded inside her to the hilt, he allowed a moment to pass as he remained still.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

Instinct ruled as she widened her stance.

His sharp intake of breath was the only warning provided.

Long fingers bit into her flesh. One arm snaked under her, winding to flatten against her upper chest and yank her to him. Her head jerked up. Her back bowed. With one hand, he controlled her completely as he started to move.

To pound.

To take her like the wolf he was.

The force of his thrusts pressed her against the desk. Restrained, she couldn’t move, could do nothing but feel. The sense of helplessness heightened every sensation. She lifted onto her tiptoes, taking more of him. Taking all of him.

The pounding increased in strength and speed.

Her calves trembled, the sensation rippling up her legs, her butt, her spine, to the top of her neck. She tightened around him, gripping with a strength that shot tears into her eyes. Each hard thrust blasted stabs of pleasure through her skin.

She was so close.

With a sharp cry of relief, she broke.

She screamed as great spasms rode her into blasting waves that battered into a painful pleasure. The fine line between the two blurred, leaving only sensation. Deep, dark, dangerous sensation. A feeling she’d always know existed ... would always want.

Only Terrent Vilks could create it.

Coming down with a sob, her body went limp.

The powerful shifter ground against her, his whisper of her name the barest of kisses on her neck.

Chapter Seven

Maggie tugged down her sweater and tripped over a rock.

Terrent shut the passenger door of his SUV and grabbed her arm. “You okay?”

“Yes.” She righted herself. What had she been thinking in his study? She’d never look at a walnut desk the same way again. Any desk, actually.

“Why are you grinning?” He slipped an arm around her shoulders, providing balance and safety.

Of a sort.

“I’m not.” She picked her way carefully over the gravel drive and wiped the smile off her face. Nope. Still smiling.“Why are we going to this shindig?”

He shrugged and nearly dislodged her. “We live in this pack’s boundaries, and we were invited to the celebration. So we go.”

So this was what being part of a couple felt like. After living with all the happily mated vampires, she’d wondered.

The man’s use of the word “we” warmed something inside her. But she wouldn’t completely know herself, know what she wanted, until her memories returned. “We don’t live together, Terrent.” Their grappling over the desk notwith-standing.

“We will.” His worn black T-shirt emphasized solid muscle, while his faded, ripped jeans encased long legs.

“You need a new wardrobe.”

He threw back his head and laughed, the sound almost happy. “So you’ve always said.”

“Your wardrobe bothered me?” Her boot tottered on loose gravel, and she grabbed his waist to keep from falling.

“Not really. But you liked to give me a hard time, anyway.”

Yeah. That sounded like her. She swallowed. They loped across a worn trail from the parking lot at the rear of the main lodge. Now was the chance for her to do what the king had asked—investigate the inoculation problem. “I guess it’ll be nice to meet some other wolves.”

“Hmmm.”

“Why didn’t you mark me? I mean, back at the cabin.”

Shit. She hadn’t meant to blurt out those words. But she’d been restrained, turned on, and would’ve agreed to anything.

His hold tightened. “I’ll mark you when you’re ready.

When you agree with a clear mind.”

“What if I don’t agree?”

“You will.” He brushed a kiss along her temple. “Mating is forever. You need to make the choice on your own.”

What an awfully reasoned approach for a wolf to make.

“Sometimes you surprise me.”

His shrug nearly knocked her on her butt. “Sorry.” He helped to right her.

“My fault.” Being a klutz sucked. “So, um, when you fought, you were both human and wolf. That’s not normal, is it?”

“No.”

She waited for more, but he remained silent. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s part of being Skene. We’re good fighters because of the ability, which is one of the reasons our enemies took us out. It was also why I was trained so early to be on the Council.”

Sounded seriously lonely. Maggie wrapped her fingers tighter around his. “So, how about a tour of the wolf headquarters?”

“Sure.” He maneuvered her closer to the main lodge.

“Are you considering staying here?”

The thought occurred to her to lie, but she couldn’t do it after the day they’d shared. “No. Even if I remember my life and know I love you and want to get hitched, I’m not living here without you.”

“You can’t hunt with me.”

Now she shrugged. “So it’s an impasse. We don’t mate.”

“We’ve had this discussion before.”

“I was right then, too.”

He slowed. “Are you remembering?”

Her shoulders straightened. “No. I mean, sometimes I hear your voice right before I wake up. Your voice with the brogue. But that’s all.”

He turned her to face him. “That’s incredibly sweet.”

Warmth settled across his rugged cheekbones.

Heat climbed into hers. “I’m not sweet. Telling you the truth seems to be the easiest path.” Her grin even felt happy.

“Even though I don’t remember my past yet, I do feel like I loved you.” She kicked a loose pebble, her gaze dropping.

“A lot.”

One knuckle under her chin lifted her face. “I loved you more.” His mouth took hers.

Warm and gentle, his kiss wandered right down to her heart and spread.

He lifted his head. “You may never remember your past, sweetheart. But you’re strong enough to go forward and create a good life for yourself. Trust me.”

“I do trust you.” Was it possible for her to move on without knowing herself ?

“Good. Are you ready for a wolf party?”

She bit her lip. “I’m not sure. But what the heck.”

Chuckling, he took her hand and led her around the weathered lodge. A potluck had been set up in the middle of the scruffy clearing, complete with bright checked table-cloths. Two long tables were piled high with tons of food in crockpots, pretty dishes, and decorated bowls. People milled around, setting up, while a band tuned instruments close to a makeshift dance floor.

Terrent tugged her toward the wide porch along the main lodge where Gerald helped a little boy untangle a kite. “Hi.”

The Alpha glanced up, a smile lighting his worn face.

“Help. Please help.” He handed over the strings.

Terrent accepted the mess and dropped to his haunches.

“Hey, Toby.”

“Hi, Trnt.” Toby smiled, showing a gap where his two front teeth had once been. Long blond hair sprang out from his head in every direction, and his eyes were a bright green.

Very wolflike. He had to be about four, maybe five years old.

“My kite got grounded.”

“We can fix it.” Terrent tugged a string free.

Warmth flushed through Maggie. What the heck? Now she was some silly female getting all soft over a guy helping a kid?

Yeah. Yeah, she was.

He jerked his head toward her. “This is Maggie.”

Toby stuck out a grubby hand. “Hi. You Trnt’s?”

Maggie shook his hand, saying “no” just as Terrent answered “yes.”

Toby nodded solemnly. “That means you his.” He sighed and shook his head at Terrent. “Girls.”

“Amen, brother.” Terrent finished untangling the strings and handed the kite back to the kid.

“Thanks, Trnt. You the best.” Toby took the kite and jumped off the porch, his small legs pumping. The flag lifted.

“Cute kid,” Maggie said. Her gaze caught on Roger as he sat in a wide chair at the end of the lodge. A king surveying his subjects.

Terrent followed her gaze. His shoulders went back.

Gerald sighed. “Let it go. We’re going to do the transfer of leadership ceremony next week. Unless someone challenges him, he’s going to lead.”

“Good luck. I’m glad I’ll miss that moment.” Terrent glanced at his watch. “I’ve been away from work too long and plan to leave soon. We’ll be back in time to take the cheerleaders to nationals, I promise. But we have an outbreak of werewolves in Denver, and I need to meet Lock and Ace as soon as possible.”

Maggie swallowed. What about her? His timetable only gave her a short period to discover who was messing with the inoculations. “Werewolves from the virus?”

Terrent started. “No. These are everyday humans-turned-werewolves.”

Unfortunately, the werewolf gene was a dormant one in humans. Nobody knew why or how it went live with certain humans, who then turned and either bit or clawed other vic-tims. There would always be werewolves for the Bane’s Council to hunt and kill. Maggie kicked a pebble. “Have a great trip.”

Terrent lifted an eyebrow, glancing down. “I figured we’d come up with a plan before I left. Whether you want to live here, with the vampires, or anywhere else. I’d like you to live with people I trust.”

“I’m not your responsibility.” Apparently she never would be. Maneuvering around the large wolf, she hooked her arm through Gerald’s. “I’d love a tour of your headquarters.”

The Alpha smiled, looking years younger. “I’d be delighted.”

They both ignored Terrent, moving off the porch toward the outcropping of buildings.

Gerald pointed to three log cabins set back in the forest.

“Those are guest cabins for visiting dignitaries—not as fancy as the mansion you first stayed in, but nice enough.

You’ve already seen the main lodge.” He grinned and patted her hand while leading her toward the entrance to the rock.

“Inside the mountain we keep the cool stuff.”

She’d spent plenty of time in the king’s underground headquarters. “Don’t tell me. Hidden weapons caches, com-puter banks, and storage facilities. As well as living quarters in case everyone needs to take refuge underground during war.”

Gerald threw back his head and laughed. “Yes. Just like the king’s. But our people are wolves who don’t live underground unless we’re being bombed. We’ve spread out over the mountain, and some folks even live in town. We’ve found that’s the best situation for the kids—to make friends with humans. The world is becoming closer, and we’re trying to adapt.”

Roger would probably try to change that. Maggie sighed.

“Your packmates seem like good people.”

“We’re great.” Gerald grinned. “You should join the pack.

As soon as our soldiers return, we’ll be invincible again. Or . . .

really strong.”

“What about my weird brain ability?” She could be a danger to everyone around her.

He shrugged. “If you end up developing a demon-fighting ability, how could that be anything but beneficial to your pack?”

“You’re a wise man, Gerald the Alpha.”

“No. I’m just old, sweetheart.” He led her into the cool rock, small pebbles crunching under his feet. “Old and tired.” He gestured to a quiet conference room to the right.

