Taming Kiera (Therian Agents Book 3) (9 page)

Kiera’s shot hit its mark. The wolf cried out and dropped to the ground, blood oozing from the wound in its chest.

For a brief moment, there was silence. The wolves seemed as startled as Jacob was.

Then all hell broke loose.

The wolves charged, hackles raised, teeth viciously bared.

Every muscle in his body tensed, ready for action.

To his left, he saw Chase and Turner shift.

Two wolves bounded towards him, teeth bared.

“Get in the fucking car.” Jacob opened the door, shoved Kiera inside, then slammed it behind her. He shifted just in time to brace for the wolves attack.

Powerful jaws sunk into his shoulder and he roared in pain. He shook the wolf off and charged forward, his teeth bared in a growl, as he pounced on the second wolf, ripping its throat out with a single bite. With his large paw, he swatted another midair as it lunged for him. His claws raked through the wolf’s flesh, leaving bloody stripes across its pelt. It sunk to the ground with a pitiful yelp.

Without their alpha, the wolves seemed disoriented, their attack scattered and unorganized, making them easy targets.

Chase fell backwards with a pain-filled roar. Five wolves circled him, snapping and growling.

Jacob charged. His lion roared and pounced, ripping and tearing without remorse. Claws and teeth sliced into him, but he fought with every ounce of strength he had. He was fighting for more than himself–he was fighting for Kiera.

There were consequences for killing a shifter with a human weapon, but he’d be damned if he let her be punished for trying to save him.

One by one the wolves fell, until the last few, seeing defeat, limped off into the darkness, tails between their legs.

Weakened by his injuries and the wolf venom, Jacob shifted back into human form, gritting his teeth as bones and sinew snapped back into place.

“Jacob.” Kiera flew out of the car and dropped to her knees beside him, breathing hard. “You’re hurt.”

“I’ll be fine.” He winced, placing his hand over an ugly gash on his side.

“What can I do?” Her fingers brushed gently across his back.

Chase lay naked on his back, moaning. “Get the first aid kit from the trunk.”

Kiera nodded and hurried back to the vehicle.

Turner hobbled towards him in human form. He picked up his shredded clothes and snarled. “I really liked this shirt.”

“We need to call this in,” Chase said, holding his head as he sat up.

“She shot a wolf.” Jacob glanced around at bloody carcasses, frowning when he didn’t see the silver wolf. “I won’t have her brought under charges.” 

His lion raged at the thought of Kiera having to face the Council. She’d already been through too much.

“I get that you want to protect your mate, but if we hide this, we take a step backwards. We need to find Circe. If these were her men–”

A savage growl ripped from his throat before he could contain it. “I’m in charge. Remember that.”

Chase’s brows shot up.

“We get it, boss.” Turner smirked, stretching his shoulders, and cracking his neck.

“Why the hell did you give her a gun in the first place?”

Turner shrugged, his expression calm, almost mocking.

Kiera returned with the first aid kit. “Did I miss something?”

“No.” Jacob retrieved three syringes from the kit and tossed one to each of the men.

“Shooting a metamorph violates Therian law.” Chase ignored Jacob’s warning glance, pressed the needle into his thigh, and grimaced. “If we fight, we fight with fists or claws, not guns.”

“Then why the hell do you carry them?”

“Sometimes they come in handy.” Turner smirked, shrugging when Jacob glared at him. “She’s barely a metamorph. The Council won’t charge her. She didn’t even know the rules.”

“Charge me?” She glanced at Jacob, confused. “The wolves that attacked me outside your house shot at you.”

“I told you. Wolves don’t follow our rules.”

Kiera crossed her arms over her chest. “Then they
should
be shot.”

Turner laughed, but when Jacob glared at him, ready to reprimand him, he scurried into the cabin.

“I’m
not
sorry I did it.” Pursing her lips, she frowned up at him defiantly. “The wolf is dead. He can’t hurt you now.”

Jacob’s heart clenched.

Forgetting his injuries, he pulled her tight against his chest and buried his face in her hair. “God, I love you.”

He heard her breath catch in her throat. She pulled back and looked up at him, eyes wide.

Shit. The words had slipped out. Sure, he meant them, but the timing was fucking brutal.

Kiera’s lips parted, as if to speak, but then shut again.  They both flinched when the cabin door slammed shut.

Turner marched out, fully dressed, and handed Chase a pair of Jacob’s jeans and a fresh shirt, before tossing another set at Jacob. “What are we going to do about the mess?”

When Jacob dropped his hands, Kiera took a step back, chewing on her bottom lip, not meeting his gaze.

