Seven

Dana snuggled into Cooper’s side, breathing in his spicy mint scent. It covered her skin and filled her from within. Cooper had marked her, letting all others know she belonged to him. A smile crept in. If he’d done it when they’d first met, she’d have been pissed. But in the bliss of their lovemaking, she found that being claimed by him was far more exciting than she’d dreamed.

“Edwin killed Hope’s mom while she watched.”

Anger burned away her bliss. Edwin was a bastard that needed to be taken out. She fisted her hand over Cooper’s heart. “How long ago?”

"About a year ago, maybe less. The female was weak and running from rogues. I'm not sure if she was part of a group of rogues and finally got out or what. I never got the chance to ask her. She only stayed with us for a few days before the enforcers took her to the Pack circle where Edwin met them. In front of the whole Pack, he told the female—who clung to Hope—that she had to mate with him in order to stay. When she refused, he ordered the enforcers to take the child. My sister convinced them to let her watch Hope." Cooper closed his eyes and took a breath. Dana's chest tightened, fearing that what he said next would add a few more nails to Edwin's coffin.

"Hope's mother screamed for her child and then cursed Edwin, saying she'd die before she mated with him. With barely a second glance at her, Edwin killed her." Cooper fisted his hands in the sheet, his claws puncturing holes in the cotton.

Dana wanted blood. No child should have to witness that kind of cruelty. "You should document everything Edwin did that seemed questionable. We could use that when we face the council. Especially if you witnessed it with your own eyes."

He nodded and relaxed a little. "I've kept a journal since Hope came into our lives. Celeste started one the day Edwin became Alpha."

"Good. It'll help."

Silence fell between them. Dana snuggled further into Cooper’s embrace, loving the way he absently traced his fingers up and down her arm. After a few moments, she asked, "How did you become Hope’s guardians?"

"Celeste claimed her, told Edwin that she'd take full responsibility for the girl. I stepped up and backed her. By that time, Hope had already wormed her way into my heart. I couldn't let her go." He let out a breathy laugh as if a happy memory had come to him.

"I can see how she would. When I first saw her, I wanted to protect her."

"She's too damn cute."

"That she is." Sitting up, Dana locked gazes with him. "It bothers me that, out of the blue, Edwin wants her dead."

Cooper frowned. "Yeah. It's not like he didn't know she was deaf or a witch. There's something going on."

"I agree. Edwin is slimier than his cousin. Always has been. Besides, he never liked me."

"Same. Not that I care. I prayed that someone would challenge him someday. No one in the Pack has balls big enough." Cooper sat up, giving her his back.

Defeat and a sense of embarrassment drifted from him. She got it. Pride was something she clung to, as well. Leaning forward, she kissed his bare shoulder. "Together, we'll take him out. We'll gather the information we need to deliver to the council and take him down."

He glanced at her over his shoulder and smiled. That time, it reached his eyes. "We will because I'm not letting you go now that I've found you."

Neither am I. She kept those thoughts to herself and said out loud, "I think I know how to control the magic. But I'll need your help to prove my theory."

* * *

Cooper watched Dana crawl off the bed and disappear into the bathroom. His mate was coming around. Yet she still kept him at a distance. It would take time to earn her trust. He'd do whatever it took to gain it.

He picked up his jeans off the floor and pulled them on just as Dana stepped out of the bathroom. She narrowed her gaze at him and then gave him a half smile. "I like you better with the jeans off."

He crossed the small space between them and hugged her to him. His smile faded, and her brows dipped. "I like you better naked, too, but we have training to do."

"Yes. And I have to face whatever my aunt believes is my destiny."

He kissed her forehead and released her. "After you."

With a roll of her eyes, she led him out of their room and down to the training center in the basement of the house. It looked much like the small gymnasium he'd had in high school. Mats were stacked along one wall. There were weights and various exercise equipment on the other side.

Dana went over to the mats and pulled one off. He joined her, pulling another and placing it next to the one she’d laid in the middle of the gym. After they had placed two more mats, Dana stood in the center and beckoned him with a finger.

Excitement and desire filled him, making his wolf growl in acceptance of the challenge the female promised. He moved to the mat and stopped a few feet in front of her. She attacked, catching him off guard and knocking him to the ground. Straddling him, she pinned his arms to the mat. A wicked smile curved her lips. "You were too distracted."

"I had a beautiful reason to be."

She growled, and he broke her hold on him and flipped her over. "How are you going to control your magic?"

"With your help. When we were having sex, we were connected. I've never been that close to anyone before. For the first time, I felt in control." She pushed at him, and he moved off her.

"So you need my help to focus?"

"Yeah, I think. I don't know. I'm making this up as I go. I should talk to Star about it."

Cooper reached out and touched her cheek. "Tell me what I can do. You can question Star at dinner."

Dana opened her mouth, then closed it. Her brows dipped. Finally, after several moments, she lowered herself to the mat and sat with her legs folded. She spoke while tracing circles on the mat. "I've always been afraid of the power. Ross used it to control people. He used the Alpha power to draw out my magic. He said he'd use it to hurt the Pack if I ever left him."

Cooper didn't bother holding back the growl rumbling from him. "You know a true mate can't hurt you without hurting himself, right? A true mate would also fear you breaking the bond if he even thought about controlling you like that. And he'd never, ever, use your Pack, your family, against you."

She lifted her gaze to his. A spark of white light lit up her blue eyes. Her wolf also flashed in her depths. Hadn't she realized what it was like to be mated to a true mate? "I was young when I mated Ross. I didn't comprehend what he was doing until it was too late and he’d killed my parents."

An ache formed in his heart. He wanted to take her away, go somewhere—anywhere they could start a new life. However, he couldn't leave Celeste or Hope behind. They were his family as much as Dana was now. "Ross deserved what he got."

She nodded but didn't meet his gaze. He scooted closer and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his lap. "My parents were so in love. My dad once told me that a mate is something you treasure and protect with your life. And if she isn't happy, then no one is."

That last statement made Dana laugh. The sound light and soft. "My mom would sometimes act like she was mad at my dad just so they could argue and then make up. Darin and I made fun of them for it."

She rested her head on his shoulder and fell silent. He kissed her hair, inhaling her scent. Mine. "I miss my parents. I miss how Bloodrose use to be. So alive, healthy, and safe."

"We'll make it safe again," Dana said, lifting her head. "We'll make sure. Edwin needs to be stopped."

Cooper smiled. "You have more control over your magic than you think."

"How can you be so sure?"

"You've contained it for so long. That takes focus and control. A lot of it."

She stared at him as if she'd never thought of it that way. "I've spent so long hiding it from Darin and Ross and myself. I didn't realize I was controlling it."

"Then let it go. Unleash your hold and see what happens."

Fear paled her features, and she shook her head. "I...I can't."

He framed her face. "You can, and I'll be here to help."

Footsteps brought their attention to the entrance of the gym. Star crossed the room toward them. "He's right. Your magic only seems out of control because you fear it and try to push it away. I'll help, too. But first, dinner is ready."