Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (16 page)

“Say something, Nate. You’re scaring me,” his mother hissed, drawing him from his thoughts.

“What do you want me to say? I like Tess. It’s true. But don’t you dare deny her, and her family the right to be here because of that. I’ll never forgive you for turning innocent people away. For God’s sakes, Mom, her sister is ready to give birth at any time, and the human woman nearly died trying to protect us. You can’t turn them away,” he snarled as he began to pace in front of his mother’s desk.

Patrice sighed and leaned back. She was quiet for a long moment. “I’ll vote to give them sanctuary when we convene in an hour, but you must promise me, you’ll stay away from the one girl.”

“Why?” Nate blurted. He instantly regretted his question.

Red tinged his mother’s cheeks, her eyes narrowing into tiny slits as she slowly stood. “Because I won’t condone half-breed grandchildren.”

“What makes you think two different species can even have offspring?” he questioned. Tess had mentioned something similar. Was it even possible?

“Would you seriously consider a relationship with her?” his mom asked, her eyes bugging out as she marched toward him.

He swallowed and looked down at the floor. Voicing his thoughts probably wasn’t a good idea right now. His mom had an uncanny way of twisting a person’s words.

“My God, you would,” she seethed. “Wolves only mate with wolves to protect our bloodlines. We can’t have a bunch of half-blooded wolves and cats running around. It’s disgusting. Different species can procreate, and it has happened, so don’t do anything stupid,” Patrice warned, jabbing her finger at him.

Nate licked his lips as he considered his next words carefully. He was treading down a dangerous path, but he couldn’t stop now, nor did he want to. “Let me get this straight, the only concern you have about Tess and I being together is that she’s not a wolf? Does that mean you wouldn’t condone a relationship with a bear female or maybe a snake or bird? You only care about what makes you comfortable, to hell with everyone else,” he insinuated.

“You think I’m the only one who feels this way? There are people here who would
kill
you if they even heard what you were saying,” his mother insisted. “I’m trying to protect you.” His mother’s voice wavered and her bottom lip trembled. “I recognize that look you have for her. Even that first day you brought her here, I saw it in your eyes.”

“What look?” he demanded. What was she talking about?

Patrice sucked in a deep breath and let it out. “The same look that your father had when he looked at Caroline, Eden’s mother.” His mom placed both hands on his shoulders. “Somehow Caroline was your father’s true mate. I don’t understand how it happened or why, but it did.”

Nate’s mind spun at the news. Eden’s mom and his father were bonded? But what about his own mother? They were together before his father had the affair? Did Caroline and his father bond? He shuddered as a horrifying question entered his mind.

“Is that why she died?” Nate asked stepping back. His chest constricted painfully as he stared at his mom. Did she have something to do with that?

“Don’t look at me like that,” she gasped. “I may be many things, but I would never murder a woman even if she was sleeping with the man I chose to be my mate. I most certainly would never harm a baby.”

Nate closed his eyes and shook his head. Shame washed over him that he’d even considered the idea. His mother wasn’t a killer. Sure she got angry, but she did have a heart—somewhere deep beneath her icy walls.

“Nate,” his mother grasped his hand tightly. “Somebody did murder Caroline, and Eden was supposed to be with her too. Your father threatened the entire council after the incident. He warned that Eden was off limits. Sanctuary nearly crumbled. The truce he came to with the council members was very fragile for many years. We nearly lost everything.”

“Is that why Eden’s not allowed here?” he asked, rocking back on his heels. His mind reeled at all the information. Everything was starting to make sense. He couldn’t help but wonder if Eden knew what had really happened to her mother. If she didn’t, he wasn’t sure he wanted to be the one to tell her. A freak car accident would always sound better than hearing your mother was murdered.

“Yes. I may not want half-breeds here, but there are people here far worse than me, Nate. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Patrice reached up and touched his cheek. “I may not be the most loving or affectionate, but I do love you. I hope you know that.”

The back of his neck tingled, a reminder about his pending bond with Tess.
I want to complete the bond. I want her to be my true mate.
The realization swept over him giving him clarity. “I’m not always going to do what you want,” he warned. “At some point, I am going to let you down, and I hope you will understand that.”

