Fatal Call (New Breed Novels Book 4) (15 page)

Rose sat on the edge of the bed in the medical ward while Adriana did her make-up.

“Special delivery,” she heard her mate say from the other side of the swinging door.

“You can’t come in, X,” Evy said.

“Wouldn’t dream of it. But someone out here is missing her mama.”

Rose heard a familiar cry as her mate let Cool into the room. Ana scooped her up and brought her over.

“Thank you, my male.”

“You’re welcome. See you soon. I’ll be the guy in the tux. Remember him?” He chuckled.

Oh, she remembered alright. She’d never seen anyone so handsome before that night. Thinking about it still gave her goose bumps.

“Do you want your hair up or down?” Adriana asked.

“Oh, I don’t care, but Xavier likes it down.”

“Why don’t we decide when we see the dress,” Evy said. “Where are Ana and Pax anyway?”

Adriana started to brush Rose’s hair. “They’ll be here. Pax is the fastest stylist on the planet. We still have forty-five minutes.”

As if on cue, Pax and Ana materialized carrying a white garment bag and a shoe box.

“Oh, you’re back. What did you find?” Adriana asked.

Pax took the dress out of the garment bag and grinned. “A white tea length strapless Chantilly lace gown with a matching capelet. The two layers are so lightweight. Just a whisper of material.”

“It’s gorgeous,” Evy said. “What do you think, Rose?”

Rose was pretty sure there were tears in her eyes threatening to ruin Adriana’s make-up job. Even more concerning was the sob threatening to escape her throat. “It’s so beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll try the shoes on right now, because I’m stressing about the fit,” Pax said.

Ana smiled. “It was our pleasure. Aw, crap. Pax, we forgot her flowers. I’ll run up to the mansion and see what I can find.”

“We were just discussing whether her hair should be up or down,” Helen said.

“See, Xavier likes it down,” Rose said.

Pax shook his head. “With your long neck and that gorgeous mark it needs to be up. Believe me. He wants it up. He just doesn’t know it. You can always take it down for the reception.”

A short while later, Rose looked at herself in a mirror Ana had brought down from the mansion. She couldn’t believe it was her. The dress was so pretty and she just loved the capelet. And Adriana’s subtle but strategic make-up job made her look almost healthy again.

“I swear she’s channeling Audrey Hepburn,” Pax mused.

“Are you nervous?” Evy asked.

“No, not really. Well, maybe a little.” She went after a newly polished nail and Adriana caught her hand. “Yeah, definitely.”

They all cracked up as they gathered around her for a final pre-ceremony group hug.

X stood by the gazebo in the garden. He turned to Troy who was by his side. “Did you remember the ring, bro?”

“X, how many times are you gonna ask me that?”

“Sorry. Nerves, dig?”

Moments later, the whole of the Order and their females began to file in on either side of the path. Then Rose came through the French doors at the back of the house with Helen and Diesel on either side of her just in case. His female was breathtaking. She was wearing the most incredible white dress and carried one long stem rose. He gazed at the flower for a moment. What were the chances? Maybe it was a sign that his mother was watching over them.

“Hi,” she said in that lovely voice as she came to stand in front of him.

He took her hands in his. “Hi.”

Reyn placed his fist over his heart. “
In lak’ech
.”

“
Ala k’in
,” they all answered in chorus.

“This feels good,” Reyn began. “All of us here in the garden celebrating together. Mind you, I never would have guessed X would be the reason.”

Everyone laughed.

“Our Xavier is truly the Alpha male. He surpasses anyone I’ve ever known in intelligence, speed, strength, and quite possibly stubbornness. But for all those gifts, one in particular was lacking. Love. The kind of love that only a mate can bring. Rose, you have made that possible. You have touched Xavier’s heart. And in touching him you have touched us all. Thank you for that.” He turned to X. “You’re up, my brother.”

Troy handed Xavier a ring and he took his mate’s left hand. “When it came to preparing for the ceremony, my boy Troy had the toughest job by far. I told him I wanted to give you a Japanese ring. So, true to who he is, he told me in some unclean language that I had clearly lost my mind and then promptly gleamed off to find one. I figured he’d head downtown. Turns out he went to Tokyo.”

