Beauty and the Brute [Werescape III] (25 page)

My gut took a swan dive.

Not another annoying intuitive warning. I just needed a place to sit in the shade. “Thanks.” I

spotted a boulder beneath a tall Ponderosa Pine and headed for the brown stone.

By the time I'd sat on the warm rock's smooth surface, all of the women splashed in the water. Maybe I was wrong to miss an opportunity to bathe?

Hands grabbed me from behind.

Clamped over my mouth. Pinned my arms against me. Dragged me back beneath the trees.

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beast.

Dark Cloud's eyes pinched. “Your Wolf stares at me."

Of course Wolf did. He was summoned. But by what? “I had a moment.” And still am, struggling to stand in place.

The warrior's brown gaze slid to the trees beyond my shoulder and studied the dark green pine needles like they were strange to this place although they'd lived here since the last Ice

Age.

Protect, Wolf growled.

Dark Cloud's dark eyes snapped back to mine. “Why does your Wolf growl at me?"

Who cared? Everyone needed to get the Gods-be-damned hell out of my way. “I have to go."

Wolf clawed at my ribs.

To run. To. To ... “Lorelei!"

A chill stabbed my skin.

Wolfen hairs.

"I will bring the warriors,” Dark Cloud said.

A large black were-beast burst between the lodges at the far end of the village.

A sentry or warrior.

"The dream. We must hurry,” Dark Cloud blurted.

The saddle creaked beneath my gut where I hung gagged, my hands bound together and tied to my ankles. Tightly. But I could see. Many things. Like Glover's brown boots. Hiking boots.

He'd chosen the perfect footwear for hunting me. Yale's boots were black though. That is when I didn't have blood gush to my brain and choke back my every sense. Then, I couldn't see a thing.

"We'll send for the spaceship once we reach New Chicago.” Yale smugly smacked his lips.

"You shouldn't have run, Lorelei. You had to know Titus would find you. His Wolf's ass was on the line. He wasn't about to tarnish his mutant tail's reputation for a female."

And just where was the bastard? I gnawed on the salty leather between my teeth.

If only I could get free. I yanked my hands again.

Prickly rope nipped my almost-raw stinging skin.

Where is Brutus? Does he even know I'm gone? And will he think I ran away? He couldn't not after last night. I told him I loved him. He had to know that's the truth. He has to come for me. Wolf will. Right? Wolf won't let him do anything but save me. Save its baby.

A wide palm slapped my ass. “You can't prevent the inevitable, Lorelei.” Yale chuckled. “The aliens always wanted you. The placation plan always existed. Since my men killed your parents. Yes, Lorelei. I was named your custodian by the extraterrestrials. To rear you as a human."

As a human? What in the hell did that mean? The fucking bastard killed my parents and pretended he hadn't. He will die.

"Curious, are you? Well, allow me to clarify. You're a hybrid. Half human. Half alien. What they need. A connection. An entry point. You're their ticket into human communities. They will not stop hunting you until they've retrieved their precious hybrid. So, you must return to your father. Your biological sire."

No. Dear God. And what will Brutus think? That I betrayed him? He hates Normals. But extraterrestrials are worse than Normals. And just what will Brutus do? I carry his child. Hell.

This is Hell. My life is over once again. And I carry my child into a fruitless future. Into Hell.

A red-socked horse's legs galloped into view.

Whatever view I could take of the arrival. I could barely twist my neck enough to make heads or tails out of things, including horses.

"Where have you been? I thought you killed the sentries. Can't you follow orders?” Glover snarled.

"Scouting,” Titus’ familiar voice thundered.

Not smart making all that noise with a pack of Shifters nearby. Hopefully, the Guardians were on our trail.

"Did you see any movement?” Yale demanded.

The warlord's tone was anything but pleased.

"The women alerted the village. Everyone knows we're here by now. That she's gone."

"Well, let's get the hell out of here. What—"

A gun fired.

And again. The shots tore through the hills like the sounds of jet fighter planes used long ago by Earth's stronger powers to fight off the extraterrestrial invasion. Or so stories claimed.

Yale's limp body thumped on the ground at my gray horse's hooves.

