The Shadow Wolf (14 page)

He gently roused the girls and Megan. When they reached the front porch, he snagged the note taped to the door.

The entry hall was quiet but for the ticking of an antique grandfather clock. Wonder touched the girls' expressions as they regarded the hardwood floors, the embroidered rugs, the house's open and opulent spaces. A crystal vase of stargazer lilies adorned an oval table near the sweeping staircase. Megan broke into a pleasured smile as she examined the flowers.

“My favorites.”

Honey blond hair swung past her shoulders as she leaned down to inhale the blossoms. A small triangle of creamy skin showed where the new blouse was unbuttoned.

He steeled past the temptation to take her hand, lay her against the stairs, pull her trousers down and thrust deep inside her, staking his claim.

That would be making himself at home, all right. He smiled grimly and tipped his hat farther down on his brow.

“Such a lovely home. I've never seen anything so beautiful.

This kitchen looks fit for a professional chef.” Megan gave a wistful sigh.

“It should be. I designed it.”

Amused, he tipped her opened jaw upward.

“You designed it, for the one who beat you?”

“And bought the house for him, as well.” Gabriel examined the bottles on a custom-designed spice rack.

Seeing her expression, he shrugged. “It's complicated.”

“It's a very large house.”

“Filled with everything imaginable. A game room with a bowling alley, movie theater, a family room with two large screen televisions, even an outdoor tennis and basketball court.”

Her pouty little mouth parted into a shocked moue. “Why?”

“It keeps him entertained.”
And off my back. Literally.

Gabriel found a cookie jar on the counter and milk in the refrigerator. He poured glasses for both girls and gave them instructions to remain in the kitchen.

“Your cousin and I need to meet with Tristan first,” he told them.

Tall sliders in the kitchen opened to the lavish covered lanai.

“Why leave the girls behind?”

“Protection,” he said grimly. “Tristan didn't ask to meet them. He asked only for you,
chère,
so I'm following exact instructions.”

“You don't trust him.”

A humorless smile touched his mouth. “Exactly.”

“Then why are we here?”

Gabriel put a hand on the small of her back. “Because he's a Justice Guardian, and he's safer than Logan or Morphs. And they can't break inside.”

They walked past a grouping of chairs, wet bar with wide-screen television, an elegant pool with a tiled fountain, to the lush verdant lawn. A bricked pathway led to a grove of trees sheltering a shaded, small patio with comfortable chairs.

In one of the chairs Tristan sat reading. Sunlight filtered through the sugar maples and oaks, dappling the Guardian's dark hair.

He looks so ordinary,
she told him.
A Phoenix wearing tan cargo shorts, a cherry-red long-sleeved sport shirt and boating shoes?

Looks can fool,
he reminded her, remembering how he'd looked the day he'd irked Tristan's ire and the Immortal had punished him.

Gabriel's chest tightened as he felt Megan's natural curiosity prick. He slid a protective arm around her waist. Immortal or not, no one was going to hurt his mate.

Tristan set down his book and had a warm smile for Megan. Gabriel didn't care for that smile or the spark of interest in the man's emerald gaze.

His mate looked wary as the Immortal stood and stretched to his full six foot five inches.

“Megan Moraine. The escaped Shadow Wolf. I've been waiting for you. You broke the law and you must pay.”

No time to react. No time to panic as the Immortal lifted his long, leanly muscled arms. A scream barely escaped Megan's throat as Tristan shot her with a bolt of energy.

She pitched forward, falling to the ground as if dead.

“Y
ou son-of-a…”

Gabriel caught Megan as she slumped into unconsciousness. Gently, he laid her on the bricked patio and checked her pulse. It was rapid and thready, but her breathing was even.

Primitive instinct raged. For a single moment, he lost control.

The change happened instantly. Leaping over the chair, he tackled Tristan, forgetting sense, forgetting the man could obliterate him with a single flick of a finger. Claws and fangs erupted as he snarled. Still half human, he charged, the bloodlust overtaking him.

