Terr6tory Page 5

  She shook her head in denial.

  “Yeah,” he whispered. “Yeah, you are. If you weren’t afraid, you’d step out from behind that wall you’ve got built up and face me.” He sighed heavily and strode past her. “I’m heading back to the house. Your pack’ll be there. Come…if you want.”

  Chapter 8

  (Ryka and Wren)

  Shifted into her human form and curled up on the floor of her cage, Ryka worked quietly. Her thin wrist poking out between the bars as she fiddled with the locking mechanism, trying to open it.

  Click!

  And just like that, the door squeaked open.

  Quietly climbing out of the cage, Ryka studied the room, lifting her head to scent the air. Still nothing but fire and Wren. Turning, she crossed to the window and peeled back a curtain to covertly peek out. Nothing but yard.

  “Let yourself be quietly drawn to the magical pull of your one true mate.”

  Ryka tensed before slowly turning at the sound of Wren’s voice. He stood leaning on the doorframe, watching her with a studious expression.

  “A one true mate who breaks his word and then locks you in a cage?”

  He shoved off the door. “Cage was never locked. And I didn’t break my word.”

  “The fight was to the death!”

  He shook his head. “Didn’t promise to kill you, Ryka. I promised to let your girls go if you died or if I died. No one died.”

  “No shit!”

  He clucked his tongue. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Don’t be mad at me on our first day.”

  “Our last day!” She looked over his shoulder. “Where’s my pack?”

  “Safe.” He held up his hands. “And on that, I can swear.”

  “Yeah.” She stepped away from the window. “Like your word holds any weight with me now.”

  That had his expression darkening. “I may be many things, Ryka, but you’ll never make me feel bad about sparing your life. Your sisters are safe. And I only put you in the cage to keep you from hurting yourself while I checked on your pack. I knew they’d be your first concern, so I saw to them while you were out. The girls are fine.”

  Ryka stretched her neck and barely hid a wince at the pain, her hand lifting to the slender column of her throat to rub it slowly. She hated the way he’d just said the girls, like he had some ownership of them. “Where are my pack mates?”

  Wren jerked his head toward the door. “In the kitchen, waiting on us.” He held out a hand. “You ready?”

  She balked. “Ready for what?”

  “Proper introductions.”

  She ignored his proffered hand. “I want to know what your intentions are here.”

  “Okay.” Wren dropped his hand and walked further into the room, closing the door behind him. “I have questions first. What are you doing here? Why did you come to see me? Let’s start there.”

  Her eyes flitted nervously to the now-closed door before she responded. “Because I heard you were compassionate. Apparently, I heard wrong.”

  “And what did you need with my compassion?”

  She bit her lip and flicked her glance away, uncertain if she wanted to ask for his help now.

  “Ryka?”

  “I wanted permission for us to stay in the city, maybe hunt on your lands. That’s all.”

  He nodded his head. “Granted.”

  “No.” Her eyes shot to his. “We’re leaving.”

  “If you came here relying on my compassion to get you a place to stay, that means you’re all on the run from something pretty damn nasty. Can you think of a safer place for you and your pack than here with their mates?” He jerked his chin toward the closed door. “You think my lions would let anyone harm them now?” His gaze raked over her with feral possession. “Do you think I would let anyone touch you now? No one’s getting near any of you.”

  She didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t say anything.

  “Who are you running from?”

  She weighed whether there was any merit in being deceitful, and decided against it. “Our old pack. The Alpha died, a new one took over. He wanted Kenna, and she’s too young, but he’s got different ideas on how pack mating is now going to work. He tried to give Seven to his Beta. I took the girls and ran. They’re coming for us.”

  “What is this Alpha’s name?”

  “His name is Marill.”

  “How many are hunting you?”

  “Including Marill, there are five.”

  “And how do I find this Marill and his four?”

  The corner of Ryka’s eye crinkled. “Why would you want to find them?”

  “To let them know that you and your girls are off limits. To tell him you’re claimed. To invite him to try and take what’s mine if he thinks he’d survive.”

