An Everlasting Bite (14 page)

“It had nothing to do with me, and Dathan sounded full of spirit and heart—none of the cruelness I thought he was. This had nothing to do with him either. It had everything to do with the Underworld, the witches that caused this. They’re who should suffer because of it and I’m only too glad that they got what they deserved.”

Briggs had sensed her acceptance long before she spoke. Still, to hear it from her mouth made him happy. More than that, to feel the last tenors of guilt, hate and loss of control disappear inside her, elated him. He wrapped an arm around her and hugged tight.

“Gives you peace, love?”

“To finally accept it, understand it, to know who is to really blame,” She smiled and gave a little nod. “It’s a good thing.” She glanced at Cashton.

“That night wasn’t only the worst night for me. It was for you too. And I am sorry for that.”

Cashton snapped his head up, astonishment flashed across his face. “You’re trying to console me?”

She shrugged, her cheeks flushed and her gaze bore nothing but the truth she felt deep in her soul. “We both lost something that night.”

Cashton sat for a moment, examined her, then glanced to Briggs in all serious.

“You’ve got one hell of a mate here, Briggs.”

That he had. A woman who truly didn’t know the level of kindness she beheld. One that others aspired to, that is not forced or needy, but simply born within a soul.

“Aye, I do.”

After good food and a full nights rest, it was back to business. Cashton informed them of the location he’d last seen Kali in Plymouth. The plan was to head there. Before they left, though, Echo asked to speak to Rynn alone.

Rynn just prayed it wasn’t going to be another awkward sex talk.

They sat outside, off to the left side of the house in chairs that surrounded the oval-shaped pool. Rynn watched the others, including Briggs, huddle together by the cars in the driveway.

“Nera told me what happened to you,” Echo said, drawing Rynn’s gaze to hers.

Not a big surprise there. “I don’t want pity,” she said in a sharp tone.

Echo glanced down to her hands. “Of course you don’t.” But when she lifted her gaze to Rynn’s again that’s all that could be seen in her eyes. “I guess it makes sense now why Briggs hadn’t claimed you.” She let out a loud aggravated snort. “It sickens me to know that because of Tiago the claim had to be forced.” Rynn scowled. Echo shook her head. “No, I don’t mean he forced you—I mean Briggs couldn’t wait any longer, and you didn’t have the time to choose.”

Normally pity annoyed Rynn, but coming from Echo, it was just sweet. She reached forward and grabbed Echo’s hands. “I’m not sure if I would’ve ever been ready.

Truthfully, getting a little push was actually a good thing.”

“So, it didn’t remind you…” Echo began.

Rynn interjected. “No. It didn’t remind me of Dathan. Briggs was so gentle, loving.

Absolutely nothing of what I experienced that night.”

Echo seemed reassured by that, nonetheless still appeared so very sad. “Nera tells me that his family will be completely heartbroken to hear of this.”

“Then, tell her not to say anything to them,” Rynn demanded.

Echo’s brows rose nearly to her hairline. “You want her to keep this from them?”

Rynn nodded without hesitation. “Let them remember who he really was. It wasn’t Dathan that night. He was consumed by Black Magic and wasn’t in control of his actions.

Don’t let that be their last memory of him.”

Echo gave a funny smile, leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “By knowing you only this short time, I can truly say that I believe you’re not told enough that you are undeniably special. Your heart is forgiving. Wolves do not possess this as a natural trait—especially Alpha’s.”

The thought was so absurd, she couldn’t help but ask. “What would most of them do?”

Echo’s look became very serious. “Slaughter Cashton where he stood, and maybe, even his family if they were angered enough.”

Rynn shook her head, incredulous. “I’m beginning to think Isla is right. This wolf world needs some serious adjustments.” What a bunch of rabid animals! Rynn went to stand, but Echo pulled her back down.

“I want you know that you
do
have friends here within the wolf packs and I am one of them,” she blushed, “if you would grant me the right.”

Hadn’t this all taken a wild turn? Rynn thought she’d be the one begging for friendships. Echo didn’t even need to ask, she already was. “You’ve been nothing but gracious to me.” She smiled. “That in itself makes you my friend.”

Echo’s grin was full of warmth, then she glanced at the others—Nera especially.

“Just give them time to come around and accept you.”

