Chapter 15

When her lion fell asleep, Melody stood and wiped her hands on her pants. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but the sky had cleared of the storm Webb had begun to brew. Her shoulders slumped realizing he was back and Faerie. She didn’t even want to think about what was being done to him. It was her fault. If she hadn’t of called him he’d be fine, but now that everything was quiet she couldn’t get his words out of her head.

Tell Hanna I didn’t lie…

What could he had possible said to her youngest sister, and why did it feel like her sister was keeping yet another secret away from her? She knew she shouldn’t be angry, but she was. If they hadn’t kept her in the dark things might have gone differently.

She glanced at her mate and smiled. He’d finally shifted, and even though it sounded like he’d gone through the worst pain anyone could imagine, he was alive.

When Oz’s foot had connected to Dixon’s face she was sure the damage might have been enough to kill him. She was lucky they were all alive, but did that mean she was free?

She didn’t think so.

Bac strode toward her and lifted her into a tight hug. “You scared the piss out of me, little one.”

“Why didn’t you help?”

He sighed and set her on her feet. “It was your mate’s right to fight. It’s his job to protect you, and if I would have stepped in, he would have felt unworthy of you.” He gripped her chin. “But listen here, girl, if I thought for a second he wouldn’t have been able to survive I would have torn that monster apart myself.”

She tried to understand, but couldn’t and would rather just forget it ever happened. “What are we going to do with what’s left of him?” She grimaced and pointed to the carnage Dixon left in all his glorious rage.

“I’ll take care of it. Why don’t you head back to the house and get cleaned up?”

“What about Dixon?”

“The first shift is always the hardest. Since he couldn’t shift for so long, it was bound to be worse. He’ll need to stay in his shift for several more hours before he can come out of it.”

She hesitated but Bac nudged her toward the cabin. “Well, all right.” She didn’t feel she should leave them alone and unease made her cold. Somehow, she didn’t think this was over. Just because Oz was dead didn’t mean her uncle wouldn’t keep trying to get her. Worry made her pause. When she went to continue the short walk to the cabin, hands wrapped around her.

She screamed as the portal grew and the hands pulled her back. She wriggled and squirmed trying to break free, but she just wasn’t strong enough. She was yanked backwards through the portal, but before the person was able to pull her all the way through she felt another set of hands wrap around her ankles, pulling her back to the human world. It was like a game of tug-a-war and only the strongest would win.

She kept trying to break free until she heard his voice.

“You were given to me and you shall be mine. I won’t let some beast take you away from me.”

“No, he’s my mate, you can’t have me now.” She gasped when his thin fingers dug into her flesh as he tried to pull her back. Her body started to ache, but she started fighting again. Sirk would not have her. She didn’t care what he was promised. She belonged in the human world with Dixon.

“Little one, do something!” Bac’s voice seemed so very far away, but she heard him.

Melody reached for her powers, doing the same thing she’d done to Oz. Later she would have to think about them. How she could take a life, just as she could give it. She didn’t have time to ponder the meaning of what was happening to her.

She let the magic loose and dug her nails into his flesh. He didn’t let go of her at first, but after she took a deep breath letting out all her strength she sucked his life force.

He groaned with each pull getting weaker by the second. Finally, his hands slipped away from her and the next time Bac tugged on her legs she was yanked back through the portal landing on top on the giant bear.

Melody scrambled to her feet and raised her hand closing the portal to Faerie before anyone else could come through. She gasped for breath right before she fell to the ground. Her vision faded into darkness and she welcomed it.

***

When Dixon heard Melody’s scream, he woke from his deep slumber. He was still in his lion form and he marveled at how different it felt. This is what he had been missing his whole life. He jumped to his paws and raced toward the sound. He watched in a burning rage as Bac tried pulling her back from the portal. Only her legs were free, and he could tell his friend was struggling to keep her from being pulled back through the portal. He paced with a low growl, realizing how useless he was. As a lion, he couldn’t help, and it pissed his beast off. Dixon closed his eyes and huffed out a heavy breath. He willed himself to change back. The beast understood that he needed his hands. He had to get to Melody before she was pulled to the other side. He didn’t know what would happen if he lost her now.

He felt the change and his bones and muscle shifted inside his skin. It was uncomfortable to say the least, but it didn’t hurt nearly as badly as it had when he first changed. He thought of his human shape and allowed the magic to take over.

He grunted as his body smoothed out to his normal skin and ignored the tremble in his limbs. She needed him now. When he was back to being a man he stood up. His body was weak, but he fought through the aches and stood beside Bac and wrapped his hand around Melody’s ankle. He gritted his teeth and pulled, but found he was too weak.

“I’ve got her, rest. She’s going to need you soon.”

Dixon wasn’t happy, but he let go, anyway. Bac was right. She would need him to be strong. He stepped back and watched.

“Little one, do something!”

He held his breath waiting and wondered what would happen if Bac lost? Without a doubt, he would follow his mate through hell and back just to make sure she was safe.

