“Zane survived. I told you that when he came to me ten years ago and said he was moving to live with his mother’s people.”
“I know, and I’ve searched high and wide for him. But whoever his mother is, there’s no trace of her.”
“I wonder if he’s a shifter.” Janie pursed her lips. “I’ve always known he was more than pure vampire.”
Dage nodded. “His father was a vampire with a vampire father and shifter mother—wolf shifter. I traced the lineage back and he’s related to feline and multi shifters as well—on his paternal grandmother’s side. Of course, there are vampires all the way back on his father’s side.”
It was so weird that vampires only made male babies, no matter who they mated with. “So maybe his mama is a shifter and they’re living with a shifter clan off the grid.” Fate whispered in Janie’s ear that she needed to find her old friend and now. “I saw him in a dream this morning. He was wounded in battle, so you need to find information on all battles occurring yesterday.”
Dage nodded. “I’ll try. But after ten years of keeping my ear to the ground regarding your dream friend, I’ve not once found his mother or her people. Don’t hold your breath, little one.”
“I won’t.” She’d find Zane through dreams, if necessary. “You’re dressed for sparring, Uncle Dage.”
Her uncle nodded, a hard light cutting through his eyes. “Yes. We’re training with Jordan today—wish me luck.”
Something told her Jordan would need the luck.
Chapter 12
J
ordan winced as he shoved open the door to his underground quarters, trying not to reopen just closed wounds. The Kayrs brothers hadn’t taken it easy on him during training, drawing blood and breaking bones, which he’d already healed. He tried to convince himself they wanted him ready to battle, but in truth, they were all pissed. Maybe not at him, but he was a good outlet.
Her scent hit him as he snapped on the light. Dark spices and wild orchids, all woman. Smoothing his battered face into nonchalant lines, he pivoted away from the living area to the utilitarian kitchen and shut the door.
Katie sat on the oak table, swinging a leg. “I’m here to seduce you.”
Amusement and something warmer settled in his chest. For seduction she’d worn ripped jeans, battered tennis shoes, and a frayed T-shirt so old the logo had faded beyond recognition. Her multicolored blond hair was up in a ponytail. No makeup adorned her pretty face.
The truth slammed him so hard he took a step back. The woman was fucking perfect.
Saying a monumental thanks that cats were stubborn, he forced himself to chuckle. “I appreciate the warning.”
A clock next to the small fridge ticked away seconds.
Katie glanced past the living room to the open door of his bedroom. A soft blush wandered up over her sharp cheekbones. “I’m not kidding.”
“I know,” he said softly. “And I truly appreciate the adult way we’re discussing this.” When it came to mating, discussion had no place. He’d shielded her too much from the ways of their people if she didn’t know that. “I take it you heard Kane’s cure didn’t work?”
“Yes.” The blush receded, leaving Katie pale. “The only chance you have is mating a shifter, and although I’m only half that, I’m offering.”
He’d saved her as a cub, and the woman took loyalty seriously. “You don’t owe me.”
“I know.” Fire flashed in her tawny eyes. “I’m not proposing to sacrifice myself here. We’re both infected with the virus ... mating might cure us both.”
“Or kill us both.” Irritation swirled down his spine at the rational talking going on. “I’m almost a werewolf—I could turn you into one as well.”
Her stubborn chin lifted. “I’m willing to take the chance.”
The irritation slid to anger. “What exactly do you think happens in a mating, Kate?”
The blush returned, red and bright. “Jesus, Jordan. I know what happens.”
“No, you don’t.” Amazement filled him at her naiveté. “I don’t just give you a good fuck and bite your neck, sweetheart.”
The blush intensified, along with her scent. Intrigue and lust deepened those amazing eyes. “You think you’re that good?”
Ah. Challenging him. Smart woman. “Yes.” He shoved the beast inside down. Way down. “I’ve seen the aftermath of a mating. The female is often lucky if she still has a shoulder.” Dark and brutal, even in human form, the males became all animal during a claiming. The woman should know that.
“I’ve seen the aftermath of a mating, too.” She shoved off the table. Toward him. “I can handle it.”
No mention of love. No mention of forever or even happiness. That more than the calm discussion shot fury through his veins. “No, you can’t. Even when you were ... healthy ... it was too much of a danger. If I decided to mate you, you’d no longer be Katie, the little girl I protected. My adult friend. The werewolf hunter. None of those people would you be in that moment.”
