Red Moon Rising (21 page)

Kaden sucked in his breath at the sight of the wound on her
shoulder.  It was worse than he thought.  He could see torn muscle and nerves in
the gaping wound, and blood was soaking into her shirt and pants. 

The Lycan was dying.  The others might be pretending she
would be fine, but they were hours from their home. The wound was too large to
bandage, and not even her Lycan healing powers could stop her from bleeding to
death.  She would not survive the trip back.  Sophia had risked her life to
save his sister, and there was a strange twisting in his gut at the thought of
her death. 

Nicholas ran to the nearest tent and brought back a blanket
as Bree kneeled next to them and, her hands trembling lightly, carefully
unlocked the collar around Sophia’s throat.  She eased it from her neck and dropped
it into the leather bag.

Kaden watched as James ripped the back of her shirt open,
eliciting another cry of pain from her, and urged Sophia to relax against his
naked torso.  He put his arms around her and pressed both of his hands on the
wound on her shoulder.  She gave a thin shriek of anguish as blood poured out
in thin streams between his fingers.  Tristan echoed her cry as he knelt next
to his children.  Nicholas wrapped the blanket around them both, and James
kissed Sophia’s forehead and cheeks repeatedly as Tristan stood and paced
nervously back and forth.

“She’ll be okay papa.”  Nicky squeezed his father’s shoulder
reassuringly, and Tristan gave him a naked look of fear. 

“We need to get her home to Avery.  She needs her mama as
well.”

“We will.”  Nicky said shakily.  “Just give him some time to
heal her enough to survive the ride back home.”

Bree stroked James’ head and kissed his forehead gently
before rising and walking to Kaden.  She hesitated and then hugged him
tightly.  “Are you okay Kaden?”

“I’m fine.  Are you?”

“Yes.”

He put his arms around her and hugged her gently as he
watched Nicholas and Marshall patrol back and forth on the edge of the camp. 
They were keeping an eye out for Draken and Terrence, and Marshall whispered
something to Nicholas as he passed him.  Nicholas nodded grimly, and continued
to stare into the trees as he marched back and forth.

“Bree, the Lycan is dying.”  He said softly.

She shook her head. “No, James will save her.  You’ll see.”

“What do you mean?”  He frowned at her.

“James is a healer.”

“A what?”

“He’s a healer, just like his mother.  He can touch people
and heal their wounds or their sickness.”  Bree replied.

Kaden gave her a cautious look.  “That isn’t possible.”

“It is.”  She insisted.  “I was dying when James and Nicky
found me in the woods.  James held me until I healed.  If it had not been for
him, I would have died.”

He continued to stare at her and she smiled at him.  “I know
it sounds crazy Kaden, but it’s true.  She patted his abdomen through his
shirt.  “You were stabbed.  Do you remember that?”

“Yes.”

“James or Avery saved your life.  One of them held you until
your wound healed.”

“Bree – “

She squeezed him lightly.  “Just trust me about this Kaden. 
Sophia will live – you’ll see.”

Kaden stared at her doubtfully but didn’t argue.  She
believed what she was saying, he could see it in her eyes, and he sighed and
stared at Sophia.  The Lycan’s eyes were closed, and her face was pale as James
murmured in her ear and Tristan stroked her leg.

An hour later, Nicholas crouched next to James and his
sister.  “We have to leave soon James.  It would be best to be home before dark.”

James nodded and whispered something in Sophia’s ear.  Her
eyes fluttered open and she nodded weakly.  Tristan unwrapped the blanket as
Bree and Kaden drew close.  As James removed his blood-streaked hands from
Sophia’s shoulder, Kaden’s mouth dropped open.

“The gods be damned.”  He said faintly.

Bree sighed with relief.  “It’s better.”

“Aye.”  Tristan replied.  “But not completely healed.”

Kaden crouched down and stared in disbelief at Sophia’s
shoulder.  The gaping wound had closed over but her shoulder was swollen and
bruised.  James brushed it lightly with his fingertips, and Sophia gave a short
cry of pain.

