The Shadow Wolf (19 page)

Gone was the laughter and the shining joy. Jennifer and Jillian were two solemn toy soldiers, dressed alike in blue short sets. Their spines ramrod straight, they did not speak.

Megan squatted before them. “Hey, sweeties.”

They greeted her politely. Her heart sank. “Why aren't you playing?”

Jennifer's lower lip trembled as she squeezed Jillian's hand. “Gramma and Paw Paw told us we can't play unless we're being supervised. No more hide-and-seek. They said we shouldn't ever use our magick. They said Shadows aren't normal.”

Patting their hands, she went to find her mate.

“Gabriel.” Megan plucked at his leather sleeve, urging him to follow her. At a discreet vantage point, she gestured to the girls. “I know things aren't right between us, but this is important. Look at the girls. They're afraid to move out of fear of displeasing your parents.”

His eyes narrowed. “What about my parents?”

“They told them that Shadows aren't normal.” She plucked at the pretty dress. “The girls escaped discrimination on the island only to be treated just the same here. It will never change.”

He took a long, hard look at her, then the twins. Gabriel's mouth tightened. He set down his beer and took her hand. “C'mon.”

When they reached his brothers, he dropped her hand and gave Alexandre a long, level look. “Alex,
mon frère.
Do me a favor. Take the twins and get them far away from here.”

Etienne choked on a sip of beer. “Say what?”

Gabriel ignored him, folding his arms across his broad chest. “Don't let them feel like they can never measure up just because they're Shadow. Promise me that, Alex. I can't bear for them to be treated like I was. Or make the same mistakes I made and cost more lives like Simone and Amelia.”

Alex's blue eyes narrowed. “Gabe, what the hell you talking about?”

Gabriel gestured to the silent twins. “Look at them. They were overjoyed to be with you last night. Kids having fun. Now our parents are turning them into shadows of themselves. Ironic, huh? They don't like Shadows and Jilly and Jenny will pay the price.”

Alex studied the girls. “Damn. It's happening all over again.”

“I already caused you to lose Simone and Amelia. Don't lose them, too.”

The twins' father said something that sounded like a Cajun curse. “I've told you again and again, Gabe, it wasn't your fault.”

“It was. You had something good and honest and pure, and I took it all away from you. Because I was arrogant. I could have hidden Deke away in another safe house. But I didn't. I brought him here, to our house.”

His voice dropped to the whisper of dead water. “I wanted all of you to see me as heroic because I personally saved a Shadow. I thought it might wipe out your fear of my Feral side. And Simone and Amelia paid the price.”

Raphael looked stunned. Grief twisted Alexandre's face while Etienne and Damian stared.

“You never told us, Gabe. I never imagined you felt like this. Why didn't you tell us?” Raphael rubbed the back of his neck. “
Merde,
why have you kept this from us all this time?”

“You didn't kill them,” Alexandre said quietly. “Logan's son did.”

Gabriel looked impassive. He pushed back at a fallen lock of his hair. “I was responsible.”

“I couldn't tell, man, you never let on how you felt. Why didn't you tell us?” Raphael seemed like a scratched CD, repeating the same line over and over.

He said nothing. Then Alexandre nodded slowly. “Because you never let on about anything, do you? All you ever do is smile or echo our emotions when something bad happens, when it's acceptable to be sad or angry because we feel the same. You've always hidden yourself away. Like the day you were left behind. You waved goodbye as if nothing were wrong.”

Raphael stared at Gabriel. Grief etched his younger brother's expression. “I looked up to you, man, I idolized you. You were the one who kept me together, the one who was always calm and collected. And now I'm finding out I never knew you all along?”

“Guess not. Things can get a little hairy with me.”

“Stop it,” Raphael burst out. “Just stop it, Gabe, goddammit! Always with the damn jokes, the act!”

“Would you rather see me turn Feral? Megan has. I'd say she'd rather have the jocularity.”

She couldn't let this drag on a minute more. “No, I wouldn't. I'd rather see you as you are, Gabriel. Angry. Sad. Happy. I care only about you.”

Gabriel gave her a wary look, but she took his face between her palms.

“All of you. Not just the part you show to the world. I'll never let go, no matter what. Understand? I don't care what your brothers think, what your family thinks. I care about you, whoever, whatever you are. I'm with you all the way.”

He gave her a solemn look. “All the way, Megan? Enough to bond fully with me and exchange powers? Would you see yourself become a Trans-Feral, because that's what will happen.”

