Alphas on the Prowl (11 page)

Chapter Seven

It was only after Jessalyn agreed to accompany Trey that Connor finally relented in his disgust at Trey’s decision to go into the dream world. Normally they’d wait for the rest of the family to get there. Edme or mother would put together a sleeping potion, and it would be lights out for the two of them. But that was not needed when one worked with a dream weaver who had sleeping dust on her. Thankfully, Kensi didn’t have that on her person when Trey kidnapped her or he’d be dead by now.

Jessalyn blew the dust in Trey’s face, and he collapsed holding Kensi close to him protectively. Jessalyn took both of their hands and closed her eyes, focusing on connecting all three of them in the alternate plane.

Trey didn’t know what to expect when he was transported to Kensi’s dream. He didn’t expect to see her running from an angry mob of shifters. He didn’t think. His dragon took over, and he morphed into the black and red creature that shared his body instantly. His mere size had everyone coming to a screeching halt. The bear and lion shifter tumbled over each other. The phoenix, griffon and gargoyle were able to avoid crashing into each other by taking flight.

Trey’s large snout lowered to the point that Kensi’s eyes were able to connect with his. Her eyes went from large orbs to recognition. She grabbed the girl with pink hair by the hand and pulled her behind the dragon. When Mariah, Jessalyn, and Kensi were safely behind him he turned angry red eyes on the shifter misfit pack. Smoke wafted from his large nostrils. He let a warning roar ring out, challenging the shifters to battle. Instead, they disappeared.

When the threat was gone he shifted back to human form.

Kensi let out a gasp as her eyes travelled up and down his naked form. He was long, lean, sculpted and beautiful. She licked her lips and pushed down the growing attraction for the man. It had to be because he just saved their lives. Regardless of the reason why, she didn’t want anyone else to see him naked so she quickly materialized clothes around his body. Despite her denial she ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

Mariah stood glaring daggers at the man who had her sister wrapped around him. “I don’t know if you know this, but we’re dream weavers. We had things under control.”

“Did you now?” Jessalyn tossed her golden brown hair behind her shoulder. “What I saw was two demons running from a pack of shifters. I didn’t see any control.”

Mariah pointed toward the ground a foot in front of Jessalyn’s feet. Everyone watched as the ground opened up and left a huge cavern that was the size of three cars. “I was avoiding hurting the hunters, but I always have a back-up plan in the dream realm.”

“Mariah, I think you need to go with Tremaine and his family. They’ll get you to the Tribunal in one piece.” Kensi continued arguing her point.

“You don’t really believe I’ll get a fair trial do you?”

“We can try.” Trey took note that Kensi was still beside him, and allowed him to leave his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to his side. She felt so good in the crook of his arm. Her honey scent tickled his nose and caused a sense of relaxation to wash over him.

“I didn’t do what they are claiming.” Mariah shook her head. “But if we go in, they’ll kill me.”

“Do you know who did?” Jessalyn asked.

“Yes.”

“Who?” Kensi got excited at the idea of finding a way to free her sister.

“I can’t tell you.”

“Riah, you need to tell us.” Kensi’s voice was soft and supportive.

“I can’t… I would never turn them in anyways.”

“Why?” Kensi couldn’t understand why she was so resistant to help.

Trey watched as Mariah’s eyes looked down at the ground, and how the confident woman’s hand wrung together. She was worried. She didn’t want to tell Kensi who did it because Kensi knew them. Because it would hurt her.

“It doesn’t matter. The fact is that I didn’t do it. Killing me will make no difference.”

“Right, and if someone did do this they will do it again. Your death would be worthless.” Kensi argued.

“It’s family,” Trey answered.

“Family? Someone in our family is willing to let you hang for something you didn’t do?”

“Not my family.” Mariah’s eyes burned bitterness as her lip curled in disgust.

“If not your family then… oh, no, it’s not possible. I mean I know you’ve always hated him, but there is no way he could do this to you… to me.”

“I suppose he figures that if I’m gone you’ll get over it.”

Kensi shook her head. She wasn’t willing to believe he could do this to her. “I know you two dislike each other, but not like this. I can’t believe it.”

“You better believe it because I saw him with my own eyes. That’s why I’m to blame. He hid his signature in the dreamscape and I, not realizing what he was going to do, didn’t. The blame falls to me, and the Tribunal has unarguable evidence that it was me. There wasn’t anyone else in the ‘scape to record.”

