Mating Brand: 3 (Mating Heat) (14 page)

The pride inched closer, seeming oblivious to the danger
above them. Brand glanced toward the alpha house, his gaze on the uppermost
window, near the roofline. Charma had closed the window and it was dark up
there but he could sense her watching, waiting for him to return. His
determination to kill the invaders and end the war as quickly as possible made
him impatient. The pride came forward, using bushes and trees in an attempt to
hide their approach. He watched as a few of them took to the trees.

A smile curved his lips when the first pride male came into
contact with Rave. A howl ripped the silence as two large figures crashed to
the ground in a jumble of fighting limbs. Brand dropped to the ground and
attacked a pride member who rushed to assist the one getting thrashed by his
cousin. The male hissed before his fingers sprouted sharp claws. Brand snarled,
showing his fangs, and tore into the man’s upper shoulder as they clashed.

He ignored the sounds of fighting as his pack engaged the
pride members. A lot of pent-up anger surged out of him. He just wished he
could take out his rage on the one who’d mated and abused Charma. She’d said
the son of a bitch hadn’t been sent to wage war, just amplifying his belief
that the guy was a pussy in every sense of the word. The day would come,
though, he silently swore, that he’d track that animal down.

“Keep a few alive,” Anton snarled, loud enough to be heard.

It didn’t make sense to Brand but he followed orders, just
severely maiming his opponent. The shifter stopped fighting once Brand used his
claws to slash the male’s right cheek open and broke his shoulder. He left him
huddled in pain and attacked another leopard streaking toward the house.

The thing was fast but Brand caught him by his back leg mid-leap
when he attempted to jump onto the second-floor landing. His teeth sank into
the leopard’s meaty thigh. The male yowled in pain and crashed to the ground.
He rolled over, his claws slicing at the thick fur protecting Brand’s chest but
Brand rolled to the side, avoiding the deadly strike as the shifter went for
his heart. He inwardly winced at image of the new scars he’d have. They both
slammed through the living room windows, into the house.

More werewolves attacked the male as Brand backed away,
leaving the poor bastard to his fate. The cat only made it a few feet inside
before he was dead. Brand jumped back outside and scanned the yard for other
threats to the house.

He figured they were searching for Alpha Elroy, to kill him.
They wouldn’t find his uncle since he was miles away, hidden, locked inside the
pack doctor’s basement. Another leopard caught his attention. That one was
using the treetops to launch an attack on the house. He landed on the roof and
Brand howled a warning to the ones inside. He turned, barreled back through the
broken windows and jumped over the carcass of his enemy.

His bulkier, hairy body filled the stairwell and his claws
tore into the carpet. He didn’t give a damn because that leopard was too close
to Charma. It was tough to distinguish noises with all the battles taking place
but he heard glass break and a female scream.

Charma! No!

He went insane as he bolted to the second floor and crashed
through a window at the end of the hallway. He almost skidded off the narrow
roof but his claws tore into the wood shingles, holding his ground as he
started to climb toward the third floor. He’d ordered her to barricade the door
and knew it would be faster to reach her from the windows up there. Werewolves
weren’t designed to climb but he was motivated. He slid on the steep incline.

Brand howled in rage and had to take a few calming breathes.
He forced his wolf back enough to lose his claws and regain his hands. He tried
to climb but slid farther. He turned his head and jumped toward the tree that
the leopard had used to reach the third floor. He couldn’t climb as a wolf but
he could as a man. It was slow going but he had to reach Charma.

It was eerily silent above as he finally reached the branch
that was close enough for him to peer in through the windows that had been
breached. He stared inside and what he saw made him want to roar in outrage.
Charma cowered beside a dresser that had been pulled into one corner of the
room. A leopard had her trapped there, blocking her escape.

The pride male stood just feet from where she huddled. That
male could be Garrett. Rage gripped Brand as he recovered enough to catch his
breath and inch along the branch toward the opening. He was going to kill that
son of a bitch for getting too close to his mate.

