Chapter 19

 

 

Steele ached to see Gaby again and eased his pain by remaining in wolf form for a day. As a wolf, his mind cleared. He’d completely readjusted to all the common scents, fellow lycans and the full knowledge of his true identity. Though he feared Kiara snooping around the LIA, he trusted Rylee would keep Gaby safe. After he met with his brother, he’d call Rylee and ask how she was doing.

He trotted back to the castle, determined to give his brother his decision. He’d stay with Team Greywolf. Damn it. He’d keep Gaby and not take a proper mate. Slade gave up his title to be with his true love, he’d do the same. Shameful, but nothing as bad as his father’s betrayal to lycan society. To give up his true love was the shameful thing to do. There were enough Wildwood lycans to carry on the royal name. Dominic and Slade fought for their soul mates, so would he.

In the mudroom, he shifted, dressed and proceeded to meet the king. Determined and ready to give up his title, territory and his dignity. He’d even endure banishment.

Steele stepped into his brother’s conference room. Conan sat surrounded by his court betas.

Sinclair looked up. “Sir, Prince Steele is here.”

King Conan turned to his men. “Leave us.”

Steele approached and bowed while the betas left. Alone at last, he met his brother’s eyes. “You wish to know my decision.”

“You have chosen Team Greywolf,” said the king with an air of certainty.

“How do you know?”

“Do you think I’m a fool?”

“No, of course not. I told you working for our special forces brings honor to our family name.”

“Or does it have to do with the human girl you escaped with?”

Steele flinched. “What do you mean?”

Conan sniffed and snorted. “So it’s true?”

No point in lying. “Gaby, an innocent human, was held prisoner by the same people who captured me. She took the lycan vow and markings. Gaby is my human. You can’t harm her.” He paced and raked his hair back. “Who told you?” Would Rylee tell? No. It must have been Lunara.

The king sighed as if he hadn’t expected Steele’s confession. “No. Apparently, Kiara inspected your den and found a wedding ring and a picture of your farce of a marriage.”

Fuck! He’d kept the picture and ring hidden in a drawer beneath his undergarments. His face reddened as rage heated his core. She had no right! “She entered my den and went through my things?”

“Apparently, she demanded to visit your den. Kiara told her guide you are her intended mate.”

His nostrils flared. “The hell I am!”

“Do you realize the uproar if word gets out that a member of the royal family married a human?’ Conan snarled. “Disgrace!”

“I’m allowed a pet.” As far as he and Gaby were concerned, they were man and wife.

He laughed. “Brother, since when did you even want to bed a human let alone keep one as mistress? Kiara, your intended, has rights.”

Fur lined his arms. Ready to protect. “Kiara will kill her!” Not that they had a mating bond, but she did have the right to challenge a rival for his affection. Although, normally the fight was between two werewolves, not a werewolf against a human. Rylee would not allow it.

“Lucky for your human, Rylee will keep her away from Kiara’s claws.”

Steele's fangs emerged. “My human wife’s life is all that matters.”

Fur darkened his features, and he growled. “I won’t allow the sham of a marriage.”

The king had the right to banish Gaby far from any pack. Steele sighed and lowered his head. “Don’t worry, it’s not legal.” At least not by law, but in his heart she was more than a human pet, a wife…hell, a mate.

The king softened his tone. “I understand you lost your memory. Of course, you are not at fault. She helped you. Just tell me you don’t harbor feelings for this woman.”

“I’m fond of her.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Now that you have your full identity, I command you to release her.”

“Why should I? I don’t have a mate.”

“You are to mate Princess Kiara.”

“Why the rush to mate her, or anyone else for that matter?”

“You’re in line to the throne, damn it!”

Third or fourth in line if I’m not mistaken. “You talk as if Maxwell will not snap out of his depression.”

He slowly shook his head and then sighed. “My son has remained a wolf for the last three months.”

“What?” If he continued, he’d never acclimate to his human side. “You too felt depressed and guilt-ridden after you initiated the change, resulting in the death of three siblings.”