  Ryka’s cheeks flamed as indignation soared. “We’re running from males who are trying to force breedings. If that’s what you’re offering, we’re out!”

  Wren’s eyes narrowed. “No one is trying to force you or your girls into anything, Ryka. Me chasing off your old pack is a favor, not to you, but to them. If they come around here hunting you, they die. Period. But don’t let my vehemence confuse you. I am not them. My pack is not them, and I have no intention of taking anything you aren’t willing to give, and neither do my brothers.”

  He stared at her intently, but the spell was broken when a knock sounded on the door and a man’s voice spoke on the other side. “Wren! Liddick is back with the last female.”

  Ryka’s eyes shot to the door and she took an involuntary step toward it, knowing it had to be Ash that had just been brought in. Her feet faltered when Wren turned to look at her. Again, he held his hand out to her. “Shall we?”

  She knew what he was doing. He wanted her to step out of the room with him on a united front. First, she had to know… “What’s the plan? I think you and I should discuss our next steps before meeting up with everyone else.”

  Wren shook his head once. “Can’t do that. My brothers and their mates are involved. I’ll not be taking any say from them, and you shouldn’t do it to your sisters either.”

  “Mate.” She corrected and shock stole through her when Wren canted his head and quietly studied her. “You said your brothers’ mates are involved. You meant brother…right? Only one was stricken besides you.” When he didn’t respond she demanded more firmly, “Only Ash has been claimed! Right?” Her heart tripped when he didn’t immediately respond. “Wren?”

  He swallowed hard. “My brother Liddick was stricken by Ash, and it appears that Seven has Lux.”

  Shock was swift, but quickly followed by relief. If two females were going to be stricken, she was glad it was Ash and Seven. Kenna was far too young. “How is Seven?” she asked, with genuine concern. Seven wasn’t hard like Ash, being confronted with a mate would be scary for her.

  Wren shrugged. “Lux would cut off his own hands before doing anything to discomfort her.” His eyes narrowed. “As would we all where our mates are concerned.”

  Ryka felt a bite of guilt. Her and Ash’s reactions to their mates wasn’t typical. She could only assume that Seven had balked at the revelation as well. She flicked a glance up at Wren. “We aren’t trying to offend any of you. This is all just…new, and new for us is scary. What we’ve just come from has been…torturous. I beg you give us time to adjust and let things settle.”

  His expression softened. “No need to beg of me, ever! You’ll have all the time you need, Ryka. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not going anywhere, and neither are my brothers.”

  She stared at him in confusion a moment before she dipped her head in a nod, hoping her words hadn’t conveyed some acquiescence that she hadn’t intended.

  The corner of Wren’s mouth kicked up, and his eyes slid down her frame then back up before he turned. “Follow me.”

  Chapter 9

  Ryka eyed her surroundings as Wren led her down a hall. The place was nice. Expensive-looking rugs covered the hardwood floors, muffling their steps. R
ich wooden walls were dotted with framed oil paintings that should have seemed out of place in the countryside home, but didn’t.

  She followed Wren to a door he pushed open before holding out an arm, indicating she should precede him. When she stepped through the door, she turned surprised eyes on him when she discovered it was a large bathroom.

  Stepping in behind her, Wren closed the door. “Let’s get you cleaned up first.” He jerked his chin toward her. “You’re bleeding.”

  Ryka dropped her chin, but jerked it up just as quickly when Wren’s strong hands grabbed her waist and lifted her effortlessly, sitting her on the marble vanity. He pulled a burgundy washcloth from a gold ring fastened to the wall, wetting it before lifting the warm cloth and looking at Ryka questioningly.

  Her throat convulsed with a swallow before she nodded wordlessly.

  His hands were surprisingly gentle as he lifted her chin and rubbed at her throat and shoulder. Ryka didn’t notice if there was any pain. Her heart was too busy racing at the proximity of the Apex mere inches from her as he worked to care for her. It was odd. No male had ever gone out of his way to tend her, and she found the gesture oddly romantic.

