“In a heartbeat.”
That should scare the hell out of her. Yet something in his conviction provided an odd reassurance she quickly squashed. “I may have no memories of my past, but I know my rights. I don’t have to go anywhere.”
He cocked his head to the side. A smile flirted with his masculine mouth. “What rights?”
For a second, she went blank. “You know, rights.” Everyone had them.
“We’re not humans, little wolf,” he drawled.
A southern drawl and masculine lips made for a dangerous and intriguing combination. She needed to get a grip. “I’m aware of that, big bad wolf.”
Devastating was the only term to describe his sudden full-on smile. “For ten years, we’ve allowed you to stay where you’re comfortable, where the Realm scientists can study the virus and hopefully cure you. Unless there’s some sort of breakthrough soon, the patience of the Bane’s Council is at an end.”
“I’ve heard you’re the Bane’s Council.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I lead the council. You’re a wolf, darlin’. As such, you’re subject to our laws. Perhaps we’ve been remiss in explaining that fact to you—especially since you’re now in more danger than we’d expected.”
“If I belong to an outside clan, I don’t follow your laws.” She’d studied the hierarchy of the canine world during the last decade ... just in case.
“Everyone follows our laws.”
This was getting nowhere. A roaring began to fill her ears. She blinked several times to keep calm. “I’m staying here.” Though the temptation to go with him, to meet other wolves, had doubt clouding her brain.
“I hope you’ll give me the chance to change your mind.” His tone stayed level, but an undercurrent hinted she’d be changing her mind one way or another. “I’m here until the full moon.”
At his timeline, the breath rushed out of her throat. “Oh God. You’re here to kill Jordan.” That was the other reason Terrent had arrived personally. She would not let that happen. No matter what.
Terrent’s face hardened to stone. “My business is none of your concern.”
“Bullshit.” She leaped to her feet. Jordan had saved her from the Kurjans and offered her a home. Protection. Family. “You’ll have to go through me.”
Faster than sound, Terrent reached across the table, manacling his hands around her arms. Lifting her over the table and pivoting, he had her against the wall before she could blink. “I don’t think that will be much of a problem.”
The air swooshed out of her lungs. Shock kept her still. The wolf easily held her off the ground and pressed against the wall. Up close, he was bigger than she’d thought. Probably as big as Dage, and even broader across the chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
He leaned in close, the scent of wild oak swimming around him. “I’m neither a cat nor a vamp, sugar. You challenge me, and you won’t like what you get.”
His gaze lacked anger or other hint of emotion. Pure fact, even and reasonable, echoed in his tone. As if they were discussing the weather and he hadn’t put his hands on her. Physically and way too easily overpowering her.
Fury zinged through her so fast her ears burned. Instinct had her going limp in surrender.
Satisfaction lit his gaze. His hold relaxed.
With the slightest twist of her hips, she shot her leg up, nailing him right in the balls. Shock covered his face, his mouth opening silently. He released her, leaning over and dropping to one knee. He dented the rock floor.
Panic threatened to blind her. She shoved both hands into his massive shoulders, sending him into the edge of the table. “I guess I’m more of a problem than you thought.” Quick steps had her in the hallway. Waiting until she was out of sight of the two guards, she launched into a run. A very fast run so she could get to safety and lock the door. Her breath began to pant out. She might be feisty, but no way was she stupid.
Terrent Vilks would be coming for her.
Chapter 16
Katie sat on the cold wooden bench, her gaze on the too silent sea. Still and gray, the ocean seemed to hold its breath. The stone entrance to the underground headquarters stood behind her. Pine trees and dark forest spread out on either side and she tuned in to listen. No images, no hint of predators arrived on the soft breeze. The werewolves hid far away, probably waiting for the full moon.
She shivered, clutching her parka closer around her.
A woman’s irritated muttering echoed behind her. Light footsteps sounded as Cara made her way into the small courtyard to slide onto the bench. “Hi.”
“Why are you muttering?” Katie kept her gaze on the sea.
“Emma kicked me out of the lab. Something about chemicals I shouldn’t be exposed to since I have the virus.” Cara stomped a boot on the damp grass.
“How did you get outside?”
Cara tucked her hair into her jacket. “Talen did a full sweep and there’s no one near. Which is how I assume you got outside.”
“There are at least seven snipers in the trees on either side of us.” She sensed them and could probably guess their locations. “If Brent has healed enough to attack, it won’t be until the full moon so he’s at his strongest.” But truly, she didn’t care. A sigh escaped her. She and Cara had become close friends while training together to fight the Kurjans when they’d both stayed at Jordan’s ranch a decade in the past. Right now, Katie needed a friend. “I slept with Jordan.”
Cara coughed. “Wow. Did he, I mean, did you—”
“No. We didn’t mate.”
“Oh.” Cara tucked her hands in her thick coat. “I’m an empath, you know.”
“I know.”
“What’s wrong, then?” Cara grew stiller. “Oh God. It wasn’t ... bad ... was it?”
Katie snorted. “No, it wasn’t bad. Sex with Jordan was hot, fun, and I had three orgasms. Four if you count this morning before he left to train.” She kicked a pebble, watching it roll over the cliff. “He was very gentle.”
Cara gasped. “Oh no. Not gentle.” Sympathy coated her words. “In perfect control, determined to keep you safe?”
Katie turned to face her friend. “Yeah.”
“Oh honey.” Cara absently rubbed a permanent bite in the side of her neck. “Talen was like that after I had Garrett, and we weren’t sure if I could survive having the virus in my blood without a vampire baby inside me to counteract it.”
“What did you do?”
Cara’s smile held definite menace. “I challenged him. All those guys are pure Alpha—you challenge and they can’t help but respond.” She bit her lip. “He has even tried to mate me a couple of times.”
Yeah, Katie had discussed the issue with Emma in wondering if mating would cure her. But maybe Cara’s attempts were secret. “Really?”
“Yes. The brand is always on his palm now, and sometimes, during really ... ah ... energetic sex, the mark transfers to me again.” Cara blushed, and then sobered. “But the marking doesn’t stay. Never lasts. The virus is too strong.”
“Fucking virus.”
“Amen, sister.”
Katie stomped wet grass off her shoes. “Well, I guess I’ll need to challenge the big lion leader.”
Cara chuckled. “Up to you. But make sure you want what you’ll get. You let a guy like Jordan claim you, and there’s no going back.”
“I know.” Katie sighed, turning toward the dismal ocean.
“What else is wrong?”
Damn empath. Katie ground her heels in the grass. “For so long, all I wanted was Jordan. I don’t know if it’s been fighting werewolves for a decade, or if I’ve grown up, but ...”