Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Seven

It didn’t take long to get everything packed back into the car. Gareth volunteered to drive Annabelle, leaving Christopher alone with his mate and a burning need to let the wolf free. The two women exchanged quick hugs, and they were off, heading back to Christopher’s house and the problems that hadn’t gone away. If anything, the new threat Cole had obliquely uttered had upped the stakes considerably. Lana would never forgive herself, or him, if anything happened to Annabelle.

And still, the only thing he could think about was his need to rip his clothing off his body and run until he collapsed.

Damn it, how could he have forgotten? Most days it wasn’t a problem, because he’d made sure it wasn’t one. He’d even gone to a college in the suburbs, living in a place that had a good wooded area behind it for short runs. It was a lesson he’d learned from his parents. His relatives might work in the city but they lived outside it.

Now, thanks to his illness, he hadn’t run in two days, and the wolf was anxious to get out of its cage. The only reason he could think of for the wolf to be so itchy to get out was the fact that they had yet to fully claim their mate. “Once we’re back at the house, Gareth and I will be going for a run.”

“All right.” She put her hand on his thigh, the warmth of her seeping through the rough denim. Suddenly his wolf’s urges were heading in a completely different direction, one that had his cock rock hard enough to drill holes in steel. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

He could think of a few things she could do that might help. Unzipping his fly, lowering her head, taking his prick out of his pants, sucking it into the warm cavern of her mouth…

“Chris? You might want to pull over.”

He looked at her. “Why?”

She gestured with her chin towards the steering wheel. “Your hands are sprouting fur.”

“Fuck.” He pulled over. Luckily they’d already left the city, but they were still on a major highway. He leaned his head back against the seat, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths.

He couldn’t understand it. He should have more control than this.

Her hand tried to leave his thigh. His growling response startled even him. “Chris?”

The fear in her voice nearly killed him. He reached for the door handle, ignoring her when she reached into her purse, determined to get away from her before his wolf got the better of him. He was terrified of what he would do to her if that should happen.

She reached out and began to stroke his hair, freezing him in his tracks.

“Artemis who guards the night

Aid us now in our plight.

Man and beast within collide;

Bring forth the man to guide.

By your hand, by my decree.

As I will so mote it be.”

She pressed something into the palm of his hand, stroking his fingers over it, using her own to guide him, her other still tangled in his hair. Her quiet chant continued, her soft voice something both he and the wolf could focus on. The feel of the cool stone helped center him, guided the man back to the surface and dominance.

“Lana?”

“Shh. It’s okay, Chris. I’ve got you.” Sweat beaded her brow, her voice tired. “This wasn’t natural, Chris.”

He ground his teeth. Fucking Cole again. There must have been more of the wolf hair than I thought.

“He must have held back some of the wolf hairs from the earlier spell.”

“He was trying to force the wolf out, tried to nullify the contract we have with it.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think he can do that. I think he did try to bring out your wolf, but it wouldn’t have hurt me. I’m sure of it.”

He wasn’t. She hadn’t felt the raw hunger his wolf had blasted him with. But the wolf lay docile now under her palm, ready to beg for more caresses from his mate.

He opened his fingers and stared down at the milky white gem in his hand.

“Moonstone?”

“I invoked Artemis.” She grinned wearily. “And you are a werewolf.”

He snorted, too tired to argue with her. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

Her fingers shifted, closing his around the moonstone again. “I think you scared yourself more than you scared me.” She shifted in her seat. “Are you all right to drive?”

He nodded. Already he could feel his strength returning. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good.” She yawned. “Wake me when we get there, okay?”

“Lana?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.”

She blew him a kiss. “Welcome.”

He began to drive, comforted by the sound of her breathing. She slipped into a doze, eventually sliding completely into sleep. He understood now why Becketts withered and died when their mates did.

It had been two days, and already he couldn’t imagine living without her.

Now he just had to get her to understand she could live with him.

The next morning Lana woke to find herself in Chris’s arms again. He’d tugged and prodded until she’d sleepily agreed to follow him upstairs. She hadn’t been awake enough to realize he’d led her straight into his bedroom, and now here she was with her own warm werewolf at her back.