She tilted her head to the side. “What would I be?”
Low, guttural, the snarl came from down deep. “Mine.”
Interest flared hot and bright in her eyes. Only a second of warning hinted in her bunched muscles as she leaped. Straight for him, hard and fast, knocking him down.
His head hit stone. Without thought, he clutched a hand into her hair. Flipping them over, he slammed her to the ground, his mouth on hers. Diving deep, his animal roared as the taste of spice exploded on his tongue.
She arched into him, returning his kiss, matching him.
Lava bubbled through his blood. His cock shoved against his zipper in a flash of pain. A roaring filled his ears. Tethering her head with one hand, he grabbed her ass with the other, yanking her up and trying to dispel some of the hurt. Rubbing against her, need flared into demand.
A pounding on the door jerked him to reality. Hissing, he jumped up and threw her behind him. Her shoes slapped the hard floor—the woman always did land on her feet. “What?”
“Calls are coming in for your video conference,” Kane yelled from the corridor outside. “Hurry the hell up.” Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Jordan swiped a hand across his mouth. Without turning to look behind him, he yanked open the door and followed his friend. What had just happened?
Fifteen minutes after he’d taken his hand off Katie’s ass, Jordan sat alone at a conference table, a myriad of screens before him. A blank wall stood behind him, and the shades had been drawn to hide the ocean. Kane sat off to the side, manning a telecommunications console probably more intricate than the one used by NASA command. The odd thought hit Jordan that the vampires could probably visit the moon if they wanted. Knowing vamps, they had no interest. Frankly, Jordan had enough problems on this planet.
Faces began taking shape on the different screens. Panthers, cougars, African lions, and tigers—all in human form—spread across the globe.
Gerald Shotlam, a black panther, leaned toward the screen. “I’ve been somehow elected the spokesperson today, so let’s get started. Rumor has it you’ve been challenged.”
“Yes. And you’re a good choice of spokesperson
for my people
.” Jordan kept his face blank as he issued the statement.
Gerald sat back and then nodded.
Good. Jordan was still Alpha, and everybody better remember that fact. “I’ve accepted and will meet David Bomant when he chooses a time and place.”
“He’s also alleging you murdered his brother, your cousin.” Not by one inflection did the panther’s voice change, but the question shone bright in his dark eyes. “As I recall, Brent disappeared without a trace when the last war started, and we all figured the Kurjans had gotten to him. Did you kill him?”
“Yes.” Jordan rested in his chair, fighting to hide the relief that some of the truth was finally out. Though this might either send the feline nation into civil war, or at the very least, have a few old friends gunning for him.
Gerald sat back, his eyes widening, while a couple of gasps could be heard. “You murdered him?”
“No.” Jordan ignored Kane’s sudden interest in the conversation. “We’d gone to war, and I challenged Brent. We decided to keep the fight quiet, not let the Kurjans know of our unrest, and whoever won ... would take over.” It was almost the truth, and there was no reason to speculate what would’ve happened had Jordan not won.
“That’s not how we work,” Gerald snarled.
“I know.” Jordan clasped his hands on the granite table, leaning forward. “Brent and I reached a decision together and did what we thought was right.” He made eye contact with the panther as he told the lie.
“Jordan”—Gerald shook his head, wisdom shining in his thousand-year-old eyes—“I know you were young, and you’d both just lost your parents, but you didn’t have the right to change our ways in such a manner. Nobody witnessed the challenge or the fight.”
“Connlan Kayrs witnessed both.” Might as well get the bad news out at once. Panic and dread commingled in Jordan’s gut.
Ella Frades, a Bengal, coughed and flipped back her strawberry-blond hair. “So Conn Kayrs, the brother of the king you ended up aligning with, is the sole witness?”
“Yes.” This was going south and fast.
“Brent had been talking about withdrawing from the Realm,” Ella hissed.
“Which is why I challenged him.” Jordan lifted a shoulder. “What’s done is done. I’m meeting David to fight, and anyone else who wishes to challenge me can step on up afterward.” Enough of this crap. “If I don’t survive the virus, which you all know I have, then I’m endorsing Noah Chance as your new leader.”
Ella frowned. “I’d heard you’d taken a mate. She’d be first in line.”
“I have not taken a mate.” And he wouldn’t. Taking a mate would put a target on the woman’s back the second he died. He had to stay the hell away from Katie.
