21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
Stephanie
I thought it would be faster if Micah carried me, even though I knew it would be painful to have anyone else’s hands on my body. I take deep breaths to calm the nausea. A vampire can move at speeds a bear could never. My legs are short, and I wanted to get to my mate as soon as possible.
I smelled blood and heard some of the conversation on the way, but I was concentrating on surviving the trip. I slowly stand straight and realize Quinn is the one bleeding. There is another man on the ground beside them, his chest barely moving, and his face is mangled.
“Quinn,” I gasp. His cuts are healing, but the blood remains. I raise my foot to run to him.
“Micah,” he snarls, and the vampire seizes my waist.
“Quinn,” I repeat, my feet dangling.
“Please, stay back,” Quinn begs.
“Isn’t this sweet,” the woman sings. “Sweets, he doesn’t want me to kill you,” she says. I jerk back, my head hitting the steel of Micah’s chest.
“Baby, this is my mother,” Quinn says sadly. The pain in his voice physically pinched my heart .
“No,” I whisper.
“Not what you pictured, huh?” she asks me. “My name is Rachel. You will be happy to know your mate refused my offer to join us. He is under the impression that he needs you. I have ways to break the need, but he is stubborn.” She paces in front of Heath, and with every pass, she looks at me with wild eyes.
“Why? Why would he?” My confusion is massive. How could she do this to him?
“It’s pointless to go over it—he said no.” She looks at Quinn. “What are you going to do, son? You have friends. Powerful friends. I can smell their magic. I’ve never met a dragon before; it’s a shame those beautiful men are bonded.” I watch in amazement as a puff of smoke shoots out of Penny’s mouth.
“Try it,” Penny snarls. Bishop yanks her back, his arm banding across her waist.
Rachel eyes Heath. “What are you?”
“You don’t want to know,” Heath responds.
“I really do.” She narrows her eyes. “My spies have neglected to include them in their reports,” she says, looking over her shoulder.
I study the line of shifters behind her. I can smell wolves, lions, coyotes, and a bear. Most of them have the same angry expression she does, but a few are shifting nervously. I would too, if I was faced with the line of friends we have gathered. Everyone was willing to come except Ryker. He regretted missing out on a fight, but his mate and new baby take precedence over everyone. All the others were eager to be here, willing to protect Quinn and the world they had built in this place. Bash couldn’t convince Marie to stay at the house, and I couldn’t talk Gabby out of coming, too. She argued that she was a bear and was Quinn’s family now. She made good points .
I push at the arm around my waist, with no luck. At least it isn’t skin-to-skin contact; that would be even more painful. With Micah’s strength, it doesn't take much to keep me in place.
“We got a runner,” River hums. I follow the direction he’s looking and watch one of the twitchy shifters making a run for it.
“Fucking coward,” Rachel shouts at his back. His departure causes a few of the others to inch back. “Don’t move,” she warns them.
“You aren’t going to win,” Quinn says.
“This isn’t about winning,” she yells.
“What is it about?” The question pops out before I can stop it.
“It’s about creating a better world,” she says. “Wouldn’t it be nice to make your own choices? The bond takes that away. I could help empower you.” She comes closer, and Quinn and Heath move with her. “What if you could be free of the mating bond? You could be like me. Free. I was foolish to think Quinn would join me, but you can.” I swing my eyes to Quinn. “Don’t look at him,” she bites out. “Look at me. You don’t have to depend on him to make your decision. He’s already controlling you, your emotions, and your body, and soon every bit of your mind will be his. Don’t you crave a life without a mate?” She puts her palms together, her fingertips touching her chin.
I study her face. It feels like the forest is holding its breath.
“Mom,” Quinn says through gritted teeth.
“Let her answer.” She looks at me with wide eyes. “Just like that. He doesn’t want you to have a mind of your own.”
“Micah, let me go,” I say firmly. “I need to stand on my feet.” Surprisingly, he does. I rub my stomach and step sideways, closer to Quinn, but without Heath blocking my path to his mom. “No.”
“No?” Her eyes narrow. I know I am throwing the match in an already dangerous situation, but I can’t help it .
“The only way Quinn controls me is in a fun way, and I have no complaints.” I hear several snorts. “The bond doesn’t control me, and he has always given me a choice. I would never become like you because I think it’s sad.” She jerks back. “You are sad,” I stress. “You left a family who loved you to become a true monster. They loved you, and you couldn’t give that back. That’s sad. I don’t enjoy killing people, so I couldn’t be like you. I don’t know what happened inside of you that broke all the good things, but I would never wish that.” I look at Quinn quickly and then back to his mom. “You left an amazing man. He’s patient and kind and will do anything for his friends, even when they have no idea he is behind it. The bond is beautiful.
