Cole’s Redemption (11 page)

Still crouching, not taking her gaze off Raven, she said, “When a born wolf scents
his mate, if he doesn’t claim her within a certain amount of time, he’ll sicken and
die. I’m assuming it’s the same for turned shifters?”

“Yes, as far as we’ve been able to discern,” Melina said slowly. “And?”

“I’ve seen this before, with a member of our clan.” She stood, backed away from Raven
carefully, and then faced the doctor. “Have you ever wondered what happens when the
shifter can’t claim his mate but doesn’t die?”

Understanding dawned. Zan’s stunned expression mirrored everyone else’s. “Oh, God.”

“Here’s what I think happened—in the hospital, Raven scented his mate. Possibly even
met her. But he was bedridden, recovering from his attack. As a new shifter, he had
no control over his body’s reactions. He couldn’t claim her, but for whatever reason,
he didn’t die.”

“Why didn’t he?”

“I have no idea, but I’ve seen it happen sometimes.”

“And his wolf took over, went crazy,” Zan finished in a near whisper.

“Exactly. Until we locate this female, he’s going to remain in this state.” She looked
at Melina. “Does he have any belongings? Clothing he wore before entering the hospital?
Something that might have her scent on it?”

“Some of his stuff is still in one of the lockers in the infirmary!” Kira cried. “I’ll
get the bag.” She rushed off.

Zan, Selene, Melina, and Jax stood watching Raven, who was becoming agitated again.
Starting to pace, pulling on the strong chain around his neck that allowed him some
movement, but kept him from reaching his visitors and ripping them apart. After a
few minutes, Kira returned with a plastic bag, the type hospitals use to store a patient’s
things. Moving as close to the wolf as she dared, Kira upended the bag, spilling out
the contents.

Immediately, Raven pounced on the items, rooting through them with his nose. Sniffing,
his body vibrating with excitement. A T-shirt, boots, camo pants, dog tags. But it
was the plain hospital gown that proved to be the item he was looking for. They watched
in amazement as he picked up the gown in his teeth, padded to a corner of the room,
dropped the article, and then made his bed on it.

He settled with a sigh, his expression almost sad. Then he closed his eyes and went
to sleep.

“Holy fucking shit,” Jax breathed. “His mate must’ve been close to him in the hospital,
touched his gown. She might’ve been a doctor or nurse, or an aid worker.”

Zan’s throat threatened to close up at the pitiful sight before them. “All this time.
All these years, he was going crazy for his mate. All it took was her scent to calm
him down.”

“Maybe now he’ll sleep regularly,” Melina said, eyes moist. “If he stays calm, we
might be able to reach him, eventually. Selene, I don’t know how to thank you for
this.”

Pink colored her cheeks. “It was nothing. Like I said, I’ve seen a case like this
before. I hope this one turns out to have a happier ending than that one did.”

Everyone echoed that sentiment. They slipped out into the corridor and went their
separate ways. Zan took his mate’s hand as they walked.

“That was a nice piece of work. Maybe Raven will have some peace while they try to
locate his mate.”

“I don’t know. It’s obvious he’s hurting inside. My wolf was very sensitive to his
suffering.”

“I can’t imagine how horrible that would be, to be stuck like that. Going out of your
mind, out of control, and not being able to verbalize what’s wrong.”

“It’s difficult to witness—that’s for sure.”

“What happened to that wolf you were telling us about, the one who was also stuck?”

Her voice saddened. “His mate was dead, and there was no hope for his recovery. He
was euthanized by lethal injection.”

“That’s awful. Kind of makes you appreciate what you have, doesn’t it?”

She slid an arch look at him. “I suppose that was directed at me? It does put things
a bit more in perspective.”

“So, in spite of how we met, you don’t regret mating with me?”

She grinned. “That remains to be seen. Don’t get cocky.”

