Authors: Aliyah Burke
“So if I’ve always been a shifter why didn’t anyone know?” She swirled her drink. “Least of all me. I mean, why no indications before?”
“Defense mechanism,” Shira offered. “When did you first feel different?”
“That’s the thing, I don’t feel…” she trailed off. To say that wasn’t entirely true and if she were to figure out what was going on, she needed to be honest. “When Jetje came after me. I mean, I’m quick—damn quick—with a bow but never have I been
that
fast before. I wasn’t scared of her and rightfully I should have been. I’m not stupid, I know what shifters can do to humans. I wasn’t though. I was pissed off. Furious and wanted to make her bleed.”
“And the two with her?”
Sliding her attention from Shira to Ranger with a shrug, she replied, “They were inconsequential. I was ready to kill them without a thought.”
“So, your wolf came out to protect you.” Ranger finished off his beer.
“No, I didn’t shift.”
“But she made her presence known. Anything else different you can think of?” Shira ran that damn eagle sharp gaze over her. “Your limp?”
“Hurts occasionally but okay, perhaps not as much as it used to. But there can be an explanation for that as well. I mean, I’ve lived with it for so long, perhaps I’m just getting used to it now.”
“Or your wolf is helping heal you from the inside.”
“Really, Ranger? Heal me from the inside?” Dyana held out her hands. “Look, I appreciate this, truly I do but this is a lot for me to digest. I’ll believe that you can smell shifter in me, not sure how, but I’ll accept y’all’s word as bond. The how and why now questions I’ll leave for another day. Right now, I think I need to just get away and do some thinking.”
They shared a look and she groaned.
“Who’s staying with me?” Dyana questioned, aware what the look meant.
“I am,” Shira said, rising gracefully to her feet. “It wouldn’t be safe or smart for an unmated male to be in your room with you.” A look to the leopard. “At least not for the unmated male.”
“Whatever, like I told Ranger, the man found me to get a divorce, he hasn’t been in my life for as long as I can remember. He can’t tell me who I can hang out with.”
“I would love to agree with Shira, beautiful, but I have to think of the clan. I can’t risk alienating the deal to stay with you. I’ll be right down the hall and—”
“Save it, Ranger. I get it. Come on, Shira.” She left her drink and walked away without a hug or look back to her friend, pain in her heart.
“This is hard on him, too,” Shira said as they walked to the room.
“Fail to see why. I’m the one who lost her two best friends and apparently am losing him because of something that happened twenty-five years ago and I had no control over. He’s putting his clan first.”
She shrugged. “He’s a shifter.”
“I know and I shouldn’t be pissed off or hurt, but I am.” A quick glance at Shira and she continued. “I don’t want this to sound like I’m not grateful for you staying with me.”
“You and Keane are closer than we are. It’s logical.”
Dyana paused at the door and turned to her friend. “Yes, but you and I are also friends and I shouldn’t have said what I did. I’m sorry.”
“Accepted.”
Dyana stared at her friend. Creamy dark skin, almond shaped golden eyes, thick curved lashes. Shira was beautiful but never seemed to know that, or care. She underplayed her looks and was one of the most down to earth people Dyana had ever met in her life.
“You’re staring,” Shira remarked with a lifted brow.
“I can’t help it. How is it you’re still single? I mean, look at you.” She unlocked the room and swung open the door. “You’re fucking gorgeous and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”
“What makes you think I’m single?”
“Oh my God, who is he? A shifter? Like you?” she asked in a whisper.
“What makes you think he’s a he?”
Dyana blinked and gaped until words were reformulated. “Oh, a her. Have I met her?”
Shira laughed. “This look on your face is priceless.”
“You made a joke, oh my God. You actually made a joke.” She clutched at her heart. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that.”
“I have a sense of humor.”
“You’re an amazing woman, Shira, but I swear, I’ve never heard you make a joke before. And then to tell me you’re a lesbian.” She pursed her lips. “Wait, was that true?”
“No. I prefer men in my bed.” She walked to the mini bar and fixed herself a drink that she downed swiftly. “As to why I’m not with anyone, that’s a long story.”
