Wolf (8 page)

I focused on him and what he made me feel. War was upon us, yet I felt safer within Stephan’s world and his embrace than any other time I could remember. My father glared into my eyes.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Of course, Father.”

He sneered. “Have you been acting like a slut with one of these men?”

I shook my head. “Of course not, Father.”

“You better be telling me the truth.”

I was. I might’ve surrendered to my desire for Stephan, but I was by no means a slut. “I’m sure the king has quarters within the private area for you.”

“He’d better. It’s the least he can do for dragging us here with all of
them
.” His hatred and scorn were etched within his words, and my blood ran cold.

“Will you have the village men march beside him against the enemy?”

He looked at me. “We march on the enemy in the morning, but my wound keeps me from being there. I’d love to see their faces.”

A stain coated his tunic. “We should have Nalla take a look at that, Father. She is a skilled healer.”

“I don’t need any of their help.” He bit his lip. “I’ll be fine. Show me where I sleep and then work on getting me some food.”

My father was placed in the room across from Fallon’s and shared a wall with Stephan’s. My body hummed with the need to spend time with Stephan, but that was not destined to happen until after the battle.

My father’s hateful glare never left me, leaving me no time to spend with Stephan before he and the alphas moved to engage in war. I longed to be at his side. I prayed he heard my thoughts and knew my desires before he left. Surely he could still read my mind.

The morning dawn splayed through the glade and into the small window of my father’s room as I made my way in. I smiled, my nerves rattling like the dishes on the platter I carried to him. The smile he gave me back made my skin crawl with concern, but perhaps I’d been too skeptical of him.

“Nalla offered to tend your wound if you’d like.”

“I want none of their kind around me. They’re evil incarnate.”

My gasp echoed through the room. I set the tray down, afraid I’d drop it from the shock filling me. “They saved my life.”

“Ironic that their trust in you will be their downfall. Without it I would’ve never found this place.” His laugh made my heart stop as my mind raced to comprehend what he’d said.

“What are you saying?”

He sneered. “You always were stupid, like your mother.”

“Don’t ever speak of her that way.”

My face stung with his slap. I spat in his face, and he drew back to hit me again. I braced myself for the blow, but it never came. Behind him, an enraged Fallon dragged himself into the room. His body shook from the effort he’d expended to make his way to me.

My father struggled against Fallon’s restraint, but the alpha, even injured, was stronger than my father. “You have no right to interfere between me and my daughter.”

“I do. More than you realize, I do.” Fallon looked to me. “Are you all right?”

I nodded. “He speaks of a plan against Stephan, Fallon. We must warn him.”

“Our pack is too far to warn them now. Stephan is wise and doesn’t trust your father. All will be well.” Fallon’s pained voice offered me strength I couldn’t find alone.

“He doesn’t trust my father?” Hope filled me.

“No, because you didn’t.”

Two men appeared, and my father’s outrage filled the room. “I should kill you for daring to hold me like a prisoner.”

“Were I my brother, your heart would be flailing on the floor beside your worthless body.”

“He wouldn’t dare.”

“I assure you he would, since you dared to harm a female.”

“She’s not your concern.”

“I’ll leave Stephan to respond to that.” Fallon nodded and the two men dragged my father out.

I moved to Fallon. His wound seeped from the excursion from his room. “Let’s get you back where you should be before Nalla hears of this.”

“There’s no hiding from her.” Tenderness reflected in his voice as I led him across the hall.

“Thank you.” My gratitude seemed too small compared to what he’d done. “No one’s ever interceded like that for me.”

“Stephan won’t be happy to learn of his treatment of you.”

I didn’t think Stephan needed to be troubled with such matters. Fallon’s low laughter made me think it would be otherwise, though. Opting to change the subject, I moved to the hearth and poured some hot water. I sprinkled in the herbs Nalla left and gave the mug to Fallon. The tonic smelled like the one I drank daily now.

“I know this is bitter, but it does taste better over time.”

He took the mug and drank. He continued observing me while he set the mug down. “You’ve had this before?”

I nodded. “Nalla began giving it to me my first day here. I drink it daily.”

“Really?”

“I expected it to end after I recovered, but I’m up to two mugs a day.”

