Fifteen
“Did you mean it when you called the compound home?”
“Hmm?” Kira didn’t even look away from the TV as she munched on her popcorn, and Jax couldn’t help the swell of love that blossomed in his chest, leaving little room for anything or anyone else. The little imp had gotten most of the team hooked on watching that ghost-hunting reality show. Even Sariel was sitting cross-legged on the floor with his wings draped around himself, eyes wide, fixated as though he’d never seen anything so fascinating.
“I said, is this home to you? That’s what you called it the other night, when we were returning from the rescue.”
“Did I?” She looked at him thoughtfully. “Of course I meant it. Why?”
He shrugged. “I was thinking you might want to move out and get our own house someday. I’m not required to live here. It’s just easier.”
Her eyes softened. “Honey, I don’t care where we live. Home is wherever you are.”
“Aww.” He tweaked her nose.
“Oh, gag me,” Aric snarked, but without much heat.
“Shut up, dickless. You’re just jealous.”
“Hey, I can get my knob polished anytime I want—without the ball and chain hanging on my ankle.”
“Okay, boys, don’t get started,” Kira scolded with a frown. “I’m trying to watch this.”
Jax and his friend made a face at each other over her head, and then he went back to his favorite pastime of studying his new mate. Was it his imagination, or did she have this really healthy glow surrounding her? He liked her pale blond hair pulled back into a ponytail, her cute nose, her little feet. He especially liked the mark of his canines at the curve of her neck, the two small punctures having made a faint, permanent scar in the four days since they’d bonded.
“Quit staring at me,” she muttered, crunching more popcorn.
“Why? I love looking at you.”
“You’re giving me a complex.”
“A good one, I hope.”
“Is there such a thing as a good complex?”
Exasperated, she plopped the bowl down on her lap and opened her mouth, most likely to give him hell, when Nick’s voice broke in over the building’s intercom.
“Alpha Pack, Kalen, Kira, and A.J., to the meeting room, stat.”
“Goddamn,” Aric grumbled. “The show’s only half over. What’s so freakin’ important it can’t wait until tomorrow? Can I move out and get my own place?”
“I’ll help ya,” Ryon quipped.
Jax didn’t blame his friend for being pissed. Most folks didn’t live at work twenty-four-seven and had no idea how annoying it was to be on call day and night. With an assortment of curses and rumbles, everyone rose except the Fae prince, Chup asleep in his lap, who waved them off without looking up from the TV.
Setting aside her bowl and giving the program a look of regret, she fell into step beside Jax for the short walk to the meeting room. When they trooped in, Nick was already waiting, as were Melina and Mac. That and the late hour could only mean some news was breaking, classified as “need to know ASAP.” The team’s lazy demeanor rolled off like oil on wax paper, and they took their seats, completely alert and professional. Not one complaint passed anyone’s lips; they’d already voiced them all.
“I appreciate you all being so prompt and giving up part of your evening,” Nick began. “You know I wouldn’t interrupt unless it was extremely important. Dr. Mallory and Dr. Grant report that it appears our two rescued shifters will survive. One of them finally awakened a short while ago and is talking. What we’ve learned from him is the reason I’ve called you here.” He paused before continuing. Jax and some of the others exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
“The shifter who’s awake is a jaguar named Beck. He told us the other guy is an eagle named Archer who’d been held captive longer than him or any of the others, as far as he knows. He also said there were other captives who were moved a day or so before we arrived, but he’s not sure exactly when because there was no way for them to measure time.”
Zan spoke up. “How many and who were they?”
“According to Beck, three were moved. Two humans and another shifter.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t want you guys to get your hopes up, but . . . the shifter’s name was Micah.”
“Christ,” Jax breathed.
“What the fuck?”
“Why were we told he was dead?”
“And where the hell is he now?”
“If he’s alive, what about Terry, Jonas, Phoenix, and Ari?”
Nick weathered the explosion, fielding their barrage of questions as best as he could under the circumstances. “I know, and believe me, I’m with you all the way. If this is our Micah, then we’ve got a big fucking problem because we’ve been lied to, and maybe worse. But we have to take this one step at a time. Let me turn the floor over to Dr. Mallory for a few minutes so she can explain how what we’ve learned from Beck supports the findings from our lab and coincides with the information we liberated from NewLife.”