The tigress smiled. “Good. You know as well as I that our people won’t accept a lioness infected with the virus as a leader. Sad, but true.”
Jordan met her gaze, not blinking. He kept it, not looking away until Ella blushed and glanced down. He understood the danger to Katie if he mated her ... but no one was going to get away with threatening his woman.
Gerald glared through the camera. “I say we wait and see the result of the challenge currently before Jordan. If you win”—a snarl curled his lip—“I guarantee you’ll be challenged again. We’ll decide about Noah Chance if and when that issue becomes relevant.” With a nod off-camera, the screen went blank.
After a few more polite good-byes, and good wishes considering he was about to turn into a beast, Jordan stared at empty screens.
Kane finished tapping in keys and sat back. “What exactly did you and Conn do?”
Jordan pivoted to face the brother of his best friend. “You probably don’t want to know.”
Kane nodded. “Probably not.” He grabbed a gold Cross pen, twirling the metal through his fingers. “I figured you did what you had to do in a time of war. Feeling guilty or worrying about the decision now is a waste of time.”
“I’m not feeling guilty.”
“Bullshit.”
Irritation clenched Jordan’s hands into fists. “What are you, a mind reader?”
“Nope.” Kane stretched his long legs out, his eyes thoughtful, his fingers working the pen into a blur of gold. “Other minds are closed to me. Thank God.” He flipped the pen in the air, catching the device with his other hand and resuming the game. “Saw Katie earlier.”
Emotion flushed along Jordan’s skin.
Kane chuckled low. “She didn’t want to cover up the bite mark you gave her last night.”
Pleasure warmed Jordan’s chest right before dread shoved the warmth away. “She has a crush, and it’ll go away if I turn into a werewolf.”
Kane tucked the pen in his pocket. “You’re an idiot if you truly believe that.”
Jordan frowned. The scientist seemed to have several opinions when it came to emotion. Interesting. “You have a potential mate, Kane? I mean, any little human scientist you have in mind?” So far, Dage and Talen had mated scientists, while Conn mated a witch. Jordan didn’t see Kane with a witch.
“Hell, no.” Kane stretched to his feet. “I don’t have patience for emotion right now—I need to cure you of the virus.”
“That’d be nice.”
Conn slid into the room. “Your fight has come to you. Suit up, Jordan. Time to kick ass.”
Chapter 13
“
H
ow did Bomant find us?” An hour after the fiasco of a feline teleconference, Jordan stretched his neck under a cloudy sky. Very weak light tumbled through the darkness from the moon. A rumbling roared in his gut, and he squelched all need.
“You’ll have to ask him.” Conn yanked a knife from his boot. “At least they set down a mile from headquarters.”
“We need to move headquarters.” Jordan tightened the band on his hair.
“No. There’s nowhere else to go.” Conn replaced the blade. “We chose the best defensive place in the country, and we’ll protect it even better.”
The ocean pounded down below while thick trees obscured the forest in every direction. “Interesting clearing they found.” Something creeped Jordan out about the place, but he couldn’t figure out what. Normal scrub brush lined the ground, the trees pine, the night cold.
He ignored the warning flaring at the base of his spine and eyed Katie, who stood quietly next to him. “You shouldn’t be here.” If there was any way to do this without her, he would’ve thought of it.
She tossed her head, gaze solidly on the three men across the small meadow who hadn’t shifted as of yet. “You have no choice.”
Duty and tradition made his temples ache. The rules dictated he needed a witness from his pride for the battle, and unfortunately, Katie was the only member within three states right now. He’d broken enough of their rules already—he couldn’t get out of this one. “Stay out of the way. If things go south, you head for the helicopter where Max is waiting.”
Katie tightened the bulletproof vest around her trim waist. “Don’t worry, Jordan. You get in trouble, I’m not saving your ass.”
Conn lifted an eyebrow, and Jordan shrugged. Apparently Katie was still pissed about the kiss. He’d warned her—she should’ve listened. Mating was too dangerous, and he refused to destroy her. Even in lion form, he’d be rough. In lion/werewolf form, he would tear her apart. Hopefully he’d scared her enough she wouldn’t challenge him again.
He straightened as the three lions stalked forward to stand in the center of the field. They were lighter colored than Jordan’s people—golden hair and flecked eyes. The one in the middle took another step toward him. “I’m David Bomant, and you tried to kill my brother.”
