The trip from Breslin’s cabin to town had been smooth. But in the time it took them to enter the jail and leave again, dark clouds had drawn over the small town with jagged lightning bolts flashing nearby. The heavens opened as Grizz pulled the SUV onto the road.

She sat again in the backseat with her hands still cuffed and couldn’t see much for the sheets of rain pounding against the windows and the debris whipping by. The vehicle jerked and bounced over ruts and around fallen limbs, causing the seat belt to pull on the skin beneath her bandages. She could feel the seep of blood dampening the T-shirt she wore.

Grizz didn’t appear to notice, too busy swerving to avoid projectiles.

“Alphas all converging on one place,” Grizz muttered. He twisted his neck for a glance up at the skies through the windshield. “Cataclysmic as a hurricane if they’re all flashing their power.”

If this deluge was the result of alphas arriving, she had no desire to witness their combined powers in action. Unfortunately, she might be the focus of that concentrated rage. A tremor she couldn’t hold shook her, and for the first time since she’d first looked into Breslin’s eyes in the back of the Ranger dangling off the cliff, she felt lost.

By the time they pulled into a circular driveway before a large ranch-style house with floor-to-ceiling windows, every muscle in Rayven’s body ached. Grizz shoved out his side and hurried around to hers, surprising her by holding his jacket aloft to cover her as she exited the vehicle. Unfortunately, the wind slammed the door into her abused shoulder. A lightning bolt of pain sizzled across her back, and she ducked her head, not wanting pity. Luckily, she stood downwind of the bear shifter, and there was still plenty of wind to whip her scent away. With any luck, he wouldn’t smell the blood on her either with the distraction of the storm.

They covered the front walkway up several stairs at a brisk pace to a covered porch decorated with large wooden lounge chairs and tables. Another man, tall, dark, and brooding, a fox shifter, if she pegged him correctly, leaned against the porch railing. He gave her a quick glance and a subtle sniff, but only gestured with his head toward the door. “Deacon said to send her in.”

“Fine,” Grizz shook the water from his jacket and pushed open the door for her, shutting it behind them.

Exhaling, she glanced around. The foyer of the home appeared to bisect the house. A wide hallway several yards down hooked a right at a wide archway. Shiny steel appliances gleamed from beyond in the kitchen. Double doors to her left were open, a cheerful fire visible and beckoning beyond.

She walked slowly into the room as Grizz disappeared out the front door.

It took only an instant to locate the man standing, staring into the fire, his hands linked casually behind his back. He was tall and broad shouldered, though narrow in the hips. Shades of auburn and gold streaked hair that was as black as pitch. Two slashes of white hair framed his temples.

He glanced over his shoulder as she entered. His calm expression pulled into a tight scowl as he inhaled and scrutinized her from head to toe and back.

So this was Deacon Black. Apparently, she wasn’t making a good first impression.

Before he could speak, the front door slammed again behind her. She’d have jumped if every movement didn’t cause the tension in her head and shoulders to wrench tighter and the headache behind her eyes to explode like needles attacking her from the inside.

Grizz now stood beside her again, bending too close and sniffing her. “I found blood on the door in the car.”

Well, hell. He made it sound as if she’d killed someone there.

“You’ve just now noticed she’s bleeding,” Deacon snapped as he strode her way. “Why is she cuffed?”

She glared at Grizz and sidled a few steps away. Power rose around her, pressing against her like a second skin, but it didn’t force her obedience or hurt her. She was well aware it could in an instant. Yet even with evidence of the alpha’s intense ability, she edged his way, determined to take her chances with him over the man who’d clearly stated she wasn’t worth any consideration.

When it looked as if Grizz planned to follow her, she turned toward him. “Don’t you touch me.”

Deacon crossed his arms over his chest. “Let him take the restraints off.”

“Has everyone lost their mind? I didn’t harm her,” Grizz growled. “I thought she was here accused of murder. Did I miss the memo that she’d suddenly become part of the family?” But despite his grumble, he’d already reached out and shredded the plastic cuffs.

