Consumed

  Fire flashed in his eyes. “At this moment, I’m still Alpha of this pride, and you’ll damn well obey me.”

  Interesting that he played the Alpha card and not the mate card.

  “I’m also your mate. Get your ass downstairs.”

  Ah. There it was. Katie allowed a small smile to scream challenge across her face. “Make me.”

  Chapter 27

  Jordan stilled. The beast shimmered to the surface, deadly and dark. “How about you don’t play games with me right now? I’m not exactly in control here.” He twisted his neck, agony exhaling on his sigh. “The moon is coming.”

  “I know.” Duty pulled her in several directions. Their people needed a leader—if she and Jordan both died, chaos would ensue. The cub hidden in her belly needed to survive. But above all, at the very core of everything Katie would want to be, lay Jordan. The people, the baby, and Katie all needed him to survive. All or nothing.

  Reaching down, she tugged her shirt off. The cool air hardened her nipples. Goose bumps sprang along her stomach.

  Jordan gave a low snarl, his gaze on her breasts.

  Licking her lips, she kicked off her shoes and shoved her jeans to the floor. A tiny scrap of lace covered the rest of her. Standing tall, she lifted her head. “I thought I could occupy you.”

  “That’s quite an offer.” He tucked his thumbs in his belt loops, heat pouring off him. His eyes captured hers. “Disobedience is a bad move for you.”

  “Kick off your boots.” She reached for the bottom of his shirt to yank over his head. Both hands went to the snap on his jeans. “I never planned to obey you—as either a subject or a mate.”

  Holding her gaze, he moved, his boots sliding to the side. A lethal smile crossed his lips just before he flipped her around to face the door. Brushing his lips across her neck, he licked her marking.

  Her knees went weak. Hunger flashed from his mouth straight to her sex. The feeling was more powerful than any dream. He slid an arm around her waist, tugging her into his hard body. Heat and strength surrounded her, all male, all powerful. He licked her again, his teeth sliding into alignment.

  A slight pain echoed, but passion overcame it.

  Her mind buzzed with both need and curiosity. The bite didn’t hurt, but there was no question his fangs were embedded in her flesh. He growled and slid those deadly points deeper.

  She exploded.

  The room flashed into nothingness as an orgasm slammed through her so heated her breath caught. Only Jordan’s forearm around her rib cage kept her standing. He let her ride out the waves and then slowly retracted his fangs. “Disobedience gets you bitten, little one.”

  “Damn it, Jordan,” she sighed, coming down from a truly amazing orgasm. “You can bite me anytime.”

  His chuckle dropped dark and low. His hand followed suit, sliding down her abdomen and inside her silk panties. “I wanted our last time to be gentle. This can’t be.”

  She shrugged back against him, her mind still spinning. “I’ve never wanted gentle.”

  His fingers parted her, and her knees gave out again. She began to struggle in an effort to turn around. Her fingers tingled with the need to touch him.

  In response, he shot them toward the wall, slapping his bandaged hand against the solid rock. “Hold still.”

  “No.” She threw a shoulder back.

  Three fingers plunged inside her. She gave a short cry, freezing in place. It was too much.

  “I said to hold still.” The hard line of his erection dug into her hip, even through his jeans. His bare chest warmed her back. His fingers began to play, sliding through wetness to circle her clit. His other hand abandoned the wall to cup her breast.

  Hotter than any sun, his mouth brushed her ear, and one fang nipped her earlobe.

  Her mind spun. The quartz wall swam before her eyes. With a soft whimper, she gyrated against his hand.

  “Ah, kitten. That’s the sweetest sound.” His breath panted out at her ear, hot and out of control. “Let’s hear it again.” He tweaked her nipple.

  The next sound was more of a cry than a whimper. “Jordan.”

  His body shuddered behind her. “The moon is coming.”

  Katie took advantage of his distraction and flipped around, quickly yanking down his jeans, which were kicked to the side.

  His gaze feral, his eyes more midnight than dawn, he lifted her. Plunging forward, he impaled her against the wall. Pain caught her off guard. A cry strangled in her throat, her eyes opening wide.

  Hunger dancing on his face, both beasts clearly battling beneath his skin, he yanked her leg up higher in a silent command.