Giving Nick a short nod, she moved forward. Jax thought she looked rather pale, and figured the idea of Terry perhaps being alive had shaken her. Badly. She wouldn’t wish him dead, but theirs hadn’t been a match made in heaven by any means.
“As I told Nick, the two new shifters will make a full recovery. The speed with which this has occurred is nothing short of remarkable, and our tests on Beck and Archer have given us some startling information.” Scooping a sheaf of papers from the table, presumably her notes, she relayed their findings.
“Both shifters’ bodies contain abnormally high levels of epinephrine, which has super-stimulated their adrenaline. As a side note, this overdosage may account in part for heart failure in at least two of the four bodies we received from the coroner that were found locally. Anyway, in our two survivors, their systems absorbed and accepted the drug, as well as a cocktail of a designer drug that has, by all indications, altered their DNA to contain more animal than human genes.”
“And this means?” Nick prompted.
“In layman’s terms, some of the doctors and researchers at NewLife are attempting to create a breed of highly advanced super-shifters. They’re taking existing shifters and fit humans, enhancing their greatest and deadliest genetic strengths, and striving to perfect the process of making an intelligent man-beast that has Psy gifts and is virtually indestructible.”
Ryon’s eyes were wide. “Like that creature from the old movie Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger? They couldn’t kill that fucker.”
“The premise is similar,” Melina allowed, “except NewLife is working with humans and shifters, not extraterrestrials, and using DNA and genes rather than technology perse. But creating a ruthless, unbeatable soldier is the bottom line.”
“That’s what the dead guys were trying to tell me,” Ryon said, looking tired. “They’re agreeing with you right now, all excited. They’ve been driving me crazy.”
Jax felt sorry for him, and hoped he got some peace from the ghosts.
“This all makes sense, except for why Beck and Archer were in such bad shape when we found them,” Kira put in. “If they’re strong enough to recover so fast, then why would the bastards starve and torture them?”
Nick answered that one. “How do you produce the best warriors? By breaking them down and building them back up again and again, until nothing can stand in their way. The weak perish; the strongest are made stronger.”
“That’s . . . evil.”
“Yes,” their boss agreed. “It’s horrible for the victims, unethical, and dangerous for humanity. Worse, according to Beck these aren’t volunteers in an aboveboard, sanctioned program. They’re being stalked and kidnapped from all walks of life and forced into being test subjects. Beck said that he and Archer were two of the few who’d survived all of the doctors’ engineering so far, and had been scheduled for ‘mind reprogramming.’ ”
“Brainwashing,” Melina clarified.
Jax sat forward. “We were talking about who’s at the top of the pyramid. Does Beck know who they are?”
Nick sighed. “I wish. He says Orson Chappell’s name has been whispered, and from what he’s managed to overhear there are at least two figures above him. And every last doctor, researcher, or other employee who’s in on the program is terrified of them.”
A heavy silence followed. This whole deal was more terrible, more far-reaching, than any of them had envisioned.
“What now?” Zan asked.
“We put NewLife under surveillance,” Nick said. “They might lie low at the Vegas location for a while, but eventually they’ll have to make a move. I want to place two of you in Vegas, and two more to watch their building in Dallas, Texas. Just document everything and everyone you see coming in and out, nothing more. We need to learn where they’re holding other shifters and humans so we can plan our next hit.”
“I’ll take Vegas,” Aric volunteered.
Ryon piped up. “I go with him.”
“Zan and I will take Dallas,” Jax said. He was surprised when Nick vetoed the idea.
“No fieldwork for you until your abilities return.”
“With due respect, I was a human soldier before I was turned, and a damned good one.”
“We can’t take any chances on this one. I’m sending Kalen with Zan, since he did so well in his first run.”
Aric snorted. “Hard not to do good when you don’t have to do anything but stand outside and hold up the wall.” That earned him a venomous look from the Sorcerer, which he ignored.
Nick shot a disapproving glare at Aric. “You know my expectations. If you’re part of this team, ditch the attitude and act like it. You’re mentoring a new recruit, so suck it up and teach him.”