“That’s where the cheerleaders planned their strategy for the last competition. Very exciting.” His lip quirked. “We used to raid other villages, used to rob from humans. Now we compete for fun. Life could be so good if the war ended.” His eyes softened. “Though we’ve lost so many people. Healing takes time.”

Maggie stumbled and quickly righted herself. The tour continued, Gerald pointing out the weapons room, several training rooms, and small apartments. Finally, they reached a wide, double metal door manned by a scowling guard at least seven feet tall and wider than a Volvo.

“Here’s our newest addition to the underground fortress.”

Squinting, Gerald punched in several numbers on a keypad.

The locks disengaged with loud clicks.

Maggie’s heartbeat increased in speed. “What’s behind the doors?”

Gerald yanked open the left door. “Come and see.” He gestured her inside.

Cash and safety deposit boxes lined the north wall. Impressive weapons lined the south. Straight ahead, behind a bulletproof glass door, stood several metal containers. A large garage-type door made up the far wall.

“That’s the serum for the inoculations?” Maggie asked.

“Yes. We improved our security after the last mishap.

You’ve heard about the faulty vials, right?” Gerald stepped closer to the glass.

“The king may have mentioned something about that.”

“Yes. It’s a mystery. We didn’t have any security in place.

I mean, who would mess with the inoculations?” Gerald shook his head. “So now, there’s no way to get in here without permission.”

“What about the far door?” Maggie asked.

“The garage door is booby-trapped.” Gerald swept out an arm. “We need the loading area to get the boxes onto trucks for dissemination. Nobody is coming in that way. Besides, the trucks arrive early tomorrow morning. Then I won’t have to worry about the serum any longer.”

Everything seemed secure. Maggie relaxed. “Who do you think tampered with the drugs?”

“I don’t know. Either somebody from my pack or the Bane’s Council. At least one of them was here all three times. They’d have to be working together with a plan, and I don’t understand why the Bane’s Council would tamper with the vials.” Gerald huffed out a breath. “So one of my people is guilty. But why?”

“I don’t know. But at least nobody was harmed.”

“My people aren’t good saboteurs. I’m not sure if I should be grateful or embarrassed by that.” Gerald turned back toward the steel door. “We’re missing the party, my dear. Let’s go get some pasta salad.”

“Sounds good.” Maggie eyed the guard on the way out.

The guy looked like he could take down a bear. “So, you don’t have any idea who could’ve damaged the drugs?” she asked Gerald.

“Anybody could’ve gotten to the drugs before we put security measures into place.” He led her back into the dusky evening. The band was softly playing, while people milled around with full plates. The cheerleaders from the other day sat over on a grassy clearing with a bunch of teenage boys.

Their laughter filled the air with mirth.

The woman from the protest, Bobbi, hustled up. “Gerald, there’s an issue with the band. Something about not enough plug-ins.” She rolled her eyes.

Gerald patted Maggie’s hand. “I’ll catch up with you later.” He took off toward the band.

Bobbi held out a hand and smiled. She’d pulled her dark brown hair into a clip, emphasizing high cheekbones and green eyes. “I’m Bobbi—Shannon’s mother.”

“Maggie.” They shook hands.

Maggie eyed the area, her shoulders relaxing when she spotted Terrent across the clearing. The wolf leaned against a tree, his gaze on the crowd. Alone and thoughtful.

Bobbi followed her gaze. “Terrent’s a sexy one, isn’t he?”

“Uh, yeah.” Maggie started.

Laughter erupted from Bobbi. “I’m making small talk.

No interest here—happily mated to a soldier. Who hopefully will be home soon.”

Maggie smiled. “Ah. Well, I have no claim on Terrent, so no worries.”

“Right.” Bobbi snorted. “It’s nice to see him happy. Almost at peace.”

Warmth flooded into Maggie’s face. “He’s happy?”

“Yes.”

Several people approached the man to talk, but he remained off to the side. Separate from the party. Maggie sighed. “He’s not very friendly.”

“Sure, he is. He’s just not comfortable with people.”

Bobbi waved at an older couple zipping onto the dance floor.

The woman’s defense of Terrent lightened Maggie’s shoulders. He had friends, whether he wanted them or not. Being alone in life hurt. She knew. But this Raze pack seemed like a good place to make a new life, to belong.

Bobbi elbowed her. “Let’s get some food. You can take a plate to the guy you have no claim on.” Her laughter increased the intensity of Maggie’s blush.

Terrent’s gaze landed on her. Heated and possessive.

She swallowed. “I could eat.”

Chapter Eight

The party went on for hours, and the band played the entire time. Maggie danced with Terrent, with Gerald, and with several other wolves. Being among her own people filled her with a lightness she hadn’t realized she’d missed. Sure, she loved the vampires. But this pack might be home.

She and Terrent stood to the side, drinking cider after a rather ambitious two-step. Her toes might never recover from his huge boot landing on them. Of course, she’d tripped the poor guy several times. “I told you that klutzes shouldn’t dance.”

He surveyed the area, always on alert. “I had fun.”

Throughout the night, he’d loosened up and had even par-ticipated in several discussions with folks about the war.

With the kids, he’d seemed comfortable from the beginning.

Little Toby had hung around him for quite a while until his mother had taken him to bed.

Terrent took a deep breath. “Did you enjoy your tour earlier?”

Instinct raised the hair on her arms. “Yes. Very interesting place.”

“Did you find any clues, Sherlock?”

Maggie jerked her head to meet his gaze. “Clues?”

“Please.” He brushed her forehead with warm lips, his focus on a group of men arguing about football scores. “Any clues on who messed with the drugs?”

She swallowed. “You knew? I mean, you knew the king sent me to investigate?”

A dimple flashed in Terrent’s cheek. “Yeah. I knew. Find anything?”

Her shoulders slumped. “No. You?”

“Nope. The entire situation is a mystery. An odd one.”

Gerald hustled up. “We have a problem. The Ausgel Alpha just contacted me with another offer to buy the mountain. If we don’t sell, he’s going to attack.”

Terrent straightened. “When will your soldiers be home?”

“End of the week.” Gerald rubbed his chin. “We should be fine, but this time of transition is over. I’m turning over leadership to Roger tonight.”

Terrent shook his head. “You should wait until your soldiers get home.”

“No. We need stability.” Gerald sighed. “I put together a defense plan in the lodge. Will you take a quick look at the diagram? I’d like to implement what we can starting tomorrow morning.”

“Sure.” Terrent handed his glass to Maggie. “You okay here?”

“Yes.” She waved at Bobbi, who was doing the cha-cha with a lumbering wolf.

Terrent left with Gerald. Maggie wandered around and grabbed a cookie from the table. The sound of the festivities rose in the air, the feeling light and happy. The entrance to the rock stood quiet and dark. How easy would it be to get inside and poke around? This was the last night anybody had to mess with the drugs—so if it was going to happen, it would be soon. Maybe she should set up inside and wait out of sight. Then she could report back to Terrent without even having to confront anybody. Now that was a plan.

Smoothly angling around the table, her foot only catching once, she maneuvered to the cave entrance. Nobody seemed to notice.

Her breath heated. Goose bumps rose on her arms. She could investigate like the best of them. Moving backward, she allowed the cave to consume her.

Winding through the quiet hallways, she paused before making the final turn where the guard was stationed. Darn.

She should’ve brought him some punch or a cookie. Oh well.

Too late. Plastering on a fake smile, she breezed around the corner.

And stopped short.

Her entire body stiffened. Adrenaline flooded her system.

The guard was down.

Passed out, his head at an odd angle. Maggie crept toward him, dropping to one knee in order to feel his neck. She sighed in relief at the strong, steady heartbeat. Thank God.

Shoving his neckline to the side, she revealed twin burn marks. A stun gun? An injection site swelled an inch away.

So the poor guy had been stunned and then injected with what had to be a rather powerful sedative.

She gulped in air, her gaze going to the metal door, which stood partially ajar.

Getting help seemed like the best idea, but she couldn’t let whoever was inside mess with the inoculations. Or get away.

The gun in the guard’s holster fit easily into her grip, and she stood on shaking legs. Toeing open the door, she slid inside like a cat burglar. A smooth, graceful cat burglar.

Sweeping the area with the gun as the vampires had taught her, she inched closer to the glass door, which was also open. Some sort of cover hung over the top of it, hiding the interior.

Her hand shook. She edged her elbow inside the door and tugged, quickly slipping inside. “Freeze.”

A startled “Ack” echoed through the space.

She started. The world froze. Cloudiness filled her mind.

“Andrea? Shannon?” She began to lower the gun.

The girls stood over one box of serum with syringes in their hands. Andrea finished injecting yellow liquid into one vial and tugged free the needle. “Well, crap.”

Maggie lifted the gun. Though they were teenagers, both girls were taller than she and probably more fit. Plus, they were wolf-shifters and undoubtedly trained. “This is treason.”

“Well, duh,” Shannon muttered. She tugged her Egerton cheerleading sweatshirt down.

Maggie shook her head. “Terrorist cheerleaders? Are you freakin’ kidding me?”

Andrea snorted. With her dark hair in pigtails, she looked like an everyday teenage girl. “Terrorists. Right. If we were terrorists, somebody would’ve been harmed.”

“And we wouldn’t have gotten caught,” Shannon said, slowly closing the lid of the container. Her curly hair was mussed up, probably from stunning the guard. “So, what now?”

“What did you give the guard?” Maggie kept her gun leveled between the girls.

“A horse sedative.” Shannon grinned, showing even white teeth. “He was already down from the stun gun.”

“I stunned him.” Andrea levered up on her toes and back down.

“This is crazy.” Maggie slipped the safety on the gun.

