Savage Urges (26 page)

“The bullet went straight through, so that’s good,” said Jaime, but there was worry in her voice. She didn’t need to worry. His mate would be fine.

Ryan looked into eyes swirling with the pain, fear echoing through him. “It’s okay. You’re going to be fine. Say it.”

Makenna swallowed. “I’m going to be fine.” She wasn’t certain she believed that. Her stomach burned and throbbed. She could feel warm blood on her skin and pooling beneath her. She’d already lost some in her duel with Selene. As fingers linked with hers, she looked to see Madisyn and Dawn kneeling close by. “Hey.”

“Don’t you die,” Madisyn hissed, eyes wet and fierce.

“She’s not going to die,” snapped Ryan.

“That’s right,” agreed Dawn, voice breaking. “Makenna’s strong.”

Ryan kissed her gently, brushing a thumb over her cheekbone. Her eyes fluttered closed. He tapped her cheek. “No, Kenna. Look at me.”

Makenna forced her eyes open. “I’m tired,” she whispered. Crazy tired. She was pretty sure the only thing keeping her conscious was the iron strength Ryan was feeding her. She clung to that strength. She didn’t want to die, didn’t want to leave him or miss the life they could have together. But it was just so hard to stay awake, no matter how hard she fought the urge to sleep. Everything seemed to be fading. Darkening. Like she was falling. No . . . sinking.

“It’s okay,” said Ryan, his pulse beating frantically. “The wound’s not that bad.”

Her mouth kicked up into a small smile. “Liar.”

He
was
a liar. No matter how much pressure he put on the wound, her blood kept seeping through his fingers.
She
was seeping through his fingers. “Kenna.” The solid, vibrant bond between them flickered slightly. And he knew what that meant. “No,” he bit out. “No, no, no,
no
.” She couldn’t die. He wouldn’t fucking allow it. He glared at Dante.
“Where the fuck is Taryn?”

“On her way,” Jaime choked out, eyes shiny. She wasn’t the only one crying. Many were gathered around, most of whom were residents.

Ryan dropped his forehead to Makenna’s. “Did you hear that? She’s coming.” Makenna gave the tiniest nod. And closed her eyes. “
No
. Eyes open. Look at me. Good girl.” She coughed, and he saw blood in her mouth. His chest tightened. “No.” This was
not
fucking happening. It just wasn’t. “Taryn’s coming. Just hold on a little longer.”

Makenna forced a smile. They both knew Taryn could never make it in time. “Don’t die with me.”

Rage flared through him and his wolf. “Don’t you dare fucking give up! You live!”

She coughed again, tasting more blood. “Zac needs you.”

“And I fucking need you. If you want me to live, you have to stay alive. You fight, okay.
Fight.
”

She tried to, she did, but she was so tired and . . . “Cold.” So damn cold. Her wolf lay down with a whine.

Ryan forced more strength down the fading bond. It made no difference. Her heartbeat kept slowing, their connection kept weakening, and the blood just kept pumping out of her. “Kenna, fight.”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she murmured.

“That’s good.” No, it wasn’t good. He knew it; she knew it. His wolf was pacing, anxious, afraid, and wanting to kill.

“And I’m not scared anymore. Isn’t that weird?” She should be terrified. She was dying, and she knew it. But she felt peaceful. “I love you.” She should have told him that before. “Super shit timing, haven’t I?” She heard Dawn and Madisyn sniffling, wanted to tell them to take care of Ryan. But she was sinking again, and everything seemed so far away.

Her eyes closed again, and Ryan’s heart slammed against his ribs. “Kenna, look at me.” She didn’t. He shook her. “Open your eyes.” Her sluggish heartbeat stuttered and their bond began to wink out.
“No.”

Hands yanked at him. “Get the fuck off me!” They didn’t. They pulled at him, ignoring his efforts to fight them off, and dragged him away. He couldn’t get back to her, couldn’t fight them; he’d pumped most of his strength into Makenna and wasn’t able to—

“Easy, Ryan! Just give her some room!
If you want your mate to live, give her some room!
”

He stilled, only then noticing Ally squatting beside his mate. The Seer could heal, he remembered. Derren and Dante released him, and his knees nearly buckled.

