Consumed

Chapter 13

“ How did Bomant find us?” An hour after the fiasco of a feline teleconference, Jordan stretched his neck under a cloudy sky. Very weak light tumbled through the darkness from the moon. A rumbling roared in his gut, and he squelched all need.

“You’ll have to ask him.” Conn yanked a knife from his boot. “At least they set down a mile from headquarters.”

“We need to move headquarters.” Jordan tightened the band on his hair.

“No. There’s nowhere else to go.” Conn replaced the blade. “We chose the best defensive place in the country, and we’ll protect it even better.”

The ocean pounded down below while thick trees obscured the forest in every direction. “Interesting clearing they found.” Something creeped Jordan out about the place, but he couldn’t figure out what. Normal scrub brush lined the ground, the trees pine, the night cold.

He ignored the warning flaring at the base of his spine and eyed Katie, who stood quietly next to him. “You shouldn’t be here.” If there was any way to do this without her, he would’ve thought of it.

She tossed her head, gaze solidly on the three men across the small meadow who hadn’t shifted as of yet. “You have no choice.”

Duty and tradition made his temples ache. The rules dictated he needed a witness from his pride for the battle, and unfortunately, Katie was the only member within three states right now. He’d broken enough of their rules already—he couldn’t get out of this one. “Stay out of the way. If things go south, you head for the helicopter where Max is waiting.”

Katie tightened the bulletproof vest around her trim waist. “Don’t worry, Jordan. You get in trouble, I’m not saving your ass.”

Conn lifted an eyebrow, and Jordan shrugged. Apparently Katie was still pissed about the kiss. He’d warned her—she should’ve listened. Mating was too dangerous, and he refused to destroy her. Even in lion form, he’d be rough. In lion/werewolf form, he would tear her apart. Hopefully he’d scared her enough she wouldn’t challenge him again.

He straightened as the three lions stalked forward to stand in the center of the field. They were lighter colored than Jordan’s people—golden hair and flecked eyes. The one in the middle took another step toward him. “I’m David Bomant, and you tried to kill my brother.”

Conn settled his stance, gaze on the other shifters.

“Be ready for Brent to show up,” Jordan whispered. No way the crazy werewolf would miss his brother challenging Jordan. This meeting was as much a trap to catch Brent as a way to take out a challenger. Raising his voice, he stepped away from Katie. “Is that what Brent told you?” His voice carried across the quiet night.

David flashed sharp canines. “Yes. He told me you and the Kayrs next to you set a trap for him and struck from behind. Like cowards.”

“You’re an idiot,” Katie spat.

The cat turned his golden gaze on her. “Katie Smith—I have to tell you, my brother is looking forward to seeing you again. As far as he’s concerned, you’re the perfect mate for him, considering you’re part werewolf.”

“Then he needs to come and find me.” Katie’s snarl rivaled any lion still breathing. She stepped forward, and Jordan tensed. Ignoring him, she planted her feet. “I suppose you’re the asshole who’s been following me and snapping pictures?”

“Not exactly, though I did get my hands on them.” David grinned. “Although I gave most of the pictures to Brent, I have to admit, I kept a couple for myself. You know, for those lonely moments late at night when I needed inspiration.”

“You’re disgusting.” Katie yanked a knife from her boot. “Maybe after Jordan kills you, I’ll remove your tongue.”

Jordan eyed the angry woman. She seemed serious. The virus had messed with her temper a bit. Though something in her wildness just plain and simple turned him on.

David nodded to his friends, and they loped to the edge of the clearing. “My father was Kyle Bomant, and I’m here to take his rightful place.”

“I don’t give a shit who your father was.” Jordan stalked forward until only a foot separated them. He needed to keep far enough from Conn and Katie that his shifting wouldn’t knock them out. A breeze from the chilly ocean slammed into his face. “I had no clue your brother lived.”

“We’re aware of that.” David’s accent made him sound like more of a big city lawyer than a cat. Though he was well over six feet with a broad chest, as broad as Jordan’s. “It took nearly one hundred fifty years for him to heal and another hundred to train.”

Yeah. Shifters didn’t heal like vampires. It was a miracle Brent had survived with one tendon attached in his neck. “Then he got infected by the virus.” Jordan eyed the other two shifters. Alert, tense, ready to rumble. Not good. “How exactly did he get infected?” He needed answers before he killed this guy.

David gave a humorous laugh. “We attended the colloquium ten years ago—you didn’t notice.”

“Ah.” Several shifters had been infected that year, Katie being one of them. “Guess that’ll teach him to crash a party.”

“He’s evolved. And he has great plans for the feline and canine nations. We both do. No more bowing to the vampires. We’re taking over.”

Jordan shook his head. “You’re about to die, son.”

David flicked his glance toward Katie and back. “No, Jordan. You’re going to die. Then my brother and I will share your woman.”

Jordan smiled. “That the best you got?” Jesus. The moron might as well be spitting from a playbook for dummies about messing with your opponent’s head. He tucked his chin, lowering his voice so only the cat in front of him could hear. “Your brother begged for his life. On his knees.” Not true, but what the hell.

David snarled, shifting into lion form in a flash, striking for Jordan’s jugular.

Jordan pivoted, throwing the cat across the field. With a hiss, he shifted into a mountain lion, bones cracking, pain ripping through his muscles until he landed on all fours. His roar filled the night.

