Cravings: Alpha City 2 (12 page)

Zoey woke up frightened. The witch was in her dream stabbing her with the knife. London was stroking her hair trying to calm her down when she awoke.

“Bad dream?” London questioned.

“Yes. Claudia Blackwood was in it.” Her voice broke as London took Zoey’s hand in hers giving her strength. “I was so scared, London. Not for me, but for all of you. My only thoughts were how I could tell you she was here on our land. I had no way to warn you. She was so strong. Not even my wolf could defeat her. What are we going to do?” Zoey couldn’t hold it in any longer and broke down as she sobbed on London’s arms. Her body shook with the fear of the unknown. Would they always be on the lookout for Claudia Blackwood? Could she just pop into their house when they were asleep and kill them?

The fear of what this one witch could do tore into her heart. She knew what Claudia would do if she succeeded. The shifters would be her slaves.

“We will figure it out. I’ve called Me-Len, and she is going to come to the house when we get home. There has to be something I can do with the Tree of Life. Somehow she is doing this disappearing act, but we will figure it out. Don’t cry, Zoey.” London continued to rub Zoey’s hair as her breathing slowed.

“Okay. I’m done. Sorry, it was just a brief moment. I just can’t bear the thought that something could happen to my family.” She hated feeling weak, but she had to get it out so she could get stronger and help with the battle they all knew was coming. Zoey looked around the room looking for the one person she wanted so desperately to see and touch. “Where is Kayden?” Zoey asked.

London grabbed a Kleenex and wiped the tears off her face. “All the Alphas are meeting in his office. They should be out in a few minutes.” London inhaled then said, “Do you smell that?” London and Zoey both turned their noses in the air to smell the intoxicating smell of food cooking.

“I’m starving,” Zoey said leaning up on her elbow.

“Me too,” London answered. They both licked their lips and looked back at each other laughing.

“Can you help me up so I can go to the kitchen? I’ve got to eat something.” Zoey still felt tired, but she needed to refuel her body with some food. She groaned as London helped her get up from the bed.

“Uhm Zoey, maybe you need to get in the shower first. You have blood all over you and in your hair, sweetie. I can go in the shower with you and help you.”

“I will do it,” Kayden answered before Zoey could say anything. London nodded and winked at Zoey then walked out of the room.

“How do you feel, baby?” Kayden asked. She could tell he was eaten up with guilt, but it wasn’t his fault. They needed to put the blame where it belonged, and that was on Claudia Blackwood.

Zoey sat down on the edge of the bed pulling Kayden’s hands down. Without hesitation, Kayden got on his knees in front of his mate.

“Kayden, if we are going to start off this relationship on good terms then we need to get a few things straight.” Kayden arched his eyebrows but didn’t speak as she raised her voice in reprimand.

“First, stop feeling guilty. It’s not your fault or mine. It is Claudia Blackwood. She would have gotten me some other time if it hadn’t been on your land. She was waiting for me, Kayden. She knew where I was. Now I don’t want to believe that we have a traitor among us, but we have. Nobody knew that Brody was picking me up and taking me swimming. How did she know all of this? Exactly where to find me? Second, I love you, and if you love me then let’s start off together as one, without blame, okay?” Her voice was more pleading than reprimanding, but she hoped he got what she was saying.

A small smile tugged at Kayden’s lips as he leaned over and teased her lips. Her mouth parted, allowing his touch to make her feel more in love with the man. His simple touch drove her crazy. She couldn’t wait to finally be able to reach out to him and make love.

“I love you too, Zoey Malone, and I think I have for a long time. It will be hard not to feel guilty about what has happened, but I know we need to be strong for each other and release the past mistakes. You may have to remind me again, but I’m sure you can find ways to make me forget about the guilt.” Kayden waggled his eyebrows up and down making Zoey giggle.

His smile turned serious as he stared into her eyes. “I love your laugh, and I’m so happy that I still get to hear your sweet voice every day.” Kayden rested his forehead on hers. “I was so scared that she…” Zoey grabbed his face and gazed into his eyes.

“Enough. I’m here with you, and I’m not going anywhere except that nice shower where you are going to clean me, then feed me, because I’m starving.” Pulling away, Kayden stood up, picked his mate up, and carried her to the shower. Sitting her down on the counter, he reached in and turned the shower on.

