Chapter Sixteen
Marco awoke drenched in dampness, naked, with the window in his room wide open. The night sounds of insects buzzing and chirping drifted in with the breeze. Had he dreamed the experience in the forest? Seeing Max? What about Shoshannah?
He’d felt his father’s warm nuzzle, sharing love and comfort the same as so many times when he was growing up. The ground underfoot on the pads of his feet, damp with the forest’s mist, was real. Pine and summer wildflowers, the cool breeze, the ache of heated muscles...all too intense to not have happened.
A star-walking vision?
He’d heard of them but never experienced one before, or had he? He vaguely remembered one when he was shot. His father had been there, too, and told him of his mate. Yes, this was his second vision. How blessed he was.
Was Marco to now experience star-walking regularly?
His father told of star-walking once when his mate was pregnant with Mason and Marco. Shoshannah and a great-great-grandfather had appeared to Max and prophesied the twins’ role in saving Deep Creek. Max had told of the experience and how clear and vibrant it was—unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Marco had been enthralled as a child, but as he’d aged, he’d not put much belief in the vision, thinking maybe it had only been a dream.
It wasn’t like he and Mason had actually changed Deep Creek or that the prophesy had come true.
After what happened recently, he wasn’t so sure anymore. In the vision he had walked the veil-line between the dimension of the living and the dimension where time didn’t exist, at least not normally. The other side of the veil where the ancestors lived had been right out of reach but palpable. Max was proof of that. Marco had stood on the banks of the starry river all shifters were born from and where they eventually returned.
Now what?
He’d walked the starry path, been called to action, and now he had to act. Finding Alicia was more important than ever, and apologizing would be the first step. Deep Creek’s future might depend on how he handled it.
And he wanted his mate back.
He slipped on gray sweatpants and a T-shirt, socks and tennis shoes. He had to get to Alicia, convince her he’d been wrong. He tied his shoe and tucked the laces inside. How would he find her, when he had no idea where to begin to look?
He’d run as a lion if he didn’t have to worry about getting caught, but it was too dangerous if night turned to day when the park was full of visitors who’d be interested in a black lion, so he’d travel as man.
If she was at the cave, he wouldn’t get close enough as a lion before being shot by the Sentinels—and he didn’t want to go through that again. He rubbed at his shoulder. Even after healing, he remembered the searing pain too well. Getting shot was horrible.
He tied the second shoe. Where else could she be? The whole time he’d known her, she’d been in the cave. He didn’t know where she lived. She’d never told him, or if she had, it was when he was feverish and out of it. Maybe she had a place in Oakwood or even Henredon, though he doubted that. She loved the forests of Deep Creek too much.
Help me, Father. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, hoping a piece of forgotten information would resurface. A clue. Anything to help him find her.
He replayed the vision in his head. Shoshannah as the magnificent lioness, his father large and healthy at her side, the mist descending like a curtain of clouds.
An image of a cottage flashed in his mind, remote yet quaint. Overgrown and surrounded by herbs and untended gardens, scarecrows and wards meant to keep out spirits. He remembered the hawk flying near the moon. Tawodi had been giving him a hint to where Alicia was. She’d be with her hawk grandmother.
Of course!
Tawodi needed medical attention and she’d likely been moved from the cave to her own home to heal. Alicia wouldn’t leave her alone. She was a true healer, putting her all into every patient. It made sense, and he knew exactly where Tawodi’s cottage was.
Most shifters stayed away from her home, calling it the witch’s lair, but rumors didn’t bother him. He had a fondness for the old hawk, despite her odd ways, and she’d helped Alicia save his life.
Besides, anyone his mate cared about, he should also care about. Yes, he’d go to Tawodi’s house first. If Alicia wasn’t there, he’d figure out where to look next.
A rap came on his door, firm and solid, and he debated ignoring it and pretending he was asleep. It was Mason, and he’d try to talk him out of going to find Alicia. Mason wouldn’t want him leaving the complex alone and he certainly wouldn’t approve of him going to Tawodi’s house. Since when did his brother boss him around?
It was time to resume his place as eldest lion twin. He grinned at the challenge.
Mason pushed the door open and poked his head in. “Brother? I heard you up.”