So Kalen was in. That was news, but Jax thought he’d fit in well. Whether their boss would offer a spot on the team to A.J. remained to be seen. He was human, after all.
Put in his place, Aric flushed and nodded. “Yes, sir. Sorry, witch.”
“Sorcerer. Witches are female,” Kalen said stiffly, expression pissed.
“Hey, couldn’t tell through all the makeup. My bad.”
Nick closed his eyes briefly as though he was getting a headache, and then returned his attention to group. “Tomorrow morning is soon enough to head out. Both teams, come by my office before you leave and get the city maps showing the NewLife buildings and the structures around them so you can plan where to set up surveillance. Check in with me daily whether you see anything or not. Questions? Good. Scram.”
As the others guys filed out, Jax approached Nick. “Is there anything specific you want me to do while I’m hanging around here?”
“Yeah.” His boss gave him a smile that seemed sad for a moment. “Get to know your mate and recover your strength. Life’s too short to spend it working all the time.”
Jax stared at him for a moment. It was so odd, the way he said that. But the weird feeling passed and he shrugged. “I can do that. And hopefully by the time we’re ready to move, I’ll be at full speed.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Turning, he walked to the door where Kira waited, and took her hand. “Back to the living room?”
A seductive smile curved her mouth. “Suddenly I’m not interested in television anymore.”
“I love your devious little mind. And you look so sweet on the outside, too.”
“It’s part of the disguise.”
“Let’s go somewhere private so I can strip it off.”
Laughing like teenagers, they stumbled to his quarters and practically fell inside, leaving a trail of clothes to his bedroom. He made love to her until they were exhausted and sated, and fell asleep wrapped in each other.
He awoke in the night, heart pounding, terrified by something. Not a nightmare, but what? Shadows. The awful sensation of falling. But the bedroom was quiet, only the gentle sounds of Kira’s breathing next to him. Her warmth snuggled in, where she belonged. It was nothing. Spooning, he pulled her close.
They were together, and he wouldn’t let anyone tear them apart.
Holding Chup in her lap, Kira giggled, thinking if she could sell tickets to this show, she’d be rich. Watching shifters, a handful of humans, and a faery play football— correction, make that attempting to play football—was the funniest damned thing she’d ever seen. The shifters weren’t half-bad, though, and it was a good thing the NFL didn’t know about them. Humans would never again stand a chance in the world of sports.
Mac blocked A.J., who tried to tackle Nick, the quarterback for her side. Nick drew back his arm and fired the ball at Sariel in the end zone. His pass was way too high, but the Fae prince spread his azure wings and leaped, catching the ball and floating to the ground in an impressive move.
“Flag!” Aric yelled, pointing an accusing finger at the receiver.
“That’s cheating, asshole!”
Sariel arched a brow and spiked the ball. “Whatever works.”
Kira busted up laughing and got a glare from the redhead, but she couldn’t help it. The whole thing was hysterical: Sariel strutting around like he’d won the Super Bowl and Aric pissed as hell, his competitive nature coming to the fore. She should’ve felt bad and would have if the red wolf wasn’t such a pain in the butt. He had to learn to take it if he was gonna dish it out.
Jax playfully ruffled Aric’s hair. “It’s just a game, man. Lighten up.”
“You lighten up.” His friend swatted his hand away and stalked off to rejoin the game.
They watched him go, and Jax shook his head. “That guy’s a trip. Always has been, even in the military.”
“I can’t imagine him being disciplined enough to last in the SEALs,” she commented. “He’s got a great sense of humor that comes through, but most of the time he’s so snarky and sarcastic.”
“Well, on that score he’s changed a lot,” Jax said quietly. “But then, we all have.”
“I can only imagine.”
Her stomach lurched, but she put it down to being reminded of what had happened to Jax and his team. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject, she suspected, before sadness could dampen the mood. “Don’t know what we’re going to do with all these displaced shifters, not to mention Sariel. Before long, we’ll be running a home for wayward outcasts of the supernatural world.”
They both looked to the Fae prince, who was still cheating at football, him and Nick against the doctors and Aric. The idea had merit and she looked at Jax, wondering what he’d think when he learned she was way ahead of him. “So? Why not?”
“A home for paranormal outcasts? For real? You’re kidding.”
