The Mating Intent-mobi (23 page)
Read The Mating Intent-mobi Online
Authors: Bonnie Vanak
“Your alpha has no patience.”
“He wants his female.” Kyle glanced at him. “Can’t blame him for being antsy. Waiting a whole month longer?”
Tristan raised his dark brows.
A month is but a blink of time when you watched hundreds of years pass.
What would you have done in my place, Aiden Mitchell, if you had to wait 1700 years for your love to be reborn, as mine was?
The pair saw him and stopped talking. The female Lupine paled upon seeing him. She tipped her hat low on her forehead and raced out of the corral, heading for her truck.
Red-faced, Aiden strode toward him. The Mitchell pack alpha looked angry enough to tear him apart with his bare hands. Aiden was strong enough to do it, too.
“Whoa, time to leave.” Kyle jumped down and headed off.
Tristan waved a hand and the tub of popcorn vanished. He climbed down from the fence.
“You son of a bitch, are you back here to stake your claim on Nikita? Nikita is mine, mine! I’ll win her at the mating challenge and you’ll never get your hands on her.” Aiden growled at him.
But that one is not Nikita, Tristan thought, watching the female Lupine drive away in her truck, dust kicking up beneath the tires.
She is the imposter.
He calmly faced the pack alpha. “You may win the leader of the Blakemore pack’s hand. But are you winning the one who claims your heart? The female you truly desire?”
Dropping his hands, Aiden blinked and looked confused. “You said Nikita belonged to you and would surrender her virginity to you. You told me, you fucking silver-tongued bastard, that it was her destiny.”
“I did. But is it Nikita you truly desire?”
Now Aiden looked angry. “Stop talking in riddles. She is the leader of the Blakemore pack.”
Tristan gave a mysterious smile. “Is she the true leader? Think what you wish. Return to your training, Aiden. You will need your strength.”
Aiden grabbed his arm. “Not so fast. You’re not leaving here until you level with me. If I win the mating challenge, are you claiming her or will she be mine?”
“Do Not Touch.” Tristan glanced down and sent a current of power shooting into Aiden’s hand. The Lupine winced and shook his arm.
The Silver Wizard regarded Aiden. “If you win the mating challenge, the female you desire will surrender her virginity to you. She will be your mate, to rule at your side.”
Relief smoothed the big alpha’s face. He rubbed his black beard. “Now you talk sense.”
“But she will not be Nikita.”
“Godsdammit!” Aiden fisted his hands. “Talking with you is like trying to assemble a bike with instructions in Chinese!”
He took pity on the male and put a hand on his shoulder. Aiden instantly calmed. “I cannot tell you now, but know that things will work out as they are meant to be. You will have your heart’s desire.”
And I will claim mine, and she will give her innocence to me. I have waited long enough. The prophecy will come true at last.
He waved a hand and vanished, materializing on a wide branch of a shady live oak tree. His long legs dangling in the air, the Silver Wizard surveyed cattle grazing on the Mitchell ranch spread. It was a good place for Aiden to raise a family.
A wry smile touched his mouth. Gideon materialized and sat beside him.
“You almost fucked that one up, Tristan. If you had told Aiden…”
“But I did not. And he will prove his love, as Gabriel has proven his love for Sienna.”
A gray squirrel approached, twitching its tail as it neared them. Waving his hand, Tristan conjured a fistful of peanuts. He held one out. The squirrel scampered closer, then snatched it from his hand and began to eat.
“You are far too fond of your charges, Tristan. Too lenient. You are the judge and guardian of the Wylding shifters, not their friend.”
At 3,000 years old, Gideon was his senior. But though the Crimson Wizard’s words rang true, Tristan knew Gideon was far too cynical and harsh.
Time would do that to you.
He held out another peanut to the squirrel.
“I like shifters. Is there any harm in enjoying the company of the ones whose fate you guard?”
“No, but getting close and intimate dissolves one’s impartiality, Tristan.”
He knew Gideon had once loved a mortal woman and lost her. It had been many hundreds of years ago and the experience left the Crimson Wizard jaded, with a sarcastic sense of humor Tristan shared.
