No Quarter (11 page)

Something hard crunched against her ribs and sending her flying to the right. The Centaur had transformed and kicked her with a hoof.

“You must be prepared for anything. Keep focused. They might take a formal challenge and use it as an ambush.” Prometheus stood high on his horse body. “Move your eyes constantly. Keep aware.”

Still sore from the last rib breaking, she noticed that healing had already begun as a normal Lycan should. The poison had left her body. For the first time, she had hope.

Tom lunged at her once more, this time taking a bite out of her front and hind quarter as he passed. She yelped at the searing pain in her wound.

“I can’t watch,” Colin yelled as he ran into the house.

Fighting to ignore the pain in her mate’s voice, she looked back and forth between Prometheus and Tom. Who would attack first?

“Don’t play defense. Take the offense!” The Centaur yelled at her.

She stalked around Tom. He moved to keep his muzzle and body pointed toward her. She took a mental note of it. She faked to the right before darting left, grabbing his leg with her teeth and yanking, which dropped him to the ground. She bit at this shoulder first, then his hind leg. As he scrambled and yelped, she took another bite at the back of his neck.

This time, she kept an eye on the Centaur. When a hoof came at her, she jumped out of the way and bit at it, scraping it with her teeth before taking another swipe at Tom.

“Excuse me!” Jake yelled. “Chances are, there won’t be a Centaur on their side. Let’s make this as real as it comes.”

Prometheus stepped back as Jake shifted and headed for Nala. Growling and snarling like a true opponent.

Her head dropped below her shoulders as her heart sank. She was now going to have to attack her brother-in-law. As he approached, she crouched down to give herself better leverage and leaped. Pain shot through her core as her chest collided with his shoulder. Jake fell over and yelped before scrambling to his feet. When Nala attempted the same move, he grabbed the back of her neck and jerked hard. She felt fire where his teeth pierced her coat. He wasn’t taking it easy on her.

“Stop thinking like a wolf. Fight! Use all of your resources!” Prometheus ordered.

Nala and Jake stopped at looked at him. Tom shifted. “That’s not how Lycans fight.”

“You don’t think that man is going to cheat? Really? Because that whole pack is as filthy as it gets.” The Centaur crossed his arms over his chest.

She paused and looked around. When Tom shifted, he ran at her to attack once more. She waited…watched…until he was a foot away, and then shifted, grabbing a stick and stabbing him in the shoulder.

“Yes!” Prometheus cheered. “That’s it. Again!”

Now lying on the ground in human form, Tom pulled the stick out of his shoulder. “That fucking hurt. Do it again!”

When Jake lunged at her, she chose a rock and bashed him in the head.

Tom’s final attack broke her jaw as his fist connected. She fought back the tears as blinding pain radiated through her face. When she shifted back, the Centaur walked over to her. “It’s just dislocated. Hang on…this is going to hurt.” With more unbelievable pain, he pushed her jaw back into place.

“Ugh,” she groaned, fighting back the real tears of pain that were lingering beneath the surface.

“Don’t sweat it, Warrior…I doubt your opponent is going to be this skilled. Keep practicing. Stop three days before battle. It’ll give you enough time to heal fully and anticipate the fight.” Prometheus pounded his chest twice before heading into the house.

Nala plopped down on the bench. Jake sat next to her. “Damn, you’re tough as nails. I’m very impressed. If we weren’t pack mates, Tom and I would be dead.”

“Speaking of training, no more morning working out alone. We will train every morning.” Tom bowed slightly and headed down the path toward the security shack that now housed the monitors.

“Jake, make sure you don’t take it easy on me.” Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her knees. “If I’m going to survive a challenge from an Alpha or a Beta male, I need you to give me all you’ve got.”
And I’ll do my best not to kill you out of instinct.

“We won’t kill a pack mate. Relax.”
Her wolf’s reassurance did little to calm her worry.

He huffed. “Are you kidding me? I
was
giving it all I had. I hit and bit as hard as I could. Nala, really, you’re going to plow through that douchebag.” Standing, he offered a hand to help her off the bench. She gladly took it. “You’d better go see my brother. That was hard on him.”

