Pride Before the Fall (19 page)

Melissa began to cry softly and Bianca pulled her into her arms. Vivian couldn't hear what Kasey's sister whispered to Mel. But whatever it was had her baby sister nodding and returning the hug.

Even Amilynn and Conall had people they had connected with the night before offering sympathies and vows of vengeance upon the people who had trashed their apartment. Vivian caught Ami's eye and sent her a telepathic message.

What were you saying about no one wants us here?

Whatever.
Amilynn shrugged.
It's not like you would leave your mate and heaven knows I can't leave you to the mercy of these barbarians.

So you're not going to disappear in the middle of the night?

And make the pups cry over me? Guess not.
Ami gave her a smile-less wink before turning her attention to a member of the Pack who had come over to offer food.

* * * * *

Vivian couldn't help but take a good sniff of every member of Kasey's clan. She would never forget the two distinctive aromas she picked up at her apartment. And one was most positively a female who was about to enter into her heat.

She was tempted to cancel the performance that night, but the last thing she wanted was to let her suspects win. She showered and began to get ready for the show. As Vivian placed her toiletries in Kasey's bathroom, she confided in him about what she had scented in the apartment.

"You're positive?"

"Every female recognizes the scent of heat, Kasey."

"That's good though, we can keep an eye, or nose, out for all the females who disappear for a week. I'll get the cabin schedule from Bianca. If our perpetrator shows up there, it will be easy enough for us to pick her. Anything else you can remember?"

"The male's scent was familiar. But I talked to so many people at the party last night that it doesn't help."

"I didn't smell it in the house today. Which helps narrow our list of suspects down somewhat. Sampson was doing a head count and covertly writing down all the names of people who came over to bring food so we could rule them out."

"Well, the culprits were amateurs, Kasey." Vivian grabbed a tube of hand cream from her bag and squirted some in her palm.

"What makes you say that?"

She rubbed her hands together, thinking about the facts. "It looked desperate to me. Trace was a powerful force. People already feared him so he didn't have to take drastic measures to scare people. A note in his handwriting would make my parents sweat." She leaned up against the counter top and crossed her arms, her mind working. "This was so
dramatic
. The hanging house cats, the bloody threats, the tossing of furniture. To me it looks like compensation and rushed craziness."

As Kasey analyzed her words, his face drew into a scowl. "So you're saying these people were trying to scare you like this because they would be submissive to you face to face?"

"In a way, yes. Think about it. With the exception of Melissa, every member of our Pride is dominant. The only thing of Mel's that was damaged was a picture frame. Ty's and Conall's things were tossed about but not damaged. Now, Ami's room: stripped to pieces and plastered with threats. Jealousy all around. The place where I slept was covered in the blood of the cats hanging above it."

"I guess I don't understand."

"It's sloppy. If I wanted to intimidate someone, I would do it directly. Any dominant predator would. It's in our DNA. The satisfaction of smelling fear of prey is crack to our animals."

"But this person knew they couldn't go head to head with you." Kasey nodded, getting where she was going with this. "It was a submissive female."

"Based on the threat written on Ami's wall, 'Leave
our
males
alone', I'd narrow it down to an unmated submissive. Someone older who feels she has rights over all the other, younger males. But age is just a guess."

"And the male?"

Vivian shook her head. They moved out of the bathroom and sat down on the couch. "All the threats were written by the same person. The female. The male's scent was strongest in the hall and by the door."

"A lookout?"

"Yeah. I'd say he helped destroy some of the bigger items. Maybe even tossing Conall's and Ty's things to even up the score. That's all I've got until I catch that scent again."

Kasey picked up his phone and dialed Martin. "We are looking for an unmated submissive female who will be in heat soon. Possibly someone who would be directly affected by Vivian and Amilynn's presence."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone. Vivian could hear the wolf swallow. "Like my ex-girlfriend, sir?" Martin spoke the words shamefully.

"Martin, I need an honest answer. Were you with Amilynn last night and who saw you?"