“The universe knows everything you need in a partner and delivers them. It’s magic and a miracle to be so close to someone. I would never leave your son, no matter what promises you make. I hope someday, wherever you end up, you feel shame, not only for the way you left them but for the cuts you inflicted on your son today. You aren’t a mother. He doesn’t need a woman like you in his life in any way.”
Her lip curls. “He brainwashed you.”
“Hardly. He set me free,” I sneer, leaning forward. “Yes, I was trapped in a cage. I need to thank the asshole who drew that. Quinn allowed me to be anything I needed to be.”
“You're useless, too,” she says. She signals to her crew. “Are you ready to die, Quinn?” Her claws shoot out of the hand not holding the knife.
Everything happens in an instant but not. I see the men behind her start to run forward, several of them shifting in the air. I hear River let out a whoop, running to meet them, along with most of them. In the next minute, I see Rachel lunging for Quinn, her purpose obvious. In the chaos, I sprint away from Micah, intent on protecting my mate.
I hit his chest, shielding his body with mine, his cursing ringing in my ears. I look back at the knife coming toward my head, but it never connects. Quinn raises his arm to block it and, at the same time, spins me with the flick of his wrist quickly so I am five steps behind his back.
I cry out when I see the knife sticking out of Quinn’s forearm, his mother's hand still clasping the handle.
“Die. Die. Die,” she chants. The venom in her voice brings tears to my eyes.
“Fuck you,” Quinn yells, yet the words come out shaky.
One minute, Rachel is pulling out the knife and starting to swing, her face contorted in madness, and Quinn’s bear bursts out, landing on all fours, snarling. Then, the next, Heath’s cane turns into a whip. He lashes out with a flick of his wrist, severing Rachel’s head.
I cover my mouth with both hands, watching Quinn’s mother's head roll to the ground. The thud was loud in the suddenly quiet forest. My wide eyes look around to see our family standing among dead shifters, staring at the scene in front of me. Quinn’s bear is massive; his dark brown fur is standing on end, and his head is swiveling back and forth.
Heath uses whatever magic he has, and the cane is back to normal and at his side. His eyes are glued to the woman he just killed, but his face is blank.
“I’ve seen that look before,” Heath says softly, not bothering to look at the large bear, showing no fear. “Numerous times in my business. There was no saving her. I won’t apologize for protecting you and your mate. It had to be done. I know you didn’t want to do it. I’ll take your anger.” Quinn lowers his nose, skimming Rachel’s body, and a low guttural growl comes from his chest. Then he drops his head to her chest.
I am in awe of Quinn’s bear, but I wish the first time I had seen him shift would have been in better circumstances. He lifts his head and stares at his mom a moment more, and I hold my breath, wondering if he will attack Heath. He roars once, twice, and then shifts back .
Quinn drops to his knees, bowing his head. He says nothing, and I cautiously approach him and slide my hands over his shoulders. Everyone bows their head.
No one speaks.
The scent of blood is thick. Blood of shifters just like us but something happened that changed them into shifters who enjoy spilling the blood of innocents.
I crouch down, wrapping myself around Quinn and laying my head on his back. There are no words I can say to make this feel right. If we were bonded fully, I would be able to know what he is feeling, but I can only guess. His mask is back in place. He hides his emotions so easily in front of other people. I feel like I am the only one he drops it entirely for.
“It had to be done,” Quinn whispers, a low growl following the statement.
Heath lifts his head. “Call,” he says before turning and walking away. I watch him leave, knowing it wasn’t something he enjoyed. His body is stiff, and his knuckles are white as he grips his cane.
“It had to be done,” Quinn repeats louder.
“What do you need, brother,” Micah asks, his face strained. He drops a pair of pants on Quinn’s lap.
“Burn them,” Quinn orders.
“Quinn,” Micah starts, edging closer to Rachel.
“I said burn them,” Quinn snaps.
“Do you want her somewhere—”
“Put her with the family she chose,” Quinn interrupts.
“Alright,” Micah says slowly. “We will take care of them first.” He lifts Rachel's body and moves her further away.
Our friends get to work. Quinn doesn’t move, watching them. I press my knees tighter around his waist and slide my hands over his heart .
