Enemy Mine

Chapter Twelve

Ava woke with a throbbing head and a dry mouth. She shifted her body, finding that doing so only intensified the pounding in her temples. A musky smell invaded her nose, the mattress beneath her lumpy and obviously old. She coughed when she got a full-on inhalation of the bedding, choking on the scents. If there was a downside to being bloodbonded, it was sensitivity to foul smells.

“Ava mine?” Diskant’s voice was loud in her head, his fear bleeding into the words.

She managed to direct a thought back to him despite her disorientation. “I’m here.”

“Where is here?” He was on the verge of a breakdown and she knew it. She remembered being snatched from the store, taken although she fought. Sadly, she had no idea where “here” was. After they’d put the cloth over her mouth the world had faded to black.

“I’m not sure. Give me a sec.”

“Ava…” He growled the word, no less threatening when using telepathy than he would be face-to-face.

“Don’t try to scare me, Neanderthal. I can’t tell you where I am until I know.”

A string of curses ran through her mind but she ignored them. If she wanted to get out of her predicament, she had to think smart. Since her hands were tied behind her back, she had to shimmy from the mattress. She remained as quiet as she could when her feet hit the ground. Anyone could be nearby, and she wanted to make it to the window a few feet away. Lights were shining, indicating she wasn’t far from civilization. She glided across the floor, keeping her footsteps light. When she made it to the window she shoved aside the curtains using her face and teeth, until she could see.

Her heart raced, echoing in her ears. She wasn’t far from home, only a few miles. She could see the sign from Becker’s glowing across the distance.

“You’re not going to believe this,” she thought, having a hard time believing it herself.

“Then make me a believer.”

“I’m near Becker’s. I can see the sign.”

Diskant didn’t respond for several seconds. Then he asked, “Are you facing the front or the back of the store?”

“The front.”

“What about Trey?”

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for a multitude of odors that would hit her nose. Hope quickly turned to despair when she didn’t find the smell she was searching for. Trey wasn’t in the room, and she couldn’t detect anything that indicated he was nearby.

“I don’t think he’s here.”

“I’m coming for you. Hold tight, baby. Hold tight.”

How could Shepherds be so stupid? Why would they bring her here? It didn’t make any sense. Fright gained hold of her senses and she inhaled again. Shepherds had used a bomb before. Would they do the same thing twice? She couldn’t detect anything out of the normal, which didn’t surprise her. Her sense of smell was still new and foreign. Even if there were components to make a bomb, she probably couldn’t identify them.

She tried to block her thoughts, to shield Diskant from her fear. The Omega had to be crawling the walls, furious and angry that his mate had been taken. He’d warned her to stay at home but she hadn’t listened, determined to live a normal life. Talk about something coming back to bite a person in the ass. She’d seen how he could be, how possessive he was. Losing her wasn’t something he’d survive. He’d rather die.

The thought brought her up short. She wouldn’t allow Diskant to sacrifice himself. Even if he was bossy, crude and arrogant, she loved him. So much that it hurt sometimes. They’d only started their lives together, and there was something important she had to tell him, something she’d hoped to share with him as soon as he arrived home from Kinsley’s.

Certainly things wouldn’t end like this?

Just as the thought formed, the bedroom door flew open and a man entered. He was young—in his twenties—and dressed like a normal New Yorker…aside from his cowboy boots and Stetson hat. He held a gun in his hand. When he lifted it, Ava froze. Panic consumed her, taking over rational thought.

“Diskant, there’s a man here with a gun. He’s pointing it at me.”

“Do whatever he tells you. We’re not far. It won’t take long to locate and track your scent. I will find you, Ava mine.” Diskant’s thought was a steady growl and she knew he’d tapped into her feelings. “When I do, they’re dead.”

“What do you want?’ she asked, her throat so dry her voice was a crackling rasp.

The man didn’t answer, advancing one step at a time. A dart hit her in the shoulder, followed by a sharp bite of pain. Her knees buckled and she dropped to the floor, thudding against the ground since she couldn’t brace herself. The man who’d shot her slid the gun into a holster at his side, walked over and picked her up. She struggled to stay awake as he carried her back to the bed and placed her on top of it.