He snorted a laugh, his spirits lifting. He led her through the rec room, ignoring
Micah and Blue, who called out to him to come play air hockey.

“Idiots,” Aric snarked. “The man doesn’t want to play air hockey with you bozos when
he has a new mate.”

Zan just shook his head and kept walking, the whistles and ribald remarks at his back
causing him to puff up a little. He had a mate, and a beautiful one at that. Let them
tease. The mated guys knew firsthand what an exciting time this was for him and his
wolf, and the single ones wished they did. It was his turn.

Outside, his mate looked around. The stars were out, shining bright in the clear sky.
The air was a bit crisp, making his wolf want to come out and play.
Later
, he told it.

“Where are we going?”

“I’ll show you.” He took her to the building that was almost finished, a short distance
from the main compound. It was several floors of earth-toned brick and tall glass
windows.

“Is this the new rehab center?”

“Yeah. Nice, isn’t it?”

“Very. But how does this new construction not attract attention from outsiders?”

“The whole Alpha Pack compound is cloaked with one of Kalen’s spells, for extra privacy.
No human could see it even if they tried.”

“Ah, the spell. Right. That’s the reason I wasn’t able to get close to the main building
when I was watching before. That was Kalen’s doing.”

He didn’t want to have another discussion about why she’d come. Instead, he gestured
to the new structure. “Want to see inside?”

“I’d love to.”

Everyone had their own security code, so Zan keyed his into the pad by the main doors.
They opened with an audible hum and pop, and he pulled the handle, letting them inside.
Then he flipped on a light, which illuminated the grand foyer.

“Oh! This is gorgeous,” she enthused. Walking over to the reception desk, she ran
her hand over the marble countertop. “This is quite a big place, bigger than I imagined.
Is my father going to hire more staff to handle the load?”

“Yes, no question. There will be a receptionist or two, plus at least one more doctor,
whom Mac and Melina will be in charge of hiring. Noah will get input on more nurses,
and Nick and Mac will hire at least one dedicated counselor. Most of the staff will
be paranormal beings.”

“How come?”

“Two reasons. One, it will make residents more comfortable to know there are functioning
members of society who are paranormal, just like them. It will give them hope and
set a good example. The second reason is more practical, which is we want as few humans
as possible to know our world exists.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

“Let me show you the rest.”

He took her through the lower floor first, showing her the various exam rooms, counseling
rooms, recreation areas, kitchen, and dining room. “The residents will be able to
eat here and learn social interaction before being released to society,” he explained.
“They’ll get a sense of normality, and that will build self-esteem.”

“This is so impressive. What a great thing they’ll be doing here.”

“Let’s go up.” They stepped into the elevator, and he punched the button for the top
floor. “See the O on the panel? That stands for Observation. The resident rooms are
still under construction, but the lounge is done, and it has a fantastic view of the
mountains.”

The elevator doors opened right into the lounge area. Zan flipped on a lamp on the
table so the whole room wouldn’t be lit too brightly. Beside him, Selene gasped.

“Wow. This is amazing. I can just see the residents relaxing up here and enjoying
this place.”

Unable to stand her closeness any longer, he pulled her in to his body, facing him.
Wrapping his arms around her, he nibbled her neck and jaw. Spread his legs and cradled
her there, letting her know just how much he was affected by holding her.

“Zan,” she murmured. “I want you again.”

“You drive me crazy, baby. Will you trust me?”

“I . . . yes.”

He hadn’t known her long, but he already knew that trust wasn’t something she did
easily. “I’m going to make this so good for us.”

“Please, yes.”

He bent over her, nuzzled her short, silky platinum hair. Kissed the shell of her
ear, nibbled. Breathed her warm scent.

He slid a hand underneath the T-shirt, splaying it across her flat belly. He loved
the way she fit against his body, like she was made just for him.

His fingers traveled upward, found the taut pebbles of her nipples. He took one, rolling
the peak between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned, arching her back, skin heating
to his touch. More kisses at the curve of her neck and shoulder. Tasting, playing
with her breasts.