She’d hate to accidentally shoot one of them.

“Not crazy at all.” Wisdom shone in Andrea’s sparkling eyes. “I think our plan worked. Well, maybe.”

Maggie coughed. “What worked?”

Shannon sighed. “It’s obvious. We messed with the drugs whenever someone from the Bane’s Council was here. So, they had to investigate.”

Maggie shook her head. “You wanted to make Terrent come here?” At their nods, she raised her eyebrows. “You, ah, want Terrent?”

Andrea wrinkled her nose.

“Ew, no. I mean, he’s like, old,” Shannon said.

Well, he wasn’t that old. The guy looked thirty, but that was probably old to teenagers. “I don’t understand.” Maggie slipped the gun into her waistband.

Shannon sighed and rolled her eyes. “Come on. Think.”

Why would they want Terrent at wolf headquarters? Wait a minute. “Oh.”

“Yeah. He likes us, we like him . . . and Gerald is leaving.

Roger sucks.” Shannon moved toward the door to yank down the sweatshirt. She tossed the shirt to Andrea, who quickly put it on.

As a plan, well, it didn’t suck. Maggie bit her lip. “You have to come clean.” Maybe if Terrent realized what lengths they’d go to in order for him to stay, maybe to be Alpha, then he’d consider the job. And if he stayed . . .

“No.” Shannon opened the glass door. “Motives aside, this is treason. Any Alpha would have to take responsibility and take care of us.”

“Yeah. Besides, we have nationals next month.” Andrea followed her friend. “If you tell, you sign our death war-rants.”

“You’re being dramatic.” Maggie followed them out.

“Nobody is going to kill you.”

Shannon sighed with feminine angst. “Might as well if we’re forced to miss nationals. I mean, really.”

Maggie paused by the downed guard. “What about him?”

Shannon shrugged. “Leave him. He’ll be fine in a couple of hours, raise the alarm, and things will get interesting.

They’ll find the damaged drugs and toss them.”

The girl was a criminal mastermind. “Good thing you’re on the right side. Well, kind of.” Maggie’s mind spun. What should she do? Terrent and the king needed to know the truth, needed to know a traitor didn’t walk among them.

“Your hearts are in the right place, but the military leaders are concerned. They don’t have time to worry about a non-threat. You must tell Gerald the truth.”

They emerged into the night just as Gerald and Roger walked into the clearing.

“Oh, shit.” Shannon moved into the moonlight. “We’re too late.”

As ceremonies went, the transfer was short and sweet.

Roger pledged to protect and lead the pack, and then thanked Gerald for his service. The crowd was quiet, and several people moved to congratulate Roger when the change was over.

Terrent watched from afar, his face inscrutable.

With the ceremony finished, Andrea turned toward Maggie. “We can’t tell now, can we?” Tears filled her eyes.

“Things are gonna change.”

“This sucks,” Shannon agreed.

Maggie grabbed another cookie on her way toward Terrent. Reaching him, she finished the chocolate treat. “So, Roger, huh?”

“Guess so. He’ll learn to lead—the pack is strong enough to teach him.” The moon glinted down to highlight Terrent’s predatory face. “Plus, the guy can fight. So if the Ausgel pack attacks, he’ll come in handy.”

The band started to play a slow song.

Terrent took her hand and tugged her around. His palm pressed her lower back, and his head dropped to the top of hers. “Dance with me.”

She sighed and relaxed against him. So much heat, so much strength. “You would be happy here.”

“I’m happy wherever you are.” His breath brushed her forehead. “Always have been.”

She snuggled closer. “I’d imagine that being the only survivor of an entire pack might lend itself to some survivor’s guilt. Such guilt might force somebody to wander alone, never trusting himself to belong to another pack.”

He kissed the top of her head. “You shrinking my head, now?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “Something to think about. You were only a baby and have nothing to atone for.”

“Hmmm. I have plenty to atone for, believe me.” He swallowed. “Maybe you should’ve been a shrink.”

“I don’t really have a job.” For ten years, she’d trained and tried to regain her memories. Maybe they were lost forever.

“What did I do before I was taken?”

“You taught physics.” He pulled her closer. “In fact, several of your theories have improved the way the Realm fights werewolves. In just the year that we dated, your research resulted in strategic moves for the Bane’s Council that saved my life more than once. Very impressive. And I guess you liked teaching.”

She could see that. “Too bad I don’t remember physics.”

“Relearn physics, or learn something else.” His chest shifted against hers.

Her nipples sprang to life. “I might do that, considering my career as an investigator has stalled.”

“Don’t worry about the saboteur. Whoever has been messing with the drugs is well trained. They didn’t leave a clue. Besides, we have security measures in place now. The drugs are safe.”

She coughed. Guilt swirled through her abdomen. “Terrent—”

“Vilks!” Roger called out. “I need to speak with you.”

Terrent stiffened but didn’t turn around. He leaned back and brushed a curl off her face. “Apparently the new Alpha would like to speak to me.” He waited just long enough to be barely insulting before pivoting toward the lodge and taking her hand. “Why don’t you come with me?”

“Am I supposed to cheer you on or keep you from hurting him?” she asked.

Terrent lifted a shoulder.

They entered the lodge and went to the same conference room as last time. Roger seated himself at the head of the table. Gerald sat to his left, worry darkening his eyes. Nash guarded the door, his expression blank.

Maggie slowed. The tension in the room shot right to her ankles. Tingles swept up her legs. She breathed in quickly and held the oxygen in her lungs. The moment passed, and she dropped into a chair.

Terrent remained standing. “What?”

Roger leaned his elbows on the table, his eyes a dark brown. “Felix McClure from the Vaile pack will be here tomorrow morning with his enforcers to fetch his missing pack member. I’ve agreed to turn her over.”

Gerald shoved back from the table. “This is why you in-sisted on taking over tonight?”

“Yes,” Roger said calmly. “A treaty with the Vaile pack, with the best assassins in the world, will only strengthen us.”

The muscles rippled in his neck as he leaned back. “Maggie is a member of their pack, and they have the right to claim her.”

Damn it. Maggie struggled to breathe evenly. “I refuse.”

Gerald sighed. “You can’t. As a member of their pack, you are subject to their laws.”

“Let’s go, Maggie.” Terrent pulled her chair back.

Roger stood. “Just so we’re clear here. If you run, I will send every soldier in our pack to assist the Vaile wolves in finding you. Every. Single. One.”

Nash growled. “You’d leave the land and the rest of the pack unprotected?”

“In a heartbeat.” Roger leaned toward Maggie. “If you want that on your head . . . run, wolf. Just run.”

What a complete ass. Fear for her new friends overcame the panic sweeping her body. Barely.

Terrent shifted his stance.

Maggie jumped up and grabbed his arm. “No fighting.

Not right now.” Her mind spun. She had to figure out a solution. “Let’s go, Terrent.”

“Be back tomorrow at dawn,” Roger drawled.

A lumbering echoed from the hallway. Seconds later, the guard from the underground secured site stumbled into the room. “I was attacked, and I think somebody messed with the serum.”

Terrent took her arm and led her to the doorway. “You have something to deal with now, Alpha.” He nodded to Nash as he walked by. “I’ll talk to you, soon.” He eyed Gerald. “Check the inoculations for tampering before the trucks arrive tomorrow.”

As they maneuvered through the building, Terrent tightened his hold. “Did you want to tell me something while we were dancing?”

Maggie blinked. “Just that you’re a good dancer, Terrent.

That’s all.”

“Hmmm.” With quick steps they exited the lodge and went to the truck.

They made the drive back to the cabin in silence. Irritation and determination filtered across Terrent’s face, while guilt and dread filled Maggie’s stomach. What was she going to do? If Felix was as crazy as Terrent had said, then he’d chase her forever. She couldn’t put the Raze pack in danger and had no doubt Roger would make good on his threat. The jerk didn’t care about the pack.

Though Terrent did. Even though he tried to remain dis-tant, he seemed at home with the wolf-shifters. Maggie was at home with him. “I don’t want to live in Roger’s pack.”

“Don’t blame you.” Terrent stopped the truck at the cabin.

“Where do you want to live?”

“With you.” She studied his strong profile. Maybe it was time for her to live her life, memories or not. Limbo sucked.

“I think I’d like to relearn physics as well as military strategy. You know, actually go to school.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“So, I thought maybe I’d find an online degree program, or several . . . and then I could travel.”

He studied the dark night outside the truck.

She cleared her throat. “The only time I’ve felt at home has been with you. It doesn’t matter where we are. We need to stick together.” The idea of not being with him made something hurt in her chest. She’d been alone for too long.

“No long-distance nonsense.”

“I track and kill werewolves.” He sighed.

“I know.” Jeez. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen the beasts in action before. “You understand my position on this. Right now, we have a more immediate problem to deal with. How do we keep the Raze pack safe and yet keep me from heading to Scotland?” There had to be a solution.

“That’s an easy one.” Terrent turned his head, his eyes blazing through the darkness. “Mate me.”

Chapter Nine

Maggie swallowed. “Oh.” She thought she had more time to figure things out, to try and remember her life. Her feel-ings for the wolf were strong, but were they strong enough?

He shoved open his door and reached for her, unsnapping her belt and tugging her across the seat. “Do you love me?”

She clutched his arms as he swept her into the night.

“Yes.” The time for coyness, indecision, and insecurity had passed. “I love you.” Her brain didn’t remember him, but her heart was full of him. But was love enough? What if her brain really wasn’t functioning right?

He tucked her close. “I’ve loved you for eleven years . . .

and the last ten have been hell. No more distance, I promise.”