“Let the wolves claim their dead.” Jacob pulled his pants on, then pulled the shirt over his head. His instincts screamed something was wrong, but he needed to get Kiera out of there. He couldn’t discount the idea that the wolves might be back.

Chase nodded somberly, then headed for the SUV.

“You okay?” Jacob asked when Kiera remained where she was, staring blankly at the carnage.

Blinking, she glanced up at him. “Is it over now?”

Damn, the vulnerability in her eyes nearly undid him, but he wouldn’t lie to her.

“I don’t know.” He captured her face in his hands, and breathed her in. “But I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I’d rather you promise nothing will happen to you.” Tears glittered in her eyes.

His throat constricted. Her words meant more to him then she could ever know. He placed his forehead against hers and drew her close. It was his job to protect her, and yet she feared for his safety more than her own.

The fight had exhausted him, but he ached to touch her, to comfort her, not only with words, but also with his body. She meant more to him than anyone ever had or ever would.

“I promise…” he whispered, brushing his lips across hers. “To fight for you every day of my life.” He placed a finger over her lips when she started to protest. “To fight for our future.”

He lowered his mouth to hers and sealed his promise with a kiss.

His chest swelled with emotion. Everything was going to be fine. The silver wolf was dead. Because of Kiera, he had a future to look forward to. A really good future. One not ruled by nightmares or curses, but by hope.

Seven fucking days. That’s how long it’d been since he’d had any real time alone with Kiera. He growled and paced the control room. They’d been provided private quarters within the facility, but after hours of tests, and being poked and prodded all day long, Kiera came back to him exhausted and completely drained.

Jacob scowled at the young female werecougar who nervously rattled off the list of tests they’d booked for Kiera that day.

“They’ll be preforming a spinal tap at noon and then–”

“Who the hell ordered these tests?”

“Dr. Alleman, but Kiera signed off on them.” Her voice quivered as she spoke, and fear flickered in her dark brown eyes. “She’s not being forced…”

Jacob had heard enough. He stormed past the woman and headed towards the medical facility. He was through letting the Council treat his mate like a goddamn guinea pig. Her safety meant everything to him, and he’d fight anyone who threatened her–wolves, Circe, even the Therian Council.

He found Kiera asleep, curled up on a gurney in a musty exam room. Her shoes lay discarded on the linoleum floor. The oversized sweatshirt she wore was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing a trail of dark bruises along the inside of her forearms.

His lion growled.
What the hell were they doing to her?

“Kiera,” he said gently, pushing her hair back from her face.

She sighed, sleepily, and gave him a small smile as her eyes blinked open. “Hi.”

“Hi.” 

“I’m so tired.” She gave him a weak smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“I know.” He placed an arm under her legs and another under her shoulders and scooped her up. He didn’t care who he pissed off, she was coming with him.

“What are you doing?”

“No more tests today.” He brushed his lips across her forehead and she sighed.

“Agent Oliver.” A stern voice sounded behind him. “Please put Miss Boyd back on the bed.”

Jacob turned on the older woman, a fierce scowl drawing his lips back to expose his canines. “
Miss Boyd
has had enough for today. I’m taking her back to our room.”

Kiera placed her hand on Jacob’s chest. “It’s okay. I’ll stay.”

“She’s given her consent.”

“No.” He trapped the doctor under his predatory gaze. “She needs time to recuperate before you do anymore testing.”

The doctor let out an exasperated sigh. “I suppose we can take a break for the day, but I want her back here first thing tomorrow morning.”

He was about to argue with the woman, but Kiera stopped him with a look.

“I’ll be here,” she said drowsily, resting her head against his chest again.

He glowered at the doctor as he pushed past, and started down the long corridor towards their room. Kiera was silent as he carried her through the halls.

“Have you seen them?” she asked, when they were in the elevator.

He sensed that she was deep in thought. Her body nestled snug against him, but he felt the tension radiating off her.

“Who?” he frowned, meeting her gaze.

“The victims of my father’s experiment.”

“I’ve seen them.”

“You keep them here, right?” Her fingers traced one of the buttons on his shirt.

He exhaled slowly, knowing what was coming. “Yes.”

“Will you take me to them?”

“There’s nothing to see. They’re animals–”

She shook her head.

“Who they were before they turned is gone, or at least buried too far inside the animal’s mind that it may as well be.”

“You don’t know that. I remember things. The memories are fuzzy, but I remember.”

“Okay. If it means that much to you, I’ll take you there. But not now. You need to rest.” He shifted her in his arms as he unlocked the door to their private quarters.

“Later then?”

He shut the door with his foot and carried her to the bedroom. The small apartment at the agency consisted of three rooms: A bedroom, bathroom, and small kitchen.

