Ruby (7 page)

Despair nibbled at his gut, making him sure he would fail, but then he saw the ships. Renewed by the sight, he ran as hard as he could.

“Sol!” Ruby screamed. He saw she was caught between tiger and woman. Isser lay on the ground. He was transforming between wolf and human. If they didn’t stop what was happening to him, he’d die. Anger gave Sol a burst of adrenaline.

He didn’t even slow down as he lunged and tackled the bastard hard. Ruby stumbled away, but Sol didn’t take time to check on her. The growl that came out of him was a distorted “son of a bitch.” He pinned the man to the ground. Lilymann tried to reach his weapon, but it had rolled when he’d dropped it.

The growl of a tiger told Sol his woman was full-on predator again. He salivated as he looked at the man.

“Should I kill him?”
Sol sent Ruby the thought.

“Mine! Let me!”
Ruby’s telepathy was weak, but there was no mistaking what she wanted. The wannabe pimp looked like he was going to piss his pants. Unarmed and alone he had no bravado left. Isser had no problem killing the man, but he knew Ruby deserved to be the one if that was what she really wanted.

“Can you live with your vengeance? I’ve taken my share of lives, for less reason than this. The man deserves death. Do you want to be the one?”

“Yes.”

Her courage pleased him. A deep and very real pride surfaced. His mate was made for him and Isser. A bounty hunter’s woman couldn’t be soft and forgiving, or she’d die. Ruby was tough. There was beauty in her strength.

“He’s yours,”
Sol thought.

Ruby snarled. He let the man go. For a moment Lilymann just stared at them mutely before he took off running toward the transport. Ruby was on him in a second. She ripped out the bastard’s throat without hesitation. Then she collapsed beside the body. The big cat lay panting. Sol felt her confusion and the overwhelming sense of emptiness. She had her justice, yet she found no joy in it. He could relate. He left her alone. Their bond gave him the clarity to see that she needed time to come to terms with this new side of herself.

Sol stood, in human form once more, and turned. Isser lay very still. Sol was next to his brother with only a few powerful strides. He rolled him over. The uncontrolled shifting had stopped. He just hoped it had happened before permanent damage had been done. He lay in a state that was half-wolf, half-human. Sol shook him. Isser moaned. A delicate bit of hope fluttered in Sol’s chest. “Come back to me, my brother,” Sol whispered. “You’re too mean and ugly to die. Open your eyes.”

Nothing.

“Come back to us, Isser. Please don’t die on us. We’ve only just found our woman. She needs us—both. Please open your eyes.”

Sol waited. He’d thought the plea as hard as he could at his brother. If Isser’s determination to protect and cherish Ruby was as consuming as it was for Sol, those words would revive Isser. He glanced back to where Ruby lay. The wave of misery coming from her was strong. She was hurting inside. This was a wound he could do nothing to cure. Both the people he loved most needed him, and he was helpless. It was a terrible sensation.

Isser stirred. Sol shook his brother’s shoulder. “Come back to me!”

Isser’s eyes opened.

“Can you understand me? How are you feeling?” Sol asked carefully, making sure to enunciate the words well. He’d heard of wolves becoming vegetables after a bad shock. He knew Isser would rather be dead than a mindless husk.

“I don’t kill this easy. Don’t be planning my funeral just yet. I have no plans to become an invalid for our woman to care for.”
Isser thought the words playfully.

Sol gave a great whoop of joy.

Isser shifted back to human form. He stood shamelessly naked.

“How are you?” Sol asked, concerned.

“I’ve been better, but I don’t think I’m going to become a drooling vegetable anytime soon. Thanks for having faith in me,” Isser drawled sarcastically. Sol felt the heat rising up his cheeks. He helped Isser stand, and they went over to Ruby. Isser dropped down next to her and stroked her back.

“It’ll be okay. You did what you had to do. He’d never have left us in peace,” Isser told her softly. He exchanged a dark look with Sol.

“I don’t know how to become fully human again! It just happened before. I didn’t have to try.”
Her desperate thought emanated fear in psychic waves. Comforting his woman became Isser’s top priority. Sol dropped down too. He rubbed her massive neck and shoulders. He enjoyed the sensation of her silky, warm tiger fur under his human hand.