She snuggled her face into his neck. Without memories, she’d be leaping on faith. Maybe this type of decision needed to come from the heart, and not from the brain. “Mating is forever.”

“Yes.” He strode toward the house. “Forever.”

Her heart was full of him. She was a wolf, and wolves lived on instincts. She could trust hers. God, she hoped she could trust hers. “Won’t that cause war?”

“Maybe. But if we mate, you’re no longer subject to the Vaile pack’s laws. You’d be subject to my pack’s.” Terrent kicked open the door. “I mean, if I still had a pack. Anyway, you’d be free of the Vailes.” He dropped her to her feet, both hands threading through her hair. “More important, you’d be mine.”

She tilted her face to meet his dark gaze. Five years ago, when he’d kissed her, she’d wanted to claim him. Somehow, she’d known he was hers. Her emotions mattered, and she could trust them. “I may never remember my life from before.”

“I know.” His fingers tightened his hold. “Don’t think I don’t know how brave and strong you are to even think of mating me when your memories are gone. You humble me, sweetheart.”

Warmth slammed through her heart. The man knew exactly what to say. And she knew exactly what to do. Time to follow her heart. “I plan to bite you, too.”

Heat flared in his eyes. “Is that a promise?” Reaching for the hem, he tugged her shirt over her head. “I’ve wanted to do this all night.” He dropped his head, letting his lips wander along her collarbone. Her shirt hit the floor, followed by her bra. She kicked off her jeans and boots.

She pushed him and yanked his shirt over his head, flattening her palms against his abs and gliding up. Up over muscle and male to grip his hair. Rising up to her tiptoes, she pulled his mouth down to hers. Heat cascaded down her body. His tongue swept inside her mouth, taking and explor-ing. Strong hands gripped her hips and lifted her against the wall.

Thunder echoed outside, and rain began to slash down.

She drew back her head. “I hope that’s not a bad sign,” she panted.

Rain splashed inside the open door. Terrent cupped her ass, pressing hard against her sex. “Rain is good.”

Lightning burst outside, highlighting his predatory eyes.

Sexy and determined, his face was as solid as the mountains around them.

Maggie shivered, even as desire sparked her nerves. How was it possible to want somebody this much? She gyrated against him, her body aching. Then she kicked free, her bare feet slapping the wood floor.

He toed off his boots.

She yanked the button on his jeans loose and pulled them off his muscular thighs, finally tugging them away. His cock sprang free, large and impressive. She couldn’t wrap her fingers all the way around. Dropping to her knees, she licked the tip.

His gasp coincided with his body going rigid.

Female power flushed through her, more enticing than any aphrodisiac. Angling her face, she ran her tongue from the base to the tip.

His hands smacked into the wall. Chips of wood flew.

She grabbed the base, and closed her lips over him.

His low growl vibrated right into her mouth.

He tasted like salt and male, and she hummed in appreciation.

The world tilted, muscled arms yanked her up, and he slammed into her with one incredibly strong thrust.

She arched her back in surprise. Her body trembled, so much need cascading through it her mind blanked. He stilled, his forehead dropping to hers. That broad chest moved as he breathed in and out, obviously struggling for control.

The dick inside her pulsed with a demand that had her feet clasping at his waist. She clutched his flanks, trying to get him to move.

“Just a second,” he murmured, heated breath brushing her cheek. “Give me a second.”

His head rose. He looked at her from under heavy lids, desire lightening his eyes to a glowing amber. The wolf deep

inside him stretched awake as she watched. A matching heat flared inside her. Her heart pounded. Heavy and strong with anticipation.

Leaning forward, she ran her tongue along his bottom lip.

Anything and everything she could ever want stood right in front of her.

His hands flexed and cruised from her hips to cup her ass.

His thumbs pressed on her inner thighs, widening her.

Spreading her open for him.

Her lids dropped to half-mast, fire heating her skin. Sharp fangs slid free in her mouth. She scraped them down his jugular, across his clavicle, to the pectoral muscle over his chest. With a soft sigh, she pressed a kiss against his flesh.

Strong fingers tightened on her butt, leaving bruises.

Slowly, with determination, she bit down.

A growl rumbled from his gut, shifting muscles against her.

Opening her lips wider, she cut through flesh until her teeth met. Spicy blood exploded on her taste buds. Solid and true. Making him hers.

Triumph roared through her along with an odd sense of peace. Of being complete. Finally.

Her canines retracted. She licked his wound, leaning back to appreciate the clear bite mark. Her bite. He’d forever wear the marking. Against his impressive chest, the bite looked small. But absolute.

Pleasure curved her lips as she glanced up. The smile froze.

Desire carved predatory lines in his face. Hunger lit his eyes a golden amber—the eyes of a wolf. The muscles in his body shifted and vibrated as if barely held in check.

Oh.

Her eyes widened to let in more light like prey would in a darkened forest. Her heart stuttered. Oxygen slammed around her lungs, ensnaring her breath. Liquid need coated her thighs.

He was more than male—more than an Alpha. A combination of hunter, protector, soldier. Determined, he wiped her bottom lip, gaze dropping to the blood he’d captured on his thumb. He inserted his thumb in her mouth.

She sucked. Hard.

He inhaled sharply, crimson spiraling across his cheekbones.

She released his thumb with a soft “plop.”

As he kept her pinned with both his gaze and his body, his hands flexed, tilting her hips.

He withdrew and then slammed back inside her.

She gasped, a dangerous need uncoiling in her abdomen.

He stretched her, his hold absolute, the wolf shimmering beneath his skin.

This was one memory she’d never lose.

Tossing her curls out of the way, she exposed her neck.

Deadly fangs dropped low.

Anticipation fired the nerves along her spine.

His arm encircled her waist while his free hand tangled in her hair. He ground against her clit. She swallowed a gasp as mini-explosions fired inside her. Slowly, deliberately, he enclosed her shoulder with his mouth.

Her entire shoulder.

She opened her mouth to protest when those fangs pierced her flesh.

She cried out. Pain shot through her. Her entire nervous system short-circuited, sending a demand for her to fight or flee.

His hold made both impossible.

The sharp points mercilessly cut deeper through muscle, tissue, and flesh. He took his time, making the moment last.

Stating his claim with deliberate intent. Finally, those killer teeth met in the middle.

Then he began to thrust.

Hard, fast, strong.

Tethering her with his mouth, with calloused hands, he pounded into her.

Pleasure melded with pain, leaving her bombarded with sensation. Grabbing his shoulders, she closed her eyes, her body tensing.

The orgasm broke over her, within her, all around her.

She screamed his name, the waves battering her, the world exploding.

He ground against her, his body shuddering as he came.

Silence fell.

Withdrawing his fangs, he licked her wound. He released her hair, lifted his head, and met her gaze.

Possessiveness and male satisfaction curved his lip.

“Mine.”

Chapter Ten

Dawn held the chilly bite of fall as Maggie followed Terrent into the clearing. Growling clouds contained the sun and shot sparks of lightning into the far mountains. A storm was coming. Soon.

She shivered and stopped alongside Terrent.

Roger stood on the lodge porch, legs spread. Gerald sat in a rocking chair, sadness darkening his faded eyes. Three men stood next to the porch—different ones from before.

Wiry, alert, they moved like graceful animals. Yet they didn’t smell like anything.

One strode forward. Green and gold colored his eyes, while thick blond hair was cut short over an angled face.

“Hi, Maggie. I’m Felix.”

“Hi.” She swallowed.

“Are ya ready ta’ come home?” he asked, his tone conge-nial and gentle, as if speaking to someone ill.

“I am home.” She fought the urge to take Terrent’s hand.

If things got nasty, he’d need it free.

“No,” Felix explained slowly, patiently. “Yer home is in Vaile.”

Irritation heated her ears. “Listen, buddy. You don’t need to speak slowly to me—I’m not brain damaged.” Okay, tech-nically, her brain had been damaged. But her IQ was probably higher than his.

Terrent grinned.

At that smile, she relaxed. For the first time since being rescued from the Kurjans, she had somebody. She wasn’t alone. “I appreciate your traveling all the way here for me, but I’m not going anywhere.”

Felix lost his smile. Purple mottled his face. So not handsome. “Listen, ye’r ours, and ye’r comin home so we can strengthen our lineage. Get rid of the weaklings.”

So maybe Felix wasn’t loved as a leader. Maggie shook her head. “No, thanks.”

Terrent waved his hand. The wolves instantly smelled like wolves.

She frowned. “Wait a minute.” The other times that the wolves had been masked and then revealed flashed through her mind. “You have quite the talent there.”

“I’ll explain later,” he said.

“Yes, you will.” She breathed out and focused on Felix.

Her chin lifted—along with her hand. Tugging her shirt down, she revealed the angry, red teeth marks on the front of her shoulder. “I’d have to turn around for you to see the other set.” She cut a glare at Terrent. Her entire shoulder! “But, as you can see, I no longer belong in your pack.” Something told her she’d never belonged there.

“You mated a Skene wolf ?” Felix’s nostrils flared. “You stupid, stupid bitch.”

Terrent growled and stepped forward.

Thunder rolled high above.

A tingling wandered up Maggie’s legs. A roaring filled her ears. Not now.

One of the men with Felix jerked his head at Terrent.

“He’s Skene.”

“So?” Maggie glanced at Terrent. “I don’t know what that means.”

“It means nothing,” Terrent said quietly.

Felix spat on the ground. “We wiped out most a’ the Skene wolves three hundred years ago. We missed one.”

Maggie pivoted to face Terrent. Her shoulder ached like a raw wound. “My people destroyed yours?”

“Yes.” He kept his gaze on Felix.

“Why?” she breathed.

