Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

Racheal wasn’t about to let Hunter start a lair war over her. “Why will Garrett helping us start a war?”

Hunter sighed. “First you have to understand we are older. We grew up in a different time.” He was stalling and hesitant.

“Spill it.”

“My youngest brother Nicolas and Garrett are the same age. We have a close relationship with the Canadian lair. We spent many summers with Cade and Garrett's parents. Cade, Liam, and Luca, even joined special forces together. Nicholas and Garrett were inseparable as teenagers.”

“It sounds like your families are close. Why will it upset them that Garrett is helping you?”

“As young men out on the town, Nicki realized that Garrett didn't like girls the same way he did.”

Racheal's face scrunched. “You think his family will be mad he is gay?”

“Racheal you’re forgetting this was over sixty years ago. Some lairs were known to put down an animal that wouldn't contribute to the lair. They didn't believe a gay male could find a mate.”

Racheal felt sick. “They would have killed him?”

“We weren't sure. Anyway, Nicky told us and begged us to protect Garrett if it came out. We agreed. He was family to us and Nicky knew we wouldn't turn our back on him. It gave Garrett the courage to tell his brother Cade.”

“What did Cade do?”

“Cade doesn't care, and he's a candidate to be the next leader of the Canadian lair. We had hoped to keep this under the radar until we knew who would be in charge.”

“Can't we just keep this between us. Him helping us.”

“They know everything we do. We share information. They know about you and that Cade's cat was affected by you. When Garrett helps, they’ll know why. There have been rumors going around the lair but without proof, no one will cross Cade.”

Racheal felt a kinship to Garrett, knowing what it felt like to be different. Ostracized by her peers. She was glad Garrett had the Cascades and his brother. She hadn't had anyone until Sarah. “I'm not sure I want him involved.” A knock at the door started her.

Hunter opened the door to his brothers. “Racheal, this is Liam and Luca. We sometimes refer to them as the twins.”

Racheal saw the resemblance to the other Cascades. “You're fraternal twins?” They looked similar. Not identical.

Luca nodded. “I'm older and better looking,” he winked.

Racheal addressed Liam. “I guess that makes you the younger, smarter twin.”

Liam laughed, looking at Hunter. “I like her.”

They welcomed her into the family with a hug.

Racheal had a perplexed look on her face.

Luca turned to Hunter. “Is there something we’re missing here?”

Racheal shook her head. “I was sure all unmated shifters would be affected by the serum. I can't figure out the anomaly.”

Luca shrugged his shoulders. “It did effect Cade but, you just smell like family.”

Racheal’s eyes narrowed. “Jordan made a mistake. He didn't ask if there were differences between lair members and familial ties.”

“Lair members are family to us.”

“Emotionally, yes, but your cat distinguishes a familiar tie or you would see me as a potential mate. It's what the serum is designed to do.”

Liam and Luca looked at one another. “She'll have to remain at the lair until we find a way to rectify this,” Luca said.

“I won't be locked away again. We get what we need from Camila's lab and then we save Aiden.”

“What about the coyotes? Will you affect them?”

Racheal nodded. “Yes, the species of shifter seems to be irrelevant.”

“Shit. We’ll have to move them out of Sarah and Devon's and into a more isolated location.”

“I'm not making anyone move.” Racheal said.

Luca checked his phone. “Garrett's on his way. Who’s Camila?”

Hunter put his hand on Luca's shoulder, leading him away to inform him about Jordan's mother.

Racheal rolled her shoulders, attempting to shrug away the tension that was forming in her body. She felt hot as if the temperature in the room had suddenly risen. She went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water, hoping the cool liquid would douse the rising heat in her body. She was gripping the glass when fur rippled down her arm. She watched the cream fur in fascination before squeezing the glass so hard it broke in her hand.

“Racheal?” Hunter said with concern.

She felt her vision waver before she turned and growled.

   Hunter's cat surged under his skin, fighting to get at its mate. He could feel his incisor's lengthening, extending past his lip. He mentally reminded his cat the danger of claiming her. His cat rebelled against his human excuses. His mate wanted him.

Racheal swayed side-to-side, growling low in her throat. Her actions were more feline than human. Her eyes squinted before taking on an amber glow.

Hunter turned to his brothers. “Get out.”

