In Too Deep (26 page)

Fallon took a deep breath, and nearly lost her temper anyway.
“How did Isaac’s trail just disappear? Where?”

Robert shook his head and took a deep breath.
“He went through the woods and fell when he got to the next road. There was a big bloody mess where he fell.”

Preston picked up the story.
“His trail ended there. I tried everything, but his essence disappeared like aliens beamed him up or some shit. There’s no trace of him beyond that point. I would have sensed his death if he had died there. I felt the presence of dark mages. The Dales have him.”

Rage washed through her.
“That fucker was going to bring me to Malachi. He knew what I went through. I warded him. They can’t enthrall him, so why the fuck would he take me to them?”

Preston plowed his hands through his hair, and met her gaze.
“I found a blood offer from Malachi. He promised Isaac he could use your body anyway he pleased as long as he brought you in. Malachi claimed he had enchanted binds that you couldn’t even get out of.”

She knew vampires could basically create a contract written in their own blood. The dark
magic involved bound the vampire to the terms. Malachi must believe the binds would work if he was willing to form a blood offer.

That terrified her, but she didn’t believe such binds could exist. Not even fae enchanted chains could bind her. Someone had once tried a set on her
. She was able to shift out when she knew wereanimals and other shifters couldn’t.

There was only one thing she knew of that could keep her from shifting or using her magic. Certain drugs, but o
nce the chemical began to leave her system her magic would come roaring back with a vengeance. Until the side effects wore off, she would have a hard time controlling her power. “Do you believe his chains will work?”

Preston shook his head.
“I don’t know, Fallon. But Isaac must have taken the offer, and Malachi would never have drawn up the contract if he didn’t believe.”

Fallon felt sick to her stomach.
“I need a minute,” she muttered as she walked into the kitchen with her arms wrapped around herself.

She knew Isaac would have gladly done what Robert and Tremaine were forced to do,
except he would have enjoyed forcing his will on her. He preferred the scene she had walked into when she found him with the other woman. Why the hell did she believe him when he said he could go without? If she had just listened to her gut, to Jess, hell to everyone, she could have avoided all of this. She was so fucking stupid.

* * * *

Before Brody could turn to go after her, both mages grabbed his arms. He tore away from them with a growl. “What’s wrong with you? I need to talk to her.”

“
She needs a few minutes,” Robert said softly. “Let Jess and Jamie talk to her.”

Preston rolled his eyes.
“Let me give you a little insight. Fallon has this fucked up notion that she’s somehow at fault for her relationships falling apart. Isaac is no exception. The asshole was always on perfect behavior around her. He showed her his best side. She knew about some of his kinks, but she didn’t know how dark his desires run.”

Brody didn’t understand.
“How can she think she made him that way? She can’t control what one asshole does, so why blame herself?”

“
Don’t ask me. I still haven’t figured out her reasoning.” Preston sat down with a sigh.

Robert said,
“You’ll have to ask her. Just a warning, she doesn’t usually open up, and pushing won’t get you anywhere. You’ll have to listen when she’s ready.”

Brody nodded,
knowing she would tell him if he asked but he was more concerned with how she was doing. Staring out the window, he strived to collect his thoughts. He hated knowing there was nothing he could do. He was a fixer, he liked finding solutions, but this wasn’t something he could resolve.

Robert stood.
“We can’t do much from here. Preston has a few things he wants to check into. Tell Fallon we said goodbye.”

“
Yeah, and don’t worry.” Preston nodded toward the kitchen. “I have to imagine she’s pretty pissed and has to cool off. She didn’t want to believe Isaac was that kind of asshole, but he is. Just be there for her.”

“I will,” Brody answered.

“Keep us updated,” Slater told the mages who let themselves out.

Jess and Jamie ca
me out. Jess took Slater’s hand. “Come on, we should let them have some time.”

Slater smiled.
“Mind if I borrow your truck until tomorrow? I’ll bring it back early.”

“
Sure.” Brody answered, not sure what else to say.

Slater left with the twins
, and Brody locked the door behind them.

Before Brody could figure out whether or not to go to Fallon, she walked into the living room
and froze. She stood there and just looked at him for a long moment.

“
Hey,” she finally said.

“
Anything I can do?” He hoped so. He wanted to chase away the lost look on her face.

She nodded and moved to the couch.
“Just come here.” He sat down beside her and took her hand but didn’t crowd her.

* * * *

Thank Goddess.
They were finally alone. Fallon shifted to face him. They needed to talk, but she didn’t know what to say. “Are you okay? Maybe freaked out a little?” Admittedly, she was.

