Authors: Summer Cooper
H
ow far will
you go to save the life of your sister.
When Lelani disappears in the blink of an eye, Luna is forced to find out. She is confronted by this cold, fear and she is pushed to the very limits and beyond what she thought she could do.
When Lelani woke up in the house of Crimson Claw, with no memory of how she got there, it was clear to her that she was abducted. She is mischievous and calculating until she is offered a sexy werewolf as her bodyguard. Will she be able to fight her feelings to carry out her plan of escape?
T
he asphalt blurred
under Jack’s heel, his knees sent him flying south along the road. The plan had worked and he had Lelani. He always wanted her so badly and this was victory. It almost could have gone worse. The other people had seen him with his backside hanging out the cabin window, Lelani in his arms and about to start running.
The werewolves didn’t care about the vertical surfaces. Jack tried to stay in human form while he held Lelani. She was freezing. He took a header into the bushes; he shifted on his way down. He ran in a flat sprint for his cabin while his legs and heart pumped. Every branch etched against his vision. He knew Lelani’s people would look for her especially her sister Luna. Howling through the woods, he shifted to a wolf again and propelled to the other side using his paws. Paws were good for many things but not carrying Lelani. He had to shift again to human form.
Lelani opened her eyes as Jack put her on the bed. She looked up and saw three men looking at her. She sat on the bed as she tried to cover her nakedness. She was terrified and the alcohol was wearing off. She started remembering how Jack lured her into his trap.
Lelani sat at the elegant marble bar, an un-drunk glass of champagne bubbling in front of her. The reason the champagne was un-drunk was apparent upon further inspection. On the rim of the glass, a tiny silver winged figure sat. His feet were dipping into the champagne. The amber colored wine swished around the glass as he moved his tiny feet back and forth. Lelani pinned the tiny fairy with her angriest glare.
“My last date was a disaster, Clint. What made you think that an unwashed werewolf would be a fitting lover for the lioness of history?”
Clint gave the lioness an abashed glance. “Now Lelani it wasn’t that bad. I mean granted, he smelled a bit… woodsy.”
“Woodsy?!” Lelani sputtered. “He smelled like he hadn’t bathed in months. Perhaps I could have overlooked the fragrance.” Lelani made a moue of disgust.
“Certainly he was handsome enough. If it hadn’t been for…”
The tiny fairy held up his hand. “I know, I know. I should have checked out his educational background a bit better. That’s completely my fault.” She knew that was sarcastic.
“He thought I was Cleo, Clint. Not Lelani the Lioness, but Cleopatra Philopator, last pharaoh of Egypt. Cleopatra! Who not only was a mortal, but has been dead for almost two thousand years.” The lioness put a hand up to her aching head.
“I realize we lionesses aren’t as well known in this millennium as we once were. I understand, truly I do. However, don’t you think, Clint, if you were trying to find me a mate, you might have at least stopped to check and make sure your candidate knew who I was first? When he realized I wasn’t the Egyptian seductress, he got all pouty and barely spoke to me the rest of the night!”
Clint blushed. “Yes, I probably should have thought that through better. At least he was better than the first guy!” The fairy said brightly, trying to put a positive spin on the terrible date.
Lelani gave Clint an exasperated sigh. “Oh yes. I will give you that. At least the werewolf didn’t try to enslave me! Why did you try to set me up with a sloth?” The tiny fairy flushed, his whole body taking on a pink hue.
“Hugh is an old friend of mine. When he heard I was trying to find you a mate, well… he volunteered. I thought you two would hit it off. I sort of forgot…”
“What did you forget Clint? That Sloth enslave women with poisoned sweat glands? Of course Hugh volunteered. If I wasn’t immune to those sorts of enchantments, Hugh would have been the only sloth with a pet lioness. Yuck by the way. That was revolting. I’ve never been gladder to be invulnerable to mortal female ailments. Why are you friends with a sloth anyhow?”
“It’s a long story involving my ex-mate.” Clint muttered under his breath. He plunged on louder “I know the last two guys weren’t exactly your cup of tea Lelani. I already apologized about Hugh. Just hang in there with me. I promise tonight’s guy is going to be perfect!” Lelani shook her head and gently poked the fairy.
“He had better be. I realize you are trying for a promotion Clint, but I only promised you three chances. If this guy is another stinker, we are done. Now will you please get your feet out of my drink? Fairy foot doesn’t exactly add to the taste.” Clint obliged her. When she tried a sip, Lelani wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“You owe me a new glass of champagne. Waiter!”
