Wicked Bite

  She stumbled, and he righted her. “Focus?”

  “Yes.” He yanked open the door, adrenaline flooding his system. “You’re right. Forces around the world just went into Def-con Delta, and we have to diffuse the situation.” He thought of the last war and the friends he’d lost. His stomach ached. Determination quickened his stride. “The only way to do that is with a united front. For now.”

  She looked at him, surprise and then admiration in her eyes. “Right.”

  The surprise slapped his ego a little bit. “I didn’t become alpha of the grizzly nation because of my roar,” he muttered. He understood strategy better than most. He just didn’t like it. The direct approach was best.

  “Wh-what about us?” she asked, her voice wavering.

  He steeled himself against her tone. “There is no us.” Betrayal had gripped his chest and ripped out anything inside, leaving him completely empty. Even now that he was thinking straight and planning, he felt like he’d been kicked in the balls. Multiple times. “Our people are what matter. We don’t.”

  “Bear—”

  They reached the storage room and the keypad, where he paused, turning to her. “We’re done, Nessa.” He meant every word, even though they sliced through him like a sharpened blade. The woman hadn’t just lied. She’d kept herself distant from him and hadn’t even given them a chance. More important, she’d put his people in danger. All people in danger if another war had just started. It could’ve been avoided if she’d just told the truth. Witches kept secrets, and witches lied. It’s who they were. “Let’s stick to business.”

  Her eyes widened, and hurt swirled for a moment.

  The look slammed him in the gut, and he steeled his body, wanting to comfort her. Fuck, it was way too late for that. He needed to get this business done, and now.

  “We’re mated, Bear,” she reminded him, spunk filling her eyes.

  “I know.” Hell, did he know. “We can look at options after we deal with this crisis.” What they might be, he had no clue. There was a virus that might negate mating bonds, but it could be dangerous and not worth the risk. Right now, he had enough to worry about. His code opened the door.

  Lucas stood at one end of the room, Jasper at the other. They seemed to be guarding their respective areas, tension pouring from both.

  Vivienne Northcutt, the head of the Council of the Coven Nine, was already up on the screen. A stone wall made up her background, giving no clue as to her location. Of course, she was in Dublin. The centuries-old witch wore a smart black business suit, her dark hair pulled back in a bun. Her makeup was muted, her skin clear, and her eyes extremely intelligent. “Commissioner Lansa. I am very glad to hear that the news of your death was greatly exaggerated.” The leader smiled politely.

  Nessa moved into the war room and drew out a seat, somehow taking over the room. “Now we’re quoting Mark Twain?” she asked smoothly.

  Vivienne’s smile widened. “He was a friend. As you know.”

  Bear’s teeth started to ache. He hated diplomatic games. Slamming the door with a bit more force than was necessary, he shoved Nessa’s chair to the side and pulled another up to sit next to her at the head of the table.

  Northcutt turned her attention to him. “Mr. McDunphy. How lovely to see you again.”

  Two could play at this game. Bear smiled, letting his canines show. “Hey, Viv. Kidnap anybody lately?” If the woman thought he’d forgive her for having her soldiers fly him across the world without his permission months ago, she hadn’t figured him out at all.

  “Alas, no,” she said smoothly.

  Damn witches didn’t give a shit about other species. Not really. Most of them, anyway. “How’s my sister doing?” he asked.

  Vivienne’s expression didn’t alter. “Simone is at demon headquarters in Idaho, as you know. As my daughter, she’s hard at work for the witch nation.”

  He hid a wince. The next call had better be to Simone, or she’d come charging in to save him from invasion.

  “You might want to ring her up,” Viv said, as if reading his mind. “For some reason, she’s not only fond but rather protective of you.”

  “I bet that bites your ass,” he drawled.

  Nessa cut him a look and cleared her throat. “Councilwoman Northcutt, I wanted to let you know that the Guard conducted a foreign training session here outside of Seattle this morning. It has come to our attention that we might have been remiss in informing you of our plans.”

  “Why yes,” Viv said smoothly. “I understand the session went well?”