Dyana grabbed the menu and flopped on the bed. “Well, I’m not going anywhere and it’s going to be a long night.”
Shira smiled. “Okay, but when you die of boredom, don’t blame me.” She joined her on the bed. “Let’s order first.”
Reaching for the phone, she said, “I’m ordering, start talking.”
He flexed his jaw, allowing his fangs to slide free as he gazed around the room, taking in the lieutenants who’d gathered there with him. “None of you have seen her?”
Everyone shook their head. Irina took a deep breath and stepped forward from where she’d been against the wall. “I saw her at the bar but when I went to speak with Wade, she left.”
Casimir wanted to lash out, drawing blood. Instead he took a deep breath and drew his fangs back. “Paps spoke with her and said she’d left. I need to know where she went.”
Traver drummed his fingers on the table, garnering his Alpha’s attention. “Perhaps the cubs know where she went. Rainie seems to know a lot about her professional career.”
Casimir shoved a hand through his hair and nodded. “I’ll check it out. I want her found. I know she said she was leaving in a few days but she needs to be located.” He clenched his fist before turning the subject. “Border patrols will be doubled until we discover where my nephew has been hiding and what his plans are. Bring in the local pack, this is their land as well and would know of any intruders.” He explained to them as Tora had to him about the masking agent. “We need to keep a closer eye on the young ones. And the teens will have to understand there can’t be any pranks with the Western clan. We can’t risk this hitting anyone else either. I’ll set up a meeting with their Alpha and bring him up to speed.” He perused the group in the room with him. His best. His most loyal.
Jetje used to be in amongst this group until she turned.
They all filed out until it was only him and Kraven. His best friend crossed his arms and looked at him.
“You okay?”
“This a touchy feely moment for you, Kraven?”
“Fuck you, Casimir. I’ve known you for years, longer and better than anyone else here. I was raised with you out there. I worked beside you on the oil rig. You may be my Alpha now but you were my friend first, so yes. This is a touchy feely moment. I’m worried about you.”
“I haven’t seen her for two days. I truly thought Paps was kidding when he said she left our land.”
Kraven walked to the kitchen and grabbed himself a drink. “You mean you didn’t think she’d have the stones to ignore you.”
Leaning on the counter, he grunted. “There is that.”
“She’s not your typical Pack.”
“She’s wolf and she’s
mine
,” he forced the words out from behind clenched teeth.
“I’m not saying she isn’t. I’m just reminding you that she grew up human. Has only been a human for all intents and purposes.”
“Even most humans I know will back off and defer.”
“She’s already proven she’s not like most humans we meet and deal with. This woman, your mate, defies everything you used to assume about people.”
“What are you talking about?”
“By definition, she’s weak. Your definition. Yet, I dare anyone to try and take advantage of her. According to you, she should be deferring to her Alpha, she doesn’t view it that way. She’s headstrong, rebellious, and most importantly, she’s a woman who has her own mind. If you want this to work, Casimir, you can’t be barking orders at her all the time. You’re going to have to learn the word compromise.”
He narrowed his gaze and Kraven laughed.
“Oh, that’s going to be a hard one for you.” He finished his drink then put the empty glass in the dishwasher. “I’m off to set up patrol assignments. I mean it, Casimir, you’re going to have to change a bit or she won’t come back.”
“I’m the Alpha. I don’t have to change.”
Kraven went to the door. “Of course not, but like I said, if you don’t, she won’t come back.”
It shut behind him and Casimir stood there in the silence. Head bowed and eyes shut, he struggled to calm his irate wolf inside. It didn’t want its mate away from him. She should be with them, so they could pet, touch, caress, make love. Fuck. He snarled and stalked to his phone. Wife had to come second, he had to think of the Pack first and protecting them.
He dialed the Alpha of the Western Clan and set up a meeting. Once he’d finished that, he left his house and went in search of Rainie.
Now I’m repeating myself since I said that right before I went to track down Paps.
After he showered and dressed in clean clothes, he left to find the little girl who was enamored with his wife. He shut the door on his truck and smiled at the young he saw playing outside. Some in human form and some in their wolf form. The pups ran around his legs and he paused to pet them before continuing on. To the left he spied the adults who watched over them.
