Dark Moon (26 page)

“Please, don’t…” He begged weakly.

With a soft snarl, Sophia brought her sword down.  The sharp blade whistled through the air and carved through Draken’s neck.  Sophia wrenched her sword free and grinned savagely into Draken’s vacant eyes.

“Goodbye, Draken.”  She murmured.

“Sophia!”  Kaden, limping badly, came barreling through the opening of the tent.  He stumbled to a stop, staring in bewilderment at Draken’s body before his gaze fell on Sophia.

“Hello, human.”  She said softly.  She could feel the tears starting to drip down her cheeks as Kaden blinked at her.

“I – I’m here to rescue you.”  He said.

She grinned through her tears.  “I told you I could take care of myself.”

A huge grin broke out across his face and he limped towards her.  “Gods, little Lycan.  I love you.”

Crying freely now, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his neck.  “I love you too, human.”

He hugged her hard, kissing the top of her head and the side of her neck until she raised her face to his.  They kissed deeply, clinging tightly to each other, as Tristan stuck his head into the tent.  His face was pale and he gave a hoarse shout of relief when he saw Sophia.

“Sophia!”

She broke away from Kaden and staggered to her father.  “Papa!”

He hugged her fiercely, kissing her face numerous times before holding her away from him and looking her up and down.  “Are you alright?  Did he hurt you?”

He touched the cut on her temple and the bruise forming on her jaw as she shook her head.

“No, papa.”

“Thank the gods.”  He muttered.  He hugged her again.  “Thank the gods.”

* * *

“James, I’m fine!”  Sophia huffed impatiently as James continued to press his hands against her face.  “Finish healing Kaden.”

She sat down beside Kaden as James knelt on his other side and rested his hand on the bite on Kaden’s leg.  Warmth and tingling surged into his flesh and he gave the Lycan a grateful nod before turning to Sophia.  He cupped her face, resting his forehead against hers before he reached up and plucked two of her hair pins out.

She looked at him in bewilderment as he winked at her.  “Turn your head, little Lycan.”

She turned her head obediently and he went to work on the lock on the silver collar around her neck.  After a few minutes of patient probing, the lock clicked open and he pulled the collar from her throat.  She sighed with relief and rubbed at her neck before unbuckling the leather collar around his neck and tossing it on the ground beside the silver one.

He smiled at her and kissed her softly as Tristan crouched beside them and squeezed Sophia’s hand.  “As soon as Kaden is healed completely, we’ll head back for home.  Your mama is worried to death.”

“Alright, papa.”  Sophia replied.

Kaden cleared his throat and she stared at him.  “What is it?”

“There are other human slaves at Draken’s home.”  He said quietly.  She studied him for a moment before nodding and turning back to her father.

“Papa, we have to help them.”

Tristan sighed harshly before glancing at his brother.  “Aye, I know.”

He stood and rubbed at his forehead.  “We’ll go to Draken’s home and rescue the other humans.  Marshall, you’ll go home and tell the others what we’re doing.  Tell them we’ll be home as quickly as we can.”

Marshall nodded.  “Aye, Tristan.”

Tristan glanced at Kaden.  “Can you lead us to Draken’s home?”

“Aye, I can.”

Nicky stepped forward.  “How many more Lycans can we expect at Draken’s home?”

Kaden thought carefully.  “At least another ten, maybe more.  Draken’s pack was large.”

Nicky grinned delightedly at James.  “We should have brought our swords.”

Tristan squeezed Marshall’s shoulder briefly.  “Be careful, brother.”

“I’ll see you at home.”  Marshall kissed Sophia’s forehead before stepping back and shifting.  He barked once and loped away.  Tristan watched until he had disappeared and then turned back to the others.

“We’ll leave as soon as Kaden is healed.”

Chapter 24

“Leta, it’s almost dinner.”  Avery stuck her head out the back door and smiled at her youngest.  “Come in and wash up, please.”

“Alright, mama.”  Leta said agreeably. 

She climbed to her feet and dusted the dirt from the palm of her hands before reaching into the pocket of her pants.  She pulled out the piece of rabbit meat and held it high above her head as she stared at the small dog dancing around her feet.  “Tia, sit.”

Tia sat obediently and Leta smiled happily.  “Good girl!” 

She tossed the piece of rabbit meat and Tia snatched it out of the air, chewing it quickly before staring expectantly at her.