Rose looked at the ring as Xavier placed it on her finger. It was a yellow gold band with a gathering of cherry blossoms at the top. At each of their centers was a diamond.

“It’s so beautiful, Xavier. Thank you.” She didn’t even get a chance to cry because her male swept her up into a long, tender kiss.

“It’s engraved on the inside of the band,” he said into her ear, as everyone whistled and clapped.

Rose didn’t look at the inscription until they were well into the reception. She lay on the white wicker couch covered with her quilt as she listened to the music Diesel had set up outside. She looked down and slid it off. She looked for words, but instead found Japanese characters.

For all eternity.

She smiled to herself, watching everyone talk and laugh while they raided the dessert table. Xavier brought over some mochi ice cream and they shared it together. That’s when she heard the familiar beginning notes to their favorite Ella Fitzgerald.

Xavier stood up. “I believe that’s our song.”

“Oh, I’m not sure I’m up to dancing, my male.”

“You don’t need to be.” He smiled and lifted her from the couch. Cradling her in his arms, he carried her over to the stone mosaic where Troy and Evy were dancing by the birdbath. Slowly he rocked her.

“I can’t enjoy this night without you. Shake down the stars,” he sang softly by her cheek.

Rose looked up into his rich brown eyes and this time the tears won out. She bit her bottom lip.

He paused for a moment. “Ready to head down?”

She nodded.

“Okay. Let’s just let Helen know.” He handed her his cell and she sent Helen a quick text letting her know that they would like some couple time in the ward.

He picked up her quilt and carried her down to the compound. She started smiling the moment they were through the ward’s swinging door.

“Hey, now. How did we get a double bed?” Xavier asked.

“Helen mentioned how they’d tied two beds together before. I didn’t want to sleep without you.”

He sat her down on the edge and bent down to slip her shoes off. She leaned forward and kissed him.

“Make love to me, Xavier.”

“Are you sure you feel up to it?”

She nodded. “It’s our mating night, my male.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She traced his goatee with her finger. “I’m not worried.”

X wrote a note on a piece of printer paper and stuck it to the door before picking up a chair and wedging it shut. Then he helped her get undressed, dropping a kiss on her mark. He took off his tux and crawled in next to her.

“Are you warm enough, Rosie?”

“Shh.” She put her fingers to his soft lips.

He leaned down and kissed her. He took his time, leaving nowhere on her body untouched by his caresses. “Can you wrap your legs around me?”

She nodded, expecting him to get into some familiar position. Instead, he lay down next to her, staying on his side so that she bore none of his weight. He brought her into the massive span of his body, holding her as close as possible. And then he was inside her. Their
naguals
connected and she gasped.
Oh, God.
Whatever waited for her on the other side, whatever was there, she wanted to remember them this way. Their bodies entwined, second souls connected. Thoughts of nothing and no one else. Just Xavier. Only Xavier. Forever.

The next morning, X woke later than usual. He looked over at his mate in the adjoining bed. Goddess, she looked tired. Deep shadows framed her eyes, making her delicate cheekbones look hallowed.

Helen came in. “Oh, I’m glad you’re awake. Rose woke up around four with some pain, so I’ve set up an IV for her. Right now she’s receiving a low dose of pain medication along with some fluids.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“She’s not the only one who needs to keep her strength up. Are you hungry? I can order a late breakfast.”

“No, thanks.”

“Well, at least go grab a shower while she’s asleep. I’ll sit with her.”

X gave in and went down to their room to take a quick shower. Goddess, his mate had weakened so much over night. He was hoping she was just tired after the big day they’d had. But something inside told him that she was beginning to slip away.

As the day went on, Rose slept more and more. In the early evening, she seemed to rebound. She even let him feed her a little leftover mochi ice cream.

He held one to her mouth and she took a bite. “You can have the rest.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded as she watched Cool find a new position at her side.

He swept the hair back from her forehead.

“I’m so glad I found you, my male. You’re my miracle,” she said softly.