But he did not share his friend’s cynicism regarding love and friendship.
“I am impartial in all things, Gideon.”
“Do not risk your heart, Tristan. It will shatter.”
He frowned and turned from the squirrel to Gideon. “Whatever do you reference?”
“The Blakemore Lupine. I know your blood runs hot for her and you will do anything to bed her.”
Tristan’s silver blood now ran cold. “And your point is? I am not forbidden from having a Lupine for a lover. Nor am I forbidden from procreating with her. She is the one destined for me.”
“But you must realize that a lover cannot become a love. You cannot be a judge of others and a member of the Brehon and give your heart to a shifter, even one you are destined to impregnate.” Gideon’s deep blue gaze turned hard as diamonds. “It would be like a god falling in love with a human. It will never last and you will violate your vow as a Guardian. Are you prepared to end your existence if you sacrifice your duties for love?”
For the first time in his 1,700 years, Tristan felt a tiny flicker of fear. “I will not interfere.”
“But you already have by telling him Nikita will lose her virginity to you and he can never claim her heart. Aiden thinks he desires Nikita. He does not realize he wants Nia, her identical twin sister who masquerades as Nikita.”
Tristan shrugged. “I am playing games with Aiden. It is good to test his willingness to fight for his true love.”
Gideon frowned. “I have no qualms about your tricks. It is amusing to see you, what is the saying? Push the buttons of the Wylding shifters like Aiden. But you must never fall in love, my friend.” He gave Tristan a level look. “Fulfill the prophecy and get a son on her, but do not fall in love.”
Tristan held out the last peanut to the squirrel, which now ate out of his hand. He began stroking its fur, enjoying its happy chatter. “You are a friend, Gideon, but what I choose to do is not your business. So, as the Skins say, butt out.”
The Crimson Wizard’s eyes turned bright red. He said nothing, but flicked a finger. A bolt of red energy shot from his finger and hit the squirrel. The creature tumbled off the branch and lay still on the ground.
Tristan’s stomach roiled at the mindless violence, but he showed no emotion, knowing Gideon would call it a victory. His mouth curled in a cold smile. “Well, there is one less squirrel who has to worry about gathering nuts.”
Gideon narrowed his now blue eyes. “Take care, Tristan, lest you lose everything you’ve gained since your ascension to the council. Do not lose your head, nor your heart. You are forewarned.”
With a hand wave, the Crimson Wizard vanished.
Tristan pushed off the branch and landed on his feet. He knelt by the dead squirrel and gathered his powers. With a gentle finger, he touched the squirrel, sending currents of bluish-silver energy into its body.
“Come on, little one,” he coaxed.
The squirrel opened its eyes and then rose to all fours, shaking its tail. It approached Tristan. Probably looking for more peanuts. Probably thinking Tristan was its friend because he’d fed him and given him back life.
But he was no true benefactor, only a judge and guardian of shifters. Gideon was right. His duties as a member of the Brehon came first. Those who did grow close to him would suffer for it. His chest squeezed tight.
He had no real friends.
“Go away,” he muttered.
The squirrel remained still, searching his face with bright and hopeful eyes.
“I said go away!” He picked up a pebble and chucked it at the squirrel. When the squirrel drew near, Tristan summoned his powers and flicked a bolt of raw energy at the squirrel’s feet.
It got the message and raced away with a frightened squeal.
It was much better this way. Better to push aside all those who wanted to draw close. Better to display his power and frighten the living lest they end up dead because he called them friend.
But as he stood and dusted off his black trousers, he wondered if the damned loneliness would ever cease.
If you enjoyed this book, look for others in my Werewolves of Montana series.
Book 4.5: The Mating Intent
Book 5: The Mating Challenge, Aiden’s story, coming soon.
Book 6: The Mating Season, Tristan’s story, coming soon.
Book 7: The Mating Game, Gideon’s story, coming soon.
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The Mating Intent
Copyright © 2014 by Bonnie Vanak
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