Frankly, saying anything about it at this point was probably stupid. The man had already had the milk, after all. No sense in complaining about the fact that he’d stolen the cow and was getting set to raid the barn and move into the house.

“Chris.”

His arm tightened slightly around her waist. He mumbled something incoherent.

She poked at his arm with her finger. It barely gave, the flesh tight over corded muscle. “Chris.”

“Sleepin’.”

“I noticed. But I need to get up.”

“Nuh-uh. Sleepin’.” He buried his face in her hair.

She’d only woken up with him twice and already she could see a pattern emerging.

“It’s morning.”

“It’s dark.”

“How can you tell it’s dark if you’re sleeping?”

He sighed roughly. “Because I opened my eyes long enough to look.”

She patted his arm. “You have to let me up. I need to get ready for work.”

“Can you get a job where you don’t need to be up at o’dark hundred?”

She could hear both man and wolf whining in his voice. She was having a hard time holding back her smile. He sounded like a little boy whose favorite toy was being taken away. “I like my job, thank you.”

He sighed. “I guess that means I have to be up, too.” He rolled over, pulling her on top of him. Once again she realized she was naked. It was hard to miss when his hardening cock was nudging her opening. “Geez, you’re a demanding wench.”

“Excuse mmph?” Her reply was lost when he pulled her down, kissing her like a starving man. Her traitorous body responded, bucking back with a squeal when he slapped his hand against her ass. She reared up, breaking the kiss, startled at the feral look in his eyes. “Chris?”

His gaze drifted over her, the possession in it more of a turn-on than anything she’d ever experienced before. “I want you on your hands and knees.”

She licked her lips, her body trembling at the command. The expression on his face, a feral need directed solely at her, would have been terrifying on another man.

On him it was hotter than hell.

She bent, and turned, and presented her ass to him, straddling his body. His cock was at her lips, bobbing gently, the tip glistening with pre-cum.

“Suck it.”

She leaned down and licked the drop, tasting the salty sweetness, savoring the flavor.

She took the head into her mouth, her head bobbing gently, more and more of him slipping between her lips until her nose was buried in the wiry curls at the base of his cock.

His knees bent, his hands stroking over her ass. “Eat my cock, little witch.” He smacked the globe of her ass, making her moan around the hot flesh in her mouth. “Suck it until I tell you to stop.”

She dragged her mouth up his cock, stopping long enough to lash the head with her tongue before once again taking him to the root.

“That’s it, Lana.” He smacked her ass again, making her tremble. “You like that, little witch?”

She didn’t respond, too busy loving his cock.

He gently thrust up, showing her the rhythm he wanted. Every now and then a smack would land on her ass, making her shake and quiver.

No one had ever spanked her before, not like this. The urge to beg him to take her was beginning to override the need to taste his cum.

“You want me to fuck you, Lana? You want me inside you?”

She was nodding before he’d finished, sucking extra hard on the head of his cock.

“Fuck! Stop, Lana!” His hand landed one more time on her ass. “Move to the edge of the bed and grab the footboard. Whatever you do, do not let go. You hear me?”

She nodded weakly, making her way to the foot of the bed. She was so ready for him she was trembling.

She felt him get to his knees behind her and grabbed the footboard blindly. “You want this?” The head of his cock stroked between her pussy lips. “Say you want this, Lana.”

“Fuck me, Chris.”

The head slipped in, stretching her. “Don’t move those hands.” His body bowed over hers, his cock settling into her, his hands coming to rest next to hers. His face was buried in the crook of her neck. She had the feeling she’d have another mark before they were done.

And then he began moving, and there was nothing gentle about it. It was a raw fucking, taking and taking her over and over again, the slap of his hips against her sore ass making her buck back into him. She wanted this, wanted his passion, his need for her overriding everything else.

His knuckles were white. “Such a good little cocksucker.” He shifted his knees, changing the angle, and there it was, that spot inside her that made her pussy weep with joy. “Gonna fuck you so good.”