Brody peered into her eyes.
“When I heard you scream before they took you, I freaked. I tried to run for you, but Slater held me back. When I felt what that monster did to you, I was terrified. Feeling the rush of air around you scared the hell out of me. I had no clue what was happening. When you called, I felt a little better because they didn’t have you. I knew you were hurt and I hated that I couldn’t do a damned thing to help you.”

He kissed her, just a brush of his lips on hers.
“I felt a hell of a lot better after Dakota fixed your hip because you weren’t hurting then. I know Isaac would have done much worse, and would have taken you to someone who…,” he trailed off, shaking his head.

“
You hurting scares the fuck out of me, Fallon. Did that first night I met you, and I knew you were hurt, but I made it worse. I hated tonight. Holding you down for them to fix your leg was hell. And then you screamed and my heart broke because I would have taken your pain.”

Fallon took his face in her hands.
“Well, I’m fine now. Just having you close helps more than you know. You make everything better.” She closed the distance and gave him a slow kiss. He lifted her into his lap, letting his hands slide under her shirt and up her back.

“
I want to make sure you’re all better.” His hands drifted down over her ass, and pulled her against his rigid length. “I need to make sure everything is in working order.” He rolled her onto her back, on the couch, and slid his fingers under her waistband. She raised her hips, and he pulled the sweats down her legs and tossed them over his shoulder.

She pulled his shirt up over his head and dropped it to the ground before he bent down and pushed her tank top up. His mouth dropped to her hip. His lips brushed over the newly healed area as he looked up at her, his gaze full of desire.

“So glad you’re all better.” He spread her legs to lick the heart of her.

“
Wait, Brody, I want you, all of you. I don’t want to wait.” She begged, sitting up to push him away.

He sat up and pulled her shirt over her head. She arched her back as he gently squeezed her breasts together to lick her nipples, and tug the rings
with his tongue. “You don’t want slow and easy?” He sucked one tip into his mouth, swirling his tongue.

“
Goddess, no. Hard and fast. I need you now.”

He stood an
d dropped his pants. She stood up with the intention of taking him to the bedroom. He spun her around and put her back on the couch on her hands and knees before pushing up against her. “Now?” His voice was husky.

“
Yes, please, yes.”

He entered her in one smooth powerful stroke.
“I can’t wait,” he hissed as he hit home and withdrew only to glide back into her again.

“
Brody,” she cried out as she pushed back into him. He held onto her hip, hard enough to bruise but she loved the way he held her as he slammed into her over and over again. “Right there. Harder,” she panted.

He thrust faster, deeper
, until she thought she might shatter apart from the climax that rocked through her. He kept going, until he came, bringing her again. He rolled to his side on the couch, and she twisted around to wrap her arms around him.

“
You satisfied with how okay I am?” she whispered against his collarbone, loving the way he held her close.

“
A few more times and I may be,” he purred back.

Brody had a busy day working on motorcycles. Thank God for that. He was going crazy with worry ever since Fallon decided she was working that morning. He tried to talk her out of going to the shop, but she effectively put an end to his argument.

Okay fine, she had a point, but he didn’t feel any better. The Dales were unlikely to try shit during the day since half of them were vampires. Slater made sure
at least one enforcer was at Inktastic and another at his shop all day long. Besides, the more people with her wards, the better off everyone was.

Adam came through the door from the
front. “Hey bro, I brought lunch. Fallon says she’s sorry she couldn’t come down.”

He nodded. God,
he hoped she wasn’t mad. They hadn’t exactly fought. He figured out pretty fast she wasn’t going to budge so he didn’t push. Brody just expressed his concerns and let her decide.

“
Hey, she’s not mad.” Adam insisted. “She’s just busy, and Jess fed her.”

“
Yeah?” Brody walked over into the back room where there was a table and a few chairs and sat down. Adam followed. “Did she tell you I tried to talk her out of working?”

Adam shook his head, but the dick grinned.
“I figured you would. Especially after what Clint said went down last night. Your woman wouldn’t say shit about what happened, and that if I wanted to know so badly, I could talk to the wolves if I was so inclined.” Then he snickered. “She did say one thing about you. Said you made everything all better. I can just imagine how with that sexy grin of hers.”

“
You are such a prick.”

“
You’re just easy to mess with.”

Brody didn’t want to trouble his brother with all the shit going on, so he changed topics.
“So, how are you and Danika? And the wedding plans?”

