Opening the Cage (10 page)

How?
He followed closely, nostrils trying to scent something—anything—different.

She was hiding from you, but she was showing me.

Wend didn’t know what that meant. How could she do that?

Canyon looked confident, sure, stunning in the moonlight. This Alpha-wolf couldn’t be his pack. He was worthless. The others had said so.

Riana was dying. He was different. They were Not Pack.

Canyon turned to look at him, waiting for him.
Mine
.

He danced a bit, head ducking, but then went to Canyon. He had to; it was pure instinct.
Yours?

Mine. You belong with me now. I know what you’re worth, even if I'm not an Alpha.

The words made him whine with a dark pleasure, the possession in Canyon’s words making him want to bow and pant. He’d always wanted to belong somewhere. To know it was Canyon who had claimed him. Them. It was heady.

If Riana was here, it would be perfect.

At least good.

We’ll find her.
Canyon nuzzled him, then settled into a lope, just like he knew exactly where he was going.

He only hoped Canyon was right.

Chapter Ten

Canyon led the way. Riana might be hiding from Wend, but to Canyon she was a beacon. He just had to get to her before that thing killed her. She was hurting—which infuriated him—but more than that, she wasn’t scared anymore. She was just blank. Canyon wondered, not for the first time, what it would take to get her and Wend to believe in their worth, in their right to live.

He wanted to tear something, bite that asshole who stole his Riana.

Instead, he focused on how to get to her. She was like a blinding light, shining for him. Wend was too scared and confused to see it.

He ran, singing to her, to Wend, knowing without question that they heard him, just like Mesa could hear him. They were family now. He had to get her back, go somewhere safe.

There’s nowhere safe. Go away.
By the moon, she was close.

No. You belong with us.

It will bite you, Mate. It bites so deep.
Her voice was sing-songy, terrifying.

No biting
. He tried to make her laugh, sending her thoughts of him gnawing on her ear.

Will you take care of Wend? Keep him?

Of course I will. You’ll help.
He wasn’t letting her go. He’d cling to her, keep her with him any way he could.

He heard her laugh, deep inside his head.
I’m only good for my blood.

Riana.
She just had to hold on, just until they got there.

Go away, Canyon. Please. It’s gone hunting to feed the dying one. It bit the witch when the pup died, over and over, and I can’t... My legs are too tired to walk.

We’ll be there soon.
She was not giving up, damn it.
Wend can’t go on without you.

He’ll have to. He has you.

Wend’s wild howl cut into the air, sharp and desperate, and Sammy tackled him, bringing him down. Kody helped, keeping the struggling Wend from making more noise while Canyon concentrated on Riana, on what was happening around her.

There was the scent of death, of blood, of overwhelming fear. More than any of that, the scent of fury seemed to saturate the area, the closer he got.

Shit, that thing was dangerous. Good thing he had Mesa at his back. Mesa was right at his heels, too, teeth bared, low, constant growls on the air. They were ready for anything. Sammy was a natural Alpha female, and Kody would keep them grounded.

Hurry. We have to hurry. She’s so cold.
That was Wend, who was there beside him now, running faster.

Yes. Soon, love.
There was a clearing in the trees coming up. He could see a brighter slice of sky.

She’s alone. Alone. Hurry. We have to.
Canyon. Wend put on a burst of speed, running hard.

Shit. Shit, if Wend got in there before him and Mesa they could lose both of the two.
No.
Canyon sent a desperate mental plea to Mesa, who charged up next to him, both of them passing Wend.

Thank the moon they did, because an old wolf came out, teeth bared, blood dripping from her rent throat, and Wend panicked, snarling and snapping at her.

Mesa hit Wend’s back end, though, deflecting him. They didn’t know who she was; what if she was there against her will?

Wend fought, teeth bared.
You bitch. Where is she?

Mesa let him go. Canyon closed in, nipping at the old one’s heels. Wend obviously knew her and didn’t trust her.

She spun, snapped at him and Wend slammed against him.
No! You leave my Mate alone!

God, Wend was amazing. So brave. Still, she’d missed him by a mile, and it was Canyon’s job to protect his pack, so he snarled a little.

Wend ignored him, staying between him and the female, all puffed up and protecting him.
Where is she?

Where is she!
Canyon added his thunderous demand to Wend’s, and the old one shrank in on herself.

Hurts her! She hurts my lady! Over and over and you smell like IT!
Wend’s voice was a scream in his mind.

Canyon finally just knocked the old one aside and followed her scent. Someone had turned on her, ripping her open, and the blood trail was like a beacon.

He left Wend to Mesa. His boy was screaming, ranting, and Canyon needed to find Riana. The trail was fresh, the blood like a flare, and he put on another burst of speed. He knew full well this might be a trap. He didn’t care.

He saw her, sprawled half in and half out of the mouth of a cave, human, pale as moonlight, her body marred with dozens of bites. Beyond her was…

Goddess.

No.

He shook his head, his eyes simply not comprehending what he saw. Alicia—or what had once been his Pack Mate, torn in two, a mangled, deformed pup still beside her, wrapped in its own cord.

Monsters.

What had made these monsters?

Me.
Riana lifted her head, lips cracked and dry.

No.
He shook his head, horrified.
You wouldn’t.

I did. My blood did. I’m sorry, Alpha. Forgive me.
She slumped to the ground, her body still, deadly still.