She began fucking back, thrusting into him, praying he would move faster. She groaned in approval when he picked up speed. “Wanna come?”

She nodded, too breathless to speak.

One large hand left the headboard, drifting over her breasts and down her stomach until his fingers grazed her clit. “Come for me.”

He stroked her, his balls slapping against her wetness, his cock practically setting her pussy on fire. With a low, throaty groan she came, her back arching, her muscles quivering, stars dancing behind her eyes.

He pounded into her once, twice, and then he was coming too, moaning her name in her hair.

Lana let go of the footboard. Her entire body slumped, sated beyond belief.

He had to be the absolute best fuck she’d ever had. That he’d spanked her like that should have fazed her a bit, but the thought that her wolfman liked his sex rough once in a while didn’t bother her at all. In fact, she’d gotten off on it big time. We’ll have to explore that more later. Much later. After I recover from this time.

He curled up around her, almost purring with contentment. “Finding you has got to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

She smiled, the soft kisses he peppered her neck with sending a shivery feeling down her spine. “Chris?”

“Hmm?”

“I have to go to work.”

“Call. Out.”

“No.”

“Lana,” he whined.

She tried to pull out of his arms. “This is what you get for liking morning sex. Night time sex we have time to cuddle. Morning sex and I have to log in to work.”

“Aw, man.” He let her go, waiting until she stood to right himself on the bed. He grabbed her pillow and burrowed into it. “Make coffee. Please?”

“Sure thing, wolfman.” She reached down and kissed his cheek. “Go back to sleep, Chris.”

“Mm-hmm.” He snuggled down and was soon breathing softly, his big body relaxed into the bed. She took a moment to study him when he couldn’t see it, couldn’t comment on it. Broad, muscular shoulders covered in sleek, golden skin, dipped down temptingly into a narrow waist barely covered by the sheet.

She stared at that sheet for a moment, but couldn’t help herself. She lifted the edge of the sheet. God, he was so beautiful she still couldn’t believe he wanted her. Her fingers were itching to do some walking over the tempting man-flesh, but she couldn’t do that.

She had to go to fucking work.

Soon? her libido whined. Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Lana settled the blanket back around his waist and tiptoed into the bathroom.

Shutting the door, she banged her forehead against it repeatedly. A vision of him covered in whipped cream tried to take root in her brain. If she didn’t get it out she’d crawl back into that bed and take severe advantage of his naked hospitality. Again. At this rate her pussy would be fucked raw before the weekend!

“Lana? You okay?”

His sleepy, rumbly voice had her insides quivering. The concern she heard threatened to melt her heart. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just … banged something.”

There was a pause. “Oh. You sure?”

Damn it, he has to be sweet, too. “I’m sure.”

“M‘kay.”

“Go back to sleep, Chris.”

“Mm.”

She turned on the taps and grabbed her toothbrush. It wasn’t until she was spitting the toothpaste down the sink that she even realized it was her toothbrush.

She tiptoed out of the bathroom and headed for the closet. There, her clothes hung neatly side by side with his. Her shoes lined the floor, her underwear sharing drawer space with his.

She couldn’t even be upset about it. He’d obviously done this late last night after he’d gotten back from his run with Gareth. She’d been so tired she’d barely heard him coming into the room. He had to have been even more tired than she’d been, yet he’d still taken the time to carefully hang her clothing. He was such a considerate naked man.

She bit her lip, her gaze once more drawn to his sheet covered form. I wonder if I could really bounce a quarter off his glutes?

She shook her head and grabbed the first thing her hand landed on, a pretty little sundress she liked to wear when visiting clients. She threw on her underwear and the dress, trying to ignore the little voice in her head that wondered what Chris would think of it. She headed back into the bathroom to find her makeup, figuring it was the most likely place Chris would put it.

Yup, he’d neatly placed her makeup kit right at the second sink. She quickly applied some makeup, brushed her hair, and headed down the stairs.

He might be able to sleep in, but some people around here needed to get to work by eight.

“Good morning, dear.”

Lana stepped into the kitchen, smiling at the sweet scents drifting from the oven.