“Sedating me,” she managed to think. “He’s putting me back to sleep. I have to tell you something. You need to know…”

“Sleep, Pinkie. When you open those beautiful blue eyes, I’ll be there. I promise.”

Despite the determination she felt in his statement, she also felt his worry, his fear. Yes, she was close by. But Shepherds could move her while she was unconscious and take her somewhere Diskant couldn’t find her. She blinked, trying to shake off the effects of the drug, and managed to get out one final thought before her eyes slid closed.

“Hurry.”

“Son of a bitch!”

Diskant’s outburst caught Emory and the rest of the pack members assembled in the Omega’s kitchen by surprise. He was gripping the counter, knuckles white, arm shaking. They’d all been waiting for his orders, aware that he’d finally established contact with his female.

“She’s close, somewhere near Becker’s. She was able to see the front of the building. She doesn’t think Trey is with her.” He let go of the counter and stomped to the kitchen table. “I want each of you to reacquaint yourself with Ava’s scent.” Diskant lifted random articles of clothing from the surface of the wood—all Ava’s—and tossed them around. “We have to hurry. I don’t know how long they’ll keep her in one place.”

“What about contacting the packs and working out a strategy of attack on the compounds?” Kinsley asked, his dark hair unkempt, his eyes a glowing grass green.

Emory might have thought Kinsley’s increased awareness was due to being the only feline shifter in the room but he knew better. Kinsley would remove the head of any shifter—cat or wolf—who crossed his path. His age and strength were not something anyone wanted to fuck with.

“If you’re going to make your move, it has to be now,” Kinsley cautioned. “Once Shepherds get wind of the map’s existence, they’ll pack up and move.”

Emory stepped forward. “I’ll do it.”

He’d already told the pack he wasn’t leaving his mate. It was too dangerous with Shepherds roaming around and he didn’t want to jeopardize their newly formed bond. As it was Mary would need to be around him, to take his body into hers. Their connection was growing stronger, so much so that soon he’d have to leave the pack and return to their room. He could hear her footsteps upstairs, knew she was growing anxious and eager. Unfortunately she couldn’t understand why. He hadn’t exactly had the opportunity to warn her that her libido was about to shoot through the roof.

“Nathan,” Diskant said, rising to his full six-foot-plus height. “I want you to stay with Emory. Get the list on my desk and help him spread the word. The sooner we make contact, the faster the packs can synchronize a plan of attack.”

The pack Beta nodded. “How long do we have?”

“If they’re going to eliminate the threat, they need to make their move tonight if possible. The longer they take the more likely the plan will fail.”

“I’ll start making calls,” Nathan said and left the kitchen.

“So what’s the plan, Omega?” Kinsley rose from his seat at the table. “What would you have us do?”

“We’re going to spread out and find her.” Diskant took one of the two-way radios and handed Kinsley the other. “I’ll take the east side, you can take the west.” He lifted his head, looking at the pack. “Those of you on the left side of the room will come with me. Those on the right go with Kinsley. He’s in charge. Follow his orders as you would mine.”

Some of the pack didn’t like it, shifting their feet and growling, but otherwise they wisely kept their mouths shut. Kinsley’s response to their behavior was an arrogant and threatening grin. Oh yeah, the panther shifter definitely wasn’t one to fuck with. Even on a good day.

“For those of you who aren’t prepared, hit the basement and gear up,” Diskant ordered and patted the guns tucked under his arms. Then he checked the knives attached to the belt at his waist. “We leave in one minute.”

The few pack members who weren’t equipped hurried from the room to get ready. Everyone stepped aside, giving them room.

“Make sure you wear jackets,” Diskant called after them. “We need to appear inconspicuous.” He turned his head and looked at Kinsley. “You need to warn your contacts at the police department something is about to go down. If a call goes out they need to be the first on the scene.”

“Done,” Kinsley said and pulled his cell from his jacket.

“I want them dead but it can’t look like an animal attack,” Diskant warned. “If you have to break a neck or two, be my guest. Otherwise use the weapons at your disposal. We don’t want anything traced back to us.”