“You can do this. Just tell the tiger to sleep. Concentrate on my voice. You can do this,” Isser murmured quietly.

“We’re here with you. We love you,” Sol encouraged

There was a change. It rippled through the bond the three of them shared. He experienced the moment she found her power to become human again. Relief trailed through the feeling as she realized she wasn’t trapped as the cat.

Ruby, their Ruby, lay naked on the ground next to the dead man. Isser picked her up and rolled her away from the carnage. She was covered in blood, but he didn’t seem to notice as he held her close. She wrapped her delicately slender arm around his neck. Sol helped his brother stand, and together they took her to the shuttle.

After laying her down on the cot, Sol stepped back to make sure she looked comfortable. Then he covered her with a thin blanket. She appeared infinitely vulnerable, and he wanted to make her feel okay about what she’d done. He went to the supply cupboard and found one of his shirts, a cloth, and water. When he sat down next to her, she looked up at him. Gently, he began cleaning her wounds. “I felt it when you took care of Lilymann. You weren’t killing him because you’re dark or hateful. You took him out to protect us. You wanted to make sure he never hurt Isser or me again. It was love, not evil, that gave you the courage to do what you did. He stole your life and changed your destiny. It was right that you were the one. Don’t regret protecting your mate. I don’t. I killed men today. I killed to protect you and Isser too. I love you both. You belong to me. I’m not going to let some psycho asshole take you away, not ever, and you shouldn’t feel bad about wanting the same thing. You did what you did for love and peace. It took courage. I’m proud of you. You’re truly a tiger now. You have accepted your inner beast.”

“What if I’m a threat to the rest of your pack? I’ve tasted blood. What if I’m becoming a killer?”

Sol grinned. “You aren’t a killer. We’d feel it. You’ll need to get used to being part of a pack. We are connected. You can’t hide who you truly are from us.”

“I’m not evil, really?”

Sol leaned down and kissed her softly on the mouth. He pulled back just enough to speak. “No, really, you’re not. I love you, Ruby. I couldn’t love you this much if you were evil.”

She exhaled a small, tired sigh. Today had taken a great toll on her, and she was fresh out of her transition, which had almost killed her. Then she’d been immediately thrust into a life-and-death situation. She was deflating before his eyes, and he couldn’t fault her for it. Isser helped her pull a shirt over her head. She let him dress her as if she were a helpless child. The exhaustion that poured out of her was the kind of bone-deep weary that took days of rest to recuperate from. Sol helped Isser lay her back down as gently as they could. Bruises were already starting to appear on her pale arms, face, and torso. She’d be hurting for a few days, but to his relief nothing was permanently damaged. She watched the men get dressed.

He finished cleaning her up. Isser brought him fresh water. She was asleep before they finished. Sol sat looking at her. Her long, dark lashes left perfect crescents on her cheeks. Her skin was as soft as a flower petal. Everything about her looked fragile, but after today, he knew she wouldn’t break. There was comfort in knowing she could kill to defend herself. His tigress would protect him as fiercely as he protected her.

“She’s amazing,” Isser whispered.

Sol nodded. He was afraid to speak and wake her. The peace he felt looking at her was so rare he didn’t want to disrupt the spell. Isser clasped him on the shoulder. His brother’s understanding washed over him in a wave of compassion. Isser stood and went to the console. He began a diagnostic sequence.

“I’m going to go fix whatever the fuck they did to the landing gear and the door.”

Sol nodded. He glanced at the door as Isser left.

Reluctantly he stood up and cleaned the blood and grime away with some of the leftover water. He dressed in fresh clothing. All he wanted to do was get home and keep his woman safe, but Isser was right. The ship needed some repair. Sol grabbed the comm.

“You need some help out there?”

“Hell yeah, those assholes really messed things up down here. I could use a light and an extra pair of hands.”

“Be right there,” Sol replied. He glanced at the sleeping woman. She needed rest. He forced himself to leave her and go outside to help his brother.

Chapter Seven

Jewel lay still with her eyes closed. Waiting. She hoped the younger wolves were okay. Her throat closed painfully as she thought about how sad they would be when she was gone. She wished she’d be able to say good-bye, but that wasn’t going to be possible. Every day she grew weaker. Her exhaustion was taking a toll. She’d written both Isser and Sol a short good-bye note, before her strength ebbed so drastically. Jewel asked them not to feel responsibility for her death and to take care of Rion, Makis, and her children. Her passing wouldn’t be their fault. She just couldn’t hold on longer. She loved Isser and Sol and hoped the men she considered brothers would find a way to help her husbands through their loss.

