A Leopard's Path (6 page)

Kieran, along with everyone in the room, turned to the teen. He had his arms around his waist. The boy was in shock. He rocked himself back and forth until Ana reached out and pulled him into her arms.

“We’ll find her.”

Jared stood, staring at Nigel with a mix of concern and heartache. “What is he talking about?”

Kieran moved Ana and Nigel to the sofa. “Felix and Savannah took Sable right after she sent Nigel here. To you.”

A growl rumbled through the room as Jared hardened his stare on Kieran. He closed the distance until they were an arm’s length away.

Behind them, Blaine’s power moved in to envelop them. The Alpha growled. “This is your last warning.”

Jared held up his hands, palms out. “You can’t bring Sable here.”

“We can’t leave her with Felix, either. She knows where the den is, and he’d torture her for information before killing her.” Ana turned to Blaine.

Kieran released a sigh. “I agree.”

Blaine gave a short nod before he spoke to Nigel. “How did you find the den?”

Nigel glanced to Ana, then Kieran before meeting the Alpha’s stare. “My mom told me to run until I reached a circle of ash trees. Once I got there, I scented Ana and Kieran.”

“How did you get past the wards?” Blaine held his tone even and clear of emotion.

Nigel shrugged. “I sensed them, but they felt welcoming, like I belonged here.”

Kieran thought about it for a moment, but it was Dani who said the words. “It’s because he’s Jared’s son.”

Ana paced in front of the fireplace. “Of course. Although that should be fixed. I’ll let Cora know in the morning.” She paused and glanced up at her brother. “We need to search for Sable.”

Blaine held up a hand. “Not tonight. We’ll meet with Travis in the morning. He’ll need Nigel to take him to where Sable was taken to see if he can pick up a scent to follow.”

Jared stood and watched his son. “I’ll go with them. The mating bond may be broken, but I can still sense her.” He met Ana’s gaze. “Sable has been watching over you. That’s one reason I’ve been away.”

Ana dropped her shoulders. “She’s not the same person she was.”

Jared moved to the door, then paused and faced Nigel. “Is it okay if I pick you up in the morning to go to Travis’s?”

Nigel glanced from Ana to Kieran before returning his attention back to Jared. The teen’s brows knitted together as if he were battling a storm of building emotions. Ana opened her mouth but closed it when Nigel shook his head and stepped closer to her. “I…I don’t think so.”

A spark of hurt flashed in Jared’s gaze briefly before he nodded and left.

Once the door shut, Dani and Nevan stood. Nevan linked hands with his mate and tugged her to the door. “We better be going. Nigel, if you need to talk, just come by my office or call. Ana and Kieran have my number.”

“Yes, sir.” Nigel straightened and made eye contact with Nevan.

Dani smiled, squeezed her mate’s hand and kissed his cheek. Then she waved as they reached the door. “Night.”

“Night,” Ana said in a low tone. After the couple left, she walked to the couch and sat, picking up a small, square pillow and hugging it to her. “I didn’t realize how strong Jared’s power was.”

Her voice cracked and her scent carried the slight sour note of fear. Kieran clenched his jaw and took deep breaths. The tension still clung to the air in the room like a thick fog. His leopard wanted out to run, to hunt.

Nigel fidgeted beside Kieran and glanced around. “I’m tired. Where will I sleep?”

“In the guest room down the hall.” Before Nigel had a chance to move away, Kieran grabbed him and pulled him into his embrace. “We’ll find your mother. I promise. You do know that the Alphas will have no choice but to hold her until she’s tried by the Council of Elders though.”

The young jaguar nodded. “I understand. What will they do with her?”

Kieran sighed and released him. “She will have to prove she has changed for the better. I’m not sure exactly how until I speak to the other Elders.”

“You will speak for her, won’t you?”

“I will tell the Council what I observed during my time in Onyx.”

“Thank you.” Ana cupped Kieran’s face. “That’s all we can ask of you. I know she’s done some unforgivable things.”

