Into the Unknown (Werewolf Wars, #2) (32 page)

“What did you have in mind?” Gene asked, looking between the two of them.

“We were thinking of doing a mating ceremony,” Devon said, grasping Lark’s hand in his.

“Devon thinks it could help if something happens to him, or yourself Gene, and the women are taken. That his blood will deter other wolves from...” she trailed, off looking away.

“There is that,” Devon said, kissing her fingers. “I also want to commit to you. To show my peers and the world how much I love you.”

Lark bit her lip, smiling as she slipped away from Devon and went to the counter. Bringing the food over, she set it on a trivet before taking a seat.

“Devon says that the ceremony should be performed by an alpha, and we’d like you to do it, Gene,” Lark beamed, turning to Gene.

“I would be honored,” Gene grinned.

“Thank you,” Lark said as she placed a spoon in the dish. “It means a lot to us.”

“Of course. You’re my family,” Gene said.

Natalia picked up the black spoon and plopped a heaping pile of the steaming pasta onto her plate. “This smells delicious,” she commented, inhaling the scent of red tomato sauce and cheese.

“It does,” Gene agreed.

***

N
atalia bent down, leaning into the pack and play as she fit the sheet around the four corners. Satisfied, she stood up. Turning to Gene, she scooped Adrian up and laid him down.

Adrian jammed his fingers into his mouth. The room filled with tiny squeaks as the infant sucked his fingers. His eyes fluttered closed and he drifted to sleep.

“He seems happy,” Gene said as he kissed her shoulder.

“Yes, he does,” Natalia said, smiling down at her son.

“I was thinking,” Gene started as he turned her around. “That maybe the two of you should move over to the other side of the house. There are several empty bedrooms. We could turn one into a nursery.”

Natalia met Gene’s chocolate eyes. “Live together? Are you sure? I thought you said—”

“I’m sure, Talia.” He lifted his hands, gently grazing his thumb across her cheek. “I love you and I know you feel our connection too. You and I are mates.”

Natalia frowned. “Claire mentioned that. I know what it means, but
what
does it actually mean for us?” she questioned, wondering if he understood what she was trying to say.

“Wolves can choose anyone to be their mate. Occasionally a couple meets and there is this pull to each other—a connection. It’s not something you can ignore, and the more time you spend together the more you fall for the other person. The closer we become, the more in tune we are with each other. It’s possible, that we could even sense each other’s feelings and thoughts,” Gene whispered, kissing her lips. “When you were hurt, I could feel it. Feel your fear, your pain. I knew something was wrong. There will never be another woman for me. You are my future, Talia.”

Natalia blinked her eyes blurring with tears at his words. “Then tomorrow we’ll move to the other side of the house. This is my home—you’re my home,” she grinned as she pressed her lips against his.

Sighing, she parted her lips as Gene’s tongue darted out to meet hers. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him. She trailed her hands up his taut back. Her heart fluttered as Gene deepened the kiss. Everything was perfect in this moment and—for now—she wouldn’t worry about tomorrow or the days to come. For tonight, she would be a woman in love and share the night with the man who loved her.

***

F
ernando watched as the brick wall crumbled, falling to the ground in a heap of fiery debris. Flicking his wrist, he gave the order for his men to invade. The Bayou packs were in their final moments. Screams filtered into the air as his men began their work.

His new cell phone rang, and he gritted his teeth as he read the caller ID.

“Malakai,” he answered.

“Papa. I have done what you asked. I have seventy-two men with me, and we’re stationed about twenty miles from the Harris’ packs. Do you wish for me to attack?”

The order was at the tip of his tongue. Sirens blared in the distance as snarls and growls ricocheted off the buildings. If all went well, he could be back to Abilene by tomorrow night. He could personally watch the downfall of the Harris’.

“Hold off on the attack. I want to be there when you kill Natalia’s lover. I want to see her suffer for murdering my,” he smiled. She’d been broken after her mother’s death, but had persevered. He doubted she could do it a second time, especially if she didn’t have her son to motivate her.

The death of her lover would hurt. But learning that Fernando himself was raising her son would cripple Natalia. She would suffer for killing his beloved son.

Then there was the beautiful human Lark Davies. He’d only met her briefly, but he was awed by her tenacity. There had to be something truly special about her to lure in an alpha, and he was determined to find out what that was.

***

D
aniel jumped as an explosion boomed outside. Everyone fell silent for a moment before the room erupted in yells and screams.

“Sir, we cannot wait any longer,” Jackson said as he approached the alpha of the Bayou packs.

“No we cannot,” the older alpha responded warily. “You have your orders, and I implore that you follow them.” The alpha turned to Daniel and Vincent. He picked a large leather-bound notebook up from the table. “Please give this to your alphas’ in Texas. It is a memoir of our trials against the Gulf packs. Perhaps they may find something of use in them.”

Another explosion rocked the compound and mortar fell from the ceiling, sprinkling down on them. Daniel shuddered. Perhaps if they’d found a way into the pack sooner, they could’ve done more to help. Unfortunately, they’d stumbled in last night and had been told after lengthy questioning that they would have no choice but to evacuate in a few short hours.

“It is time for us to bid our farewells,” the alpha began. “Jackson, take your team and escort our women and children to safety.” The alpha turned to the elderly, grey-haired woman who sat at the table. “My dear, Mabel, please go with them.”

Mabel rose from her seat, a small smile on her face as she clasped her husband’s hand. “I will not leave without you, my love.”

The alpha nodded and turned back to them. “Go now before their wolves overtake us completely. May your pack fair better than ours.” He sighed heavily before wrapping an arm around his wife and leading her out of the room.