While the waiter brought the lioness a new drink, Lelani looked around the elegant immortals only restaurant where she was meeting her third blind date. A mixed crowd of fey, vampires and other beings of mortal legend sat at linen draped tables, eating and enjoying each other’s company. A dark skulking movement in the corner of her eye caused the muse to turn. However, Lelani could see nothing that matched the dark shadow she thought she had glimpsed.
“Clint, did you see something odd just now?” The lioness asked, turning back to her tiny companion.
“Huh? No I didn’t notice anything, beyond all the normal strangeness.” He indicated the entire restaurant. “Don’t worry our guy should be here any minute now.” Clint said in an attempt to placate her. Lelani continued to look around the restaurant, trying to figure out what had drawn her eye. That was when she saw him. A striking man was being escorted to a lone table by the host, a bouquet of narcissus in his hand. He was dressed in an impeccably cut Italian suit, his slightly long, dark brown hair was bound back with leather thong. Put him in armor, and he would easily have been at home on a Greek battlefield. Lelani gave a little sigh of longing. She hadn’t thought they made men like that anymore. He certainly wasn’t anyone she recognized from the old world.
The host tapped Lelani on the shoulder, interrupting her thoughts.
“Lady Lioness, your table is ready, right this way.” With Clint perched on her shoulder, Lelani followed the host into the main restaurant. When they stopped at the table with the narcissus bearing man, Lelani could not have been more shocked. The host pulled Lelani’s chair out, while the handsome man stood up.
“Glenn will be your server this evening. I hope you enjoy your meal.” The host gave the table a little half bow and walked back towards her podium at the front of the restaurant.
“Ahem.” Clint cleared his throat, and settling on the edge of the table, introduced the couple. “Jack Currian, may I have the pleasure of introducing Lelani, the lioness of history. Lelani, this is Jack, first born of the claw.” Jack took her hand and kissed it.
“See, I told you he’s perfect.” Clint told her in a stage whisper. Lelani greeted the werewolf, accepting the bouquet of narcissus, which she realized had been wrapped in parchment. “That’s very thoughtful Jack, thank you. Will you please excuse me for just a moment? I have to use the ladies room.”
Picking up the fairy by his collar, Lelani marched to the ladies restroom. Plunking her erstwhile matchmaker on the counter, she began to touch up her makeup.
“That is a werewolf, Clint.”
“Well yes, of course he’s a werewolf. Didn’t I just say that when I introduced you?” the fairy answered, obviously confused.
“Yes, you did. Did you bother to run a background check on this guy?” Lelani asked. “Well of course I did.” The little fairy said, perturbed. “He is from a very old noble family of werewolves living in Eastern Europe. He hasn’t managed to find his bride yet, and he was taking some heat from his old man. So he moved out here.”
“Listen here, mister. The first guy you set me up with tried to enchant me. The second man insulted me. If this werewolf tries to eat me, or glamour me, or do anything else vaguely evil I am coming after you. I will lock you up in the largest book of fey history I can find, and not let you out for five hundred years! Don’t think for a second that I won’t do it. I’m not the proclaimer for nothing!” Lelani snapped her handbag shut and spun on her heel.
From behind her, she heard Clint’s voice. “Dang it…This had better work.” Heading back to the table, she plastered a pleasant smile on her face, and prepared for the worst.
Her memories were interrupted by Jack as he snapped his fingers.
“I want you to eat something.” Jack said.
“I’m not eating anything. All I need to know is why you have kidnapped me?” she said.
Jack liked Lelani the first time he saw her hunting. No one saw him watch her. He had been looking for a way to meet her but it was impossible. She was highly protected by her sister Luna. His plan for making his pack more powerful than Seth’s was about to come true once he could mate with Lelani. He risked his life to take her from the cabin and was ready to explain to his father why he did it. He always wanted to be strong and lead his people after his father.
“I only wanted to protect you,” he answered. He wanted her to love him not to see him as a mate. He was the perfect man for her. He looked at her with pain in his heart, he never wanted to profess his love to her in this kind of situation.
“From what?” she was curious. Gideon pulled Jack to the side. He was nervous of the war that was coming. Lelani trembled with fear, she now realized why her sister warned her not to go out by herself. Tears fell down her cheeks.
“Are you sure you want to lock her here?” Gideon asked.
“I want her to be mine, don’t tell my father anything, let me be the one to talk to him.” He said.
“You should have kidnapped her sister not her, she’s a helpless lioness who will only bring you trouble.”
“I only want her, I have my reasons why.”
“Okay.” He went back to check on Lelani. She looked vulnerable.