Suddenly unbound, her arms dropped to her sides and her muscles screamed from the change in position. She sucked in a harsh gasp.

“Shift now and heal yourself,” Deacon ordered.

Carefully moving her hands before her, she rubbed over her wrists and raised her chin. “Thank you, but no.”

Eyes widening, Deacon moved directly in front of her, yet it was Grizz who snapped at her. “Take off that jacket.”

“The blood mixed with Breslin’s scent is unnerving to his friends,” Deacon added with an odd calm, though his eyes glittered with a hint of gold.

Reluctant to let even one piece of Breslin’s clothes leave her body, she nonetheless wasn’t willing to die for it and slowly eased the jacket from her shoulder. With a shrug, it dropped to the ground.

She edged back toward the sofa, putting more distance between herself and Grizz. She didn’t want help or his touch. Not that she faulted him for obeying Deacon’s orders, but if he put his hands on her, she wouldn’t hesitate to fight him. Enough was enough. Pain she could handle, another man’s scent on her—no.

Grizz took a step toward her.

“No closer,” Deacon commanded.

Grizz froze in his tracks, turning his scowl toward Deacon.

The alpha hadn’t moved his hooded gaze from her. “Why haven’t you shifted?”

Uneasy, she looked away but didn’t answer. Despite Breslin’s stories and evident respect, she didn’t know this alpha. Deacon Black hadn’t earned her trust.

“Deacon, she’s in pain.” A woman’s voice came from behind him. Slight of build, with graceful lean muscles and long dark brown hair, she regarded Rayven with keen, sharp eyes.

A muscle twitched beneath the scar along the alpha’s face as he turned to the newcomer. “You think she’ll be more amenable answering questions from you?”

“At least I’ll ask questions instead of starting with orders and interrogation.” The woman moved beside her and then leaned closer, narrowing her eyes to examine the bloodstain on Rayven’s T-shirt before she looked up and met her gaze. “That’s too small for a claw wound. Were you stabbed, or is that a bullet wound?”

“Lena—”

“She’s not going to hurt me, are you, Rayven? And since he’s skipped the pleasantries, I’m Deacon’s mate.”

Rayven watched, fascinated, as Lena leveled a stern look at Breslin’s alpha that verged on outright chastisement and received nothing more than a light-humored look. Rayven blinked and prepared for an assault. Gauthier would have killed anyone, man or woman, for even the thought of a rebuke, much less voicing one out loud.

Instead of cringing, Lena smiled at him. “And please stop barking at everyone.”

Shocked, Rayven turned toward Deacon as blood rushed from her brain and the room spun. Fortunately, Lena was quick to wrap her arm around Rayven’s waist. They both sank to the couch before Rayven had a chance to fall on her face.

Lena stared at the blood now soaking her shirt with a questioning glance toward Deacon. “We can have the doctor here in a few minutes.” The question she didn’t ask hung in the air around them. Why did she refuse to heal herself?

“No need. I’m sure I only pulled my sutures.”

“Sutures from what?” Deacon crouched before them as Grizz glowered over his alpha’s shoulder.

Rayven tried for a smile, but it was weak, and even that hurt. “Good guess about a gunshot wound. My father’s enforcers took exception to my leaving the territory. Breslin stitched me up.”

“They dead?” Grizz asked.

She didn’t answer.

“Breslin took care of them,” Deacon stated. His expression took on a strange combination of pleased and perplexed. “They can’t cross into my territory to harm you.”

“I’m not sure it makes much difference since the tribunal will probably come to the same conclusion as my father’s team.”

Deacon rose quickly and moved away. “Did you murder your father?”

“I didn’t like him. But I didn’t waste my time killing him. My official answer is no.”

“You would now be the alpha,” Deacon insisted, looking at her over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing.