The big beast crashed through the windows. Charma gasped and
rolled out of the way when the leopard paused to shake off the broken glass.
Terrified by his violent entry, she managed to stumble to her feet but there
was no escape. She wedged into the corner beside the dresser she’d used to
block the door. The shotgun was behind the intruder, out of her reach.

The male shook his furry body again, removing the last of
the debris, and straightened. His head swung her way and she identified his
features and eyes. She’d spent way too much time with Percy and the enforcers
not to know what they looked like shifted as well as in skin. Surprise widened
his eyes when his gaze landed on her and his vision adjusted to the dim room.

Oh shit. He’s going to kill me.
She had no doubt
about that. The last time she’d seen Randy in Percy’s office, he’d been
considering mounting her until the pride leader had forbidden him to take her.
Time seemed to freeze. She didn’t glance away from him until he moved a step in
her direction.

She grabbed at the only thing within reach. A vase on top of
the dresser. She grasped the base and smashed off the top. “Stay back!”

He began to shift and she saw his nose flare as he sniffed.
He’d picked up her change in scent. Brand’s mark would offend him and he’d also
know she’d gone into heat. Her fangs elongated but she kept her lips closed,
hoping he didn’t notice her fingernails were clawed as well. She needed any advantage
she could get to survive.

Brand, where are you?
She silently screamed for him
but knew her mate was probably fighting for his own life.

Randy’s voice came out a mix of pissed-off man and outraged
leopard. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to warn them.” She braced her back against the wall
and inched her other hand behind the edge of the dresser. He’d have to come at
her and she planned to push the dresser toward him when he did.

“You what?” He took a threatening step forward but stopped,
his mouth hanging open.

“I warned them,” she taunted, praying she’d be able to send
him into a rage. He wouldn’t be thinking, more in tune with just tearing her
apart, and that was the only advantage she had. “I told them the pride called a
joining.”

“Why would you betray us that way?”

“Why do you think?” She finally lifted her chin, allowing
him to see her fangs. “I loathe the pride.”

He didn’t strike out at her the way she figured he would. He
took a step back, his face paling. “You stink of wolf!”

“I mated one.”

His utter shock was apparent.

Attack now
, her inner voice urged. She just wasn’t
brave enough to leave the safe, tight space. Her instincts were playing hell
and the shifter side of her wanted to hide from the larger, dangerous male
threatening her. He was stronger, faster, and she wasn’t about to fool herself
that her odds of winning were slim to none. Her human half wanted to cause him
some pain before he killed her.

“I have your sister,” he finally spat.

It was her turn to be shocked. “What?”

“Breeanna followed us here, thinking we were tracking you.”
His eyes narrowed. “Put down the vase and follow me out of here or I’ll kill
her.”

“You’re lying.”

“I hate Percy too.” He cocked his head, staring at her. “He
wouldn’t even send Garrett to fight for this cause. I’m sick of being fodder.
With you and your sister we could breed a new pride. You come with me without
putting up a fight and I won’t kill her. I always wanted you,” he hissed. “But
first we’ll have to rid you of that dog stench.”

“You don’t have Bree.” She refused to believe him.

“I do.” The smug expression on his face terrified her that
he was telling the truth. “She’s with my brother. He can have her and I’ll get
you. I don’t think you’re defective.” His gaze lowered down her body with
interest. “I just think Garrett is as spineless as his father and shooting
blanks. I know about him screwing anything that says yes and none of them have
ended up pregnant. Your mother was a breeder and gave your father four kittens
before the accident. I wanted you but Percy said his precious boy could have
you instead. Leave with me now or Breeanna will pay, Charma. I’m taking you
with me either way but I’ll hurt her as your punishment if you put up a fight.”

Her hold on the vase loosened. Randy took advantage of that
by moving faster than she could react and grabbed hold of her wrist, violently
snagging it with enough force to shake the broken object from her fingers. It
crashed to the carpet and he yanked her out of her hiding spot.

He turned, prepared to drag her out the way he’d come but
the sight of Brand climbing through the window stopped them both. Charma was
never so happy to see her furious mate than at that moment since she was too
worried about her sister’s fate to know what to do. He snarled and lunged forward.
Something wet splattered across her face and she turned her head, saw claws rip
into Randy’s chest, all the way through to his back.