Conn settled his stance, gaze on the other shifters.
“Be ready for Brent to show up,” Jordan whispered. No way the crazy werewolf would miss his brother challenging Jordan. This meeting was as much a trap to catch Brent as a way to take out a challenger. Raising his voice, he stepped away from Katie. “Is that what Brent told you?” His voice carried across the quiet night.
David flashed sharp canines. “Yes. He told me you and the Kayrs next to you set a trap for him and struck from behind. Like cowards.”
“You’re an idiot,” Katie spat.
The cat turned his golden gaze on her. “Katie Smith—I have to tell you, my brother is looking forward to seeing you again. As far as he’s concerned, you’re the perfect mate for him, considering you’re part werewolf.”
“Then he needs to come and find me.” Katie’s snarl rivaled any lion still breathing. She stepped forward, and Jordan tensed. Ignoring him, she planted her feet. “I suppose you’re the asshole who’s been following me and snapping pictures?”
“Not exactly, though I did get my hands on them.” David grinned. “Although I gave most of the pictures to Brent, I have to admit, I kept a couple for myself. You know, for those lonely moments late at night when I needed inspiration.”
“You’re disgusting.” Katie yanked a knife from her boot. “Maybe after Jordan kills you, I’ll remove your tongue.”
Jordan eyed the angry woman. She seemed serious. The virus had messed with her temper a bit. Though something in her wildness just plain and simple turned him on.
David nodded to his friends, and they loped to the edge of the clearing. “My father was Kyle Bomant, and I’m here to take his rightful place.”
“I don’t give a shit who your father was.” Jordan stalked forward until only a foot separated them. He needed to keep far enough from Conn and Katie that his shifting wouldn’t knock them out. A breeze from the chilly ocean slammed into his face. “I had no clue your brother lived.”
“We’re aware of that.” David’s accent made him sound like more of a big city lawyer than a cat. Though he was well over six feet with a broad chest, as broad as Jordan’s. “It took nearly one hundred fifty years for him to heal and another hundred to train.”
Yeah. Shifters didn’t heal like vampires. It was a miracle Brent had survived with one tendon attached in his neck. “Then he got infected by the virus.” Jordan eyed the other two shifters. Alert, tense, ready to rumble. Not good. “How exactly did he get infected?” He needed answers before he killed this guy.
David gave a humorous laugh. “We attended the colloquium ten years ago—you didn’t notice.”
“Ah.” Several shifters had been infected that year, Katie being one of them. “Guess that’ll teach him to crash a party.”
“He’s evolved. And he has great plans for the feline and canine nations. We both do. No more bowing to the vampires. We’re taking over.”
Jordan shook his head. “You’re about to die, son.”
David flicked his glance toward Katie and back. “No, Jordan. You’re going to die. Then my brother and I will share your woman.”
Jordan smiled. “That the best you got?” Jesus. The moron might as well be spitting from a playbook for dummies about messing with your opponent’s head. He tucked his chin, lowering his voice so only the cat in front of him could hear. “Your brother begged for his life. On his knees.” Not true, but what the hell.
David snarled, shifting into lion form in a flash, striking for Jordan’s jugular.
Jordan pivoted, throwing the cat across the field. With a hiss, he shifted into a mountain lion, bones cracking, pain ripping through his muscles until he landed on all fours. His roar filled the night.
They lunged at the same time, claws rending, clashing upright like dueling bucks. Jordan swiped down David’s face, tearing tissue. Baring his teeth, he gave an Alpha’s roar.
The other cat howled in pain and snapped teeth into Jordan’s front leg.
Agony rippled up his tendons. He batted David away.
The clouds parted. Moonlight cascaded down. A buzzing set up between Jordan’s ears, cotton filtered over his eyes. Warmth.
Closing his eyes, he lifted his head.
“Jordan!” Katie screamed.
A wisp of a thought later, sharp canines latched into his neck.
Instinct had him dropping to the ground and rolling over, throwing the other cat away. Blood flowed freely from the wounds in Jordan’s neck.
Confusion had him shaking his head. Moonlight. Safety. Where was he?
Then a scent. Wild orchids. He pivoted and saw her. Katie. His. Snarling, he lowered his head and ran his claws through the earth, his focus on her.
Air whispered along his fur an instant before a hard body collided with him, sending them sprawling. Hissing, he rolled to his feet, gaze on the other lion. Challenge. His female behind him, the threat before him, he reacted like any animal and charged.