If only she could shift into her beast, then she’d show him. A bigger problem than it used to be since her bear had gone silent on her—again. But Deacon Black didn’t need to be privy to her problems beyond the tribunal. “I don’t know why anyone would want to be an alpha. No offense.”

Grizz snorted and then scrubbed his hand over his face, unsuccessfully covering his laugh. Both Deacon and Lena looked his way. “What? She’s got a point. I think I like her.”

If looks could sear, then Grizz would be a charcoaled lump on the floor. Instead, he smirked as his alpha shook his head. “I used to feel the same way myself. Spent decades avoiding my calling.”

Calling? Was that the term for the impulses to throw herself into saving every helpless member of the Karndottir clan? “What changed your mind?”

“I realized I could only help my people if I took control. My acceptance of my mantle keeps less desirable candidates from ruining lives in my territory.”

Sounded lovely. But she’d never spent time fantasizing about something that had no likelihood of coming true. Point in fact, she sat here—without a beast for her to call or an alpha’s mantle.

After a long, shockingly tender glance at Lena, Deacon moved to the other side of her and sat.

“If you are innocent, then we have a lot of ground to cover before the tribunal. You seem to already have my wife’s endorsement.”

Lena leaned against him, relaxing into the arm he slung around her shoulders as she gestured toward Grizz. “Rayven, you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting our resident sheriff. And you Grizz, would you like to stay for something to eat, or do you have small bunnies to go torture?”

He scowled at her, though after the last hour, Rayven suspected it was his normal expression. Maybe he wasn’t so bad, but it might take time for her to come around to that idea. “No. But since we have all sorts of suspicious characters lurking about from the other clans with the unprecedented arrival of the other alphas, I’ll head back.” He turned toward the door and then glanced back at Rayven. “I wouldn’t have handcuffed you if I’d realized you were injured. It’s not like I can’t handle one small female bear.”

Rayven worked to keep her expression calm. Grizz had apologized—after a fashion. Perhaps that happened in a world where an alpha like Deacon married his mate instead of stealing her and forcing her into submission. And with Lena a human no less? From the looks of their twined fingers, she enjoyed her mating. Rayven felt a bitter pang of envy.

“Rayven, you’re safe here,” Deacon interjected as if reading her mind. “Why don’t you tell me about the events you experienced leading up to these charges.”

Lost in reconciling the past with the issues of the present, she chose a safer topic. “I remember Corbin King—your father.”

Deacon frowned at her, obviously surprised.

“When I was a child, he came to the Karndottir compound with two of his enforcers and demanded to see my alpha. Alone.” She took a shallow breath, lost in the memory. “Your father was a huge man. A huge wolf.” She glanced at the couple again. “But since it was before my mother moved to her own cabin farther north and I was probably five, so maybe he wasn’t as big as I thought.”

“He used his size to his advantage,” Deacon replied. “What did he do?”

“He threatened Karndottir. I’d never seen the alpha cower, yet he seemed small for the first time in my life.” The only time in her life. “I’ve always remembered that night.”

There was stillness in the room, and she realized that Grizz hadn’t left but was standing in the doorway. Protecting his alpha? Likely, given she was deadly enough the sheriff needed to save him from one small female bear.

“King said if another child went missing or was found dead from our clan on his territory, he’d call a tribunal. But not before he’d ripped Karndottir limb from limb.” She glanced at the carpet, snarls still echoed from her memories, as vivid as the image of her father hunched in submission instead of attacking.

She didn’t feel Grizz leave as much as she heard the front door softly close behind him.

“My father had his faults, but infanticide wasn’t one of them,” Deacon said, tapping his fingers on his thigh. “I brought him one of the bodies that had drifted into our territory. He promised to stop the killings. I’m pleased to know he kept that promise.”

Uncertain how to respond, she shifted on the couch.

“I’ll make you a promise, Rayven.”

Under his brilliant gaze, she stilled.

“I need to hear your timeline of events, but lifting this sword from your neck will take more than my conviction of your innocence. Obey me until the tribunal, allow me the measures to assemble a defense, and I’ll do everything in my power to save your life.”