“Don’t let her die,” Madisyn hissed at Ally.

Hands on Makenna’s stomach, Ally looked at him. “You’re going to have to help me, Ryan; she’s hanging on by a thin thread.”

Ryan went back to his mate and held her hand, trying to push what little strength he had left into her, whether it knocked him unconscious or not. But the bond was too weak to take it.

Ally’s eyes stayed closed as she did . . . whatever the hell she did. Unlike when Taryn healed, the wound didn’t glow. He couldn’t tell what the fuck was happening. It was only when Makenna’s heartbeat steadied that hope trickled through him. He tightened his grip on her hand as her pulse quickened and their bond strengthened.

Pale as a ghost, Ally sat back. “She lost a lot of blood, so she’ll be unconscious for a little while, but she’s gonna be okay.” Then the Seer slumped . . . right into Derren’s waiting arms.

Ryan scooped up Makenna and cradled her tight against him. God, he was fucking shaking. It actually hurt to breathe. His lungs burned and his throat felt clogged up. It didn’t matter that he could feel that she was alive; fear still had him in a tight grip, and it wasn’t letting go anytime soon.

Breathing her in, he kissed her forehead and tucked her face into the crook of his neck. His wolf was still pacing, unable to relax in the belief that she was okay. Madisyn and Dawn, faces red and puffy, were still at her other side. Ryan knew they probably wanted to hold her, but he couldn’t let go. Hearing her heart beat steady and strong was really the only thing keeping him and his wolf stable at that moment.

“Ally had a vision that Makenna would be shot,” said Derren. “I’m glad we got here in time.”

They almost hadn’t, but Ryan wouldn’t let himself dwell on that. He gave Derren a nod of thanks, unable to speak while a knot of emotion was lodged in his throat. Ryan owed Ally more than he could ever repay.

Jaime’s eyes widened. “Shit, the battle on our territory!”

Dante dug out his cell phone. “In case the others are still fighting, I’ll call Grace and ask what’s happening.” He then faded from the crowd to make the call.

“When we left, it was starting to settle down and things were going in our favor,” said Marcus. “Most of the wolves actually retreated pretty quickly. They’d expected an easy defeat. The sight of us with so much backup threw them. And they started to panic when they realized there were trip wires and land mines on the territory.”

Jaime inhaled deeply. “Any casualties on our side?”

“Trick nearly had his throat ripped out. Dominic came very close to dying while defending Eli.” Eli was Nick’s brother and Head Enforcer. “They’re okay, though. Taryn healed them.”

Dante returned to Jaime’s side. “It was Rhett who answered. Grace was busy tending wounds. The battle’s over. And Zac’s old Alpha is being held captive in the hut.” Dante looked at Ryan. “Everyone figured that kill was yours.”

Still not trusting himself to speak, Ryan inclined his head.

Jaime let out a long breath. “Let’s see who needs help here and then go home.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

M
akenna woke to the feeling of warm lips on her stomach. Her eyelids were heavy, but she forced them open. Lying on top of her, Ryan had pushed up the long T-shirt she was wearing and was kissing where her gunshot wound should have been. But there was no wound, no bandage, not a spot of blood on her body. She frowned. She
had
been shot, right?

“Ally healed you,” said Ryan, feeling her confusion. He was so relieved she’d finally woken that a breath shuddered out of him. “She had a vision that you were shot.” There was no evidence of it now. Only unmarred velvet-smooth skin. He couldn’t help remembering the warm blood flowing between his fingers and pooling beneath her. Fuck, she’d almost died right in front of him. When he thought about it too much, his chest would tighten and his throat would start to close.

She stroked his head, sensing his distress. “How long was I out?”

He slipped his arms beneath her and held her tight. “Nine hours.” It was the longest nine hours of his life. Not once had she stirred—not even when he’d stripped and washed her before dressing her in one of his tees.

She scowled as she remembered something. “Your jaw was swollen and you had gashes on your forehead.”

“They healed. None of my wounds were serious.” Unlike hers. He rubbed his jaw against her stomach. “I was scared.” It seemed okay to admit that to her. “You were slipping away from me. I could feel it. But there was nothing for me to grab on to.” Her soul wasn’t a physical thing. “No way for me to make you stay.”