He took her hand in his and kissed it. If only that were true.

“But it’s my time, my male. The Goddess wants me with her.”

His eyes welled up. “Rose, no.”

She reached up to touch the side of his face. “I’m not afraid. I can be brave like you. My warrior. My Xavier.”

“Rosie…”

She closed her eyes so peacefully that at first he thought she had drifted back to sleep. But when he could no longer sense her, he knew.

She was gone.

Rose could feel a gentle pull leading her upward toward the heavens. With no effort, her spirit phased into Crane and continued to fly through what she thought must be the Otherworld. There was a faint yellow light shining in the distance and she began to move toward it. On and on her wings carried her. Over mountains and lakes. Past rivers and forests. At last the light seemed within her reach. She flew into it and found herself at the entrance to a great barren land.

Suddenly, she was blinded by a shimmering white light. As it slowly faded away, a lovely young woman with black hair and aqua marine eyes became visible. Instinctively, Rose knew she was the Goddess Akina. She phased back to her first form so that the two of them floated together in the ether.

“My Goddess.”

Rose began to bow, but the Goddess opened her arms to her. “Come to me, Rose.”

As the Goddess embraced her spirit self, Rose knew a completeness that was unlike anything she’d ever felt.

“What is this place, my Goddess?” Rose asked.

“It is the wasteland. A plane you must cross to join your kind in the Afterlife. I came when I sensed you. Why are you here? Why are you not with your warrior?”

“I became ill and my shifter body died.”

“But how is that possible? You are a
tsuru
, a descendent of the Immortal Crane. You have the gift of longevity. You should have lived many hundreds of years.”

Tsuru
. Rose recognized the Japanese word for crane. “I don’t understand, my Goddess.”

“You are a shifter who has been gifted with immortal long life. Have you never wondered why your mark is different?”

“Yes, my Goddess, but I could never find the answer in books nor within myself.”

The Goddess looked solemn. “Then you are here because you never truly learned to use your power.”

At this, tears began to flow down Rose’s cheeks. She realized if she had known, she could have remained on earth with Xavier.

“Why do you cry?”

“I’ve lost my mate because of a war that has taken everything from me.”

“Xavier is a most worthy male.” The Goddess Akina smiled. “Rose, do you wish to return to him?”

“Yes, my Goddess,” she said without hesitation. “But how can I?”

“The cost will be great. A life must be taken so that you may keep yours.”

Rose felt bitter disappointment. She could never take another’s life, no matter what the reason.

The Goddess continued. “Are you willing to give up your immortal life in order to live alongside your warrior? You would relinquish your power. You would be a simple shapeshifter.”

Rose’s heart soared. “Yes, my Goddess, I am willing. I choose Xavier.”

The Goddess Akina smiled. “Very well then. A life for a life.”

The Goddess closed her eyes for a moment and Rose felt the air around her crackle with power.

“It is done.”

“Thank you, my Goddess.”

Without warning, more shimmering white lights appeared all around them. “Rose, you must go. Hurry!”

One glowing light after another dimmed and beings that were nothing more than transparent heads began to appear all around them. Rose watched in horror as power was released toward the Goddess. With a sweep of the deity’s hand, Rose suddenly found herself propelling backward.

She opened her eyes moments later to find herself back in the hospital ward at the compound. She heard the sound of softly spoken words and looked to the side of the bed. Xavier sat quietly with his face in his hands. He was praying.

Oh, my male.
She gently touched his arm.

He slowly lifted his head. “Rose? But you were gone. I lost you.”

“I was dead, but the Goddess told me it wasn’t my time. She sent me back to you. Unless, maybe it was all a dream.” She turned her head and lifted her hair. “What does my mark look like, my male?”

He touched it gingerly with his fingertips. “It’s completely black, even the crest.”

She hadn’t dreamt it. It had all really happened. She was truly home again. But if that was real then…

“Xavier, the Goddess has been taken!”

Evy was roused from her sleep by a terrible high pitched noise. Only once Troy had taken her by the shoulders and called out to her did she realize it was the sound of her own scream that had awakened her.

“What is it? Did you see something, Ev?”