“That’s all the rabbit meat, silly.”  Leta giggled.  “You don’t get any more until – “

She stopped and stared into the trees that lined the property.  She lifted her head and inhaled deeply before whispering, “Papa?”

There was a flicker of movement in the trees and then Tristan came striding out from them. 

“Papa!”  Leta shrieked with delight and tore across the yard.  Tia, barking excitedly, followed at her heels.  She launched herself at Tristan and, grinning broadly, he caught her and lifted her into his arms.

“Hello, sweet Leta.  Have you missed me?”

Too excited to speak, she pressed loud kisses across his face as her siblings and Kaden appeared behind them.

“Oh papa.  You’ve been gone so long.  It’s been moons.”  She said as she patted his cheeks.

He laughed.  “It’s been two weeks, my love.”

Before she could reply, Avery stepped out into the yard.  “Leta, I told you – “

She stopped, her mouth dropping open as she stared at Tristan and Leta.

“Tristan?”  She whispered.  She ran across the yard as Tristan, still holding Leta, moved forward to meet her.

“Tristan!”  She threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply on the mouth.  He returned her kiss, one strong hand threading through her hair to hold her firmly as she pressed herself against him.

“Mama, you’re squishing me.”  Leta complained. 

Avery, laughing and crying, rubbed Leta’s back affectionately before looking behind Tristan’s wide frame.

“Sophia!”  She darted around Tristan and embraced Sophia before kissing her smooth cheek.  “My sweet, baby girl.  I was so scared for you.”

“I’m fine, mama.”  Sophia hugged her hard as the rest of the family flowed out of the house and into the yard.

Kaden stood back and watched as the Lycans were reunited.  Doran clapped Nicky on the back as Marshall embraced his brother.  Maya hugged Sophia, her pale face shiny with tears, before she stepped back and Vivian took her place. 

Kaden grinned as Bree, her thin face glowing with happiness, was picked up by James.  He smothered her face with kisses before setting her down gently and resting his hand against her stomach for a brief moment.  She smiled up at him, clasping his hand as he murmured something softly to her.  She nodded immediately and a look of relief came over his face.  He bent and kissed her belly quickly.  She stroked his thick, red hair before walking to Kaden.

Kaden bent and hugged her gently as she patted his back and kissed his cheek.  “I’m so happy you’re back.”  She whispered.

“Me too.”  He smiled at her and she hesitated before wrapping her hand around his neck and tugging his head down.  She placed her mouth to his ear.

“I’m pregnant, Kaden.  We’re telling the others after the wedding, but I wanted you to know first.”

She was looking at him nervously and he gave her a broad smile.  “Congratulations, baby sister.  You’ll make an amazing mother.”

Relief crossed her features and she hugged him again.  “Thank you, Kaden.  I love you.”

“I love you too, Bree.”

She squeezed his hand and returned to James as Avery approached Kaden.  “Welcome home, Kaden.”

He hesitated only briefly before hugging the Red.  She rubbed his back and whispered, “Thank you for saving her.”

“I love her.”  He said hoarsely.

“Aye, I know.”  She replied softly.

She hugged him again before stepping back.  Dani was standing behind her, her hand clasping a short brown-haired man’s hand firmly, and she gave him a shy smile.

“Welcome back, Kaden.”

“Thank you, Dani.”

“This is Andric.  He helped me after Draken took you and Sophia.  He saved my life, actually.”

Kaden held out his hand and Andric shook it firmly.  “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well.”  Kaden answered. 

Andric put his arm around Dani’s waist and kissed her cheek.  Dani gave him an adoring look and Kaden breathed a sigh of relief.  It seemed that Dani’s crush on him was forgotten and he glanced over their heads, searching for Sophia.

She was staring at him as she hugged Evan, and she winked and gave him a small smile.  He felt a surge of love for her that was nearly overpowering in its simplicity, and he headed towards her as Nicky took his grandmother’s arm.

“Come grandmamma, I will regale you with my tales of heroism while we eat dinner.

Vivian laughed and rolled her eyes.  “I can hardly wait, Nicky.”

* * *

“I’m so sorry, old man.”  Kaden stared down at the plain wooden cross that marked Ian’s grave.  He sat cross-legged beside the grave and sighed deeply.  It was early the next morning.  Sophia had joined him in his bed in the hayloft last night, and they had spent most of the night either making love or holding each other silently. 

