Phoenix Reborn: An Alpha Pack Novella (6 page)

On the main street in Cody, he pulled up in front of an old pizza place. “This okay? It’s probably been here longer than we’ve been alive, combined. But the pizza is to die for.”

“Sounds good. I’ve never been here before, and I’m starving.”

They got out of the SUV and walked to the front. Before going inside, Nix placed a hand at the small of Noah’s back and guided him to the door. Just that much of a declaration in public, among strangers, had Nix’s heart racing. But the look of sheer joy Noah shot him as they went inside made the fear subside some.

Once they were seated at a booth near the back, a waitress came to take their drink orders.

“Iced tea for me,” Noah said.

“Diet Coke.”

As soon as she walked away, Noah made a face. “Diet Coke? That shit is awful. I knew there was something wrong with you. This thing between us was too good to last.”

Nix chuckled. “Shut up, dork.”

Noah just grinned. Christ, he was falling fast for that face. That happy expression, and those eyes that seemed to see clear through him.

They scanned the menu and settled on a large pizza with half all-meat for Nix, the other half ham, tomato, and basil for Noah. Once the waitress had taken their order and gone, they talked about little things, just enjoying each other’s company. Nix told him that this was his day off in the rotation, so unless there was a serious emergency, he was totally free.

“Thanks for spending it with me,” Noah said quietly. His eyes shone.

“Hey, I’ll spend as much time with you as I can. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Promise.”

“Same here.”

The pizza finally arrived and they dug in. Nix was amazed at how his mate could pack away the food. By the time they sat back in their seats, groaning, the whole pie was gone.

“You were right,” Noah said. “That was delicious. We’ll definitely be back.”

“For sure. Though we might have to wait a day or two.” He patted his bulging stomach.

Nix paid the bill, to his mate’s protests.

“I earn a wage, too. I can pay my half.”

“We’re a team, okay? Let’s don’t make it about money. We can take turns or something if you want.”

“Well, I guess that works.” His mate still wanted to pout a little, and Nix thought that was adorable.

Not that he’d ever say so.

They left, walking slowly down the street to do some browsing of the quaint shops along the way: candles, souvenirs, clothes, crafts, and a shop that sold both homemade ice cream and candies. Noah headed straight inside the last one, proving he had a hollow stomach after all.

Noah insisted on buying the cones, and Nix gave in. Armed with their treats, they strolled back the way they’d come. Noah was walking close to him. So close Nix could smell his sweet scent, and wanted to roll in it. With his free hand, heart pounding in dread and excitement, he took Noah’s fingers in his, twining them together.

His head swam. It was like being sixteen all over again, except this time he really was with someone he cared about. Someone meant to be
his
. The feeling was heady, and he never wanted it to end.

But end it did, when he spotted a tall, dark-haired figure coming up the sidewalk toward them.

“Oh my God.” Nix froze, his half-eaten cone tumbling from his hand to splat on the concrete.

“What’s wrong? Nix?” His mate glanced from him to the man who was now standing before them, and he edged closer to Nix.

“Lucius,” Nix said coldly. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

He hadn’t let go of Noah’s hand. His father’s dark gaze drank him in from head to toe, expression surprisingly . . . regretful? No, that couldn’t be right. The tough, tattooed man in front of him was mean as a snake, and had never cared about anyone but himself.

“I knew you were alive. I came looking for you.”

“I guessed that much. Now that you’ve found me, say what you came for, and get gone.” Nix blew out a breath. “Scratch that. Just go.”

“I’ve been looking for you because I want to make amends. I found God, started going to church. I wanted to tell you how wrong I was—”

Nix gave a bitter laugh. “Are you kidding? You made my life hell after Mom left us. Nothing I ever did was good
enough. And then you threatened to
torture
and
murder
my partner if you ever caught me with a man. Well, guess what? You come near him,
ever
, and you’ll be the one in little pieces? You got that?”

“Yeah, son. I get it,” Lucius replied sadly. “I deserve that after what I put you through.”

“I am not your son, Lucius. I stopped being your kid a long time ago. You can go to hell.”

With that, Nix dragged his mate to the SUV and quickly shoved him inside. He barely registered Noah’s snarl of protest, or that he’d lost his ice cream as well. The only thing that mattered was getting them both the fuck away from his father.

