Phoenix Reborn: An Alpha Pack Novella (7 page)

Nix shifted back to human form. “You hurt?”

“No. Just scared of what that creep was planning to do to me.”

“He’s not going to do shit. Kalen’s taking care of him.”

Once Nix helped his mate out the window, he stopped only to tug on his jeans. Then he took Noah’s hand and ran for the safety of the forest, and the SUVs beyond. But when he looked back to see if the others were following, he saw Aric running in his direction, yelling.

“Kalen’s down! We need help!”

Nix turned to his mate. “Stay with the vehicles! We’ll be back!”

Somehow, he knew Noah wasn’t going to listen. He was right.

As he reached the front of the house, he saw Kalen and several other injured Pack brothers lying on the ground. Aric, a Firestarter, was trying to torch Jinn, but the bastard just laughed and directed the flames back at him. His friend barely got out of the way in time to keep from getting fried.

Jinn disappeared into the burning house, and Nix followed. And tried real hard not to think of Nick’s vision.

“Looking for me?”

Whirling, he spotted the Dark Sorcerer standing in a plume of smoke. It was like looking at the freaking devil, and his heart clenched in fear. But he wouldn’t show it. Instead, he launched himself at Jinn in a direct attack. The Sorcerer met him in the fight, but just as he reached Nix, he changed form and transformed into a huge tiger. Even bigger than Leo, who’d nearly killed Noah.

Nix quickly changed into his wolf, but he had no chance against Jinn. Leaping, he clashed with the bigger predator, going in low, for his throat. But he was simply overmatched. The tiger swatted his wolf like a fly, sending him crashing into a table. Something cracked in his side, and pain flared. But he went on the attack again, heedless of the fire raging around
them. Of the fact that he was fighting a losing battle.

Every cut, gash, broken bone. The tiger bit him, slashing again and again, until there was nothing but agony. He felt himself weakening, and at last, his wolf dropped.

Jinn hovered over him, grinning in triumph. “Your team will never take me down. I’ll just keep coming back.”

He raised a claw-tipped hand, but just as he was about to deliver the killing blow, he looked up and his eyes widened. Beyond the fire, Nix saw Kalen rising, uttering a spell. He flung it at Jinn, but the Dark Sorcerer disappeared for good before it could strike him. Then Kalen fell again.

“Nix!” someone screamed. “Nix, where are you?”

With great effort, he changed back to human form. But he couldn’t move. Could hardly see now. He was more dead than alive, broken and soaked in blood.

“Nix?” Then his mate was there, cradling his head. Sobbing over him. “Oh, God. What have I done? I caused this.”

“No.”

“I did. I ran, and if I hadn’t—”

“Not your fault. Listen to me,” he managed over the roar of the fire. “It’s time. Nick’s vision.”

“What?” Blue eyes locked with his, devastated. “No, I can’t. Please.”

“Use your gift. You don’t have a choice. Zan can’t fix me. If I die this way, it’s over. For good.”

“Nix.”

“Trust me. Trust in us. Do it
now
.” Nix held Noah’s gaze, pushed down his own fear. He hoped all the feelings he didn’t have time to express were there in his eyes, for his mate to see.

Please, let my love get him through what’s to come.

Shakily, Noah stood. Smoke billowing around them, he focused his power. Slowly, Nix’s body began to rise as his life drained away.

“Nix, I love you,” he sobbed.

“Love you too . . . angel. Wait for me.”

In that moment, just before Noah flung him into the fire, Nix drew his last breath.

* * * 

Noah’s hands were shaking as he watched Nix’s body rise from the dirty floor. Fire was consuming everything around him, and would take him, too, if he didn’t hurry.

His mate’s broken body was limp, hair streaming like a bloody banner under him.

“Nix, I love you.”

“Love you too . . . angel. Wait for me.”

Nix’s eyes closed, and he drew a deep breath—

And Noah pushed his palms out, flinging his mate, his one true love, into the fire. In horror, he watched Nix’s body ignite, mouth open in a soundless scream.

But Noah’s screams weren’t soundless. They went on and on as hands dragged him backward, keeping him from joining his mate on the other side.

“No! Nooo!”

“Kalen! Is Kalen conscious? Get him over here!”