“We need to go now!” Jackson snapped to his team of ten men.

Daniel met Vincent’s gaze before leading the way out of the compound. Shrill screams filled the air as children and women ran towards the waiting bus that would be their means of escape. A young woman limped as she tried to run with two small children in her arms. Rushing toward her, Daniel lifted the two toddlers from her arms as Vincent wrapped an arm around her, helping her to move faster.

“Is there anyone else?” Jackson yelled as he helped load the children onto the bus.

“No,” the woman whispered.

“Let’s go.” Jackson ordered, climbing the steps of the bus. The door creaked shut, and the driver thrust the bus into gear.

Daniel looked out the back windows, watching as fire spread from building to building. Smoke billowed into the air. Movement caught his eyes. Squinting, he watched as a blur of red darted toward the bus.

“We have to go faster,” he ordered. He tapped Jackson’s shoulder, pointing toward the five men that were quickly gaining on them.

“I can’t,” the driver cried out frantically. “There is too much debris. This bus doesn’t maneuver like a car. The gate is just around the corner. We cannot afford for the bus to be damaged.”

“I’ll open the gate and hop back in as you drive by,” Daniel said as he looked out the door. Tiny fires littered the cement.

“Daniel,” Vincent yelled from the spot where he stood in the aisle way.

“If I don’t make it, get them to Abilene,” he said, meeting his brother’s green eyes. Inhaling, he turned to the driver. “Open the door so I can get ahead of you to open the gate. Once you hit the open road, step on it. Don’t stop! I’ll jump on as you pass by.”

“I can help you,” Jackson offered.

“Only one of us needs to open it,” Daniel said.

The wind blew in as the door squeaked open. Smoke filtered into the bus, filling the air with the putrid smell of burning plastic and furniture. “Get them to safety.” Turning, he grasped the handrail as he watched the pavement whirl beneath them. The bus brakes squealed as the gate approached. When the vehicle began to slow, Daniel jumped, landing on his feet. He sprinted ahead to the gate at the back of the property. Lifting the wooden planks, he shoved the gate open.

Spinning back to the bus, he growled. Two of Juarez’s men clung to the open door, trying to board. He balled his fists as the vehicle whizzed by, lunging forward, he grasped one of the men and dragged them to the ground. Daniel slammed his enemy into the cement and punched repeatedly. Hands yanked him backward, propelling him onto the blacktop.

He rolled to the side, kicking his feet out at his attacker, sending him reeling back. Daniel quickly climbed to his feet, and watched as the bus’ taillights disappeared into the distance.

Daniel grunted as something struck the back of his head. His vision blurred, and he pitched forward onto his hands and knees. Pain erupted in his side as a board hit him. When the man swung for the third time, he caught the wooden board and shoved it, causing it to hit the other man in the jaw.

Clutching his injured side, he stood up. Four men surrounded him, and he knew more would be coming. Shuffling backwards, he spun and darted for the trees, hoping to find cover.

Tree limbs whipped around him. His vision blurred, and then intensified as his eyes partially shifted. Heart pounding in his chest, he pressed forward, jumping over logs and zig zagging between trees. His pursuers’ feet thundered behind him, urging him to run harder. His legs and lungs burned as he pulled ahead.

Tired, he broke to the right, skidding down a steep ravine. His ankle jerked to the side as it tangled in loose roots. Collapsing to his knees, he fought back a howl. Daniel freed his injured ankle and hobbled down the slope. Twigs crackled behind him, and he ducked inside a thick bush, concealing himself completely.

Waiting anxiously, he listened as the men’s feet thudded above him. He closed his eyes and prayed for his safety and for Vincent and the evacuees. He could only hope his brother would be okay and see everyone back to Texas safely. After a long moment, the wolves continued past him. He let out a pained sigh as he crawled out of his hiding spot.

Forcing his feet into a steady jog, he ran the opposite direction they had gone. The pale moon light shone into the tree line and he could see the road ahead. Sucking in a deep breath, he pushed on, ignoring the deafening pain in his ankle.

The trees broke and he jumped up the hill. Stumbling, he braced himself on the hard cement before pushing himself up. Running across the pavement, he gasped as a car rounded the corner.

Headlights shining on him, he jumped in a vain attempt to dodge the car. The car struck his side, throwing him up onto the hood. Rolling, he collided with the windshield, causing the glass to crack. Pain erupted in his hip and shoulder as the tires squealed. Daniel launched into the air and then came crashing down onto the pavement. Cracks ricocheted through the night sky as he tumbled across the unforgiving blacktop.

His body throbbed, and each gulp of air he took sent searing pain shooting through his chest. Wheezing, his arm shook as he tried to push himself to his feet. Daniel grunted as his wrist gave out and his forehead met the street. Slowly, he rolled over in a vain attempt to stand up again. Blinding white light scorched his eyes as darkness gently pulled him under.

A
fter receiving a disturbing voice mail from her best friend, Nora Jamison races to help. On the way, she accidentally hits a man dashing across the road. Horrified, she helps the injured man, unknowingly drawing herself into a war. She quickly learns that her best friend is not who she thought she was, and that there is a dangerous and violent world she never knew about. Daniel McKinley is unlike anyone Nora has ever met before. Despite his rough exterior, Nora can tell there is more to him than meets the eye.

After sacrificing himself to save his brother, Daniel McKinley finds himself in a warzone. Members of the Gulf pack are hunting for him with the intent to kill him. While trying to flee, Daniel suffers a devastating accident and unintentionally draws Nora into the werewolf world. Feeling the intense need to protect her, he vows to keep her safe from his pursuers. But he never planned to fall for her in the process.