Her eyes stung. “I didn’t want to go.”

“You can’t die.” He wouldn’t survive it.

She swallowed. “Come here.”

He pressed one more kiss to her stomach, reminding himself she was alive and with him. He slid up her body, kissed her gently, and rested his forehead on hers. “I would have followed you.” She tried to shake her head. “Yes, I would have. I don’t know how people carry on after they lose someone.” He wouldn’t have had the will to keep going. Not even knowing Zac needed him. It was selfish; Ryan knew that. Still, he simply would have faded away without her. Makenna was part of him. A part he
needed
.

She cupped his face. “We don’t have to test that theory. I’m fine; I’m not going anywhere.” She kissed him, wanting to take away the fear and anxiety that ate at him. A change of subject could help. “Well, it seems you were right. We’re true mates.”

Ryan grunted. Of course he was right.

“I don’t like your tone.” She nipped his lip. “Our scents have mixed. I like that.”

So did Ryan. Every shifter would know from just her scent that she was taken. He doubted his jealousy or possessiveness would now ease, however. He still wouldn’t like other males around her. Would always be jealous, just as he’d been jealous of . . . “I’m sorry about Colton. I know he was your friend.”

She bit her bottom lip before it had the chance to tremor. “Me too.” He’d been a good friend to her, and he hadn’t deserved what had happened to him. None of them had deserved the trouble Remy had brought into their lives. “I take it we won the battle.”

“Yes.” He wasn’t good at telling stories. “Only the Mercury wolves had arrived by the time the attack began. Reinforcements turned up no more than a minute later, which spooked the enemies. Most of them retreated, others died. Taryn’s father lost some of his wolves. Trick and Dominic almost died.”

Makenna was relieved to hear their pack was alive. As for someone else . . . “Deanne’s dead, right?”

He grunted. “Roni gutted her.” He was a little jealous he hadn’t been able to deliver that killing move himself. Then again, that would have required him to release Makenna. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to do that until they were in the infirmary, where Grace had given her a transfusion. Grace had tried to usher him out, but he’d just stared at her until she gave up with a humph.

Makenna rubbed her nose against his. “You look tired. You fed me a lot of energy.”

According to Ally, who had earlier called to check on Makenna, his mate would have died long before Ally had arrived if he hadn’t lent her his strength. “You said you love me.” Again with the blurting things out.

She smiled. “That’s because I do.”

He closed his eyes, letting that soothe him. “No one’s ever said that to me before.” He slid his hand up to span her throat, wanting to feel her pulse beating beneath his thumb.

Her brows flew up. “Never?” God, his parents were assholes. “Come inside me, Ryan. I know you want to.”

He did want to. He wanted to assure himself in the most basic way that she was alive. “You’ve been unconscious for nine hours. You need food and—”

“You. Just you.” She writhed beneath him, tempting him. “Come inside me.”

He shouldn’t. He should have some food brought in and—

“Ryan, please. I need this too.”

Fuck it.
He used his fingers to ready her to take him. Then he hiked up her leg and slid inside her, groaning as her pussy contracted around him. He took her with slow, deep, deliberate thrusts. The whole time, he kissed her—sharing breaths, groans, and gasps. And when he shoved himself deep and exploded, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and growled her name. “I love you, Kenna.”

She smiled. “I know. I feel it.” It was like a glow inside her.

Without leaving her body, he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

She propped her chin on his chest as he grabbed his cell phone from the cabinet. “Who are you texting?”

“Grace. You need food. You lost a lot of blood.” He put down his phone. “Be warned, the room is going to fill up. There are a lot of people waiting to see you.” He’d been chasing them off, insisting she needed her rest. “Let’s get you showered.”

As they were dressing a short while later, a knock came at the door. “Open up!” called Grace.

Makenna held up her arms so Ryan could slip on her T-shirt. “I can go eat in the kitchen, you know.”

He shook his head. “You’re not at one hundred percent yet.”

She couldn’t deny that. But she’d be damned if she’d voice aloud just how weak she truly felt. “Okay.” She sighed as she sat, lotus style, in the middle of the bed.

“I’ll be back soon.”