“Mmm, I almost wish I were a vampire, so I could bite right here.”

“Oh, Zan.” She gazed at him. Huge blue eyes were glazed with arousal. Needing, wanting
him.

“You know what I’m going to do? I’m going eat you. Then I’m going to fuck you right
there against the observation window, with the curtains open.”

“Where anyone can see?” She gasped.

“Yes.” His lips turned up. “Though the window faces away from the compound, toward
the mountains, so it’s unlikely we’ll be spotted.”

“But still! God, that’s so kinky.”

“The excitement in your voice tells me you love that.”

“I—yes!”

He worked her jeans and panties down her legs, tossing them to the floor. The T-shirt
followed. Then he pushed her against the glass, face out to the night sky and anyone
who’d care to watch him take her this way. Only watch and never touch. All
his
. The heated desire of just thinking of the act rocked him to his toes.

“Spread your legs.” She did, making room for him. He knelt between her thighs from
behind, trailing kisses from the back of one knee to her sex. “So lovely. So pretty
and pink. Already wet for me. I could come, just by looking at you.”

She whimpered, raising her hips a bit. With a low chuckle, he obliged, his fingers
parting her. His tongue flicked her folds, dipped inside. He lingered, taking his
time. Licking slowly, like a man enjoying ice cream.

Selene rocked back into his face, urging him. “Please!”

He fastened his mouth to her sex, suckling the sensitive bud. She came undone, bucking
beneath him. Lost in decadent pleasure. The sight of her writhing nearly made him
lose control.

Holding back his release shredded Zan as she found hers, wild against his mouth. Her
honey bathing his tongue.
Oh, God, so sweet.

When the last of her shudders stilled, he moved to her side. Bent, turned her head
and kissed her lovely mouth. He loved the sight of his mate ready to give herself
to him this way, pale hair an angel’s halo around her face. Knees spread, the lips
of her sex pouting and slick from his attentions, ready to welcome him inside.

He ran his fingers along her slit, spreading her. Jesus, he wasn’t going to last.
Grasping her lush hips, he guided the tip of his penis to her and thrust home. Buried
his cock to the hilt. Her heat surrounded the throbbing length of him, squeezing,
driving him mad.
Not yet. Not yet
 . . .

“Look at you against the glass,” he rasped. “Pinned there. Beautiful. Mine.”

She began to move back and forth, stroking him. “Yes, yours. Zan, please,
fuck me hard
.”

“God, yes
.
”

He surrendered control. Gave himself over to the beast raging to do her. Hard, wild,
nasty. He pounded into her with long strokes. Thrusting harder, faster. Joyous, feminine
cries reached his ears, erasing any lingering doubt he might’ve had about urging her
to try his kink. She trusted him completely and loved what they’d done.

Neither the man nor the wolf stood a chance against such heady stuff. With a hoarse
shout, he impaled her one last time. Held her body close, buried so deep he actually
felt them become one heart, one mind. His release rocked him to the core. Branded
his soul as hers, for always. Her climax milked him on and on.

Covering Selene like a blanket, he remained inside her for a moment, sweating and
shaking. He’d never come harder or been drained more thoroughly in his life. Had never
before shared a shattering awakening, a fusing of hearts, with the only woman he’d
ever desire from this day forward. He’d never known this sweet ache, ever.

He just hoped one day she’d feel the same.

S
elene awoke in Zan’s room, but this time she knew she was alone.

There were no sounds of her mate showering, or dressing. No puttering in the kitchen,
no humming, or any one of a dozen noises she’d come to think of as comforting.

She was alone, and it bugged her that he hadn’t awakened her to say where he was going.
So what if that made her seem domestic? She didn’t care.

Hunger panged in her belly, but she ignored it. First she’d find her mate, and then
she’d eat. In that order. Slipping out of bed, she made quick work of showering and
dressing. Then she ventured out into the compound alone for the first time since her
arrival.