“Please let me go back and I swear I won’t tell anyone about this,” she pleaded. Jack wanted to let her go but he couldn’t let the Steel Fangs rule.
“I promise I will never hurt you.” He tried to hold her hand but she moved. She was not ready to be here and would do anything to escape. She realized Jack had feelings for her. He was the only way for her to escape. If she could use the seshat powers on him then he would become her slave.
“I’m doing okay,” she pretended. She wanted to act normal and gain his and everyone’s trust.
“I will protect you with my life if you let me.” He touched her hand and this time she didn’t resist. She felt at ease and he knew she trusted him.
“What do you want from me?” she asked.
“I only want you to stay here and feel at home. You will get anything you want. I will assign someone to help you and stay with you. My sister will be the one taking care of you. I’m not your enemy, I want to be your friend.” He kissed her hand. She pretended to smile at him.
“It’s okay, I will behave if you don’t do anything stupid.” She warned him. She had a plan and had to execute it soon.
L
una Winter stalked
through the dark night forest. Her soft, padded feet made no noise as she moved through the undergrowth. Her pitch black fur made her invisible in the darkness. Nothing with eyes to see or ears to hear would know she was moving through the mountainous woods tonight. She was well within Steel Fang territory now. She couldn’t afford to be stopped until she had made it to the pack’s alpha, Rodney McKenzie. Upwind a Steel Fang pack member stood sentry up high on a cliff. She must be getting close to McKenzie’s cabin now.
The light breeze which had been blowing from the west shifted slightly, blowing now from the north-west. Luna swore silently. Soon, her lion scent would be carried to the sentry on the cliff, as well as any of his pack mates, who might be stationed throughout the woodland. Luna picked up speed, loping through the woods. A lone howl echoed through the forest, quickly joined by others. The pack had caught her scent. This close to the alpha’s home, they would be on her in no time. A distant light peeked at her through the trees. There, that must be the cabin. The howling grew louder, and Luna could hear the pounding of canine feet close behind her.
Sparing no reserves Luna ran for the cabin, as if it were hellhounds chasing her, rather than a pack of werewolves. Her heart pounded as the pack began to catch up. Lions were meant for powerful, swift sprints which ended quickly. She was not built for a marathon run. Still she could not allow herself to be caught, Lelani was counting on her. The light from the cabin became brighter. Luna could see the clearing of the yard just ahead of her. A pair of snapping jaws lunged at her from behind. Luna could feel the wolf’s warm breath on her heels as she barely sidestepped the attack. There in front of her, a small semicircle of wolves stood in the cabin’s yard. In the middle and slightly behind them, a massive white wolf stood calmly staring at her. There he was. Luna knew without a doubt that had to be McKenzie.
The air was full of growling and snarling as Luna raced into the clearing. It was clear the Steel Fangs did not appreciate her presence. Too bad for them, she thought to herself. Luna had no time for any of them but the alpha. The semicircle of wolves began to move forward when they realized Luna was not about to slow down. If she couldn’t get to McKenzie in time, she was good as dead. Using her forward momentum, Luna leapt towards the huge white wolf, clearing his pack members with ease. She landed on the ground in front of him with a thump and released her transformation. Now she lay before him, naked and completely vulnerable. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a massive grey wolf, only slightly smaller than McKenzie himself, on a collision course with her. Luna screamed out “Sanctuary, Alpha” just as the enormous beast hit her.
The wolf pinned her with his bulk. Although she had been expecting to be attacked, Luna felt no teeth sink in to her exposed flesh. She could feel the wolf’s body shake with a deep, throaty growl. “That’s enough Sampson.” A powerful, authoritative voice washed over the clearing. “You know full well I honor a request for asylum. Let the lady up, I believe she is already fully aware of your displeasure.” With a final growl Sampson moved off of her, exposing her naked body to the chilly night air. Luna shivered as she stared at the alpha’s bare feet. She could feel his eyes on her body. Luna didn’t dare look up at his face. She didn’t want any of the pack to think she was making a show of dominance.
She watched as McKenzie slid a pair of jeans on over his bare feet. “Come inside, she-cat. You can explain to me why you came all this way, into the heart of my territory, without my permission.” Luna took the hand the alpha extended, and allowed him to pull her to her feet. For the first time, Luna looked into the face of the man she had pinned all her hopes upon. The rumors she’d heard of his good looks had not been exaggerations. Rodney McKenzie was the epitome of everything a powerful were male ought to be: well muscled, with chiseled features and deep expressive eyes. Authority rolled off of him in waves. Refusing to be intimidated by him, Luna rolled back her shoulders and tilted her head up. McKenzie quirked a half smile at her show of spirit and turning, walked into the cabin. She followed the alpha into the house, walking as regally as an ancient queen.