They lunged at the same time, claws rending, clashing upright like dueling bucks. Jordan swiped down David’s face, tearing tissue. Baring his teeth, he gave an Alpha’s roar.

The other cat howled in pain and snapped teeth into Jordan’s front leg.

Agony rippled up his tendons. He batted David away.

The clouds parted. Moonlight cascaded down. A buzzing set up between Jordan’s ears, cotton filtered over his eyes. Warmth.

Closing his eyes, he lifted his head.

“Jordan!” Katie screamed.

A wisp of a thought later, sharp canines latched into his neck.

Instinct had him dropping to the ground and rolling over, throwing the other cat away. Blood flowed freely from the wounds in Jordan’s neck.

Confusion had him shaking his head. Moonlight. Safety. Where was he?

Then a scent. Wild orchids. He pivoted and saw her. Katie. His. Snarling, he lowered his head and ran his claws through the earth, his focus on her.

Air whispered along his fur an instant before a hard body collided with him, sending them sprawling. Hissing, he rolled to his feet, gaze on the other lion. Challenge. His female behind him, the threat before him, he reacted like any animal and charged.

Digging his teeth into his opponent’s jaw, he kept track of the other two lions, the vampire, and the female. The need to protect her battled with the moon’s pull ... but the female’s silent demand won.

Twisting his jaw, he scraped through muscle, cartilage, and bones until reaching the jugular. Warm blood flooded his mouth.

The other cat yelped, slashing wildly with sharp claws and snapping with its teeth.

Jordan felt their intent a second before the other males shifted into cougars.

The vampire roared in protest, the female yelled a warning.

The other two cats bounded across the clearing, circling him while he lay on their struggling leader. The vampire leaped in front of one cat, a wicked blade flashing fast and bright.

The female ran to intercept the other shifter, firing green bullets. The cat roared and leaped toward her, knocking the weapon free. She fell back, hitting the ground, her head and shoulders bouncing.

Rage beyond primal ripped through Jordan.

A force of darkness rushed out of the forest. A werewolf. Jordan knew him but the name wouldn’t come. The monster stalked into the clearing, eyes on the female. Katie. The female was Katie. She flipped to her feet, yanking another weapon from her boot.

The other cougar took advantage of Jordan’s distraction to jump on his back.

Jordan struggled, his sole focus on the female. Sharp fangs ripped into the back of his neck. Fire lanced through his jaw.

He tightened his hold on the cat below him.

Gunshots echoed behind him, along with a primal roar.

Then suddenly, a helicopter blasted through the sky, setting down hard, shifters jumping out.

Not his people.

As a unit, they shifted from human to lion. Every instinct he owned bellowed for him to protect the female—to fight so she could get away. The forces weren’t equal, but he could take several out and give her a chance to seek safety.

The shifters made it halfway across the clearing, five of them, before a second helicopter smashed between them, sending dust flying. Vampires leaped out, weapons ready. Allies.

Katie careened past him, thrown by hairy hands. She bounced twice on the hard ground. The furry beast stalked by, taking a moment to kick him in the ribs. Rage ripped through him.

The cat below him slashed deadly claws along his belly.

Jordan hissed, digging his teeth in further.

Another vampire jumped out of the helicopter in his direction, rapidly firing green shots into the werewolf. The creature howled in pain. Katie pivoted and plunged a knife up and into the monster’s jugular. The beast staggered away.

The cougar on Jordan’s back leaped off to stalk toward Katie.

Allowing the animal inside to roar, Jordan clenched his jaw until his teeth met through David’s flesh. Jordan yanked. Tissue, muscle, and bone flung across the clearing. David sagged to the earth, his eyes open in death.

The werewolf stumbled to its feet, lurching toward the tree line. Jordan’s legs bunched to go after him. But the other cougar continued to advance on Katie. His female.

The moon called to Jordan. The damn light stole his concentration. Stole his drive. Growling, he shifted back into man to avoid the seductive pull. Pain crackled along his bones and tendons. Stars burst behind his eyes. Lunging, he tackled the other mountain lion, arms circling its body, right as the animal pounced for Katie. He slammed the heel of his hand under the cat’s massive jaw. Deadly teeth smashed together.

Man and beast rolled in the dirt. Jordan landed on top, straddling the animal. The cat yowled in protest, legs thrashing, claws seeking purchase.

“Jordan!”

Jordan jerked his head at Conn’s yell, sharp reflexes snagging the knife thrown by his friend. Two seconds later he gutted the animal and then cut its jugular. Warm blood covered his legs, washed down his hands.

Shoving the carcass away, he staggered to his feet. Spinning around, he found Katie. She scrambled to stand, her face pale except for a spreading purple bruise on one high cheekbone. He glared, and she took a step back, eyes wide.

Inhaling, he turned and took in the rest of the field. Talen and his men had taken care of the other shifters. Brent was gone. Animal blood scented the air along with the sweetness from the moon. Ironic and disheartening. Jordan popped a tendon back into place. “Good timing.”

Talen wiped blood off a knife on the grass. “We kept an eye on the airspace and saw the second helicopter coming—Dage sent reinforcements.”

Thank God for friends. Jordan nodded, eyeing his ripped clothing on the field. The wind whipped over his naked body. Cuts and bruises marred his flesh, and his gut was still bleeding. He’d heal. “I need my phone. I’ll video the result of the challenge.” Maybe the carnage would keep other felines from challenging Noah next week.

But probably not.