“What about the buildings?” Emory asked, taking on his brother’s role, something that reminded him there was more at stake here than just Ava’s life. “Do you want to keep them intact? Or are you going to erase all the evidence police might find?”

“Shit, I hadn’t thought of that.” Diskant frowned. “If there’s anything that can endanger the pack, use whatever means necessary to destroy it.”

“And if there are families in the buildings?” Kinsley chimed in. “What then?”

“Make a call to authorities about an apartment fire. Then make damn sure you engage the fire alarm. I don’t want innocent people harmed.”

Diskant retrieved his jacket from the hook near the entrance of the kitchen. He slid into the leather, taking deep breaths. Emory knew how much he had to be hurting. The fear had to be suffocating.

If the positions were reversed and Mary was in trouble…

He didn’t want to think about what he’d do.

The pack members returned carrying guns and holsters. They quickly strapped them on, checked their weapons and slid into their jackets. No more waiting. Every second counted.

“It’s time to go. Those who are with me, let’s roll.”

Everyone followed but Kinsley. “Those who are following me, wait in the garage. I’ll be there in a moment.”

The pack members waiting for his orders didn’t argue, filtering past him to exit the kitchen. Kinsley waited until the shifters were out of the room before he approached Emory. There was an odd glint in the cat shifter’s eyes.

“This seems too easy.” Kinsley kept his voice low, so the conversation remained between the two of them. “Something’s off.”

The hair on Emory’s neck rose and tingled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

Why would Shepherds have Ava so close? It was a stupid move. And Shepherds weren’t known for their stupidity.

“Keep a close eye on your mate, Emory. Don’t let her out of your sight. When we get back Diskant’s going to have to accept that things are going to have to change.” Kinsley started to leave.

“Wait,” Emory called out. “What are you talking about? What’s going to have to change?”

Kinsley stopped and turned. “We’ll talk later. Remember what I said and watch your female.”

Emory couldn’t prevent the growl that crept up his throat. Trey had been taken as well, and it was up to the pack to find him. Ava was Diskant’s number one priority but his brother’s life was equally important.

“Diskant isn’t thinking about Trey, he’s thinking about Ava.” This time it was Emory who spoke softly, although there was venom in his tone. “Find my brother and bring him back. He’s pack. He deserves the same respect.”

“I haven’t forgotten about your brother.” Kinsley’s brogue thickened, making his words deep. “I’ll do everything I can to bring him home.”

Emory didn’t question the feline Alpha, the strongest and most feared of his kind. Kinsley was one of the most honorable shifters he knew, his reputation one he had earned.

“When you leave, I’ll turn on the alarms. I won’t let Mary out of my sight.”

Kinsley seemed to relax a bit. “Make as many calls as you can. This has to end before more people are hurt.”

A noise in the doorway got their attention. Emory tried to hide his shock at seeing Mary standing there, clothed in oversized sweatpants and one of his T-shirts. The clothing engulfed her small body, hiding all of her curves.

“I thought you were alone,” she said softly, her cheeks turning pink. “I’m sorry.”

Kinsley took a good look, starting at her head and working his way to her toes. She grasped the hem of the shirt, shifted her feet and tucked her chin to her chest. She had to be scared as hell after leaving the safety of their bedroom behind but she’d done so, showing Emory she was made of stronger stuff than she realized.

Sweet little female. So strong yet so shy.

“Kinsley, I want you to meet my mate.” Emory walked over to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist. “This is Mary.”

Kinsley prowled over to them, a grin on his face. Like the panty charmer he was, he took Mary’s free hand and brought it to his mouth. He brushed his lips against her knuckles and Emory had to force the wolf back, to keep the beast inside him calm while another man touched his female.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary.” Kinsley’s Scottish accent was heavier, the words thick and husky. Mary didn’t move, no doubt entranced by the way Kinsley looked and spoke. If the Alpha’s dark hair and green eyes weren’t seductive enough weapons, Kinsley also had a body and face women couldn’t get enough of. Everyone knew the shifter was a ladies’ man.

Asshole.

“You too,” she murmured, her face a mixture of awe and curiosity.

“Keep your hands and your mouth to yourself,” Emory growled, no longer able to keep his possessiveness at bay. “Or I’m going to rip them off and shove them up your ass.”