His mom looked away. “Please consider what I said before you do anything rash,” she stated, walking back to her desk.

Nate gritted his teeth. She could be so crass sometimes, hadn’t she just said she loved him. Shouldn’t she want him to be happy? He could worry about that later. There was a question that he needed to know the answer to now.

“Who killed Caroline, Mom?” he asked bluntly.

Patrice blinked as she slowly sat back down. For a long moment, Nate didn’t think she would answer, but finally she spoke. “We don’t know for sure, but your father believes it was the Earley’s. They staged the car accident to look like a tragedy, but they missed a few minor details.”

Nate froze confused. Xander’s parents had been involved in Eden’s mother’s death?

“Ironic isn’t it?” his mother whispered. “The child his parents tried to murder is the woman Xander loves. Judging by the way he fawns over her, I’d even venture to say she’s his true mate. Fate can be cruel I suppose.”

Nate bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything. His vision hazed with anger as he backed up to the door.
Get out of the room.
He fumbled with the doorknob and quickly let himself out. What the hell did his mother just say? How could she be so cold? Did Xander know what had happened?

Another thought occurred to him, causing horror to seep into his heart. If his mom knew about Xander’s infatuation with Eden, surely his parents knew too. They’d already made an attempt on her life once. Would they do it again, if it concerned Xander’s future, probably. Was the creep that was following Eden a coincidence, or did the Earley’s have something up their sleeves? He needed to talk to his friend. Tonight.

***

T
ess curled up onto the couch and pulled a thick blanket over her. She closed her eyes, burrowing into the plush cushions.

“How is Audrey?” Thea’s groggy voice whispered.

Tess blinked her eyes open and propped herself up on her elbow. She’d switched spots with Dustin a few minutes ago. They didn’t want Audrey to be alone when she finally awoke.

“The doctor thinks she is going to pull through,” Tess assured.

Thea shifted in the bed, shoving herself into a sitting position. Her hand rested on her belly. “Good.” She turned to the other double bed in the room. The three girls slept soundly in it all three curled together. “I was worried she might not make it.”

“Audrey’s strong,” Tess smiled.

“I can’t stand the thought of losing anyone else,” Thea croaked. Her bottom lip trembled as tears pooled in her eyes. “We haven’t seen anyone since we fled. I thought you were dead.”

Tess shot up and hurried to her sister. She slipped into the bed and rested her head on Thea’s shoulder. Thea wrapped an arm around Tess, squeezing her tightly.

“I’m okay,” she assured.

Thea’s chest heaved as she sobbed. Her hand went to her mouth. Tess twisted and looked up at her older sister.

“I’m sorry,” Thea panted out of breath. “It’s these damn hormones and the craziness of the past few days.”

Tess hugged her sister close. “It’s going to be okay. I promise,” she soothed.

“I know,” Thea cried as she gulped in large breaths. “I’ve been holding it together for so long...”

“Let it out,” Tess coaxed, running a hand up and down her sister’s arm.

Thea laughed and Tess peered up at her, wondering what on earth could be funny right now.

“Aren’t I supposed to be the one comforting you?” she teased as she dabbed at her eyes.

“I think the roles can be reversed if the time calls for it,” Tess offered. “Dustin said you saw the doctor too. How’d that go?” she asked, sensing a change of topic would help calm her sister.

“It went well. The baby is fine,” she paused as she gained control of her breathing. “The doctor said it would be any day now.”

“I can’t wait to meet my little niece or nephew,” Tess gushed. Thea was the oldest of her siblings. Her child would’ve been the first grandchild. She sucked in a deep breath as an image of her parents holding the baby entered her mind. Her heart ached with the realization that they would never know Thea’s baby.

Thea rubbed her belly. “The past day the baby’s been so quiet. I was really worried. It must’ve been the stress.” Thea turned to Tess. “We are safe here aren’t we?”

“Yes,” Tess answered determinedly. They would be safe here she would see to it. Nate had been whisked away by his mother the moment they’d stepped foot into the building. He would fight with his mother until they were offered a safe place to stay within the building, Tess was sure of it.

“You must really trust him,” Thea commented, studying her. “Have you met him before?”