Putting the SUV in reverse, he squealed out of the parking space, narrowly missing a car behind him. He threw on his brakes to let it go around him, then threw the vehicle in drive and raced away.

“Nix, slow down!” His mate’s eyes were wide and he was gripping the oh-shit handle as if his life depended on it.

“Sorry.” He slowed his speed and glanced in the rearview mirror. His father’s retreating figure was hunched just before it disappeared around a corner down the street.

“I think he meant what he said.” Noah’s voice was quiet.

“Is that a new ability you’ve developed or something?” he snapped. “Reading people’s minds?”

“No,” his mate replied, looking hurt. “I just don’t have the history with him you do. I’m not as biased. He seemed sincere, that’s all.”

“If he was, that would be a first.”

His father had never possessed a nice bone in his body. Found God? Not likely. And yet, people could change, and did every day.

Not this man. Not Lucius.

“I’m sorry I ruined our afternoon,” he told Noah.

“You didn’t.” But his tone said differently.

“And I apologize for biting your head off. I’m so sorry.” Reaching out, he curled his hand around Noah’s.

That earned him a small smile. “It’s fine, no worries.”

His mind eased some. Maybe he could salvage the rest of this day after all.

* * * 

Leaning against a store front, Jinn watched the little family drama unfold.

Fascinating. Seemed Nix’s father really had turned over a new leaf—and the bitch of the whole thing was, Jinn’s abilities said the man was actually telling the truth.

You had to love irony.

Smiling to himself, Jinn turned and followed the dejected older man down the sidewalk at a discreet distance.

Seemed that the way to grab Nix’s little Halfling had just fallen right into his hands.

And then all he had to do was wait.

* * * 

Noah was a bundle of nerves.

After their wonderful lunch date a couple of days earlier had ended in disaster, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for today. But he’d enjoyed himself so far, especially being out with Nix at their first real social event with the gang. It seemed Nix had been having fun, too, even if he wasn’t being quite himself. There were few touches from his mate, and it hurt, even if he understood.

Everyone was there, even the commander’s brother-in-law, the vampire prince Tarron Romanoff, and many of Tarron’s men. The Alpha Pack really knew how to throw a barbeque.

But the clock was ticking, the fun and games just beginning to wind down. Beer had been flowing copiously, burgers and hot dogs devoured with blinding speed. Several rounds of football and volleyball had been won and lost. It was time for Noah to show his stuff—or chicken out and wait for the next party.

“No,” he muttered, steeling his resolve. “Time to make my mate proud.”

Noah gave Blue and Kalen a nod for the go-ahead, and Blue strode to the middle of the playing field, spreading his wings to their full glory and holding up a hand for silence. He made such a spectacle, he had no problem gaining everyone’s undivided attention.

“Everyone, listen up! We have a special demonstration today, and I’m proud to say that Kalen and I have been able to be a part of it. Our own Noah Brooks, nurse extraordinaire, is going to demonstrate talents the depth of which even he didn’t know about until recently. Noah?”

Leaving the field, Blue gestured to Kalen, who got into the driver’s seat of one of the Pack’s SUVs and drove it onto the field. He parked the vehicle in the spot where Blue had been standing, much to the curiosity of all present. Noah had been practicing on a heavy piece of gym equipment, but the SUV would be much more impressive.

Beside Noah, Nix whispered, “Baby, what are you doing?”

He smiled at his mate. “Remember that surprise I wanted to show you? This is it. I’m making you proud.”

“But you always do that. You don’t need to do whatever this is to impress me.” He looked uncertain, worried.

Did he not believe Noah could achieve whatever he was about to do? He tamped down the negative feeling and strode onto the field. Stopping about six feet from the front bumper, he waited until Kalen got out and walked away.

“We’re not helping him, by the way,” Kalen called to the crowd. “This is all Noah.”

Glancing around at his friends’ faces, Noah could see that some were amused, some intrigued. But all were his captive audience, so he turned to face the SUV, lifted his hands, palms up, and began.