A small fear flowered as she recalled the glowing red eyes,
the blood dripping from his talons. “I'm not going to lie, Gabriel. I am afraid, but I'm more afraid of losing you.”

Gabriel gave a small, but very honest smile. Hope filled her. Maybe they could start over.

“I'll take the girls away tomorrow,” Alex decided. “Thanks, Gabe. I guess I was too blind before to see it, and too blind now.”

Her mate mock-punched his brother in the arm. “Are you too blind for a quick game of football?”

Raphael's face cracked into a reluctant smile. “You two are slower than a tortoise. Easy game.”

“And you're too busy tripping over your own feet,” Etienne mocked.

Megan laughed, glad the camaraderie had been restored. She headed to her abandoned plate of crayfish as the game began.

Her mate raced backward to toss the ball. She sat on a chair, hungrily tracking him as smooth muscles flexed. The tight jeans hugged his taut ass. Gabriel caught her staring and winked.

Blushing, she sat back.

They could make it. She felt certain of it.

And then all her hopes were crushed like seashells beneath a steamroller.

I
n the midst of the game, Tristan materialized. He caught the ball and squeezed. It deflated instantly.

Her heart pounded hard as the Immortal paced toward her. Gabriel wiped his brow and raced to her side as his family drifted over, looking bewildered. He snapped an order for the women to hustle the children into the house. Looking scared and uncertain, Jenny and Jillian went with the others.

“What the hell are you doing here, Phoenix? No one invited you,” Gabriel demanded.

“I'm here for Megan.”

Pulse racing, she shrank back as Gabriel snarled. “You promised not to turn her or the twins over.”

Tristan laid a hand on Gabriel's wide shoulder. “I made the promise not to turn Megan or twins over to Enforcers. I never promised I would not take Megan back to Shadow Island.”

The Phoenix studied her with his piercing cold eyes. “If you come with me, Megan, the girls may remain with their father.”

“That's what you wanted all along, isn't it? You want to bring me back to Shadow Island, to face punishment and banishment.” She stepped back, her heart racing in panic.

They would beat her, then dump her in isolation. She would never be among another living being again, but spend her days alone. It was the worst torture for a Shadow.

“No.” Gabriel stepped forward, pushed Tristan out of the way. “Take me.”

His gaze never left Megan. “Leave her alone, and make your promise to include giving Megan her freedom forever, and the twins to remain with Alex. Honor the pledge I made to you, Phoenix. Fair trade.”

Tristan seemed oblivious to the loud protests, and Gabriel's brothers, who looked like they would strangle the Phoenix. “It is a fair trade,” he said slowly. “I will honor it.”

“Gabriel, what promise? The one you made to him back at the house?” Megan asked.

He took hold of her trembling, clammy palms. “The promise I made when I was ten, Megan. Tristan wanted to lock me up for good. He released me on one condition. He said when the time came for him to take someone I cared about, he would let them go if I finally went to prison. A fair exchange.”

“You can't do this.” She turned to Tristan. “Lock him inside a demon prison until he dies!”

“He's a dangerous Trans-Feral and the prison at Donaldson is the only facility that can effectively contain savages like him.” The Phoenix's face was harsh, his tone impartial.

“He's no more savage than you and I,” she insisted. “No one taught him to curb his powers when he was growing up. Everyone was too afraid of him.”

“Are you not afraid of him, Megan? A Trans-Feral who would tear you to pieces?”

“He'd never hurt me. He's been nothing but gentle to me and the twins. He's only a danger to his enemies.”

“And yet you called him a monster.” The Phoenix's tone was gentle.

Ashamed, she looked away.

Tristan snapped heavy silver handcuffs on Gabriel. Her mate flinched as the metal touched his wrists. She felt his pain and knew these were no ordinary handcuffs, but burned his skin and kept his magick suppressed.

“No,” she whispered. “Don't do this to him.”

The Phoenix ignored her. She turned to Gabriel's parents, who stood by in mute shock. “You can't let him do this. Do you know what they'll do to him in there? They'll torture him, he'll die! Please, help me! Stop this.”

But they remained immobilized. Tears blurred her vision. Her entire body shaking, Megan flung her arms around Gabriel. “You're not taking him,” she screamed at Tristan. “I won't let you.”

“Megan.” Gabriel's voice was soft. “C'mere,
chère.
”

Broken, she faced him. He lifted his cuffed hands and cupped her face, gently wiping away her tears with his thumbs. “Look at me, Megan. It'll be okay. This was meant to happen a long time ago. It was inevitable.”