  “How old are you, Ryka?” He kept his eyes pinned on his task.

  She licked her lips. “Twenty-eight. You?”

  “Thirty. Do you have family back where you come from?”

  She shook her head. “My family left with me. Those girls are all I have.” She watched the lines around his mouth deepen as his lips thinned. “Does that bother you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  His hands stilled and he looked at her. “It bothers me that you have no family. It bothers me that you and the girls had to run from whatever it was that chased you off. It bothers me that you’ve been unprotected this long.

  She snorted and looked away. “What do you care? You don’t even know us.”

  “I don’t have to know you,” he snarled. “It’s obvious you’ve all been through a lot, and any asshole with half a heart could see that. Lucky for you, I’m said asshole!”

  Ryka flicked a glance at his face, wondering if she’d angered him. “I’m sorry if I…”

  Wren cut her off. “Jesus, woman. Don’t apologize for shit like that.”

  She had the urge to apologize for apologizing but tamped it down. Her body went rigid when the scent of fur filled the room.

  “Easy,” he crooned, as he continued to wipe gently at her neck without making eye contact. “My lion’s close to the surface because you’re bleeding and frightened.” He stopped working to level her with serious eyes. “Maybe I haven’t said it, maybe I’ve only just been thinking it since the second I laid eyes on you, but just to put it out there, I’d die first before ever harming you or letting harm come to your girls.”

  Not wanting to point out that he was the reason she was bleeding right now, Ryka looked away.

  “This.” He held up the blood-soaked cloth as if reading her mind. “This was necessary to keep you safe. You were a little hysterical out there.” He jerked his chin toward the window then chuffed a laugh and went back to work. “Fighting to the death,” he muttered under his breath. “Admirable, but a little bat shit crazy.”

  Ryka felt her cheeks singe with embarrassment and anger that he was making fun of her. “Not if you knew what we’re running from.” The instant the words left her, she regretted them as Wren’s hands stilled and his eyes slid up to hers.

  “What happened with your pack, Ryka?”

  She jerked her chin away. “Nothing. Forget it.” She made to hop off the counter, but he caught her with his body between her thighs and settled her back on the counter.

  “Tell me,” he commanded.

  Working her jaw a moment, Ryka lifted challenging eyes to his. “You kidding? If your kitty is this close just from the scent of a little blood and fear, then he certainly can’t handle more. Let it go, Apex Prime.”

  And she was right, he most likely couldn’t handle hearing about any mistreatment of her right now. Hell, just the thought had his lion lunging at the surface, demanding Wren let him free.

  Her words were tremulous when she asked, in obvious concern, “You…aren’t going to change in here are you?”

  Wren looked up from his task, suddenly realizing the scent of an oncoming change filled the room. Guilt bit hard when he realized Ryka looked worried. “Don’t stress.” He nudged her knee to the side and knelt to retrieve a first aid kit from under the sink. He stood slowly, pulling out a pack of gauze and a roll of medical tape. “I’ve got more control than that.”

  “Good,” she nodded, then looked at the gauze in his hands. “You don’t have to…”

  “It’s for me,” he countered, looking away quickly. He waited a few seconds before lifting his eyes back to hers. “I can’t look at that.” He motioned toward her neck.

  Ryka nodded with a quiet, “Mmm, makes you feel guilty?”

  “Hell no.” He taped a piece of gauze over the wound. “Makes my lion think he’s marked you. Makes us think you’re already ours. Makes us want…things.”

  Ryka blushed as the large bathroom, complete with claw foot tub and a long window with curtains billowing in the breeze, suddenly felt too small. “I’m not…”

  Wren cut her off again. “Don’t say it!” He braced his hands on the vanity on either side of her hips, letting his head fall forward, eyes pinched shut. “Don’t say it right now. Too much has happened today, and right now my lion is clawing for a challenge.” He peeked up at her with a smirk. “Don’t say you’re not ours, and I won’t have to prove you wrong.”