“No, and what’s wrong with that? You guys go out and destroy the dangerous, evil creatures, but what about the good ones? You’ve already got the holding cells for those who need rehabbing, the clinic for sick ones, extra apartments, and now the personnel starting with me and Sariel.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’ve already discussed this with Nick?”
“Because I have.” He didn’t appear particularly happy, and she bit her lip. Her stomach lurched again, and she started to feel hot.
“I think you’re taking on a lot, especially considering we’ve only been mated two weeks.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he tried to look stern. And failed. A smile quirked his sexy mouth. “But as long as we still have time for us, I’m all for this, if it’s what you want to do.”
“Whew! You had me worried for a minute,” she said in relief. With a trembling hand, she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. “I thought we were going to have our first argument.”
Crouching, he peered into her face, brow furrowed in worry. “Baby, what’s wrong? It’s not that hot today—and you’re shaking.”
“I—I don’t know. Breakfast didn’t agree with me, and the nausea seems to be getting worse.”
“You want to go lie down?”
“I think that would be—” A terrible cramp hit her gut, a fist twisting her insides. Crying out, she slumped sideways clutching her belly. Chup, dumped from her lap, squeaked in alarm and ran to Sariel.
“Kira! Baby, what’s wrong?” The pain was so bad, she couldn’t speak. “Melina!” he shouted, pulling Kira into his arms.
Agony shot through her jaws, her torso, arms and legs. Every inch of muscle and bone seemed to be turning inside out, imploding. Curling in her mate’s arms, she screamed, clutching at his shirt.
“Oh, God, what’s wrong? Melina, do something!”
The doctor’s voice came as if from a long tunnel. “How long ago did you bite her?”
“Uh, two weeks. But—Oh, Jesus. She’s changing.”
“I believe so. Talk to her, Jax. Try to calm her down.”
His rough hand smoothed the hair from her scorching face.
“Angel, I’m so sorry,” he rasped. “But it’s going to be all right. This first time hurts like hell, but it gets better, I promise.”
She nodded, wanting to believe him. But a scared part of her knew it didn’t always work out. She thought of their feral teammate, Raven, still isolated in his lonely cell in Block R. The one she hadn’t yet been able to reach. And she could very well end up next to him. Muscles, bones, and tendons began to stretch and pop. The pain was excruciating and she screamed on and on while Jax desperately tried to soothe her, to no avail.
Now she knew firsthand why a wolf shifter could go crazy. Don’t let me end up like Raven. Please.
Her screams became canine yelps. The hand clutching Jax’s shirt became a paw, the rest of her body following. Reshaping until she lay in Jax’s lap, his fingers buried in her fur.
Fur.
“Here, baby. Let me untangle you from these clothes.” He helped free her and she looked up into his smiling face. “Wow, aren’t you beautiful? You’re a silver wolf like me, but not nearly as big.”
Everyone gathered around, beaming and agreeing with her mate, whose blue-gray eyes were shining with pride. Beautiful? She was completely freaked. Scrambling, she climbed off his lap and stood trembling on four slender legs. Frantically, she tried looking down at herself, and behind at her bushy tail. She tried wagging it, and it worked.
Oh, shit! This couldn’t be happening. Not yet. She wasn’t ready.
Panicking, she scrambled backward, her first instinct to run. But the awkwardness of suddenly having four legs to control instead of two, plus the shape of her new form, trying to get used to redistributing her weight, was too much of a challenge all at once. Her legs tangled and she went down in a heap and sat up with a whine of distress.
“Kira, you’re all right,” Jax soothed, crouching beside her. Gently, he stroked her ears. “Easy, baby. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
That was fine for him to say. He was already used to this. Tentatively, she stood again and looked around at the gathered group. Fear rose once more to override his words, and she did what came naturally—she pressed against his side and glared at everyone else, giving a low, ominous growl.
“Let’s leave them alone,” Mac said to their friends. “Come on.”
They followed her back into the building, and Kira breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, she felt better now that everyone wasn’t staring. She took comfort in her mate’s presence, strong and solid, easing her fright with his touch. She looked to him as he continued to stroke her face, her ears.
“See? You’re fine. Try taking a few steps for me?” Standing, he moved back a few feet. “Just this far. You can do it.”