“Yeah, thanks for everything. I chose my Beta wisely.” She winked and spun on her heel toward the house. The smell of breakfast hit her hard, causing her stomach to growl. As she entered the dining room, she found Colin staring at a plate of yet-to-be-touched breakfast.

“You okay?” he asked as she pulled out her chair.

“I was about to ask you the same question.”

“That was awful. But I swear on our bond that I won’t run when the actual challenge happens. I’ll stay and will you to win.”
A weak smile spread across his face. “Lycan’s honor.”

Breakfast went down quickly. The soreness had subsided by the time she hit the shower. She thanked her Lycan genes for the quick recovery and ridding her body of whatever toxin had slowed the healing until now.

Colin had taken the training hard. Having a large Centaur and the head of security both attack her at once had been too much. How would he react if she lost her life in the challenge? She cursed their bond yet again, and the very real risk to her mate’s heart.

“It’s my risk to take,” his voice was low as he opened the shower door. “I know what I’ve gotten myself into, Nala.” Stepping in, he closed the door behind him. “I have faith in you, just not Stephany’s mate. He’s as dirty as they come, I can just feel it.”

She wrapped arms around his neck. “I love you. I am sorry that you constantly have to worry about me.”

“We get to celebrate at a wedding this weekend. Two days later, you’re going to be fighting for your life and the wellbeing of our pack. I want you to promise me you’ll eat as much as you can. Get as much rest as possible. Let Jake handle the business end of the pack this week. You need your strength.” His arms closed around her back and squeezed her. “Do those things for me. The challenge is what it is. We knew it would come.”

Resting her sopping wet head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax. “I will win.”

“Yes. You will.” Soothing hands stroked her back as the hot shower poured over them. “Until then, we’re going to train, shop, and celebrate.”

When she lifted her head, his lips met hers in an instant. Knotting her fingers in his hair, she pulled him in harder, her heart leaping with the sudden excitement that had taken the place of fear. Her mate believed in her as did key members of her pack. A Centaur had admired her skills and her heart. She had to remove her trepidation and practice faith once again.

Teeth lightly bit at her neck, sending flames of need to her core. His hands slid down to her thighs and he lifted her up while stepping toward the stone shower wall. After gently easing her back against the hard surface, he positioned himself at her opening. Their eyes locked as he eased her down on his cock.

A small gasp released as her body accommodated him. Small jets of water tickled her nipples which stood at attention. His head fell forward and rested at her collarbone as he thrust into her again. He lifted his head, kissing her once more. The kiss held urgency and passion like she hadn’t experienced before. As he devoured her mouth, his cock filled her to her core.

Gone was the need to be so delicate. With their bond, he could sense exactly what she felt and aggression rocked her mind. After easing her feet to the floor, he turned off the water and exited the shower, pulling her with him. He dropped a towel on the floor before the sink and positioned her wet feet on it, shoulder width apart. Strong hands made their way down her arms, until they held her wrists and planted them on the counter.

Their image reflected in the mirror made her heart race even more, both sopping wet, cheeks flushed. He guided himself in from behind, impaling her once more. Rough hands made their way to her hips, holding her firm as he thrust into her.

“Look at me!” she cried out.

He looked at her in the mirror, eyes illuminated in their beautiful golden glow. A low growl rumbled in his throat and he squeezed her hips, picking up the pace. Her heart raced as he pounded into her from behind, exhilarated at the pace…at his need. His right hand released her hip and quickly fisted in her hair, forcing her head to turn so that he could devour her lips once more.

She moaned into the kiss, which sent her mate wild. After lightly biting her bottom lip, he clenched his jaw, thrusting into her a final time before pulling out and spilling his seed on the towel. Still breathing hard, he spun her around and kicked her feet apart. A gentle push on her shoulders had her leaning back on the counter before he commenced in kissing and licking her neck. He trailed down to her breasts, gently sucking on her nipple. A firm hand between her legs massaged her nerve bundle, making her whimper. Keeping his thumb on her clit, he slid two fingers inside. As the delicious sensation buzzed within her, she panted. Her knees, threatened to buckle as the blood rushed to her core, which quivered at the precipice.