“You might not know that one of the pack members, a distant cousin, was a female Max loved. His fated mate. She died almost immediately.”

It had been the prince’s duty to bite not only his siblings, but the wolves from the beta packs. To shoulder responsibility for a mate’s death was the worst blow an alpha could experience. “Is there no treatment?”

“Max refuses to take anything or listen to anyone. He says he doesn’t deserve to be king and will not be forced.”

“And what of Margo?”

“Margo is young and inexperienced. She will need you to rule by proxy as Prince Regent, until she is ready to rule.” Tears welled in his eyes. “Brother, you are the only one that can follow me and keep the royal reign under the Wildwood name.”

Rare as it was for an alpha not to rule, Margo would not be the first beta to take the throne. Most treated the princess as an alpha anyway. “You will live for at least sixty years or more. Margo will be ready. By then, you might have another litter or even a grandchild who can rule.” Shit. He regretted mentioning another litter, a sore subject.

The king sighed, his voice laced with utter sadness. “Tell me you are not choosing a lowly human over your brother? Your duty.”

What the king needed was his mate. “And what of the queen?”

“She wishes to stay on Wildwood Island.”

“She can’t blame Max.”

“Myra has forgiven him as our law dictates. However, she is sterile.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I am telling you this because I can’t rule a kingdom without her.”

“Have you told her?”

“Yes.” He took in a breath and slowly exhaled. “She wants me to take a second mate.”

“Myra can’t. She loves you too much to share you.”

“I told her I’d never take another. At least she’s agreed to see a fertility specialist.”

“Our research lab.”

“No. The lab in Norway. I’ll take my private jet and accompany her.” He narrowed his eyes. “No one and I mean no one speaks of this private matter.”

“Does Rylee know?”

“No. As far as she knows, Myra remains on our island. Margo, working with her tutors, will answer any calls and keep the façade up about her mother being in wolf form.”

That, and in case the plane crashed, Margo and he would rule. Was his brother hoping an experimental fertility drug or in vitro would work? Conan could be the world’s biggest dick, but one thing was certain, he loved Myra more than life. Why the fuck can’t he understand my heart belongs to Gaby?

“I will be there for Margo, but for now, I will stay with Team Greywolf. Furthermore, if and when I take a mate, it will not be Kiara.”

“Kiara’s heritage is a direct line to the pentad blood.”

“I don’t give a shit.”

“You are a fool!”

Steele took in a long breath and bowed. “Give my best to Myra.” He left before the argument escalated to a werewolf brawl.

 

Gaby and Cricket rode on horseback up the ridge in wolf country. Slade had gone on a mission with Lev, but would return today. For the last two days, she and Cricket had gotten to know one another. Gaby wished she had more time with her new wolfish BFF. She admired the werewolf runt, who seemed practically human. Cricket was the quintessential Cinderella fairy tale, complete with evil abusive sisters and Prince Charming who won her hand in marriage. Not that Slade got to keep his title, but more importantly found something greater. True love.

Gaby sighed. Unfortunately, even if Steele gave up his title, marriage was not part of the picture. Being his mistress was the best she could do. And would she want him to give up his crown for her?

Cricket twisted in the saddle. “What was that long breath all about?”

“Sorry, I was just thinking about Steele.”

She chuckled. “I don’t blame you. After Slade, he has to be the hottest team member. Wait, or is it Lev or…our enforcer Dominic, Mia’s mate? You will love Mia, but to be honest Dominic is a bit domineering. And I mean BDSM domineering.”

Gaby snorted. “Pretty much all of your higher ranks are that way.”

“You think?”

“Anyway, do you think Princess Kiara is still here?”

“Hope not. Rylee just flew to the council this morning to tell them an overseer interferes with security and hampers intelligence gathering.”

“Sucks that she stayed in Steele’s den.” Rylee had warned her Kiara found their wedding picture and his ring. At least Slade and Cricket’s place was far from headquarters. Plus, she probably assumed Rylee had taken her to a safe house.

