Wild Hunts (25 page)

The hint of sorrow, of shame and regret, that twined around his words touched her on a deep level. He sounded so hopelessly resigned to being an outcast wolf that it pained her to think the Castrove’s pack would abandon them under any circumstance.

“Do they know about me? I mean, being your mate?”

“Yes.”

Kasa trailed her finger over his stubborn jaw and turned his head toward her. His eyes opened to slits, but the clear powder blue color glowed as if they were open completely.

“Perhaps they haven’t left. Perhaps they’re waiting for you and Slade to return.”

“You’re chock full of hope, darling. Something I’ve lacked for a long time. You see the darker side of life and wonder how it’s possible for man or were to face each day with a smile, knowing the odds are stacked against every move you make.”

“Without hope, there is nothing to fight for. And you fight with your heart and spirit, which means you still have hope.” Kasa rested her finger over his lips as he went to speak. “Shh. Enough said. You need to rest and get up your strength. I’ll get Slade to help you to the bedroom.”

“I prefer the sofa. I’ll suffer this indignity sitting up.” Micah brushed his hand over the bandage, which remained white, not stained with seeping blood. A good sign that the wound was on a faster track to healing. “A blanket will be all I need.”

Kasa gladly fetched the necessities that would make him more comfortable, including a beer, and helped settle him down. She propped up pillows around him so he could lounge with more ease and not strain muscles or stretch the stitches. She draped an extra blanket over him, from the waist down, choosing not to tempt herself by removing the towel prior. The sinful artistry of his naked chest and stomach was challenging her sexual hunger enough. No need to torture herself further. Her mate needed rest, needed time to heal, and that struck out the possibility of a quick romp instantly, no matter how enticing the idea might resonate in her spirit.

“We can count on an arrival sometime shortly after dawn. Coal and Jacy are settling Shyla in with Len and they’re heading out. Apparently, she’s got a pup or two in the oven. Nox and Riley are already gathering forces,” Slade updated. Micah didn’t bother to look at him. He kept his eyes at half-mast, his jaw tight. Kasa finished tucking the blanket around his waist before rounding the sofa and coming up beside Slade. He slipped his arm around her and drew her into his hard body. “Ayasha refuses to stay behind, which means you’ll be meeting one of your cousins. You girls better not get into any trouble. Anyhow, they’re driving straight through. Hopefully, the storm will start subsiding so they’re not delayed.”

“How many weres do you estimate will be arriving for the party?” Kasa asked. She still wasn’t entirely thrilled with the idea of bringing in strangers.

Slade kissed the top of her head. “You know, we’ve helped them out on numerous occasions. Gladly and without hesitation. They are doing this favor for us, which isn’t being considered a favor, but more of a responsibility to our kind. We may be part of different packs, but in the end, we’re all part of the same wolfen family. We stand up for our brothers and sisters, doesn’t matter the cost.” Slade squeezed her waist. “I’m going to head up to the motel and see how Luke and the others are coming along. I’ll fill them in on our plan so they don’t get attack-happy when the others start arriving, and let them know there might be a delay with Micah’s wound. I want you to stay here. If anything should happen, call me. Micah’s cell is in the bedroom. However, I have high doubts that they’ll make a return tonight. They want to bring this onto their turf. That’s the reason they captured Jordan. If they wanted you, they would’ve come straight here instead. Their work for tonight is most likely complete.”

Their work, taking her brother. Yes, work for them, devastating and worrisome for her, regardless how much she tried to push the raw images aside. She could only image what type of place Jordan endured. What they might be doing to him this very moment.

A chill slid through her. Slade wrapped his other arm around her, pulling her into a full embrace. “We’ll get to him before they can. I promise you.”

Jordan was strong, both physically and mentally. But how long would he stand beneath the torture these rebels might inflict?

Chapter Thirteen

Kasa turned her head against the pillow and stared blankly at the red numbers on the clock. The dashed lines made no sense to her. Thoughts of Jordan pummeled her mind, threatening to unleash the worry she desperately fought to keep locked away until he was safe. A sense of helplessness choked her. Doubt taunted her. What if Jordan was already dead? What if the rebels had no intentions of keeping him alive until she fell into their claws?

If Jordan was still alive, how long would they keep him alive if she stormed their hideaway with dozens of wolves in tow?

She blinked. 3:23. The illuminated numbers finally registered. Nearly three hours of tossing around in her bed, staring at the ceiling, watching the shadows of the snow storm draw out eerie designs over her walls.

Everything seemed out of place. Nothing set right with her. At times, her heart would begin to thud so hard and fast she feared she’d pass out. Her wolf paced and panted, then simmered down for a short time before something triggered her unease.

No. Nothing set right because in a matter of a night, everything had been flipped onto its side with a threatening undertone to destroy everything she’d ever known.

Giving up on sleep, Kasa grabbed a robe from her closet and crept out of her bedroom. Slade hadn’t returned to the cabin yet. He had called not long ago to check up on her and assured her he’d return before dawn. Apparently, a couple boys got a real ass-whooping from the rebels, and he had to fix them up right.

She walked silently up to the sofa and leaned over. Micah slept quietly, his head resting on a fist he propped up on the pillows. His thick hair fell over his hand, dark waves reaching past his wrist. Even in the shadowy living room illuminated only by the reflective snow, she made out each cut of muscle in his stomach and chest perfectly. Each rhythmic breath he took became a hypnotic show. One foot was propped on the edge of the coffee table, his blanket riding high on a muscle-corded thigh.