“So we talk to Morpheus,” Jessalyn offered.

“What good would talking to the dream god do? He doesn’t worry himself with our problems. He hasn’t for a very long time.” Mariah looked at Jessalyn with disgust at her suggestion.

“My father does too,” Jessalyn snapped.

“You’re not a dream weaver?” Kensi was confused.

“I am. I’m also a demi-goddess with the ability to take you to the otherworld realm to talk to my father.” Jessalyn caught the surprise on Trey’s face. “Your sister-in-law is a princess of hell. Seems to reason she’d have some friends in high places.” Jessalyn grinned.

“Princess of hell?” Kensi shook her head.

“Alleyah, Connor’s wife, is the daughter of the devil,” he whispered.

Lee told her something like that earlier, but she believed that to be a figure of speech, not the literal truth.

“Come with me if you want to live.” Jessalyn held out her hand to Mariah as she chuckled at her own reference to pop culture. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

Mariah looked at Kensi. “Can I trust her?”

Kensi shrugged. “Sometimes we have to take a chance.”

Trey offered, “My sister-in-law called her to help. Go with her or go with me.”

“Or disappear.” Mariah spoke the other option no one offered.

“You can’t keep running, Riah.”

“Besides, you always have a back-up plan, right?” Jessalyn offered.

Reluctantly, Mariah took her hand, and the two of them disappeared.

Kensi turned to Trey who’d been at her side the whole time. “Ready to go back?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No.” He pulled her hard against him. The woman was so soft, and it gave him hope when she didn’t fight against him. His hands traveled slowly down her arms leaving goose bumps in their wake.  “No, I’d like to kiss you first.”

“Kiss me?” The feelings she had from his kiss earlier flushed back and caused a shiver of desire to ripple down her back.

“Yes, but I’d like your permission first.” He flashed her a dangerous grin. He wanted to know that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He needed to know she had the same level of attraction. It would help him understand if they were truly mates or not.

A mischievous smirk curved the left side of her lips upward. He was so close his breath warmed her neck and created tingles on her ear. “Am I still your prisoner?”

He shook his head. “No.”

She inhaled deeply. She did want him, and now that she wasn’t his hostage she could show that desire. Kensi didn’t speak, counting on her actions to show more than her words. She moved forward and placed her lips on his. A growl escaped his lips as he took control of the kiss.

The sheer possessive manner in which he staked his claim was overpowering, and she felt herself get lost in the feelings he instilled in her body. Fingers played her spine like a piano as he worked his way down to her waist.

Desire wrapped around each vertebrae and pooled in her core. She closed her eyes and gave in to the feelings ignited by his touch. His mouth kissed a trail to the small of her neck. “I’ve never wanted another woman the way I want you,” he growled as his fingers gripped the skin at her waist. He pulled her closer and ground his erection into her belly as proof of his desire.

“I feel the same way,” she admitted, “but I’m worried about my father and sister.”

He scraped his teeth against her skin, careful not to break the surface and pulled back slightly so he could look at her. “We’ll do what we can to help them,” he promised and wiped the tear that slipped from her eye with the pad of his thumb.

She tilted her head and examined his face. The honesty that shone from his eyes was undeniable. “You really do want to help.”

“Of course.” Hurt crossed behind his eyes before he replaced it with a smile.

She felt a twinge of guilt for doubting him, but he did kidnap her. He was a bounty hunter who came here to kill her sister. Doubt was an honest emotion.

“We should get back,” he offered.

“No. “She closed her eyes and built a new dreamscape around them. It was her favorite place. A secret pond connected to a waterfall. The mist of the water cooled their skin. The smell of gardenias eased the tension. They were no longer in the fiery landscape. Now they were standing in a meadow.

“No?”

“I… I want to stay, at least for a little while.” She pulled the oversized t-shirt over her head, then the green lace bra, exposing her breast to him.

“Here?” He looked around incredulously.

She wanted him to help her steady her emotions. She needed him to ease her tension. She desired him. They were grown adults and she was in her element here. She may hate herself for her choices tonight, but she was going to allow herself to love him now. “Yes.”

“I think we should…”

She melted the rest of her clothes from her body leaving her completely nude in front of him. “Come to me.”

Trey was losing his control. He wanted their first time to be different, special, not during an emotionally stressful time.

