Blood Oath (#3, Mystic Wolves) (8 page)

“Yes, if it were not for him, my ploys at
stirring up the factions would have succeeded. I would be the one
sitting on the throne, my will being enforced. So you see it’s
quite simple really. Mason breaks his alliance with Zane, bows down
before me, and with him brings the rest into humble
submission.”

“You’re mad if you think he’ll agree to those
terms.”

“I know he will agree to join me because you
underestimate your complete value. I have chipped away at his
resolve by killing his sister and childhood sweetheart. Should I
hurt you, it will break him even more, make him easier to bend and
mine for the controlling.”

“So why not just kill me? If your whole plan
revolves around brainwashing him, why prolong it?” I knew I was
tempting fate by talking of my death, but I wanted to know—needed
to know exactly what we were up against.

“Because I am almost certain your death will
utterly damage him, therefore making him useless to me. No, I want
him to see I hold all the power, and only his obedience to my
commands will keep you with him.”

He looked so arrogant, standing there as if
he had it all figured out, but I didn’t point out the blatant flaw
in his plan. Mason would never bow. Yes, my death would crush him,
but there was an amazing strength and resilience to the man I
loved. It wouldn’t be long before he rose and focused his entire
attention on seeking justice. I knew love made people do crazy
things, and it could also make them feel like they’re buried deep
in a pit of despair when lost. But never take from a wolf because
eventually they will bite back, heading straight for the throat.
Avery was a fool for not recognizing that.

“So now you have me, what do you plan on
doing with me?” Everything hinged on this answer.

“Are you eager to part ways, Darcy? I’m
hurt.” He held his hand to his heart and slightly bowed his head, a
mocking look of distress on his face. “What would you say if I told
you I hoped to keep you by my side … indefinitely?”

I tried to school my expression as he studied
my face, capturing my eyes.

“Not going to answer my questions? Fine, it
seems you no longer need your voice. Do not speak further.” The
compulsion hit hard and I found myself mute once more.

All I felt was a slight breeze to indicate
he’d moved. One moment he was standing away from me and next, he
had his mouth at my throat, fangs grazing back and forth over my
pulse. I froze as I waited for the telltale pricks on my skin to
say he’d bitten me.

“You are so easy to taunt, my sweet. There
will be no biting today. In fact, as I told you earlier, our time
together is short. I will return you to your beloved Mason, and I
trust you’ll share with him everything I’ve told you. You will be
my message.” He trailed his face alongside my neck, taking in a
deep breath before brushing against my ear. “You are so tempting.
Maybe I should take a little sample—one for the road as they
say.”

I felt him nip at my ear lobe, his teeth
breaking skin and I tried to block out the sensation of him sucking
briefly. He groaned with pleasure, my blood obviously appealing to
him and I began to fervently pray that a sample was all he truly
wanted.

“Interesting, Darcy.” He pulled back, a look
of surprise on his face. “Is there something you wish to share?” I
felt my brows furrow in confusion as he continued. “Hmmm ...
mystery and beauty. I shall enjoy this indeed. Now sleep.”

Before I could reason out what his cryptic
comments meant, I was pulled back into darkness.

***

The first thing I noticed was my ability to
move, and next the incessant pacing of my wolf. Before I could act
and see why things had changed, I heard a loud noise which sounded
strangely like a door being ripped off its hinges.

“Where is she?” the voice demanded.

“Mason?” I finally opened my eyes and found
myself surrounded by the familiarity of my bedroom. Looking around
the concerned faces of Devlin and Daniel, I saw a much disheveled
Alpha storming towards me. Scooping me up in his arms, crushing me
against his chest, he practically bellowed for an update.

“I’m not sure what happened. No one saw her
come back, or any sign of who took her. One minute her room was
empty, and next April came running out screaming she was here. I’ve
asked those who’ve been patrolling the grounds and they all say the
same thing—they saw nothing.” Daniel spoke firm and clearly,
delivering his report.