“Nix! Phoenix!” Noah thrashed, the horror of what he’d done completely overtaking him. He was lost to it, a deep well dragging him under.

Then Kalen was there, battered and grim. Waving a hand over his face. “Sleep.”

And he did. For a long, long time.

Three months.

Twelve weeks of pure unfettered hell on Earth.

Noah couldn’t keep food down. Couldn’t sleep. After the first two weeks spent basically in a medically induced stupor to keep him from screaming, Noah had promised to be quiet. He’d been as good as his word.

He hadn’t spoken since. Not to anyone.

Especially not to Melina. The one who’d given Nix drugs to prevent their mating.

Mackenzie tried to comfort him, explaining that if they had completed their mating, the bond might have suffered irreparable damage when Nix died. But she didn’t actually know, so Noah ignored her.

Nothing mattered now, because Nick had been wrong. No, not Nick. He, Noah, had made the wrong choice.

He’d murdered his own mate on the off chance that some crazy old witch knew what the fuck she was yammering about.

And now he was doomed to be alone forever. He couldn’t live without Nix. Couldn’t live with what he’d done.

Especially with Jinn, drinking his blood. Almost giving in to temptation. The black tar on his bond with Nix was gone now—but the bond was dry as dust. Dead. A shriveled vine leading nowhere, like his heart.

Burying his face in Nix’s pillow, he cried himself dry for the last time. Then he calmly slid out of bed and sat on the floor. He reached underneath the bed and pulled out the metal box he’d found last week. He lifted the lid. Took out the Glock that was nestled inside.

Loaded the cartridge. One in the chamber.

One was all he needed.

Stop! Wait for me, baby
.

Noah shook his head, and stood. Must be going crazy. Finally. Not that it mattered.

Shoving the gun in his waistband, he pulled the hem of his shirt over it and left the room. Something he hadn’t done much of lately and gained him too much attention for his liking now. But he guessed it was closure of sorts. He was sure everyone would understand.

Would any of them deny they’d do the same, in his position?

A few of his friends said hello, and he managed small smiles and some simple answers. Brief, polite talk that meant nothing, but made them happy because they thought he was finally healing.

Healing? No. But he was going to be okay. At last.

As luck would have it, he ran into Melina halfway across the yard on his way to the trailhead. “Going for a walk?” she inquired, stopping in front of him.

She was trying. It really hadn’t been her fault. He knew that. She was Nix’s doctor, and he’d been her patient. “You could say that.”

She cocked her head. “Where to?”

“Down the trail. It’s a nice day.” The silence grew heavy for a moment. Then he said quietly, “I forgive you, just so you know.”

For the first time since he’d come to the compound, tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I wanted Nix to tell you the truth.”

“He was scared. I get that, and I don’t hold it against you anymore.”

She nodded. “Thank you. For the record, he told me the day before you were kidnapped that he was done with the drug trial.”

Noah’s throat closed with a wave of emotion. “Really?”

“Yes. He wanted to quit, for you.”

“But at the barbeque . . . why did he throw it in my face if he’d already decided to quit?”

“I think he was lashing out. His fear got the best of him, and I know he regretted it immediately.”

Thinking back, Noah could see that. He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” Stepping forward, he gave her a quick hug. “Anyway, no hard feelings now. Remember that.”

Giving her a wan smile, he started around her. She grabbed his arm.

“Noah. Are you going to be all right? Really?”

“Yeah. I really am.”

Something in his eyes must’ve convinced her, because she let him go. If only she knew.

In minutes he was strolling down his favorite trail, remembering when he and Nix came this way together. He’d loved watching his wolf run and play. Wrestling with him.

He’d loved making love with his mate by the creek.

I loved that, too. Wait for me, please!

“Going nuts,” he muttered, and kept walking.

Finally, he reached the secluded spot by the creek. It was as beautiful as he remembered, but there was no beauty to be found anywhere without his mate to be his rock. His light. The gun was heavy in his hand as he pulled it from his waistband.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there before he had the courage to put the muzzle against his temple. Closed his eyes. One squeeze, and he’d stop seeing the love of his life being consumed by the flames.

Baby, wait for me
.

* * * 

Nix’s wolf ran, heartbeat a frantic drum in his chest.