“I won't let you go,” she choked out.

“You must.” He kissed her mouth and whispered into it. “Go with Rafe and Em. They'll keep you safe. That's all I care about now, you and the twins, and Alex will never let anything happen to them. I want you to live.”

Not without you. Never without you.
“I love you, Gabriel, I've always loved you, but I was too stubborn to tell you. Please, don't leave me.”

Tristan pulled him away. “Time to go.”

“No,” she screamed.

Gabriel glanced at the Kallan. “Take care of her, Rafe. I'm entrusting her to you.” He gave her a tender look. “Love you,” he whispered.

Then Tristan waved his hand and they vanished.

She screamed, falling to the ground. Her chest hurt, her stomach did a sickening spin. Megan wept, and then scrubbed at her face, letting the anger take over.

Standing, she glared at his parents and lifted an accusing finger. “This is my fault, but it's your fault, too. All he ever wanted was to be normal and accepted. And you were too afraid of him, couldn't work past your fear, to make him feel that way.
You drove him into prison. All of you. I hope you rot in hell for what you've done to my Gabriel.”

Remy looked stricken as Celine began to sob uncontrollably. As Remy led his mate into the house, Raphael rubbed the back of his neck. “Megan, come inside.”

She told him to do something nasty in Cajun French. His eyes widened. She braced herself for the retribution. Instead, he sighed.

“We'll work this out…”

“No, we won't. I'm going after him.” She dusted the fertile Louisiana soil off her shaking hands. “Where is this prison in Donaldson? Take me there.”

Raphael gave her a level look. “No.”

“Fine. I'm going myself. I'll find it.” She had no money, no resources, but hadn't she escaped from Shadow Island? “Just stay out of my way.”

“I can't take you there.” Raphael heaved a deep breath. “I promised Gabe I'd keep you safe.”

“But I didn't,” Etienne ventured. “I can take you there, but it won't do any good. We have to try something.”

“We can break him out,” Damian offered.

Raphael shook his head. “I've been there. No way can an ordinary Draicon get out of there. You'll die trying. I'm Immortal, let me do it.”

“And you have a pregnant mate you need to protect.” Etienne shook his head. “I'm the eldest. I'll do it.”

“We will,” Damian and Indigo chimed in.

“I owe him one for my beautiful girls.” Alexandre's eyes narrowed. “Rafe, you said no Draicon can break out. But Gabriel isn't an ordinary Draicon.”

Raphael's dark eyes widened. “Damn, you're right. But even one Trans-Feral can't take on the Crimson demons guarding the prison.”

“What about two?”

The men turned to look at her.

“Two Trans-Ferals would give him a fighting chance,” Raphael said slowly.

Indigo shook his head. “If only there was another Trans-Feral in existence.”

Megan's heart raced. “Not yet. But there will be after I get into his cage.”

Damian frowned. “How can you…” His green eyes widened. “The mating lock.”

Sweat beaded her brow as she clenched her hands. “It's the only way.”

She was still partly afraid of what Gabriel was. But every cell cried out for her mate.

Megan looked at Etienne. “Take me to him.”

His brother glanced at the sky. “Tomorrow. It's not safe now. Tomorrow, when the sun is high, I'll do it.”

 

Clad only in a pair of cut-off jeans, Gabriel sat inside the silver cage. His arms wrapped around himself, he constantly shivered.

Every time a demon neared, his Feral side took over. The constant ping-ponging of the transition was taking its toll.

Seeing a demon walk toward the cage with his dinner, Gabriel fled for the sheltered part of his cage. The “house” was private, surprisingly comfortable and spacious with room enough for him to stand upright, as if to encourage him to remain in human form. It had a wide bed, a small kitchenette with table and chairs, nightstand with a good reading lamp, a separate bathroom and shower. Even some of his precious books had been transported here.

Luxury for a prison.

Then again, considering how long he'd be here…

Suddenly a delicate scent of flowers filled his senses. Weary,
he lifted his head and inhaled. Gabriel peeked outside the shelter, suppressing his Feral half by sheer will.

No one was in sight as the demon shoved in a bowl of bloody entrails inside his cage, then closed and locked the door.

The fragrance lingered. Drew closer.

Naked, Gabriel sat on the bed, his heart beating furiously. Daring to hope, afraid to think the impossible.

Megan materialized before him. She wore the turquoise floral dress he'd bought her.

Fearing he had hallucinated, he closed his eyes until two warm, soft hands cupped his face.

“You're not dreaming. I'm here, Gabriel.” She kissed him.