The twins left immediately.

Hunter took a deep breath, letting the intoxicating scent of his mate's arousal saturate his nostrils. “Racheal you need to calm down.”

Racheal leapt. Her reflexes were fast and accurate.

He caught her mid-air, spinning, taking her to the floor as he pinned her wrists above her head. Her eyes closed.

“I can't control it,” she confessed breathing deeply.

“You have too.” He released his grip on her, dropping his head to her lips. He tried to go slow, swirling his tongue lazily over hers. She bit him.

He pulled back, snapping his teeth together. “Racheal. I am barely in control. My cat wants to claim you so bad I can barely keep him locked down. Don't push me.”

She pulled his head down to hers. Her tongue thrust between his lips, mating with his. Aggressive. Dominant.

Hunter pulled back again. “Racheal stop or...”

Her eyes glinted. “Or what? You'll spank me? What exactly is my punishment for wanting you?”

“You know how much I want you. You're my mate.”

“I’m starting to think that is total bullshit.”

Hunter’s eyes flared. He didn't hold his cat back. There was no point. He slammed his mouth onto hers as his claws ripped off her dress. He felt her shiver in anticipation.

His claws retracted immediately, allowing him to cup her pussy aggressively before slipping his fingers between her wet lips. They circled the tiny bud, causing her to moan.

He released her hands, allowing them to encircle his neck. She tried to pull him closer. He wouldn't allow it.

His mate had pushed him too far and now she would understand the penalty for such an action.

He kissed her neck, nibbling her ear, never breaking the skin.

He moved down her chest, sucking one engorged nipple into his mouth, circling it with his tongue, as his hand massaged the other.

Racheal arched her back but her attempts to get Hunter to bring her to climax failed.

When Hunter brought her close, he would back off giving her a reprieve from the rising action.

He moved down between her legs, spreading her thighs wide as his shoulders nestled between them.

He liked her spread open for him. His personal feast. Begging him to devour it.

She whimpered when his tongue took its first foray between the soft flesh. She tried pushing closer. He didn't allow that either. His tentative licks continued to heighten her anticipation and drive her crazy.

“Please!” she yelled.

Hunter growled against her heated core. “Tell me who your mate is. Tell me I am the only man that makes your cunt so wet it is dripping down your legs, begging me to lick it from your body.”

He felt her muscles contract at his words. He wished his cock was inside her, wanting to feel her body constricting his.

She thrashed beneath him. He held her in place.

“Hunter, please,” she sobbed.

“Tell me who you belong to.”

“You! I belong to you, now fuck me!” she screamed.

His tongue thrust into her, stabbing deep into her cunt as he coated his fingers in her juices. One finger circled her rear before pushing steadily into the untried entrance.

“Oh,” she moaned.

His tongue continued its erotic onslaught as he squeezed a second finger into her tight rear. He moved his fingers in unison with his tongue when she grasped the side of his head, bunching her fingers in his hair.

“Oh god,” she moaned as her juices coated his tongue.

He rose up, fisting his cock, positioning himself at her hot wet pussy. “Never ever question who you belong too.” He thrust hard, penetrating her to the hilt in one thrust.

She gasped, scratching his back as he pressed his chest against hers. “Yours. I'm yours,” she panted.

He set a brutal rhythm, pulling himself up as far as he could without leaving the sanctuary of her body before slamming back into it. He bumped into her cervix with every thrust. Still, it wasn't enough to sate his cat. He gripped her hips, feeling his claws threaten to extend as he anchored himself repeatedly in the soft flesh encasing him.

It took every ounce of his control not to bite her. When she came, clamping down hard on his engorged cock, she took him with her. He sent a silent prayer, knowing he wouldn't have been able to hold out much longer. He was in trouble.

He lay with his head nuzzled in her hair when he felt the first silent sob. She didn't make a sound but the tiny wracks of her body were undeniable.

“Racheal. I'm sorry baby. I was too rough...”

“It isn't you. It's me.”

Hunter looked down at her. “I don't understand.”

“I was like an animal. I wanted to attack you. I wanted to force you to bite me even though I knew it would kill me.” She closed her eyes. “I forced you to be mean to your brothers. I'm sorry.”