Averting her eyes from more desirable regions of his body, she licked her lips, suddenly parched, and raised her attention to his side. Faint traces of blood pinkened the bandage, but nothing that raised concern. She would check to see its progress once he woke. She took a deep breath, inhaling his wild scent, allowing it to permeate her body and sooth her spirit.

The walls of the small cabin creaked against the whistling winds and furious snowstorm. A light scratching against the glass drew her attention and she walked over to the window. Anxiety rose, her muscles tightening with each step. Ice crystals lined her veins, but her wolf remained calm. As she stepped up to the window, scraggly tree branches swayed in, tapping the window before tossing back in the whirling storm. Nothing sinister. Nothing threatening. Just the forest dancing at Nature’s ball.

Kasa stared out into the blinding night. Somewhere, her brother was being held. Tortured. She knew little about the details surrounding the mental breakdown of the weres in these prisons but understood they must be brutal to crack a strong male wolf. Would they spare Jordan that indignity? Or would they try to crack him open and meddle with his brain? What was happening to him as she stood in the living room of her cabin, safely secured in her robe, one mate sleeping peacefully a few feet away, the other not more than ten minutes out? What type of interrogation, torture, was he enduring as she watched the snow billow over the ground, creeping up the side of the structure minute by minute? She wanted to call out to him, to hear him respond, but knew the distance was too great to connect telepathically.

Stop stimulating worry. It won’t do you any good.
She scolded herself for indulging in such thoughts. She was powerless against a pack of rabid dogs. She was no fool, and knew her limits. Her current position, trying to get shut-eye even though her mind wouldn’t allow her the peace to obtain it, was the best.

Let Slade and Micah reign in the forces. Let the weres prepare for an epic battle, if it turned out to be that great. Let Micah heal. She would need the back-up once she breached the hideaway.

And she would do so…alone.

“It hasn’t slowed a bit since you went to bed.”

Kasa jumped, gasped, and spun so fast she thought she’d fall over on her butt. Her heart leaped into her throat, pounding furiously. Micah’s head remained propped on his fist, but his eyes were open partway and focused on her. How deep in thought had she been that she wouldn’t notice the slightest change in Micah’s breathing to alert her of his rouse?

“Very deep, I’m afraid. You weren’t cloaking your thoughts well either.”

Kasa pressed a hand to her thundering chest and sucked in a deep breath. Her legs wobbled, forcing her to lean back against the wall.

“You chew your knuckle when you’re frustrated. I’m surprised you didn’t break skin,” Micah added. Kasa lifted said knuckle and observed the dark red teeth marks. A nervous habit she often performed while deep in thought. And alone. “You’ve been tossing around your bed for over two hours.”

“You’ve been awake all along?” Of course he had. The Micah she’d come to know was always a dozen steps ahead of the pack. Of her.

“It’s hard to find a comfortable position to sleep any length of time. I’m resolved to getting a few minutes of shut-eye here and there. I’ve been listening to you most of the night.” At last, he straightened up and stretched his arms over his head. Every hard muscle rippled, making her mouth go dry. He dropped his arms and pushed a pile of pillows away from him before patting the open seat. “Come here and relax.”

She didn’t hesitate. In fact, she was glad for the offer to be close to him. Something about both Castrove brothers wrapped her in a long-sought blanket of security, and she was thankful for it. Times like these, she needed all the comfort she could find, but she would never flat out ask for it.

Micah draped his arm around her shoulders once she settled beside him. He began to stroke her arm with light brushes of his fingertips. Goose bumps spread and her belly coiled tight. She ignored the potent burn of desire, accepting a more modest role of being just Kasa.

“I don’t agree that you taking the lead solo is the smartest way to go,” he murmured.

Kasa glanced over at him, but he remained focused on the dark, cold fireplace. “I wouldn’t expect you to. Neither you nor Slade would agree to anything that places me in danger.” She shrugged. “But I don’t see another way of doing it without alerting rebels and possibly bringing harm to my brother.”

“Your capture alone will bring harm to him. That’s the only reason they would keep him alive.”

If he’s still alive.
The unspoken implication chilled her heart. Yes, there was a possibility that Jordan was dead. She couldn’t forget that, but she wasn’t giving up hope of finding him alive. If the spirits were on her side, he’d be in great shape when she found him.
 

She drew up her knees, rested her chin on them, and hugged her legs. “Do you have any idea how many there might be?”

“I’m pretty certain their pack is enviable. Fifty, sixty wolves. Maybe more. They had about thirty with them tonight, and I can’t image that being all of them. Some of the strongest, and some of the newbies.”

“You think they’d send newbies on this mission?”

“I got one to crack before I killed him. The others wouldn’t spill a single word. They’re trained to sacrifice themselves to keep secrets. This one particular wolf wasn’t hard to break.”

The smirking tone of his words had her wondering just how much of the wolf had been broken. A dark part of her hoped most of that wolf had been pulverized, especially having been involved with Jordan’s abduction. A sinister shadow that crept over Micah’s eyes promised her the were didn’t go painlessly.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about doing, little love. I want to hear your plan of attack,” Micah said, averting a potentially gruesome topic to one that surprised her. He smiled and quickly melted away any doubt she might have had about finding Jordan. “Then, I think you really need to try and get some rest. You’ve had a trying night.”