Kinsley let Mary go, grimacing as he did. Emory knew the pained expression was purely for show. It was a known fact Kinsley could have any female he wanted. The women in his pride lined up for a night in his bed, hoping that perhaps they could reach the heart of the man and keep him as their own.

“So stingy with your good fortune. That’s not nice at all. I only wanted to greet the lass properly.” Before Emory could respond Kinsley bowed and smiled at Mary. “I’m sorry to cut you short, sweetest Mary, but I have to go. It was a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps next time we’ll have the opportunity to sit and chat.”

“Like hell you will,” Emory snarled, watching Kinsley as he left the kitchen. His annoyance increased when he heard Kinsley’s chuckles, aware the arrogant fucker was laughing at him.

“That was rude,” Mary snapped and turned, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You didn’t have to talk to him like that.”

“He had it coming,” Emory replied smoothly, the wolf coming to life in the presence of his mate. He grasped her hand and tugged her to him, bringing them hip to hip. “I don’t share what’s mine. And you’re mine, angel eyes. Only mine.”

Her “oh” was a soft exhale against his mouth, the caress of her breath on his skin a temptation he couldn’t resist. He lowered his head and captured her lips with his. She sighed, going soft in his arms, placing her hands on his shoulders. When she invited him to take the kiss further, parting her lips in offering, he accepted with a smooth glide of his tongue. She tasted of mint toothpaste, the flavor mingling with Mary’s own sweetness. Then another scent came to him, this one flooding his nose.

Arousal.

Pulling away, he gazed into Mary’s flushed face. He knew she had to be tired and ravenous after completing two stages of the bloodbond. “What would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.” He combed his fingers through her hair, fascinated by the long, soft strands that slid along his palm like silk.

“You’ll cook for me?” She trailed her fingers down to his chest, stopping when she came to his nipples. Mimicking what he’d done to her earlier, she rotated her thumb around the sensitive skin.

Sexy little minx. “Of course.”

Angling her head to the side, she peered at him through her thick lashes and whispered, “What if I said I’m not hungry for food?”

His cock went from zero to sixty, flaccid one second and flagpole stiff the next. “I’d say you’d better eat while you can.” Grasping the hair at her nape, he pulled her head back. “Once I take you back upstairs, we’re going to be there awhile.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The honeyed scent of her pussy increased, drowning him in Mary’s succulent fragrance. He knew it wasn’t the time or place to indulge his mate but the lust in her eyes was almost enough to make him sling her over his shoulder and storm from the kitchen to their bedroom.

“How about a grilled cheese with tomato soup?” he asked, voice strained, his cock throbbing miserably.

The lust in her eyes abated and her stomach growled. “That sounds good, actually.”

After placing a chaste kiss on her forehead, he guided her to the table. “Take a seat.”

“What happened to Ava?” She sat and rested her elbows on the table, squirming in her chair. He swallowed a groan, wishing she was in his lap instead, the soft curves of her ass wriggling against his swollen erection, gliding around and around and then up and down…

Food, asshole. Not sex. It’s time to feed her, not fuck her.

He collected the soup from a shelf beside the stove and reached for the pan on the rack hanging from the ceiling. Terrifying Mary wasn’t an option, so he kept the important details to himself. “We’re not sure. Diskant thinks he knows where she is. The pack just left.”

“Was that all the noise I heard? How many of you are there? It sounded like an army invaded the place.”

“A couple dozen inside the city at any given time,” he answered, trying to keep on track, cursing the memories of his mate naked beneath him because they made him think with the wrong head.

“That many?”

The fear and crack in her voice had him turning to face her. “There are more, actually.”

“More?” She gulped, brown eyes expanding as her face became a ghostly shade of white.

In three steps he was at her side. He kneeled at her feet. “You’re safe here. If knowing I would die for you isn’t enough to reassure you, Diskant put you under his protection. No one would dare touch you. They value their lives too much.” He paused and added, “And you’re pack now. My mate.”

“It’s so strange,” she murmured and reached out, touching his cheek. “Like a dream that doesn’t end.”