The time for subtlety was past. Canyon howled his terror, his pain, his challenge, daring this freak monster to come after him, to fight him, for once and for all.

Nothing answered at all.

Nothing at all.

Canyon went to Riana, who was too still. Too pale.

The snow wasn’t even melting on her skin.

Canyon shifted, falling to his knees next to her. He could smell her blood, but he needed to know she was still alive, had to feel her pulse.

He gathered her to him, gasping at how cold she was. Like ice. She wasn’t dead. He’d know. He’d feel it. She was barely breathing, though, and as he started to systematically warm her, he felt only the most sluggish pulse.

“Wend!” He called out, suddenly frightened that Wend wouldn’t be able to tell her goodbye, just in case she…No. No, she couldn’t.

Riana! Wend’s voice hit him like a truck, then the soft body hit them both, wrapping around them.
Riana. Riana. Riana.

God, Wend was warm. Like a fucking furnace. It was amazing how good that felt.

That tongue was on her wounds, soft sounds filling the air. Riana didn’t stir, but her color seemed to be improving. That made him nod.

“Yeah. That’s good, Wend.”

Good. Our Riana. Our sweet lady.
Wend seemed to be relaxing, seemed to be more present. Solid.

It was bizarre, but Riana was warming up, her lips almost pink now instead of blue. Canyon actually allowed himself to look around, make sure Mesa and Sammy had cleared the area.

Mesa padded close and Canyon shocked himself by wanting to growl, to keep anyone away from his wounded mate. His brother would never hurt her, he knew that, but he had the Alpha urge anyway.

Mesa had come in alone and Canyon had a sudden vision of the four-wheeler. Sammy and Kody were coming. They were all going to make it.

If they hurry.
Wend looked at him.
We have to go.

I can carry her.
He rose, picking up Riana, heading back toward Sammy and Kody. Mesa took up the rear guard, watching their backs.

Wend stayed close. The ground didn’t seem as cold, the wind warmer. Thank God, because his ass was cold in his human, and naked, skin. He grinned a little, which made him feel almost guilty under the circumstances.

When the four-wheeler came, they all climbed inside, even though it was a tight fit. Still, with Wend pressed against them, Canyon and Riana warmed faster than he would have imagined.

He could feel them, both of them, in his head, and he’d be damned, but Riana was coming back. She was weak, confused, but there, murmuring.

It didn’t make any sense. None at all.

Damn it, he wasn’t the mystic. That was Kody’s job. Junie’s. What the hell was going on?

She shivered, shifting back into her wolf form, the wounds not even bleeding now. Wend just licked at her, loving on her, and Canyon stared in amazement as the wounds began to close.

Their Wend.

Stunning. The man was stunning.

“Where to, bro?”

Canyon jumped when Mesa spoke to him out loud, the man staring at him now, not the wolf. “Home? I know I said we couldn’t, but I think…It’s going to sound crazy but I might just have a handle on this guy.”

“Home. Yes. Thank fuck. Baby, Kody. Home.”

“You know it.” Kody revved and sped up, Sammy loping beside them. She really was a stud, and Canyon was suddenly fiercely glad he had his family there. They had his back, and his new pack’s, too.

Wend leaned into him, hard, panting and shaking.

“I got you, honey.” Canyon held Riana, stroking Wend’s ears. “Just rest.”

Rest. Mate. You found her
. A wave of pure joy hit him deep in the gut, Wend so happy, so proud of him. God, it made him smile.

He kept touching, rumbling softly. A sound buzzed in the pit of his skull, one he hadn’t realized was missed.

Riana
. Wend offered him a toothy grin.
She’s singing.

So she is.
It was more like her body was thrumming with energy, but he’d take it.

She was there and theirs, and they were going home.

Home where it was safe.

Chapter Eleven

Riana woke up curled into Wend’s body, nose on his soft, soft belly fur. It was warm, soft, quiet. Safe. New.

She found herself not wanting to open her eyes, in case it was a lie.

It’s not a lie, Riana. We’re home
. Wend sounded tired, but so satisfied.

No. No, home was like April, and April was gone. Wend’s home was bad with cages and pain. Unless he meant with him and Canyon, someplace far from the monster. That would be a good home.

Yes. Yes, come see.

No.
She sighed.
Let me sleep.

No.
Wend nudged her, letting her slide away from him a little before he sprang up and shook hard.

She curled up, nose to tail, the motion so much easier than it had been, even hours ago, just the hints of soreness lingering.

You have to see!
Wend bounced, tail up, head down.

See?
Her ear twitched.

Canyon’s house.
Wend barked, tail waving.

He has a whole house? Where?
This time she cracked an eye. Like April?

Here! You’re in it.
He circled her, nipping at her butt.

She snarled and snapped, but he just danced away. Goofball. Beautiful, dear goofy man.

“Riana. Get your ass up and come get some food!” Canyon’s man voice called to her; maybe Wend was telling the truth. Something smelled good.

Wend ran out, then back, then out again.

Silly boy.
She crept out of the pile of bedding, nose wrinkling, moving carefully over the wood floors.

But look!
Wend ran out the door again, then in. She knew what that meant, how much that meant. That he could go back and forth with no one hitting him or putting him in a cage.

She rolled up to her feet, her nose twitching, and Wend came, grabbing her ruff, pulling her along. She could smell food, now, not just a general good smell. It made her mouth water.