Saving Grace (13 page)

It felt good to be in wolf form. Grace felt her shoulders roll as she and the others crept through the woods. She didn’t know how to control her powers yet, but she had experienced them once before. It was pure raw emotion that cast her spell the first time. It had to be the source, passion for her pack, giving her talents their power.

First, she followed as they crept it a barn. The barn had rows and rows of cages with Lycan women in them. Anger boiled in her stomach.

A tiny Lycan woman went from cell to cell with a makeshift key, freeing her sisters. Grace saw each one of them had the thick silver collar around their neck. It enraged her. They were forced to be weakened. She remembered what had happened to her own wolf, being separated.

“Let them be free,” Grace said and at once, the collars fell off. The remainder of the cages unlocked and opened.

They all looked at her.

She shrugged. “I don’t know how it works. It just does.”

Three of the Lycans she came with led the others out of the building, back into the woods. She followed the others.

She heard the wolves. She heard the snarls and gashing of teeth.
Nala!
She shifted to wolf and ran toward the sound.

Jagger’s wolf was quite a bit larger than Nala’s. He nipped and bit at her. She was quick and had managed to take a few good chunks out of him, but he had a clear advantage.

Nala snarled, unwilling to let him win, to kill her or to harm her sisters anymore. It was obvious to anyone watching.

Grace heard something coming from the right and turned just in time to see a large black wolf coming at her. Sight, but mostly scent told her this wasn’t her pack. Pure instinct took over. She pulled back on her hind quarters and lunged, meeting the other wolf mid-air. Her teeth sunk into this throat and she shook her head, ripping the wolf’s throat from his body. The warm metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. She dropped the meat out of her mouth and looked around. There was fighting all around her.

The women were in such a weakened state, they were losing and fast.

She spotted a male, standing over a female in the same stance Grace had taken over Xander in the woods. It was a kill stance. She lunged forward, hitting him with her chest, knocking the wolf over.

He scrambled to his feet then charged her. She felt a sharp pain in her hind quarter as a wolf bit her. She spun around, limping, the pain in her hip making it difficult to lunge again. She didn’t care, she wasn’t going to lose the fight.

She grabbed the wolf’s snout with her teeth and bit down. The wolf yelped as she used a common wolf defense tactic and crushed his snout. When she heard his loud scream escape from his throat she released him, knowing she’d done her damage. He would never hurt another wolf again.

Jagger is the Alpha. This wouldn’t stop until he was dead.

*

Roman could feel it. The battle had started and they were at least ten minutes away, but her scent was strong. He could smell her and knew exactly which direction to take. He picked up the pace. Nothing could stop him.

They plowed through the woods, paws pounding against the earth.

Grace was hurt. She was scared and angry. Roman pushed harder to get to her.

Almost there, Grace. Almost there.

The smell of blood filled his nostrils. Lycan blood was spilling in large amounts. He looked over his shoulder at Xander’s silver wolf, which gave Roman an understanding look. The people they loved were in immediate danger. No matter how bad their muscles burned, they had to go faster.

It had been over twenty years since the last Lycan war. So many Lycans lost their lives needlessly. His stomach ached. His paws pounded harder and dug deeper as he moved faster through the woods. What if Grace died? What if she did something crazy? What if he was killed? Would she come back from it. He cursed himself for not closing the bond. For doubting what was in Grace’s nature and to just trust it.

He’d spent too much time trying to wrap her in bubble wrap. He didn’t listen enough. He didn’t listen to his wolf. He didn’t listen to her. He just tried to manage everyone and everything.

He swore to the Gods, if he was blessed with another chance with Grace, he wouldn’t screw it up. He’d be a model mate and treat her with some trust and respect instead of like a kitten who might be wounded or paw at the wrong Lycan…or Vampire.

She’d been kidnapped and injured, yet she was still fighting. She had protected Xander, even though the kid had been a total pain in the ass. She may have challenged Colin at first, but in the end, she reached his more vulnerable side.

Grace amazed him every time she had the chance. Hell, she’d taken to being a Lycan like it was old hat.

It was high time she took her title.

Grace fought her way closer to Jagger and Nala. Two males had jumped on her at once. One had a firm grip on her hind leg. He tore at it with his teeth while the other chomped down on the back of her neck. Grace nearly started to panic when her sisters-in-arms came to her aid.

Her body hurt everywhere. She’d already had broken ribs that hadn’t healed fully, not that it mattered. She’d been bitten numerous times and chunks of her flesh were missing. Her fur had been matted with blood, some of it hers.

She was now ten yards from Nala and Jagger. If she could just get closer.

“Almost there, Grace. Almost there.”
Roman’s voice brought her comfort, strength, and hope.