  She relaxed against the wall, her body accepting him. Clasping her ankles at the small of his back, she followed the order. Curling her hands around his shoulders, she exhaled softly. “I love you, Jordan.”

  Triumph lifted his chin. “I love you, too. No matter what.” His eyes began to glow an odd light. “While I still can, I have to tell you. You were right. We belong together.” His face grimaced as the beasts within him fought for dominance just under his skin. “I shouldn’t have locked you downstairs.”

  She struggled to remain still but ultimately ground against him. The feelings were too powerful to ignore. “We are together.”

  At her movement, he began to pound. The animal within surged to the surface, no humanity left on his hard face. Digging his fingers into her butt, he thrust into her, holding her in place. A harsh spiraling started deep inside her. Need rippled along every nerve ending. Her teeth slashed down with a craving for his flesh.

  Even as he hammered into her, lighting nerves on fire, whispers of thought echoed through her brain. Something there. A thought she needed to capture.

  His hands bruised her hips. A snarl lifted his lips. The animals within him shimmered beneath his skin, both fighting to get out. His fangs dropped low.

  Their sharp glint shot her into awareness. The idea hit her so hard her head snapped back.

  Of course.

  With a snarl filled of desperation and determination, she struck his neck, fangs digging past muscle and tissue until planting in bone.

  He jerked back, a lion’s displeasure roaring through the room. Yet she held on, closing her jaw, making sure her teeth met in the middle. Tightening her legs, digging her ankles into his back and her arms circling his neck, she held on with every ounce of determination she owned.

  Pumping faster, he tangled one hand in her hair to yank her head back. She snapped her jaw harder, ignoring the sharp pain.

  Fighting her hold, pounding harder than possible, he angled over her clit.

  She broke with a scream. The flesh and blood filling her mouth muffled her cry, but it echoed loudly through her head. An energy traveled throughout her body to flow into the wound she’d created where his neck met his shoulder—strong and pure. Tremors ripped along her veins, flashing stars behind her eyes.

  His body went rigid. He shoved her harder against the wall. All animal, he pummeled into her, his teeth striking fast and deep in the marking.

  Her orgasm grew in strength, taking over, taking everything. Images flashed inside her brain. Jordan when he’d saved her. Jordan teaching her to fight, Jordan teaching her to survive, Jordan marking her for all time. Finally an image of two identical cubs with Jordan’s eyes and her spirit. Twins.

  Coming down, facing reality, she could only hold on as he hammered into her. Finally, with a hoarse shout, he came, his entire body shuddering with his release.

  She retracted her teeth, sighing in relief as he did the same.

  He leaned back, still inside her, his strong body trapping her. “What the hell?”

  She exhaled, her skin prickling as the moon called from the other side of the door. “I mated you.” But even assuming Maggie was successful in her job, would Katie’s mark beat the moon’s pull?

  Chapter 28

  Maggie focused on the sounds of night. Life bustled around in the forest, dark and steady. Okay. She cou
ld do this. She had to do this. A backpack weighed heavily across her shoulders, but she held on tight. Survival lay in the worn canvas.

  Terrent wandered out the side exit, his gaze taking in the training field. Thick boots covered his feet, while combat pants and shirt covered his frame. He hadn’t donned a bulletproof vest yet, but no doubt the protective gear awaited him inside. Not by one whisper had he hidden his plan to kill Jordan that night. One dark eyebrow lifted. “Maggie? Katie told me you wanted to speak with me?”

  “Hi.” She turned toward him, an itch wandering up her spine. The moon would rise soon. “You know I only shift under the full moon, right?”

  Interest lit his dark eyes. “I did know that.”

  She pivoted to face him fully, adrenaline pumping through her veins. He was so much bigger up close—did she have a chance? She cleared her throat. “Well, I wondered if you wanted to shift with me. This one night I’d like to run with another wolf.”

  He lifted his chin. Those eyes narrowed to all black, suspicion swirling through. His voice stayed level. “Normally, I’d love to. But since we’re expecting a werewolf attack in a couple hours, maybe next time?”