Finally, Melody must have done something because Bac tugged one last time and his beautiful mate was brought back through the portal. He didn’t get a chance to help before she was on her feet closing the golden framed door.

She didn’t even notice him before she hit the ground.

He rushed to her and lifted her lifeless body into his arms. She didn’t react to the movement. He sighed when he was able to hear her heart beating.

“Take her inside,” Bac ordered.

Dixon didn’t wait around to be told again. He sprinted back to the cabin and ran of the stairs. Somehow, he managed to open the door and he strode into the house laying his sweet mate on the couch. Her skin was pale and clammy. When he brushed his fingers across her forehead, it was warm.

She didn’t move even when he took her boots of and tossed them on the floor or when he covered her with the blanket he pulled from the couch. With nothing to do, he paced, worried that she wouldn’t wake up again.

‘No, she will live.’

Dixon prayed his beast was right. He couldn’t lose her now. Not when he’d just found her. She was the first person in his life to make him feel like he wasn’t worthless, and when he tore Oz apart she hadn’t turned away from him.

His stomach protested with the thought of what he’d done as the beast, but he couldn’t worry about that now. He needed to focus on Melody and getting her to wake up.

***

When Melody woke, she gasped as pain laced through her limbs. She peeled her eyes opened and stared at the ceiling. A dim light was on and she turned her head to see Dixon sitting in Bac’s chair.

He smiled when her eyes met his. “You’re awake.”

Her throat was sore, so she nodded. When she tried to sit up white lights danced in front of her and she figured it was best to keep lying down.

“You’re okay?”

“Yes.”

“Bac?”

“He’s been cleaning up outside since I brought you in. But, yes, he’s fine.”

She nodded and let her eyes close. It felt like she’d been run over by a truck. She’d never been in this much pain. She felt Dixon watch her and knew she was safe. She shuddered when she thought of Sirk. He was determined to have her, but luckily, she had help on her side. She couldn’t help but let the sorrow of losing Webb wash over her. She had tried to save him too, but it was no use Oz had powers she didn’t know. She couldn’t fight against that without knowledge.

“You should contact your sisters. They’re probably worried about you.”

She opened her eyes again. She wasn’t looking forward to telling them what happened, but she nodded, anyway. “In a little while. I just need to rest for a bit longer.”

“Take your time, sweetheart.” He came to her side kneeling beside the couch. He leaned in and brush her lips in a soft kiss. It comforted a part of her knowing he was there.

“So, you shifted.”

He laughed but he wasn’t happy. She frowned. He should be happy. He was finally able to let his beast free. They were one now. “Yeah, about that. I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I was violent.”

He was still worried about that. “You were protecting me.”

“You’re not mad—or disgusted?” He sat back on his heels watching her.

“It wasn’t pretty, but no. Your lion is beautiful.”

He kissed her again this time she tasted his relief. She slid her hand around his shoulder and gripped the back of his head holding him closer as she opened her mouth to him. This was what she needed. The closeness. At one point, she thought she had lost him. Her heart clenched worried it could still happen. This wasn’t over, no matter how calm things were now. Her uncle and Sirk would not let it go. It was only a matter of time until both of them had to be dealt with.

His teeth nipped her bottom lip and she moaned. When he pulled back his eyes were dark and full of lust. “I can’t wait to get you home. I want to lock the doors and stay in bed for days.”

Melody blushed. They’d only made love once, but she was looking forward to learning how to please him.

Bac took that moment to come back inside and he smiled down at her. “How are you?”

“I’m sore all over, but other than that I’m fine.”

He nodded and glanced at Dixon. “Everything is as it should be out there. I’m not sure what to expect now, since the portal has opened so many times on my land.”

Melody cringed. It was her fault he’d been brought into her troubles. She felt bad knowing he might be in danger. “I’m so sorry, maybe when I find Haven she can fix that. She’s good at that stuff.”

“I’m sure it will be fine. I’m sure your uncle isn’t stupid enough to think you stayed here now. And I think it’s best if you two slip out as soon as possible. We don’t know who is coming next.”

“Should I take her home?” Dixon asked.

The big man seemed to think about it. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, either. Maybe you should go to a hotel or something for a couple of days. Give Melody time to get in touch with her sisters. It’s their plan we’re following.”

He was right. She needed to get to safety and talk to Haven—and Hanna. After what Webb said she was curious to know what it was he hadn’t lied about.”

“We can go now. I’m okay.” She swung her legs from the couch and eased up. When she didn’t see the white flashes, she stood slowly. Dixon took her hand and steadied her. “I’m okay,” she repeated.

She eased into a walk and took a few steps until she stood in front of Bac. “Thank you for all your help. We couldn’t have done it without you.” She lifted her hand and he knelt down so she could graze his cheek. “Don’t be a stranger now.”

He nodded. Dixon disappeared down the hall to gather their things while she and Bac stood in comfortable silence. If anything, she gained more than she lost. She’d make sure Webb was okay, too. She couldn’t leave him alone, no matter what, but first she had to gather her wits. She’d never been a part of violence and it was taking its toll on her—mind and body.