Forbidden Bond (27 page)

A hard blow slammed into her back, knocking her forward onto the ground. Her chin impacted the hard packed earth with near jaw breaking force, jamming her teeth together. The metallic taste of her own blood leaked over her tongue. Olivia blinked rapidly and rolled over onto her back, gasping for a lung full of air.

She heard a growl, low and steady.
Oh, shit
.

Olivia eased onto her side in the direction of the sound, placing her palms flat onto the ground, ready to bolt. A large wolf, not quite as huge as she remembered Eion to be, crouched about a foot away, teeth bared. Air sawed in and out of Olivia’s chest. Her head roared. From her impact with the ground or fear, she had no idea. Dark eyes glared at her from the beast’s tan, furry head. The size of the animal and the intelligence gleaming back at Olivia told her without a doubt that this was no ordinary wolf.

Olivia prayed she had the slightest chance in hell to grab her gun in enough time to defend herself. One thing was for sure: she wasn’t going to lay there and let whoever that was kill her.

One…two…three…go
.

She rolled to her feet, going for the gun.

“Holy shit!” Where had they come from? As if in a daze, she swiveled her head to the left, then right. At least four other wolves had appeared out of nowhere. She was surrounded. Olivia drove her hand inside her pocket.

“Now what do you think you’re going after?”

She jerked her head over her shoulders at the unexpected female voice. But before she could register who it was, someone grabbed her and ripped her jacket from her arms. Olivia spun from the force as her coat hit the ground, and her gaze fell on the familiar face of a nude woman.

“Tawny?”

The other woman sneered. “I told Eion how easily human females can break and that he shouldn’t get so overly attached.” The rest of her group released a growl and closed in, creating a tighter circle. Olivia swung her head from side to side, her gaze falling on nothing but glowing eyes, bristling fur, and fangs. Whether they were all shifters, pure wolves, or a mixture of both, she couldn’t tell.

“By the way, Eion’s too busy at the moment to come running for his little human.”

Adrenaline flooded Olivia’s veins, making it hard to stand still. Sharp teeth nipped at her leg and she jerked. “Stop!” Tawny waved her comrades back a few steps. “This one is mine.”

“Why are you doing this, Tawny?” Olivia’s pulse pounded inside her ears. “What have I ever done to you?”

“What have I ever done to you?” Tawny mocked in a shrill voice. “You puny, pathetic human.” She shook her head. “You have no right to him. Eion is an alpha!” she snapped, her canines flashing. “He was meant for me!” Tawny lunged, shifting in midair. Her paws crashed into Olivia’s chest, claws ripping Olivia’s shirt in half before her back smacked the ground. Air punched from Olivia’s lungs and a loud crack resounded inside her skull. Olivia shook her head. She wouldn’t go down this easy. A loud huff, coming from Tawny’s muzzle, sounded near her ear. In her wolf form, she stood half-on and half-off Olivia’s chest, pinning her to the ground. Olivia reached up and sank her hands into her fur, pushing her back, but the female didn’t budge. Tawny sniffed at the site where Eion had left his mark, and froze, completely enthralled by her find.

This was Olivia’s chance.

Tawny released a growl from deep in her gut. Olivia curled her knees in, and fisted her fingers around the mound of fur in her palms. The wolf’s muzzle spread wide, exposing the length of her canines.

With every ounce of strength Olivia could muster, she cried out, and launched Tawny from her body. The wolf flew back, hitting the ground with an
umph
. She rolled, and quickly sprung onto all four feet.

Shit, shit, shit!
Olivia scrambled backward on her knees. Where was a hefty dose of Ketamine when she needed it?

Suddenly another wolf leaped into the circle with a wicked snarl. Her heart skipped a beat. She was a dead woman for sure. The beast came to an abrupt halt, assessing the field around him, its stance challenging. The new guy stood twice the size of the others, his coat darker than midnight. Her skin tingled in recognition of her mate.
Eion.

The small pack growled, yet didn’t advance.

Movement out of the corner of Olivia’s eye drew her attention. Tawny surged toward her, her attack triggering the others to make their move.

Olivia threw her arms up, covering her face and bracing for Tawny’s impact. Tawny slammed into her, knocking Olivia onto her back. Olivia kicked at the animal’s underside and used her forearms to deflect the wolf’s head away from her face. Sharp teeth sank into Olivia’s arm, making her cry out. In the distance, snarls and yelps rent the night air. A hard lump lodged in the back of her esophagus, choking her. Not from the fear of her own demise, but for the beautiful soul of her mate.