  “Aye,” Nessa said evenly. “The troops have been sent back home after a job well done. I appreciate your understanding.”

  Viv spread her hands out. “Of course. What else would I do? Tell the world that the Guard up and invaded foreign land based on only a rumor? That the troops waged war, completely out of control and with no structured chain of command in place?”

  Bear’s muscles tightened.

  “No,” Nessa said agreeably.

  Viv smiled. “However, I believe this incident does demonstrate a problem, aye? Our Enforcers and personal guards might have to step up their training, and we need a decent facility. The one just created on the twenty acres outside of Galway would suit our purposes so well. You’re not using that for the Guard training, are you?”

  “We are,” Nessa said.

  “Well then. It would still be good form for you to sign that land over, don’t you think?” Viv sat back, clasping her hands together.

  Bear remained perfectly still. This was a shakedown? Seriously? The witches even blackmailed each other?

  Nessa tapped her nails on the table. “I would like to transfer that land to you and your Enforcers,” she said mildly.

  Viv’s eyes gleamed.

  “However,” Nessa continued, “after the mess the Council has been in the last year, with members issuing kill orders on other members and with the Enforcers being fired and rehired, the Guard has had to take the reins, so to speak. What would the world think if it discovered that I, the Guard Commissioner, had to go undercover on the Council, just to protect our nation?” She mock shuddered. “You surely understand how badly we need our training facilities in case the Coven Nine screws up again to that degree.”

  Bear bit back a smile. The entire conversation pissed him off, but Nessa was good. Damn good. Not many people alive could handle Vivienne Northcutt face to face.

  Vivienne smoothed back her hair. “You make an excellent point. Perhaps we should move on from here and just write off recent events. To protect the nation.”

  “Agreed. Have a nice day.” Nessa tilted her head, and Lucas cut off the feed.

  Lucas winced and tapped an earbud. “The demon nation is yelling at me.”

  “On-screen,” Bear ordered. Might as well get this over with. Nick Veis, the second-in-command of the demon nation, took shape first. He’d tied his blond hair back at the nape, and it looked like he’d already changed into combat gear. Next to him, Simone appeared, her hair a wild mass around her shoulders, her eyes glittering. “Hi, Sis,” Bear said.

  Simone stilled and looked him over. “You okay?”

  “Fine. Just watching my mate and your mother try to blackmail each other,” he said.

  Nessa glared at him. Then she turned toward Simone. “Councilwoman Brightston and Lieutenant Veis. Nice to see you.”

  Nick lifted a dark eyebrow but didn’t speak, letting his mate take the lead.

  Simone stepped closer to the camera. Her red silk shirt covered a barely there baby bump. “Did you say mate?”

  “Yep,” Bear said. “Bitten and branded. Of course, that all happened before the Guard decided to drop helicopters and soldiers on my land.”

  Purple fire flitted up Simone’s arms and then was snuffed out. Nick sighed and patted out a flame on his arm, leaving a round burn in the dark cotton.

  Bear’s chin dropped. “Was that purple? Purple fire? Really?”

  Simone sighed. “Yes. Pre
gnancy hormones mess with the hue.” Then she straightened. “Nessa. Seriously? My mother just texted me with the news. You’re the Commissioner for the Guard?” Her eyes widened, and she shook her head.

  “Aye,” Nessa said quietly.

  Bear coughed. What in the world? “You didn’t know?” he asked his sister.

  “Of course not,” she shot back, her contemplative gaze on Nessa.

  “Wait a minute.” He held up a hand. “How could you not know? You’ve been a member of the Council of the Coven Nine for a century.”

  Simone looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Nobody knows who the Guard Commissioner is. Well, except for the head of the Coven Nine, so Mother knows. Interesting.”

  “Why the hell not?” His voice rose. Their police leader was a secret? Seriously?

  Simone sighed. “A couple of reasons. One, secrecy protects the commissioner from assassination. Two, secrecy allows the commissioner the freedom to move among agencies to investigate. Such as Nessa taking a turn on the Council when things got so bad.”

  “So she couldn’t even tell her mate,” Bear muttered.