Caught off balance by his openness and the compassion in his voice, she sat speechless. Why did he believe in her innocence? She sent an impulsive glance toward Lena. She didn’t appear surprised or guarded.

With difficulty, Rayven blinked back the instinctive urge to doubt him. Breslin trusted his alpha, and she put stock in his loyalties.

Then realization sank in. Breslin might have left her, yet he was right about one thing. She didn’t need to hide her intelligence here or her strength. Deacon might be willing to help her, but it was unlikely she’d survive. If this was her last battle, then she’d march forward with her head held high and get something for her people for all her suffering.

“I appreciate you going to such lengths for me—for someone you’ve never met. And while I know your trust is likely as…fragile as mine, I have a favor to request first. Then I’ll do whatever you ask.”

Deacon sat up straight. A frown knit his brows into a solid line as he laughed devoid of humor. “You’re bargaining for my support?” He stood and braced his fists on his hips. His mate rose with him. “You’re right. I don’t know you, but I trusted you based on Breslin’s word. He’s a hard man to convince, given your family ties. However, testing my goodwill isn’t a good start.”

Lena covered one of his hands with hers and squeezed. “It won’t hurt to hear what she has to say.”

Rayven took a deep breath. “There are children being stolen in my clan and used in horrible experiments. I’d spent weeks using every resource I have to find the laboratories and retrieve them. Several times, I barely made it out with them as labs were blown up.” She swallowed hard. “But I retrieved information and samples. Breslin…” She stopped not sure how far to go. “He said you had encountered this as well. All the evidence I have is yours. Still, I need assurances that someone will find the remaining children and bring an end to this.”

Her heart laid bare, she waited for his answer. If she could count on another alpha to pick up the cause, then her life was worth the price. But from Deacon’s hardening expression, he didn’t agree with her.

In one swift move, he left his wife’s side and moved in front of Rayven. He bent over her, one hand on the back of the couch, the other on the arm, effectively pinning her in. “No.”

Rayven’s heart sank, her thoughts swirling in confusion. How could she have been so wrong in reading him? She bit her lip to keep from screaming at him. It would do no good. And maybe, just maybe, she’d get another shot to convince him. Swallowing back her anger, she gave him the details he’d asked for. “I was miles away from my clan’s stronghold on the day of our alpha’s death. In fact, I was in the custody of his enforcers because I’d been caught freeing a boy at one of the hidden labs.”

“You don’t get to answer my questions and hide, Rayven Karndottir, just to sacrifice yourself. If you want help saving your people, you damn well better choose to live and save them yourself,” Deacon snarled as he leaned in, forcing her back on the couch. “Now. Or the tribunal will shred you to pieces and divide up your precious people as spoils.”

Furious, she pushed at his chest with her good arm, blinking furiously. He didn’t budge. “I’m here. What more can I possibly do for them?”

His features tightened, sharp edges defining his cheeks and jawline. Red glinted in his eyes, and she braced herself for an attack. “Shift, Rayven.”

Out of control, she lurched up, propelled by energy she didn’t recognize, prepared to plow through him. He sprang back, ready as if anticipating her next move.

Her vision narrowed, focused on the hearts she could sense beating in the room. Lena stood, blocking the exit to the front hallway. Deacon moved before her. The second exit, a doorway to what she assumed was the kitchen, slammed closed as she flicked a glance that way.

Damn his alpha powers.

Hemmed in, her only recourse was to back toward the fireplace. Or perhaps the window. “You must already know I can’t shift. I’ll bet Breslin told you all about my dormant animal.”

Sparks glistened in Deacon’s eyes, but he seemed genuinely surprised by her pronouncement. “He told me he’d sensed your beast, had seen evidence of her.”

How? She was damaged. Broken.

“I can’t shift,” she spat back, her breath tumbling out in harsh raps as if she’d spent the day screaming.