Dear God, please don’t let him die.

A loud blast rocked Olivia’s body and Tawny’s large form collapsed onto her chest. Her brother stood a few feet away, a rifle resting on his shoulder. A warm, wet feeling trickled down Olivia’s side. Several more yelps rang in her ears right before the cries faded as if their source had scattered into the night.

“Don’t move, Livvy!” her brother shouted. “There’s one more coming your way. He’s a big son-of-a-bitch.”

A split-second later, her stunned brain cleared, and it dawned on her who he was talking about. “No!” She struggled under the weight of Tawny’s wolf. “Don’t shoot. Dear God, don’t shoot!”

“What are you saying?” Kris swung back in her direction at the same moment Tawny shimmered, morphing back into her human state. Her brother staggered back and it had nothing to do with his leg.

“Liv! Oh, fuck!” Eion called out. He crouched beside her, minus any clothing, and helped ease Tawny off of Olivia. The other woman’s limp body rolled onto her back. Blood splattered Olivia’s chest and pooled on the ground beside her. “Oh, shit. Oh, my God.” Eion stroked Olivia’s face and down her shoulders. “Tell me where you’re hurt.”

She grabbed his hands. “I’m okay. It’s not that bad. I think most of the blood is Tawny’s.” Eion maneuvered around Liv as she rose into a sitting position. He crouched beside Tawny’s still form, a gaping bullet wound near her back. As if she sensed Eion, her eyelids fluttered open.

“What were you thinking, Tawny?” The pained sound in Eion’s voice tore at Olivia’s heart. “What good could have come from attacking Liv?”

The other woman’s lips parted, and her face contorted as if the effort was agonizing. “Her gone…I could have you,” she stated, her words barely audible. Tawny reached out and clung to Eion’s arm.

Slowly, Eion shook his head and peeled her fingers from his flesh. “No, Tawny.” He placed her palm on her bare abdomen. “You couldn’t.” A shallow breath later, her arm slid from her body and struck the grass. Eion leaned over and closed her dark eyes.

Instinct sent Olivia’s hand over her mouth, but she didn’t know if it was to shield a sigh of relief, or cover a sob about the senseless tragedy.

“Liv?” Her brother’s voice dragged her back to the world around them. On one crutch, he made his way to her side. “What the hell?” His gaze darted between Olivia and the naked pair next to her. Eion edged over toward her abandoned jacket and wrapped it around his lower half before returning.

“Did you just…” Kris snapped his jaw shut and started again. “I could have sworn I shot a…” He blinked and then centered his focus on her. “Please tell me you saw those two…change.”

Eion kneeled next to her. Olivia sighed and cupped his face before turning her attention back to Kris. “It’s a long story, Brother.”

***

Dawn sizzled its fiery streaks across the summer sky as Eion pulled up once more in front of his father’s home. After Tawny’s death, he’d gathered the few shifters who’d lingered behind, injured and dazed after the battle, and made sure they returned Tawny’s remains to her family. There’d been no time for a shower or rest. After he had sent the others on their way, he’d grabbed a pair of jeans, a shirt, and had hit the road.

He cut the engine, exited the vehicle, and stormed toward the house. The four-hour drive had done little to soothe his rage. It was time to cross the line and he knew there would be no coming back. There wasn’t any other way to make it stop—to find happiness with the woman he loved. She deserved better than this. So much damn better than the ugly baggage he’d brought to their mating.

Ms. Agatha must have heard his approach and opened the door before he could enter.

“Mr. Mandrake. It’s good to see you again so soon.”

“I need to see my father.” He marched past her and aimed for the alpha’s office.

“Your brother is here as well this morning,” she called out behind him. “He’s with your father now.”

“Perfect,” he growled. He couldn’t have planned it better.

Eion seized the handle to his father’s door and barged inside. His brother, Tristan, stood in front of the alpha’s desk, his knuckles pressed to the surface. He whipped around at the loud bang, his features tight with what appeared to be anger.

“Good!” Eion strolled further into the room, the leash on his rage frayed at the edges. “I’m glad to see you’re both here so I don’t have to repeat myself.”