She ran her hand slowly down her body, over her breast, down to her waist, circling around her belly button, further down, down, down… he lost it. As he rushed to her side she melted away his clothes.

Their lips connected first, and she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. Need rose and took over. He broke the kiss. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

The word was barely out of her mouth before he plunged deep inside her. She screamed out in surprise and moaned in ecstasy as he moved in and out, creating a rhythm between them that was hard, intense, and sent them both over the edge within minutes.

As they both climax in unison, he crumbled to the ground and placed his sweat-slicked forehead against hers. “I’m sorry that was so quick. I promise, the next time I’ll savor your body first.”

She grinned and snuggled into his strong arms. “Are you sure there will be a next time?”

“Oh yes, many, many next times. After that joining I know without a doubt we are fated mates.” He bit her neck playfully and licked the tiny bead of blood that welled up from the wound.

“Ouch! What the …?”

“I couldn’t help it.” He kissed her lips and felt himself grow hard inside her again. “If we don’t leave now, I’ll have to take you again,” he warned as he slowly started moving in and out of her body.

She felt the tension build in her body and matched his motion with her own. “I think we have a few more minutes before we need to get back.”

He growled before his lips claimed hers. This time he was far more generous as his hands ran over her body, learning her curves, and where she enjoyed being touched, kissed, licked, and nipped. He slowly built her toward orgasm while he and his beast found the mating connection to her soul and locked their bond into place. The moment they were both ready to fall over the edge he searched her eyes for acceptance. She nodded and he sunk his teeth into her neck, sending them both spiraling after the most intense explosion of their lives.

Chapter Eight

When Mariah and Jessalyn returned, the matter had been settled, at least for her. The bounty on her head was removed, and thanks to Morpheus’ powers it was placed on the right person’s head. Kensi wasn’t sure how she felt about her father being the target of multiple bounty hunters, but Trey had promised to bring him in alive instead of killing him. Unfortunately, he was going to need her help which made her feel like a traitor to her family and her kind.

It was too late to back out. The trap had been set, and she was the bait. She fought back the tears that threatened to fall as she sat waiting for him to arrive at their usual meeting place. It was the only coffee shop in town, and it was crowded for a Tuesday afternoon. She focused on the latte in her hands and hoped the caffeine would calm her emotional roller coaster.

Trey sat across the room with Connor and Lee, but he couldn’t take his possessive eyes off her. It was disconcerting and exhilarating at the same time. Who knew her life could change so drastically in a few days? One minute she was doing what she had to in order to escape her future as a dream assassin, the next she was being abducted by a possessive dragon who not only wanted her sister’s head, but wanted to claim her as his mate. One minute she despised him, and then he did something noble to persuade her into softening toward him. Then he infuriated her with his possessive nature, and the next moment he made her swoon with his passionate glances and kisses. A blush colored her cheeks as her memory reminded her of the passion they shared in the dreamscape. Actions that left her wearing a scarf to cover up the evidence.

He was the perfect mate for her. She only hoped she could be equally as wonderful for him. He was strong. He barreled into battle against four angry shifter hunters to protect her without asking for anything in return. Protective and oh so sexy.

Just when she thought her sister was out of luck, and she was going to have to betray Mariah, a demi-goddess, the daughter of Morpheus himself, offers to help. Again, thanks to Tremaine, his resourcefulness, and his family. It was hard not to develop feelings for the man, impossible, really. He deserved so much better than her, but because of some oracle and the fates, he was convinced she was his other half. Convinced she was meant to become part of his family. Amidst all of these life altering events she was somehow convinced herself it was a good idea to bait her father out of hiding so he could possibly live another day.

The whole situation was preposterous. What was she doing? She stood up and cast a sorrowful look toward Trey. She couldn’t do this. She had to get out of there. She rushed toward the door without looking and crashed into a wall, only it wasn’t a wall. Hands reached out to steady her, familiar hands, and when she looked up she came face to face with the one man that had loved her all her life.

His sky blue eyes sparkled as the smile on his face crinkled the skin around them. His salt and pepper hair was covered by a baseball cap, it was odd seeing him wearing the black and red monstrosity. “Whoa, kiddo, where’s the fire?” The chuckle that escaped his lips broke her heart.

The sadness reflecting back at him made his face fall.