Ana released a soft sigh as she studied Nigel. Lifting her hand to him, she said, “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

Fatigue heavy in the boy’s eyes, Nigel took Ana’s hand and sagged into her as she drew him into a hug. Kieran’s heart ached for the boy. Poor kid had watched his grandparents grab his mother, then found out his father was alive.

Kieran sat on the sofa and ran a hand through his short hair. Savannah and Felix needed to be stopped. However, Kieran’s focus on the war wasn’t what it should be. No, he needed to fix whatever had broken in his and Ana’s relationship and work with her.

When she returned to the living room, Kieran indicated to the seat next to him. Only when she sat did his leopard calm some. He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I promised to come clean with you. No more secrets. I ask the same of you.”

She fingered the tassels of the decorative pillow. A moment later, the air around him charged with a power he’d only felt in an Alpha, but it was different, more magickly infused. Kieran staggered backwards, not expecting the rush of magick flowing around the room.

Just as fast as it had appeared, the power was gone. Ana drew her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. “Sable taught me from the first time I shifted to hide that power from everyone. Especially Felix.”

Kieran stared at her. How could he not know? It took a strong will to contain power like that. “Do you ever release it and relax?”

She shook her head. “Not even in my sleep.”

“You don’t have to hide it anymore.”

“I know.”

Shit. She’d begun to shut down on him like she had so many times in the past weeks. “Who knows of this?”

“Luna, Blaine, and Keegan. And now Jared.” She paused for a brief moment. “I didn’t understand where I got the magick from, but being here with my real family, I understand. I have Alec’s aggression, Blaine’s ability to teleport, a form of Keegan’s telepathy, and the elemental magick.”

He tossed her words around in his mind, trying to process them. She was as powerful as a full-blooded witch…with the ability to shift into a leopard. He refused to say that out loud. He didn’t need to encourage her to go full force into the war. Instead, he shared his secret with her. The one that could send her packing.

“My turn. I’m not just a spy. I’m an assassin.”

****

Ana met Kieran’s saddened stare for several long moments. Then a giggle bubbled up, turning into a laugh. When he crossed his arms over his chest, she released her legs and laid down on the sofa, laughing harder.

“What the hell is so funny about that?”

She held up a hand as she tried to calm herself. “I’m sorry, but when you met me, I was tracking down and killing Felix’s mutants.”

At the time, she’d believed the rogue Alpha was her father. She’d thought she was being a rebellious daughter because she hated the half-animal, half-human beasts, as well as Felix’s cruel ways.

Kieran pursed his lips and hardened his stare on her. She had to press her lips together to keep from laughing even harder. Sitting up, Ana held out her hand. “Come here.”

He moved closer and took her hand. Instead of sitting next to her, he knelt in front of her. “I traveled from Pack to Pack searching for rogues.”

She cradled his face in her hands. “It was your job to protect shifters from Felix.”

His eyes flashed, letting her know his leopard was close to the surface, as always. In the darkest, twisted part of her soul, she loved knowing her mate held such a tight control of his beast. In a way, she’d always known he was capable of taking a life if he had to.

She also saw the compassionate side—his human side—that kept the primal needs at bay.

When he parted his lips to speak, she pressed a finger to his lips. “I’ve known you were mine from the moment I saw you walking the caverns talking to Felix all those years ago. Nothing you tell me will change that. All I ask is for honesty because my whole life has been a lie.”

He hugged her tight, pressing his ear to her chest. A small crack formed in the wall she had encased her heart in. So much for playing hard to get and making him chase her. Damn male.

Kieran kissed her palm, then stood while scooping her up in his arms. “I’m taking you to bed to make love to you and pretend, if only for tonight, we’re not at war.”

Her heart thumped rapidly and her cat purred as desire filled her at the thought of Kieran naked and filling her.

Chapter Nine

Kieran laid Ana down on the bed and stretched out beside her, one leg pressed between both of hers. He caressed her bottom lip with a thumb, watching how her grey eyes darkened with desire. “I have another confession to make.”

Her brows dipped. “What?”

The sharp tone in that one word made him chuckle. Always suspicious. He couldn’t blame her after everything she’d been through lately. “When I found out that Savannah was freed, I made up my mind to not mate with you.” Her lips pressed together in an angry line and she began to wiggle out from under him. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close to his body. “The witch will go after everyone who imprisoned her. She will not rest until she gets her revenge.”