“Damn, man,” Tristan began. “You look like shit.” He stepped forward. “I’m so sorry. I just heard about what our father and Tawny cooked up for last night.” His gaze narrowed on Eion, sincerity reflecting in his eyes. “Is your human female okay?”

“She’ll be fine,” Eion replied. “It’s Tawny who had to pay the price for their little scheme.”

Cyrus pushed from his seat and stood. “What do you mean?” he bellowed.

Tristan turned to face their elder, and Eion moved to stand in front of the desk. “Thanks to you, she’s dead,” he bit out. “Several members of our pack are seriously injured.” Eion slammed his fist onto the glass. The sharp tips of his canines scraped his lower lip, and with his face still smeared with dried blood, no doubt he looked like a crazed beast. “You forced me to attack our own. You fed Tawny’s jealously until she broke and struck out at Liv. For what?” He cried out, “She ended up with a bullet in her back.” Eion dropped his head, no longer able to stare into the face of the monster that was his father. “Did either you or Tawny honestly think I’d want anything to do with you after you hurt the people I care about?”

“You left us no choice,” his father said.

No choice
.

Eion lifted his chin, facing the current alpha. “That’s exactly what you’ve done for me—given me no choice. I’m done.”

“What are you saying?” Cyrus’s lip curled.

Eion pushed away from the desk and stepped back. “I’m done with you.” Eion spread his arms out wide at his side. “With all of this.”

“You are the rising alpha,” his father roared. “You have a responsibility. You can’t just wash your hands of us because things got a little distasteful for you.”

“Oh, I can. And I have.” He nodded and turned to his brother. “Except for you, Tristan, who will always be a part of me and my life, I am no longer part of this family. Tristan Mandrake, I hereby pass on my status of rising alpha to you. You are now the first-born son to Cyrus Mandrake.” Tristan’s eyes widened, and his gaze flicked to the alpha.

“This pack needs you, Eion,” Tristan whispered. “Don’t leave like this.”

“You’ll make an excellent alpha, Brother. I know that with everything that’s in me. Don’t worry. I’ve given this a lot of thought. In fact, it’s all I’ve been able to think about for days. This is what’s right for me.”

“I refuse to allow such a thing!” The alpha surged from around his desk toward Eion.

“It’s already done.” Eion looked to his brother and back to Cyrus. “You have a rising alpha, and your status is secure within the pack for another two years. He’ll make you proud.”

Eion strode to the door and gripped the handle before glancing over his shoulder at the furious expression on the alpha’s face. “One last thing…stay out of my life. As of this day, you are no longer my father. It would serve you well to remember that, because next time, if you
ever
do anything to threaten my mate’s life again…I
will
kill you.”

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Olivia turned sideways and stared at her profile in the full-length mirror of her bedroom. With one hand, she smoothed the antique white satin of her dress over her abdomen and held the fall colors of her bouquet at her waistline with the other.
No one would be the wiser.
But Olivia knew, and she’d never been happier in her life.

“You’ve never looked more beautiful.”

Olivia whirled at the sound of Taylor’s voice. Her heart fluttered.

He came.

Taylor stood in the doorway, his hand clasped inside Josie’s. Olivia dropped her arms to her sides. “Oh, my gosh! Thank you both for coming. You’ve made this day even more special.”

He released Josie’s hand and strode into the room, wearing a smile and the dark blue suit that she remembered from their graduation day. He’d hated it.

“Hey, just because we didn’t work out,” he cupped her cheeks, “doesn’t mean I would miss the most important day of my friend and business partner’s life.” He planted a kiss to her forehead, and she choked back a sob.

“Oh, God, Taylor McDaniel…don’t you
dare
make me cry.”

“Don’t mess up her makeup, Taylor!” Josie darted into the room, grabbed a tissue from the box on her dresser, and dabbed at the tears threatening to spill beneath Olivia’s eyes.

“Thank you.” Olivia glanced from Josie to Taylor. “So are you two…” She wagged a finger between them and smiled.

Josie grinned and looped her arm through his. “Yeah, for about a month now.” A corner of Taylor’s mouth curled into a smile.

“Wow.” Olivia shook her head. “I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you around for a while and why Taylor had been so quiet and distracted lately.”

“Yeah.” Josie sheepishly grinned. “I’ve been kind of preoccupied.”