He screamed and his hold on her was gone as Brand threw him
across the room. Brand’s elbow caught her shoulder, sending her crashing toward
the bed. She landed facedown on the mattress, bounced once and realized what
had happened. She twisted her head and watched Brand tear Randy apart. The gory
sight was horrific. The pride enforcer never even got the chance to scream
again before he died.

Brand turned, half man and half beast, panting. Fresh blood
covered his skin and dripped off his claws. His eyes were all wolf as he stared
at her.

Charma blinked a few times, in shock.

“Are you okay? I thought that might be Garrett but I can
tell by his smell that he’s not.”

She had to adjust to his rough voice to understand what he
said. She managed a nod. “He was an enforcer from my pride.”

He took a step forward, then another, and dropped to his
knees next to the bed. He kept his arms outstretched at his sides, his claws
extended but far away from her.

“Charma, did he hurt you?” His voice was less growl now,
more human.

She rolled over and sat up. “I’m okay. He said he has my
baby sister.” She turned her head to stare at what was left of Randy. Bile rose
in her throat and she swallowed hard, avoiding the sight as she desperately
turned back to hold Brand’s gaze.

“I’m sorry, baby.” He inched closer but didn’t touch her. “I
thought you’d be safe up here.”

“I’m okay. What if he really has my sister? He said Breeanna
followed him here and his brother has her.”

Brand breathed hard but his claws slid back into his
fingertips. He grabbed some of the bedding and wiped his hands on it. “Do you
think he was telling the truth?”

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. Bree can be pretty impulsive so
it’s possible.”

Brand slowed his breathing, reaching for control, and
glanced around. He stared at something on the nightstand. “Does she have a
phone? Call her.”

Charma was still stunned but she nodded. Her sister had a
habit of making rash decisions. Would she follow the males out of pride lands
if she thought they were going after Charma? It was possible. She crawled
across the bed and snagged the phone. Her hands shook as she dialed her sister’s
number. It rang six times before going to voicemail.

“She’s not answering. She always picks up.”

“Maybe it’s because she doesn’t know the incoming number.”

“That wouldn’t stop her. She’s close to a lot of humans and
they’re always changing their numbers.” She waited for the beep. “Bree, this is
Charma. This is urgent. You call me right back. Do you understand? At this
number. Call me right now.” She hung up.

Brand went the cramped bathroom located in the corner of the
room. The sound of running water made it clear he was washing away the blood.
She clutched his cell phone, waiting for it to ring. Every second seemed like a
minute. A wet hand clamping down on her shoulder made her jump and stare up at
Brand fearfully.

“She isn’t calling back. What if she followed them?” Her
gaze drifted to the broken windows facing the woods. “It’s a war zone out there
and my baby sister could be in the middle of it.”

“We’ll find her.”

“Your pack would kill her, wouldn’t they?” She panicked. “They’ll
think she’s attacking them with the pride males.”

Brand jerked her to her feet. “Let’s take you downstairs to
a safer location and I’ll go look for her.”

“How will you know who she is? You’ve never met her.”

“She’s a she-cat in pack territory. It won’t be hard.”

She clutched at him with her free hand, keeping hold of the
phone with the other. “I need to go with you. She’ll be terrified.”

“Charma,” Brand growled, “calm down, baby. Trust me. I need
to get you downstairs to Kane and his brother. They can protect you. I’ll go
search for your sister. We aren’t even sure if she’s out there.”

She wanted to go with him but knew she’d only slow him down.
She tried to think rationally. “You can’t go out there alone. Randy said his
brother has Bree. There could be more than one enforcer with her. You’d be
outnumbered.”

“I can handle a few pussies.”

It was a hellish situation for Charma. Brand would be in
danger if he went to locate Bree. She was torn between the love for her baby
sister and for her mate. Brand leaned in and pressed his forehead against hers.