“Good morning, Grammy. Umm, something smells good. What’s for breakfast?”

Grammy pulled a tray out of the oven. “Honey buns.”

Lana paused, the mug halfway to her lips. “Honey buns.”

“Yes. What’s the matter, dear? Usually you love honey buns.”

Oh yeah. I adore honey buns, especially the ones upstairs. She could just picture them, covered in drizzled goodness, her teeth nipping at the firm, round globes. “Sounds good.” She took a sip of her coffee, hoping she wasn’t turning beet red. The heat she could feel in her cheeks, however, told her she probably was.

“Hmm.” The buns landed on the stove quietly. “Why don’t you get some plates for the buns?”

Lana held back her whimper and got the plates. It’s going to be a long day.

She went ahead and set up her laptop in Chris’s great room, nodding to him when he stumbled down the stairs. She watched him head into the kitchen, heard the coffee being poured, and then the rustle of the paper, his mumbled good morning to Annabelle barely audible. She smiled to herself, knowing he was checking out “his” teams. She wondered if he had to read the section more than once before the caffeine kicked in, or if it somehow trickled through his early morning decaffeinated fog.

About twenty minutes later, Chris walked in, cradling his mug. “Why are you on the floor?”

“I’m working.” She entered another set of numbers, her eyes glued to the screen.

“Oh.” She barely noticed him walking out.

She definitely noticed him walking back in, especially when he unplugged her laptop and picked it up. “Hey!”

He turned and walked out of the great room. Grabbing her mug, she scrambled to her feet and followed him. He set her computer down on his desk with a satisfied nod, plugging it in to the same surge protector his computer was on. “Better.” Then he walked around the desk and settled into his chair. “Have a seat.”

She glared at him. “You couldn’t ask me if I wanted to move?”

“It’s simple, really. Chair or floor? Nice dress, by the way.”

“Thank you. What if I wanted floor?”

He looked at her over the reading glasses he’d slipped on. “Be my guest, but there’s no coffee table in here. You might get uncomfortable.” His smile was wolfish. “But if you really want to sit on the floor, just put the laptop between your legs and work that way. Oh, and make sure you sit,” he looked around and pointed, “right there.”

He’d picked a spot where he’d be able to look straight up her dress. If it wasn’t for the teasing smile lurking around his mouth, she’d be pissed. “I liked you better before you found the coffee.” She parked herself in the chair across from his desk, placing her mug on the coaster he handed her.

“Any musical preferences this morning?”

She sighed. “Something cheerful, please.”

“Cheerful it is.”

She pulled up the next set of figures she needed to work on, slowly losing track of the man across the desk. It wasn’t until she’d finally entered the last of the numbers that she realized what had been bothering her about the music he’d put on. “They Might Be Giants?”

He blinked, pulled from his own work, his eyes barely focused. “Build a little birdhouse in your soul.”

She snorted delicately. “More like a doghouse.”

“Why would I be in the doghouse?”

“How did I wind up naked in your bed again? ”

“Sleeping with your clothes on makes you rumpled. Rumpled makes you uncomfortable. Therefore you needed to sleep without clothes.” The innocent act he was trying to pull was completely ruined by the sexy grin lurking around the corners of his mouth.

“Really?” She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

He sat back and tried to look offended. “It’s not like I broke out the webcam at any point during your semi or total nakedness, you know.”

“Did I hear the word naked?” Gareth sauntered in, a can of soda in one hand and a smirk on his face. He settled on the edge of Chris’s desk, looking back and forth at them.

“Well?”

Chris was scowling at Gareth. “Lana’s naked is no concern of yours.”

“I know where you keep your webcam.” Gareth took a sip of his soda and watched Chris.

Chris looked over at Lana. “Remind me to hide it. Last thing I want is us plastered all over some porno website.”

“That’s because you’re a good dog, unlike some people who may need a trip to the p-o-u-n-d.” She’d leaned forward, whispering the spelled word, hiding her mouth from Gareth and waggling her brows.

“So I guess you don’t want to know that I just heard back from the high council?”

Chris’s head whipped around so fast Lana was surprised he didn’t hurt himself.