Catching her hand in his, he brought her knuckles to his mouth and brushed his lips across them. “Does this feel like a dream, angel eyes?”

“No,” she breathed.

He scented her excitement, her desire traveling from his nose to his cock. Closing his eyes, he imagined tossing her on the table, tearing off her clothes and taking her just as she was. Her lush breasts would bounce with each thrust and her whimpers of delight would fill his ears. When she was near climax he’d change his movements, moving nice and slow, watching as his cock slid in and out of the pink folds of her pussy.

“Well, hello.”

Nathan’s voice didn’t do anything to quench Emory’s lust but Mary was an entirely different matter. In a split second tension filled the air. The peppery fragrance of anxiety pierced his nose, followed by the burning scent of her fear. He rose to his feet and turned to greet their visitor, wanting to put Mary at ease.

“This is Nathan,” he said and smoothed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her temple. “He’s the pack Beta. Diskant’s first in command.”

“Hi,” Mary whispered and clutched Emory’s wrist.

Nathan walked over and extended his hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you finally. Emory’s told us so much about you.”

Slowly, Mary’s fingers loosened around Emory’s arm. She reached out, the motion cautious, and accepted Nathan’s gesture of welcome. The moment they touched, Emory knew Nathan was absorbing her fear, taking it into himself. It was his gift as Beta of the pack, to keep those under stress in control. Due to their newly formed bloodbond, Nathan was able to establish a connection with Mary through Emory’s wolf. Although she didn’t have the final mark, she had enough of his beast inside her to establish a link. Mary’s shoulders relaxed. She lifted her head, giving Nathan one of the rare smiles Emory had missed.

“Nice to meet you.”

Nathan nodded, let her go and stepped back. Then he turned to Emory. “There are more than three dozen numbers. I called half. Those I couldn’t contact I left messages with. I wanted to let you know that I have things covered.” He glanced down at Mary, his eyes revealing a small trace of envy. “Take care of your girl and get her settled.”

“I’ll do that,” Emory replied, stroking the back of Mary’s head. “Thanks.”

Another quick look at Emory’s mate revealed Nathan’s longing, his wish for a female of his own. “Don’t mention it.”

“He’s nice,” Mary said softly when Nathan exited the kitchen.

Emory didn’t think she’d appreciate the knowledge that Nathan had influenced her emotions so he kept the information to himself. “I’m glad you think so. Until we choose a home of our own, you’ll see a lot of him.”

“A home of our own?” Those brown eyes of hers widened as her pupils dilated.

“What did you think? That we’d stay here forever?” She shrugged and he laughed. “When things blow over, me and you are going to comb the city until you find the one place that suits you.”

If they blow over, a voice chimed in. He hoped Diskant found Ava and brought her home safely. If not, the shit was going to hit the fan in a messy fucking way.

Licking her lips nervously, she asked, “And then?”

“We’re buying it and moving in, of course.”

“Of course.” Her words deepened, becoming husky. With her fear gone, they were back to square one. The second stage of the bloodbond ramping her libido. Making her ache for him in a way she probably didn’t understand or comprehend.

Fuck, she was tempting. Too tempting.

He left her side and kept his thoughts to himself. Food first, the rest later. Damn if it wasn’t hard to concentrate with her so close, knowing she wanted him as much as he wanted her. On top of that was his concern and worry for the pack. If he hadn’t found Mary he’d be with them now, searching for Ava. He didn’t like feeling divided, as though he needed to go but had to stay.

“Hi, big guy,” Mary said softly and Emory spun around.

Diskant’s beloved mutt Oscar stood in the door way. The huge dog was one of the ugliest mongrels most people had ever seen, unnaturally large with thick fur and a bulldoglike face and ears. Oscar stayed where he was, waiting to see what Mary thought. Everyone in the pack found it odd that the mutt understood the word ugly and got incredibly riled-up when people referred to him as such.

“Aren’t you sweet?” Mary crooned and held out one of her hands. “Come here, cutie.”

Oscar’s ears perked and he wagged his tail. Emory almost laughed when the dog trotted to Mary with his head held high, like a fucking dog prince.

“His name’s Oscar,” Emory said, studying the canine that was larger than his mate. The mutt soaked up her attention, licking her hands as its tail whipped from side to side.