Opening the conduit to his inner Fae energy just like Blue and Kalen had taught him, Noah let the current flow through him. Allowed it to gather and grow, coalescing into a ball of light that formed in his hands. He heard the crowd gasp, and was encouraged. He could do this. Finally, he’d fit in. He’d be someone to respect, worthy of his strong mate and all the
other fantastic creatures he shared his world with now.

Even if this was all he could ever do.

Slowly, the Escalade began to rise from the ground. The crowd’s exclamations faded into the background as he reveled in his success. Even a week ago, he might have dropped the vehicle, but now the power was his to command. He wasn’t worried.

When the SUV was about fifty feet or so in the air, he stopped, letting it hover. His point was made.

Noah Brooks wasn’t a nobody anymore, a worthless kid who’d been cast out of his home by his parents and run out of a city and job he loved. He was strong, and worthy.

Gradually, he let the vehicle down until it came to a soft landing on the field. The instant it did, the crowd burst into wild applause, hooting and hollering. Noah looked over to find his mate smiling wide, clapping and whistling harder than anyone.

It was a proud moment, one he’d never forget.

Nix strode forward, enveloping him in a fierce hug. Then he stood back, still holding onto Noah’s shoulders, grinning. “How did you do that? What the hell, Noah?”

The guests around them quieted, because they wanted to hear the answer.

Noah smiled shyly and said, “I’m a Halfling.”

“What?” Nix’s eyes widened.

“Half Fae, half human. Blue realized it and finally told me, so he and Kalen have been helping me hone my new skills.”

Several of the guests exclaimed, and word began to spread.

“I’m just a low-level Halfling,” Noah said, shrugging. “But it’s something, anyway.”

“What do you mean? You’re amazing!”

“Thank you.” He was so happy at his mate’s declaration. This was going so much better than he’d hoped. Throwing his arms around Nix, he kissed him. Hard and deep, in front of everyone at the party.

Nix responded at first—then seemed to remember where he was, and started backpedaling. “Whoa. Hang on—”

“I love you, Nix,” he said, heart full. “Will you make us official now? Will you claim me? I mean, not right now, but—”

“How could you do this to me?” Nix whispered, face white. “In front of everybody, knowing how I feel?”

The bottom dropped out of Noah’s stomach, and he slowly unwound his arms from around his mate’s neck. “But I thought . . . I thought you’d be proud of me. That you’d finally see there’s no reason to wait. I love you.”

Nix was staring at him, not responding. Tears welled in Noah’s eyes as he realized he’d made a terrible mistake, pushing the issue too soon. In front of their friends.

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Jesus, Noah. Didn’t I ask you to give me time?” he spat angrily. “What, you think life is one big rainbow pride parade? I have to deal with a whole new way of life, and you can’t give me ten seconds to adjust?”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. He couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down his cheeks.

Nix shook his head and went on. “I’m not ready! Why do you think I’ve been participating in Melina’s drug trials?”

“What?” His whole world. Crumbling right at his feet. “What are you talking about?”

“The reason my wolf hasn’t been forced to claim you. I’ve been taking a drug that suppresses the mating urge. That’s why I haven’t gotten sick.”

Yes, he’d wondered. And now he had the answer. He looked, found Melina’s grim gaze, and she nodded. Then she shot an angry look at Nix.

“I
told
you to tell him.”

Betrayed. By two people he trusted. Most of all, by his mate.
Oh my God
.

“I’m sorry I pushed you,” Noah managed. “I won’t bother you anymore. I’m so sorry. I’ll just . . .”

“What does that mean? Noah!”

Turning on his heel, he ran. He had no clue where he was going, but he had to get away. Had to escape the crushing agony in his chest. Distantly, he heard people calling his name. But he didn’t stop. He ran all the way to his room, grabbed his wallet and the keys to his shitty little car, and was out again in less than fifteen seconds.

In one minute, he was tearing down the driveway toward the road leading away from the compound. He’d head into town, and from there? Who knew. Maybe he’d come back later, after things cooled off. Maybe not.

Right now, driving forever sounded really good.

Driving and never returning to the place where his mate had rejected him, maybe for the very last time.

“Noah! Noah, stop!”

But his sweet mate was already peeling down the driveway, and roared out of sight.

“Oh, God. I fucked up so bad.” Burying his hands in his hair, he looked around wildly. “I’ve got to go after him.”