Crimson welled on the Guardian's arm as Gabriel swiped at him. Tristan lay on his back, expression impassive as Gabriel bared his fangs.

Ready to tear out the man's throat.

Common sense took over. He pulled back the beast, suppressing his rage, sheathing his claws.

Smiling, Tristan slowly stood.

The smile dropped at the same time Gabriel delivered a powerful punch straight to his mouth. Satisfaction filled him as the Phoenix staggered back.

Caught by surprise. Bastard deserved it.

At the flash of anger crossing Tristan's expression, Gabriel steeled his spine. “Go for it. But don't you dare hurt her again or I'll tear your eyes out with my last dying breath.”

Tristan wiped the blood off his mouth. The cut healed before
his eyes. “Still pack a helluva punch, Gabriel. Maybe stronger than the last time you hit me. Some things never change.” His gaze shot to Megan. “Well, maybe the players do.”

Sickening realization shot through him. A cool, hard anger filled him as Gabriel faced the Immortal. “You set me up.”

“Of course. I had to see for myself if she's the one for you.”

The Phoenix went over to Megan. Gabriel bolted and blocked his path. “Stay away from her.”

“Relax, Draicon. I'm just giving her a little healing jolt.”

Quivering with the need to protect his mate, Gabriel forced himself to remain still as Tristan laid a hand on Megan's forehead. Lines of strain smoothed out and she yawned, sitting up. Her beautiful blue eyes blinked in confusion.

“Did I faint? I don't remember anything.”

Gabriel extended a hand, helping her stand. “You were a little overcome.”

“My apologies,” Tristan said smoothly. “I tend to have that effect on some people when we first meet.”

He encased Megan's palm in both of his, the harsh Immortal replaced by a charming man.

“Megan Moraine.” Tristan brought her hand to his lips, brushed her knuckles with a brief kiss. “You are most welcome, and safe, here.”

Gabriel pulled her back. Megan glanced at him and lifted her chin. “So you're a famous Immortal who ignores the plight of my people. I'd like to say it's a pleasure to meet you, but I'd be lying.”

Tristan looked surprised. “You're an escaped Shadow and you dare to confront me? Who do you think you are? I could kill you with a flick of my finger.”

“Go ahead. It won't change how I feel or the truth.” She took a deep breath, and he saw the effort it took to rein in her fury. “You allow others to abuse us just because we're different. And if my words offend you, tough. Yeah, you can slay me with a
flick of your damn finger, but you'd be better off dealing real justice to those who deserve it, the Draicon who imprison my people and rape our females. Does the truth bother you, Phoenix? It should.”

She was fading, as insubstantial as air. Filled with admiration, Gabriel slid his palm into her quivering one. Knowing her anger forced her into Shadow. Gently, he drew her to his side, murmuring soothing assurances into her mind. Gradually he felt her calm and saw her take form once more.

“You have tremendous courage. An apt mate for a Draicon of enormous strength, and power.” Tristan gave her a long, thoughtful look.

“Gabriel has more courage and loyalty than you ever will. You're not loyal to anyone.”

“Easy, Megan.” Gabriel massaged the back of her neck and shot Tristan a vicious glare. “I hate seeing you upset,
chère.
”

Tristan cocked his head. “Megan, would you see to the twins? I believe they've finished their snack and they're worried about you. Your mate and I must talk.”

Only after he assured her that he'd be fine did Megan leave. Gabriel folded his arms across his chest. “Talk.”

Frank male awareness gleamed in Tristan's green eyes. “She's quite lovely. I've never met a Shadow before with such passion. I'm certain she'd be wild in bed.”

Gabriel growled deep in his throat. “Touch her, Phoenix, I'll rip your throat out.”

Tristan stood silent, watching him. Then a small smile curved his mouth upward, a sensual mouth that had kissed thousands of women into sexual submission over the centuries.

“Perhaps I shall.”

Gabriel lunged forward. He fell on the Immortal with a ferocious snarl. Everything inside him that was the primitive beast howled.
Mine, mine!