“Oscar? You’re not a grouch, are you?” Mary laughed when Oscar snorted and licked her chin.

Emory hissed when he burned his finger. He left Mary and Oscar to their introductions, making sure he didn’t char his digits a second time. When he finally finished and brought her soup and sandwich to the table, Oscar gave Mary one final lick and left the kitchen. She watched the dog go, an enormous smile on her face.

“I’ve always wanted a dog. We moved too much to get one when I was a child.”

When she looked up at him, her eyes were happy and unafraid. Emory felt on top of the world. This was how he always wanted her to be.

“Then we’ll have to get you a puppy,” he murmured, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “So you can get the full experience from start to finish.”

She continued smiling but didn’t speak as she removed a napkin from its holder and placed it in her lap. Even now her manners were impeccable. He remembered thinking she’d be horrified if she saw the pack chowing down on game day, watching football as they devoured food with their hands and fingers.

She moaned with her first bite of the soup, licking her lips. His softening dick did an impressive U-turn. He went baseball bat hard, the wolf inside determined to take over. It wasn’t easy to force the animal back, to watch as Mary took bite after leisurely bite of her food. She wasn’t doing it on purpose, was legitimately enjoying her meal. But she might as well have been waving a red flag in his face, daring him to take her hard and fast against the wall. He’d been soft with her before, wanting to introduce her to lovemaking in a way she’d understand. Only now he didn’t want to make love.

His wolf wanted to fuck.

Damn it, he snarled in his head. Back the hell off.

Mary finished her sandwich and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. Most of the soup was gone, only a small amount coating the bottom of the dish. He wondered how long it would take her to eat the rest, if he could hold himself back until she got to the finish line. To his shock, she dropped the napkin on the table, looked at him and grinned.

“Emory?”

“Yeah?” He sounded like a man walking the line, holding on to his restraint by a rapidly fraying thread.

“You can take me upstairs now.”

His head bolted up, his eyes meeting hers.

Son of a bitch.

He’d been wrong. She had been trying to seduce him while she ate, the tempting flashes of her tongue done on purpose. Not a single bite of food she’d taken had been innocent, it was her playing a game and taunting him.

He knocked over her chair when he yanked her close, lifting her into his arms. She yelped when he took off, dodging obstacles in his path as he rushed for the bedroom. Once they made it to the bed, he intended to pay her back for every single minute he’d suffered, tormenting her as she’d tormented him, until she didn’t know which end was up. Right now they both needed the distraction, something to take their minds off the craziness of the world around them.

For a moment he remembered he had to turn on the alarm. Then Mary giggled and ran her hand up his chest. To hell with it. Nathan was home and Oscar had probably returned to his place in the basement, so the house was protected. With his mate’s earlier teasing, she’d be lucky if he made it past the starting gates. After they finished he’d make sure things were in place. Until then, everything else could wait.

He made it to their bedroom and closed the door with his foot. Then he stomped to the bed and deposited her on top. Her hair swept around her shoulders, blonde strands thick and bouncy, her eyes dark.

“Mary?” he drawled, advancing on her.

“Hmm?” She rubbed her legs together and leaned back, balancing her weight on her arms.

“I’m going to eat you up.”

He growled in satisfaction when she grinned. “My very own big bad wolf?”

In one swift motion, he had her trapped. He caught her hands in one of his and lifted them above her head, using his weight to keep her in place. Lowering his head, he paused when they were nose to nose, gazes locked.

“That’s right. Your very own big bad wolf.” He swept his mouth over hers, using light circular motions. “But there’s a catch.”

“There is?”

“Oh yeah.”

He intended to wring every sound he could from her, to have her begging and pleading for more. Looking into her eyes, he allowed the wolf to shine through. They both wanted her, needed her.

“Show me,” she whispered.

The wolf howled, his head spun and he thrust his tongue into her mouth, sampling her above before he ventured down below. She didn’t hesitate, returning his kiss, shifting her hips so that he felt her hot cunt rubbing the length of his cock.

Dangerous.

Out of control.

Totally fucking perfect.

Leave it to Mary Shepherd to bring out the beast in him.