“Perhaps we should wait a bit longer.”  Tristan said
hesitantly.

“No.”  Sophia whispered.  “It’s much better than it was.  We
need to go.”

Marshall had disappeared into the woods and, as Bree knelt
beside Sophia and kissed her pale forehead, he reappeared leading the horse
that Kaden and Sophia had been riding.

Nicky ran his hands through his hair.  “We’ll move faster if
we shift.”  He eyed Sophia.

Sophia shook her head.  “I’m sorry Nicky.  I can’t run on
it.”

“Sophia and Kaden can ride the horse and I’ll ride on James’
back.”  Bree said.

“No.”  Nicky said immediately.  “He’s not touching her.”

“Nicky – “  Bree started but Sophia interrupted her.

“It’s the only way Nicky.”

Nicky sighed harshly.  “Dad, what do you think?”

“Sophia’s right.  She can ride with the human.”  He stalked
towards Kaden and stared steadily at him.  “If you hurt my child, if you lead
that horse anywhere other than back to my home, I will tear you apart.”

“Papa, stop it.”  Sophia muttered.  “He won’t do anything.”

“He won’t hurt her.”  Bree rested her hand on Tristan’s
arm.  “I promise you Tristan.”

Tristan continued to gaze at Kaden and when he neither
stepped back nor dropped his gaze, the Lycan nodded and went back to Sophia.

“Can you stand sweet Sophia?”

“Yes.”  James and Tristan helped her to her feet and she
clutched the ruined remains of her shirt to her chest.  “I need a new shirt.”

The naked Lycans looked at each other, and Kaden nearly
laughed at the looks on their faces.  He tamped the laughter down and quickly
stripped off his shirt.  “Here.”

Bree took it from him with a nod of thanks, and the others
turned away as she helped Sophia shed her tattered shirt and slip into
Kaden’s.  The Lycan moaned softly with the pain, and Bree made soft noises of
comfort.

“I’m ready.”  Sophia said in a strained voice.

Kaden swung into the saddle and leaned backwards as
Marshall, James and Tristan lifted Sophia into the saddle.  She sat rigidly
before him and he eased his arm around her waist. 

“Lean against me.  It will help with the jostling.”  He
murmured into her ear.  She leaned back against him.  She was sweating and pale
and she moaned softly when he shifted her in the saddle.

“Tristan, are you sure this is a good idea?”  Marshall asked. 
“We could camp here for the night.  Keep watch for Draken and the other.  James
can heal Sophia completely, and we’ll travel back in the morning.”

Sophia spoke quietly.  “No.  Draken may have more men.”

“I doubt it.”  Marshall patted her leg gently.  “Sophia, the
pain will be very bad.  Let James heal you further and – “

“No!”  She said loudly.  “I – I want mama.”  She felt
foolish saying it but she was anxious to leave the camp.  She couldn’t stand
the thought of spending the night in this place with the stench of dead Lycans,
and the memory of Draken telling her she would make a good mother to his pups. 
She wanted to be at home, in her bed snuggled against her mother, and far away
from the memory of the collar around her neck and her brush with death.

She trembled lightly.  If Kaden hadn’t pulled her back from
the brink of shifting, she would be dead right now.   Her trembling increased
and Kaden rubbed her hip almost soothingly.  She looked up at him in surprise. 
He returned her look silently as his big hand rubbed circles on her side and
hip.

“Okay.”  Marshall patted her leg again.  “We’ll get you home
to your mama.”

Kaden watched, his hand tightening on Sophia’s hip, as Bree
went to James.  The Lycan kissed her softly on the mouth, his hand lingering
around her waist, and she smiled at him.

“Hang on tight little one alright?  I will be moving
quickly.”  He stroked her long blonde hair.

“Aye, my lord.”  She kissed him a final time and stepped
back as he shifted.  He was one of the biggest Lycans Kaden had ever seen and
even with James lying on his stomach, Nicholas still had to lift Bree on to his
back.  She leaned over him, her hands sinking into his fur, and he turned his
head and licked her face.  She giggled and patted him gently.