“That bitch reminds me of my mean sisters. She’ll learn soon enough Steele is not into her.”

“Are you so sure?”

“Trust me, Steele told her she is as mean as she is beautiful.”

“You don’t think she will figure out I’m staying with you and Slade?”

“Nah. No record of it. Manny our tech guy made sure she has zero access. Even with her two goon body guards giving him the evil eye.”

“How is she going to oversee if she has no clearance?”

“Like it or not, she doesn’t have top secret status, so all she can do is watch our practice sessions.”

“Maybe you can call and see if she left?”

“I’ll call tonight. To be honest, I have a feeling she’s not letting go of her bone until she finds out who stole it.”

“And then hunts me.”

“Yep.” She stood in her stirrups and sniffed. “The Crystal Ridge Pack is here.”

“Where?”

“On the right, in the meadow.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are they unchanged werewolves or real?”

“This pack is the real Canis lupus. The unchanged ones live near their alpha’s territory. Rylee’s pack doesn’t initiate the change.”

Gaby glanced at the beautiful wolves. “This is my second time seeing a pack in the wild. Not counting lycans.”

“Why don’t you use your charm to get their attention?”

“Won’t they freak out the horses?”

“Our horses are trained to be comfortable around wolves.”

“Oh, yeah. Duh.”

Cricket dismounted. “Go on. Do your thing.”

Gaby nodded and got off her horse. She stared at the pack frolicking in the meadow.

The wolves paused and glanced at them. One howled and the rest followed her call.

“I just told them to say hello,” said Gabby.

“Nice.”

“I’ll ask them to come to us.” She focused.

The pack of eight wolves trotted toward them and then stood as if waiting for Gaby’s next command.

“Very cool. What can you have them do?”

“I can make them beg like trained poodles or rip someone to shreds.”

“Okay. We’re friends, right?”

Gaby smirked. “Don’t worry. I’m over when you knocked me out.”

“How about having them sit all at once?”

Gaby nodded. Immediately, the wolves sat down and waited for their next command.

Cricket laughed. “Good thing your charm doesn’t work on our kind.”

“Unfortunately, lycans have too much human in them.”

“Send them off and then we can have lunch.”

Her stomach growled earlier and she wondered if Cricket heard it. Riding and the brisk cold air gave her an appetite. “Okay.” She threw them a nod to return to the forest and they did.

Cricket went to her saddlebag and pulled out a sack. She unrolled a blanket and set it over fairly dry ground. She had packed all sorts of sandwiches, cheeses, trail mix, and bottled water. “Dig in. When we go back, we can play games or watch a movie.”

As much as she missed Steele, having a girl’s day out took her mind off whether he decided to keep her or not. “Sounds good.” She took out a pastrami sandwich and bit into it. “Not bad.”

“The LIA has the best deli.”

“Good to know. Especially, if I decide to stay.”

“What? You have a better place to go?”

“Rylee said as long as I don’t spill the beans I can live pretty much anywhere.”

“Except Tomlin is still searching for you.”

“Maybe knowing his men were killed knocked some sense into him.”

“There isn’t much of a Project Sabertooth without their one and only wolf charmer.”

“You would be surprised. They have animal handlers and trainers that prepare animals to kill on command. No charm needed.”

“I don’t know. You can be far more specific on who to kill without having your animal buddies accidently get the wrong person.”

Gaby stiffened. “I only assassinated really bad guys.” She sighed. “I still have nightmares about it. I only want to be an artist, not an assassin.”

“No worries. We’ve all had to kill.”

“That doesn’t help.”

Cricket winced. “Sorry, I know you were forced.”

Gaby confessed her sordid personal history about being a foster child hustled from one abusive home to the next until fostered by the head of an evil black ops man, Giles. Not for love, but to exploit her gift. “Which is why I probably won’t help Rylee as I planned.”

“I doubt Rylee will risk you being in the field.”

“Actually, helping her stop Project Sabertooth might be the medicine I need to start again.” She didn’t think she’d ever forgive herself for being responsible for the death of another, even a bad person. At least she’d be able to live without being used as a dangerous weapon.