He couldn’t lose his mate. Not now. Not after he’d been in agony all these months, lying in the ashes that had consumed him. Healing slowly and painfully.

Their bond was reawakening, but Noah, in his grief, couldn’t sense the rebirth. Through that bond Nix read his emotions, his horrible intentions, as clear as day.

His beloved angel was planning to end his life.

Noah, stop!
he shouted through their bond.
Wait for me!

But they’d never taken the final step, and Nix hadn’t claimed him, so Noah couldn’t hear him as clearly as he should. His poor mate thought he was hearing things.

Put the gun down! I’m coming!

Just a little farther. He had to make it in time.

Finally he burst into the clearing, where the sight of his mate kneeling beside the creek nearly stopped his heart.

Halting, he shifted back to human form and eased forward slowly. “Noah.”

No response. “Noah, baby. Put the gun down, please.”

One slip of his mate’s finger, and it was over. They’d be lost to each other forever.

No. He was not going to lose Noah.

* * * 

“Noah.”

At first, he thought he was dreaming.

“Noah, baby,” a soft voice whispered. “Put the gun down, please.”

Blinking, he couldn’t believe his eyes. “Nix?”

“Didn’t I tell you to believe in me? In us? You promised.” His mate’s sexy smile was his undoing.

“You’re here? Oh, God.” The gun fell from his grasp to the soft earth.

Noah’s face crumpled, and the tears he’d believed to be gone returned full force. But this time he was wrapped in his mate’s arms as they cried together. “How?”

“I needed time to heal, honey. I was literally buried in the ashes of the old house, and the process was painfully slow. It really was like the old witch said, a phoenix rising from the ashes to be reborn. I’m sorry it took so long.”

“I can’t believe you’re here.” He pulled back, staring at his mate in wonder. “I’m so sorry for doubting—”

“No, I’m sorry for treating you like shit that day at the barbeque. I was scared, but that’s no excuse. Can you ever forgive me?”

Noah’s laugh escaped as a sob. “Of course I do. Just don’t leave me again, ever.”

“Never.”

Nix pushed the gun a good distance away, and gently stripped his mate. There was no need for words this time, no
question that he would make Noah his now, for keeps.

As Nix pressed him into the ground, covering him with his body, Noah clung to him and breathed in his scent. Felt his warmth. His mate was really alive, really here. All his.

He groaned in pleasure as Nix’s length entered him with care. He worked his way deep, making love to Noah, slow and easy. Then increasing in tempo until their passion carried them over the edge.

Just as they climaxed, Noah tilted his head to the side. This time, his mate wasted no time taking him up on the invitation. He cried out as Nix’s fangs clamped down on the tender spot, marking him. His. At last.
I belong to Nix
.

Yes, you do.

The golden thread that had always been there came back to life, hummed in vitality. Strengthened and snapped into place with a burst of brilliant light. A second orgasm rocked them, and Noah cried out again, his joy complete.

“Thank God you came home when you did.”

Nix propped himself on his elbows and gazed down at Noah through a fall of silky hair. “Yes. We were meant to be.”

“I love you so much.”

“And I love you, baby.”

His Phoenix, reborn.

* * * 

Nix cupped his mate’s sweet face. “You’re the reason I survived. Everything I am is because of you. You’re the light of my life, and I’ll never deny you again.”

Tears slipped down Noah’s cheeks. “You mean that?”

“I promise. When we get to the compound I’m going to make a scene when I let everyone know I’m back. Then I’m going to make another one when I kiss the hell out of you in front of everybody.”

That earned him a big smile. “I like the sound of that.”

“You’d better. Because I plan on doing it every day for the rest of our lives. Everyone’s going to get sick of us sucking face and being lovebirds all over the place.”

“Nah, they’ll be doing the same thing with their mates.”

“Then we’ll fit right in.”

“That sounds wonderful, too.”

“Noah? Thank you for being patient with me, and for loving me even when I was acting like an idiot.”

His mate gave him a soft smile. “I always will.”

Noah pulled him down for a scorching kiss, and Nix threw himself into making sure his mate knew just how much he was loved and wanted.

And he planned to spend the rest of his life proving it.

Keep reading for an excerpt from CHASE THE DARKNESS, the latest book in the Alpha Pack series from J. D. Tyler. Available now.