“We were natural enemies. My people reviled yours. So when the war broke out, a Vaile raiding party took advantage of the situation.”

“You lied to me,” she said to Terrent. Flames heated her face, her spine.

Felix bared his teeth. “The Skene counter our masking abilities—they were our competition for centuries ’til we wiped ’em out. He hunted you to kill you.”

She coughed out, “Is that why I can’t mask my scent?”

“No.” The wind whipped through Terrent’s thick hair.

“Did you hunt me to kill me?” She kept her gaze on the new wolves while she threw the question at Terrent.

“No.” Terrent eyed the two fighters with Felix. “You and I can fight later. Right now, we might have a problem.”

“Fight? Fight later?” Good God. She might kill the man.

“Oh no, mate. We fucking fight right now.”

He slowly turned to face her.

She stepped back. Damn it.

Gone was her lover. The fighter from the Bane’s Council stood tall and indomitable. “Maggie, return to the cabin. I’ll be along shortly.”

Her knees trembled with the need to flee. Away from the hunter, away from the pack, away from reality. “No.”

Roger cleared his throat. “I don’t give a shit what any of you do. However, I have alerted the demons that you’re here, so you might want to get moving, Maggie.”

Terrent released her gaze to pierce the new Alpha with a look that should’ve made him shrivel into nothingness.

“You’re a dead man.”

A pack of black wolves meandered out of the trees to the north. At least thirty wolves. About half were in wolf form, the other half human.

Felix smiled. “As you can see, we brought backup.”

Roger and Gerald leaped from the porch and landed next to Terrent.

Gerald shook his head. “The Vaile pack would never align with the Ausgel pack.”

“Just did.” Felix glanced past the men toward Maggie.

“We can kill them first, or ya can just come with us.”

Panic seized her lungs. She inhaled, counted to ten, and exhaled for the count of ten. “Why? I’m mated.”

He lifted a lean shoulder. “I’d a hoped to take ya as a mate, but you’ll do as a whore. Either way, ya have resources ya will share.”

Terrent scratched his chin and eyed Maggie. “Apparently you had money. Interesting.” The words were bland, the fury in his eyes anything but.

“I’m not sharing with you,” she muttered. Settling her stance, she shook her head. “I release any and all fortune I may have had to the Vaile wolves. You can have that. But not me.”

“I want you.” Felix chuckled. “In all sorts of ways.”

As an attempt to goad Terrent, it wasn’t bad. But Maggie knew better. The werewolf hunter grew cooler and more thoughtful before attacking. He was currently way too calm.

The sky opened up.

Rain slashed down as if the gods were pissed.

Maggie shoved wet curls off her face. “I can’t believe my own people would want to kidnap me.”

“Come with us now, or I’m going to kill yer mate,” Felix spat. The wolves flanking him lifted their noses and howled.

Chills cascaded down her spine.

“You have to go,” Roger said urgently, water coating his face. “They’ll kill us.”

“I really don’t like you.” Maggie glared at the Alpha. “I mean, grow a pair, Sally.” Her mind spun. The world closed in on her. There was no way she and Terrent could beat back an entire pack. She sucked one-on-one. “I have to go with them.”

Terrent stiffened. “No.” Lifting his head, he emitted a piercing whistle.

Jase Kayrs strode out of the forest, his eyes a swirling green, a scowl marring his handsome face. A pissed-off vampire might come in handy. Maggie shot him a smile.

Then she sighed. While Jase could fight, they were still majorly outnumbered.

Until Nash stalked out of the rock cavern followed by about fifteen men.

Maggie nodded at him. “How?”

Terrent angled his body in front of her. “They’re defying an order from their Alpha just by being here and helping us.

I called them earlier this morning when you were sleeping.”

She huffed out a breath. “I was tired. Having my shoulder almost ripped off by a lying, sneaking, butt-head of a wolf exhausted me.”

“Did you just call me a butt-head?” he asked mildly.

“Yes.” She elbowed him and stood free. “I’ll go with you, Felix.” They were still outnumbered, and she couldn’t let anyone die because of her. Plus, if she left, Terrent and Jase could just come after her. As plans went, it rocked.

“Wrong.” Terrent nodded at Gerald.

The ex-Alpha jumped between Maggie and danger.

In a burst of power, Terrent Vilks leaped across the clearing and smashed into Felix.

The two hit the ground with a boom louder than the thunder tearing up the sky.

As quickly as that, all hell broke loose.

Some wolves shifted, others rushed forward to fight hand to hand. Blood sprayed and bodies flew.

Maggie wiped rain out of her eyes, her gaze seeking Terrent. He and Felix fought, fists flying too quickly to see. She angled to the side for a view of the battle. A group of Gerald’s pack needed help over by the far tree line. She stepped forward, only to be blocked by Gerald.

“Let me help—I’m trained,” she yelled over the rising wind and cries of pain.

He shook his head, white hair throwing water.

A shadow slipped up behind him. Silver glinted through the storm.

Maggie cried out a warning.

Gerald pivoted in time to block Roger’s knife before it plunged into his neck. Roger smiled, sharp canines dropping down. Gerald growled and hit the new Alpha mid-center, throwing them both into the woods.

Maggie turned to help Terrent and was stopped short by a snarling black wolf. Even on all fours, the beast reached to her chin. The wolf circled her, the rain matting down its fur.

She dropped into a fighting stance, slipping and falling in the mud just as the wolf lunged. The animal flew over her head and smacked into a tree.

Maggie scrambled to her feet and turned around.

The wolf shook its head, baring sharp canines. A woman emerged from the trees, anticipation lighting her face. Long black hair cascaded down her back, while several piercings lined her chin. Another woman, this one with piercings on her nose, lurched next to her. “We’ve got her,” she said to the furry wolf. He took off.

Maggie concentrated on the women as the battle raged behind her. “Now, ladies, is this really necessary?”

“Yes.” The first woman angled around to the right. “You have a pretty face—it won’t be for long.”

The other woman angled to the left. “I’m going to enjoy living on this mountain.”

They were both taller than Maggie and definitely more muscular. She settled her stance, trying to remember the moves the vampires had taught her. “So long as I don’t look like you, I’m all right.”

The first woman drew a knife from her pocket to swirl around. “You ever been cut?”

A third woman slipped out of the trees.

What the hell? “Three against one is cowardly,” Maggie drawled, her heart racing. Her ears heated, and her knees trembled. She’d have to take them out one at a time.

The one with the knife leaped at her. Maggie threw a cross-arm block, following up with a kick to the ribs. The attacker cried out, dropping to her knees. Mud sprayed.

Holy crap. The move had worked. Maggie slid her strongest foot behind her body. Yeah. That’s right. Trained by vampires here.

The second woman rushed forward, head down. She hit Maggie in the gut, and they flew several feet to land hard in the mud. Pain spread along Maggie’s shoulders and down her spine. She kicked her feet into the woman’s hips and sent her sprawling over Maggie’s head. She shoved to her feet.

Backing to the side, she gulped air as both downed women stood. Fury lit their eyes, death a promise glittering deep. Why wouldn’t they stay down?

The one with the knife charged, slashing wildly. Maggie jerked away. Her foot caught on a rock, and she dropped. Oh God. Her arm shot up to protect her neck.

With the battle cry of all battle cries, Andrea and Shannon somersaulted out of the trees. Andrea locked her legs around the neck of the woman with the knife and twisted, sending them both sprawling in the mud. Shannon kicked and punched the second woman with a speed unmatched by any warrior Maggie had ever seen. Shit. Assassin cheerleaders. What is the world coming to?

Maggie turned and side-kicked the remaining enemy wolf, following up with a front jump-kick that connected with a frightening crunch. The woman dropped like a stone.

Whirling around, she sucked in air as Shannon knocked her enemy down. Andrea stood over the final wolf, pretty pink tennis shoe perched on the woman’s unconscious face.

Maggie swallowed and blinked several times.

Andrea shrugged a delicate shoulder. “What?”

Maggie swept her arm out through the rain. “What? Seriously? What? ”

Shannon wiped her nose with her wet sweatshirt sleeve.

“Yeah, we’re cheerleaders, but we’re wolves, too. We’ve been training to fight practically since birth.”

“You didn’t think the Raze pack controlled wolf-shifter headquarters just ’cause we’re pretty, now did you?” Andrea snorted and kicked the downed wolf. The woman barely moved.

“Ah, no.” Maggie exhaled and shoved wet curls off her face, turning to find Terrent. His massive shoulders shifted as he threw one of Felix’s men into the forest. The guy hit several trees on his journey into darkness.

Felix lay on the ground. Without his head.

Although Terrent remained in human form, his deadly claws dripped with blood.

Maggie shoved bile down where it belonged. The Ausgel wolf pack turned tail and ran into the forest. A triumphant cry rose from the Raze fighters. The battle was over . . . and her friends had won.

A rustle sounded behind her. She turned in time to see Gerald stumble between two pine trees, his gnarled hand over a bleeding abdominal wound. The cheerleaders rushed toward him, and Shannon helped him to the ground.

Warmth brushed Maggie’s back. A hard arm yanked her around the waist and cut off her oxygen. A sharp blade nicked her neck. She cried out, her body stiffening.

“I told you to leave,” Roger hissed in her ear. “You should’ve listened.”

She pressed against him to keep him from slicing her jugular. “Roger, don’t do this,” she whispered.

He laughed, the sound cutting through wind and storm.

“Shut up.”

Gerald coughed and shoved to his feet. “Let her go, now.”

“You’re not Alpha any longer, old man,” Roger spat, pressing the blade harder against Maggie’s neck.

She hitched out breath, pain lancing her skin.

Terrent advanced, his expression a cold mask of death.