“I think Steele is the cure you need.”

“Yeah, but am I still his?”

“He and his brother, our all mighty king, have always been cold and standoffish. No humor button. You changed Steele profoundly, and in a good way. He laughs and there is something light about his wolf spirit.”

“I bet he’ll revert back to his old self.”

“Geez, I hope not.”

“I thought he accepted you and Slade being together.”

“He has and even gave Lev an approving nod about Rachel. Still, he was never a fan of human werewolf relationships. Until now.” Cricket’s horse snorted. She sniffed. “What the fuck?”

Gaby looked around. “What’s wrong?”

“Three lycans approaching.”

“Team members?”

“Nope. Kiara and her beta guards. In wolf form.”

“Shit. We should leave.”

“Ride my horse and head back to our place. Slade should be home by now.”

“Why not you?”

“I have to distract them.”

“We’ll both ride.”

“You’ve seen Steele run. They can catch a racehorse. If I bite one of her beta’s ass for being in my territory, it will give you enough time to get back and call Rylee.” She pulled out her mobile and handed it to her.

“They’ll kill you.”

“No way. The last thing she needs is a pissed off alpha male coming after her.” She handed Gaby the reins.

Gaby didn’t see any sign of anyone approaching. She tried to mount, but Spitfire pulled back. “Easy.” Time for charm. She focused and the mare dropped her head and acted like a gentle beginner’s horse.

Before she mounted, Cricket growled. “Too late.”

“What?”

“They’re here.”

Gaby let go of the reins and stared. A large black wolf stalked toward them, flanked by two huge male wolves. “Is that Kiara?”

“Yep. A tad larger than I remember.”

Kiara snarled at the two horses and they bolted.

Cricket stood in front of Gaby and bowed. “Princess Kiara, what a pleasant surprise. Not.”

Kiara shifted to human form. Shamelessly naked. Tall, gorgeous, raven-haired and a sexy body. She exposed her dagger-like fangs and smirked at Cricket. “Still part of the team, little runt.”

Cricket’s face reddened. “Saving the world from Ragnarok earned me a promotion. Beta commanding officer in charge of human affairs.”

“Is that what you call babysitting Prince Steele’s pet?”

“No disrespect, Princess Kiara, but that’s on a need to know basis.”

Kiara rolled her eyes. “That seems to be the mantra in this entire damn place.”

Cricket furrowed her brow. “How did you find us?”

“Need to know, my dear, and you don’t need to know.” She turned her attention to Gaby. “So, pet, we have not been properly introduced.”

“Her name is Gaby,” said Cricket.

“Who the fuck asked you? Runt!”

Gaby spoke. “I may have taken the oath, but I’m no man’s pet.”

Kiara laughed with a maniacal edge. “So you think you’re his wife?”

“No. Of course not. I understand werewolves can only mate their kind.”

“I forgive Steele. After all, he suffered from amnesia.” Kiara sneered. “Good thing he regained his memory and understands his duty.”

Gaby swallowed. “Yes. He’s recovered.”

“And accepted I’m his mate.”

Her heart stilled. No. “He did?”

Cricket smirked. “No offense, but there are plenty of available royal princesses.”

Kiara sucker punched Cricket. She fell flat on her back and her head smacked the ground.

Gaby knelt at her side and lifted her head. Blood from a sharp rock. “Cricket!”

“I didn’t hit her that hard.”

“She hit her head. We need to take her to the hospital.” Cricket still had a pulse, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t go into a coma and die.

The two betas moved in and growled at Gaby.

Kiara frowned. “Hmm. I doubt Rylee would want her so called beta in charge of human affairs struck by a newly-appointed overseer.”

Her adrenaline spiked. “What are you saying?”

“As far as the LIA knows. We are driving back to the council today.”

Would Kiara leave them here without horses and mobile service? Or was murder on her mind? Holding Cricket’s head in her lap, she looked up at the jealous she-wolf. “I’ll take care of her.” Please, just leave.