A small male had jumped on her back, biting the back of her neck. Grace shook hard to try and get him off, but he weighed too much, his grip too strong. She forced him to shift with her in his human form and dropped an elbow into his diaphragm. He let go.

She leapt to her feet and kicked him square in the balls twice, to ensure he’d stay off of her for a minute. She ran for Jagger and finally, touched his shoulder. He turned and started to bite her arm, before he shifted into his weaker, human form.

His eyes were wide with fear. He looked into her furious eyes.

Grace smiled back at him. “Die well.”

Nala leapt through the air and sunk her teeth into his throat, ripping it out as she landed behind him. His body bled out and twitched on the ground.

All fighting ceased in that moment.

Nala shifted back to human form and gasped for air. “Thanks, Princess. Quick thinking.” She stood and howled.

Grace nodded. She looked around amazed at what she saw. The men who had been fighting on Jagger’s behalf stood, looking confused at what to do now.

“I am your Alpha!” Nala yelled. “And I order you all to stop!”

“Grace!” Roman picked her up in the air lifting her feet off the ground and wrapped his arms around her.

She buried her face in his chest and sobbed in relief. His warmth enveloped her. She was safe, safe at last and in her mate’s arms.

She heard murmuring around her but didn’t care what was happening anymore. Roman’s lips were pressed on the top of her head. She could hear him breathing in her scent as if he didn’t believe it was her.

“A female cannot be Alpha. It has never been.” A man she didn’t recognize spoke.

Nala stormed up to him. “Who are you to tell us who is our pack’s Alpha? I’ve taken the life of the previous pack master and now, the position is rightfully mine!”

“My name is William Masters and I am the president of the High Council.” He postured, pulling his shoulders back and leering at Nala.

At five foot, nine inches, Nala was significantly shorter than William.

“Your Council has no authority here.”

“Sir, I think we should take this back to the council and discuss it there, you know, a more diplomatic approach?” Roman suggested.

William nodded. “There’s been enough turmoil here for now.”

Nala took a few steps back and addressed her pack. “I want Jagger’s cronies round up. They are to be escorted from the grounds. They will never have a home here again. If they put up a fight…kill them.”

The Lycan’s rallied and screamed around their new Alpha female.

“Can we go home? Please tell me we can go home.” Grace hugged Roman’s arm.

“Soon.”

“Mother!” Xander ran past them to Michelle, who emerged from the darkness. He picked her up and twirled her around.

“Mind taking this off of me, son?” She pointed at her collar.

Xander popped the collar free.

Grace looked up at Roman and smiled. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

He gave her a puzzled look and nodded.

She led him over to Michelle. “This is Xander’s mother, the one he’s been so worried about.”

“Roman,” he said, holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure. Xander is a fine young Lycan.”

“Michelle,” she said with a tearful smile.

“She’s also my mother,” Grace added with a weary smile.

“What?” Xander looked back and forth between Michelle and Grace.

Roman patted Xander on the back. “Colin and I had suspected as much. Well, that she was alive, not that you two were siblings.”

“So where are my cool powers?” He looked at Michelle with a furrowed brow.

Michelle looked at her son. “Your mind son. You’ve always had special skills with technology. As far as magic goes, I’m afraid you won’t have what Grace does. Her father and I both carried the gene.”

“And my father was a piece of shit rapist.” His shoulders slumped and he gazed at the dirt.

“That’s not your fault,” Grace offered.

“It does explain what was up with you two though,” Roman said with a chuckle. “You two bicker a lot. Just like siblings.”

Xander and Grace looked at each other and shrugged. It was true, they annoyed the shit out of each other, but when push came to shove, Grace’s instinct was to protect him.

“Your other children?” Grace’s mouth fell slack. She had half-siblings out there somewhere.

“I’m afraid I never did bond with them. You were my first born, Grace. Xander was my second. The others, well, they were just a product of my situation. I tried to love them. I did care for them but something was just…missing.” Michelle looked at her feet.

Grace left Roman’s side and put her arms around her mother. “Listen, I haven’t seen you since I was very small. I have spent my life thinking you were dead. Please don’t waste what precious time we have with guilt. Your children will find their mates, they will find packs if they haven’t already, and they will find the love they deserve. It’s not your fault or theirs, it was the sick bastard that did this to all of you.”

Michelle squeezed Grace a little tighter. “I can’t believe how beautiful you are. I still remember my little pup with pigtails.”

Roman laughed. “That I’d like to see.”

William put his hand on Roman’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear.

“I’ll be back in a moment.”

Grace was tired. A shower, her bed, and Roman by her side was all she desired.

“Your father?” Michelle asked.