“I don’t need your protection,” she bit out.

“As your mate, it is my desire and duty to protect what is mine.” He lifted up on his elbow and turned her toward him so he could lock gazes with her. “I’ve lost my family to that bitch, and I don’t want to lose you, as well.”

Ana’s body relaxed and her features softened a bit. “I survived a mutant attack, grew up with the monsters, and learned to track and kill them. But I understand your leopard’s need to protect.”

Dipping his head, he kissed her quickly on the lips. “I’m willing to compromise.”

She raised her brows, and one side of her mouth lifted. “I’m listening.”

“I want you to take down your shields and train to use your powers. Build up strength and be ready for whatever Savannah throws at us.” He pulled her close, inhaling her berry scent. “I will not be an easy male to deal with until the threat on your life is gone.”

She pressed her lips together and stared at him for several moments before speaking. “When have you ever
not
been difficult?” Her lips lifted. “I want you to trust that I’m more than capable of fighting by your side.”

A low growl rumbled out of him. “I do trust you, and know you are capable. But the instinct to keep you safe isn’t something I can ignore. With Savannah loose, you have a huge-ass target on your back.”

She threw her arms around his neck and nipped at his chin. “I will work on removing my shields and honing my power, but I need you to work with me. I’m just not sure I’ll like feeling so exposed.”

His heart skipped a beat as he realized that her shields were a coping mechanism, the walls that kept her safe from the outside world. Running his fingers through her silky, black hair, he said, “Only lower the ones containing your magick so you can learn how to control it.”

A soft white inner light rippled across her irises and her features relaxed. “Deal.”

In the next moment, they were both naked. He raised his brow in question, drawing a laugh from her. “Hey, magick comes in handy sometimes.”

“It sure does.” He lowered his head, but she placed a finger over his lips.

“I want you to be the first to feel my full power.”

Confused, he stared into her grey eyes, which changed to dark grey and then blue before the two colors swirled together. Suddenly, he was surrounded by a thick, heavy power he hadn’t felt since the day he’d come face to face with Savannah.

“Ana?”

She lowered her lashes. “The vision Jared saw earlier was of when I was attacked by a mutant. I was bitten. Sable killed the beast, then created an antidote from her blood. I share her power now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He should feel hurt, but he didn’t. Part of him understood why she hadn’t told anyone. That amount of power would make them fear her, and possibly want to harm her. With a shake of his head, he added, “Don’t answer that.”

“I wanted to, so many times. I didn’t tell you after everyone left because I didn’t want Nigel to know.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one. Well, Jared might now.”

“Good. We’ll keep it that way for the time being. But you might want to tell Keegan and the Alphas. Knowing you have magick is one thing. Knowing the extent of your gifts is another.” He kissed her forehead. His thoughts turned to pleasuring her until they passed out. “I’m not ready to bond yet, it’s just not the right time. But I will start the mating dance like I should have years ago.”

She swept a thumb over his bottom lip. “I can deal with that, for now.”

He lowered his head and playfully nipped at her throat. “Of course, I’ll have to mark you.”

Her laugh turned into a startled gasp as he bit into her shoulder. A surge of power arched in the air as she wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed. With a quick thrust, he entered her, intensifying the pleasure rolling through him. He would have to claim her soon. War or no war. The urge, along with his damn leopard, would drive him mad if he didn’t.

The sting of her nails scoring his back flared his desire, and his cock throbbed as he rocked his hips and increased the tempo. Sex with Ana had always been great, but starting the dance with the intent to mate her had heightened his awareness of her emotions and power.

He released her neck and stared at the bite mark, a possessive pride filling him.  Halting his motions and raising his gaze to hers, he smiled. “I love you.”

A tear slid from the corner of her eye. “I love you, too.”

The acceptance in her words made him realize just how much he’d pushed her away in the last few months. He was an ass and didn’t deserve her. He cupped her head, gazed into her grey eyes for a few moments, and then kissed her. She threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled slightly as her tongue met his halfway.