Alphas on the Prowl (44 page)

Chapter Four

Isnay sank deeper in the cushions that surrounded the alpha’s table inside the empty pack hut and clutched her third cup of hot tea as her father paced the room.

He waved his arms as he shouted. “I can’t believe none of my hunters mentioned your infatuation with an Apisi
dog
.” The whole pack probably heard every word as he listed all her faults before the tea had even arrived, starting with her conception. From a young age, she’d known she’d never measure up to his expectations. He might be her father by blood but she didn’t carry a drop of dominance in her body. Why would she? He fought all her battles for her. Even now he was making all her decisions.

“Father–”

“But Apisi, Isnay.” He stopped with a forlorn expression as if she’d been caught mating with a donkey. “If you want a mating outside the pack, I could speak with the Payami–”

“Their new alpha was Apisi.” She sipped her cup and ignored his daggered glare.

“Or the Yaundeeshaw–”

“They only want hunters.”

He made a frustrated noise. “There are other packs. That’s my point.”

“I don’t want to leave our pack.”

“Good–”

“But no self-respecting male will come within touching range of me because they think you’ll skin them alive.” This might not be too far from the truth.

“Good.” He nodded sharply.

“So you’ve left me no choice. Either I run away with a male of my choosing or I die a miserable spinster.”

“There’s no need for theatrics.”

She finished her tea and set it aside.

“Are you hungry?” He flopped onto the cushions next to her.

“No.” Deep down inside, she knew he loved her. Maybe a little too much. “Awe came on our land to protect us.”

“Is that what he told you?” He smirked.

“He showed me.”

“You went off with him
alone
?” And he was on his feet pacing again. “Did he touch you?” Maybe she should have run away with Awe after all.

He paused and scratched his chin. “Your mother could use a new silver fur coat for next winter.”

She restrained the urge to toss her empty cup at his thick head. “She’d only give it back.” Her hunter mother could provide her own fur coats. Yet, it still touched Isnay that her father still pursued her after all these years.

He ran his fingers through his bushy mahogany hair. He kept it cut short since it was always in tangles.

“There was a blue light in the forest. I watched it appeared out of nowhere. Awe wanted to make sure no one from our pack wandered too close.”

Her father’s gaze narrowed. “I had heard rumors of this blue light.”

“Awe was a gentle hunter the whole time. He even gave me a gift.” She fingered the necklace.

With a growl, her father snapped it off her neck.

“Ouch.” She rubbed the burning pain on the back of her neck. “Give that back.”

He loomed over her. “What did you say?”

She lowered her gaze and made herself small. “Nothing, alpha. May I be excused?”

“Isnay…” He stroked her hair.

She shrank away. “I would like to leave, alpha.”

He sighed, the sound thick with regret. “Go.”

Not waiting for him to change his mind, she scurried from the pack hut onto the empty terrace. She half expected an audience outside. The sun had set and the moon winked at her between the tree limbs. She sucked in the cool night air and clung to the railing. What could she do? Nothing. What could one omega do against a den full of hunters? She shivered. Somehow she’d have to get word to Awe’s pack about his capture. Who knew how long her father would keep him before asking for a ransom, if he ever did. She trudged to her hut in the center of the den, where most of the omegas were housed. Many of the huts had their doors closed, meaning a hunter or a crafter came to visit. Maybe her sisters would help? Her mother would side with her father. She wouldn’t want Isnay with an Apisi either. She entered her home and stood, stunned, in the threshold. Sowas and five of her omega friends sat at her table.

“What are you doing here?” Isnay closed the door behind her.

“We’re going to help you rescue your hunter,” said her half-sister.

Isnay gave them a slow blink. “It will take more than an army of six.”

They giggled. “How about all the omegas?”

She knelt in front of them, hope a distant flutter in her chest. “What are you planning?” The omegas were her sisters and brothers by choice. They held the same urge to care for others as she did. Gentle souls who’d brought peace to the pack. That they would stand with her against their alpha’s wishes swelled her heart to bursting and brought tears to her eyes. Not everyone was against her being with Awe.