Then fell back by a bolt of sheer electricity driven into his
carotid. Stunned, he lay on the warm brick. His mind raged to protect Megan, to defend her from the uncaring sensual being that would take her without tenderness, without regard and toss her aside like refuse.

“You care.”

A statement from the Phoenix. Calm, assessing.

Gabriel struggled to stand. “I will go down fighting to protect someone as beautiful and courageous as her from you.”

He fisted his hands. Wolf raged to the surface. He didn't fight it, but welcomed the animal inside that would die to protect her, to keep her safe and happy….

Happy?

“The two have become one. Your wolf has bonded, my friend.”

Gabriel stood back, his fists uncurling, the fingers long and elegant as he stared at them.

A Feral wolf didn't care about personal happiness. A Feral wolf only cared about protecting his turf, defending that which he defined as his own.

“A very human emotion.” Tristan stepped back. “Go to her, Gabriel. Seal your bond in the flesh, a bond of the heart and the soul. Bring her to ecstasy and the mating lock. It is time.”

“I can't bear for her to become what I am.” Gabriel looked away, shuttering his thoughts so the Immortal could not see inside him.

“How can she make the decision for herself, when she knows not what you truly are?”

“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”

Tristan put his hand on Gabriel's shoulder. “The Guardian of your humanity, my friend.”

“I'm far from human.”

“You are more human than you realize.”

Stubborn pride filled him. He would not capitulate to the Phoenix's suggestions.

“A demand, not a suggestion.”

Gabriel stiffened and told Tristan to go do something to himself in Cajun French.

The Guardian looked amused. “Now that is beyond even my powers. Do as I say, Gabriel. Tell Megan what you really are or lose her.”

Going preternaturally still, he searched the other man's face. “What are you threatening?”

He knew his tricks, knew the Immortal's clever manipulations.

“I never threaten. I only act. If you don't tell Megan, then she's free to leave you and seek other male company. I'll make her free of the bond that seals you together.”

Stunned, he stared. “You can't do that.” No one, not even a powerful Immortal, could break the destined bond of two Draicon.

“I can,” Tristan said calmly. “Megan will be able to move on and have children with any male. In addition to setting her people free, she nurtures a secret dream of having a home and a family of her own.”

Gabriel did, as well, but feared what kind of child he'd produce. The Phoenix watched him without emotion.

“The choice is yours, Gabriel. Now, go to her. I'll see to the twins and give you time alone. Alex's girls are intelligent and need to feel secure and safe. I want to assess their aptitude and education.”

The Immortal turned and left. For a long while afterward, Gabriel remained alone.

 

Screams of laughter echoed outside. Gabriel lifted a lace curtain with the back of his hand as he and Megan stared down from their second-story bedroom.

In the pool, the twins played water volleyball with Tristan. The Immortal appeared relaxed and unthreatening.

“He won't hurt them,” Gabriel assured Megan, reading her mind. “Tristan does keep his word.”

“He hurt you when you were younger.”

“I deserved it.”

As they left the window, Megan slipped her hand into his. “How can a young Draicon deserve something that severe? I felt what he could do.”

Gabriel ground to a halt. “You couldn't remember.”

“I pretended. I didn't want him having the advantage, not when you were tense because of what happened.” She tried to touch her mind to his, assure him that she was on his side. “I'm with you, Gabriel.”

Their bedroom had a king-size four-poster bed. Gabriel sat, patting a space besides him.

Instinct urged her to touch, to explore, to bond with him. Megan slid a hand over his muscular thigh, feeling the hard muscle clench beneath her gentle strokes. “Why did Tristan beat you, Gabriel?”

Sighing, he tossed his hat onto a white ottoman. “I bit him. So he whipped me.”

An amused look came over him as he regarded her expression. Gabriel touched her mouth with the tip of one finger.

“Were you brave or just insane?”

“Both. I was wild back then, unable to control myself.”

She sensed more than saw the shame accompanying the confession.