His loving fingers massaged her to the crest as her orgasm swept over her. She cried out as she rode the wave of ecstasy.

“That’s it, love.” He kissed her neck.

“Wow,” she gasped. Her shaky legs revolted against her as she stood upright.

“Indeed.” He winked then stepped away, turning the shower on.

After a good rinse, she toweled off and headed for the bed. Colin soon followed.

“Every time I curse this bond; you’re going to remind me of its benefits, aren’t you?” She chuckled realizing how phenomenal the bond made the sex.

“If I have to keep you in perpetual orgasm, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

She turned to see a large smile on his face. “Oh, the horror!”

Laugher echoed in their room. She pushed back thoughts of the challenge. There was no way on earth she was going to spoil the post-coital bliss, but the thought of that damned note crept in.

“What note?” Colin asked.

With a sigh, she rolled over and opened her night stand drawer, pulled out the note and handed it to Colin.

“Enemies within our pack, Colin.” She closed her eyes, wishing it all away.

Against her better judgment, she allowed Colin to give the note to Jake who was enraged at the message.

“I’ll get down to the bottom of this. Mark my words!” Jake roared and slammed his fist on his desk. “For now, don’t worry about this. Train and prepare. Let me handle this nonsense.”

While it was quite possibly the best course of action, she hated that it made her feel weak, needing the men around her to watch over her. This was one of many times she’d question her choice to be Alpha. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the risks, the responsibility…but the amount of enemies she’d acquire had far surpassed her expectation.

Dinner in their room was followed by two rounds of vivacious lovemaking that kept Nala in a state of euphoria she wished would last forever.

The next three days followed the same pattern of training, breakfast, showering, followed by lovemaking, lunch and numerous other distractions. Colin had succeeded in the distraction department with two trips searching for a dress for Nala to wear to the wedding. While she only concerned herself with mobility in the event she’d have to defend herself, Colin argued for a more form fitting cocktail dress. They’d met in the middle with a thigh length black dress that flowed once past her waist with a formfitting lace bodice on top.

She was once again in her bathroom, on a stool, while Carissa, the pack beautician, worked her magic. Her dark hair had been pulled into an elegant French twist, accentuated with baby blue gems along both sides. Carissa had insisted on a bit more makeup since it was an evening event.

“What are those?” Nala pointed at the black, caterpillar like things on the beautician’s finger.

“Fake eyelashes. Hold still.”

“Nope! No way. Get those things away from me. My eyelashes are fine.”

With a sigh, she tossed them in the trash. “Really, it would have been so beautiful.”

She snickered. “I already let you put three extra layers of makeup on me. I think I’ve given as much as I’m willing.”

“Well, let’s see what you think.” Carissa stepped back and held her arm out toward the mirror.

Nala stood from her stool and looked at her reflection. She had to hand it to the crazy Lycan beautician. The extra makeup had given her a magical transformation.

“Stunning. Right?”

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Ha!” She tossed her brushes in her bag. “You could be on the cover of Vogue. Who are you kidding? With that bone structure and skin tone…it was the perfect canvas.”

Pulling the tissue from around the neck of her dress, which plunged too low for her liking, she had a view of the full deal. It would be impossible for her not to feel sexy like this. The low neck line made her feel less a warrior and more a harlot, but it had given her mate an erection he couldn’t hide in the store. It seemed like the perfect torture device for him, so she conceded.

“Enjoy the wedding!” Carissa called over her shoulder as she hurried out of the bathroom.

She continued to stare at herself in disbelief.
Makeup is amazing.

“Not that you need it.” Colin’s voice came from behind her. When she turned she saw his face slightly red.

“I might need to wear an extra pair of underwear tonight. Damn you look sexy.”

Heat radiated around her neck and licked at her cheeks. “Thank you.” She wagged her finger for him to step from behind the door, which he was using to conceal himself.

When he stepped out, she saw his tuxedo. “Wow, you clean up nice!” Teasing with a wink, she smacked his behind as she passed him. “I just have to slip on my shoes.”

“Wait!” The smile on his face was wide before he darted into his closet. She sat on the bed, curious as to what he could be up to.

He returned with a shoe box. “I had these especially made for you.”