“My love?” Rion whispered quietly.

She opened her eyes. Her husband looked…happy?

“This is Dr. Jordan. He’s already given the cubs an exam. His treatment is working. Kelila is eating again. Color is returning to Torr’s face too. This doctor is a specialist in shifter medicine.”

“How?” Jewel asked weakly.

“Rusty has come to help us. He wouldn’t see you because he didn’t want to upset you. I could feel the truth of his remorse. He’s sorry he let your father sell you. He’s staying at the inn. He wanted me to tell you how much regret he feels, and how much he loves you. If we weren’t so desperate, I think I’d have killed him. Makis wanted to rip out his throat too. But, damn it, I love you too much to let my male pride say no to his help.”

She nodded, her eyes filling with unshed tears. Rusty. Her older brother was full of surprises. After the way he’d helped her father in his attempt to trade her to a mutant prince in exchange for an army, she never thought she would see Rusty again, but right now, she was happy as hell he had come. Rusty’s arrival left her with many questions, yet she was too tired to speak. Rion stepped out of the doctor’s way.

“Hello, Jewel. You have some fierce males here. They love you. I’m amazed you survived home birthing shifter twins. This is a brutal world, and I’ve seen a lot, but this is one for the record books. You have some beautiful children, and they will be fine. With the right treatment, you will too. Your brother has told me to spare no expense, so I have the good stuff here in my bag. This is the best medicine money can buy. I’m going to have you on your feet in a few days. Does that sound all right to you?”

Tears shimmered on Jewel’s lashes and obscured her vision. The telltale sign of her joy overflowed to roll down her cheeks. She took a deep gulping breath and nodded fiercely. She was too weak to tell him how grateful she was. Her children would live, and she’d be around to mother them. Nothing could make her happier.

* * * *

“How do you think they are?” Sol asked.

“I’m not sure, but I feel as if we betrayed the pack,” Isser whispered.

Sol glanced back at their sleeping woman. Her exhaustion after her first shift was normal, and after saving both their asses, she deserved some rest. “I just hope we still have time.”

“I know. Me too. We’re in range. Should I make a call home?” Sol asked.

“Be my guest. Warning them about Ruby is a good idea. They have the right to know we’ve added to the pack,” Isser replied prudently.

Sol grabbed the comm. His fingers skidded across the flat glass panel. There were a few minutes of lag as they hailed the comm unit they kept at home to stay in touch with Jewel when they were out hunting.

“Hello,” Jewel said.

“Jewel?” Sol asked. His surprise was evident in the way his voice rose.

“How are you both? Did the hunt go well?” Jewel spoke in a strong voice. She sounded healthy.

The wolves turned sharply to make eye contact with each other. Isser’s lips parted, and his eyes went wide. Sol grinned.

“The more important question is how you and the pups are feeling,” Sol said.

“My brother pulled through with credits. He brought a doctor. Everyone is recovering under the doc’s excellent care. How did your first hunt without Rion and Makis go? My boys are itching to get back to work. I hope you didn’t make too much money. I need a reason to get the men out of my hair. I love them, but they need a challenge greater than chasing Boon around the house and caring for infants. They’ve been amazing. I’m a lucky girl.” Even through the comm, Sol heard the emotion in Jewel’s voice, and it caused his heart to swell.

“We have some news. We didn’t collect the bounty, but we did find something even more valuable. Isser and I are bringing our mate home. Her name is Ruby.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the comm. Sol’s heart sank. If Jewel didn’t like their woman, it would be bad. She was the alpha female. They needed her to accept Ruby as she had them.

A loud joyous cheer erupted, and Isser grabbed the comm out of his hand.

“I assume that means you’re glad we’ve added to the pack?” Isser asked. Sol could hear the underlying worry in his voice.

“Yes! A million times, yes! This is better than money! I’m so excited. Does she like children? I can’t wait to meet her.” Jewel spoke in a quick, excited voice. It sounded as if she might be jumping up and down. “Is she a shifter or human?”