Jordan tensed just in case he needed to block the blow.
“We became family the day the three of us vowed to be your protectors.” Noah spoke slowly, unusual emotion in his deep eyes. “You’ve done a good job—put our people back together after the last war. Got most feline nations unified under one leadership. Nobody else in the world could’ve healed our people so completely.”
Yeah, but he hadn’t ruled with charm and promises. There had been blood and bruises, too. “I didn’t do it alone.”
“No. And it’s good you finally realize that.” Baye stood. “I’m going to check on Katie and then meet the king to go over the battle plans. I have faith in you—always have. If there’s a way to beat the moon tonight, you’ll do it. When you head up to the surface to prepare, I’ll meet you.” With a nod to Noah, he strode from the room.
Mac followed suit, leaving Jordan with Noah.
Noah leaned back. “So Kane can’t cure the virus?”
“No.” Jordan fought despair down, setting his jaw. “I may need you to kill me when the time comes.” With Conn across the world, he’d rather have Noah do it than Max. Not that Max wasn’t capable, Jordan just didn’t know the vampire as well as he knew Noah.
Noah’s eyes were a deep, catlike green. They darkened with emotion and sorrow. “Not a problem.” He ground a palm into his eye. “You’re family, Jordan. Always have been. You don’t have to do any of this alone.”
Jordan studied his friend. He’d kept himself aloof, kept himself alone because he figured that was the price of leading. The price he had to pay. “I know.”
“No, you don’t.” Noah rolled to his feet. “I know what you did, what you had to do for the good of our people. Let the past go. You’ll never keep that lioness, virus or not, if you don’t let her in. Even if you only have a short time, isn’t every second worth taking?” He paused near the door, his back to Jordan. “I had a woman once. I lost her and would give anything for just one good day. Just one.”
Without another word, the feline enforcer slipped out the door.
Jordan sat back in the chair, his mind reeling. How could he not even know the name of the woman Noah missed? He’d kept himself so distant he couldn’t even consider himself Noah’s friend. The shifter’s words echoed in Jordan’s head. He closed his eyes, his hands clenching as memories flashed through him so quickly his brain ached.
Three hundred years ago, Jordan had intercepted Brent at the docks, taking him deep into the forest. His cousin had grown even bigger, though some of that was all belly. Apparently Brent had been enjoying a lot of ale, as well.
Jordan cleared his throat as they neared the clearing where his fate would be decided. Pine trees surrounded them, all creatures deadly quiet in their depths. Small prey always sensed predators in their midst, as well as tension and an inevitable battle. “I truly am sorry about your parents, Brent.”
Brent had pivoted, his eyes a burnt amber. “And yours. I know Kayrs moved headquarters to the center of, well, nothing. . . but why are we in the forest, Jordan?” Peering down from at least four inches of additional height, the shifter flashed sharp teeth.
“I need to know. What are your plans for the feline nation?” Jordan’s breath hitched on the question.
Irritation curled Brent’s lip. Tall, broad across the chest, the raw-boned shifter’s lumpy features reddened. “If you must know, I plan to sign a treaty with the Kurjans. There is no other choice.”
Jordan’s foot caught on a root and he stumbled. Fire and anger rippled through his muscles as he righted himself. If that were true, Brent might’ve arrived to kill Dage. “The Kurjans will turn on you ... on all of us. We need to align with the Realm.”
Brent snarled. “I’m the new leader, and I will bind us as I see fit.” He paused at the clearing, anticipation cascading from him. “Unless you plan to challenge me?”
“I hereby issue said challenge.” The words hurt to say, but determination welled strong within him. Jordan turned to face the only family he had left on earth. “Just between us.”
Brent circled around. “That’s new.”
“Yes. The nation is in enough turmoil ... there’s no need to show our enemies we’re not solid.” Jordan casually sniffed the air to see if Conn’s scent rode the breeze and just smelled pine and wet moss. Apparently the vampire had set up downwind and far enough away as to be undetectable.
Brent scanned the area. “We fight to the death, then.”
“Yes.” Jordan would need to get the larger man down to the ground. He’d probably be Brent’s size someday, but not for decades, and the ground would level the fight.
“I have no problem killing you.” Brent shrugged off his jacket, his gaze piercing. “I want your word that the victor will lead our people. I know you’ve aligned with the Kayrs family ... I want your word they won’t take me out after I kill you.”
Jordan stared Brent right in the eyes during a moment that would change him forever. “You have my word.”
The fight was brutal and took hours. They started as men ... and finished as mountain lions. When it was over, when Brent was dead, Jordan had shifted to human, bloody and hurt.
Conn jogged up, darkness in his eyes. “Sit down. I’ll bury him.”
“No.” Jordan struggled to remain on his feet. The haunted look in his friend’s eyes belonged on Jordan’s shoulders. While Conn hadn’t had to kill Brent, he’d resolved to do so ... which was something he’d never escape.
Rulers ruled alone ... or their loved ones got hurt. Jordan would never again make the mistake of involving someone he cared about in business. “I’ll bury him. It’s my job.”
Footsteps outside the conference room yanked Jordan back into the present. Maybe he hadn’t needed to isolate himself to such a degree. Either way, it was probably too late to worry about it. His problem remained the same today as it had three hundred years ago.
Brent Bomant had to die.
Katie leaned against the door of the lab, seeking another update. She’d been sure the new cure would work in Jordan’s blood ... it had just needed more time. Her breath caught in her chest as the queen turned around.
Emma scanned the newest results. “There’s no change.”
Disappointment burned on the way down. Katie tried to breathe. “There’s still time.”
The queen’s eyes dimmed. “Probably not. Anytime we’ve manipulated a substance with magic, the change has been almost instant. If this concoction worked, we’d already know it. I’m so sorry, Kate.”
Katie nodded, pain sliding through her skin like sand in a bottle. So much hurt filled her she forced a smile. “I’ll be back later.” Pivoting, she walked with measured steps down the hallway.
No cure existed for the werewolf virus.
Everybody had been trying to warn her, but she couldn’t let hope die. She found her way to Jordan’s quarters and slipped inside. Silence and a sense of emptiness surrounded her. He was probably arranging for one of the Kayrs men to kill him once he turned into a werewolf.
Stumbling past the small table and sofa area, her vision graying, she limped into the bedroom and curled up on the bed. Jordan’s scent surrounded her with what could have been. With what might have been.
She wanted to let the tears fall, but her spirit had gone dry.
Cotton failed to soothe as she tucked her body around his pillow.
He’d told her he loved her.