I went to speak and share where I’d been, but
it was as if I was invisible, the men talking over me and amongst
each other.

“What about now? Who’s looking for any
indication of the intruder? Someone can’t just waltz in and out of
here, however they damn well please, or whenever they feel like
it.” Mason’s roar made me flinch with its intensity. “I want this
entire place put on extreme lock down. No one breathes without me
knowing. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mason. I’ve already issued the
alert.”

“Heads will roll if this happens again.
Whoever this is doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.” Mason turned
slightly before continuing. “It goes without saying this person is
mine. No interference from you, or your Enforcers. I want full
authority to deal with the culprit myself.”

I could feel the tension building in Mason—he
was like a tight string of elastic ready to snap at any second.

“No one questions your right,” Devlin
answered. “You may want to let Darcy down, however. I’m pretty sure
she has things to share, and your crushing her is only preventing
her from breathing. She’s safe, Alpha.”

“Don’t presume to tell me what to do,
vampire.”

I was shocked at the hostility I heard. I’d
never heard Mason speak like that before—especially to someone he
counted as a close friend.

“Do not let your anger and frustration cloud
your judgment, wolf. I am not your enemy. I am as always amongst
your friends. I’m merely pointing out the fact she has tried to
speak, but is not being heard. Now is not the time to give in to
your temper.”

It was a testament to their friendship as I
felt the man I love step back, the struggle just under his skin as
he reined himself in. Not many people would get away with speaking
to the Alpha that way without facing consequences.

Suddenly, I was being transferred into a
different set of arms—Daniel’s. I turned to look toward Mason. He
was shaking with power, running his fingers through his hair, his
eyes practically blazing with the sign of his wolf. He was fighting
instincts, the need to kill and maim, and I reached out to him
through our connection.

I’m okay. I’m safe.
I tried to infuse
my words with all the love I had. I hated seeing him so riled up,
his control hanging in the balance, but either my message never
reached him or he was too far gone. I gestured for Daniel to lower
me to the ground, thanking him and Devlin for being here before
returning to sit on the edge of my bed to wait.

Mason finally calmed, his fists unclenching,
but he still carried a hardened expression on his face—the Alpha
ever present, the man who was my lover and mate off to the
side.

Glancing around to the others, I took in a
deep breath and began relaying Avery’s message. Once I was done,
there was a brief lull of silence before all three exploded into
action, a mass of comments and curses flying. Having everything out
in the open showed just how serious the matter had become.

Devlin excused himself, phone all already out
and his king’s number being dialed. Daniel was listening intently
to Mason as he ordered for everyone to meet again to discuss and
come up with an effective strategy. Each had a task to perform—all
but me.

“What would you have me do, Mason?” I looked
up expectantly. I knew there wasn’t much I was able to do, but I
wanted to be useful. Not just as his future mate, but as a member
of the pack.

I was taken aback when he growled at me. “You
can stay in your room, with guards at your door and window until I
deem it’s safe for you to leave.”

I snorted, shaking my head slightly. “I
understand your concern. Really I do, but keeping me a prisoner
isn’t going to solve this, and I honestly don’t think Avery is
going to return for me. He’s delivered his message, I’ve served my
purpose. He’ll be waiting for your response now. Let me help.” I
reached out to touch him, my hand resting gently on his arm. “I’m
safe. We didn’t know what we were facing and now we do. It’ll be
okay.”

He shook his head. “I thought you were safe
before, Darcy. Here in our home and on pack land. No one should’ve
been able to get to you, but he did. I know you don’t think so, but
I can’t think if I don’t know every precaution has been taken.”

“I agree with being careful. I don’t ever
want to be taken from you again, but please don’t turn me into
another hostage. If it gives you peace of mind, assign someone to
stay with me when you can’t. Just let me move around if I want.
Don’t put me in a gilded cage.” I added an extra layer of pleading
to my voice. I needed to reach him.

“Fine, just no leaving the property. I don’t
mean to be insensitive, I just want you safe. I need to know I can
find you whenever I want to be able to touch and see you. Avery may
have a death wish coming after me, but he knows enough to recognize
you as my Achilles heel. I refuse to lose you.”