Grace shook her head. “I’m sorry, as far as I can tell he is actually gone.”

Michelle nodded. “He was a good mate. I felt it when he died, I just suspected it was something Jagger had done to me.”

Grace’s stomach turned. She could not imagine the horror that had been her mother’s life.

Roman and the others started piling up the Lycan corpses. There were many. The women did not complain as they started to dig the communal grave. Perhaps it was an unspoken relief their abusers were now gone that the women found their strength.

Nala had picked a Beta and set to work getting her pack business in order. As badly as Grace wanted to go home, she and Roman had asked permission to stay behind and help. Nala had reluctantly agreed.

Within two days, the barn had been emptied of its cages. All silver and wolfsbane had been removed from the property. The women were starting to smile more and cower less as the reminders of the cruelty they endured was destroyed or removed.

“Don’t worry, Princess. We are resilient.” Nala patted her on the back. “I can see the stress on your face.”

Grace nodded. “There has been so much damage, I can’t even wrap my head around it.”

Nala furrowed her brow. “I’m thankful you only took a beating. You don’t have the memories of an alpha commanding you to orgasm against your will. I think that, above all else, created a lot of unnecessary shame for my sisters.”

Grace crossed her arms over her chest. “Nala, your being Alpha, that’s going to shake things up, right?”

She nodded. “Seems I’m the first.”

“I’m going to distract them by shaking things up further. How would you like an ally?” Grace’s head spun with ideas.

Nala’s eyes narrowed. “That sounds interesting, though running a successful pack will be my first priority.”

“And I think I have a solution that might work for everyone.” Before Nala could ask more questions, Grace turned on her heel and bolted from the cabin. Being in close proximity to the very room she had been held captive was nauseating and distracting her from her brilliant idea.

She went to the fence, where Roman worked with Xander to make repairs, and remove the barbed wire.

“There she is!” Roman kissed Grace the moment she was close enough.

“I think it’s time to go home.” She didn’t pose a question, she stated a fact.

He was beginning to learn when the princess put her mind to task, there was no changing it. He smiled, warm thoughts of sweaty bodies wrapped in sheets dancing through his head. “Sounds good to me.”

“Can, uh, my mother come with us?”

Roman scowled. “Did you think you even had to ask?”

Grace felt arms hugging her from behind. “Thank you!” Xander said into her hair.

She patted his arm. “If you don’t let go, I’m going to throw you over my back.”

He laughed and let go, wiping his eyes as he walked away.

Roman considered his mate. “You’re up to something.”

Grace nodded. “If I weren’t so exhausted, I’d be bouncing up and down.”

He chuckled. “And I have a feeling you’re not going to let me in on whatever it is until you’re ready.”

“Damned straight,” she put her arms around his neck, “and if you don’t support me, I’ll turn you into a girl.”

Roman’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t!”

*

Roman drove Xander, Grace, and Michelle home to their pack property. Michelle was greeted by the pack elders that remembered her. Instantly her demeanor changed.

“Wow,” Grace shook her head in disbelief at the instant transformation in her mother.

“Yes, a Lycan has been returned to her pack. She feels whole again. I’m sure being reunited with two of her children has helped also.” Roman put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed.

“Michelle,” Grace said, “I, uh, mean, Mom?”

Michelle looked at Grace, “It’s okay to take your time and call me Michelle for a while. We’re practically strangers.”

“Wendy is Colin’s sister. She sort of runs the house here. She’ll get you set up with a room. Tomorrow, we’ll go into town and get you some clothes.”

Wendy rushed over. “Don’t worry, hon, I have some things that will fit you for now.” She took Michelle upstairs.

Grace looked at Roman, “I’m going to take a shower. When you get cleaned up, please come to my room.”

He nodded and smiled. He watched her practically run up the stairs.

“Why is our princess in such a rush?” Colin put a hand on Roman’s shoulder.

Roman looked at his Alpha. “I have a feeling we need to brace ourselves. Grace has something in her head and, well, my experience is there is no stopping her once she gets started.”

Colin nodded. “Maybe this means I get to step down as Alpha.”

Roman smiled. “Not that I want to dethrone you, but I like what it means for me.”

“I’m happy to step down, Roman. Especially since it means you’ll be mated.” Colin patted Roman on the back. “I, uh, called Tiffany and let her know you guys had made it back. She’s been very worried about Grace.”

“Those two certainly bonded in a short amount of time.”

Colin snickered. “Maybe you’ll have two mates.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Great, two alpha women in my life. That’s all I need.” He laughed. “I’d better go get cleaned up. I don’t want to keep her waiting.”