“I’m not so sure I want them to accept me,” Rynn retorted. “The feeling is mutual.”

“That a girl.” Echo laughed, a loud bark of laughter that ran through the skies.

“Stand strong against them.” Taking Rynn by surprise, Echo grabbed her and hugged her tight. “I’m so very sorry what happened to you that night.” When she released Rynn, tears rimmed her eyes. “It’s so wonderful you have Briggs, you could not have found yourself a better mate.”

Rynn glanced over to him. As expected, he watched them intently. Although, he appeared more intrigued than inquisitive “I know.”

Echo stood, pulled her up to stand in front of her and gave her a look over. “Are you okay then, with everything?”

“I’m not sure I will ever be okay with it,” she answered, honestly. “It happened.

Nothing I can do will ever change that. At least, I have a reason for it all. Some victims don’t ever have that closure.”

“Only you, Rynn, would give the answer you just did.” Echo leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

Now, Rynn welled up. It’d been so long—so very long since she had such kindness around her—such love. After Pops was admitted into long-term care, she trudged on alone, fought to keep going. Now her life was one she always daydreamed about—

surrounded by love.

“Echo,” Sayer’s sudden shout snapped her out of her happy moment. “Let’s go.”

Echo rolled her eyes. “Men.”

Rynn laughed, and the two made their way quickly toward the others. Once there, Briggs wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in tight against him. Nothing needed to be said, he knew she was all right with whatever was said. If anything, he looked touched.

Echo gave Briggs a good pat on his cheek. “Good man.” She made her way toward Sayer who stood just outside of the house.

Rynn sank against Briggs, truly happy. Things were good. Just as that feeling settled, another one surfaced. His closeness to her, the scent of him, the way his hand trailed down her arm, made her gasp. The funny moon business hadn’t rescinded, if anything, she thought it had grown. She immediately tore herself from Briggs’ arms.

He laughed loudly.

“You stay over there,” she told him. She had to get a hold of herself. This was insane!

They’d just done the deed hours ago but her body seemed to forget that fact.

“Briggs, can I see you over here for a moment?” Danika called out to him. Briggs nodded and grinned at Rynn, before he walked away.

Rynn gave her body a shake, demanding it return to her normal hormone levels and walked toward the cars. She took a deep breath to settle the arousal that made her heart thump against her chest when a scent drifted through the air. A strange scent.

She inhaled again to understand it. It smelled chemical based—acidy even. She raised her head to the sky, closed her eyes and breathed deep. The scent multiplied, filled her senses to a point where she doubted even a sneeze would clear it.

Following the scent in the air, she searched it out until she found the cause. When it became too strong, her eyes watered. She opened her eyes to see that Nera was about to open the door to the SUV. Something was very wrong. Her instincts screamed at her to run. Why, she had no idea. Going with her gut, she charged forward toward Nera.

A second later, like a bull-dozer, she collided with Nera. Since the SUV was not parked far from the pool, that’s exactly where they went, her wolf-strength catapulted through the air. Nera went headfirst with Rynn close behind her as they landed in the cool water.

As Rynn held her breath, a wave of orange and a loud bang blasted above the surface. Before Rynn could even process what had just happened, or swim back up, a hand latched onto her arm and yanked her. She hit the air, gasped for a much needed breath, and coughed up water. Briggs pulled her out of the pool, and when her senses came back to her, she saw Rainer doing the same to Nera.

“All right, love?” Briggs asked, worriedly.

Rynn nodded, coughed a few more times.

Briggs helped her to sit up, gave her back a couple good pats. As her lungs cleared, her gaze caught sight of the SUV and the rapid fire that engulfed it.

“It exploded?” Rynn’s voice came out scratchy. “What happened?”

Suddenly, Valor dropped down beside her, grabbed both her arms and forced her gaze to his. “How did you know that was going to happen?”

She shook her head, shocked herself. “Something smelled funny.” She coughed a few more times. “I just acted. My instincts said run, so I did. I didn’t think about.”

Briggs glanced at Valor and gave him a knowing smile. “She’s a blue blood.”

“Apparently so.” Valor’s satisfied and amused tone was enough to tell Rynn whatever they were talking about made him happy. The joyous expression on his face was also a given.

She glanced at her wrists. Nothing looked abnormal. “I’m a what?”