“Daddy, I’m so sorry. We really are trying to help.” Connor and Trey apprehended him while she turned away, unable to look at the pain she knew was on his face from her betrayal.

Lee wrapped Kensi in an embrace and whispered, “We all have to answer for our actions.”

Kensi wiped the tears that fell down her cheeks and nodded. “You’re right. At least this way he has a fighting chance.”

When they walked outside, Connor and Trey had her father, Joseph, in the black rental SUV, and they were waiting outside the vehicle for them.

“Sweetheart, are you ready to go?” Connor asked.

Lee looked at Kensi, who offered a weak smile, then back at her husband. “Yes, my love.” Connor and Lee got in the vehicle with Joseph and Trey stopped Kensi when she approached the car.

“We have our own ride.” He led her to the blue rental economy car.

“But…”

Trey stopped her argument with his lips, a sweet, tender, understanding kiss that was over as quickly as it began. “You don’t need to ride with them. We’ll meet them at the Tribunal.”

She nodded, whispered “Okay,” and got into the passenger seat of the car.

Trey jumped into the driver’s seat. “So what shall we do to occupy our time on the way to the portal?” He asked as he turned the ignition of the car on.

Trey did a great job of distracting Kensi as they drove to the nearest portal. He shared stories of his family and listened while she answered with her own happy memories. She had many from her childhood. He kept her focused on Mariah and Chase.

“I hope someday I can meet, Chase.” Trey chuckled. “He sounds like an interesting character.”

“You almost met him.” A glint of danger twinkled in her eyes. “He was on his way to rescue me when you moved us to the hotel room.”

“I had a feeling.” The smile that lit up his face was contagious. His girl was spunky and he liked that. “Why didn’t he seek us out at the hotel?”

“I called him off when I was in the shower.”

“Really?” The cocky grin on his face was not amusing.

“Don’t get full of yourself. I needed to consider your offer.”

“And the kiss had nothing to do with it?”

“Nothing.” She was a little too quick and forceful with her answer which let him see right through the lie, but he wasn’t going to argue with her. They both knew the truth.

“So when this is over,” he wiggled his dark eyebrows, “we should continue to do more kissing and lovemaking?”

“You’re impossible!” She rolled her eyes. After a moment of silence she added, “What do you think is going to happen to him?”

“What he deserves.”

Kensi bit her lower lip. That’s what she feared.

“I’m sorry, Kensi.”

She pushed back the lump forming in her throat. “It’s not your fault. His actions put him in this position.”

“You don’t need to be strong for me.”

“I’m not…oh, hell, he’s my father.”

Trey slid into the parking spot in front of the computer repair shop and turned to look at Kensi. “You’re my mate, Kensi, and that means your family is mine. I’ll do what I can to help him, but there are limits.”

“I get that.”

He wiped a tear from her cheek and cupped her face in his hand. “Are you ready for this?”

“No, but I don’t have much of a choice.” Her lips shook as she tried to smile.

He kissed her softly and together they headed to the abandoned store front. The computers on display were covered in a layer of dust, the carpeted floor the same. If they were using the store as a cover, they were doing a poor job of upkeep. 

The group was led to a back room by an elderly man who walked with a cane. His skin hung loosely from his bones. As he walked, he slowly transformed into a younger version of himself. By the time they made it to the portal he looked like he was in his mid-twenties. Black hair, with eerie violet eyes made for a wicked combination.

He cut his hand open and placed it on the wall, which soaked up his blood like a sponge. One minute there was an empty doorway, and the next, it was filled with a brilliant green light. One by one they walked through the portal, and moments later came out the other side.

The room they landed in looked like a great hall in an old stone castle. Thirteen cloaked figures appeared in a circle around them. “The bounty was for his head, not capture.” A girl who looked like she was merely twelve years old spoke, her voice echoed through the hall.

“He has a defense,” Connor offered.

“We don’t care.” The child answered.

“I do. That’s my father, and he deserves a fair trial.” Kensi insisted.

All thirteen heads turned toward her, and their eyes glowed red. She stumbled backward and fell against Trey.

“You’d do well to quiet your mate.” A middle aged, dark-skinned woman who wore a maroon dress made out of material that looked as wispy as chiffon turned eerie veiled eyes on them.

“I won’t quiet my mate, Mysti.” Trey placed protective hands on Kensi’s shoulders, “but I will protect her.” The warning clear in his voice.