“I’m going for a walk.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“Yes, I’m restless. I need to think.” Marco tried his convincing voice.
“Don’t lie to me, brother. I know what you’re doing.”
Marco sighed. “And what would that be?”
“You know as well as I that you’re going after Alicia. You’ve been pining for her since we rescued you.” Mason stepped into the room and closed the door. “Are you sure it’s the right thing? She’s a bear. We’re at war.” Mason put his hands on his hips. “I know you think she’s your mate but is that really true or was it part of your delusions while you were in pain? It’s been known to happen—making that kind of mistake. If you go to the bears now, you could die.”
Marco stood. “I’m not going to argue with you, Mason. She’s my mate and I never should have left her behind. I made a rash decision, and I need to make up for it. I was wrong. I’m going to get her. If she won’t come with me, then I’ll stay with her.” He’d not used such a strong voice with Mason in many years. “You can support me or not, but I’m going.”
“Okay, if that is what you want, I won’t stand in your way.” Mason held his hands up in mock surrender. “I’m trying to protect you, that’s all. I almost lost you once and I don’t want to be in that situation again.”
Marco’s voice softened. “I know that, brother, and I appreciate it. I do. But you don’t know all that’s happened to me. I’m only beginning to process it myself.”
“What happened?” Mason’s eyebrows rose in question.
“I had another star-walking vision.”
“Seriously?” Mason sat on the bed. “You’re kidding. Are those even real? I figured the one you told me about was purely a feverish delusion.”
“I’d wondered myself. You know our father insisted he’d had one. Well, I’m convinced now. Shoshannah and our father came to me.”
“When did this happen?”
“Tonight. I can’t describe how real it was, Mason. I felt Father. I saw the look in his eyes and felt his arms about my neck. I have no doubt it was real. He came out of the river of stars and through the veil to talk to me. With a message for both of us.”
Mason shook his head. “Did he want us to attack the cave again?”
“No. He and Shoshannah told me to find Alicia first. Then they said that Deep Creek will come under attack soon, and we’ll need to ally with the other shifters to save the forest. That it’s critical that Alicia is by my side and that you and I lead the effort.”
“That’s a lot to expect. And who is this unknown foe?”
“They didn’t say. Only that Deep Creek and Shoshannah will be destroyed if we don’t work to defeat this enemy. I can’t imagine who it could be, but I believe them. Why else would they appear to me like this?”
Mason scowled. “Sounds fishy to me, but what do I know?”
Marco ran his hand through his hair. “I realize it sounds crazy. Like I said, I’m still trying to understand it myself. Working with all the shifters toward a common goal—seems unfathomable, and yet we know there was a time when we did all live together in peace.”
“Like the bears would trust us enough to work with us. That’s ludicrous.”
“Seems so. But Father was intent. He said he should have taught us to be more tolerant of others. Not be so focused on taking the cave.”
“That doesn’t sound like Father.” Mason crossed his arms over his chest. “He wanted the cave, maybe more than anything.”
“I know. But it was him. Perhaps returning to the starry river has afforded him wisdom he didn’t have while here on Earth.”
“And perhaps you were dreaming, not having a vision.”
Marco shook his head. “This was so real, I wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference between it and us sitting here now. Whatever is coming, we’ll need to prepare. I don’t know how long we have, but we need to take Shoshannah’s word that we’ll be needed.”
“Who could be possibly be formidable enough to threaten us?” Mason smiled. “We are powerful. Even threatening the bears would be a mistake. I don’t know what shifter clan thinks they can come take Deep Creek, but they don’t have a chance. Not from what I can tell.”
“I don’t know. I’m taking them seriously though, and you need to as well.”
“I’ll do it for you and the off chance that you really did have a vision. But I don’t understand what’s going on. It’s hard to worry about such a nebulous threat. Right now, we need to get our lions all battle-ready anyway, so I don’t suppose it matters if it’s for the bears or another threat.”
“Agreed. But we won’t be attacking the cave again.” Marco paced in front of the bed. “I need to go now. I have to find Alicia. We have a lot to work out. Promise me you won’t lead the lions into battle without me.”
“I promise. We need your help anyway.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon, and we can start working on this larger problem Shoshannah and Father talked about.”