They hadn’t spoken about the future, and he had woken before dawn and slipped out of bed without waking her.  He had brushed down Bandit, taking comfort in the familiar chore, before heading into the house.  It had been quiet and still as he had walked into the kitchen.  Avery and Tristan were sitting at the table holding hands and talking quietly.  He had stammered out an apology but they had insisted he join them.  He had sat with them for a few minutes before asking about Ian.  Avery, her face a mask of sympathy and sorrow, had directed him to Ian’s grave.

Now, he reached out and touched the wooden cross briefly.  “I’m sorry.”  He said again.

Strong arms snaked around him and Sophia dropped to her knees behind him before hugging him firmly.  She rested her chin on his shoulder and stroked his chest soothingly.

“I miss him.”  His voice was rough with unshed tears and Sophia kissed his cheek gently, her own cheeks wet.

“Me too.”  She whispered.

He squeezed her hands and she slipped around him and sat in his lap.  He buried his face in her throat as she stroked his broad back with her warm hands.

“I’m so sorry, Kaden.”

They sat silently for a few minutes before Sophia cleared her throat.  “Your sister and my brother will be married in less than a week.”

“Aye.  She told me she was pregnant.”  He lifted his head and smiled at her.  “She said they would tell everyone else after the wedding.”

She stroked his face.  “I’m glad she told you.”

She paused and then smoothed her hand over his brow.  “After the wedding I’ll leave with you for Vanden.”

“You would leave your family?”  He asked quietly.

“Aye.  I love you, Kaden.  I’ll go wherever you go.”

He kissed her fiercely, sliding his tongue deep into her mouth as she gave a small gasp of surprise.  She kissed him back, threading her fingers in his hair, as he rubbed her lower back.

He pulled his mouth free and rubbed his thumb across her swollen bottom lip.  “We’re not going to Vanden.”

She frowned at him.  “Where are we going then?”

He shook his head.  “We’re not going anywhere.  We’re staying here with your family.  I won’t ask you to leave your family for me and since I can’t be without you, I guess I’m staying right here.”

He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb as she smiled at him.  “Truly, Kaden?”

“Aye.  Your family will have to put up with me for a lot longer than they thought.”

She laughed and kissed him again.  “They’ll be happy to hear that.”

* * *

“Are you nervous, Bree?” Kaden asked as they stood at the closed door to the common room.  Behind it they could hear soft murmurs and quiet music.

“Only about walking in these shoes.  I should never have let Dani convince me they were a good idea.”  Bree made a face and lifted the bottom of her dress to show him the blue shoes on her feet.  “You’ll make sure I won’t fall flat on my face, won’t you?”

He grinned and nodded.  “Aye, I can do that.”

Bree smiled back and Kaden looked her up and down carefully.  “You look beautiful, Bree.”

“Thank you, Kaden.  Just between you and me, I feel a bit like a princess.  Isn’t that silly?”  Bree said quietly.

“It’s your wedding day – you should feel like a princess.”  He replied.  He straightened his tie and tugged a little at the collar of his shirt.

She grinned at him.  “You’re looking very handsome as well.  Sophia won’t be able to take her eyes off of you.”

He took a deep breath.  “Bree, I’m not leaving after the wedding.”

“I know.”  She said a bit smugly.

He frowned at her.  “How do you know?  I haven’t told anyone but Sophia.”

“I knew you weren’t leaving when James and the others brought you and Sophia back to us.  I could see it in the way you looked at her.”

“I love her.”

“Aye, you do.”  She squeezed his arm.  “Come, it’s been nearly five minutes since Dani, Sophia and Leta walked down the aisle.  James will think I have cold feet.”

Kaden pushed open the door to the common room.  The small gathering of family and friends stood and he lifted Bree’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles gently.  She was staring at James, her face lit with a happy glow, and she smiled briefly at Kaden before returning her gaze to James.

“Are you ready, Bree?”  Kaden asked.

“Aye, I am.”

Chapter 25

“Congratulations, James.”

Bree watched as a tall, thin Lycan shook James’ hand.

“Bree, this is Rory Barton and his wife Jade.  My father and his father, Thomas, are old friends.”

“It’s lovely to meet you.”  Bree smiled at the couple.  “Thank you for joining us today.”