He pulled me into another embrace, this one
much gentler than the last. I could feel his heartbeat pounding
inside his chest, adrenaline causing his body to prepare itself.
There would be no relaxing or lazing about together until this was
over. I stretched upward to place a kiss on his lips, hoping he’d
take the bait and give in to a few moments of savoring each other,
but he offered back a perfunctory peck before releasing me.

“Stay in your room until I can find someone.
It shouldn’t take long, and then you’re free to roam. I also want
you checking in with me every hour on the hour. No texting. I want
to hear your voice.”

I tried hard not to roll my eyes at what I
saw as overkill, and nodded. He left without touching me, his mind
elsewhere, and I let a sigh as I looked around my room. What was I
possibly going to do while I waited?

Remembering the romance novel I only read
half way through, I flopped myself on my bed and got comfortable.
Finding the place my book mark was protecting, I willed myself to
focus on the story and the happily ever after the hero and heroine
were desperate for.

I just hoped I still had one of my own.

A sharp knock was all the notice I got before
Daniel poked his head though the door, asking if it was safe to
enter. Despite my doubts, the hour had flown by quickly and I was
grateful the book had held my attention so completely. Having
already called Mason, I was eager to get out of the room so I
quickly placed the book mark and returned the novel to my bedside
table.

“Of course, it’s safe to enter. What were you
expecting? World War 3 or something?” I laughed at the look of
surprise on his face as he glanced around my room.

“I was at least expecting a few broken
things. You know, from throwing them at that stubborn alpha of ours
after he laid down the law.” Obviously not finding what he was
hoping, he looked back at me, shaking his head. “Now, now Darcy,
where is your female indignation from being ordered about? Tell me
there were at least tears? Threats? Pouting?”

“You’re a dork!” I laughed, punching him in
the arm. He flinched, rubbing the spot, acting as though I’d given
him a mortal wound. “Oh come on, that couldn’t have hurt. You’re
such a ham, Daniel.”

Laying off the theatrics, he stopped and
suddenly looked serious. “Of course not. I was merely trying to
make you feel better.” A slow smile curled his lips and he leaned
in for effect. “Besides, has anyone ever told you, you punch like a
girl?” He took a large step backwards, avoiding the second swing of
my arm by a mile. “See what I mean?”

“How else am I supposed to hit, Daniel? Hello
… I am a girl!” I used my hands to show my body. “Is this why you
don’t have a girlfriend? Are you confused about what we look like?”
I squealed out loud as he reached out to swat me, and I tried my
best to block him. My arm went wide, resulting in the painful sting
of his hand connecting with my side.

“Crap, Darcy. Do you not know how to defend
yourself?” His cheeky grin now turned incredulous.

“I’m a werewolf. I always assumed I had the
natural ability to take care of myself. I didn’t think it was it
was that important,” I paused.

“Until now.” All joking was gone as Daniel
finished my sentence.

“Yeah. I didn’t like how it felt being so
defenseless. Avery cut me off from my wolf completely. I was
helpless against his compulsion.” I looked up to find eyes filled
with compassion. “I don’t want to feel like that again.”

“Then that’s what we’ll work on.” He offered
no more explanation as he took hold of my hand, leading me from my
room and out of the house. He kept a brisk, steady pace as we made
our way to the back of the property, to the space where Mason had a
gym installed.

Throwing the doors wide open, Daniel made
quick work of turning on the lights, revealing a place filled with
every kind of fitness equipment you could imagine. I glanced over
at the treadmill. That was by far my favorite because I was able to
read while I walked and avoid just staring off into nothing. I
moved to go climb on it, but I was directed elsewhere.

“Welcome to your first ever lesson in
self-defense … Daniel style.”

I raised my eyebrows at the last part of his
comment because I had no idea what he meant by it. Judging from the
cocky way he stood, I’d say I was in for an education of sorts.