“And?”

“The king is considering a Beckett, all right.” Gareth bent closer. “But it’s not you.”

The relief on Chris’s face was wonderful to see. Lana had no desire to be the next wizard queen. “Thank the gods. Any idea who he has in mind?”

Gareth shook his head. “They wouldn’t say, but when I explained what was going on, they assured me you weren’t the one. However, they did confirm that Cole was originally the Godwin. They’re going to let the king know what’s going on. Odds are good he won’t be in the running for long.”

“Crap.” Chris sat back and rubbed wearily at his face, settling his glasses back on his nose when he was done. “This isn’t over. If the king dies before withdrawing Cole’s name, he could have a legitimate claim to the throne.”

“Nope, not over by a long shot.” Gareth sat back, looking more serious. “I think it’s time to call in the cavalry.”

Chris shivered. “Not yet.”

“Who’s the cavalry?” Lana saved her work and shut down for the day, logging out of her company’s servers.

“Our brothers.”

“Brothers? I thought you only had Daniel.” She sat back with a grimace. The chair wasn’t the most comfortable one in the world, and hunching forward to work on the laptop for the second day in a row had her back calling her all sorts of filthy names.

Chris frowned. “Why would you think that?”

“The Registry only listed Gareth, you and Daniel.”

“Huh.” Chris rocked back in his chair. The brothers exchanged a look. “Nope, we have another brother, and Gareth’s right. We need to call them in.”

“Why? Wouldn’t that put them in the line of fire too?”

Gareth stood and walked to the window. “I think it’s time. They need to be aware of what’s going on, and we definitely need to … tell… Guys?” There was an odd tone in Gareth’s voice. He stared out the window, horror growing on his face.

“What?” Christopher stood, the look on his brother’s face pushing him to his brother’s side.

Gareth pointed. “Look outside.”

Lana joined them out the window to see what Gareth was looking at. Chris was stunned, the sight of what was rolling towards them leaving him speechless.

“Holy fuck.” Lana leaned forward, wide-eyed at the huge bank of storm clouds racing in their direction. Lightning arched from cloud to cloud in a dazzling, lethal display. The clouds were a sickly greenish gray. “That’s no ordinary storm.”

The brothers exchanged glances. “It’s Cole.” Christopher pulled Lana to him protectively, tucking her under his arm. “We need to stop it before an innocent gets hurt.”

Gareth started to disrobe, much to Lana’s obvious delight. Christopher turned her and blocked her view of his almost naked brother. “Open the window. I’ll go scout and see what I can find out. Maybe he’s holed up nearby.”

Christopher opened the window in time for Gareth, now in wolf form, to leap through. He landed on the ground a story below and took off with a brief bark up at them.

“Whoa.”

He couldn’t help himself. He slapped Lana on the ass. “What were you doing looking?”

She rubbed her ass. “Hello! Hunk getting some naked time. You expected me to not look?”

“When we have a few free hours we’re going to have to explore this whole concept of naked time.” He strode for the door. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be in my work room trying to figure out what the hell Cole is up to.”

“I might be able to help.”

He smiled back at her. “Wizard and witch, remember, sweetheart?” He frowned. He couldn’t keep doing that to her. She’d more than proved herself, no matter how much he wanted her to stay out of it. “No. I know you held off the wolf in the car. If you want to try and work it out on your own, feel free. But without knowing Cole, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage.” He couldn’t protect her while he tried to unravel the storm, but he knew someone who could. “If you’re really planning on trying something, see if Annabelle can help.” When he’d last seen Annabelle she’d been attempting to scry once more on Cole, but she’d drop it in a heartbeat if she thought Alannah was in any danger.

Lana’s grin looked almost evil. “Oh, I think I can come up with something that will brighten Cole’s day.”

He strode back to her and chucked her under the chin. He was worried. What if she tried something when he wasn’t there to protect her and Cole’s protections lashed out?

Maybe encouraging her isn’t such a good idea. “Stay out of trouble.”

She blinked up at him, all sweet innocence. “Trouble? Moi?”

He couldn’t keep the slow smile off his face. “You’re going to drive me insane, aren’t you?” He didn’t let her answer, just took advantage of her open lips to lay siege to the inside of her mouth.

She was absolutely delicious. He would never get enough of her taste. He threaded his fingers through her thick hair, holding her in place while he slowly devoured her mouth. After only a moment’s hesitation, her lips joined his in the dance, moving against his own in a shy exploration that had him weak in the knees and rock hard in seconds. He realized he’d never tire of the sweet moans that poured from her mouth. The fact that her kisses were still shy after the incredible sex they’d been having was, to his mind, a good thing. It meant she was taking it, taking them, seriously.

Lightning lit the room, followed by the booming crash of thunder. Christopher pulled back, allowing himself to linger for just a moment. He stared down at her, amazed at how quickly his little witch had wormed her way into his heart. From the dazed look on her face, perhaps she was finally starting to see him as something more than a wizard, too.

Maybe she was finally seeing him as a man.

It was going to be a pain doing spell work with a hard-on, but if Cole’s games were going to be stopped, he’d have to get to work. “Stay inside where it’s safe, sweetheart.

Please. I don’t want you outside where Cole could find you.”

He waited for her to nod, but was forced to accept her shrug. Vaguely dissatisfied, he headed to his workroom to try and untangle the knotted roots of Cole’s storm, hoping that Lana was smart enough to stay safe.

“Chris?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I borrow some feathers?”

He blinked, looking up from his big old book in the middle of the table. Cute glasses were perched on the end of his nose. He looked incredibly intelligent and sexy, like one of those hunky college professors girls dreamed of getting and never actually did. Those glasses were probably going to be the final nail in her denial’s coffin. “Feathers?”

“Mm-hmm. White, blue, yellow and black.”

He sat back. “All on one or one of each?”

“One of each.”

He reached into a cupboard behind him and pulled out the feathers she asked for.

“Thanks!” She took the feathers, planted a kiss on his cheek, and hustled out of his workroom, knowing he was shaking his head at her.

Lana had already ransacked his cupboards and pantry for the other ingredients she needed. The feathers had been the last bit. He’d even had the black rope she needed in his bedroom. And if he’d used it for what she thought he’d used it for, it was better going where she planned to send it.

If he wanted to play those kinds of games with her he could damn well buy new rope.

She ran out the back door and onto the patio, into the teeth of the storm, ignoring the fact that she’d been turned on at the thought of playing those kinds of games with Chris.

Just not with the rope he used with other women. Not if she had anything to say about it.

She had to work fast. Lightning was beginning to strike all around the house, the flashes coming closer and closer together, forming a cage that they might not be able to break free from. If Chris or Annabelle caught her out here she’d never hear the end of it.

She just knew what she had planned would work, but she needed the time to make it work.

She took the large glass mixing bowl and put the feathers inside. Holding them down with one hand she began to pour salt over the feathers. The salt was meant to ground the wind, represented by the feathers.

At first she wasn’t certain it was working, but she persevered. She visualized the winds dying down gradually, and it began to work. When the last feather was covered the winds had died down until only a light, natural breeze remained. The lightning stopped, but the tang of ozone was still in the air.

Nodding in satisfaction, she took two wooden mixing spoons and bound them together in the shape of an x. She set the x on the wet ground just off the concrete patio and began pouring the salt over it.

“Evil storm that rides the sky,

it is time for you to fly.

Lord and Lady hear my plea.

As I will so mote it be.”

The rain stopped. There was a sense of expectation to the air, like the lightning was poised to strike again at any moment. If it did, her spell would be undone.

Damn, Cole is strong. The storm should have been wiped out, but some force behind it was keeping it in place. Better work fast. She pulled out the black rope, carefully cut down to thirteen inches, and began tying it in knots. With each knot she chanted, pouring her power into each knot until her hands were shaking with fatigue. If this didn’t work, the storm would come back full force.

“Knot of one my spell begun.

Knot of two my words are true.

Knot of three it comes to be.

Knot of four the storm is no more.

Knot of five this spell is alive.