Hunter wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Honey. You’re in the early stages of transition. Your cat's instincts are starting to kick in. She isn't fully formed and can't understand why her mate isn't claiming her. She's pissed off and has every right to be.” He smoothed her hair back. “And it takes a lot to offend my brothers. I guarantee you they are jealous, not mad.”

Racheal's eyes snapped open. “That makes no sense at all.”

Hunter laughed. “That's because you aren't a cat... yet.”

He watched her analytical brain kick in. “Explain.”

Hunter dropped his mouth above hers. His lips brushed lightly against hers as he talked. “Men fantasize about their women wanting them. Having your woman attack you because she is so horny for your ass... well that's just gold.” He winked.

Racheal's lip twitched. “I didn't realize cats had such a sense of humor.”

He put his lips to her ear, dropping the octave of his voice. “What makes you think I'm joking,” he whispered.

She batted his side playfully. “Let me up.”

He rose, pulling her up with him. She looked down and blushed.

He hadn't realized he was still wearing his jeans. His button fly was open with his half-mast cock exposed. He shrugged. She had to get used to him naked. He planned to keep her in bed for at least a month after he got her securely to the lair. His home.

He fastened his jeans as Racheal went to a pile of clothes and pulled on another sundress. He was definitely buying more of those garments. They allowed for easy access. He heard the ringtone of his phone signaling a text.

He grabbed it off the counter, looking at her as she pulled the yellow dress over her head. “Garrett is here.”

Racheal paused before turning to face him. “You’d think I'd get used to ruining men's lives. Tell him to come in.”

   Hunter hated the pain on her face. He opened the door scenting his long-time friend.

Garrett strode in, immediately going to Racheal. He extended his hand cordially. “I can't express what an honor it is to meet you, Racheal.”

He wasn't sure if it was the sincerity in Garrett's voice or kindness that was associated with the blond hair and blue eyes. Racheal's reserve cracked. Her hands covered her face before she sobbed heavily.

Garrett pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart don't cry. It wasn't my intention to upset you.”

She sobbed harder, hugging him. “It isn't you, it's me. You're like the rest of them. I saw it the moment I laid eyes on Hunter. On his brothers. On you,” she sniffled.

Garrett looked perplexed. He looked at Hunter with questioning eyes.

Hunter shook his head.

Racheal pulled back and looked up at Garrett. “You are a good, kind person and I've not only participated in the destruction of your species I'm letting you ruin your relationship with your family.”

Hunter recognized the source of Racheal's anxiety. Yes, she felt horrible about her role in the Kallans' experiments but she was far more anxious when family ties were being threatened. She had told him Sarah was her first true friend. The closest thing to family she had. He’d never considered her view of a family unit would be so sacred.

Garrett's shoulders softened. “Honey. You're not to blame. What will happen is long overdue and would have happened anyway. They've suspected for some time. You can't lie to a cougar.”

Racheal's eyebrows creased. He'd come to recognize the gesture as a sign of indecision. “Is it okay if I ask you a question?” she said in a low tone.

Garrett smiled openly. “You can ask me anything.”

“How come your family doesn't know? I mean shifters have... relations with women. I know you're much older than you look. They didn't wonder when you weren't with a woman in all this time?”

Garrett smiled sadly. “That’s a long story and I will tell you part of it now.” He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a black script tattoo.

Racheal ran a light finger over the writing. “Marcy? Who was she?”

Garrett sighed. “She was my first love. The only woman I’ve ever been with or ever will be.”

Racheal looked surprised. “She wasn't your mate?”

Garrett shook his head. “I was far too young. She taught me about love and sacrifice...”

“She died?”

“Not until she was in her eighties. That, however, is a story for another time.”

Racheal bit her bottom lip. “What if your family disowns you... or worse?”

“Then I’ll be moving to Mt. Adam's. I hear they have a brilliant new geneticist and I can't wait to work with her.” He winked.

Racheal's smile was genuine. Hunter couldn't be more thankful.

Garrett smoothed back his immaculate blonde locks. “I’ve been working on a new program that I'm hoping will be of use with your research. It's pretty amazing. Even by my standards.”

Racheal's interest piqued. “You write code.”

Garrett raised his eyebrows. “Honey I do everything. You ask for it and I'll make it. Weapons. Research. Government hacks. I do it all.”

“Government hacks?”