“Yeah, you fucked up, you stupid asshole,” Aric snarled. “Why’d you have to be such a douche canoe?”

“I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Nix moaned, guts churning in misery. “But he knows how hard the public scene is for me. I’m learning, but lifelong shit that’s drilled into your skull doesn’t go away overnight!”

“Point. But man, you can’t go around lashing out at the one person who’s supposed to be your guiding light. Who’s supposed to mean more to you than anyone in the world. And you slammed him in front of
everybody
we fuckin’ know.”

“I know! Shit, what am I going to do?”

“Give him time to cool off, then call him on his cell. If he doesn’t answer, follow him into town. I’ll bet he ends up at the Grizzly drinking a beer or three.”

“I sure hope so.”

“Come on, let’s help clean up. Then you can call.”

A sense of dread told Nix he should call now. After Aric walked off, he tried several times, but each call went straight to Noah’s voice mail. Nix left messages, then finally gave up for a while and went to help the others.

Who wouldn’t speak to him.

He didn’t blame them one bit.

When they finished cleaning up the mess, Nix tried his mate’s cell phone again. To his relief, Noah answered. He could tell right way his angel had been crying.

“Look, you can stop calling, okay? I’m on my way into town, and I’m fine.”

“On your way? You should’ve been there a half hour ago. What happened?”

“My car died a few miles from Cody. But Lucius came along, and he stopped to give me a lift, so don’t worry about it.”

The dread returned full force. “Noah, I don’t want you anywhere near him! I don’t believe he’s changed, at least not enough for it to be safe to be alone with him.”

“He seems sincere, and I really want him to get to know me. For your sake, Nix. I honestly think we can all get along, even if he’s acting a little weird.”

The words hit Nix like sledgehammer between the eyes, and he nearly stumbled and fell. “Weird how?”

“I don’t know. There’s this hum of energy coming off of him, almost like he’s Fae. But not.”

“My father is
not
Fae. Get away from him, Noah! Right now! Are you in the car with him?”

“No, he’s looking under the hood and I’m in the car. Why?”

“Noah, baby,” he entreated. “There’s something very wrong. Get away from him, please, and stay on the phone. I’m on my way.”

“What? I—” There was a scuffle, and Noah’s voice was replaced by the one Nix feared.

“Hello, son. I’m going to take good care of your boy.”

The line went dead.

Yelling for his teammates, Nix ran for the hangar. Once there, he pressed the emergency button inside. Aric, Micah, Jax, and Kalen came running. Others followed, but they were closest.

“What’s going on?” Aric snapped.

“My father, Lucius Monroe. He’s dangerous, and he has Noah.”

Not another word needed to be said. They’d find him, but he prayed they wouldn’t be too late.

Only they didn’t. They found Noah’s car, standing empty by the side of the road, but no clues as to the other vehicle or which direction it had gone. Nick arrived on the scene and placed a call to his friend Sheriff Jesse Deveraux. The sheriff and a couple of deputies helped them scour town, but it seemed Noah and Lucius had vanished into thin air.

“Someone had to have seen them,” Micah said. “Something about this doesn’t feel right.”

Nick nodded. “I agree.” He placed another call to Jesse, then hung up. “Jesse’s going to have his deputies find your father’s hotel room and check it out. Let’s do one more sweep of the area, and if we don’t find anything we’ll have to go back until we figure out what the hell is going on.”

Fear liquefied Nix’s guts. He didn’t know which was worse—knowing his father had his mate, or imagining what could happen if they didn’t find them in time.

* * * 

Noah awoke on a cold stone floor, shivering. He was in some sort of barren room, which was smelly and dank. A basement, it seemed. When he tried to move, he found himself bound, hands behind his back, ankles tied.

What the hell had happened?

He remembered driving away from the compound, hurt and angry. That much hadn’t changed. Then his car had died in a lonely spot a few miles from town.

The man with the tats. Lucius Monroe. Nix’s father, but something seemed off about him.

If so, I’m in deep shit.

He’d seemed nice enough, making small talk and offering a ride into town. Noah had been so upset at that point, he’d gratefully accepted. Then he’d finally answered Nix’s call, and Nix was frantic. As soon as Nix had started yelling, the man had returned and got inside the car.