Roger backed up, taking Maggie with him. Her toes scraped through the mud. She blinked away tears. Panic muffled her thoughts.

Shannon angled to the left, while Andrea maneuvered to the right.

“No,” Maggie croaked, too afraid to shake her head.

Roger grabbed her hair to hold her in place and slashed out with the knife. The blade sliced Andrea’s arm, and she jumped back with a yelp. Blood bubbled through her dark sweatshirt.

Fury whipped through Maggie with so much heat she almost doubled over. Her blood popped inside her veins. The world pinpointed to the head of a needle. Absolute focus.

She hissed and shot her elbow into Roger’s gut, hoping to maim him.

She slipped at the last minute and nailed him right in the crotch.

He screamed and released her. She jumped around in time to see him crash to the mud.

For two seconds, nobody moved.

Then he sprang up so quickly she could only gape as claws shot for her face. Terrent impacted with Roger a second before those deadly points connected. The men smashed into a tree, sending the century-old pine crashing down. Several small birch trees fell under the onslaught. Branches cracked and pinecones flew through the air.

Terrent punched Roger in the face, following up with five claws to the neck.

Roger’s head joined the downed tree.

Terrent turned around, blood on his face, darkness in his eyes.

Maggie’s knees trembled. She settled her stance. Enough of the panic. Oh boy, did her mate have some explaining to do. “You lied to me.”

“Yes.” He strode toward her.

Almost on its own, her fist darted out, nailing him right in the mouth.

Chapter Eleven

After hitting the pissed-off wolf, she did what any woman with a brain would do. She ran like hell.

Dodging downed pine trees and storm damage, she hurdled several snags, only falling twice. Jumping up and taking inventory, she ran harder. How dare he lie? He’d hunted her for months. Her people had killed his. Damn Terrent.

How could he lie to her? The thoughts whirled in her head so quickly, her ears rang.

He’d lied.

They’d mated.

Son of a bitch.

Hurt slid through her veins. Wait a minute. That wasn’t hurt. Fury roared through her veins.

She should’ve hit him harder. A lot harder.

He suddenly rose up before her, a powerful figure in a dangerous storm.

She skidded to a stop, her ankle catching on a tree branch.

Her yelp of surprise coincided with her rolling into a ball.

She hit him mid-center.

He folded over with a muffled “oof,” grabbing her in a bear hug. His shoulders smashed a blue spruce. The towering tree split in two, branches pelting the ground until the trunk sides hit hard.

Terrent held her at arm’s length. Bruises spread across his face, and his lower lip had fattened. “Jesus, woman. You’re a menace.”

Her hand clenched into a fist.

He shook his head. “Hit me again, and I promise you won’t sit for a week.”

She slid her dominant foot back in a fighting stance. How dare he threaten her? “You lied to me.” Yeah, she was mad.

Something hurt in her chest, too.

His strong jaw hardened. “I’m sorry, but I love you and didn’t want to lose you.”

“I know that, you stupid son of a bitch.” She’d stomp her foot, but in the mud, she’d probably fall on her ass.

He frowned, cocking his head. “You do?”

Did he think she was a moron? “I may be brain-damaged, but I know love when I see it.” The hurt hit her full force.

“You didn’t trust me enough to believe you. To still love you after knowing the truth.” Damn if that didn’t cut through her sharper than any knife.

He scrubbed both hands down his damaged face. Even so, relief relaxed his shoulders. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“You kept my memories from me. Stuff I should’ve known.” She wasn’t quite ready to let him off the hook.

“I know.”

“Is that why we fought? The day I was taken by the Kurjans?” The wind whipped her hair into her face, and she shoved the curls back.

He frowned. “No. We fought because you wanted to hunt werewolves with me, and I thought the idea was too dangerous.”

“So I knew? All about our people’s pasts?”

“Sure.” He sighed, eyes darkening. “Your reaction was similar the first time, and I didn’t want to take the risk of losing you this time. Plus, I thought you had enough to deal with from being kidnapped and working so hard to regain your memories. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “I’m not damaged.” He had to believe she was complete. She couldn’t go through life feeling that he didn’t see her as strong enough to be his mate.

“You’re perfect.” His frown matched the storm raging around them.

Though, they were natural enemies. He should’ve come clean. Why hadn’t he? “Once you were trained, why didn’t you go after the Vaile pack?”

His expression went blank. “I sought information and discovered the names of the men responsible for attacking us. Most of the raiding party that had destroyed my pack was killed in the war. So many died in the first war.”

“Most of the raiding party?”

A shield fell over his eyes. “Except for three men.”

“And?”

“I hunted them.” His voice remained calm and devoid of emotion.

She breathed out while chills danced down her spine.

“You killed them.”

“Yes.”

Well, okay then. Couldn’t exactly blame him. But, had he been atoning for that revenge his whole life? Being alone just to make amends? Protecting the world from werewolves in an effort to make up for the killings? “So, you’ve done your time, Terrent. You don’t have to be alone any longer.”

He blinked.

She sighed. Getting through to him would take time.

“What about my people who still live? I mean, are they all jerks like Felix?”

“I don’t think so.” Terrent glanced around the quiet forest before focusing back on her. “What little research I’ve done show they’re decent people now who are, I mean were, led by a jackass. Though . . . they’re still assassins.”

She didn’t feel like a killer. “So, what now?”

“Well, now we need to find you somewhere to live.” Terrent wiped blood and rain from his cheek.

“So you can go hunt werewolves.” Her shoulders slumped.

“Yes. We fought about this before. I’m not fighting about it again.”

Awareness opened her eyes. Finally. “No, Terrent.” She shook her head. “We argued because you have to make a choice to not be alone any longer.” Yeah, the words felt right.

“Your whole life, you’ve been alone. Even when you hunt, I bet.”

A flush covered his high cheekbones.

She nodded. “You have your friends in a compartment.

Your enemies. Your allies. Now, you want to put your mate in one, too.” The poor guy had no clue what taking a risk meant.

“You want me, there’s no putting me in a compartment. Somewhere safe while you go off and work.”

He studied her with the alertness of a hunter. One in thoughtful contemplation. Not hungry right now, but with the threat that he could take a bite at any moment. “Really.”

“Yes.” She tilted her chin. “If we’re going to be together, I want all of you.”

His lids dropped to half-mast. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Sure, I do.” Her lungs heated. “No more scurrying me to safety . . . no more putting me in a compartment or lying to me for my own good. I want it all.”

“Or what?” he asked softly.

“Or hit the road, jackass.” She ignored the chills sweeping down her spine. What the hell was she doing? The man had just killed two powerful wolves. In fact, the wildness danced all over his skin as a warning. A warning a smart woman would certainly heed. “Well?”

His eyes morphed to wolf mode.

Oh crap.

He nodded. “Okay.” The biceps bunched in his arms.

“You want all of me?”

She gulped. “Yes.”

“All right, little wolf. I suggest you run.”

She tripped before she made it three yards. Even worse, he didn’t jump on her, he just waited patiently for her to shove to her feet and run. Branches scraped her arms, while pine needles tangled in her hair. Breathing out, she soared over a log. Her heart beat wildly, and a thrill coursed through her veins. The wildness of the wolf inside her sprang to life.

Yeah, he’d lied to her, and she wasn’t going to let him off the hook for a while. But he loved her, and he was a good man. One she loved right back.

Her body on high alert, her heart full, she dodged between two trees and onto a narrow trail. A very narrow trail Terrent wouldn’t be able to take. The laugh rumbling from her chest held as much triumph as excitement. Oh, he’d catch her. But it wouldn’t be easy.

For the first time since being rescued without any memories, she felt strong. Even if she never remembered, she had skills . . . ones she could develop. The war with the demons was killing her people, killing the vampires, and now, finally, she could help. Well, as soon as she relearned physics. For now, she had a mate to love, one who needed to see her as strong enough to be with him. One who needed to learn trust. Finally.

Her mind was so full of light, so full of hope . . . that she missed the end of the trail.

Suddenly, she was teetering on a bank.

Grabbing her by the scruff of the neck, Terrent stopped her from falling in the river by throwing them both onto the trail. The rain had finally stopped, but big drops still cascaded down from high above.

He lay on his back, eyes closed, breath panting out.

She followed suit and swallowed. “Sorry about that.”

He chuckled. “I’m almost looking forward to chasing down raging beasts next week. Werewolves are a vacation from the danger you create.”

Funny. Very funny. “Anybody could’ve almost fallen in the river.”

His chuckle turned to full-out, masculine laughter. She frowned and then joined in.

The ground shifted, and he rolled on top of her. Balancing himself on his elbows, he brushed away the curls plastered against her face. His grin flashed sharp canines. His thick hair curled around his ears, while the bruises on his strong face only enhanced the wildness always living there. “I’m going to buy the vampires accident insurance before I take you to Realm headquarters.”

A warmth wandered through her abdomen. The man defined sexy. “I’m not going to headquarters.”

He frowned. “You want to stay here? That’s not a good idea—not until a new Alpha is named and things cool off.”

“No.” She arched against him, enjoying the hot tingles that swept her nerves. “I’m going with you. To fight.”

“No.”

She grinned. “You can’t tell me ‘no.’ ”

His gaze hardened enough to speed up her heart rate. “I just did.”

She stilled, her smile faltering. “You’re not kidding.”

“No.” Heat cascaded off the wolf. “You will not fight, and you will stay safe.”

Pine needles scattered as she shook her head. Plops of water falling off leaves dropped all around them. “That’s not how this works. I’m going to do my part.”

His eyes darkened, and he pressed his groin against hers.

Fire licked from her clit to her breasts. She shivered.

“I’m not a vampire or feline shifter, little wolf,” he said softly.