“Let's just say that with our lifespans I frequently update or adjust our information in the Government databases.”

“The Kallans' wondered how Cyril's birth certificate indicated he was thirty-seven years old.”

“I update and adjust all web-based information as needed,” Garrett said.

Hunter interrupted. “He's a tech genius. Cade's a Strategist. You get the two of them together and there isn't anything they can't build or break into.”

Racheal looked away. “Cade can't come near me.”

Garrett shrugged. “His loss, honey.”

Racheal's lips twitched. She gave Garrett a speculative look. “Are you ready to crack Jordan's security system? It's pretty amazing. Even by my standards.”

Garrett laughed. “Girl, I love you already. Tell me everything you know about that little prick's security. I've been waiting for this.”

He pulled his laptop from his backpack. “I'm going to make Jordan Kallan regret being born.”

Hunter hated the flinch on Racheal's face.

   Racheal was impressed by Garrett's enthusiasm. She remembered the days when she was excited about a new project and wished she could share the exuberance. As much as she liked Garrett, she had to maintain her distance.

Garrett showed her the screen on his computer. “These are the schematics for the facility Hunter requested. They are doing some remodeling according to city planning so I can't confirm the accuracy but it gives us a general outlay of the building.”

Racheal looked surprised. “How did you get these?”

“They're the original site plans. I looked up the builder's name and hacked his computer. Then I confirmed they were the same ones on file with the city.”

Racheal was impressed. He was thorough. She looked closely at the outline. “This plan says there's an animal recovery center. That's actually the lab where they do the shifter experiments.”

Garrett studied the plan. “Then what is in the R and D lab? That’s usually research and development.”

Racheal nodded. “It is. Camila is funded by the government. She works on legitimate R and D for them. Weapons. Armor. Chemical agents. They don't know about the unsavory side to her experiments.”

Hunter put a hand on her back. She hadn't realized until that moment she’d missed his closeness. His warmth. “She’s experimenting on shifters for Kevin, isn't she?”

Racheal shook her head. “No. She experiments on human males.”

“Soldiers?”

“Most have some form of military background,” she said.

“These experiments aren't for the government?” Hunter asked.

“No.”

She felt the atmosphere in the room change. Hunter was angry. Garrett was concerned.

Hunter turned her to face him. “What is she doing to them?”

“She's using components from several shifter species to enhance soldiers for Kevin... and for herself.”

“And you’re just telling me this now!”

“I told you Gerald might still be alive. This is the research I was talking about,” she said defensively.

“Jesus fuck, Racheal. If they have some form of a super-soldier then we need to know about them.”

Racheal wrung her hands. “Super-soldier isn't the right term for them. They are faster, stronger and have some of your healing abilities but they burn out so fast that Kevin is starting to have trouble recruiting more men.”

“They begin to rot?”

“Yes, Kevin kills them before the other men know there's a problem.”

“His soldiers don't know?” Hunter asked.

“They are shown the upside and when a soldier starts to flame out, he sends them on a solo mission. One from which they never return.”

“And the other men are starting to catch on there's a problem?”

“Some are. Most don't care. They've traded their future for a short lifespan with all the money and perks they can imagine.”

Hunter ran his hand over his head. “I'm surprised Kevin let you go considering how much you know about these experiments.”

He wouldn't have if he knew I was involved in Camila's projects,” she said quietly.

“Jordan had you working on her soldier program without Kevin's approval?”

“Yes. He told me if I didn't keep my mouth shut, I was dead. It’s one of the reasons Jordan wants me back.”

“And the other is so he can breed you,” Hunter snapped.

Racheal frowned. He was getting too attached to her. She felt the same way. She wouldn't be forced to live without him. “He won't get the chance.”

“Fucking rights he won't.” His mouth came down on hers. His tongue demanding entrance. She lost herself in the sensation of his erotic kiss.

He pulled back. His amber gaze burned through her, its intensity forced her to look away.

Garrett smiled. “Mating looks good on you Hunter.”

Racheal was embarrassed. She had forgotten Garrett was in the room. She attempted, without success, to push Hunter away. “We have company.”

Hunter leaned closer. “We live in a lair. We’ll always have company. They're called family.”

Racheal felt the cut deep in her heart. It was the thing that had always eluded her. He was the one she would die to protect.