Prime Obsession(60)

“How will you let Wulf know we’re free?” Nadia asked a frown on her lips. “They took our weapons and com units when they took our clothing.”

“Telepathy.” Mel looked at her friend. “I thought you would’ve heard that rumor already.”

“I had.”

Mel sensed Huw had told her.

Nadia turned to crawl the way Mel wanted them to go. “I just didn’t believe him.” Bingo.

“Believe it.” Mel followed Nadia. “Follow the series of red dots at your eye level.

That’s the way to an exit. Keep alert while I contact Wulf. I should be able to sense someone on this upper corridor while I communicate with him, but won’t guarantee it.”

“Don’t worry, Mel,” Nadia murmured. “I have some empathic ability. I’ll sense any one ahead of us, wanting to do us ill.”

Mel was surprised to hear Nadia had psi ability; it wasn’t in her service record.

Although it wasn’t unusual for some Terrans to have such abilities, they tended to classify them as gut instincts left over from primitive man. It would be interesting to see how Nadia and Huw worked together.

Because whether either of the two admitted it or not—they were attracted to one another. Yes, both were in the insult and denial stage of their relationship. Both were alphas—just as she and Wulf were. Lots of explosive chemistry and independent stubbornness. Should be interesting to watch them feel their way to one another.

Mel opened up her mind, lowering the protective shield she’d raised upon waking in pain. She hadn’t wanted her gemat to attack until she and Nadia were out.

 “Wulf?”

 “Melina? Are you okay? Why were you closed to me? Ansu bhau , woman. You must stay open. I thought we had dealt with this issue. I thought you were seriously hurt … I could only reach your dream self. Dammit, Melina!”

 “I was unconscious until about ten minutes ago and then I had to assess the situation. No use giving you an incomplete sitrep.”

 “No excuses, Melina. I’m serious, lubha , if you don’t stay open in situations like this I will spank your so-fine butt until you can’t sit for a month.”

 “Rain check? We need to let you know what is going on.” Wulf’s grumbly growl echoed in her head. Her womb clenched at her man’s passionate rage. He’d been terrified for her. An ass-warming was the least she owed him.

She grinned and sent him a mental image of one of his deepest fantasies. The growl rumbled louder and she swore she had a mini-climax.

 “ Lubha , that is so bad.” His relieved laughter tickled her consciousness . “Where are you? We’re outside of what looks to be an older Prime underground fortification. Father seems to remember it being used for training after the Berean Wars.”

 “He’s correct. I’m taking Nadia out the back way. We’ll let you know when we’re outside the mountain so that you can attack at will.” She touched Nadia’s ankle and hand-signaled a halt. They’d reached the exit. Nadia nodded and started examining the wall.

 “We’re at the door to go outside. We only have Prime battle-blades, kindly left in our little locked room, to defend the back entrance. Send us some backup once I give you the outside location. Okay?”

 “Got it. I’ll send Huw and Iolyn.”

 “Oh and besides weapons, send us something to wear—” Wulf cut in. “You’re naked!” Wulf’s gentle touch traveled over her body. “The bastards bruised your marking?” The growl that traveled their connection was like a buzz saw on speed.

 “Wulf, Stop—my head!” Mel grasped her head and fell onto the floor and curled into a fetal position. She dry-heaved until she thought she would choke. The growling stopped as quickly as it had started. Gentle invisible fingers stroked her head in apology.

 “I’ll be coming up there with Huw. Don’t engage the enemy. Just give me directions, lubha. I’ll be there soon.”

Nadia placed her arm around Mel’s shoulder and brushed some hair from her face.

“What happened? You looked as if you had a convulsion or a fit.” Mel peered up at her friend. The lovely Russian’s cornflower blue eyes were dark with worry. “Wulf has two growls. The sexy-I’m-so-pissed-off-at-you-I-want-to-fuck-you-blind growl and the really-pissed-off-I’ll-kill-you growl. The first makes me hot—

the second one, although aimed at the enemy, hurts me. I just got a dose of both.” Mel neglected to mention the assorted growls he made while making love to her—

some things were just plain private.