“I wish you all the luck and joy, brother. Be safe.”
“Thank you.” Marco stepped past his brother then turned. “One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“In the vision, they said ‘they are coming.’ And it’s happening soon. We’re going to have to save Deep Creek.” Marco stared into Mason’s eyes but saw no recognition.
“We’ll be ready.”
“We have no choice.”
* * *
Alicia tossed and turned. The old bed was comfortable, until thoughts took away all sense of sleep. The herbs had failed her. She couldn’t sleep.
Memories of Marco kept popping into her mind. His touch. His eyes. His kiss. And the way he wrapped her hair around his fist and tugged her to him.
She was his, and his alone. She needed him.
It felt right and good, and yet she lay in the bed alone. Life had thrown her some serious curves in the last few weeks. She wouldn’t recognize the bear she was before the battle. Even Derek and Griff had noticed the change. Bria had accepted Marco and forgiven him for attacking Derek, but would Marco ever know?
Would she see him again before they both swam in the stars?
She heard a rustling outside the bedroom window, and she realized her window was open. She rose to shut it. The walkout basement faced the side yard and two windows flanked the door. She peered out the window.
At the edge of one of Tawodi’s beautiful flower gardens stood a lion. A black lion. Mason or Marco.
The lion growled.
Marco!
She unlocked the door and flung it wide. She didn’t care that she was in a T-shirt and underwear. Marco was outside. He’d come for her.
“Hello.” He’d shifted into a man.
A very naked man.
“Hi.” She rushed to him, throwing her arms about his neck and holding him close. “Oh, Marco, I’ve missed you.”
He kissed her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. “I was waiting on you to come to me. I worried you were angry because I left. I knew you had to help Tawodi. My brother needed me and didn’t want me to be captured. I waited at the compound with the pride, then I realized I was being selfish.”
“Shhh,” she said, covering his mouth with a kiss.
He backed her inside the cabin and shut the door. “Before we go any further, we need to talk. It’s important.”
Her heart sank. Had he come to tell her she was no longer wanted? She picked up the robe off the couch and tossed it at him. The same robe she’d worn when she visited Tawodi and given up her shifting ability for this man.
He pulled the robe on and it barely came to his knees. His arms stuck out longer than the sleeves. She giggled.
“At least I won’t freeze,” he said, smiling. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our situation. I need to ask you some things.”
“Okay.” She sat on the bed.
He sat beside her, straightening the robe. “You aren’t going to lose me. I made a huge mistake leaving you behind in the cave. I wasn’t thinking clearly and everything was happening so fast. It’s still my fault and I hope you can forgive me.”
“Of course I forgive you.” She nodded. “You did what you had to do. Mason needed you. I understand that. I’ve been in that position before.”
“No, I was selfish. Can we stop there? I was wrong. I’ve spent every moment away from you wishing you were at my side. Every single moment.”
Alicia examined her fingernails and refused to meet his mossy gaze. “So have I, Marco. I’ve wished you were here in this bed every night.”
He reached for her hands, and she let him take hers in his larger ones. His skin, warm, but not hot with fever as he’d once been.
“How is Tawodi? I should’ve stayed to help you.”
“She’s well. Her healing was uneventful.” She squeezed his hands. “Tonight, she went for a long flight. I’m amazed she healed so quickly.”
“How are you doing?” He leaned close.
“Healing others takes a part of the healer’s soul. Mine is hurting.” She pulled her hands away.
Marco sighed. He rubbed his face then looked up. “That’s my fault.”
“No, it’s part of my education. I need to learn to distance myself. Not be so involved.”
“You mean like you were with me?”
She paused. “No, Marco. I gave you my all because you’re all mine.”
He hugged her and she relaxed in his grip. No denying it, she belonged in his arms. After a minute, he pulled back, his face serious.
“I need to know something, Alicia. I had a vision where Shoshannah and my father spoke to me. They warned of the dark things coming to Deep Creek.”
Alicia looked at him. “Tawodi told me the same.”
“They said we need to unite the shifters and prepare for a greater enemy.” He met her gaze.
“Yes. Tawodi said Deep Creek was at risk. I’m tired. I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“I don’t either. My father said this battle can be won with intelligence. I hope that’s true. I’d be fine with never carrying a gun again.”