He’d turned to Noah, a malicious smile on his face. He’d taken the phone from Noah’s limp hand, waved a palm in front of Noah’s face.
And I went out like a light. He spelled me. So, he has some sort of power, too. Why did Nix claim he
doesn’t?

The door to the room creaked open, and heavy boot steps approached. There was no point in pretending sleep, so Noah struggled to sit up. Lucius crouched next to him, grinning.

“Have a nice nap?”

“Fuck you.”

“Maybe later. You’re quite a find, leaving your compound all alone and unprotected, especially with those new powers shining like a beacon. . .Halfling.”

He stared at the man. “How do you know about my new abilities? Which aren’t much of anything, by the way. So if that’s why you took me, you wasted your time.”

“Like I said, they’re a beacon. You’re more powerful than you think, and with a master like me to help you focus and channel them, you’ll be even stronger.”

“Well, you’re not mastering any part of me, so scratch that idea, fucker.”

“Oh, I think you’ll change your mind. I won’t even need to resort to violence to make you see my way of thinking.”

“Okay, I’ll bite,” he said, trying to keep the fear from his voice. “Why not?”

“Because I’m not Lucius Monroe,” he said, smiling. “I’m someone much, much more powerful than the pathetic human whose body I borrowed.”

The air around the man shimmered, and he changed. While the man was still tall, the bulk of muscle became slender. His facial features were refined, even gorgeous in a Goth way. He had black hair past his shoulders and catlike eyes. Every fingernail was tipped in black. He sort of reminded Noah of an evil version of Kalen.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, yes, your commander has met me, but we’ve not had the pleasure. My name is Jinn, and I’m an ancient Sorcerer of the Dark Arts. Some call me a genie, but that’s an oversimplification,” he scoffed. “I can change form to look like whoever or whatever I wish.”

“What did you do with Nix’s father?”

Jinn shrugged. “Unfortunately, the old man did not survive my borrowing his form. Such a shame, too, since he was very sincere about being a changed man. Ah, well, shit happens.”

“You fucking monster,” he whispered.

“I’ve been called worse.”

“And what do you want with me? I’m just a nurse,” he said shakily.

“No. You’re a Halfling with untapped power.” He ran a long, manicured black nail down the side of Noah’s cheek. “And you’re going to learn to love being my slave.”

“Get this straight—I’m not going to be your slave or anything else.”

Smirking, Jinn lifted his own wrist. Then he sliced a gash in it with a sharp, black fingernail. Blood welled on his skin,
thick and dark as wine. Noah shuddered in revulsion, rearing back when the Sorcerer held the wrist to Noah’s lips.

“What the hell? Get that away from me!”

“Drink.”

“No!” But his eyes caught Jinn’s and he froze.

Suddenly everything in him wanted that drink. Craved the offering. He realized the Sorcerer was compelling him to obey, and his heart wept as he bent his head and tasted the blood.

The flavor was a wicked detonation on his tongue. It was sheer, liquid fire that arrowed to his cock, hardening him instantly. He wanted more. Needed it. The Sorcerer’s free hand stroked the back of Noah’s head as he latched on to the wrist and drank deeply, taking his fill.

“There now,” Jinn crooned. “That’s nice, isn’t it?”

Yes. So delicious.

“You want more. Take what you want, whenever you want it—that’s the first rule of the Dark Arts.”

He did. God help him, he couldn’t stop even though his soul screamed at him that this was a betrayal of his mate.

“A betrayal?” The Sorcerer chuckled. “You mean of the mate who won’t even claim you? The one who humiliated and rejected you time and again?”

Tears streamed down Noah’s face. That was true, every word.

“Why would you want that weakling, who refuses to allow his wolf to claim you? He lost his right to you. And I’m here for you now.”

Noah’s arousal was almost unbearable. By the time Jinn detached his wrist from Noah’s grip, Noah was close to coming. The bastard knew this, and kept him wanting.

“Soon, pet. See, you’re already mine. We’ll make our union official soon enough. In the meantime, you’re ready to move someplace much more comfortable for the two of us.”