An itch on Awe’s nose was driving him crazy. Wrists manacled to the wall kept him from scratching. No amount of nose wiggling helped and just caused him more discomfort. The alpha must have broken it. He recalled a clear crunch with that last punch before his brave and beautiful Isnay defended his helpless ass.

He rested his head against the wall, conserving his strength. Time crawled, but he knew dawn was close. This wasn’t his first beating and most likely wouldn’t be his last. By tomorrow, most of the major damage would mend. It would be nice if he could set his nose before it healed crooked. Soft footsteps raced outside his dark hut. He tensed at the sound of female laughter, low and seductive. “He’s not going anywhere,” she whispered. “This won’t take long.” Heavy footsteps joined the female’s and they faded away.

His guard had left him? Awe yanked at the manacles with all his strength. The metal was vampire quality and wouldn’t break, but they had bolted the chains to the wooden wall. The Ohneka mustn’t keep prisoners often for them to have made such a rudimentary mistake.

The plank loosened with each tug. This could be his only chance for escape. With a whisper, the door to his prison opened.

He went still and snarled. Then Isnay’s scent struck him. “What are you doing here?”

“Shh.” She pressed her hand to his lips.

He couldn’t resist kissing her palm.

A key slid into the lock and the restraints on his right wrist fell to the floor. “You’ll get in so much trouble,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He scratched his itchy, sore nose.

“I regret nothing.” She unlocked his other manacle. “Others are causing distractions all over the den. We’ll have a short amount of time to get you to the ground. Once there, you need to run with all your speed to home.”

He rubbed the circulation back in his hands. “It’s dark and I’m unfamiliar with these lands.” He could hear her teeth grind with frustration. “Just point me in the right direction.” If he lost his way, he’d just keep running ahead of the hunters. Eventually he would either hit the river or run out of the forest onto vampire lands. From there, he could find his way home in the daylight.

Her shoulders drooped in relief and she cupped his face. “Look at what he’s done.” Gently, she ran the pad of her thumb over his bruised eyes. He hadn’t seen himself yet but he suspected he didn’t appear pretty.

“I’ve had worse.” Growing up Apisi meant he could take a beating and keep fighting another day.

She placed a tender kiss on his crooked nose. A tear spilled down her cheek. “I’m sorry he’s so cruel.”

“Your father? He’s just protecting your pack. I wouldn’t have expected less.” He had to reset his nose. Using both hands to splint the bridge, he jerked the cartilage with an audible crack. His eyes watered. “Does it look better?”

Isnay paled, her eyes wide. “Didn’t that hurt?” Her voice sounded thin. She shook her head and swallowed hard. “Yes, it looks much better.” She traced his swollen lips. “Why did you follow me?”

“I was worried leaving you alone with other hunters.” He shrugged. “I hadn’t meant to walk right into the center of your den. Never heard of shifters living in trees.” How could he explain that in his heart she already belonged to him?

“These lands flood and high ground is too far from the river, so our ancestors built in the large trees in this grove.”

“I wish I could have seen it better.” He had only gotten a glimpse after being knocked silly. The rest of his time had been spent in the dark. Rising to his feet, he stretched the kinks out of his back.

Isnay’s gaze grew heavy as she followed his motions.

He flexed his chest.

She rolled her eyes. “This isn’t the time.” Accepting his offered hand, she got to her feet. Her fingers were so dainty within his calloused palms.

“When will we
ever
have time together?” He couldn’t meet her gaze and stared at their joined hands. “I don’t want to keep a river between us anymore.” He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. This felt right. Everything his and her alpha did to keep them apart was wrong, but how could he make two stubborn males see the truth?

She melted against his body, her hand resting over his heart. “We won’t, but tonight we fight a different battle. If we don’t get you back to Apisi lands, who knows what my father will do next.”

He nodded and inhaled her scent one last time. “About that… A little warning would have been nice.”

She laughed. “I didn’t think you were crazy enough to come here.”

“Not crazy, lovestruck.” He kissed her fingertips.

“Hey, lovebirds.”

A strange female struck her head through the door. The way she held her body made it apparent she was a hunter.

He shoved Isnay behind him and readied to attack.