“I'm sure he deserved it. He doesn't seem a very fair person. I wish I had bit him.”

Gabriel picked up her hand, kissing her knuckles. “I'm glad you didn't, and I deserved it.”

“How young were you when you confronted him?”

“Ten.” He gave a bitter laugh at her shock. “I told you, I was much wilder when I was young.”

“I can't imagine you being so savage that you'd bite an Immortal.”

“Can you imagine me as a Feral wolf?”

“At age ten? Draicon don't shift that early.”

“Trans-Ferals do.”

Her palms suddenly went cold and clammy. Megan yanked her trembling hand away as her heart lodged in her throat. Her head spun with this terrifying revelation.

“You can't be.” She swallowed hard. “They're extinct.”

He hesitated and she saw a flash of anguish in his dark gaze. “Most of us were killed off long ago. The gene is very rare, but surfaces in my family tree once every seven generations or so. I drew the lucky card.” A bitter laugh followed. “You're not a freak, Megan. I am. A fanged, wild freak who is feared by his own people. They say my kind is a hybrid wolf, human and demon.”

Afraid if she said anything he'd stop, she focused on his face, his eyes now glowing amber.

Trans-Feral.
Killer wolves who hunted and tore apart anyone they wished, who were more animal than Draicon. Terror crept down her spine on spidery legs. Megan felt herself begin to fade into Shadow. His expression shuttered.

But deep inside, she pushed past the fight or fade instinct. Gabriel had finally opened up to her. Gaining his trust was more important than superstitious fears.

She assumed her form once more. “I'm sorry, Gabriel. I didn't mean to do that. Go on. I'm listening.”

Gabriel retrieved his hat, slid it on his head and tipped it down. He paced the expansive room and his boot heels made a rhythmic clicking on the hardwood floor.

“I manifested my abilities fairly early.” His full mouth twitched. “My parents took Alex and Etienne, my older brothers, away for the summer. They left me with relatives in northern Louisiana because they were afraid I couldn't control myself
around the humans.” Gabriel gave a derisive snort. “As if I'd eat them. My aunt and uncle knew I was a Trans-Feral. Their way of dealing with it was to lock me inside a steel cage.

“I went a little
fou,
crazy, while caged. I nearly clawed my cousin when he came by just to talk. He felt sorry for me. Toward the end of the two months, Tristan arrived at the request of my uncle. He unlocked the cage and I thought I was free.”

Gabriel drew in a loud breath. “He taunted me, Megan. Told me I was a freak. Said if I didn't stop acting like a damn animal, I was going back into the cage permanently on display for humans to stare at. I reacted.”

“You bit him.”

“More.” He turned, the lower half of his face shrouded in regret. “The thought of being caged again sent me over the edge. I went Feral and aimed for his throat.”

Images flashed in her mind: blood pouring over Tristan's splayed fingers, the Immortal gasping. The horrified looks of Gabriel's uncle, aunt and cousins.

“He can't die, but he felt the pain and it was damn uncomfortable. The test proved I lacked discipline over my animal half. So he beat me. Taught me a lesson I'd never forget. Said he'd send me to a prison with demons for company.”

Gabriel tipped up his hat, his solemn gaze meeting hers. “He spent five days teaching me to put a lid on my emotions. Tristan had me stay in human form and get out my rage and fear by beating on a junk car with a sledgehammer. He told me if I ever wanted to go Feral to hurt anyone other than my enemies, to think of the car and how badly damaged it was. That's what I could do to an innocent. He gave me hope I could be better than I was, could learn self-control. Then he promised me that if I ever needed it, I could call in a favor. Said he'd keep my secret about being a Trans-Feral and he'd offer refuge at a time in my life when I needed it most.”

“You used that favor for us. When you could have used it for yourself.”

He gave a half shrug of those wide shoulders.

But something in his dark expression warned her there was more. “Staying here wasn't the favor, was it?”

“I made him promise to keep you and the twins away from Enforcers. No Enforcer will turn you in, Megan. You're safe and so are the girls.”