  Anger heated her breath. While she’d had no intention of shifting with him, he’d refused far too easily. “You’re not worried about werewolves attacking. You’re ready to kill Jordan if he changes.” How could Terrent consider himself Jordan’s friend and still want to kill him when there was even a chance of the virus being cured?

  Terrent grabbed her arm, tugging toward the building. Warmth and raw strength flowed from his palm. “We’re not discussing this. Now you go underground to safety, and I’ll see you later.”

  Maggie stumbled, reaching for her boot. Quick motions had the gun levered into Terrent’s ribs.

  “What the hell?” He tried to pull back.

  She fired three times.

  Shock crossed his features. He released her. Most people tripped, fell, or tried to move away when shot with a tranquilizer. Not the wolf. He stood still, head cocked to the side, a deep frown between his masculine brows. “What did you do?”

  The weapon remained steady in her hands as she settled her stance and aimed for his chest. “Just a simple dart—you’ll be fine in a couple of hours.”

  Curiosity lit his eyes while his full mouth grimaced. “You drugged me?”

  Well, not yet apparently. “Yes.”

  Incredulousness flashed bright across his face. “Do you have any idea what I’m going to do to you?”

  Fear spiraled deep before being shoved away by determination. “Not much.” She fired four more darts into his chest.

  He growled low, lunging for her. The air swished. Gigantic hands enclosed her shoulders. They hit the ground together. Three hundred pounds of muscled male landed on top of her, knocking the air from her lungs. Panic zinged through her. She shoved him, but he didn’t move. His head dropped to the curve of her shoulder as he went limp.

  “Terrent.” She tried to struggle beneath him, but he remained motionless. The guy was out.

  Her abdomen compressed. The chilly ground ate into her clothing. She had to get him off while she could still breathe. He weighed a freakin’ ton. “Charlie,” she squeaked. “Charlie, where are you?”

  The shifter slid from behind a tree, hustling to shove Terrent off. “Man, he’s a big wolf.” Doubt wrinkled Charlie’s forehead.

  “Yeah.” Maggie sucked in big lungfuls of air. “Help me drag him to the helicopter.”

  Charlie scratched his head. His Snoopy T-shirt glowed in the meager light of the emerging moon. He’d worn ripped jeans, tennis shoes, and a black hat for his foray into kidnapping. “I’m thinking this isn’t such a great idea.”

  Yeah, she was thinking the same thing. “Listen. Terrent is a good guy, I know. But his job is to take out Jordan, someone whom Janie loves like an uncle. She asked you to help us and you said yes.” Manipulating the teenager wasn’t cool, but it was the only chance Maggie had. “You’d be doing the right thing.” In the long run, anyway. Short run, they might end up torn apart by a pissed-off wolf. “Trust me.”

  Charlie groaned, grabbing Terrent by one armpit. “Anyone who tells you to trust them is about to get you in trouble.”

  Smart kid. Maggie flashed him a grin, latching on to Terrent’s other side. For the briefest of seconds, she’d enjoyed being under the wolf. Something to worry about later.

  Groaning, moaning, and tugging with all their strength, they managed to drag the man across the training field to the row of helicopters. His heels left huge divots in the grassy field. Several times his weight became too much, and one of them dropped his shoulder to the ground. His head inevitably followed. The wolf might have a concussion when he awoke. Finally, they reached the tarmac and released his arms. She wiped sweat off her brow. “You’re sure you know how to fly one of these things?”

  “Yeah.” Charlie winced. “Though I don’t know how the heck we’re gonna get this guy up into one. He’s so damn heavy.”

  Maggie nodded and shook out her hands. Panthers were notoriously good pilots—often learning as young as ten years old to fly. “Okay. Let’s just lift him one body part at a time.”

  Charlie frowned, reaching for Terrent’s arm. “This is such an incredibly bad idea.” With a youthful shrug, he centered a knee inside the door. “At least he’s a wolf and not a panther leader. My Alpha will protect me. Well, probably.” With a grunt, he yanked Terrent up.

  Maggie shoved. After several thuds and thunks, they had Terrent safe on the floor of the ’copter. His big head clunked loudly on the metal. She fought a wince. They wanted to get the wolf out of the way for the night, not give him brain damage. She jumped in and yanked the door shut. “All right. Let’s get out of here—head east and keep on going.”