Chapter Five

“Don’t attack. She’s my sister.” Isnay wrapped her thin arms around his waist. Muscle slid under his skin in the most alluring way, rubbing against her limbs as he twisted to look at her. Oh, she definitely was under his spell.

He raised an eyebrow as if to say
you really think you can stop me
?

Her sister grinned. “Apisi don’t frighten me. Now let’s get you both to the ground before the guard returns.”

Isnay didn’t like the way her sister’s eyes traced Awe’s civil form. She wouldn’t ever challenge her sister but she did do her laundry. If Sowas flirted once with Awe, her clothes would come back flea infested.

Sowas gestured for them to hurry. “Let’s go.” She led them over the bridges, toward the edge of the den where there were smaller and infrequently used lifts.

He rested his arm around her shoulders. She couldn’t resist pressing her hand on his lower back. His skin was so warm and his body so hard. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Once he was safely on his pack’s land, she’d have a long talk with her father where
he’d
be the one to listen while
she
yelled.

At the lift, she reluctantly released her hold on him. “Go straight home.”

“What will happen to you if your alpha finds you helped me escape?” He wouldn’t let go of her hand.

“Don’t worry about Isnay. She’s the alpha’s only child. He might make some big noises but he won’t lay a hand on her.” Her sister held her nose to the wind, inhaling deeply.

“What about the others?” His gaze moved from one sister to the other.

“We’ll be fine, but you need to go.” Isnay pressed her lips to his. “When will I see you again?”

“Name the time and the place.”

Sowas’ growl shivered over Isnay’s spine. Her sister pushed both of them onto the lift. “They’re coming. Get him into the woods and run. I’ll cut the rope once you’re on the ground. They’ll need to find another lift to use.” She released the rope and handed it to Awe.

Bewildered, he stared at it. “What do I do?”

Isnay showed him how to use the rope to lower them to the ground. She wasn’t strong enough to move the lift by herself.

The sound of heavy running sounded against the wooden bridges above.

“Faster, faster.” Isnay looked over the side of the lift. The ground seemed too far.

“Sowas,” Awe called out. “Cut the rope.” He swung Isnay into his arm and leaped off the lift.

She gasped and squeezed her eyes shut as her stomach switch places with her heart. Her teeth snapped together as they landed.

Awe bent to one knee, absorbing most of the impact.

The lift crashed behind him with a clatter of splintered wood.

He clutched her to his chest, his head curved over hers as a shield. “Are you all right?”

“Y–yes.” She trembled as he helped her stand. “This way.” Taking his arm, she pointed to a forest trail.

“We should shift.” He dropped his kilt and began to change form fast and without effort. Isnay wasn’t a hunter. She rarely wore her feral form since her change didn’t come easy.

She chewed her thumbnail and tried to watch all directions at the same time for Ohneka hunters.

Awe’s feral form was covered in silver tipped thick black fur. His amber eyes checked her. “You’re still in civil form.”

“Because we’ll be here too long waiting for me to finish the change.” She pointed at her body. “Omega, remember?”

He nodded and swung her on his back. “Our omegas don’t have this issue.” Then he ran, using long loping strides.

“Isn’t that nice for them,” she mumbled under her breath.

“We’ll practice together.”

“Now you sound like my father.”

Awe plucked her right hand from clenching his fur and licked the inside of her wrist. “Sorry.”

She snuggled against the back of his neck. She rarely heard that word uttered to an omega. Awe was a special hunter. What would it be like to spend time like this every day? Would they argue all the time like her parents? Would they grow to become best friends as well as lovers? They deserved a chance to find out.

Between the tree trunks the sun’s rays crept over the horizon giving the forest more shape and color. The birds sang at the morning’s arrival. In the air, the scent of fresh water grew stronger. “The river is close.”

He nodded.

Behind them the howls of hunters overshadowed the bird song.

They crested a hill and Awe came to a sudden stop.

Isnay almost flipped over his shoulders and tumbled off his back. She swung off and stared at the swollen river. This wasn’t the area where they did the wash. The river grew narrow and deep here. With the spring runoff, the white water roared past the cliffs.