  Simone focused on him. “Not without committing treason and breaking a blood oath.” She smiled. “So you’re the one who has brought the Guard into the current century lately. Computerizing everything and diverting funds to scientific pursuits. It’s been you.”

  Nessa smiled. “Aye.”

  So the woman was impressive. Bear sighed.

  Simone looked back at him. “Let’s talk about this mating.”

  “Let’s not,” Bear retorted. Nessa should have told him everything. There were more important issues than countries and oaths. Mating superseded all that. He settled back in his seat. “Veis? Why you all geared up to fight, and where is Kyllwood?” Zane Kyllwood led the demon nation.

  Nick slid a comforting hand down his mate’s arm. “Zane is at Realm headquarters planning an attack on the Guard in order to defend the shifter nation. You might want to call the king next.”

  “I am coming to Seattle,” Simone said, taking Nick’s hand.

  “No.” Bear softened his tone so he didn’t hurt her feelings. “We’re right in the middle of an Apollo epidemic, and witches were attacked yesterday outside of Seattle.” He still hadn’t read the intel on that. “Somebody is trying to kill your good ole commissioner, also known as my mate, and this is not a place a pregnant witch needs to be. Even a badass witch like you, Simone.” He turned his focus to Nick. “Keep your mate there.”

  Simone’s instant frown of irritation matched Nessa’s.

  Nessa sat straight. “Lieutenant Veis, on behalf of the Guard—”

  Nick raised a hand. “Is the grizzly nation declaring war on the witch nation or asking for assistance from the demon nation?”

  “No,” Bear said shortly. He’d handle the Guard himself.

  “Good enough. Check in with the Realm, and I’ll let you know if we’ll be visiting.” Tugging Simone into his side, Nick leaned forward and disengaged the call. The screen went black.

  “Well,” Nessa huffed.

  “Sorry he didn’t try to blackmail you with something the demon nation wants from the witch nation?” Bear asked dryly.

  She lifted a shoulder. “A little bit.”

  Amusement—very unwanted—wandered through him. Damn witches. Though she could certainly handle her own, now couldn’t she? He didn’t want to be impressed by that side of her—not at all. But hell. She’d fooled him. Easily.

  Lucas clicked a remote control, and the King of the Realm came up on-screen. In battle gear, Dage Kayrs looked every bit the warrior he was known to be. He’d also tied back his thick hair. An odd, narrow swatch of gray cut from his temple through the black from a virus he’d survived, but the king was still as dangerous as they came. “The fight is over?” he asked, sitting back in his thick leather chair.

  “Yes,” Bear said.

  Dage kicked at something out of camera range. “Oh, all right. Very well, then.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, King,” Bear said.

  Dage lifted a shoulder. “I’m pleased you’re all right.” He nodded at Nessa. “Commissioner.”

  She started. “You’ve already heard about my position?”

  Dage rolled very silver eyes. “I’ve known since you were sworn in decades ago. I’m. The. King.”

  Bear sat forward. “You knew about her and didn’t say a word? You and I just spoke the other day when I agreed to allow your nephews a safe haven and a job.”

  “Eh.” Dage steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “Wasn’t my secret to share.”

  A more likely story was that Dage wanted to see how it all played out between Nessa and Bear. The king might be a badass, but he was also a helluva matchmaker. “I would’ve appreciated a heads-up,” Bear snapped.

  “All right. Then how about this? The woods around your land are teeming with sharpshooters and a strong ground force. All witches.” Dage smiled.

  Nessa flushed a light pink.

  Bear turned on her. “I thought the Guard went home.”

  She swallowed.

  Dage coughed. “She’s their commissioner, and she has a kill order on her head. It’s time you learned how to work with the witch nation, Bear. Especially since you mated one.”

  Bear started. “How did you find that out so quickly?” They hadn’t gone public yet.

  Dage’s chin lowered. “The. King. Me. I’m the damn king.” He shook his head. “My satellites have quite the view. Speaking of which . . . Commissioner.”

  Nessa pressed her hands to the table. “Yes, King?”

  “Your people conducted not only an operation but a full-on assault on another Realm member, on foreign soil, and without informing me.” His voice hardened.