“Later,” he agreed, placing her gently on the bed, and leaning over her. “For now, let me take care of you.”

“I don’t need to be taken care of–”

“Humor me.” He took her face in both hands and kissed her deeply.

When he pulled away, she lifted her eyes to him, heat glowing in the blue depths. “I’ve missed that.”

“Me too.” He pulled the blanket over her shoulders and touched her cheek. “And we’re going to have to miss it a bit longer, because you need to rest.”

“Suddenly I’m not tired.”

He snorted, hearing the lie in her voice. “Sleep.”

“Stay with me.” She gripped his hand when he started to move away.

He crawled onto the bed and lay beside her, smiling when she wedged herself against him, resting her head on his chest. She sighed contentedly and her eyes closed. He watched her. He traced the soft lines of her face, following the curve of her cheekbone, reveling in the softness of her skin.

She hummed softly, and snuggled closer.

His anxiety melted away. This is what he’d been needing. She had become his world. His everything.

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, his chest aching with the love he felt for her. She hadn’t returned the words, but he had to believe that in time she would. He brushed his knuckles over the mark on her neck.

His mark.

His mate.

For now, this was enough. More than he’d ever expected. More than he deserved.

Kiera stretched as she got out of bed. The scent of fresh garlic and basil made her stomach rumble.

Jacob hovered over a pot on the stove, stirring its contents. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, displaying powerful forearms. The thin cotton shirt fit snug, and with each movement, his muscles bunched. His black pants outlined a perfectly sculpted backside. Her mouth watered as she admired every inch of him.

He glanced over his shoulder and gave her a wicked smile. “You’re awake.”

Caught ogling him, she felt a blush creep up her neck and cheeks.

“What are you making?”

“Pasta. I thought you’d be hungry.”

“Starving, actually.” His dark hair had grown longer in the past weeks and hung in heavy waves over his forehead. She reached out and brushed it back, licking her lips. “I was having a good dream, but reality is much better.”

“You’re feeling better?” He caught her hand, lowered it to his lips, and kissed it.

“I am.” She glanced at the clock and frowned. “How long was I asleep?”

“Thirty-two hours.”

Kiera’s mouth dropped. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the rest. Sit. I made you dinner.” He moved back to the stove, and scooped a huge serving of spaghetti and meatballs onto a plate, then placed it on the table in front of her.

“More like breakfast, lunch and dinner. This looks amazing.” She shoved a bite in her mouth, closed her eyes and moaned. “So good.”

He grinned, watching her eat.

“Did I miss anything while I was comatose?”

“Your sister stopped by.”

She frowned. They hadn’t spoken since Kiera had yelled at her. She needed to make things better. “Is she all right?”

“Yes, just worried about you.”

“Does she know…about us?”

“That we’re mated? Yes.”

Kiera looked down at the half-eaten plate of pasta. “I should call her. I was really terrible to her the last time I saw her.”

“Riley understands. She knows the stress you’ve been under.”

She nodded. “Still–”

Jacob’s cell buzzed. His face tightened as he read the message. “Chase wants me down in the labs.”

“Is something wrong?”

He shook his head and breathed out roughly. “There’s been a change with one of the spontaneous shifters.”

Kiera stood. “Let me come with you. I just need to freshen up.”

She didn’t wait to hear his response. Instead, she rushed to the bedroom, changed quickly, and brushed her hair back into a ponytail. A quick glance in the mirror showed dark circles under her eyes. Without make-up, it would have to do. She pinched her cheeks and headed back into the kitchen to meet Jacob.

“I think you should stay here.”

“You promised to take me to the labs.”

He sighed, and she sensed he was holding back an argument. “Okay.”

She beamed up at him. “Thank you.”

He grunted in response, clearly not happy.

In the elevator, he took her hand. The possessiveness in his expression made her heart flutter. 

“They pushed you too hard. I won’t let them do that again.”

“I’m okay.” She placed her hands on his chest, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. “But thank you for worrying about me.”

“I’ll always worry about you.” His arms wrapped around her waist. “I love you.”

Her mouth went dry. She wanted to return the words, but her throat tightened, and her hands went clammy. Her feelings were strong, but love? She’d never been in love before. How was she supposed to know what it felt like?

The elevator doors opened. On the other side, Chase cleared his throat, and Jacob dropped his hands. She drew in a grateful breath at the diversion.

“I’m glad you came.” Chase smiled at her.

“What’s happened?” she asked, following him down the long corridor, Jacob close behind her.

“You’ll see.” He keyed in a code and scanned his thumb on a wall security device. “Come in.”