She studied the distance doubtfully, the scant space stretching like a mile. But she moved one paw forward, placed it on the ground. Then another and another, until she’d moved all four and taken her first real steps. A tiny bit of excitement began to bloom in her chest and she smiled at Jax. Or thought she was smiling, but wasn’t sure.
“That’s it,” he praised, beaming. “Now the rest of the way.”
She did, slowly at first. Then a bit faster, until she’d covered the ground between them in no time. Arching a brow, he issued a challenge.
“Pretty good, but see if you can catch me.” He took off at a jog, not anywhere near as fast as she suspected he could run, but enough to test her new abilities. The predator in her exulted in the prospect of a chase, and running down her prize, and she bolted after him. And promptly tripped over her gangly legs and went rolling, getting grass in her nose.
Sneezing, she jumped up and spied her quarry making his escape—laughing, the jerk!—and she took off again. This time with much more success. With every stride, her new wolf gained confidence in her control. Still, no one was more surprised than Kira when she caught up to Jax, gathered herself and leaped, and took him to the ground. They landed in a heap, his breath rushing out in an umph. Rolling, pulling her upper half onto his chest, he started laughing in pure joy. It was impossible not to be affected, and she licked his cheek.
“Not afraid anymore, are you?”
Hesitating, she realized she wasn’t. Still a bit overwhelmed, but not scared. Because her mate was here, and he’d take care of her. She shook her head and he smiled.
“Good. Now, watch this.” Slowly, he stripped off his clothes and then . . . he shifted.
A handsome wolf, larger than her, stepped forward and greeted her, licking her muzzle.
You’re gorgeous, my pretty mate.
Stunned, she blinked at Jax.
You can hear me?
Loud and clear!
Cool, huh? I guess Ryon isn’t the only one who can do this after all—mates can!
She thought about that. Yeah, it’s cool. Wonder if we can do this in human form.
I think so. We’ll try it. Are you still in pain?
Not anymore. How do I change back?
Later. Let’s run first!
But . . . you don’t have your abilities back.
I do now—or at least I can shift. I think it was tied to you somehow. I felt my wolf return when you changed.
What about the Timebending thing?
Don’t know. I can’t feel it, though. Unconcerned, he ran around her, nipping at her flank and dancing around.
Watch it, buddy. I’ll bite back.
That might be sort of fun, he teased.
He took off and she raced after him, surprising herself with the happy bark that came out in place of a laugh. Too frigging weird!
She tried to keep up with him, but started to fall behind. Running on four legs for a prolonged period was going to take some adjustment, and his stride was quite a bit longer than hers. She managed pretty well, leaping over rotting logs and dodging trees, but winced when she occasionally hit a sharp pebble in the trail that hurt her paws. Those would need some toughening up.
At one point, he glanced behind to see her struggling and stopped, waiting for her to catch up. When she did, he greeted her with affectionate licks to her muzzle—canine kisses. Nice, but strange. When they started off again, he slowed to stay beside her, keeping their pace at more of a leisurely trot. Now she had the opportunity to marvel at how her senses were overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells, all made much more sharp and clear because of her new status as a shifter. It was like she could see each leaf on the bushes and trees. Smells hit her nose, those of other animals who’d been this way, or were hiding nearby. Her wolf half catalogued them for future reference, and she knew she’d recognize each of them again when she encountered them.
They reached Jax’s spot by the stream, which she thought of as theirs, and took a long drink. Afterward, she stared at her reflection. A wolf with blue eyes and creamy fur tipped in black and silver stared back at her, pretty enough to be on any nature postcard.
See? I told you. His voice in her head was so happy. Proud. You’re stunning.
Thank you. You’re awfully handsome yourself. Sidling close to him, she nuzzled his face. This is amazing. And the best part is, I never have to be alone again. You’ve had your friends, your pack.
It’s not the same as a mate.
I suppose it wouldn’t be. Neither of us will be alone.
It struck her how fortunate she was to have Jax to help her through the transition. He’d been alone, no one to ease his fears the way he’d done for her. It made her love him even more.
Suddenly, he shifted and was a man again. An extremely sexy man kneeling by the stream, stroking her soft fur in wonder. Can you hear me now?
Yes! Guess it works.