“Trust me, hon. I’m going to find your sister if she’s here.
I know what direction they came from. I’ll backtrack their footprints, okay?”

“Be careful. I can’t lose you.”

“Nothing is going to keep me from spending a long life with
you,” he swore. “Now come with me downstairs. Kane and Klax can guard you.
Maybe I’ll take Braden with me. He’ll want to fight. Will that make you feel
better?”

“Yes.”

He released her and glanced once at the dead body of Randy.
He cleared the door and turned, holding out a hand to her. “Come on, Charma.
Time isn’t on our side. The pride must be on the run by now. They aren’t
winning this war.”

They hurried downstairs. The sounds of fighting inside the
house could be heard and Charma saw a body on the floor when they reached
ground level. Two tall blonds stood next to the bloodied corpse of a leopard at
their feet. Both turned, growling at their approach. They saw Brand and lowered
their clawed hands.

“Guard my mate,” Brand ordered harshly. He released Charma. “Stay
with them. They’ll keep you safe.”

“Where is Braden?” She frantically looked around.

“I’ll find him.” Brand rushed away.

Charma stared up at the identical twins with a bit of
trepidation. They were big werewolves, something she’d always feared, but Brand
said she’d be safe with them. She just didn’t feel it as they regarded her with
identical intense stares.

“Hi.” She felt the need to say something, anything, to break
the tension.

One of them turned away, sniffing. “More approach.”

His brother moved fast, making Charma gasp when he just
hooked her around her waist and swung her off her feet. She tried not to
cringe, knowing that the wetness seeping through her clothes was blood from his
fresh kill. She had other things to worry about. In four long strides he took
her to a door and yanked it open. “Be quiet,” he ordered, dropping her on her
feet. “Stay put. We won’t let anyone reach you.”

She was shoved inside a closet and the door closed, leaving
her in darkness. The phone in her hand rang and she startled then frantically
accepted the call, hoping it was Bree.

“Hello?”

“I’m sorry,” a female crooned. “I must have called the wrong
number. I was trying to reach my ex-boyfriend.”

“It’s a new number I just got. Whoever you’re trying to reach
obviously changed theirs. Sorry,” Charma whispered, hanging up. She didn’t have
time to deal with another Peggy situation.

She heard snarls and a battle taking place on the other side
of the door. She leaned against the thick wood, hoping the two brothers were as
fierce as they appeared. The prides seemed focused on attacking the alpha
house. She closed her eyes and prayed Brand would be safe.

Brand rushed outside and headed in the opposite direction
that Braden had gone, feeling a little guilt about lying to his mate. She’d
worry less if she thought he had backup. He was torn between staying to protect
Charma and going after her sister. The pride male could have lied in an attempt
to get her to leave with him but he had to be certain.

He caught a leopard attempting to sneak up on the house and
attacked. He wasn’t in the mood to dally so he shifted fast and just tore into
the male. He quickly left him dead on the lawn and sprinted in the direction
the group of pride had come from. He had a good idea where they’d entered the
woods. A lone stretch of road near the old graveyard would have allowed them
the closest access to the alpha house.

His paws dug into the ground as he rushed forward, on alert
for the enemy. He passed a few groups of wolves and four of them followed him,
perhaps hoping he was on the scent of a new target. He ignored the males, ones
he didn’t know. They were probably visitors for mating heat and had ignored
orders to leave. He picked up a scent a few miles away and changed direction.
Fresh blood from a kill alarmed him and he hoped it wasn’t a female she-cat he’d
find.

When he located the fallen body it was a male who was in
skin but stank of pride. A wolf had ripped open his chest. He leaned in,
pressing his nose close. Another scent came through and he growled. Braden had
taken out the male.

It became clear that Braden might have headed away from the
fighting but he’d doubled back. Another snarl drew his attention and he turned
his head, watching one of the strangers sniff the nearby grass. He stepped over
the body and shoved the male aside, sniffing at the spot. Female she-cat was
distinctive. The males let out a howl of intent to track her but he barreled
into the one who seemed to be in charge, taking him to the ground. His teeth
locked around the male’s throat in warning.