Oh, it was the softest satin, this kiss. Megan's scent flooded his nostrils. Gabriel remained still, drinking in her mouth, not wanting the dream to end.

Then she took his lower lip between her teeth and bit lightly. Mischief glowed in her beautiful blue eyes as he regarded her.

“Megan?” He wrapped his fingers around her slim wrists. His heart burst with joy, then reality set in. Gabriel looked around grimly.

“You have to get out before they discover you're here and lock you up for good.”

“I'm not leaving.” She turned up her face to him. “Call it my right to a conjugal visit. I want to make love with you, Gabriel. Achieve a mating lock and become what you are.”

“No. I can't allow it. You have to leave.”

“Breaking in is easier than breaking out. If I have your powers, we can both break free. Make me Trans-Feral, Gabriel. It's the only way you can protect me in here.”

Hissing, he pushed a hand through his rumpled hair. “I can't make you what I am.”

“I want you to.”

Sincerity shone in her shining blue eyes. “And when I do, I'm shifting into a Trans-Feral and we're breaking out of here.”

“You would do this for me? A monster?” He traced the fragile bones of her face with a wondering finger.

“Not a monster. My mate, who is loyal and brave and sacrificed himself for me.” She took his fingers, kissed them one by one. “Can you ever forgive me for saying those terrible things to you?”

“I already have,” he said solemnly. “I need to know, Megan. Why did you react that way when I'd already warned you?”

As she confessed about her nightmare, he listened. Gabriel slid a palm over her nape and caressed her scarred skin. “I wish I could have taken those dreams from you. Why didn't you tell me before?”

“I was afraid it would make the dream more real.” Megan leaned against him. “Now my worst nightmare is never seeing you again, never being with you. Not having your acceptance.”

“You have more than that. You have my heart.”

It was comforting and yet terrifying seeing her trapped here with him. The cage was a haven and a curse. “It's like us,” he realized slowly. “We've both struggled for years to be free and not have our own people fear us, but now we can't hide from what we truly are.”

“But together we can stand strong. Then nothing will knock us down.”

He took her hands and kissed them. Gabriel gave her a wry look. “I'm dressed for the occasion, but I need a shower. C'mon.”

Megan shivered as he gently undressed her. The bathroom in his cage was surprisingly large. A shower in one corner took up half the room. He stepped into the glass enclosure, herding her before him.

Jets of warm water cascaded over them. Gabriel lifted his face to the refreshing spray. Muscles rippled fluidly beneath his sun-darkened skin. Water beaded in the dark hairs of his chest.

Megan began to soap his sweating body, running the cake
over his thick muscles. He tilted back his head and released a contented sigh.

“No one ever cared for me the way you do,
chère,
” he murmured.

She delighted in scrubbing the muscle and sinew, making him shudder in pleasure. When he turned to face her, his thick arousal slid against her belly. Megan encircled it and stroked with her wet hand.

His eyes snapped open. Amber flared in them. Gabriel took the soap and began washing her.

With slow circular strokes he washed her breasts, teasing her nipples until she arched and moaned. Then his wet, soapy fingers slid between her legs.

Megan whimpered as he caressed and played with her. Hot whispers in her ear, a promise of sultry heat. Gabriel watched her. Possessive pride filled his dark gaze. Then he ceased and cupped her bottom with his strong hands, pinning her against the ceramic tiles.

Gabriel nudged her legs open with a knee. With one smooth move, he slid into her body. She gasped as he stroked, his thrusts steady as the water beat down on them.

One hand continued to hold her upright. With his other, he cupped the back of her head and took her mouth in a savage, deep kiss. She arched against him, crying out.

“Come for me, darling,” he whispered.

Megan screamed into his mouth, squeezed his arousal, feeling him pump deep inside her. Shaken, her body well used, she opened her eyes. Lungs squeezed air in and out as he dropped his head. Gabriel pressed a singularly sweet kiss to the juncture of her shoulder and neck.

“I'll never leave you, Gabriel.”

“You're not afraid?” Challenge filled his gaze.

“Not as long as you're with me.”

“Then, come here.”

The bed dipped beneath their weight as they fell naked upon it.

His hungry growl echoed her own. Megan arched her back, leaning into his caress as his hands touched and explored. Wonder dawned on her face.

Love filled him. For her. His Megan.

Without words, he pushed into her. Breath fled her as his thickness filled her to the core. He thrust, withdrew and created a rhythm, intensifying the pleasure. Their fingers intertwined as he smiled tenderly at her.