“Interesting.”

“Of course, it may not be entirely the same. She puts droplets of some kind in mine.”

“And she’s done this in front of Stephan?”

“No.” I was curious by his inquisitiveness. “Why does this matter?”

He shook his head and grinned. “It doesn’t.”

“What will happen to my father?”

Fallon reclined on the bed. I moved to his side and removed the soiled dressing. My mind was swept into the consuming concern for Stephan and those he led.

“He’ll be all right. Stephan’s a mighty warrior.” His lopsided grin made me smile.

“This alloy they used concerns me. It sounded like it worries Nalla as well.”

“She worries for naught.” Fallon winced as he repositioned his body to ease the tension from his stomach. “The alphas will return with a sample.”

A crisp breeze slid through the glade as villagers gathered around the alphas. My heart swelled in a mixture of gratitude and regret when Stephan and his men led the restrained remnants of my village’s fighters into Realto.

The other leader from Timbria walked beside Xavier. Both men smiled and spoke with easy tones. Timbrian fighters walked amongst the alphas. Their presence was clearly welcome.

Relief and joy filled me upon seeing Stephan. Nothing beyond him being safe and back home with his alphas mattered. Again I longed for a moment alone with him so my hands could run along his body and offer me first-hand proof he was all right.

My pulse raced when I saw him. Fiery embers flared in his eyes, visible to me from ten wide paces. My soul soured.

Fallon escorted my father toward the other men of my village, who clustered farthest from Stephan. Evil glinted from his face, and his mouth turned upwards into the grin that always coiled my stomach for…

Danger
.

The thought tumbled from my mind in a scream. Alphas moved to encircle Stephan. I felt his gaze on mine as he maneuvered from the pack toward me. I shook my head. Fear for him and his people burned my insides. Somehow my father expected his diabolical double-cross to be fulfilled.

I glanced though the thick mass of fighters. Desperation consumed me while I tried to recall the faces of all the villagers. I might know why my father seemed enthralled by the scene before him. Faces blended in my mind and distorted my fear into a raging inferno of consummate desperation.

Fallon was at my side. Stephan’s booming command to release him reverberated through the glade.

“Answer me, Hannah.”

I hadn’t heard Fallon’s question.

“You must calm yourself. Your agitation erupts Stephan’s protectiveness and that of our alphas sworn to protect him. What frightens you?”

“My father…his face.” I continued to search.

Nothing.

A bustle of movement to my left drew my attention. I moved toward Xavier and the Timbrian leader. From there I could see the remaining faces.

I hoped.

I had to figure out what my father’s diabolical plan was. These people had allowed me to remain with them when I had nowhere else to turn. Their warriors had saved me from a horrendous fate I refused to fathom. I owed them my protection. Even if it was from my kin.

Michael.

He lives!

I blinked and he was gone. Fallon and Xavier moved swiftly. Only I knew my brother’s face. I and my father. Finding my brother was paramount.

He lives
.

Surely that was my father’s insidious plan. Michael served the Timbrian. Their leader was at my side along with Xavier, whose words mimicked my thoughts.

“Have you any new among your men—any strangers?”

“Only one. He came from Tash and swore his allegiance just two risings past.” The man glanced at the thick mass of bodies. “I don’t see him.”

Something within me stirred to life when my gaze met Michael’s. An evil grin etched his face into a sinister reminder of my father’s. I screamed his name when his arms moved. An arrow aimed toward Stephan—who’d broken from the crush of alphas determined to confine him to the safety of the inner circle.

Xavier and Fallon moved toward where I stared, but many had drawn their bows, ready to strike whoever amongst them dared to assault the king.

Stephan.

I leaped when the arrow fired, unsure of my plan. I doubted my mind ever formed anything beyond the overwhelming need to protect Stephan and his people from my flesh and blood.

Pain slammed into my shoulder and leg where I fell to the ground. Menacing growls severed Michael’s enraged cry. Dizziness assailed me, and my hand moved from my wound then above my face to where I could see the crimson droplets falling onto me.

Chapter Eight

I grabbed the arrow, but a steady hand pried my fingers from it. Someone lifted and embraced me. I blinked, trying to focus on Stephan.