She nodded.
She watched his eyes change from green to brown and back to green. Few shifters held the power of spirit that Marco did. It was probably why he lived as long as he did with the bacteria in his system. If he’d been weaker, he’d be dead.
“They also said I needed to talk to you about what you gave up, in saving me. They found it important that I know, yet they said you would have to tell me.” He leaned closer.
“It’s nothing, Marco.” She looked away. Part of her wanted to tell him the truth. Let him see how much she’d sacrificed for him to walk away. Part of her didn’t want to hurt him with the truth.
“Tell me. You are my mate and I love you. Please don’t keep secrets. We need to face challenges as one. We can’t do that if you won’t tell me the truth.”
“You mean...”
“I want to perform the mating bond tonight. Why wait any longer to be one? Seal the deal and prove my love for you.”
“Oh, Marco. I want that, too.”
“First, I want you to tell me what else you lost.” He scooted closer on the bed.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Maybe he did deserve to know. They couldn’t mate-bond without her telling him. He would sense she couldn’t shift. “When I came to Tawodi’s to get the cure for the shifter bacteria, I had to give her blood to mix in. To help counter the bacteria’s havoc on your system.”
“Yes?”
“There’s more.” She fiddled with the edge of her T-shirt. “I had to give up my ability to shift so that you could live.”
He reacted like she’d slapped him. “No! Why would you do that?”
“It was my gift to give.” Her lip quivered.
“Oh my gods, Alicia. Oh my gods.” He held his head in his hands. “I can’t believe you would give up something...something so critical to your being.”
“It was my choice and I stand by it.” She stood and walked to the door.
Marco rose from the bed and swiftly made his way to her. When he yanked her into his arms, there was no doubt who was in control. She surrendered to him.
“I love you, Alicia. You’re mine no matter if you can shift or not.”
He kissed her on both cheeks then picked her up.
“What are you doing?”
“Carrying you back to bed. Once you tell me you love me, that is.” He bounced her in his arms.
“I love you. So much.” She leaned on his chest.
He tossed her on the bed and it squeaked as she bounced. She laughed. This wasn’t a dream. Marco was really with her.
“You want to mate for eternity, Dr. Bear? I need to know. The bond won’t take if we both aren’t sure.” He untied his robe.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything than my love for you.” She stripped off her T-shirt and panties and dropped them on the floor beside the bed.
His robe followed.
He was on her so quick, she barely had time to catch her breath. His hands roamed all over her and she reached for him, feeling every muscle and indentation on his body. Her hunger for him dizzied her, and she closed her eyes as he nipped at her collarbone then kissed each breast.
“Time for slow lovemaking later, love.” He spoke through his panting. “Right now, I need to claim you before life throws us another curve. Are you ready?”
She looked up into his eyes. They glowed with a green she hadn’t seen before and his gaze bored into her soul. She nodded. “Take me, Marco. Make me yours. Forever.”
He growled and pulled the elastic from her hair. She sat up and shook her head, loosening her locks and letting them fall over him. He tugged her to him, brushing her hair aside so he could nip at her shoulder.
Chills of the best kind raced over her skin as he nipped and licked. She giggled as he hit a ticklish spot on her back then winced as he bit a little too hard on her bottom.
“Marco, please—” She panted, her heart hammering with excitement.
She didn’t have to say it twice—he pushed her back and was above her in a flash. He grinned, then kissed her deeply. She responded with her tongue on his, her hands roaming his body, feeling every hardness and every plane of muscle.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Oh gods, Marco, I’ve been ready.”
He nudged her knees apart and was inside her quickly. She tried to keep pace with him but soon lay still to feel him sliding in and out of her. His thrusts built and her pleasure did, too, soon blooming throughout her abdomen and between her legs.
Her orgasm hit sharp and fast, and his teeth were on her shoulder, biting hard. There was no pain, only extreme pleasure. A moment later, he was coming inside her with a guttural moan so raw and pure, she’d never forget.
He had claimed her. For better or worse, they’d walk life’s path together from this moment on. Whether it was saving Deep Creek or raising a family, they’d do it together.
He collapsed on her chest then looked up at her and smiled. “I love you, mate.”
She tousled his hair. “I love you, too.”