Therian Prisoner(82)

“Ava’s my mate.”

“And I’m your sister! You declared war on Osric when he tried to barter the future of his daughters yet you did the same thing to me.”

He paused, gazing off into the distance for a moment before he went on in a calmer tone. “I’m not Osric and I resent the comparison. I never would have forced you to do anything.”

“You’re my brother.” Her voice caught and she angrily blinked back tears. “You punched Charlie Rehnquist in the face when he called me a bitch. You’ve always had my back. That’s why it hurt so badly when you threw me to the wolves. Or the jaguars in this case.”

“I asked a question,” he stressed. “All you had to do was say no and that would have ended it.”

“But I love you. I knew the other alphas were giving you hell. I would have done anything to help you succeed.” A tear escaped the corner of her eye and she immediately wiped it away.

Regret clouded his gaze, making his green eyes appear brown. “It was selfish and cruel. I am truly sorry.”

Her breath shuddered out and she nodded. “Then it’s over. I don’t want to fight anymore.”

Kyle came around the table and pulled her to her feet. “I love you, baby sister. Never doubt that for a minute.”

They hugged and Devon laughed as he spun her in a tight circle.

“Thank the gods that’s over,” Ian grinned. “Let’s eat.”





Chapter Thirteen



Ian pushed back from the table with an exaggerated groan. “That tasted way too good. You’d think I hadn’t eaten in a year.” The sun had dipped behind the mountains, casting twilight’s haze over the plains. He reached over and laced his fingers through Devon’s. She smiled at him, her gaze warm and welcoming.

“Have you heard anything more from Dr. Garran?” Kyle watched them closely, but hadn’t commented on the obvious intimacy.

Devon wasn’t sure how much to tell him. These decisions were hers and no one else’s. She loved Ian enough to ask his opinion, but ultimately she would do what she felt best. “They were able to identify which formula I was given and the counteragent that will turn it off. I know they called in outside help, but it could still take some time to sort through all of it.”

“Which means your definition is on hold?” Erin’s gaze shifted from Devon to Ian and back.

Devon nodded. “For now.”

“Well, I can’t say I’m disappointed,” Erin said. “Everything is moving just a little too fast, if you ask me.”

Should we tell them?

Longing swelled within Ian as Devon pushed the question across their private link. His mate. It still felt surreal to realize he had a mate. No. Let’s let them stew a while longer.

Kyle’s head came up sharply and he sniffed the air. “Someone’s here.” He pushed back his chair and headed for the opposite end of the patio.

“Get inside. Take the tunnel to the bunkers. I’ll have Holt come get you.” Ian waited until Erin and Devon obeyed then he vaulted the patio’s rail and headed around the opposite side of the house from Kyle.

Ian sent out a seeker pulse and located Holt. With a terse mental command he directed the bear-shifter toward the bunkers. Holt didn’t ask questions or waste energy. He simply headed for the bunkers.

Gravel crunched beneath Ian’s boots as he crept toward the front of the house. Deep shadows obscured his view so he summoned Therian energy to his eyes. The shadows cleared, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He opened his mind, scanning for stray thoughts or emotions, anything that might help him locate the intruder or intruders.

Pressing against the wall, he peered around the corner. The front yard appeared clear, but where had Kyle gone?

“Ian!”

He jerked his head to the left and spotted Kyle a short distance down the dirt road. Abandoning any attempt at stealth, Ian ran to Kyle’s aid.

Surrounded by three men dressed largely in black, Kyle kicked and punched, driving one man back only to be attacked by another.

Ian grabbed the nearest assailant and yanked him away from Kyle. The man swung wildly, but Ian ducked and twisted, avoiding the blows. With ruthless patience, Ian waited for an opening then dropped the fool with a vicious uppercut.

Ian turned toward Kyle as one of the intruders ran farther down the road and dived into the front seat of a dark sedan.

“Go after him!” Kyle shouted without looking away from the man he was fighting.

Summoning energy into his back, Ian ignored the searing pain and visualized his wings. He suppressed the shift as he ran, building momentum before he allowed his wings to unfurl. His wings sprang forth with enough force to rip through his t-shirt. Ian took control of their movements and increased his speed.