Briggs chuckled, and tilted her gaze back up to his. “It’s a power you hold within your blood. Female wolves that have extra gifts are known as blue bloods. It seems you have an enhanced sense of smell that is beginning to develop.”

Rynn would have thought more of that, argued that this was all ridiculous and anyone could have smelled that, a soft whisper interrupted her thoughts. “You saved me.”

Rynn glanced up at Nera. “You saved me…after what I’ve…how I’ve…”

Before Rynn could tell her she hadn’t thought it about, it strictly happened on instinct, Briggs had her up in his arms and carried her into the house.

After a couple more coughing fits to get the remaining water out of her lungs, she was dry, dressed, and rested in the living room with a steaming hot tea in hand, as she sat wrapped in a blanket on the couch.

Outside, firemen worked hard on the fire and the police investigated the attempted murder. She still tried to wrap her head around the idea that werewolves and all of the supernatural creatures were infiltrated within all of the government systems—including the police. After some contemplation, she realized it didn’t involve her, so why bother thinking of it. She had enough on her plate than to consider the ins and outs of stuff that didn’t impact her life directly.

A throat cleared behind her and drew her gave away from the window. Rainer stood just in the entranceway. “Doing better?”

She nodded. “Much.” Her voice still sounded rough, but at least the burn in her throat subsided and her nose no longer felt cleansed with bleach.

Rainer stepped forward until he stood just before her, then knelt down in front of her.

“What do you need?” he asked.

Okay, this was strange. She waited for him to say something—do something. He did nothing. “Um, I don’t need anything.” She raised her cup. “This is perfect.”

“No that is not what I meant. I owe you for saving Nera’s life and I will pay you for your help.” Rainer gave her an unwavering stare. “What do you want?”

“What do I want?” He lost her the moment he opened his mouth. Maybe it was the water lodged into her brain or maybe she suffered brain damage. Nothing made any sense. “Like what?”

“Anything,” he implored. “Whatever you need, I will get it for you.”

She took a sip of her tea, studied him. Wolves are strange creatures. You save a life, you get a gift—bizarre. Sure, deep down it crossed her mind to say a pretty shiny Benz, but that was too
gold-digger
for her. After long moment, she acquiesced. “A thank you will do.”

He shook his head, resumed the same steady look. “That will not repay my debt.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she retorted. “Trust me, I’m no hero here. If I had thought that would have happened, I never would have done it. I would’ve been too scared to act.”

She was pretty sure she wouldn’t have risked her life for Nera, but why voice that aloud. “You don’t owe me anything. I just reacted, that’s all it was.”

Rainer brows furrowed, a vein in the center of his head began to bulge. “It’s the way of wolves to repay you. By your refusal it is an insult to me.”

The wolf way was so stupid at times. There was not getting out of this. “So, you have to get me something and that will make you happy. Is that what I am hearing?”

He nodded.

She pondered that, so much to choose. What could get him off her back? Only after a moment or so, she knew, and thrilled with the idea. “I’ll take a
Hunka Chunka Burnin’

Fudge
sundae from
Coldstone Creamery
.”

His eyes widened. If she’d mistaken his appalled look before, she couldn’t have now.

“You want a sundae for saving my mate’s life?”

“Hmm…” she all but purred, “It’s my favorite and it’s been years since I’ve had it.

The ice cream shop isn’t far from here so you would be back in a jiffy.”

Briggs’ laugh came from the doorway. Rynn glanced at him as he said, “A sundae?”

He continued to shake his head in laughter.

“Wait till you try it, then you’ll understand,” she replied. Wait, that meant she had to share, she immediately regretted those words.

Rainer stood, all business. “I will go and get it for you now.” In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Her excitement nearly had her bouncing in her seat.
Yum! Yum!
Her mouth watered in anticipation.

Briggs knelt in front of her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Of all the things you could ask for, you request ice cream.”

“He wouldn’t take a thank you for an answer,” she shrugged, “So, it was a good alternative.”

Briggs’ grin remained even if his laughter ceased. He leaned in, pulled her close to him and kissed the top of her head. “Are you doing all right, love?”

She nodded against his chest. “Just shocked I think.” Of course, that might be putting it lightly. The adrenaline still rushed through her blood and caused her arms to tremble slightly and her heart to pound. “Do they know what happened?”