She frowned. “Where are you going?”

Hand on the doorknob, he glanced over his shoulder. “To live up to a promise.”

With that mysterious answer, he left. Grace entered with a tray of food. Zac, Dawn, and Madisyn trailed behind her. Eyes teary, Zac gave her a tight hug that belied his typical teenage cool act and chatted with her for a short while. Then, complaining he had something in his eye, he left with Dawn. Madisyn stayed while Makenna ate, lecturing her for getting shot.

Each of the Phoenix wolves came to see Makenna, a few at a time. They all expressed their relief that she was fine. Rhett wanted to hear about what it was like to almost die and if she’d seen any bright lights. At that point, Grace shoved him out of the room.

Riley, Savannah, Dexter, and Kye then came inside. The kids leaped onto the bed, kissing her cheeks and showing her pictures that they’d doodled for her. Well, Dexter’s was more of a balled-up piece of paper, but the gesture was still there.

As the three children ran out of the room, laughing, Riley said, “Taryn’s offered to let Dexter and Savannah stay here permanently.”

Madisyn took a sip of Makenna’s coffee. “Really?”

Having seen how closely the children had bonded with Kye and how much Taryn adored them, Makenna wasn’t actually that surprised. “How do you feel about that?”

Riley smoothed out a wrinkle on the bedsheet. “It would be good for them, right? To have a real home.” Her reluctance to part with them was clear in her tone.

“I don’t think they’ll stay behind, Riley,” said Makenna. “They’re too attached to you. They love you.”

“Yeah, but they love you and Zac too. You guys live here now.”

Makenna patted her hand. “They love you more.”

Riley shifted uncomfortably. “Taryn said I could stay with them until they feel settled enough to stay without me. She said I could have a permanent place here too—”

“She said
what
?” Greta was in the doorway with Tao, whose eyes were locked on Riley with an intensity that the raven failed to notice.

“Aw, have you come to check up on me?” asked Makenna, smiling.

Greta’s upper lip curled back. “I was rather hoping you didn’t wake up at all. No such luck. Now I’m stuck with you
and
her!”

Riley sighed. “Look, Gretchen—”

“It’s Greta.”

“I don’t care.”

The kids all scurried back into the bedroom, and Dexter headed right for the tray.

Riley sighed. “Dexter, don’t stuff more food in your pockets.” Her tone was gentle but firm. The toddler looked at her with an expression that said, “Why?” Then he shoved a slice of apple down his shirt. “Savannah, stop hissing at Gretchen. Or, at least, don’t hiss so loud.”

Kye chuckled and then mimicked the action, making Greta gasp in horror at her grandson. That had Savannah laughing with an evil glee in her eyes.

“That kid has a mean streak that I totally love,” said Madisyn.

At that moment, Dominic strolled inside, smiling. That smile faltered when he looked at Madisyn. He cast her a mock glare. “She still won’t tell me what type of cat she is, Makenna. No one who saw her shift will tell me.”

Makenna just smiled at him. “I heard we both had a close call.”

He waved it off and relaxed into the chair beside her bed. Then he gave her a flirtatious grin. “So, are you into casual sex or should I dress up?”

The guy really was nothing but trouble.

Minutes after he’d left his mate, Ryan stalked into the hut with Dante and Trey close behind him. The hut was where they kept any intruders they found roaming on their territory. Today, it contained a well-built male with shaggy brown hair and cruel eyes.

Despite being bound to a chair, the captive tried to stare Ryan down. When it didn’t work, he sneered, “You must be the cousin. Remy told me a lot about you.”

Ryan’s wolf snarled. “You must be the sick bastard who hurt Zac.”

There wasn’t a hint of remorse in Brogan Creed’s gaze. You could learn a lot about a person from their posture, tone, word choice, and expressions. And as Ryan looked down at him, he had the distinct impression that Brogan wasn’t like Remy. He
knew
what he’d become, knew it and saw no reason to justify it to himself or to anyone else. For him, abusing others wasn’t so much about sex as about having ultimate power and dominance over another person. “I’m glad you came here.”

“Really?” he drawled.

“I promised Zac you’d die if you did.” Ryan’s claws sliced out. “This saves me the trouble of hunting you down.”