  Bear stiffened. “King—”

  “Yes, we did,” Nessa interrupted Bear, her eyes lighting up. “Our apologies. It won’t happen again.”

  Dage furrowed his brow. “I’m afraid that’s not good enough.”

  “I hate politics,” Bear groaned. “Just hate it.”

  Nessa eyed him, obviously enjoying the interchange. “Then stay out of it.” She turned back to the king. “What do you want, Dage?”

  “Access to Satellite Alpha Delta,” Dage said smoothly. “We’re not interested in your other three. Just that one.”

  Nessa didn’t miss a beat. “Alpha Delta? Never heard of it. You know all witch satellites are controlled by the Council of the Coven Nine, right? You should contact Vivienne.”

  Dage sighed. “I’m aware of the Nine’s satellites. I also know that the Nine only knows of two of the Guard’s satellites, and AD isn’t one of them. Give me access, Nessa. The technology on it is better than on any other satellite, and I need to keep an eye on the Kurjans.”

  Nessa paused for a moment. “If such a satellite existed, I might agree to sharing surveillance from it. No way, and I mean no way, would I agree to sharing the proprietary design and function of said satellite. Take me to war, out me, do what you must do, but we will not provide that.”

  “Accepted,” Dage said, sitting back, his lips twitching into a smile. “Wasn’t that easy?”

  Dage nodded at Bear. “If you wouldn’t mind, get your damn satellite out of my orbit, McDunphy. We’re not going to descend upon you, using today’s events as an excuse.”

  Bear gave a curt nod. “All routine, King.”

  “Also, Nessa. I’d like to talk about a Realm position for you,” Dage said.

  “She’s not going to Idaho,” Bear said.

  Nessa looked his way. “Excuse me?”

  Bear just held her gaze without speaking. He had no right to dictate where she went, considering he’d said it was over. But the idea of her in the Realm’s belly didn’t sit well with him. He looked back to the screen.

  Dage rolled his eyes. “Sorry about this.”

  A white lab coat came into view, and the queen plopped down on the king’s lap. She smiled, her hand on her protruding belly.


  Bear grinned back. “Hi, Emma.” He’d met her a few times, and she was a pistol. “How are you feeling?”

  “Bear,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “So good to see you. I’m fine. Soon this babe will finally be here.” She wrapped an arm around Dage’s neck. “Nessa? It’s very nice to meet you. As part of the agreement here, I need a test tube or five of your blood. Thanks.”

  “No,” Bear said before Nessa could answer. “Ma’am.”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “You know I hate being called that. Come on. Nessa, you’re a witch just mated to a shifter, and I’d love to track the changes in your blood as the mating completes on a chromosomal level. I’d really appreciate it.”

  Bear sighed. The queen was a world-class geneticist who worked around the clock. She wouldn’t give up.

  “Plus,” Emma said, “since you can’t throw fire but can heal wounded immortals, I’d love to compare your blood to others.”

  Nessa gasped. “How did you know that?”

  “The. King,” Dage bellowed.

  Emma patted his arm. “Dage may have mentioned it. He also told me that one Apollo dart doesn’t hurt you. Perhaps I could use your blood to find an antidote to planekite and Apollo. Just think about it, okay?”

  The screen fuzzed out and went blank.

  Nessa sighed and turned toward Bear. “So. I guess we should talk.”

  Chapter 23

  Bear pushed away from the table and held out a hand to assist Nessa up. She took it and barely kept from jumping at the electrical jolt of anger that shot up her arm.

  “Jasper—” Nessa started.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen.” Bear spoke over her. “Lucas? I want a full command center ready to go in one hour, dedicated to a sole mission: finding the manufacturer of the Apollo drug. Work with Jasper, but don’t let any other witches into my private offices. I want Garrett and Logan involved and providing backup.” He drew Nessa to the door.

  She cleared her throat. “Jasper?”

  “I know what to do,” Jasper responded.

  Bear opened the door and partially turned. “The witches can continue patrolling the boundaries, but if one of them, and I mean just one of them, sets foot onto our land, I want you to blow him or her to bits. Got it?”