The horse vied for stronger footing a hop and a shuffle the opposite direction. Jarring the life out of me.

Another rush of blood to my head set off my gagging need to wretch my brains out again.

Glover's lifeless body thumped on the ground nearby, his upper body falling into view between my horse's legs.

My horse's body blocked everything else. Mostly him. Titus. What would he do with me? I

couldn't free myself. Alone. I needed Titus to cut the ropes. So I could try to escape. Try to hide what I was from Brutus. So, he'd take me back. I needed my Brutus. Maybe not deserved him. But didn't I deserve something now? Something for all the insanity of the life torturing me?

His black combat boots claimed a foothold on the grassy earth, then skirted the bodies and horses.

Toward me.

Gravity sent another fear-induced blood rush to my already-saturated brain.

"It's over, Lorelei,” he said.

Was it? With Brutus pissed at the world, the battle had just begun. I blinked the world back into view, shifted the annoying damp leather binding in my mouth as much as possible with my tongue, and tried to ignore the need to kick. Or scream at the Shifter who led Yale to where I was. Waiting would give me the chance to kill this asshole or see me through to see

Brutus dole out his style of punishment.

Titus’ green camouflage appeared at the gray horse's head.

I stared up into his familiar mask.

He's supposedly protected me for years. What now?

He reached, pulling out a long silver blade.

Sunlight danced upon the surface.

"I'm going to cut your bindings, Lorelei. Please be still. Riding with you being bound is unnecessary."

My ass. We'd just see if he regretted freeing the captive. Especially after he explained his intentions in all this madness.

First he played with the gag, suddenly popping the taut leather loose and dropping the damned binding at the scuffed toe of his combat boot. Then he squatted, catching my gaze with an unreadable stare.

Shifters and their poker faces.

He patted the gray horse's upper leg and reached for my shackle's knots. With three jerks of the blade, I dangled across the saddle, free, rubbing my wrists. Titus carefully pulled me from the saddle, righting my swollen mind in the process, placing my feet on the ground.

Like I needed his assistance. I yanked my arm from his grasp and struggled to stand upright while the world swayed with my draining head.

"I know you distrust me now,” Titus said. “But you and I have a bond as strong as you and

Brutus."

Did we? I focused a glare at his almost-indifferent but sincere mask. “Never place yourself in the same category as my mate. He'd never betray me."

"It's because of me you still walk among humans."

What does that mean? I stepped back one step to put some distance between us. “So you killed these bastards. For what? To hand me over? What do you get in return?"

He only blinked. “I would not betray my sister."

"What?” He was insane if he thought I'd believe that. “I don't know what telling me we're related will do for you. But I will never believe you."

He took one quick step forward and threw up a silencing palm. “Listen, Lorelei. My job has always been to protect you from Yale. To watch. To keep you alive."

None of this makes sense. “Why? What do you get in the end?"

"What every Shifter wants. A chance to drive the aliens from Earth. You and I, we are hybrids. Half alien, Lorelei. And, the extraterrestrials want to breed you. To permit them to take you. I refuse to fail those who sent me to protect you. Many Shifters are placed in positions to study the interactions between powerful Normals and extraterrestrials. I am one."

Something in his insistent stare begged I believe he was an earthling spy. “Why should I

believe any of this?"

He stood still like a statue, assessing me.

Probably wondering if I was about to bolt. But, hell, wouldn't anyone in my shoes?

"Lorelei, they want you. That is enough to send every Shifter around the globe to protect you from them. Can't you feel it? These extraordinary senses you and I were born with, they are what keeps us alive. Makes us unique. We hybrids may be the only thing protecting the rest of humanity from total annihilation on our home world."

Did he know more than he was letting on about? Besides, there is only one way I'd believe him. “Let me go. I'll believe you then."

He sucked down a deep breath, studying me with a look that could have made my knees shake if I wasn't so pissed. “My duty is to keep you alive. You're the breeder, Lorelei. I'm the useless male offspring. Just a stud. A killing machine."

"So you do know things you aren't telling me."