“Her love disappeared,” he rumbles. My throat closes. “I should feel grateful that I didn’t have to kill her. I knew there was no saving her, but a part of me that wanted to,” he confesses.
“Of course you did.”
“How could she do it?” he asked, his voice lower than a whisper, only for me to hear.
“I don’t know. I wish I did. I wish I could know the answers.”
“I still loved her.”
“I know.”
“I denied it, but I wanted her to come back. I needed her to choose to return to us.”
“I know, baby,” I say.
“Not like this. Never like this.” He places his palm over my hand.
It is a gruesome sight. Bodies are thrown together, and the dragons light the fire. They form a circle around the dead. The stench will stick in my nose for days. Bishop and Laken control the fire with their breath.
“You don’t have to watch this,” I say.
“Yes, I do.” Micah turns back for Rachel. “Don’t,” Quinn says. “I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure?” Micah frowns.
“Quinn,” I whisper.
“I need to,” he says, pulling away. He quickly pulls on the pants.
I scramble to my feet to walk beside him. I hold back the sob as I watch him tenderly pick up his mom and carry her to the fire.
“Quinn,” Bash says, stepping forward, his typically cold expression replaced with sympathy and concern. Marie is at his side with tears on her cheeks.
“Don’t worry, vampire,” Quinn assures him. He gently places Rachel at the edge of the fire. He presses his palm to her heart. “I hope you find peace.” My vision blurs. “I will remember you as you were when I was twelve, and I would help you get the ingredients for a meal. You would ruffle my hair every time you passed behind me. I would smile at you. I felt so safe and loved by your soft touch. You loved us desperately. That was something you can’t fake. I felt it. I saw it. I will close my eyes once in a while and remember the music of your laugh.” He stands and looks down at her as the flames catch.
“That’s what I will remember,” he says. “Do you believe me?” I wipe my face as he turns to me. “Let's go.” I nod shakily. “Thank you,” he tosses over his shoulder at his friends. He doesn’t stop as he lifts me, pressing me against his chest. I wrap my legs around his stomach, and my hands grasp his neck.
I lock eyes with my sister, hers overflowing with tears, and her lip quivers. Yet, she nods, understanding I need to be with my mate. I know Breeane and the others will take care of her.
Quinn walks away quickly, moving through the trees with determination. Once we are far enough away that the only indication of what happened is the scent of smoke in the air and the stiffness of Quinn’s body, he jogs. His long legs eat up the distance from home. He doesn’t speak, and I’m at a loss as to what to say to make it better. So, I do what I can, holding on tight, tucking my face into his neck.
I feel ungrateful for my family. Sure, they are far from perfect; we may not show love as openly as others, but hearing Rachel eager to kill her son makes me aware of how lucky I have had it. At least they care about my life. I regret every time I hated their smothering presence. Of course, I can’t compare our families; Rachel was in an extreme situation.
Quinn slows, and I lift my head as he walks up the steps to the house. The body of the coyote isn’t on the lawn. I’m grateful; Micah must have taken care of it. I was too anxious to leave to notice earlier.
Quinn swings the door open, pushing lightly on my waist. I drop to my feet, and he moves me to the side. I watch as he locks the door .
“Wait here,” he orders. I wait while he checks the house. There aren’t any odd scents, so no one is here, but I let him do what he needs to. The house is quiet. Quinn's steps echo through it as he walks back. He holds out his hand, and I grip it quickly. I follow as he leads me to the bedroom and then into the bathroom. “Let’s wash it away,” he says softly, and I nod.
He starts the shower and gets out towels, placing them on the sink. I let him undress me, and I watch while he strips. He tests the water and holds his hand out again. I take the steps I need to place my hand in his.
He pulls us under the water and picks up the soap. I stand meekly, allowing him to dictate my moves. My mate needs to clean me. He needs my quiet.
He doesn’t waste time. He doesn’t linger as he washes my body. He washes my hair and then hands me the soap. I glory in cleaning his skin, thankful the cuts are almost healed, trying not to give in to the heat flowing through me and getting stronger with every pass over his body. He rinses off, quickly cleans his hair, and shuts off the water.
I stand still as he dries my body and wraps the towel around me. He uses another to take the wet from my hair. I wait while he takes care of the water on his skin.
My hand is retaken, and he pulls us to the bed. The fabric around me is pulled away.