She wasn’t sure that was smart on their part, letting her run loose. Then again, they
had all sorts of abilities—and a Sorcerer on the team. That made her shudder a little
in spite of herself. As badass as she thought she was, there was always someone who
could kick her butt and take names. Sorcerers scared her.

The hallways were a maze, but somehow she found her way to the dining room. Several
people were there, eating pancakes, and the sweet aroma tempted her. But the pull
to find her mate was stronger, so she walked over to Kira.

“Have you seen Zan?”

Kira swallowed a forkful of her breakfast and then shook her head. “Not specifically.
But Jax said they were training in the gym this morning, so you might check there.”

“Thanks.” She turned to go, but the other woman’s voice stopped her.

“One word of advice—don’t interrupt them unless it’s important.”

She gave Kira a hard look. “I’m not an idiot. My job requires me to train, too, you
know.”

Kira’s face flushed. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to imply you were.”

Instantly, Selene felt like a total bitch. “No, I’m sorry. I’m just on edge, but that’s
no reason to take it out on you. Forgiven?”

“Of course.” The other woman smiled, gave her directions to the gym, and Selene felt
somewhat better.

“Thanks. Catch you later.”

After a series of turns, she found herself facing a set of double doors with a bar
on them, exactly like one would see at a school gym. From the shouts, grunts, and
groans inside, she figured she had the right place.

As she pushed inside, she almost swallowed her tongue. The whole team was in there,
paired off, practicing their fighting skills on mats. They were bare-chested to the
last man, wearing only thin athletic shorts and tennis shoes. The Pack made hand-to-hand
combat look sexy, even though she knew the reasons behind such strenuous practice
were serious. That didn’t mean she couldn’t look to her heart’s content.

Her gaze strayed to Zan, who was facing off with Jax. His black hair tumbled over
his eyes but didn’t distract him one bit as the men circled each other. His lean muscles
shone with sweat, thighs flexing as he faked left and right, countering blows his
sparring partner delivered with speed. They made an awesome sight, these warriors,
and she felt a spurt of pride that Zan was her mate.

He was brave. Worthy. A mate she could be proud to introduce to her uncle, should
the situation ever become possible.

“Impressive, aren’t they?”

And just like that, her enjoyment of the morning was shattered. Turning her head,
she assessed her father. “Yes. They’ve been well trained.”

“That wasn’t my doing. I’ve been here only just shy of a year.”

“And where were you before that?”

“The FBI.”

She found herself getting angry, and she hadn’t wanted her day spoiled. “How nice
for you.”

“Not really,” he said quietly. “I would much rather have had my family back. And you,
most of all.”

“Is that so?” She gave a bitter laugh. “Life’s a bitch, isn’t it,
Commander
? You reap what you sow and all of that.”

“You don’t know anything about the way things were.”

“Suppose you enlighten me, then?” Silence. “No? Why am I not surprised?”

“Someday you’ll understand. I promise I will tell you, when the time is right.”

“What is that? Some type of Seer bullshit?”

His mouth tightened. “You know what I am and that it’s real.”

Her anger boiled over. Needed an outlet—now. “Spar with me.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” She waved a hand at the mats. “Come on. Spar with me.”

“No, Selene.”

“Afraid to show me what you’re made of? Is that it?” she sneered.

After a slight hesitation, he nodded. “All right. We’ll go a round.”

“What do I get if I win?”

He gave her a half smile. “Satisfaction.”

“Bring it.”

Walking over to a set of empty mats, she was aware that some of the guys, including
her mate, had stopped what they were doing to watch. She couldn’t care less. She had
a point to make, and it would be made nicely with her father smeared on the mat at
her feet.

Bouncing in place, she warmed up, glad she’d worn her camos and a tank top. They’d
be easy to fight in and wouldn’t get in her way. A few more seconds and she turned
to face the man she wanted to put on the floor.