Without warning, Deacon changed, his muzzle elongating out of human features. His growls thundered against her eardrums as a wave of alpha heat and energy pummeled her body.

“Now, Rayven.” Despite the odd shape to his mouth, she understood every command. “Save yourself or go home, but don’t waste my time.”

Another shock wave sent her skidding backward across the rug to within a foot of the fireplace. She teetered, arms out and legs spread to stop herself from being tumbled into the flames. Gasping for air, she snarled back at him. “Do you think I don’t want to save them?”

“If so, claim your birthright.” His voice reverberated from the rafters of the room as the walls shook and the windows rattled in their frames.

“I don’t want my father’s place.” Dear Goddess, was she sobbing?

His eyes began to glow. Prickles ran across the surface of her skin and then dug in as if a thousand cuts sliced, threatening to tear her open. She dropped to her knees, unable to wrestle back control, much less breathe.

“You’re going to let any shifter who wants to, muscle their way into your territory, murder anyone who resists them, until they have control?” Unbelievably, the volume of his voice increased, growing deeper. A nearly paralyzing drumbeat pulsed in her ears. He stalked closer, his hands now sporting fur and jagged claws.

“Your friends will die because they still believe in you. Your enemies will dominate those who remain neutral. And your legacy of humanity will end—because you’ve given up.”

“I’ve never given up,” she hissed. Like glass cutting through her muscles and organs, pain shattered throughout her body.

Deacon loomed before her, though she could barely see. A film of white floated like smoke across her eyes, then red hardened in her field of vision.

“Yet you’ll turn them over to a man who doesn’t care if they live or die. For it will be a man, Rayven. They dominate in your territory, thanks to your father.”

This isn’t my fault. I’d gladly give my life for my people. Her muscles started to shake. She bucked and fought, spittle flying from her mouth as she tried to move away from the beast towering over her. How could he do this to her?

“Your death isn’t a gift to anyone.” He bent down to her and gripped the back of her neck in his maw, teeth short of piercing her flesh. Emotions welled inside her and froze the air in her lungs. “Choose life. Choose the people who are sacrificing for you. Free your people.”

No. I won’t submit.

I won’t give up.

No…

Damn. I refuse to end this way.

Static roared in her ears as a pressure built inside her. Her skin burned and her body disintegrated. Barely aware, she watched fur sprout in a flurry of white along her arm. Carving-knife-sized claws emerged from her paws. Her leg bones snapped as she groaned with the changes.

A deep huffing sound replaced the roars, equally as loud but no longer shredding her brain. Heaviness pulled at her and she sank to her side, a deep moan echoing as her injury made contact with the floor and her cheek pressed against the hardwood.

She breathed painfully through the last twitch, expecting an end to the torment and death as shock waves rattled her body. A tsunami of energy exploded around her. Her body vaulted into the air, destined to crash back to the ground with a fatal wallop.

Instead, strong arms caught her and lowered her onto softness.

Deacon whispered from behind her. “I’m glad you’ve decided to live, Alpha.”

She snapped her teeth, but the movement jarred all her broken and bruised bits. Even with her mouth closed, a grumble still made its way out. She and her beast weren’t quite at peace, but freedom felt blessed. Debating her options, she opened her eyes and caught sight of her clothes shredded on the floor. Breslin’s jacket, however, still lay across the room at Lena’s feet.

Rayven couldn’t control her animal’s response. She wanted her mate, and she shivered as longing coursed through every nerve in her ursidae body. But short of his presence, she wanted what she could smell of him. Whether he’d left them or not, she and her bear needed any token of the man who’d brought them to this point.

Before she thought the action through, she dug her claws into the floor and pulled herself toward Lena, intent on the jacket. Pain sizzled through her, and she collapsed again.

In the blink of an eye, Deacon was above her, fully shifted, his muzzle at her neck. “Stay still.”

“Why can you speak in my mind?” Her anger fought against panic. He’d called her Alpha, but mental communication only worked between alphas and their pledged servants. She’d hated her father, though the thought of losing her ties to the clan she loved, who still needed her, twisted her inside out. “Did you claim me for your clan?”