"I was, sir. There were a few of the other soldiers in the apartment complex that saw us together. Word could have gotten back but, sir, she would never be capable of something like that. She's too soft."

"What's her name?"

"Julia."

"Get her here, now."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Amilynn walked through the house and found Kasey and Vivian talking to a brunette on the couch. She looked about Ami's age and ready to cry. As she walked closer, she caught the girl's scent. It made her sick.

"Tell the truth, Julia. Make this easier on everyone. Did you have anything to do with this?" Kasey questioned.

"No! I swear!"

"I picked up your scent," Vivian argued. "And you've got a motive. You and Martin had a long relationship. Now he's been with a cat. I could see how that would piss you off."

"I don't care what Martin does. I broke up with him!"

Amilynn rolled her eyes and intervened. "She didn't do it."

Kasey peered at her with clear speculation. "And how do you know this?"

"Because your nephew reeked of her this morning. That's why V picked up on her scent. The only thing she's guilty of is poor judgment."

The girl looked horrified. Her eyes grew round before turning to the floor. Julia bit her bottom lip and her face turned beet red. She's been outed in front of her alpha.

"Is that true?" Kasey said quietly, unaffected by the news.

"Yes, sir."

"You can go," Kasey mumbled.

Amilynn caught the apology in Vivian's eyes before she walked away. The last thing she needed was V's pity. Ezekiel was nothing to her. And clearly she was nothing to him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Vivian, Melissa and Amilynn stood in their costumes waiting for their turn on stage. Mel was still rattled, but Ty had promised that he would be making the rounds and keeping an eye out. Martin and Kasey were also going to mingle and see if their enemies made a play.

Ty came back stage after his last round before curtain call. He held Melissa by the neck and looked into her eyes. "I won't let anyone hurt you, angel. Don't worry about anything. Just sing and dance like you love to do." Then, as if to seal the promise, he pulled her mouth to his and kissed her.

Even Kasey felt the need to reassure Vivian that he was watching out for her. Vivian could sense exactly where he was at all times. His presence in her mind was now constant, as if it had been there her whole life. And she liked it. The constant unease of her daily life had never been obvious until she experienced the peace that Kasey brought. She leaned into him and nibbled on his ear. "I'd give anything to take you home."

Kasey took her face in his hands. "You can, you know." He was serious. Only then did Vivian realize that he was right; they didn't have to work, not like this. Their days of scrounging for every dollar earned were over.

"But then what the hell would we do?" Amilynn asked, arms crossed over her chest. "This is what we do, right, girls?"

"Yeah," Melissa sighed, "But when Ty and I get pregnant, I can't really be doing this." She giggled. "I'd sure look funny in this costume with my belly hanging out!"

"You'd still be the sexiest woman alive," Ty said, kissing her cheek.

"Barf. Let's do this, shall we?" Amilynn growled at the two couples. Martin stuck his head behind the curtain. Amilynn barely tilted her chin in acknowledgement of him. He winked at her, but she walked behind the curtain, seemingly unaware. She grumbled about not needing a bodyguard and Vivian smirked.

Hours later, Vivian lay in bed next to her unbelievably sexy wolf and closed her eyes. Even though they had just made vigorous love to one another, Kasey couldn't keep his lips off her body. He licked and nibbled, tasted and sucked. Every so often he would find a spot that tickled, and Vivian would laugh or thump him on the head.

"I meant what I said at the club," he whispered over the tip of her breast. "You don't have to do the shows if you don't want to. If the only reason you work is because you need money to constantly move, you can stop."

"It's not the only reason. It's the main reason, but we enjoy the stage. I like to perform. It's what I'm good at."

"Then come to one of my clubs. That way I don't have to kill Bristow." He bit down on her breast and she arched off the bed.

"You're going to kill
me
."

"You can die happy and sated in my arms."

Vivian laughed. "The perfect way to go."

"Let's go for a run!" Kasey said.

Vivian pulled the covers over her body. "I'm tired," she whined.

"No, come on. We can watch the sun come up over the ridge. It's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen."