“No kidding, Terrent. I’ve seen you shift.” Irritation mixed with a rapidly growing desire in her blood. Actual steam rose from the wolf ’s wet clothing. How hot was that?

“I know. We’re wolves, we mated, and you’ll damn well do what I tell you to do.”

She grinned. She couldn’t help it. “You are so outdated.”

The poor guy hadn’t a clue—always on the outside of matings looking in. “That’s not how matings work.”

“It’s how ours works.” The Alpha inside him, the wolf he’d honed to a finely trained killer, flashed hot and bright.

“We live in war. As my mate, you will obey me.”

He had not fucking used the o word. It hadn’t happened.

The man must have a death wish. “Or what?” she murmured, allowing challenge to scream across her face. No way would she obey anybody. Ever.

His fangs dropped. “There is no ‘ or what.’ ” He tugged her shirt away from her neck and scraped those sharp points on her marking.

An electrical current zapped through her body, bowing her back. “I’m perfectly—able—to fight—werewolves.” Though she wasn’t able to keep her breath, with his heated mouth wandering between her breasts, taking time to lick and nip along the way.

“You can’t even walk on a trail without almost falling in a river,” he murmured, sucking on a nipple.

How rude to bring that up. She tangled her fingers in his hair and jerked up.

The displeased growl from his chest matched the expression on his face. “Let go.”

“No. We need to get this settled now.” Before she ripped off his clothes and forgot all about her position. Her very strong, modern position.

“Get what settled?” he asked, an eyebrow rising.

Goodness, he was serious. The man had no clue. Maybe he’d hit his head when he’d thrown them on the trail. “About my going with you and working on my new abilities.”

“We did settle that.” His gaze searched hers. “Did you hit your head when we landed?”

“No.” She breathed out, fighting for patience, tightening her hold.

“Maggie, I don’t travel in style. If there’s an outbreak, we hurry to the locale, sleeping in the forest, wherever. Once we find the werewolf, we hunt, fight, and kill. The fun starts all over the next day.” He tugged his head away, and her hands dropped. “There’s no room service, few plane rides, and no luxuries. Sometimes we don’t even shower for weeks.”

Well, now the whole situation sounded horrible. Truly horrible. She wrinkled her nose, not willing to back down.

“So?”

He dropped his forehead to hers. “It’s all right to want showers. To want warmth and safety and peace.” He pressed a kiss against her lips. “You’ll find your place, little one . . .

and I’m sure you’ll help our allies. You need to be who you want, and not who you think you should be.”

Logic. The damn man was using logic and kindness to get what he wanted. “You don’t want me with you.”

“Not true.” Leaning back, he spread her shirt apart. “I love having you with me. But I do need to concentrate absolutely when fighting werewolves. I can’t fight and protect you.”

So he wanted to dump her at Realm headquarters. Even if the war ended, he was a werewolf hunter. There would always be werewolves. “I’m not as strong as you think.”

He grinned, sliding his thumbs over her clavicle to her breasts. “You’re stronger than even you imagine.” Then he pinched.

She gasped.

He pinched harder. “Let me show you.”

Chapter Twelve

Maggie licked her lips, her breasts on fire, her clit throbbing with a need so demanding she wanted to beg. Maggie Malone didn’t beg. “If you think you have something to show me, go ahead.”

With a growl, he flipped her over and onto her stomach, yanking off her shirt on the way. A startled gasp whooshed out with her breath. She landed on the soft grass, her arms cushioning her face. “Um—”

Her wet jeans and socks flew over her head.

Then, he was over her, providing warmth. A rough hand smacked her ass and then slid down between her legs to cup her. All of her.

She blinked twice, her body igniting.

“I own you, little wolf. Never forget it,” he rasped, his breath heating her ear.

The dominant tone blasted through her like a shot of pure whiskey. He’d held back. All of a sudden, the truth pinpointed into clarity. The man had been gentle with her before. As she healed.

He wasn’t holding back any longer.

She ground against him, protesting when he removed his hand. The second smack to her rear echoed around the forest. Fire vibrated across her hips.

“Hey—”

“Hold still.” He rubbed the abused area with a rough palm.

She stilled, her butt suddenly feeling very vulnerable.

“Better.” His mouth dropped to where her neck met her shoulder, while his hand wandered south again to press against her sex, his index finger on her clit. “Now show me how strong you are. You move, you get spanked. You hold still . . . you get something else.” Those fangs sank into his marking like they belonged there.

She cried out, the sensation more intense than painful.

His tongue rasped along her jugular.

Her entire body shuddered.

A bird squawked high above, and she thought quickly about calling for help. Except she didn’t want help. Not even a little. She wanted more . . . and she wanted the orgasm just lurking out of reach. So she cleared her throat. “I can handle anything you’ve got, wolf boy.”

“Can you, now?” he whispered, pinching her clit.

She jumped and rose to her elbows, her knees sliding forward. Her mind cleared. Uh, oh.

“You moved.” He moved his hand free, rubbing her butt.

She clenched. “Wait—I—”

Smack. “I thought the rules were clear.” Smack. Smack.

Smack. “Let’s try again.”

Her eyes fluttered closed. Her butt pounded, and she was more turned on than she would’ve thought possible. “You’re terrible.”

“Actually, I’m pretty good.” He inserted a finger in her.

“And you’re wet.” A hum of appreciation echoed against her skin as he removed his hand. “Don’t move, or it’ll be more than four smacks. I’m raring to go, darlin’.”

The dark anticipation in his tone froze her in place. He levered himself up behind her, where she couldn’t see him.

On all fours, straining to hear, she tried to concentrate. A zipper released. Thank God. He was finally getting naked.

His clothing soon piled up beside her.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

“One for good measure.” A heavy hand descended on her buttocks.

Erotic pain spiraled through her skin. She cried out, arching her back. “You like that too much.”

He chuckled, grasping her hips. “I like seeing my handprint on your ass just enough. No doubt I’ll see that a lot in the future.” Tightening his hold, he thrust inside her with one powerful shove.

The orgasm roared down on her with the power of a storm. She whimpered his name, riding the waves, unable to do anything but feel. Pleasure rippled along her skin, inside her sex, until her head fuzzed. Finally, she came down with a soft sigh.

“We’re not done.” He reached under her to cup her breasts, his cock hard and pulsing inside her.

Hunger clawed through her, too strong to be safe. She flipped her hair out of her face. “Who said I was done?”

The hoarse breathiness of her response may have weak-ened the flippant words.

“Good point.” He rolled her nipples between his fingers, sending coils of pleasure through her nerves. With a tug, he released her.

One strong hand flattened against her upper back, forcing her face down on her arms. Then his thighs widened hers, immobilizing her. She couldn’t move if she wanted to. The thought sent fire through her veins.

He rubbed her smarting butt. “Jesus. My handprint may never go away.”

The bastard sounded pleased. She couldn’t help but arch into his rough hold. “That was a one-shot deal.”

An instantly hard slap negated the statement. Fire cascaded out from his hand. “Somehow, I don’t think so.” He leaned over to nip her ear. “Remember when you asked earlier what happens if you don’t obey?”

“You’re an ass.”

“I think we’ve stumbled upon an answer.” He grabbed her hips, sliding out and slamming back in.

“I don’t think so.” God, please don’t stop moving. She bit down on her lip.

His thighs widened hers even more, opening her for whatever he wanted. Fast, strong, he started to pound, not holding anything back. All of his power shimmered around them as he took her, as he claimed her. The authority of an Alpha, the determination of a mate, and the finely honed skills of a hunter all lent strength to his thrusts, to the hold he kept on her.

Pleasure washed over her, through her, with such intensity the forest disappeared. The world disappeared. The only thing in existence was Terrent Vilks and his pounding. He reached down and pinched her clit.

The universe exploded. She cried out, arching her back, the orgasm springing through her so sharply it cut. Pleasure burst so powerfully it bordered on pain. She rode the waves, gasping, entrusting him to keep her safe. To keep her forever.

His fangs dropped into his mark, the claiming so strong it threw her into another orgasm just as powerful. She screamed his name.

Coming down, her ears ringing, she sobbed in relief. He ground against her, his fingers bruising, as he came. His fangs remained embedded in her flesh for an extra moment.

Just so she knew. Just so there was no confusion, no question.

She belonged to him.

Terrent held out his hand, not liking the look of longing on Maggie’s face as she glanced at the sturdy cabin one more time. It would’ve been a nice place to call home.

Steeling her shoulders, she turned and slipped her small hand into his. “I liked being here.”

“So did I.” He led her to the truck and tossed their things in the back. “We’ll be back to visit.”

She jumped inside and nodded. “I know, but it won’t be the same.”

“No.” He crossed the truck and hurried into the driver’s seat, quickly turning the key and backing out of the drive. “I received an e-mail from the new Vaile Alpha, asking for you to visit your old pack. After checking with Dage, I think the new Alpha might be a decent guy.”

She gave a small sound of interest. “Maybe we’ll visit sometime. I need to think about it for a little bit.”

His woman was a planner. He liked that about her. “We need to say good-bye to Gerald.” The old guy had a lot on his plate.

“Will he continue as Alpha of the Raze pack, you know, since you, ah—”

“Killed Roger?” Terrent rubbed his neck, increasing the speed of the truck. He should probably feel bad about killing the Alpha. But Roger had made the colossal mistake of threatening Maggie, and there was no looking back. Besides, as a fighter, he really hadn’t been that good, now had he? “Yeah. I think Gerald will stay in place until somebody else steps up. He needs to increase pack security, though.”

“Do you think the Ausgel pack will attack again?” Maggie asked, her gaze out the window.