Digging his teeth into his opponent’s jaw, he kept track of the other two lions, the vampire, and the female. The need to protect her battled with the moon’s pull ... but the female’s silent demand won.
Twisting his jaw, he scraped through muscle, cartilage, and bones until reaching the jugular. Warm blood flooded his mouth.
The other cat yelped, slashing wildly with sharp claws and snapping with its teeth.
Jordan felt their intent a second before the other males shifted into cougars.
The vampire roared in protest, the female yelled a warning.
The other two cats bounded across the clearing, circling him while he lay on their struggling leader. The vampire leaped in front of one cat, a wicked blade flashing fast and bright.
The female ran to intercept the other shifter, firing green bullets. The cat roared and leaped toward her, knocking the weapon free. She fell back, hitting the ground, her head and shoulders bouncing.
Rage beyond primal ripped through Jordan.
A force of darkness rushed out of the forest. A werewolf. Jordan knew him but the name wouldn’t come. The monster stalked into the clearing, eyes on the female. Katie. The female was Katie. She flipped to her feet, yanking another weapon from her boot.
The other cougar took advantage of Jordan’s distraction to jump on his back.
Jordan struggled, his sole focus on the female. Sharp fangs ripped into the back of his neck. Fire lanced through his jaw.
He tightened his hold on the cat below him.
Gunshots echoed behind him, along with a primal roar.
Then suddenly, a helicopter blasted through the sky, setting down hard, shifters jumping out.
Not his people.
As a unit, they shifted from human to lion. Every instinct he owned bellowed for him to protect the female—to fight so she could get away. The forces weren’t equal, but he could take several out and give her a chance to seek safety.
The shifters made it halfway across the clearing, five of them, before a second helicopter smashed between them, sending dust flying. Vampires leaped out, weapons ready. Allies.
Katie careened past him, thrown by hairy hands. She bounced twice on the hard ground. The furry beast stalked by, taking a moment to kick him in the ribs. Rage ripped through him.
The cat below him slashed deadly claws along his belly.
Jordan hissed, digging his teeth in further.
Another vampire jumped out of the helicopter in his direction, rapidly firing green shots into the werewolf. The creature howled in pain. Katie pivoted and plunged a knife up and into the monster’s jugular. The beast staggered away.
The cougar on Jordan’s back leaped off to stalk toward Katie.
Allowing the animal inside to roar, Jordan clenched his jaw until his teeth met through David’s flesh. Jordan yanked. Tissue, muscle, and bone flung across the clearing. David sagged to the earth, his eyes open in death.
The werewolf stumbled to its feet, lurching toward the tree line. Jordan’s legs bunched to go after him. But the other cougar continued to advance on Katie. His female.
The moon called to Jordan. The damn light stole his concentration. Stole his drive. Growling, he shifted back into man to avoid the seductive pull. Pain crackled along his bones and tendons. Stars burst behind his eyes. Lunging, he tackled the other mountain lion, arms circling its body, right as the animal pounced for Katie. He slammed the heel of his hand under the cat’s massive jaw. Deadly teeth smashed together.
Man and beast rolled in the dirt. Jordan landed on top, straddling the animal. The cat yowled in protest, legs thrashing, claws seeking purchase.
“Jordan!”
Jordan jerked his head at Conn’s yell, sharp reflexes snagging the knife thrown by his friend. Two seconds later he gutted the animal and then cut its jugular. Warm blood covered his legs, washed down his hands.
Shoving the carcass away, he staggered to his feet. Spinning around, he found Katie. She scrambled to stand, her face pale except for a spreading purple bruise on one high cheekbone. He glared, and she took a step back, eyes wide.
Inhaling, he turned and took in the rest of the field. Talen and his men had taken care of the other shifters. Brent was gone. Animal blood scented the air along with the sweetness from the moon. Ironic and disheartening. Jordan popped a tendon back into place. “Good timing.”
Talen wiped blood off a knife on the grass. “We kept an eye on the airspace and saw the second helicopter coming—Dage sent reinforcements.”
Thank God for friends. Jordan nodded, eyeing his ripped clothing on the field. The wind whipped over his naked body. Cuts and bruises marred his flesh, and his gut was still bleeding. He’d heal. “I need my phone. I’ll video the result of the challenge.” Maybe the carnage would keep other felines from challenging Noah next week.
But probably not.