She watched as his breathing increased as he inspected her. Watching his eyes dilate made her body heat up even more. Knowing she has this effect on him made everything that hurt feel a little better. His expression was lustful as his hands drifted down her body. It was hypnotic as he watched his hands skim higher until he brushed the underside of her breasts, making her moan, wanting more. Kayden undressed, then quickly and without asking, picked her up and carried her into the shower. Blood ran down the drain as the water cascaded against her body.

She couldn’t stop the groan as the water pounded into her back. It felt wonderful, but it also let her know just how sore and tired she was.

“Does it hurt, baby?” Kayden whispered, holding her body close to his.

“No, but it’s showing me just how sore I am. It feels good, but so did your rubbing on me,” Zoey responded. She was turning bolder for some reason, something she never knew she possessed with the opposite sex. He quickly molded his mouth over hers, taking any thoughts of sore muscles away from her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him the way she had always dreamed they would. Kayden was getting as worked up as she was when he stopped and gazed down into her eyes. “I want you so badly that I’m having a hard time denying you, but the time isn’t right. You need to eat and sleep so you can get better, then I promise I will lick and suck every inch of your body.” Zoey laughed feeling more loved than she had ever felt.

She nodded as Kayden picked up a sponge, covered it in soap, and slowly washed her body, making her regret waiting. She wanted him now, but she was barely holding herself up as he washed her body. Then he did something that shocked her. He turned her around so he could wash her hair. Never had anyone, including her own mother, washed her hair that she remembered. It was this moment when she knew that she and Kayden Lynn were going to be a family. She groaned and felt like she was in heaven as he pushed his fingers through her hair massaging her scalp. It was wonderful.

He rinsed the last of the creme rinse from her hair then held on to her as she swayed. “You’re barely hanging on, my little wolf. If I laid you down right now, you would be asleep in seconds. Come, let’s get out so we can eat, then I can put you back to bed.”

“Are you going to sleep with me?” Zoey prayed he said yes.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else, except beside you, forever. You can’t get rid of me now, little wolf. This is forever.”
Finally, I have a family
, Zoey thought, as she got out of the shower with her mate. He dried her body, then put one of his t-shirts and a pair of boxer shorts on her. She had to wrap them a few times to make them stay on her, but she didn’t mind because her mate’s scent was all over the clothes, and she wanted everyone to know who she belonged to.

Kayden picked Zoey up and carried her to the kitchen. “I can walk, Kayden.”

“I know, but I want to carry you. Plus, your body needs to heal and exerting yourself isn’t going to help that along, so as of right now I’m going to carry you everywhere.” Zoey rolled her eyes at her mate’s macho attitude, but she loved every minute of it, and he knew she did too.

Ryder, London, Nolan, Brody, Maggie, and Judith stayed to eat dinner. Rose went all out again and cooked way too much food. Zoey knew that with this bunch it wouldn’t go to waste.

“Zoey. How are you, sweetheart?” Ryder asked kissing her cheek and hugging her tight against him. “Don’t ever scare me like that again. You’re all I have.” She could feel her brother’s fear through the bond he had with all his wolves.

“Hey, what am I, chopped liver?” London pushed on her mate’s arm.

“No, baby, that’s not what I mean,” Ryder insisted, and then kissed his mate letting everyone know how much.

“I know. I just needed to give you a hard time today. I missed it this morning,” London teased. They all knew what London meant by ‘missed it this morning’. She loved how much they loved each other and wasn’t afraid to show it. The pack, at first, was wary of London, but once they saw how she made their Alpha feel, it was like she was a wolf and had been part of their family from the beginning.

Zoey looked around the table at all her friends and family who had gathered for her.

Finally, she got to see Maggie for the first time. London explained what had happened, and she was grateful to the vampire for saving her life and allowing her to be with Kayden. Maggie was beautiful with dark brown hair and green eyes. Now was the time she needed to say something to the young woman. Her eyes never rose to look at her or make a move that would draw attention to herself. Thank you just didn’t cut it, but she had to say something.

“Maggie, I don’t think we have been properly introduced, but I think we are way beyond that now. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know what you did, but it worked, and I will be forever in your debt. Thank you.” Zoey smiled at the shy girl who wouldn’t make eye contact with her.

“You are welcome; you don’t owe me anything,” Maggie whispered quietly.

“Oh no, Maggie. You hold on to that debt. I guarantee you will need it one day,” Brody teased, as Zoey reached over and punched him in the arm. She still had a little energy left.