“Nalla!”

“Easy, brother. She comes already with her potions.” Fallon’s steady voice filled my ears, his tone a forced calm to offset Stephan’s pained cry.

“Oh, Hannah. My heart can’t bear your loss. You must fight.”

I squeezed his arm and moved my hand to his face when my vision finally obeyed my confused mind and focused. Golden eyes filled with grey flecks peered back at me, their sadness tugging at my flailing heart.

“We need an elder to walk our king through the passage.” Gasps followed Fallon’s shouted statement.

“I will journey with our king.”

“As will I.”

Their voices drifted through my mind. I swallowed back my turbulent emotions and focused on Stephan.

“Stay with me, Hannah.”

“Go.” Fallon removed Stephan’s hand from me and I moved to reestablish contact. “Prepare yourself for the journey. I will see to Hannah and aid Nalla.”

“But she cannot journey.” His voice was low and pained, not the Stephan I loved.

Love
.

I choked on the realization and hoped Stephan knew the depth of my devotion to him.

“She can. She has. We both know this,” Fallon said. Silence filled the air around us. “Go, Stephan.”

My lips moved to express my love, but I knew he wouldn’t hear, wouldn’t know what he meant to me.

“He does.” Fallon lifted my head. “Calm your mind. Nalla’s meddling has given us hope for a joyful end.”

How?

Blackness descended, and I held on to Fallon as my hearing abandoned me. My limbs grew weak, but something within me continued to trickle morsels of life to my faltering body.

My senses returned and Fallon patted Stephan’s back. “She has the resilience of a queen.”

“And the passion of a mate.” Stephan’s lips grazed mine. “Never will I find a way to repay Nalla for the gift she’s given me.”

Confusion befuddled my ability to speak.

“Don’t thank me yet. Much resides on the connection you two have and its strength to remain on your journey.”

Journey? I wasn’t fit to move—couldn’t speak or see clearly.

“Ease yourself, child. The tonic I’ve been giving you was to awaken your inner animal. We’re all gifted with one by the maker, but your people’s remain dormant. I’ve been waking her for you.” The woman’s whispered. “For Stephan.”

Stephan. I clung to the name since it was all that made sense to my mind.

“We begin now. Her animal is still weak and too young for such pain. She’s consumed the blood and tears of an elder,” Nalla stated.

“As have I,” Stephan replied.

“Let us begin.” Fallon stood.

“Drink, child.” I choked on the liquid streaming down my constricting throat. Something massaged me there, and I swallowed. “That’s it, child. Drink it all and sleep the sleep of the lovelorn.”

I sighed as she set my head down. Her words drifted through a hazy delirium.

“You must take the brunt of the journey, Stephan. Draw her out. Hold on to her inner animal and grow the love between you. Hannah is too weak to do aught but respond.”

“I will not fail her.”

“Restrain your inner wolf. It is strong, more powerful than any other. It could frighten her animal away.”

“He will be restrained.”

“Then drink.”

My senses detached from all but the colorless cloud of bliss drifting me through my headiest notions. Stephan. My eyes adjusted to the sterile surroundings as shards of color formed around me. Fiery crimson swirled, and hues of blue and purple jutted from the surface near me.

Stephan.

The colors reminded me of the game we played as children to pass the bitter cold night we’d been lost in.

“I take blue and purple and green.” His voice wrapped around me like fine silk. Gone was the youthful voice of the past.

“You’re here.” I wrapped myself in his arms, able to move only enough to secure a place against his body. I couldn’t see him, but I knew it was him. My Stephan. “Rest with me.”

“There’ll be eternities to spend here resting, Hannah. Let’s weave our souls’ home. Together.” Pleasure spiraled through my weary frame. My limbs were hardened and unmoving.

“Later.” I hissed my displeasure and nestled my head into the crook of his arm. “Let us rest.”

“Come, Hannah. Create our world with me—build a home for our souls to slumber in together each night.”

I sighed my contentment. “Were it our home, slumber would never be.”

His breath fell hot against my neck. “Your passion tempts me, but this is a journey of our souls to grow together. Join with me, Hannah, as you did once before. Let us rebuild what time stole from us.”