  Charlie maneuvered to sit in the pilot’s seat and began punching in buttons. “No girl is worth this,” he muttered.

  Too little, too late, buddy. Maggie settled into a seat, her gaze on the downed wolf. He lay on his back, shoulders taking up the entire floor. Long, dark eyelashes feathered against his bronze cheeks—way too long for a man. In rest, or rather, in a drugged state, he still didn’t appear at peace. Even now, the sense of an alert predator danced across the tough features of his face. She wondered who had broken his nose, and if that person still breathed. Somehow, she doubted it.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered quietly. So far she’d kneed him in the balls and now knocked him out. A guy most people feared. A sadness chilled her. He was the only wolf she knew, and he really wasn’t going to like her now. The guy probably liked quiet, demure, classy women.

  She failed on all counts.

  Maybe he would’ve liked who she used to be before losing her memory. But considering nobody else liked her enough to be looking for her, she kind of doubted it. Besides, class was something you either had or didn’t have—memory loss wouldn’t impact that.

  Whoever she used to be, she knew exactly who she was right now. Katie’s best friend. And that meant Maggie would do anything to help—even kidnap a killer.

  The bird rose into the sky. Maggie clutched onto the seat, her stomach lurching. Man, she hated flying. Most wolves probably hated flying, right? Or maybe she was different in that way, too.

  Moonlight glinted off the treetops outside. An urge rippled through her veins. After ten years, she could control the need to shift, but the effort cost her. Her legs moved restlessly, and her heart began to pound.

  Needing to preoccupy herself, she studied the wolf. He’d worn a black T-shirt that only emphasized his muscular chest. Was that a six-pack? She glanced at Charlie. The kid concentrated on the night, his gaze out the windshield. Good. Leaning down, Maggie slid Terrent’s shirt up.

  Oh yeah. Talk about ripped. Hesitantly, she slid her palm over the hard ridges of his abdominal muscles. Heated flesh warmed her skin. Desire flared bright through her. She bit her lip to keep from moaning.

  A huge hand slapped over hers.


  Oh God. The breath caught in her throat. Lifting her head, she stared into dark brown eyes more wolf than human.

  With a tug, he landed her on top of him.

  Panic had her struggling.

  His other hand palmed her head, slamming her lips onto his. Need shot through her followed by pure, raw lust. He kissed her, tongue delving deep, an obvious erection pressing against her core.

  Moaning, her mind whirling, Maggie grabbed the gun from her boot and shot him in the armpit.

  He released her, and she levered away, mouth bruised and wanting. Rage rippled through his eyes. A menacing growl hissed from his chest. His eyes fluttered closed and his body went lax.

  Holy crap. She scrambled off him, falling into her seat. A quick glance at Charlie showed the kid still concentrating on flying. Thank God.

  She pressed a trembling hand to her lips. Her other hand held the dart gun pointed at the wolf. He’d be awake again soon. With a sigh, she yanked open the backpack and tugged out restraints. Imprisoning a wolf in a moving helicopter held so much risk her head began to spin. If he became angry enough, he could rip the entire machine apart.

  Still, she secured his legs to metal hooks in each side, and then his arms. The locks she used were new ... and strong.

  The wolf was probably stronger.

  Minutes turned into an hour. Then another hour. The moon began to climb bright, beckoning her to jump from the helicopter and race through the woods. The wolf remained secured on the floor. Maybe the combination of darts had finally put him to sleep for the duration.

  A third hour passed. His eyelids shot open. No fluttering, no confusion. Alert and ready, he took in the restraints, his head moving only slightly. “You’re taking your life into your hands here, little wolf.”

  Hoarse, his voice wandered down her spine as if he licked her. A shiver vibrated her shoulders. “Stay still, and we all live.”

  “I wasn’t talking about right this moment.” Half-lidded, the dark eyes promised retribution.

  “Oh.” Well, yeah. The scary threat was made all the more frightening by the absolute promise behind the words. She struggled to keep her face stoic. “You’re mad, and that’s understandable. But you’d do the same thing for a friend.”