From the back of the house, more pups ran at him, he yipped when they closed around him and pretended to chase them. His heart lightened at their antics.
“Rainie?” he called out.
He scanned the playing youngsters once more, frowning slightly when he couldn’t spot her fawn brindle coat. Bethany exited the house with a plate of cookies. As a cohesive unit, all the pups came running up to swipe the warm treats.
“Hello, Alpha.”
“Bethany. Where’s Rainie? I’d like a word with her.”
Her expression saddened. “She’s in her room, still uncertain and a bit scared.”
“May I?” He indicated with a jerk of his head.
“Of course.”
He may be Alpha and she beta, but even he knew better than to come between a mother and her young. They could be the most dangerous force on earth. Squeezing her arm, he walked inside the house. So different from his own, this space was full of love and warm memories.
He made his way up the stairs and used his hearing to find her room. Casimir knocked on the door and poked his head in. “Rainie? May I speak with you a moment?”
She sat up in the bed, bright multicolored quilt wrapped around her, allowing for him to see her face only. The lump nodded and he stepped in. Her room was done in subtle colors and the walls were dotted with bows and images of archers, mythological and others.
“How are you doing, Rainie?”
“I’m fine.”
It was a lie, not only could he smell it on her but her voice was devoid of any emotion.
He crouched by the bed and placed his hand on the mattress. “I never thanked you for risking what you did to come get me. You showed bravery and I’m very proud of you. And grateful.”
“You’re not angry that I reported Jetje?”
“No. Not at all. You did exactly right. Defended who you believed needed help.”
She tucked the blanket tighter around her body. “Okay.”
He fought his urge to frown. This behavior wasn’t at all like her. “Now, I need your help to locate Dyana.”
“Is she not at the competition?”
Finally, some interest in her voice.
“I’m not sure.” It galled him to say such a thing.
She scrambled free of her wrap and headed to the slim laptop perched on the shaky table lodged in the corner of the room. Popping open the lid, she had the screens scrolling.
“I’ve pretty much got her schedule memorized but to be sure I’m checking.” Her fingertips danced over the keys. “I was right, she competes tomorrow at three in the afternoon for the prelims. When she makes it, then she will go again the following day.”
He liked her optimism that his Dyana was going to do well. “Okay then, what would you say to a trip to California to watch her compete?”
Her smile said it all. He didn’t even make her question what he’d just stated. “I’ll clear it with your mother.”
“Thank you,” she cried, jumping into his arms, wrapping hers around his neck. “I’ve wanted so much to see her compete in person.”
He kissed her on the head and stood. “We’ll leave this afternoon.” Casimir left and fished his phone out of his pocket. A second smile lifted his lips as her excited squeal reached him. They may not make it to the prelims but they would be there for the finals. This little pup of his saved his mate and for that he would be eternally grateful.
αβ
“I know I’m not Shyla or Reggie, Dyana but you have to find your focus.”
Shira’s words broke through the veil of chaos that surrounded her. Dyana shook her head and took several deep breaths. “I know, I know. I’m just so used to them being here.”
Shira placed a hand on her arm. “They are with you,
always.
Always watching over you, supporting you, loving you.” She stepped closer and lowered her head so the words were solely between them. “They’ve forgiven you, you have to forgive yourself for their deaths.”
Her jaw trembled. “It’s my fault they died. If they’d not come home with me because of Casimir following us they would still be alive.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s that of the one who placed the explosives. Not yours, not your husband’s.”
“Sure doesn’t feel that way.”
“Of course it doesn’t, because you have a kind and loving heart, you think it’s all your fault and are trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You’re not Atlas.”
She cracked a smile and squeezed her friend’s hand. “You say that like you believe he’s real.”
“At one time you didn’t believe shifters were real.”
She pulled back. “Are you saying…naw, never mind. Thank you for being here with me, Shira.”
“It’s my honor. I’ve always been impressed with your sight and how well you shoot. You have eagle eyes.”
“Not going to tell me I’m part eagle now, are you?”