“Yes. Maybe not right away, but they’re not done.” He’d need to leave some instructions with Nash for training the younger members of the pack.

She cleared her throat, clenching her hands together.

“Roger said he contacted the demons . . . before you killed him.”

“Yes.” Damn insecure Alpha. Terrent shook his head. “I already sent a coded message to the king that Roger was wrong and you have no new ability. The demons should in-tercept it and be able to figure it out within a week or so.”

“Do you think the message will work?” she asked, her voice rising.

“Sure.” Hell if he knew. It was worth a shot. “The demons are egomaniacs. I doubt they ever truly believed you could mimic their gifts.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

The truck rolled to a stop behind the wide lodge. The parking lot was full. The pack probably wanted to say good-bye to Maggie—they’d really come to love her. Terrent grabbed Maggie to haul her across the seat. He rubbed his cheek along her neck, cradling her. “If you want, I could ask that you live here.”

She sighed. “No. I don’t want to stay here without you.

I’ll figure out a place to live . . . somehow.” She cuddled closer. “I never thought I’d be one of those women who waited at home for a soldier—I’m not that strong. Their sac-rifices always humbled me.”

“You’re strong enough for anything, little wolf.” The woman didn’t want to live at Realm headquarters, either. He had to find her a safe place where she could be happy.

Enough of this. They needed to get the good-byes out of the way before his woman broke down. He opened the door and jumped out, setting her on her feet. “Let’s do this.”

She nodded and pushed curls over her shoulder. God, he loved her wild hair. The scent of vanilla wrapped around his heart and squeezed. “We’ll be all right, Maggie.”

“I know.”

Her worn jeans hugged a sweet ass, while her bright green T-shirt brought out the wolflike flecks in her eyes. He grinned. “You’re gorgeous.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re a dork.” But a pretty blush wandered over her high cheekbones. The sadness continued to linger in her smile, however.

He nodded, and led her around the lodge to the front.

Gerald sat in a rocker, his gaze on the empty field, while the doctor sat in a matching chair. Nash stood behind them, leaning against a post.

Gerald stood. “Terrent, Maggie—it’s good to see you.

Thanks for your help the other day.”

Maggie nodded. “Have you recovered from the stab wound?”

“I will.” Gerald gestured toward the doctor. “The doc added some extra stitches today. I’ll be fine.”

“Good.” Terrent held out a hand to shake. “It was good seeing you.”

“Ditto.” Clouds darkened Gerald’s eyes. “I wish you were staying. At least until we find out who was messing with the inoculations.”

“Me, too,” a spirited voice echoed as Shannon wandered from around the far side of the lodge. Andrea followed . . .

as did about ninety members of the pack.

Now that was sweet.

Maggie eyed Andrea. “Is your arm all right?”

“Sure. Just a couple of stitches. I can still compete in nationals,” the girl said.

Terrent grinned. “Don’t worry. The Bane’s Council will honor the promise to escort you to Georgia.” Then he frowned at the intense gaze Maggie gave the girls. “What’s going on?”

The girls blushed and meandered to stand in front of him.

Shannon took a deep breath. “We, ah, have a confession.”

Terrent bit back another smile. The girl was serious.

“Okay.”

Shannon shuffled her feet. “You tell him.”

“No.” Andrea’s face went from pink to bright red. “You lost the coin toss.”

“Girls, we need to get going,” Terrent said, throwing some sternness into his tone.

Shannon nodded. “We altered the inoculations,” she whispered, her gaze on her fluorescent tennis shoes.

He frowned, his eyes narrowing. “What?” Why in the world would the girl confess to such a crime? Was she being threatened? A low growl vibrated in his chest. “I won’t let anybody hurt you girls. Now tell me the truth. Do you know who sabotaged our cure?”

“Yes.” Andrea kicked a pebble. “It was us. Me and Shannon.”

So much guilt covered her face, she had to be telling the truth.

Terrent shook his head. “I don’t understand. Why?”

Gerald grabbed a post. “Yes, why in the world would you girls do such a thing?”

Shannon lifted a shoulder. “We knew the Bane’s Council would investigate, and we knew Terrent would come. But we were careful. Nobody got hurt.”

This made no sense. “So I came. Why? Are you in danger? Did you need me here?” Terrent tried to concentrate—it made no sense.

Andrea gave an exasperated huff. “Yes, Terrent. We are in danger, and we wanted you here. Jeez. Don’t you get it?”

“No.” He glanced at Maggie, who was grinning. What was wrong with these females?

Gerald chuckled. “I get it.” Several of the pack members nodded around them.

Okay, everyone had gone crazy. “Somebody explain,”

Terrent ordered, allowing the full force of the Alpha within him to awaken.

Both girls stepped back. Shit. He hadn’t meant to scare them. “Please,” he added.

Shannon lifted her chin. “Gerald is awesome, and he de-serves to travel. We need an Alpha, and we’ve chosen you.

Period.”

“You can’t just choose an Alpha,” Terrent said, his lungs heating. He’d faced down killer werewolves without breaking a sweat. Yet these two innocent cheerleaders were scar-ing the shit out of him. “You girls know that.”

Twin eye-rolls met his declaration.

The doctor stood up. “I don’t mean to be a wet blanket here, but Terrent’s mate is a menace. She might have frightening abilities and needs to be contained at Realm headquarters.”

Terrent cut a hard look at the doctor. “Bullshi—baloney.

She doesn’t have demon-fighting abilities. Unfortunately.”

“Yeah.” Shannon stepped toward Terrent’s other side.

“We’re sticking with Terrent’s pack. No matter where we have to go.”

Andrea nodded, standing by her friend. “We need a cool name, though.”

“How about the bad-asses?” Shannon asked.

“Terrent’s bad-asses?” Andrea clapped her hands together. “That’s awesome.”

“I agree, that is awesome.” Jase Kayrs stalked from the parking lot. “I’m in.”

Terrent coughed. “You’re a vampire. You can’t join my pack.” If he had a pack, which he didn’t.

“Sure, I can,” Jase drawled.

“You’re not a wolf.” Terrent’s mind spun.

“So?” Jase stood next to Maggie. “I spoke to Dage, who laughed really hard, by the way, and then agreed I should join your wandering pack. Where you go . . . I go.”

Terrent rounded on Bobbi, Shannon’s mother. “Do something.”

She nodded, striding forward to stand by her daughter. “I agree. I hereby join Terrent’s bad-asses.”

One by one, every member of the pack stepped into the center of the clearing. Joining his pack.

Finally, Gerald grinned and stepped forward. “Well, Alpha? Where are we going first? Werewolf hunting?”

Warmth slammed through Terrent with such force he would’ve stepped back, except there was nowhere to step.

People surrounded him. People who wanted to be his. A home. A family. Finally.

His mate was correct that he felt an odd guilt about being the only surviving Skene pack member. And he truly was guilty as hell for taking vengeance on the three who’d killed his people. Yet, he’d fought for and protected the world for centuries. He could continue to do so with a new pack, with a new home. They needed his help.

He glanced at his mate. “Well?”

Maggie fought to keep tears from her eyes. The people had banded around them, offering everything. The hope in Terrent’s eyes, the warmth there, made her heart actually swell. “I, ah—”

Andrea nodded. “Please stay.”

Maggie swallowed. The sense of belonging surrounded her in a welcoming warmth. “I might want to travel and meet my people. Someday.”

“We’ll all go visiting,” Shannon said.

So this was what family felt like. Her damn memories might never return, but she had waited long enough to start living again. She had all she could ever want being offered to her. Maggie smiled at the man she loved. “I feel like a bad-ass.”

Terrent exhaled slowly. The crowd around them seemed to hold still. Finally, Terrent nodded. “Looks like you have a new Alpha.”

The people erupted with cheers, several hugging, several smacking Terrent on the back.

He cleared his throat. “I will need to leave once in a while when the Bane’s Council requires my help.” He nodded at Nash. “Though, I’m sure we could find someone else willing to fight with them.”

Nash’s slow grin provided an easy answer.

Terrent nodded. “However, we live here, and we’re keeping the same name. No bad-asses.”

Maggie shook her head at the slow wink Andrea gave Shannon. They’d probably have new Tshirts made by the end of the day. God, she was going to love it here.

Terrent eyed the girls. “I guess my first official act as Alpha will be to punish the saboteurs.”

The girls stopped smiling. Slowly, they both nodded.

Maggie stiffened. Oh, no. He wouldn’t keep them from the national competition, would he? She held her breath, too.

Glancing around at the scrub brush surrounding the clearing, Terrent stopped to face the girls. “You two are in charge of restoring this clearing to its formal pretty, flower-ing, welcoming glory. In time for my wedding next spring.”

Maggie gasped. “You mean it? A wedding with a dress, music, flowers? A real wedding?”

“That’s what you’ve always wanted,” Terrent said with a grin.

The girls erupted with happy squeals.

Their glee had him holding up a hand. “And never, never, ever, do such a thing again.”

“We won’t.” The girls rushed forward to hug him.

The panic on his face warmed Maggie right through. Deciding to rescue him, this time, she tugged on his arm. “Let’s go unpack. I want to settle in before we start all the new training and stuff.”

She turned and tripped.

He caught her, sweeping her up. “We’ll be back, pack.”

Snuggling his face into her neck, he strode around the corner and set her down away from prying eyes. His own serious eyes met hers. “Are you sure you want to live here?”

“This is home.” She pressed up on her tiptoes and kissed him full on the mouth. “I love you.”

He grinned, sliding his arms around her waist. “I love you, too, my little wolf. Forever.”

Content

Twisted
Dark Protectors - 5.5
by
Rebecca Zanetti

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve