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“Better to shun the bait than struggle in the snare.”
-William Blake-
Daniela
“What do you think got into Finn?” Tristan’s nuzzling my neck, and I’m tempted to give in and get back in bed. But the night’s events are keeping me awake.
After dropping Luz with Dom, we took off to give them some time alone. Lucas was nowhere to be found, and Finn had stormed out after the bakery. So we came back to Tristan’s place and after ordering a pizza, ended up lounging in bed.
I still haven’t cried over my father’s death. Probably another sign of how broken I am, but I can’t make myself shed tears for someone who stood by and let his son ruin everything his wife had ever worked for.
Tristan’s whispers in my ear thankfully remove such thoughts from my head. “Not sure how I feel with you thinking about another wolf while in bed with me, meu anjo.”
I chuckle at my mate’s words. His arm is wrapped around my waist, and he’s spooning me. I turn enough to capture his lips with mine. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Tristan growls in appreciation into the kiss, then his hand starts wandering down my front. With his heat at my back, I’d only kept on my tank top and underwear, which I now realize is the perfect invitation.
“You still haven’t told me what you were looking for at the bakery,” he whispers, and my half-lidded eyes fly open.
“Are you...serious...right now?” The words come out breathless, because it’s really hard to ignore his touch on my skin, and the tingles it provokes.
Tristan’s lips leave butterfly kisses on my neck, and shoulders, then nibble on my ear. In contradiction, his fingers duck in my underwear with precision, finding a particularly soft spot.
“Very serious.”
I spread my legs, giving him better access, even as a soft moan escapes me. “Tristan...”
Before long, I’m panting as his skillful fingers drive me crazy. Then he stops, and a frustrated noise escapes me. “Tristan!”
He chuckles against my back, pressing closer to me. His hard-on digs into me, and I know this can’t be easy for him. But he’s holding back, and it’s pissing me off.
“An answer for an orgasm seems a pretty sweet deal, no?”
I try to move out of his grip, but he tightens it on me. His chuckles vibrate, and I’m fighting a grin. “You’re mean when you want to be.”
“Mmm,” he murmurs, then pushes me on my back. Hovering above me, his chocolate eyes bearing into mine, his hardness holding me hostage, I relish the safety, the warmth – my mate’s irresistible touch. “So, what’s your answer?”
While I think on it, he teases me, spreading my legs and holding himself at my junction. I bite on my lip, meeting his burning gaze.
This stubborn male of mine. I roll my eyes, and give in. “It’s Elle, the girl in the bakery. There’s some connection between her and Tytus, that’s what Lucas has over him.” Then I shift my hips, and grin. “Now, where’s my reward?”
Tristan shakes his head, then removes his boxers in record time and covers me with his body. His mouth moves against mine, drawing more moans from my lips. Then Tristan nips on my neck, while burying deep inside me, and I know I’m gone – falling to a place I won’t recover from.
∞ ♦ ∞
I don’t know what wakes me up. At first I think it’s the rain outside, but the more I blink at the darkness, the more I don’t believe it.
Then my phone rings. A single buzz, on my nightstand.
I slide out from Tristan’s embrace, and glance at the glowing screen. My blood freezes. “Shit.”
The text is coming from Luz’s phone and it’s a picture. I already know what I’m going to find before I open it.
My eyes take in the gag over her mouth, the tousled hair. Somehow they managed to capture her from under Dom’s nose. Which alone tells me who we’re dealing with.
Then a second text vibrates. Come alone.
“Fuck You, Thiago.” My mutter lingers in the darkness, then I get up. It’s about time I bring this to its ultimate conclusion.
I’m no fool. It’s a trap, and he must have figured out I’d listen. After all, it was his raven I’d seen when I fought Cade, trying to save Luz. And he must have figured out I’d hate for Luz to be suffering.
The smart play would be to wake Tristan up and call Dom.
Only there’s no time, and I’m not about to risk her life. Or my mate’s. I’ve seen what my crazy brother did to him once, and there’s no way in hell I’ll let him do it again.
There’s also the matter of Lucas. Tristan and Dom would have to run their plan by him, and the alpha might not agree. Going against his orders would mean being in a precarious situation and risk being kicked out of town. Or, in my case, I’ve only been afforded protection. And if all things go well and I defeat Thiago, I’ll still have a pack to go back to.
Either way, it’s a no brainer. So I get dressed in record time and grab Tristan’s truck keys. There’s an address in a third text and I step on the gas with a vengeance.
The area it leads me to is an abandoned row of trailers off the side of the town. I don’t even need to follow my nose. The pack of ravens sitting atop one particular one is enough indication of where I can find my brother.
I park in front of it, noticing the four burly guards. By the time I reach them, the door opens and out comes Thiago.
“So that’s all it took to make you come running? Capturing a puny human?” He laughs. “Had I known, I would’ve saved us a lot of trouble.”
“How the hell did you get to her?”
Thiago snickers, leaning against the door like he’s got all the time in the world. “Easily. Now, as for my previous terms. Come home with me and once the deal is sealed, she will be released.”
I clench my hands. “Fuck you. I’m not going anywhere and neither is Luz.”
“We’ll see about that.”
I make the mistake of not paying attention to my surroundings. All I see is the flash of eagerness in my brother’s eyes, then something hard hits me and everything goes black.
Tristan
The knock on my door is loud – almost fisting. I struggle out of bed, and open the door to find a crazed-eyed Dom, panting.
"Tell me Luz is here."
“Wh–”
Before I can finish my thought, he's bursting inside my place and looking everywhere. I'm left scratching the back of my head. "Why would she be here?"
"Because her and Dani are thick as thieves.” He stops mid-pacing, sniffing the air. “Where's your girl?"
“She’s just...” My gaze goes to the bedroom, finding it empty. I glance back at the door – her boots are gone. And then I notice the cold scent. Our eyes meet across the room.
"Merda!"
∞ ♦ ∞
We make it to the shop in record time. Lucas is already there, joined by Finn. They glance up from a map they’re studying.
“What’s going on?” Finn asks, noticing our distressed moods.
I shake my head. “Dani and Luz are gone.”
Lucas straightens from the map, frowning. “What do you mean, gone?”
“They’re not home, Lucas, what the hell do you think he means?” Dom snaps. “They were taken!”
“Forget this.” I don’t waste my time with more explanations, instead storming past the alpha, straight to his office – and the prisoner still held there.
I burst through the door, my eyes meeting Tytus’. He takes one look at me and Dom who follows behind, and smirks. “Lost something?”
I’m lunging for him before I can think otherwise, my fist connecting with his jaw. Again. Then again. Shouts echo around me, but it’s Dom who finally manages to pry me off Tytus.
Panting, I yank myself out of his grip. “I got this. I’m good.” Then my eyes narrow on the dragon. “What happened yesterday?”
“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean.”
I take a deep breath, forcing my wolf to chill. If I lose it and go at with the dragon, it won’t help anyone. “Dani and Luz both thought you’re innocent, that you’re not in cohorts with the Reapers. Is this true?”
For all answer, Tytus shrugs. And it’s enough to make me see red.
Dom steps forward then. “You saved my mate once, and for that I’m very grateful. But she’s gone now, too. And she may be in danger.”
Tytus’ expression changes then, thoughtful. His eyes flicker over my shoulder, and I turn to Lucas. He’s leaning against the wall, not doing anything. And my rage suddenly reroutes. “You going to talk, alpha, or what?”
Lucas’ eyes glint dangerously. “Say that again. Calmer.”
I stomp to him, and before either of my buddies can intervene I shove him against the wall hard enough to rattle it. “I said, talk. You know something, and I’m not going to sit by and let this shit get out of hand.”
“Perhaps you should ask him why, exactly, he afforded a witch protection. And what he gained out of it.” Tytus’ words only throw fuel to my fire, and my grip on Lucas tightens.
“Is that true?”
“You’re delusional,” Lucas bares his teeth, eyes glittering with danger. “And you,” he says to Tytus, “shut it.”
The zmeu smirks, I see it out of the corner of my eye. Dom takes a step towards me, as if to move me off Lucas, and I growl. “Don’t move. I’m trying to get answers here.”
“Either you let me go, or we need to deal with this in another way.” Lucas’ hiss is dangerously low.
I still don’t budge. Instead, I slam him against the wall again. “Talk, dammit!”
“Love has made you lose your mind, amico.” Lucas shoves me backwards and tries to move past me, but Dom’s there, blocking his way.
“Time to talk, Lucas.”
Our alpha glances at Finn, but he’s also quiet. Finally, he shrugs. “Yes, I knew about the zmeu. We’ve been playing a game of cat and mouse, each keeping an eye on the other. It wasn’t until he started training Daniela that I realized the danger we were in. So I followed the dragon. He has an interest in Elle, the girl at the bakery store. She’s his weakness. Same as Luz and Dani are yours. So what if I used it against him?”
“You had no right.”
I turn to Finn, surprised to see my usual calm buddy enraged. His brow is furrowed, hands clenched at his sides, and his nostrils are flaring. Tytus is watching him with interest. At first, I think his rage is directed at me, for breaking pack rules and raising my hand to the alpha. After all, our Irish friend is all about the rules. It takes me a longer moment to realize Finn’s rage is aimed at Lucas.
“What is going on with all of you?” Lucas looks at us one by one, scowling. “I protected our pack. And you’ll recall it’s you two,” he points to me and Dom, “who brought these females into our lives. So what if I gave Daniela protection in order to lure the zmeu out of hiding? It’s about time we find out what his purpose here is.” His glare settles on Tytus, then falls on each of us in turn. “You’re a bunch of hypocrites, expecting me to save your girls, but not at the price of being a little ruthless? Mio Dio, give me a break!”
“Don’t invoke God’s name in vain.” Finn takes one step closer, and something about his energy draws my attention. He’s... seriously mad. “Since when does protecting our pack mean toying with innocents?”
Lucas gets up in his face. “I didn’t toy with anyone. I watched her, tried to find out who she was. I never interacted directly with the dragon’s precious...whatever she is to him.”
For once, I feel the snap coming before anyone else and step between them. The second after, Finn tries to lunge at Lucas. My body’s the brick wall he can’t get through, and I make sure to keep it that way.
“Enough,” Dom says, his voice low. “All this useless fighting isn’t helping when Luz and Dani are in danger. So, does anyone have any idea what might have happened, and how to help them?”
Silence lengthens between us. I feel the blood rushing to my temples, and the murderous rage builds with it. But something about Lucas’ words when talking about Tytus’ weakness...
“Merda! I know what happened.” I meet Dom’s eyes. “Did you catch any weird scents in your house?”
“None.”
“Thiago must’ve gone in, taken Luz last night. And if he did, I bet you anything he blackmailed Dani to go after.”
“Shit.” Dom runs a hand through his hair, then paces in the small office. His eyes dart to Lucas. “What do we do?”
Silence lengthens between us.
“I think,” Finn says, “that one thing is clear.” We turn to him, but his eyes are on Tytus. “He has nothing to do with Thiago or the attacks on us. Even less with the Reapers’ coup.”
“Fair point,” Tytus drawls, “coming from someone who hates my kind.”
We ignore the zmeu, and instead I meet Finn’s gaze. “Your point?”
“He’s saying it’s time to free me,” Tytus grins. “And I agree.” In front of our eyes, he snaps the restraints binding him in two. Then he stands, dusting himself off.
“Why didn’t you do that before?” I ask. “You obviously could have.”
He snorts. “Before, your alpha was ready to murder me and intended to hurt something very dear to me. Now, he sees the point in using me, without hurting.” His eyes travel on each one of us, stopping on Lucas. “I can help. Or you can let your girls die. It’s up to you, wolf.”
I’d sell my soul to the devil if it means getting Dani back safe and sound. And I’m definitely ready to battle my alpha for it. It turns out, I don’t have to.
Lucas glances at all of us, and clenches his jaw. He nods to Tytus. “Talk.”
Daniela
The noise takes a while to get to me. Then it makes me open my eyes – to darkness. Judging by the rolling noise under me, I’m in the trunk of a car. And I’m not alone.
I cue in to someone’s heavy breathing, and take a whiff. My mouth is gagged, but I definitely feel someone squirming next to me. A few movements later, my cheek hits something rough. I start rubbing against it, until the gag moves down my mouth enough so I can speak.
“Luz?”
The person next to me stills, then a whimper escapes her. I take is an affirmative. “Hang on, I’ll get us out of here. Try to rub your cheek against the backseat, it’ll help to get the gag off.”
She moves around a bit, and a few seconds later she exhales loudly. “Finally. Are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” I frown at the darkness. “You realize it’s my brother who kidnapped you, right?”