“We can’t swim this.” Awe searched the shore for a better crossing.

“I can’t swim at all.”

He eyed her. “That’s another thing we’ll need to practice together.” He offered her his hand and lifted her back on her perch between his shoulder blades.

A large chestnut wolf shifter charged out of the forest, claws extended, teeth bared.

Her father.

He aimed to knock Awe into the river.

“No,” she shouted. She jumped, kicking her feet against Awe’s back so he’d fall away from the edge. She took the brunt of her father’s attack and fell headfirst into the churning water

Awe regained his balance. His heart plummeted as he watched Isnay fall over the edge of the cliff. He shoved past her father and dove after her.

She couldn’t swim. How could a shifter who grew up by the river and in a floodplain not learn?

The spring thaw left the water icy cold. It stole his breath while currents dragged him under. He kicked and battled with the water until he surfaced, sucking in air. As a hunter, he was a strong swimmer. One of the best among the Apisi, yet this current challenged him. What of his precious Isnay? He couldn’t bear to lose her. With a strength born of desperation, he stroked along the chaotic waves, searching for any sign of her. If she’d been dragged down to the bottom…

The river widened and the currents grew tame. Next to the Apisi shore floated Isnay, face down.

A raw wordless cry ripped from Awe’s throat. He tore through the water and gripped her limp form to his chest.

Her braids trailed in the water as did her limbs.

“No, no, no.” He swam them both to the beach and carried her to a flat piece of ground. His chest hurt like he’d swallowed broken pottery. What should he do? He searched the forest for help. What had Susan done when they’d found a pup in the Apisi bathing pool?

He pressed his lips to Isnay’s and blew his life’s breath into her. He met resistance. Trying again, he blew harder until her chest rose.

She shuddered and coughed. Water spilled from her lips and she retched. Rolling her onto her side, Awe rubbed her back until she gasped for air.

He gathered her in his arms and buried his face in her neck. A sob of relief wracked his chest. Thanks be to their goddess for sparing him such heartbreak and allowing Isnay to return. He stroked her wet hair, unable to let her go.

She rested her head on his shoulder, arms entwined around his neck.

“Don’t ever do that again.” He struggled not to squeeze her too tight. He didn’t want to add to the bruises she obtained from the river.

“Not until you teach me how to swim.” He sensed her lips move against his neck into a smile.

Splashes reached his ears and Awe twisted in time to face Isnay’s father, who swam toward the Apisi land as if planning to stroll onto their shore.

Sorin, in feral form, strode out of the forest with all Awe’s fellow hunters, blocking the other alpha’s path.

Her father stood in waist deep water. “Isnay?”

“I’m all right. Awe saved me.” She stroked his hair, in no apparent hurry to leave his arms.

Sorin shot Awe an angry look. “You were supposed to go without being seen. Not steal one of their omegas.”

Chagrined, Awe lowered his head in submission. “I hadn’t meant to.”

“Give her back.” Sorin pointed to the Ohneka alpha. Awe hadn’t expected to keep her on Apisi land. This shore was closest when he was trying to save her. All he cared about was her living.

He carried her into the water.

Her father met him with a growl. “None of this would have happened if you stayed where you belong, dog.” He drew Isnay into his huge arms.

Heart in gut, Awe couldn’t agree with him more. He’d followed her home to protect her and instead she almost died. He proved he’d be a terrible mate. Head hung low, he retreated.

Isnay struggled in her father’s arms. “It’s not his fault. It’s both of yours.” She squirmed free and grasped Awe’s hand. “I want him to court me but you refuse me anyone.” She turned her angry glare at Sorin. “This matter with the light could have been handled with more finesse. A line of communication between our packs would benefit all.”

Awe squeezed her hand. Those were the most words Awe had ever heard from Isnay. She spoke with an alpha’s eloquence and with an omega’s heart.

“What do you propose, little wolf?” Sorin’s ears folded forward in amusement.

“Let me visit your den and allow your hunter to court me, then we’ll see where things go.”

“Alone?” Her father sounded scandalized.

“You can send a chaperone or invite me for a visit.” Awe grinned down at Isnay and ignored her father’s glare.