Tristan gave Sophia an anxious look.  “If the pain gets too
bad and you need us to stop, just say so okay?”

“Yes papa.”  She gave him a weak smile.

“I love you Sophia.”

“I love you too.”

The rest of the Lycans shifted and Kaden nudged the horse
forward.  Sophia made a soft groan of pain, and Kaden moved cautiously behind
her.

“Put your head on my shoulder and lean into me.”  He said. 
She did what he asked, burrowing her face into his thick neck, and he moved his
hand from her hip and towards her shoulder.

“This is going to hurt, but it’s better if I try and steady
you while we ride.  Are you ready?”

She nodded and he crossed his arm across her chest and quickly
pressed his hand hard against her injured shoulder, holding her firmly against
his upper body.  She gasped loudly but made no effort to pull away, and he felt
a grudging amount of respect for her.  Her skin was hot and throbbing through
his shirt, and he could only imagine how much pain she was in.

“Hang on.”  He muttered as the Lycans began to lope through
the woods.  He dug his heels into the horse’s sides, and did his best to keep
Sophia from jostling around as the horse broke into a run.

* * *

Sophia moaned softly and Kaden bent his mouth to her ear. 
“Do we need to stop?”

“No.”  She muttered.  “But I need to straighten a little.”

“Hold on.”  He slowed the horse until it was walking.  The
Lycans matched their pace, and Tristan trotted up to the horse and stared at
them quizzically. 

“It’s fine.  She just needs to adjust her position.”  Kaden
said. The Lycan watched anxiously as Kaden cautiously released his hold on her
shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around her waist.  “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”  She gritted out between clenched teeth.  Already,
sweat was dotting her forehead and her tanned face was pale.

He lifted her in a smooth motion, pushing her more firmly
against him, and she gave a hoarse cry of pain.  Her entire body stiffened and
then she slumped against him. 

Tristan barked sharply as Kaden felt Sophia’s throat.  Her
pulse beat steadily and he stared down at the Lycan.  “She’s fainted.  That’s
probably better for her.”

The Lycan whined as Kaden urged the horse back into a fast
trot.  Sophia moaned lightly but didn’t wake.  Kaden glanced down at her and,
holding the reins in one hand, used his other to carefully brush Sophia’s hair
away from her face.  He pushed her head into his throat again.  She muttered
something, her lips brushing against his skin, and he inhaled sharply as his
arm tightened around her.

His cock hardened in his pants to push against her backside,
and he thanked the gods that she was unconscious.  He was attracted to the
Lycan, had been since the moment he had woken to feel her hand on his stomach,
and he cursed himself bitterly. 

He hated the Lycans.  It didn’t matter that this particular
Lycan had gorgeous dark eyes and soft hair.  Nor did it matter that she had
full breasts that were practically begging for his touch, and a curvy ass that
was cushioning his hardening cock quite nicely.  There was nothing good about
Lycans.  He would be wise to remember that, no matter how attractive they were.

He snorted angrily to himself.  It had been over four years
since he’d had sex, and this Lycan happened to have the body type he liked
best.  That was the reason for his attraction to her and nothing else.  In
fact, once he convinced Bree to leave these Lycans and she was safe, he would find
a hundred human women who had full breasts and dark hair, to ease his need.

Your sister won’t leave him.  You’re a fool if you think
she will.

He sighed and took a quick look at the Lycans around him. 
None of them were looking at him, and he buried his face in Sophia’s hair and
inhaled deeply.  Bree thought she was in love with the Lycan but he would
remind her of their cruelty.  She was a smart girl and would understand that he
was only doing what was best for her.

* * *

Kaden stared into the fire.  They had arrived home nearly
half an hour ago, and Tristan had quickly carried Sophia into the house to her
mother.  It had been chaotic and loud, with those who had been left behind
anxious for answers.