Deacon’s voice grew louder in her mind. “Don’t harm my mate, Rayven.”

“Never. We like her—” She inhaled again, Breslin’s scent filling her lungs. The shivers eased…but not enough. “Need—”

Deacon moved away but stayed between her and her goal.

“Don’t worry. I’m bringing you the jacket, Rayven.” Lena’s calm voice cut through her panic.

She mewled and rasped her claws over the wood.

“Deacon, get out of my way.” Lena appeared over Deacon’s shoulder and crouched, elbowing her husband when he didn’t move. “I’ll spread it next to your head, Rayven. How’s that?”

The male musk of her mate’s scent wafted over her. Rayven eyed Deacon warily but stuck her tongue out to lick Lena’s hand in thanks.

“I didn’t take you into my clan,” he said. “But you’re in my sanctuary. I can keep a channel open to you for a brief time. Before your alpha mantle refuses me access and kicks me out.”

“My—”

“Yes, Rayven, the mantle is not as solid as it should be, but you’ve claimed your chance.”

Deacon’s words abruptly ended inside her mind.

“You’re beautiful, Rayven,” Lena said, before Rayven and her beast gave into exhaustion.

* * *

“A Kermode bear.” Lena remained crouched beside the several-hundred-pound white-furred bear passed out in front of the fireplace. “We need to move the couches and block off the hallway so no one bothers her. She’ll need room to walk. I can’t image how she went her whole lifetime without shifting into her bear.”

“She’ll be fine. She just needs time to heal,” Deacon murmured as he listened for the low, steady heartbeat in the huge beast to convince himself Rayven would indeed stay in a healing sleep. “The white bears born from black bears are considered Spirit Bears by my mother’s people. They symbolize peace and harmony.”

Lena twisted to sit cross-legged on the floor and ran her fingers across the bear’s head. “I thought you said Gauthier was a grizzly shifter?”

“Shifter physiology doesn’t conform to the animal laws of nature. Our mating calls can cross species. Like humans, our DNA chooses. But her mother would have to have been a black bear for Rayven to inherit the recessive white bear gene.” He rubbed his chin as he watched the slumbering beast with its muzzle cuddled into Breslin’s jacket. “Gauthier must not have known.”

“Of course. All he cared about was that his child wasn’t a male. Is she a rare shifter in your world?”

“Very.”

“That pleases you.”

“Supremely. From what she’s told us and what we’ve witnessed, your initial conjecture about her is likely right. Rayven Karndottir takes after her mother—I’m guessing in all the ways that count.”

Lena leaned closer and whispered, “So she’s an alpha now.”

“Not quite.” Deacon scrubbed at his jaw and stared at Rayven’s bear. She slept peacefully, but the hum of magic around her didn’t hold the punch it should.

“Not quite alpha or only partially accepted by her mantle? Do we have a bigger problem like when that voice entered my mind and tried to urge the feral children to kill me?”

He moved closer until the heat of her rested against his shins and his beast calmed. He was inordinately pleased at how often she caught on to the nuances of his world. “I can’t decipher what is wrong, only that she doesn’t have full control of her mantle. It did attach to Rayven, but it’s…unfinished. I sense a block—an unnatural magic. Since the ferals were altered unnaturally in Karndottir’s territory, I suspect you are on the right track about who might be causing Rayven’s problem.”

Lena cocked her head. “We stopped them before. We’ll do it again.”

“Why didn’t I realize it was that simple?” he added dryly. “However if we succeed in helping her survive the tribunal, she’ll be a good ally.”

“Don’t hedge your bets with me.” Lena lifted her chin and delivered her gaze of laser-like focus. “When. Not if. I know you. We are not going to let anyone destroy this special alpha.”

“We’ll do our best.” He crouched beside Lena, and then pulled her up with him. “For now, let’s allow her some peace and quiet.”