Jinn untied Noah’s ankles but left his arms bound behind his back. Then he led him, now unresisting, out of the dank room and upstairs to a bedroom—one with a large bed, where he tied Noah to the frame.

“Don’t worry, I’ll return soon.”

After Jinn was gone, Noah lay in the gathering darkness, confused. Heartbroken. The once-golden thread of his fledgling bond with Nix was paper-thin and black. Sticky, as though coated in tar.

Now that the Sorcerer wasn’t in the room, his head was clearer. But another session or two like that one, and he’d be the bastard’s slave no matter how hard he fought.

Oh, yeah. He was in so much fucking trouble.

Nix. Please, find me.

* * * 

Nix paced the conference room, aware that his friends’ earlier anger had morphed into worry and dread. He didn’t care about anything but getting his mate home safe and sound. Where Nix would spend the rest of his life making up for his horrible behavior.

Soon the sheriff strode in with Nick. He headed straight for Nix, expression grim. “I was told you’re not going to be sorry to hear this, but your father, Lucius Monroe, is dead. Probably since this morning, given the state of the body and the fact that the hotel manager in town had talked to him a few hours ago.”

Nix stared at him. He had to admit, a tiny part of him wondered if Noah had been right about the man changing for the better, and wanted to feel sad about his loss. But right now he had his mate to think about.

“Then . . . who kidnapped Noah? How the hell are we going to track him down?”

“I have the answer to that,” Nick said. “Everybody remember Jinn, the dark Sorcerer who got away from us? He killed Lucius and took his form, then kidnapped Noah to taunt us.”

“How do you know that? Did you see it in a vision?” Nix demanded.

The commander nodded. “Jinn has Noah. A Halfling like your mate would make the perfect slave for a creature like him, because he’s just come into his power and he’s malleable. Plus he’s been rejected, and Jinn will use that pain as a lever to take over Noah’s mind, get him on his side.”

Nix couldn’t comprehend the terrifying ramifications. “Christ, that’s what Noah meant when he told me on the phone that he sensed power coming from Lucius—only it was Jinn in disguise. We have to stop him. Do you know where he is?”

“No, but if you have a hairbrush or comb that belongs to Noah, Kalen can help track him. He needs something organic, like some hair.”

“He’s got something in my bathroom. I’ll get it.” Hoping against hope, he dashed for his quarters. By the time he returned with the hairbrush, Kalen was ready at the conference table.

Standing back, the others watched him work. The Sorcerer plucked a piece of blond hair from the brush and placed in in the middle of the table. Then he waved a palm over it, chanting a few words. In an instant, the hair vanished. Kalen stood silent for a moment, eyes closed. When he opened them again, he nodded.

“Got his location. Ready?”

The team assembled quickly, and was on the road in seconds. Nix rode in Kalen’s vehicle and wasn’t reassured by what the man was saying.

“You guys remember Jinn—I sure as hell do, since the bastard nearly killed me once. There’s no way you can battle him, so leave that to me. You guys spread out and find Noah.”

He didn’t have to repeat that order to Nix. As much as he longed to kill Jinn for touching his mate, even he wasn’t stupid enough to think he could battle a dark Sorcerer and survive.

The drive took less than a half hour, and they found themselves near an old, abandoned house that Jinn was apparently using as a base. They got out, the Pack fanning out around the house to do surveillance. From his position in the trees, Nix
could see that Jinn was the only one moving around. That wasn’t much consolation, considering the creature’s power.

Nick gave the signal and they moved in closer, tightening the net around the house. Nix slipped from window to window, determined to find his mate. And he finally spotted the slim, blond figure bound to a bed in a back room.

The sight enraged his wolf, and he wanted to kill the one who dared treat his mate this way. Who dared touch him.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the house. He knew Kalen had made his move, and the fight was on. Nix’s only job was to get Noah out of there, fast. Changing to wolf form, Nix ran full speed toward the window. He smashed through it, landing in the middle of the floor next to his mate.

“Nix! The ropes!”

Rushing over, he worked on the bindings with his teeth and claws. They were his best tools, but it still took precious minutes to get Noah untied. When he was finished, he led Noah to the window, urging him up. The noise from the battle was horrific, and smoke was beginning to fill the house.

“We have to get going,” Noah said urgently.