When he opened the box, back heels stared back at her. “I don’t understand.”

“Well,” he said taking a knee by her feet, “my little warrior Alpha has been so worried about defending herself, I had them reinforce this section with steel.” He pointed to the photo inside the lid. “This is what they can transform into—a steel toed shoe so you can kick someone’s ass if you need to.”

Moisture in her eyes threatened to ruin Carissa’s handiwork. “This is oddly the sweetest thing you could have done.”

When she slid her feet into them, she could feel the stiffness from the steel. It made her feel near giddy. “So when I shift, I can shift the shoes into those?”

His head bobbed as his smile widened. “Yep.”

“Fantastic!” She quickly stood from the bed, walked a few paces and held out her hand. “Let’s go party.”

Once in the car, Nala did the best she could to quiet her mind and think of anything but the upcoming challenge against Jackson Kincade.

“Can I ask a silly question?”

Colin’s grip on the wheel tightened as he glanced at her. “I doubt it’s silly, but you can ask me anything.”

“When you said you did what you could to quiet your mind so I wouldn’t be inundated with your thoughts, how’d you do it?” She balled her hands in her lap, embarrassed she didn’t know the answer already.

“Ah yes, my mother taught me that little trick. See, my father was Alpha. Mom was a worrier. She’d have to occupy her mind so as not to distract him with her worrying. What she told me was to visualize something that makes you feel calm and relaxed. For me, that’s sitting by the water, sun warming my body, frogs in the background. What makes you feel calm and relaxed?”

She looked down at her hands and clamed up.

“Nala?”

She cleared the lump out of her throat. “When I was little I had a hard time sleeping. I was sort of wired all of the time. My mother used to lay in bed behind me and stroke my hair.” A soft laugh escaped. “I swear her fingers were like magic. I’d start off feeling like I wanted to go run and play. Before I knew it, my eyes would start to feel heavy. My muscles would relax and I would just pass out.” She took a deep cleansing breath, ridding herself of the loss she was feeling all over again. “It was the safest place in the world, lying in front of her.”

“Then think of that when you feel overwhelmed and trust me when I tell you that the more you think of it, the less you’ll feel like crying. I promise.”

She closed her eyes and let the memories of her mother flood her mind. She’d been so quiet…so passive. Her mother silently raised a strong, independent, Lycan woman. No one would have thought her mother to be the sort that filled her head with thoughts of Alpha-ship someday.

“Wow!” Colin’s voice caused her eyes to pop open. The long drive had been lit by torches that led to numerous large tents which were lit with small lanterns.

“So this is their tradition, huh? Nice.”

“Actually, no. But according to Wendy, they wanted to have it during the evening so Gustav and a few other vampires could attend. I think the Gnomes are probably the most attuned to integration. They really do try to get along with everyone.”

Nala couldn’t agree more. They even gave gifts to their enemy.

After they parked the car, they made their way to the tented area, which was swarming with supernaturals of all kinds. The atmosphere was charged with elation, a welcomed feeling for Nala, and from what she could feel coming from him, Colin.

“I’m so glad you came!” Mary shuffled over in her dress. Wendy had hand sewn the little gown, attaching countless tiny pearls. Her curly brown hair was wound into a braided crown. Adorable and excited, the little woman bounced up and down.

“You look lovely.” Nala sat in the nearest chair and leaned down. “Congratulations on your wedding day.”

With her hands clutched to the skirt of her wedding gown, the little woman twirled. “Isn’t it lovely? Wendy made it for me. She’s such a good friend!” A squeal came from her as her smile widened. “Oh look, it’s almost time. Grab your seats over there. We’re doing this here, where the reception is.”

Before Nala could reply, Mary ran off toward a group of Gnomes standing at the front of the tent. Nala took Colin’s hand and walked to their seats.

“Xander! It’s good to see you,” Colin said as he threw his arms around him.

“Thank you. It’s good to see you as well. Nala.” He nodded at her. “I think we’re about to start.”

Grace, Roman, Wendy, and Zoltar joined them at the special table reserved just for them.