“In,” he orders, and I don’t question him. I crawl onto the bed. He turns off the light and joins me. “I won’t be marking you tonight. When I do, it won’t be on a day of death and sadness.” He turns to his side, facing me. “I want to look back on the day we bonded with happiness, and it wouldn’t be today.”
“I agree,” I whisper. I glide my hand over his bearded cheek .
“Tonight, I will grieve. I will mourn the mother I knew in the past, not the person who is left in ashes in the woods.” His eyes shine with unshed tears.
“What do you need?” I ask gently.
He takes a breath. “There are no words that can be said. The way you have allowed me to deal with it how I need to is what I need. I want your body pressed to mine through the night. Tomorrow is another day, and we will go on together. Always together.”
“Yes, we will.” He slides his leg between mine, scoots down, and lays his head on my chest. I wrap my arm around him and my other on his head.
“I need a favor,” he says.
“Anything,” I promise, stroking his hair.
“If you ever let another man, friend, vampire, shifter, or human put their hands on you for any reason, I will spank your ass,” he says roughly.
My hand stops. “I understand.”
“It wouldn’t be a spanking either of us enjoys,” he warns.
“Yes, Daddy,” I say quickly.
“Thank you.” He kisses in between my breasts. “Night, Little Cub.”
“Night, mate.”
He falls asleep before I do, and I feel the slide of his tears on my chest.
“Little Cub.” My ankle shakes .
“Mmm…” I struggle to open my eyes.
I’m shaken again. “You need to wake up.”
“Why?” I mumble.
“You have to tell them to leave,” Quinn says, frustrated.
“Who?” I frown, prying one eye open.
“Everyone,” he spits. “They won’t leave me alone. Bash showed up with Marie, Sally, and Gabby. Next, the lions came. Breeane is impatiently waiting for you to appear while asking me twenty questions about your well-being. Micah came and is lying on the couch, ignoring everyone, just being an asshole in general.” I open my other eye. “The panthers came, too. Their little girl is cute, I have to admit. Laken and Bishop came with Penny. The wolves brought groceries. Gabby is cooking.”
“Gabby is an excellent cook,” I offer.
“Little Cub,” he growls.
“Why didn’t you tell them to leave?” I ask, sitting up and brushing my hair back.
He hangs his head. “I did. They won’t listen.”
I look at his hand, which is still on my ankle. “They care. They're worried about you.”
“I know,” he sighs and looks at me. “But I’m good. I wanted to spend the day fucking and marking my mate. They are ruining my plans.”
My lips twitch. “I like your plan,” I offer.
“Me too.” He scowls.
“What is Gabby cooking?”
“Mate,” he snaps.
“Alright.” I laugh. “I’ll get rid of them.”
“Thank you.” He stands.
“Why don’t we eat first? Gabby really is an excellent cook.”
“Fine,” he concedes.
“I have to get dressed first. ”
“If you aren’t down in ten minutes, I’m threatening them until they leave.”
“I promise it will be less than that.”
“Fine.” I shake my head as he stomps out.
I grab some clothes and go into the bathroom.
I want to mark him today, too. I want it to be special, though. I have an idea and dress quickly. I find my phone and pull up Breeane’s name. I send her a message even though she is in the house. With Quinn’s ears, he would hear everything, and by his behavior, he wouldn’t be leaving me alone long enough to talk to her in private.
I step out of the bedroom and stop.
I love him desperately, but I haven’t told him.
Now, I’m impatient to get them out of the house.
I walk into the living room to see everyone taking up most of the space. The house wasn’t built to hold so many people.
“Sis,” Gabby yells, her smiling face shining from the kitchen. “Food is almost done.” I smile and shake my head.
It would help if Micah would get off the couch so someone else could sit down. I scan all the faces and realize Heath isn’t here.
“Your mate is throwing you a look of panic,” Sally whispers as she glides to my side.
“I see that,” I say dryly. Quinn is in the open front door, one foot in and one out. I try not to laugh.
“Breeane suddenly had to leave,” Sally mentions.
“I’m sure she’ll be back,” I say lightly, but my mind is working. I have to figure out how to get her in the bedroom without Quinn catching on.
“If someone needs help with something, I can always lend a hand,” she mumbles, turning her head toward me and down.
“Someone might. Do I have your number yet?” I ask .
“No, but I would love to give it to you.” We exchange numbers, attempting to act normal as we do.
“Food,” Gabby shouts.
Everyone moves, even Micah, toward the kitchen. All except Quinn. He stalks toward me, and my stomach flutters. His intense gaze is locked on me.
I can’t wait to have him all to myself.