His face brightened and his eyes sparkled. He wanted to play. Amidst the craziness and shit around them, her wolf was feeling playful. "You are so adorable." Vivian rolled her eyes. "Fine." She gave in, threw back the covers and rolled out of bed. Shifting to their animals, the wolf and tiger made their way through the house to the back doors.
 

You know,
Kasey said as they ran down the slope of the hill and into the woods.
I still haven't figured out how Mel and Ty got in that night.

Good luck deciphering Ty's mysteries,
Vivian laughed in his head.
He's been my brother-in-law for years and his awesome scariness still freaks me out.

The wolf and tiger ran around the forest romping and playing as two kids. The night air was changing, losing its crispness as the sun threatened to light the world.

Kasey had been right about the sunrise. It was glorious. Vivian and Kasey sat back on their haunches, watching as the forest beneath them bathed in sunlight. It finally touched them and Vivian closed her eyes to bask in its warmth. Thanking God for the man—and wolf—beside her, Vivian went down to her belly and leaned her head against the massive body of fur. She was so tired and Kasey felt wonderful, a huge blanket of soft down. Vivian closed her eyes once again and fell asleep knowing her mate would protect her.

* * * * *

There was something so rewarding about knowing your mate trusted you with her life. The wolf agreed as he watched over the giant tigress while she slept. The morning sun was like a drug, but Kasey remained alert, making sure his mate's slumber was not disturbed.

She was incredible. The colors of her coat were magnificent. Kasey's heart melted every time he laid eyes on the woman or the powerful beast within. He loved her. She loved him too; she just didn't know it yet. These things took time, especially for a woman who had been treated the way she had. For Vivian, he could be patient. As long as she remained with him as his mate, he could wait for her to be his wife.

A couple hours later, Vivian stirred and Kasey took great pleasure watching the tigress stretch.
You're amazing, kitten,
he thought to her.

His cat rubbed against him. Vivian purred, nuzzled his neck and playfully nipped at him.
Right back atcha, punk.

The purring thing is really sexy.

Vivian shifted and Kasey followed her lead. His attractive lady was wearing nothing at all, so he didn't bother conjuring up clothing either. Auburn hair danced in the morning breeze. Vivian was a fantasy, a naked goddess who'd stolen his heart. She looped her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. From anyone else, this would have been a challenge. But from his mate, it was a sign of love and a witness to her strength.

"I've been thinking about what we would do if we didn't perform. Mel, she's really great with kids and math, you know? And Ami, she's an athlete and a hell of a sharp shooter. Conall has all kinds of mechanical skills. He was a police officer in Nevada. Ty can master anything with computers and he's brilliant. But I, um," Vivian sighed and looked away. "I've only been my father's puppet and Trace's plaything."

"Vivian, those things do not define who you are," Kasey whispered, touching her tanned cheek.

"But they do define what skills I acquired when I was in Nevada. My parents did their best to make me into a refined young woman. I can dance, I can sing, and I can set a dining table better than Martha-Freaking-Stewart. Thanks to the program for dominant females, I can also kill a man with my bare hands, poison someone's drink, and get information using any means necessary." She looked into Kasey's eyes. "So tell me, alpha-man, what the hell good am I except for a performer or a killer?"

"Well, baby, as far as I'm concerned all those skills qualify you for the position as alpha's mate. Would you like to apply? I have a sneaking suspicion that you would get the job."

"I'm serious, Kasey." Vivian nipped at his chin.

Kasey took her cheeks in his hands, "So am I. Vivian, don't you see?" Kasey kissed her face all over. "You are precisely what I need in a mate. From setting tables to setting people straight, those are all skills an alpha's mate needs. And don't worry about the others. The Pride will all find their places."

"Do you think I'll be happy living off you? Living off the Pack? I have to earn my way."

The wolf surfaced and Kasey looked at her like a meal. "Oh, kitten, I'll make you earn it." He smirked as he picked her up and settled her over his erection. Vivian laughed as they went to the soft grass beneath them. Kasey entered her.

"It's always about sex for you, isn't it?" she asked.