“I did kill the human, but it was an accident.” Joseph insisted.

“We don’t believe you.” The thirteen spoke in unison.

The youngest of the group added, “The evidence shows differently.”

“Do you believe me?” A man dressed in black britches and a white shirt appeared in the circle with Jessalyn at his side.

“Morpheus? What brings you to this realm?” The child of the group asked.

“Justice. I must admit, I’m slightly pissed off that you’ve sentenced two of my weavers to death without even giving them a chance to defend themselves.”

“The gods have sanctioned the Tribunal to make these decisions.” An adult male spoke, his identity hidden by the hooded cloak.

“The gods are beginning to think you’re getting a little too big for your egos,” Morpheus snapped. “I have the evidence of what happened in that dreamscape. Joseph was sent to relay a warning, and instead was attacked. He simply defended himself.” The dark-haired god pulled out what looked like a USB flash drive and held it up as exhibit one.

“We will adjourn to review the new evidence presented.” An adult female voice again disguised by the hooded cloak advised.

“No, I think not. I think you’ll release my weavers, remove the bounty, and report to Olympus to defend your actions in front of the gods.”

“You can’t--” the youngest Tribunal member began.

“I can, and I have. Zeus is already assembling the judging panel.”

Two warrior gods and three goddesses appeared behind Morpheus. “Athena, Artemis, Hermes, Nike, and Ares are here to take you all into custody and deliver you to the judging chamber.”

The gods and goddesses rounded up the Tribunal and disappeared with their prisoners leaving Morpheus, Mysti, Jessalyn, Kensi, Joseph, Trey, Lee, and Connor alone in the empty, drafty hall.

“Thank you, my lord Morpheus.” Mysti bowed to the handsome dark-haired god.

“It’s these fine warriors that deserve the thanks.” he grinned, flashing brilliantly white teeth against golden-tanned skin.

“What will happen now?” Mysti asked.

“The Tribunal will go under review, and anyone who acted inappropriately will be replaced with new members,” Morpheus answered. “It’s important to have a policing organization in a civilized society, but there needs to be a higher power that addresses corruption.” Morpheus looked at Joseph and Kensi. “We may not be directly involved with the life of our creations, but we are here to help when the need arises.” He disappeared.

Kensi ran to her father and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so sorry, daddy.”

He patted her back. “You did the right thing. Sometimes tough choices have to be made. I don’t envy what you faced, but it all worked out.”

Trey and Connor approached Mysti who went back to gazing into her prophetic mirror.

“May we have a word?” Connor asked tentatively. Mysti might be an approachable oracle, but she was still very powerful.

Mysti turned toward the brothers. The transparent film that covered her dark eyes was far more noticeable up close and personal. The eerie look changed the beauty of her face from innocent to mystical. “You’re going to ask about your mates.” A hint of a smile appeared.

“Aye,” Connor replied quickly. The mischievous look she gave them made him nervous.

“There is a dangerous path that the supernatural world is about to enter, and the MacGregor family will play a large role in the battle between good and evil. Sending you on that path to meet your mates is my gift to you for what is to come.”

“That’s a little cryptic. Can you give us more information?” Lee entered the conversation from behind the brothers.

“No.” She tilted her head toward the group gathering around them. Jessalyn, Kensi, and Joseph had silently joined the conversation. “I’ve learned that the future is written and cannot be changed, not the points in time that are set. The actions of individuals that can tilt the scales of good and evil winning, but the fixed point is set. The battle is on the horizon. Go now! Take time for yourselves because very soon, your world is going to be turned upside down and you’ll be called upon to champion overtiring ordeals. I won’t reveal anything else.”

“But…” Kensi began, but stopped when Trey shook his head.

“Thank you.” Trey and Connor replied in unison. Then the rest of the group added their thanks.

Mysti threw some sandy mixture on the stone floor, and a portal connected to a wind tunnel opened. They jumped through, one by one, and landed back on the earthly plane in the old dusty computer repair shop with the warlock portal guard waiting patiently as they all came through.

“Is that all in your party?” He asked when Jessalyn, the last of the group, came through.

“Yes.” Connor answered absently, his attention was back on Lee. “Are you ready to continue our honeymoon, wife?”

“Why yes, husband. Just let me say my goodbyes to Jessa.” She kissed him quickly on the lips and turned to her friend to thank her for her help.