They started out circling each other, knees bent, hands out to the sides. Each ready
for the opponent to spring. He was patient, his gaze challenging, and that infuriated
her more. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore and launched herself at him. But
he was expecting this.

He easily dodged her attack, stepping to the side with fluid grace. She moved in close
to his body, got in a few good blows, but he always countered them without really
hurting her. Even though she knew what he was doing, she refused to quit. Her rage
was a living thing, poisonous, and she gave in to it.

He was using simple evasive maneuvers, using her anger against her as a weapon, waiting
until she was worn-out. At last he ended the match by swiping a foot behind her heel
and flipping her onto the mat hard, on her back. She glared up at him, panting, wishing
him dead on the spot.

“Anger will get you killed in the field,” he told her, expression unreadable. “You
have to learn to block it out and focus solely on reading your opponent, anticipating
the next move. Emotion can all too easily defeat you.”

“Maybe that’s your problem,” she spat, pushing shakily to her feet. “You have no emotions,
so you can’t win the fight that matters the most. Maybe you never could.”

Giving him a hard shove in the chest, she stalked out.

Distantly, she thought she heard Zan call out, but she was in no mood to deal with
him. She just wanted to put space between herself and Nick—and his men—as fast as
possible.

She pushed out of the gym, out into the morning sun. Found a spot under a tree near
an open field and stayed there for a long while.

•   •   •

Zan called out after his mate, started to follow her. But Jax laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Let her go, my friend. She’s pissed right now, and I doubt she’d hear anything you
have to say.”

“She needs me,” he said in frustration.

“I know she does, but let her cool off. Okay?”

He looked at his friend and gave in. “Yeah.”

“Nick too. I can tell he hated having to do that.”

Zan glanced at their boss, who was toweling off his face on the sidelines. His body
was still tense. And his face as he stared after his daughter? Crushed.

“He needed to put her on her ass,” Jax said seriously. “You understand that, right?
He never would have stood a chance of earning her respect otherwise.”

“You think so?”

“I do. Wolves are proud, and they respond to power. And those two are off the chain
when it comes to their own power struggle right now. Your mate just learned she can’t
push him around, either physically or verbally. He’s still her father, and he can
walk the walk.”

“And she’s not going to be happy about it, either.” Zan sighed.

“Right, which is why she needs her space.” He threw a towel at Zan. “Want to get some
breakfast? She’ll show when she’s ready.”

“Sure.”

But his heart wasn’t in his meal. He couldn’t help but worry about his stubborn, hurting
mate.

She was going to be the death of him.

•   •   •

There wasn’t a much more impressive sight than a Fae prince strolling across the lawn
toward you. Unless it was the broad smile transforming his face from gorgeous to stunning.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” he mused.

“I hadn’t noticed.”

“Hmm. May I sit?”

“It’s a free country, man.”

He frowned. “I’m not really a man. Or not a
human
man, in any case. I’m a Fae male and—”

“Relax, birdman, it was just an expression.”

“I’m not a bird, either. I—oh. That was an
expression
, too?”

She smiled. This guy was completely without guile, just as she’d been told. “Yep.
How did such a naive male get to be a prince?”

He scoffed. “I’m not naive where I’m from, trust me. There are simply too many strange
phrases in this realm for me to possibly keep up.”

She studied him for a moment, admiring his unusual golden eyes. The way his wings
settled around him like a cloak and rustled in the gentle breeze. “Do you miss home?”

“Not the place so much, but my brothers,” he said wistfully. “I know they’d come here
if they could. I just hope nothing is wrong. That they’re all right.”

“Me too, Blue.”

“Thank you.” He gave her a piercing look. “You’re grieving for family as well, and
look at me, being all sad and ruining your peace.”

“Shut up—you are not,” she said, finding a smile for him. Something about Blue was
just special. In some ways he was such an innocent. “I believe you’ll see them again
one day.”