“Only by my own stupidity,” she whispers, and I sense the anger at herself in the words. “Dom told me not to go anywhere without him. I saw a glow in the backyard and thought it might’ve been Ileana. But it wasn’t.”
“It’s not your fault,” I try to reassure her. “Thiago’s good. Too freaking good. He must’ve been following me for a while with the ravens.”
“But why pick me?”
“Because he knows I’d never let him hurt an innocent.” I sigh. “Enough about this. We need to get out of here. If I know my brother – and I do – he’s taking us back to my town. And as soon as we get there, he plans to mate me.”
“Ew.”
Luz’s whisper draws a chuckle out of me. “Yep, my thinking exactly. So what do you say to getting out of here?”
“Let’s do it. What’s the plan?”
“Look for something sharp. He won’t have paid attention to details...” As I go on telling Luz what to look for, I do what I haven’t done in forever – I pray. And can only hope by some miracle, the guys will come help out.
Thiago’s not a foe I can fight on my own. I need Tristan, and the pack, to help me.
Tristan
“Are you sure about this?” We’re in Dom’s pickup, with Lucas and Finn following behind in another car. And we’re all heading to where the dragon tells us to.
Tytus rolls his eyes. “Yes. Thiago is headed to Bow’s Arrow.”
“Why? Can’t he get what he needs here?”
“Sure,” he snorts. “He can mate your girl here. But he doesn’t have the witch to bless the union – which will ensure he gets Daniela’s powers, as well.”
Something rises in my throat at the vile image, but I manage to push it down. “If he hurts one hair on her head...”
“He won’t,” Dom tries to reassure.
“Not until he gets near that witch,” Tytus adds.
“Why?” I ask, though my voice feels hoarse.
“Because her powers will ensure he gets his due.”
“So how do we find them?”
Tytus moves at the back, then pulls a pendant out of his pocket. I squint at it, then my eyes widen. “Dani’s father had that around his neck!”
“Indeed. And it will lead us to the witch.”
Dom throws us a look. “How?”
“Because of the blood sealed inside it.” At our blank gazes, he rolls his eyes and pockets the pendant. “Just trust me.”
I slouch in my seat and mutter, “Kind of hard to do, when you only release information bit by bit.”
Tytus is silent for a bit, then shrugs. “It’s the way of the world, wolf. I know some things you don’t. And I get to choose when you find out about them.”
Dom throws me a look I know is intended to make sure I don’t punch the shit out of Tytus – again. Then he says, “Why is the witch the key to this ritual?”
“It’s she who gave them the powers, even though they’re not hers to give. That is why I need to get my hands on her.”
I glance at Dom. “Lucas knows about this?”
He shakes his head, then his eyes meet Tytus’ in the rearview mirror. “That’s your price? Why didn’t you ask our alpha?”
Tytus leans back in his seat, smirking. “I’m asking you.”
Dom grips the steering wheel, taking one deep breath. I know he’ll do whatever he needs to get Luz back, as will I. But will Lucas understand?
“No, he won’t,” Dom whispers. Then he glances at me. “You sure about this?” I nod. He meets Tytus’ expecting glare. “It’s a deal. But only after you’ve helped us secure Luz and Dani. And that means sticking it through to the end.”
Tytus hand comes between us, and Dom shakes on it. But when they touch, something else hits me.
Two hands shaking, a child between them. A truck coming closer, its driver dead, brains splattered all over the windshield. Me yelling to get out of the way. The child, bleeding in my arms...
My hands grip the side of the car. There’s more building at the back of my head. I know what it is – it’s another episode. And I can’t fucking have one now. They’ve been on the edge of my consciousness, kept at bay because of my wolf taking over and Dani’s presence. Now neither is fully present, and the stressful situation causes my mind to sidetrack.
“Tristan?”
I grit my teeth, closing my eyes. That doesn’t work – all I see is blood. My breathing grows shallow, and my nails grow, sinking into the sides of the car.
“Buddy, snap out of it!”
Then Dom slams on the brakes and I hit the front of the car. Blood trickles down the side of my face, and I look up. Dom throws me a concerned look, but then I realize I’m not the reason we stopped.
There’s a line of wolves blocking the way – Reapers.
“Figures,” Tytus mutters.