“
Great. Everything is pretty much ready. I can’t wait.” Adam grinned and sat the bag of Chinese takeout on the table before sitting down. “We’re just glad the wedding is soon. Dani is pregnant but we haven’t told anyone yet. She’s worried she’s not going to fit into her dress.” Adam grinned.

Warmth filled Brody’s chest. He smiled back
. “I’m happy for you. And I’m sorry I haven’t been more help lately.” He felt like a bad brother for being so out of touch with Adam. Things had just been crazy since he crashed into Fallon.

“
Oh, no you don’t, Brody.” Adam slapped him on the back. “You’re still there when I need you. I’m just glad you’ve joined the living again.”

“
Was I that bad?” He knew the answer though.

“
Yeah, but I understand. I’m sure I’d be a bigger mess if I lost Danika. You never fell into a depression, but you weren’t living.” Adam scrubbed a hand through his short hair. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I honestly think Fallon is the right one for you. Not that Sarah was wrong, but after Raj attacked you, she never fully accepted your furry side. Fallon does.”

“
I came to that same conclusion when I told Fallon about that night and the hospital.” He grinned. “Fallon was a little ticked about Sarah’s reaction, but she didn’t bad mouth her.” He took a breath. “I almost feel guilty for not feeling guilty that I moved on pretty much the second Fallon came into my life.”

“
Four years, Brody, you mourned that entire time. There was nothing fast about letting Sarah go. It was time, and you were ready, and you’re one lucky bastard. Fallon is everything you need.”

“
You’re right.”

“
Of course I am, little brother. Go ahead and eat. I have to get back to work.” Adam started back through the door.

Brody grinned.
“Thank you. I needed that talk.”

“
Hey, you’ve done the same for me countless times. You’re always there.”

* * * *

Fallon was finally home after a busy day. Man, she was getting tired of brushing off the questions about what happened the night before. They were a bunch of gossipy wolves.

Realization dawned on her as
she stood in their bedroom, staring at his dresser and the lack of his wife’s pictures. She thought something was strange downstairs, but it didn’t register until she came up here and her eyes landed where the photo use to sit. Fallon didn’t know what to think, or what to feel.

“
Hey. What’s wrong?” Brody asked softly as he moved to stand in front of her, blocking her view.

She shook her head and looked up at him.
“You didn’t need to take them down.”

Brody glanced over his shoulder with a little smile and back at her.
“I did though. I didn’t burn them or anything. They’re in a box.”

“
I don’t need you to remove any trace of her. I’m not that cruel,” she whispered.

“
Oh sugar, I removed them because I was ready. I know you didn’t ask.” He brushed his lips over hers. “It was time. I needed to put the pictures away.”

“
You didn’t. You don’t.” Shit, she didn’t want him to think she had to be everything to him. His past was important. “I don’t expect you to forget her. I….”

He pressed a finger over her lips.
“Shh, Fallon. I’m not going to forget Sarah, but she’s not my present and she’s not my future. I didn’t put them away to make you feel better. I put them away because I was ready to let the past go. Please tell me you understand.” He combed his fingers through her hair, peering into her eyes.

Fallon nodded.
“Okay.”

“
Now, I have something to ask you.”

“
What?” She frowned.

“
When Slater welcomed you to the pack, you seemed real nervous. I think we need to talk about why.”

Her stomach dropped out. The dreaded conversation.
“I don’t want to be a werewolf, Brody.”

“
I wasn’t going to ask you to be. I told you, I don’t want you to change for me. That would be a pretty big change, Fallon. If you ever decide you want to be, we can talk about that decision then, but I don’t need you to be a wolf to be happy.”

“
Really?” As much as she knew not to compare him, she was. She really needed to stop.

“
Yeah. I wasn’t just talking when I told you I want you for you. That’s the truth. I just need one thing from you.”

“
What’s that?”

“
Honesty. If you have a problem, or a concern, talk to me. Please. I don’t expect us to agree one hundred percent on everything, but just like this morning, I’m not going to force my will on you.”

“
For the record, you were pretty amazing this morning.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I expected a fight over working. Part of why I went was so that I wouldn’t sit here and do nothing. I didn’t want to think. I needed to be busy with work.”

He nodded.
“I get that. I honestly do. I’ve done similar.” He pulled her toward the bed, and sat down. “Now, are you okay going on the hunt tonight? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Hayden said he’d keep an eye on you if you wanted to do something else. I’m sure Danika would hang out with you too.”

Fallon laughed.
“You asked another man to hang out with me if I didn’t want to run with the wolves?”