Knot of six my protection fix.

Knot of seven, power is given.

Knot of eight protect my mate.

Knot of nine completes my rhyme.”

With a satisfied smile she saw the clouds begin to break up. She took the spoons and the rope, wrapped them in some white cheesecloth and began digging in the dirt.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

She ignored Chris’s irate voice in favor of burying the spoons and knots. If she didn’t hurry, the spell could still be undone. She could feel Cole’s power testing the knots, trying to pull the storm free of the binding spell. The binding needed the grounding of the earth to hold it in place. Without that, her knots could be unraveled, and she’d have to start all over again, and she was already exhausted.

“Cole’s storm packed one hell of a punch,” she muttered, patting the wet soil down over the spell with a final surge of power. Now nothing could get to it. She sat back on her heels, closing her eyes and lifting her face to the sky. The cool wet air wafted over her face, soothing now without the wizard fury behind it.

“You should have let me deal with it.” She found herself lifted off the ground, not that she cared. Her legs were shaking so badly she wasn’t certain they would hold her up.

“Sorry, Chris. There was something about that storm, something not right. It needed to be gone.”

He sighed. “This is why you can’t deal with Cole, sweetheart.”

“Mmm?” Man, she couldn’t remember the last time spell work had tired her out so much. It usually left her feeling like she needed a good nap, but this? She felt like she could sleep for a week!

“I told you before. Wizards do things slowly, in stages, needing only one small component at the end of the spell to activate it. We usually have several charms on our person at any given time, only needing the right words to activate the spells. Witches do everything at once, in one big bang. No way could you take on the multiple spells Cole would be casting. Remember how tired you were from the spell you did in the car?”

She opened one bleary eye and stared up at him. His expression was full of annoyed concern. “’Kay.”

One dark brow rose in disbelief. “Really? Not going to argue with me anymore on that?”

She burrowed closer to his chest. “Sleepy. Don’t wanna argue.”

He sighed and settled her down on something soft. Bed, her tired brain registered.

“That was a very powerful storm. No wonder you’re a tired little witch.” She felt him remove her shoes. “Sleep, sweetheart. I’ll take care of you.”

“’Kay.” She struggled through the thick layers of tired to reach for him. “Chris?”

“Hmm?”

“Night.”

She felt his lips brush hers before falling back through those layers and into the arms of Morpheus.

“Your little witch is extremely powerful, Christopher.”

“Yes, she is.” Christopher sipped at his tea, staring at the roaring fire. Lana had slept through dinner. He didn’t expect her to wake until morning, and that was fine with him.

At least he knew what she was up to. Part of him was furious at her for putting herself in danger; the other part was furious with himself for not realizing what she’d been up to.

“It’s a good thing I felt her spell taking hold. I’d already started to cast mine. Things might have gotten … interesting if they’d clashed.”

“Drought for certain, not sure what else.” Gareth stretched. “Why don’t you go for a run? I’ll keep an eye on your little witch, keep her safe.”

“From outside the bedroom?” Christopher mock-glared at his brother. He knew that Gareth would lay down his life for Lana. It was the Beckett way, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, Lana was most definitely a Beckett.

Gareth laughed. “From outside the bedroom.” He laid a hand on Christopher’s shoulder. “Go on. Your wolf must be getting restless. I’ve already had my run.”

Christopher nodded. His wolf was dying to get outdoors, but they were both leery of leaving their mate unprotected in their den while there was an enemy nearby. Christopher knew he could trust his big brother. Gareth would have to be dead for Cole to get one finger near Lana at this point.

He stood and headed to the patio. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Take your time, bro. I’m not going anywhere.”

He shot his brother a grin on his way out the door. “Gareth? Thanks.”

Gareth nodded, looking determined. “Becketts stick together.”

He shifted, taking joy in the night air and the knowledge that his mate was safely inside, sleeping in his bed.

“Becketts stick together.”

He was halfway into the woods before he realized what that meant.

Shit. Gareth had already called in the cavalry. He wondered when they would arrive and if he’d have time to warn Lana about the bevy of Becketts about to descend on them.