“Patient twenty-four?” Jacob frowned.

“Kimberly Bryant. Mom of three. Husband found her. He went to the store with the kids, and when he came home, his wife was gone, but he found a giant lynx in the basement.”

“I remember the case.”

“How long has it been since she turned?” Kiera asked, her stomach clenching. Her father had done that. Torn a family apart. Destroyed a woman’s future.

“Eighteen months.” Chase opened the door and grinned. “Until today.”

Kiera blinked back tears as they entered the small observation room. Was it possible?

On the opposite side of the glass window, Dr. Alleman drew a vial of blood from the plump, thirty-something year old woman sitting on the gurney. The woman was clearly disoriented. Dark green eyes darted around the room, and although Kiera couldn’t hear what she was saying, the woman spoke quickly and frantically.

“She’s human.” Kiera wiped away tears with the back of her hand.

“Alleman isn’t sure why the treatment worked on her and not the others, but it’s a start.”

“She’s going to be all right?” Her breath came in gulps. She didn’t know why the news affected her so much.

Jacob placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

“So far her vitals have remained stable.” Chase nodded. “We’re keeping her under close observation, and she’ll need to learn how to control her animal, but in time she’ll adjust.”

“And the others?”

“Alleman is confident it’s just a matter of time. This is a huge breakthrough.”

It was more than that, it was a miracle. And she had a part of making it happen.

“Tell Dr. Alleman that I’m feeling better. Whatever she needs, blood, spinal fluid…I’ll give it.”

“No,” Jacob growled. He cupped her face with both hands, his gaze possessive, overprotective. “You’ve already given enough.” 

“It’s my choice,” she said sternly, straightening her shoulders. “I have the opportunity to fix the evil that my father did.”

His jaw tensed and his mouth drew into a tight line, but he didn’t argue. He dropped his hands and turned to Chase. “Do we have any news on Circe?”

Chase visibly tensed. “We’ve got our best men on it, but so far we’ve been unable to track her whereabouts.”

“And Sinclair?”

“Still off the grid.” Chase shook his head. “He sent an email to your mother, informing her that Jenna was fine, but we weren’t able to track it.”

Jacob gave a sharp nod. “Don’t waste resources on him. He won’t be found unless he wants to be. If he’s taken Jenna underground, he has his reasons.”

“You have more faith in him than I do.” Chase shook his head in disgust. “Under Therian law–”

“Do you really want to start throwing stones?” His voice was dangerously low.

The tension between the men was almost tangible. There seemed to be a silent conversation going on between them, and neither man appeared to be backing down.

Jacob’s phone buzzed, breaking the uncomfortable silence. 

“Damn it.” Jacob scrolled through the message, then glanced apologetically at Kiera. “I have to deal with this.”

“It’s okay. I can find my way back.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine.” She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

He glanced at Chase, eyes narrowing. “We’ll talk later.”

Chase gave a hard nod, his expression stiff, unreadable.  

Kiera sighed when Jacob was gone, and turned to study Chase. “Are you angry with him?”

“No.” Chase shook his head and exhaled heavily. “More worried than anything. Something’s going on, but he won’t talk to me.”

“Have you been friends for a long time?”

“Since we were kids.”

“So you know about the wolves? About the curse?”

“Curse?” Chase narrowed his gaze.

She swallowed hard. “He didn’t tell you?”

“No.”

She bit her lip. If Jacob hadn’t told him, maybe there was a reason. She needed to get out of there before she said something she shouldn’t.

“Kiera. What’s going on?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. The silver wolf is dead. Even if there was a curse, it’s broken now.”

“What curse?” Chase let out a low, rumbling growl. “I can’t help him if I don’t know what’s going on.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. You should ask Jacob.”

“He’s my best friend. If he’s in danger, I need to know.”

She shook her head. “He believes that the wolves who killed his father put a curse on him. If he left them alone he would live, if he didn’t…”

Chase’s face paled. “Fuck, why the hell didn’t he tell me?”

“He said he’d accepted his fate.” She winced. Saying the words aloud made them all too real. The thought of losing Jacob sent a shiver down her spine. “That he’d made peace with death.”

“Bloody hell.”

The look on Chase’s face made her stomach roll. “What’s wrong?”

“Turner and I went back to the cabin after we brought you back here. There was no sign of the wolf you shot.”

“You think it lived?” Her voice came out sounding strangled.

The lion inside her surged with anger and paced with fear. Finally, she understood the possessiveness, the desire to protect her mate. He was as much a part of her as her own heart now.

Chase nodded, his expression grim.

“Then Jacob is still in danger.”