  Unsure what to do with that, Ryka clamped her teeth shut, keeping quiet as he tended her. She wasn’t about to challenge Wren in any manner. He’d already proven himself more dominant, and it was just as she’d remembered. Males didn’t like to be challenged or disrespected. They didn’t like a female who refused to cow. Males wanted to be in charge, wanted to be what was important, and Ryka had learned the hard way what happened to a female who threatened or challenged that.

  Wren snarled and shoved off the cabinet. “Damn it, woman, you’re back to smelling afraid again, and that shit guts me more than anything else.” He paced to the door and jerked it open, drawing in great lungs-full of air before visibly relaxing. “Can you… Can you just try not to smell so damned frightened…”

  “I’m not frightened,” she challenged. “If I were afraid of you Apex Prime, I wouldn’t have challenged you in the woods. What I am is worried for my girls.”

  He turned to her, the slight grin marring his handsome features telling her he didn’t believe a word she said. “Fine.” He inclined his head. “If you can try to not smell so damn worried, then I’ll work on not being so dominant.”

  Ryka’s face twisted in disbelief. “You…you can actually do that?”

  His response was instantaneous. “Hell no! But for you, I’ll try.”

  A little flattered, a little unnerved, and a whole lot wary, Ryka didn’t balk when Wren approached and lifted her off the counter, gently steadying her on her feet. It was odd. Shifter males and females didn’t really touch unless it was a necessity, or unless they were mates. Letting him pick her up felt…different, like there was a sense of ownership there. She made a mental note to keep from any more physical contact with Apex Prime.

  “What happens now?” Her tone was conversational, but truly she was dying inside to know what was going to happen to her and her girls.

  Wren stepped back and stared down at her before crossing thick arms across an impressive chest. “What would you like to happen?”

  Ryka eyed the door. “We’d like to leave.”

  Wren shook his head, disappointment flitting across his features. “No. You want to leave, but maybe you should speak to your pack first. Don’t you think you should at least see what they want?”

  He was right, and it was grating, because Ryka’s head was telling her to run fast and hard while her wolf stretched la
nguidly and wanted to stick around to get to know this Wren Prime better. She was tempted to make a rash decision out of self-preservation, and it wasn’t fair.

  Chapter 10

  Wren led Ryka to a large kitchen and, two steps into the room, Kenna rose from a long table and rushed her. Crushing the younger girl in her arms, Ryka kissed the top of her head as Kenna sobbed. “Shhhh,” Ryka soothed. “It’s alright, bubba. We’re alright.”

  Kenna pulled back and sniffed, then grabbed Ryka’s bicep and hung onto her like a lifeline.

  Seven approached, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The willowy brunette smiled at Ryka, emotion glistening in her eyes. She bent to hug Ryka and Ryka hugged back hard, looking over the woman’s shoulder and knowing instantly which of the four males filling the kitchen was Seven’s mate. He was staring at them, watching Seven with a soft expression, adoration and concern evident in his eyes. Ryka’s eyes flicked toward the other males and snagged on Ash. Her shirt was bloody, and she looked pissed, but still she rushed the huddle of females. Ryka nearly smiled at the expression on the face of the male who’d been standing behind her. There were no soft, gooey eyes there. No, Ash’s mate looked a little confused, a lot frustrated, and completely disheveled. He would. Ash would be no easy mate.

  Without waiting for Seven and Ryka to separate, Ash threw her arms around both women and Ryka sighed a relieved breath, her heart pounding with gratefulness that all of the women were safe and together. A head wiggled its way under Ryka’s arm and she chuffed a laugh as she made room for Kenna in their group hug. The women held each other a few moments before finally stepping back. Ryka looked them each in the eye. “Everyone okay?”

  They all nodded in unison, Kenna swiping at the tears on her cheeks as Seven did the same.

  Apparently the scent of her tears was too much, because Seven’s mate stalked closer, eyes only for his mate, as his brows dipped in concern. He stopped a few feet from them and waited.