Once they were inside, the alpha threw Luna an old t-shirt, which she snatched out of the air. Not surprisingly, the shirt smelled of him. How like an alpha, Luna thought to herself, to make a claim on a newcomer with his scent. She smoothly pulled on the t-shirt, which fell to her mid thigh. She ran a hand through her ebony hair, trying to bring it back to some semblance of order. Nudity never bothered her, but messiness certainly did. McKenzie watched her ministrations with a look of bland amusement as he sat down on a leather arm chair. “Would you like a brush, she-cat?” He asked chuckling. “No, I’m fine, Alpha.” She said and dropping her hand from her hair, sniffed daintily.
A few members of the pack had filed in to the cabin after them. They were probably the most senior ranking, Luna thought, judging by their postures. While there were two women in the small group, Luna noted with relief that neither of them took a position next to McKenzie. That meant the pack still had no alpha female. Her information had been correct. Luna waited patiently, until all the pack members had settled around the room, arranging themselves informally around their leader. “My name is Luna Winter; I am a daughter of the line of Nubia.” The alpha’s eyebrow rose in surprise, and from somewhere in the room, one of his subordinates gave an appreciative whistle. Luna had known that would get their attention. The line of Nubia was one of the eldest, rarest, and most coveted were blood lines in existence. They had been named after an Egyptian goddess of knowledge, whom they were all descended from through a matriarchal line. To the best of her knowledge, Luna and her sister Lelani were the last two remaining Nubia females in North America capable of bearing young. Ultimately, that was the cause of their problem.
“I have come to you ask for your help, Alpha. My sister has been taken against her will. I need your aid, and that of your pack, to rescue her. In exchange for your assistance…” Luna took a breath to steady her nerves, and started again. “In exchange for your assistance, I will submit myself to you, and bear your young.” For a moment the room was utterly silent from shock, and then every pack member was speaking at once. Luna let the noise wash over her. She was only interested in Rodney McKenzie’s reaction. He remained silent, watching her speculatively in his turn.
Finally the other werewolves simmered down. “This is crazy, Rodney.” The man who sat nearest McKenzie snorted indignantly. “How do we know this feline is telling us the truth? Can she prove any of what she says?”
“Sampson has a point, she-cat.” The alpha said to her coolly. “Can you prove to us you are who you claim to be?”
Luna nodded brusquely. She had expected her claims to be met with some disbelief. She walked over to Sampson, and grasped his meaty wrist in one elegant hand. Closing her eyes, Luna allowed her ancestral power to take over. Her mind was filled with knowledge of the man whose wrist she held. She filtered through all of the information for some memory she could use, something a stranger would never know. “When you were eight, you were on a little league baseball team, you played in the outfield. Late in the ninth inning, you made a running catch for a fly ball. You tripped over a gopher hole and broke your right ankle. However, you still managed to catch the ball, and won the game for your team. You refused to let your father take you to the hospital until you had gotten celebratory ice cream with your team. You had chocolate with strawberry sauce.”
Sampson swore quietly. “I regret my hasty words lady. Rodney, I withdraw my objections.”
Luna let go of Sampson’s wrist and opened her eyes. The room was spinning around her, using her power in this manner was always draining. Having to use it on a were was even worse. She took a hesitant step towards McKenzie, but her shaky legs couldn’t carry her. In an instant, Luna found herself wrapped in the Alpha’s powerful arms. “The rest of you may leave. Luna and I have much to discuss.” The statement was clearly not a suggestion. The rest of the werewolves quickly filed out of the cabin, and soon the two were alone. McKenzie carefully placed Luna on his couch, and then drew a warm blanket over her. Then he knelt in front of her, so that their heads were even.
“Why are you here, Luna?” The werewolf asked her quietly. “I realize you need help, but why come to me, specifically? You don’t even know me.” Closing her eyes, so she wouldn’t have to watch his head spin around her, Luna answered. “You are the alpha of a powerful pack. You have the resources I need to help my sister. My contacts tell me you are an honorable man, once you give your word, you don’t go back on a promise.” She paused for a moment and then continued. “Plus you are unmated- you have no young, though pack dynamics will soon require you to have them. I need a sire for my children. I will not allow my lineage to die off.” She opened her eyes and stared into his eyes. “I cannot allow my line to die off. Please, Alpha McKenzie, help me.”