“Good,” he said aloud. “Shift back for me, baby.”
A ripple of fear went through her. How?
“Focus all your thoughts on your human form. Imagine your limbs reshaping, reversing the process.”
Will it hurt as bad as before? Because I don’t want to do that again.
“No, it shouldn’t. And it gets easier every time. Trust me.”
Okay. She concentrated hard, but nothing happened.
“You’re too tense. Relax.”
It took several more tries, and then without warning, it worked. The process began, her limbs, torso, and face morphing in reverse. She cried out, dismayed that it was nearly as painful as the first shift, her bones feeling as if they were being ground into dust. Pulling her into his lap, he held on, murmuring soft words of encouragement until she was herself again. Her breath sawed in and out of her lungs and the pain gradually dissipated. After a while she became aware that she was a very naked woman being held tightly by her equally buck naked and horny mate. His erection pressed against her rear.
“Thank you,” she said hoarsely. Eyes wide, she felt her arms and legs.
“Everything is back to normal. You did great, angel.” Worry clouded his expression again. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Much better,” she assured him, cupping his face. “I’m so glad you were with me when it happened.”
“Me, too.” Moving in, he kissed her soundly, urging her back onto the spongy loam.
She pulled him down with her, spreading her thighs, beckoning him inside. “Here,” she whispered. “Right where you made me yours.”
Settling over her, careful to keep his weight from crushing her, Jax kissed her jaw, her neck, using a bit of fang and making goose bumps rise on her skin. Shifting his hips, he positioned the head of his cock at her entrance and pushed.
“So hot and wet for me,” he murmured.
“Yes.” Kneading his glorious ass, she pulled him inside, impatient to have him fill her completely. Inch by inch, he slid deep, groaning in pleasure. “Feels so good.”
“Like that, baby?”
“Love you inside me.”
“And I just love you.”
She stilled. “You mean that?”
“It’s not the sex talking. I love you, Kira,” he said softly.
Even without the waves of emotion pouring over her, she read the truth in his eyes.
“I love you, too.” Her throat closed, tears pricking her eyes. “Don’t stop.”
He didn’t ask whether she meant loving her or making love to her. He just murmured “Never” in her ear and started moving. Shafted his cock in and out, slowly at first, driving her mad with the delicious sensation of being filled over and over, driving them closer to the peak. When his thrusts became faster, more forceful, she tried to hold off her orgasm, but it was getting impossible. Her nails sharpened to claws that dug into his back, fangs lengthened, and she found she liked this new side of herself.
“Bite me,” he demanded. “Claim me like I claimed you.”
The idea called to the most primal instinct in her body—to leave her mark on her mate. Without hesitation, she struck, sinking her canines into the curve of his neck. His shout was one of pure rapture as his blood splashed her tongue, hot and rich. His release exploded inside her and she clung to him, her orgasm matching his. They rocked together for what seemed an eternity, and yet wasn’t long enough. After a few moments, she released his neck and peered at the puncture wounds, an absurd sense of pride swelling in her chest.
My mate.
Yes. All yours.
Rolling to his back, he pulled her on top of him and they lazed for while. “This is perfect. I wish this moment would never end,” he said in contentment.
She propped herself up, looking into his sated, sleepy face. “It doesn’t have to. You could use that Timebending thing you can do and relive it over and over.”
“True. But I can do that in my memories just fine.” He kissed the end of her nose.
How sweet. She gave him a leisurely kiss and rested her chin on his chest. “If you could go back and relive any perfect moment in your life, which one would it be?”
His smile took her breath away. “You know I’m forbidden to use that ‘gift’ except in the direst of circumstances. And it doesn’t work like that—remember, I can only bend it to gain back the last few minutes.”
“I know, but if you could. Humor me.”
He thought for a long moment. “None of them.”
Disappointment stabbed her. “Why not?”
“Because the perfect moment can never be improved, and should be remembered, cherished, just the way it was. Like every moment I spend in your arms,” he said. “We should just go forward and make more of them.”
“Oh,” she breathed. A tear slipped down her cheek. “You had to make me cry, didn’t you?”
“Only happy tears, baby.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
“Same goes for you.”
His arms tightened around her, and they didn’t speak again for hours. They said it all without words.