“
I trust you, Fallon. Hayden is a good friend, and I trust him as well. I don’t think I could go on the hunt if someone with a little power wasn’t with you, but since Jess and Jamie have to go, I figured Hayden would work.”

“
Well, I want to come. Just don’t expect me to rip into any live animals.” She shuddered. “I’m not opposed to everyone else hunting. I’m not a vegetarian or anything. I just can’t stomach raw meat in any form.”

“
Good to know.” He chuckled. “So, tell me something. How does the clothes thing work with shifting? You startled me when you shifted and you were dressed.”

“
Oh, shifting is just another form of magic for me. My clothes and whatever that is on me are stored magically… or something.” She shrugged, not totally sure herself.

His eyes sparkled.
“So, what else changes in those forms?”

“
I can still cast at least some magic shifted. My senses are elevated, and I take on some of their traits, but not all.” She looked him in the eye. “And I’ll warn you now. I don’t do furry sex, not in any form for any reason. I draw a line there.”

Brody’s eyes widened.
“Don’t worry. I never even considered it. I will admit that being able to run as a wolf with you excites me, but it has nothing to do with humping.”

Fallon grinned.
“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“
So, was that the only thing worrying you about Slater welcoming you?” Brody asked sincerely.

“
Yes, and I know you aren’t those other assholes, but sometimes I have a hard time remembering that,” she admitted, and then took a deep breath. “Damon and Isaac both wanted to change me. We argued about it constantly. I think Damon wanted me to change because my magic bothered him, and most casters lose all their magic when they become a wereanything. Druids work differently from what I understand. Our magic changes, but doesn’t go away. I guess Isaac just thought I’d think more like him if I were a tiger. I don’t know.”

“
I don’t think I’m ever going to understand why you put up with them when you knew they weren’t working.” He squeezed her hand.

She shook her head and laughed.
“I honestly don’t know anymore. I’ve seen the error of my ways now that I have you.”

* * * *

Brody walked with Slater through the woods. They were heading to the meeting spot where they would meet all the other werewolves and Fallon. The mages, Hayden and a few of Edenton’s casters were already out patrolling.

“
You sure you want Fallon out here?” Slater asked.

“
I figure she’s safer with a hundred shifted wolves than by herself with Hayden.” Brody cut his gaze over. “She wanted to come, and she wants to protect me too. Besides, how are they going to know what she looks like as a wolf?”

Slater side-eyed him.
“You do realize we don’t look like your average wolf.”

There was that, but some of the smaller wolves looked like natural wolves. That might be a good thing.
“And if Jess were in the same situation, would you want her hanging with Hayden without you? Knowing she was capable of protecting herself?”

Slater shook his head.
“No, but I’m real tempted to send you with her. They want you both, remember. Maybe they want her more, but you still figure in.”

“
And I believe that if she’s safer with a hundred shifted wolves, I am too. Everyone is going full wolf and the Dales won’t be able to easily figure out who is who if they actually show.”

“
True. I still think they’ll show.” Slater sighed. “I don’t like this.”

“
Neither do I, but what can we do?”

“
Nothing yet. We don’t know enough.”

They stepped into the clearing. Fallon had gone ahead with Jess and Jamie. The twins were already stripping down, getting ready to shift. Fallon sat on a rock in her jeans, motorcycle boots and tank top. There were several wolves watching her, probably curious why she wasn’t getting naked.

She looked up and smiled as Brody walked over to her. “Hey there. I was beginning to wonder when you’d show up.”

“
Just had to talk to the old man.” He nodded to Slater before pulling his shirt over his head. “You want me to shift first? Or you?”

Fallon stood and shifted instantaneously. He knelt down to
run his fingers through her thick coat. There were hints of red like her hair through her cream colored fur. Her eyes were still as green as ever, though he had never seen a wolf with green eyes. “Oh sugar, you’re beautiful.”

She bumped his chest with her head and he rubbed behind her ears. She woofed softly and nipped the leg of his jeans.
“Okay, okay.” He got rid of the rest of his clothes and shifted. Most wolves took close to a minute to shift, but Brody never took more than ten seconds. The enforcers and Slater shifted about as fast as he did. He knew it was something to do with their natural level of dominance which Brody still wasn’t sure he understood.

Fur rippled down his back, his bone structure shifting as his muscles and flesh were pulled and compacted into his beasts shape. It wasn’t painful but it wasn’t exactly comfortable either. It always felt strange, until th
e process was over.

He opened his eyes and the c
olors faded into shades of gray but his vision sharpened. His hearing and sense of smell intensified. She brushed against him, and nodded into the woods. In this form she was so small next to him, but he was a big wolf.