Roman went to his room, stripped down and stepped into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. Grace had a bond with him but it wasn’t sealed. It was still weak and it was a one way road. But he’d heard her thoughts. Something was different where the princess was concerned. They shouldn’t have been able to make that connection. Bonding would mean complete access to each other’s thoughts and feelings. It was Lycan nature, but still a monumental step to take in any relationship. His relationship with Grace was still relatively new.

He shook off his concerns, soon he’d understand why all this was happening. Stepping into the shower, he scrubbed himself quickly and rinsed off.

Once dried he slipped on a pair of pajama pants and headed to Grace’s room. When he knocked on the door, it opened.

She stood wearing nothing but a towel, hair dripping wet. She grabbed him by the waistband and pulled him in her room. He swung the door closed behind him.

“Are you going to tell me what you’re so excited about?”

“Only the part you need to know right now.” She gave him a wicked smile.

“Oh?”

Roman’s heart thundered in his chest. He knew the little vixen had a plan and he was only part of it. He didn’t care. Not right now.

She dropped her towel. His cock immediately reacted.

“I did something by accident,” she confessed. “I don’t know what got into me that night, but the week I was away, I regretted not completing it. There is no doubt in my mind you are supposed to be my mate. I know it, my wolf knows it and you know it.”

“I do,” he confessed.

“So I want to make love. I want to bond and I want to be mated to you forever.”

He took her by the hands and led her to the bed. He sat her down and took a seat next to her, holding her hands. “Grace, this cannot be undone. There isn’t divorce in the Lycan world. Once this bond is sealed, we’ll move heaven and earth for each other. We’ll feel like we can’t breathe if something happens to the other. This is very serious.”

She released his left hand, reached up and caressed his face.

“Roman, my ribs were broken, more than once. I know I had a punctured lung. My leg was broken. My arm was dislocated. I was starving and dehydrated and I’m more than certain I had a concussion. But the only thing that truly hurt me, was being without you. The only real pain I felt, was the fear I’d never have you again, never hold you. It hurt worse than the broken bones, the bangs and bruises. I know it in my heart this is what I want.”

He stood, scooped her up and laid her on the bed. He came to rest beside her, running his hands up and down her body. All of his doubts about her feelings for him, all of the questioning, suddenly gone. She wanted him and said as much. She wanted him for eternity.

“You are the most magnificent creature I have ever seen.” He placed his lips on hers, but only slightly. The kisses are gentle, sweeping. His mate had been hurt and it tore at his heart.

His chest tightened as all of the love he felt for her bubbled to the surface. He let himself go, rolling over, holding his weight off of her. Resting on his elbows as they kissed, Grace moaning into his mouth.

He trailed his kisses down her throat, between her breasts, lingering around her belly.
One day my pups will grow here.
Roman placed his tongue next to her navel and took his time teasing her skin from there to her slit. She was panting by the time his lips brushed her swollen bud.

She fisted the sheets as he worked to please her. He watched her face, her eyes closed, and her bottom lip tucked under her teeth.

He wanted to bring her there, to her peak. He slipped a finger in, then two, and massaged until he found her sweet spot.

He ignored the throbbing of his own cock and watched his love’s face as he brought her to the precipice. Grace pulled on the sheets and writhed below him before she clutched his head and screamed.

She opened her eyes and the violet in them illuminated the room. She had the most beautiful Lycan eyes he had ever seen.

He kissed his way back up her body and she trembled below him. He ached to be buried deep inside his mate, to feel her sheath him with every warm, wet inch of herself.

His lips met hers is a gentle kiss. His tongue brushed her bottom lip before he slid his cock inside her.

She cried out.

He could die hearing that sound. He could slip into oblivion, uncaring, with the sound of her pleasure forever playing in his mind.

She turned her head, revealing her neck to him. His canines extended. He kissed her neck and nuzzled into it as he pushed into her, burying himself, filling her with every inch of him.

His heart thundered in his chest before he pierced the skin of her neck, ever so slightly. He licked the blood trickling from her wound.

He stiffened, his entire body rigid. An explosion of color, raw emotions and pictures flooded his mind. He felt every raw nerve Grace possessed. Fear of not bonding properly with him had plagued her. Stress and worry about starting a relationship with her mother had her in knots.

Then there was the love she felt for Roman. It was deep, emotional, and intense. It made his chest tighten and his eyes well up with tears. She was in love with him more than she let on. It had frightened her.
If only I’d known.

“If only I had known.”
She repeated in his mind.
“Are you getting these memories too?”

No sooner had the words finished echoing through his mind, then images and voices from the past started pouring in.

It was a foreign experience but one that seemed best defined by Xander’s explanation of a download. His memories, his mind, his very being was being swallowed by the distant past.

“Roman,” she whispered. “You’re eyes are like mine.”