Tess shook her head. How did she go about explaining Nate to her sister? Thea was level headed—for the most part. Even though there was an eight-year age gap between the two of them, they’d always confided in each other.

Her mind made up, she met her sister’s eyes, praying that Thea would be more accepting of the bonding mark then Nate had. “About Nate, there’s something I have to tell you.” She sat up, twisting so her back was to Thea. Then carefully moved her hair away from the nape of her neck.

Thea gasped. “Oh my God.” Her cool fingers traced the mark lightly. “Tess. Have you?”

Thea didn’t need to finish the question. They both knew she was wondering if her and Nate had completed the bond.

“No.” She shook her head as she let her hair fall over her neck again. Tess turned back to her sister, holding her breath. What would Thea say?

“I’ve never seen one before. A true mate. Wow,” Thea whispered, thankfully sounding more intrigued than horrified.

At least they were off to a good start. Hopefully her sister could give her some words of wisdom. Even if Dustin wasn’t Thea’s true mate, they were deeply in love. Tess relaxed back into the pillows. She could use some sound advice right now.

N
ate rushed down the hall. Before he left to talk to Xander, he had to make sure Tess was okay. After a quick trip to medical, Dustin informed him that Tess was with her sister in the guest wing of the compound.

He rounded the corner and bit back a growl when he saw the two guards posted outside the werecat family’s door. Really? What does the council think they were going to do? Thea was about to burst and the girls that were with them couldn’t even shift yet. He rolled his eyes with amusement. Sanctuary’s leaders were ridiculous.

“Can I help you sir?” Alec one of the guards asked as he approached.

“I need to see Tess,” he commented, not waiting for their response before knocking on the door. 

The room was quiet for a long moment. He glanced down at his watch and cursed under his breath. It was late. Hopefully he didn’t wake them. Nate considered walking away and coming back in the morning, but the soft pitter-patter of footsteps creeping across the floor drew his attention. The lock clicked, and the door opened a few inches. Tess’ head popped out, her eyes widening slightly as she met his gaze.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hey,” he greeted. She was stunning, her long locks were tousled, and her chartreuse eyes blinked sleepily at him.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as her beautiful eyes searched his. Her perfect, pink lips beckoned to him and he inched forward, wanting to taste her.

“Is everything okay?” Tess asked quietly, pulling him from his trance.

He blinked and cleared his throat.
Stop staring and talk. I don’t understand why I’m so distracted by her. Because you want her.
The wolf in him stirred, jumping to the surface, begging to take control. It wasn’t just the beast within him that craved Tess... there was something about her.
She’s waiting for you to speak.
“Yeah. I wanted to make sure you... everyone was okay?” he asked.

Tess smiled, causing his heart to swell. She had an amazing smile, and he wondered what he needed to do to keep that grin on her face.

“We are doing good. Thanks for checking in. How did things go with your mom? It looked pretty heated earlier,” Tess commented. She bit her lip as her eyes darted to the floor.

“Don’t stand there chit-chatting at the door, Tess. Invite him in,” a woman’s voice whisper-yelled from inside the room.

Tess blushed and ducked her head down. “Thea wants to thank you for your help,” she explained, opening the door further.

Nate swallowed as he stepped into the room. The door shut behind him and he turned as Tess passed by him to take a seat on the bed next to her sister.

Thea shifted beneath the covers, struggling as she sat up. “I do want to thank you, but I also want to see the man who has left his
mark
on my little sister,” she explained quietly.

Nate’s mouth popped open as he focused his attention on the two women. “You told her?” Why had she told her? They hadn’t decided anything yet. What did Thea think? Was she okay with it? Nate studied the older cat carefully, she didn’t seem angry.

Tess shrugged.

“Of course,” Thea replied, narrowing her eyes. She placed her hand on Tess’ shoulder, keeping a scrutinizing gaze on him. “We don’t keep secrets from each other.”

Nate swallowed hard as his muscles tensed. What did she think about their relationship, he wondered again.
Why does it matter? You haven’t even made up your mind completely.
Still, he wanted to know that Thea approved, even if he wasn’t sure what the future held for he and Tess. If they did pursue their bond, it would be nice to know they had someone’s blessing. They certainly weren’t going to get his mother’s.