"I was instructed not to frighten you. But know this, my wife and children are dead now because Yale panicked to try to appease the aliens. All I have left is my duty to my fellow

Shifters."

Could I trust a man who'd lost everything? Wasn't he angry? Didn't he crave revenge? But I'd lost my life as well. Knew how it felt to be alone in the wilderness. Except for Brutus. A

Shifter who'd overcome his prejudice to embrace the one earthly thing he hated most of all.

If I buckled to Titus's sad story, would I endanger my mate? Yes. And our child.

"We need to be going,” Titus said softly.

Where? The route Yale had taken was upside-down half-ass backward off in some direction.

I'd never be able to find my way back. To Brutus. “Where are you taking me?"

He seemed to breathe more easily. “To your mate before he arrives to kill me. However, The

Elders will not appreciate my death. I doubt he'll stop to ask for suggestions before attempting to rip into my hide."

That was the truth. What can I do? Try to run? Or just go along with Titus’ plan? As long as

Titus comes through with his promises and delivers me to Brutus, I'll believe him. Until Dark

Cloud debunked Titus’ lies about the elders.

Wolf could outrun a horse in really bad terrain. The Black Hills wasn't the worse we'd traversed. And something about the kidnapping reeked of idiotic Normal stupidity. Broad daylight. Full view of a lake full of Shifter community members. Yes. Stupidity. Whoever worked for Yale just ended his pathetic existence. Anyone who touched Beauty had signed his own death sentence.

One by one, the forest trembled to life with loping werewolves in their odd sort of unnatural bursting stride.

All after the fools. Locked on the scent trail. Stinking of Normals. Promising Beauty still lived.

Had to live.

Yale needed her to swap with the extraterrestrials. For whatever he thought he could use to undoubtedly rebuild in his kingdom. Like that would ever happen.

A gust of wind kicked up.

The scent of sweaty horses and Beauty hit me hard.

She was close.

Protect, Wolf growled and stretched his stride.

The pack dropped back behind me as my paws pulled the invisible scent trail closer and closer.

Deeper into my lungs. I could spit. I could bite my tongue and suck on the salty metallic tinge of blood. I could rip up a mouthful of musty soil. And still never be rid of Beauty. She was as much a part of me as Wolf. Mine.

Side-by-side, the strawberry roan and gray horses plodded toward me.

Upwind. Unaware of my approach.

Titus sat atop the red roan gelding. His eyes flashed golden fire.

Aware. So aware I was coming. Doing absolutely nothing to indicate the point to Beauty. She sat so quietly, watching, scanning the forest. For me. Knowing I'd come for her.

Titus is dead.

Wolf charged forward.

Toward the Shifter.

Why didn't the fool shift? Did he want to die?

Beauty looked right at me and leaned forward. “Brutus!"

The forest rustled with blurs of motion. Werewolves encircled both horses.

Coming between me and my mate. Fools. “Get out of my way,” I think I said. Probably growled.

Dark Cloud rose up from the Shifter huddle, butt-ass naked, his backside facing my mate.

Gods-be-damned idiot. “Get out of my way,” I said again. I think.

Dark Cloud threw up a commanding palm. “You will come no farther."

What the fuck? He had a death wish too.

The other werewolves turned to face me, still on all fours.

Blocking my path in a defensive position where they could leap if necessary.

What for? Beauty wasn't endangered. By me of all people. I skidded to a halt and rose on my hind legs into a killing stance.

"Brutus,” she gasped, sliding from the saddle, stretching her legs toward me.

All of her. Even her untouched clothing. Nobody had disturbed her clothing.

She bolted between two werewolves, right at me, and crashed into my chest, tucking her face into my red fur, throwing her arms around me.

"Your mate is uninjured, Warrior Who Wanders,” Dark Cloud said. “Let us return to the village and speak with Titus. He carries news certain to clarify the events plaguing you and your mate."

"No,” I shouted. I think. Maybe I growled.

"Fighting another Shifter is not the Shifter way of things, Warrior Who Wanders. It is time to reveal all things.” His gaze dropped to Beauty. “Let her understand what unfolds around her.” His gaze flicked back to mine. “Support her as a Guardian does his mate."