Nadia shook her head. “Dermo. I’m in trouble then. Huw does the same, although I suspect I don’t feel them as strongly as you.”

The Russian straightened from her crouch and pulled Mel up with her. “Let’s go. I found the same mechanism you used in the room. I opened the outside door and reconnoitered. We are alone up here.”

“For now.” Mel allowed Nadia to help her through the exit.

The sky was overcast. She shivered. “We need cover until Huw and Wulf get here.”

“Huw? He’s coming?” Nadia blushed, a full-body blush that made her head wound look even more bloody. “We’re naked.”

“Can’t be helped. We need clothing and weapons—and backup. Once the enemy realizes we’re gone or that they’re trapped—they’ll use the back way just as we did.” Mel captured Nadia’s eye. “As for Huw, no matter what may or may not be going on between you two—Huw is a gentleman and an officer. He will not goad you about this.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Nadia settled behind a rock with a good view of the entrance and a good defensive position. “I’m afraid he’ll go off half-cocked and get himself killed trying to avenge us.”

Nadia had said “us,” but Mel intuited that her friend had meant just “me.”



“Yeah,” Mel chuckled, “he could do that. He’s very much like his brother. I’m not sure how their mother survived all that alpha-male testosterone all these years. The woman deserves a medal.”

Nadia smiled weakly at Mel’s obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

Mel joined her, crouching down, her arm with the weapon lying lightly across her knees, keeping her maneuverability. “Good choice of rock, Nadia.” Looking around, she sensed Wulf’s current location.

 “Wulf, we are half way up the mountain in a direct line of sight from your current position. I see a path beginning in an outcropping of rocks to your left about twenty degrees.”

She also sent him an image of what the exit looked like and the position of Nadia’s and her rock.

“Got it. Hold on, love. We’re coming.”

*

“Father. Huw and I will join Nadia and Melina up on the mountain.” Wulf pointed toward the spot Melina had described. “The women are safe, but have minimal weapons and are watching the only back way out of the underground fortifications.”

“They are unhurt?” His father asked, concern for them evident in his dark gold eyes.

“Yes.” Wulf shook his head, swiping shaky fingers through his hair. “No. I think Melina is underplaying their injuries. I sensed her pain—and her concern for Nadia.”

“Nadia is injured?” Huw stiffened and cast an agonized glance at the mountainside.

“Let’s go. I don’t like them up there alone—and undefended.”

“They got themselves away from their captors, brother,” Iolyn said. “I’m sure they are in a defensible position and have armed themselves.”

“They have,” Wulf said, “but they’re naked—and their weapons are ancient battle-blades they found in the old fortification.” Both Iolyn and Huw snarled something which would never be translated. “Which is why Huw and I will go get them. Do not attack until you hear my battle cry.”

“Go quickly, my sons,” his father urged. “I’ll direct the attack at your signal.” His father glanced around at the approximately twenty crew men called in from Gold Squadron. “I know your and Melina’s crew will fight superbly.” One sharp jerk of his head was the only acknowledgment he gave his father as he turned and led Huw toward the path that would lead them to the women.

“Wulf,” Huw murmured “What did Melina tell you?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” rasped Wulf, “which is why we’re heading up to play defense rather than attacking and killing the apayebote that took our women.”

“Your woman,” Huw corrected. “Nadia is nothing to me but a fellow officer and crew member.”

“Congratulations. You said that with a straight face, brother,” snorted Wulf. “Who are you fooling? You’ve got the hots for Nadia Petrovich and have since you first met her.”

“She is Terran, brother,” Huw said. “I’m holding out for a Prime bond mate such as yours.”

Wulf grunted. “And what if that never occurs? Are you willing to be alone forever?” When his brother didn’t answer, Wulf chanced a sidelong glance. Huw’s face was creased in worry lines. His expression grim—and sad. No, his brother wouldn’t be happy alone. Of the three of them, Huw had always been the most light-hearted, the most family-oriented.