An elder Gnome hobbled to a tiny podium and called attention. “Since the beginning of our recorded history, a Gnome wedding was no more than the parents declaring their offspring as a couple. This assumed, of course, that the parents were still alive and happy with the union. As we supernatural beings have moved to a more civilized way of life, our people have discussed the forming of unions in a more formal manner. Mary and Bart have asked us to manage their wedding in a certain way, but you’re all free to have whatever ceremony you wish.”

All of the little heads in the enormous tent bobbed. The Elder continued.

“Life is delicate, this much we all know. Some of us live much longer than others, but in the grand picture, our time here is but a blink of an eye. In that tiny fraction of a moment in time, we have a limited amount of days, hours, minutes, and even seconds to make each moment count; to make every life matter, every friendship, and every courtship must matter to the fullest extent allowable. In the last year, Mary has blossomed among our kind. She was the first to step up and speak for us, the first to run with the Lycans, the first to befriend with another species. Our Mary has risked her life for her friends, has spilled blood to protect those she has cherished, and while taking a life is no small matter, she has done so with honorable intention. She’s fierce, charitable, and loyal to her fullest. Her closest friend is a Lycan, Wendy Baker. With Wendy’s help, Mary established the first Gnome settlement among the Lycan’s of Nala Baker’s clan.”

Applause erupted through the tent.

“Together with the Centaur King, Zoltar, Mary worked though she was exhausted and drained, to establish a feasible mode of transportation for our kind.” He nodded to Zoltar, who smiled and bobbed his head in return.

“So when Mary looked to a mate, she looked toward Bart, who proudly holds a seat at FOSE headquarters. Bart also was chosen by the Fae as a member of the Special Opps unit tasked with tracking down those who mean to do us harm. This special member of our society worked tirelessly on the erection of this very school, working to uniting us all. Mary looked for a special mate among our people and found Bart to be her match. Together, they represent all that we are and all that we will be as we move forward.”

Another round of applause filled the air as Mary and Bart joined hands.

“Mary,” the elder started as he rapped ivy around her wrist, “you are now joined to Bart, bound until death. Do you wish it so?”

“I wish it very much.” She sniffed.

He continued binding their wrists together with the ivy. “Bart, you are now joined to Mary, bound until death. Do you wish it so?”

“It’s my honor.”

“Then the Great Mother binds you until death. You may kiss.”

As their lips joined, everyone stood from their chairs, clapping, whistling, and congratulating the couple. Nala’s heart swelled to bursting as Colin’s emotions blended with her own. When she felt his hand around her wrist, she turned to face him. Before she could react, his lips met hers in a swift kiss.

“I couldn’t help myself,” he said with a grin.

Her lips tightened as she fought to hide a smile. “I don’t blame you. What a beautiful speech.”

“Yes, you are beautiful.” Twisting her words, he wagged his brows at her.

Champagne was poured and Wendy toasted the couple. “Now, two dozen of our students have volunteered to serve us tonight. Please be gracious and watch the language.” She turned to Zoltar. “Because some of us get a little wicked when tipsy.”

The students came in carrying plates full of food, delivering them to the guests. A blonde dropped Nala’s plate hard on the table in front of her. “Enjoy,” she huffed.

“Geeze, don’t volunteer unless you want to be nice,” she grumbled under her breath. The moment the words escaped her lips, she felt a twinge between her shoulder blades. The tiny hairs stood up on the back of her neck.

“Colin…”

Movement in the tent halted as everyone’s senses were on edge. Something had happened, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Call all of your men,” Beauregard said to Zoltar. “Everyone on Guard!”

The thundering of hooves could be heard as the Centaur herd approached. Nala quickly stood from the table. She back away as the air around her shimmered and she shifted into wolf.

Screams could be heard in the distance. They were female. Two Centaurs ran in the direction of the screams.

Kaboom!
The sky lit as some sort of bomb hit an invisible shield. Nala couldn’t quite understand what she was seeing.
Crack! Kaboom!
More explosions erupted high in the sky. Was this part of the celebration?

“No, it’s not!” Wendy shuffled around to the other side of Nala.

The two dozen servants came running back toward the tent, many of them wielding swords taken from armor displays in the castle. Nala was thankful they came to join in the defense. They might be young, but numbers mattered in battle.