“You runt.” Everyone laughed at Zoey and Brody’s teasing. This was her family. It didn’t matter that they were not blood. Their bond was stronger than that.

“Rose, thank you too. London told me what you did for me. Thank you both very much.” Zoey needed to say that to Rose, too. She was curious about the woman, but right now wasn’t the time to start asking questions.

“Let’s pray for what God has blessed us with today,” Kayden suggested as the table became quiet. Zoey listened to the sweetest prayer she had ever heard. Kayden held her hand as he started.

“God, I know I don’t do this enough, but thank you for saving my mate. I don’t know what I would have done if…” Kayden’s voice got shaky as he spoke about almost losing his mate. “And Lord, thank you for bringing Rose and Maggie to us.” Tears of joy welled up in Zoey’s eyes as Kayden praised God and thanked him for their new friends.

“Now let’s eat, everyone. Rose, my stomach has been growling for over an hour from the smells coming from this kitchen. How did you do all of this in that short of time?” Kayden asked.

“Practice, Alpha. A lot of practice.” Everyone laughed knowing that Kayden couldn’t boil water, much less cook a meal like this.

“Where is Judd? I would have thought he would have been here,” Zoey commented. The room became deathly quiet as they all stole glances at Maggie.

“He was here, Zoey, but he needed to talk to his people, so he left saying he would be back tomorrow to check on you,” Ryder advised. Zoey narrowed her eyes knowing something was up, but nobody was willing to tell her, so she would ask Kayden in private what was going on.

****

“Is she dead?” Claudia Blackwood asked her contact in Alpha City. “No! No! No! How is she not dead? I killed her. I know I killed her!” she screamed into the phone. “Get back with me when you find out. Do it soon, or I will have to come back and take care of some others too.” Claudia Blackwood didn’t waste any more conversation and hung up the phone.

Claudia sat down at her desk knowing how much that trip cost her. She wouldn’t be able to do any kind of magic like that for a while. It took all of her strength to pull that one off.
How could I have missed her? I could feel the knife cutting into her chest. I know I killed her
.

Her coven was reading the scrolls looking for any kind of spell that would help her get to the others. Killing the Malone Princess was supposed to be her first kill of many, but something was wrong because her contact said she was still alive.

Claudia stared at the door, wondering why someone would interrupt her. “Enter!” Claudia yelled toward the door. She could tell they were shocked because they hadn’t even knocked yet.

“Ma’am, we may have found something,” Jessica Wingate responded. Her daughter, Sage, was with her as they entered Claudia’s office. She looked them over trying to decide if she trusted them yet.

“What is it?” Claudia sneered, looking down her nose at Jessica and Sage. The Wingates were once a prominent coven before the war, now nobody knew where they were all located.

“What do I do with you two?” Claudia got up and went around to sit on the edge of her desk. “You just show up one day and tell me you are tired of wandering. Nobody knows where you have been or with whom, but you expect me to share my secrets with you and trust that you will be loyal to only me.”

Sage got in front of her mother and dropped to her knees bowing her head at Claudia Blackwood. “We are loyal to you and will do what you ask of us. Cut us and drain our blood; you will see that we are loyal only to you.”

Claudia was shocked as she watched the young witch and her mother drop to their knees pledging their allegiance to her. She loved it when they wanted to blood-bond with her. That way she could keep up with them and see if they were telling her the truth.

Claudia whipped out her knife and held her hand out to Sage. Without hesitation, she relinquished her hand to her. Gazing into her eyes, Claudia grabbed her hand and made a deep cut leaving a long gaping hole. Blood dripped from the sides of her hand while Claudia chanted the truth spell she needed to see if Sage and Jessica Wingate were devoted to her.

Claudia was shocked to see such a young witch with so much power. She could feel the power pulsing off her as she gripped her hand tighter. Not even an expression was uttered from the young witch as she cut deeper than was needed. If she found that Sage and her mother were lying, she would do more cutting before she was done. Sage Wingate was very powerful, and she relished in the fact that she would be able to use her and her mother to do things she wouldn’t be able to do.

She looked closely as the blood pooled in the middle of her hand then cut a smaller line into her own hand and placed them together. Magic filtered around the room as the two powerful witches blood bonded with each other. Claudia smiled knowing the two at her feet would be a great addition to her growing coven.