Kaden had expected that Bree would spend some time with
him.  He hadn’t been able to ignore the hurt he felt when, without a second
look at him, Bree had allowed James to pick her up and carry her out of the
common room.

The others seemed to have forgotten about him completely as
they left the room in small groups.  He had been left alone to pace back and
forth as a growing sense of unease had built within him.

There was a sharp excited bark, and he smiled a little as
Tia entered the room.  She went to him eagerly and he scooped her up, petting
her roughly as she licked his hand and arm with her small pink tongue.

“You’re a good girl then, aren’t you?”  He shifted her in
his arms.  “You’re starting to get chunky.  What have they been feeding you?”

“I let her eat whatever she wants.”

He looked up to see the young girl that Draken had caught in
the woods, standing motionless in the room.

“Hello there.”  He gave her a friendly smile.  “You’re Leta
right?”

She didn’t reply and he looked down at the little dog in his
arms.  “Her favourite food is rabbit.”

“I know that!”  The little girl snapped at him.  She took a
few steps closer and glared at him.  “Tia loves me more than she loves you.”

“Does she?”  He replied mildly.

“Yes.  She sleeps with me and she plays with me every day.”

She traced her hand across the back of the couch.  “I don’t
like you.”  She suddenly announced.

“You don’t even know me.”  He smiled at her.

“I know you’re going to try and take Bree and Tia away from
us.”  She replied.

“And how do you know that?”

“I heard mama and Aunt Maya talking.  They said you would
try and convince Bree to leave because you’re afraid of Lycans.”

“I’m not afraid of Lycans.”

“You should be!”  She snarled and he watched, amusement
etching into his face, as she growled and her eyes glowed at him.

“My brother loves Bree.  He won’t let you take her away from
us.”  Her voice had become lower, and her fingers were digging into the couch. 
“I won’t let you take her away from us.”

“Leta!”  Dani entered the room and she frowned at the young
Lycan.  “Stop it!  Right now!”

Leta turned and snarled at her, and Dani took her arm and
squeezed lightly.  “Stop it, I said.  You’re ten years old and you’re shifting
like you’re a little pup.  What would your mother say?”

The young girl seemed to deflate in front of his eyes and
she looked back at him.  He was surprised to see tears in her eyes as she
sniffed and leaned against her cousin.  “Don’t let him take her away from us
Dani.”

“Hush now.”  Dani stroked her long dark hair soothingly. 
“No one’s going anywhere.  Why don’t you take Tia to your room for a while?”

“I want mama.”  Leta sniffed.

“Your mother is with Sophia.  You know that honey.”  Dani
said gently.  “You can see her in the morning.”

Leta sighed sadly and Dani kissed her lightly on the
forehead.  “I’ll send your dad to your room, okay?”

“Okay.”  The little girl wiped the tears from her cheeks and
moved cautiously towards Kaden.  She held her hands out and he deposited the
dog into her arms.  She petted Tia’s head as she stared at him with a
tear-streaked face.

“Please don’t take Bree away from us.”  She whispered.

He didn’t reply, and she kissed the top of the dog’s head
before leaving the room.  Dani smiled hesitantly at him.

“Hello Kaden.”

“Hello Dani.”

She licked her lips nervously as she eyed his bare torso
with more than a passing interest.  “You seem to have misplaced your shirt.” 

“I gave it to Sophia to wear.” 

“Oh.  Well, why don’t you come with me?  I’ll find you
another shirt, and you must be hungry.”

“I’m fine.”

She rolled her eyes a little.  “If you’re anything like Aunt
Avery said Bree was – I know you’re starving.  We have plenty of food and I was
about to fix myself a snack.  Come join me.”

He sighed.  “I would like to see my sister.”

“She’s with James.  I imagine she’ll be with him until at
least the morning.  They’ve been separated and they – “

“Yeah, yeah.”  He held his hand up.  “I get the picture.”

She blushed and held her hand out to him.  “Come with me to
get a bite to eat, and then I’ll show you to your room.  You can speak with
your sister in the morning.”

He took her hand and allowed her to lead him out of the
room.