Kiara laughed. “How sweet.” She circled around them. “You and the runt can die together.”

“You can’t.” She met her fierce gaze. “Rylee will scent you on our bodies.”

“My betas are good at cleaning up after my indiscretions.”

“They’ll be suspicious.” Had Kiara killed before and then hidden her crimes?

“People go missing in national parks and forests all the time.” She smiled. “I smell a grizzly close by. Poor Cricket might have died protecting you. Or perhaps you both fell down a cliff.” She tapped her lip. “Maybe you got too close to that wolf pack and they tore both of you to pieces. Of course, those options are a bit messy.”

“Please. You have Steele, what more do you want?” Stall. Think of something because no one is coming to the rescue.

Kiara growled. “I want his heart and soul.”

“You do. Steele refuses to keep a human even as a pet.”

She cocked her head. “The question is do I kill you here or elsewhere?”

Her betas snarled, waiting for her command.

Gaby had no choice but to use her charm. She called on all nearby predators. Protect us. “Let Cricket live. She’s no threat to you.”

Cricket stirred and blinked. “What’s…happening?”

“I can’t leave witnesses around. Besides, she’s almost dead.” She stepped closer. “I’ll kill you first and then finish her off.”

The pack of wild wolves leapt out of the forest and surrounded them.

Kiara turned. “What the fuck!”

The pack snarled, baring their teeth. Their hackles up and muscles bunched ready to charge.

“Kill them,” Kiara commanded.

The two betas faced the pack.

Gaby stood. Now bear!

The enormous grizzly launched from the dark forest and thundered toward the betas. They turned to face their attacker. The bear mauled one of them. He fell wounded, but scrambled away as the second beta bit the bear’s rump. The beast twisted and chased after the second beta.

Kiara shot Gaby a confused look. She shifted to full bipedal werewolf form and clawed the bear. It roared but didn’t back down. The pack of wolves stood in front of Gaby and Cricket, a ring of protection.

Gaby’s arms spread and her eyes closed in complete concentration.

Two mountain lions came out of the forest, bound for Kiara and her betas. Between the grizzly, the pack and the big cats, the odds were now stacked against them. Kiara and her betas ran.

Safe from the she-wolf, Gaby commanded the animals to stand down and leave. The bear lumbered off and the mountain lions returned to the forest. The pack of wolves kept their gaze fixated on the werewolves running away.

Cricket sat up rubbing her head. “We’re screwed.”

“I had no choice.” Gaby leaned in and looked at her wound. “Looks bad. You’ll need stitches.”

“Nah. I don’t heal as fast as the average werewolf, but it’ll be better soon.” She smiled. “Thanks for saving my ass. The bitch would have killed me for sure.”

“A fellow werewolf?”

“Even while defending my territory, killing a defiant runt is Princess Kiara’s right.”

This was the first time Gaby heard Cricket refer to herself as a runt. “I doubt Slade and Rylee would see it that way.” Gaby helped her up, but she winced and sat back down. “Your wound is bad. I’ll get help.”

Cricket touched the back of her head and stared at the blood on her hand. “You can’t go alone.” She tried to get up again, but moaned.

“Don’t move.” Gaby wet a bandana with her canteen and wrapped it around Cricket’s head.

She winced. “Kiara knows you are a wolf-segen. She’ll come back with an entire pack and weapons.”

Gaby sighed. “Sorry, I got you into this mess. I tried calling back the horses, but they must already be at the barn.”

Cricket cocked her head. “So your influence is distance constrained.”

“Yes, we recorded the distance at about a half-mile.”

“Let’s hope Rylee finds a loophole in the kill a wolf-segen on sight law.”

“Not if I escape.”

“Against my better judgment, but I think you’re right.”

“No point in staying anyway.” She handed Cricket a canteen. Not with Steele looking for a proper mate.

Cricket drank and wiped her lips. “You should take the pack and all your animal friends and head back.”

“Not leaving you.”

“Then we’ll both die when they come back.”