“I hope so. From your lips to the ears of the gods.”

“How did you wind up here, again?”

He sighed. “The Unseelie Council exiled me. Aric says they voted me off the island,
but our home was not an island. Anyway, they learned the Unseelie king, Malik, was
my sire and were afraid I carried his evil gene. Whether I did or not, they knew he’d
come for me one day, and they didn’t want to be anywhere near me when he did.”

“That’s terrible,” she said with feeling.

“To be forced from one’s home, made to leave family and friends behind under penalty
of death, is just about the loneliest thing that can happen,” Blue said, looking her
straight in the eye. “I wouldn’t wish that feeling on my worst enemy.”

A sense of vertigo gripped her. “Are we talking about someone other than you right
now?”

“No. But it’s worth thinking about—don’t you agree?”

“Yeah. And I’m sorry it happened to you.” He wasn’t talking just about himself before.
She was sure of it, but didn’t press.

“I’ll see them again one day.” Blue rose, brushing the grass off his pants with his
wings. “I’m going to see if there’s any breakfast left. Join me?”

“I’d like that.”

Taking his extended hand, she let him lead her back inside.

And she pondered his words for a long while.

•   •   •

Zan was sitting with Jax at the breakfast table when Blue walked in with his mate.
The pair was having a conversation, and though his wolf wasn’t happy to see her accompanying
another male, he immediately knew Blue was no threat. His wolf stood down.

Seeing Zan and Jax, they walked over and took seats, Selene next to Zan. He liked
the way she scooted close, pressing her side into his.

“You all right now?” he asked in a low voice.

“I think so.” She stared at the plate of pancakes in front of her. “I guess I made
a fool of myself, huh?”

“No. You had a point to make with your father. You wanted him to know you’re no pushover.”

“And instead he handed me my ass.”

He grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “And then some.”

She rolled her eyes. “Thanks.”

“Eat something, baby. I know you must be hungry.” She was staring at him strangely.
“What?”

“You called me baby. I sort of like that,” she murmured.

“Good. Then I’ll be sure to call you that often.” With a wink, he tore into his pancakes,
gratified when she did the same.

They were talking with Jax and Blue, finishing their breakfast, when Nick came into
the dining room. Selene went tense beside him, stiffening even more when the commander
strode to their table.

“I need an extra pair of hands,” he said without preamble. “Most of the others are
still working out.”

“What’s up?” Jax asked, crunching on his last piece of bacon.

“I need to go down to Block T and question that rogue vamp from the ranch again, see
if he’ll budge this time.”

“You know he’s not going to give up shit,” Zan said with a grimace. “Those bastards
are as stubborn as they are stupid.”

“Be that as it may, I have to give it one more try. If there’s any chance he’ll slip
and tell us something, I need to learn what he knows.”

“I don’t like it, boss,” Jax said with a frown. “He nearly got you last time, and
that was with several of us in the cell.”

“What?” Selene’s gaze bounced between Jax and her father. “What do you mean?”

“The vamp nearly killed him. That was right after we captured him and brought him
here, before you came. Don’t worry. We’ll be more careful.”

Zan tossed down his napkin, surreptitiously watching his mate from the corner of his
eye. She was worried for her father. Well, wouldn’t you know? His mate wasn’t nearly
as against Nick as she appeared.

“We’ll go,” Zan said, and Jax nodded. To Selene, Zan said, “I think you should stay
here and keep Blue company.”

“No! I’m going with you, and that’s final.”

Leaving their plates, they walked with Nick to the elevator, then rode it down to
the basement. As he’d predicted, the questions started.

“How do you terminate the creatures who stay down here?”

“In the most humane way possible, depending on what type of creature it is,” Nick
answered, glancing at her. “In this vampire’s case, a quick stab to the heart will
kill him. Beheading him will make sure he stays that way.”