When she squeezed her thighs around his hips, he began to thrust with long, deep penetrative strokes that she met with eagerness. He drove into her, harder and faster until she was clawing her nails down his arms. He changed the angle, his strokes becoming shorter and teasing, drawing her out to the edge, but not pushing her over yet.

  They rocked together, and she felt the peak about to overcome her. When his hand thrust between their gyrating bodies to where they connected and plucked at her clit, she let out a sharp cry as her orgasm crashed into her without warning. It sent her body shuddering against him so hard she thought she’d buck him off. His other hand slipped under her, cupping her ass firmly against him as he gave a few hard thrusts and then a long groan. She felt his cock twitch and pulse inside her, flooding her with his warm seed. Her eyes shut tight, her body tensing, then relaxing as he slowed down and fell on top of her. Her heart thudded wildly against her chest, knowing it was done. Or was it his heart she felt? With a soft sigh, she cradled him closer, rubbing his scalp with her fingers as they lay in silence.

  When their heartbeats finally returned to normal, Cross rolled away from her, landing on the mattress beside her with a heavy thud. Curling up toward him, she rested her head on his chest.

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead and slipped an arm around her to pull her closer. “I love you, Sabrina,” he said.

  “I love you too,” she murmured. It seemed like it was all a dream, but her sated body was telling her it was not.

  “Are you sleepy?” he asked.

  “Not at all,” she said, smiling against his damp skin. Looking up to meet his gaze, she asked, “Are you?”

  His mouth turned up into a lazy smile. “No.”

  She let out a small shriek when he covered her body and pinned her to the mattress with his hips. She took a sharp intake of breath when she felt his hard cock press against her. “Again?”

  “I’ve waited a long time for you,” he said. As the head of his cock brushed against her slick entrance, she sighed. “And I want to make up for it.”

  “Ohhhh.” She closed her eyes and threw her head back as he plunged into her again. “Cross!”

  Chapter Twelve

  Cross was sure it was nearly dawn when he finally let Sabrina sleep. Having waited three years before making love to her, he was determined to make their first night together pleasurable, his goal being to give her as many mindless orgasms as he could manage.

  After the first two rounds, he let her doze off, but the sight of her gorgeous body in bed when he came back from a trip to the bathroom aroused him so much, he had to have her again. So, he woke her up by tasting her again, the look on her face of surprise turning to pleasure would be burned in his mind forever. He couldn’t resist her and was determined to make up for lost time.

  Carefully, he slipped a hand to her middle. It seemed impossible, but he knew that a new life was taking root in her womb. This was meant to be, he knew it in his heart. He had no doubt she would be a good mother to their pup. His wolf agreed with a knowing snort, and he laughed inwardly, letting his animal gloat about being right this time.

  A buzzing sound invaded his thoughts, and he realized his phone was ringing. Hopefully, it would be Lizzie or Jacob or someone from the Guardian Initiative Headquarters. They had spent the whole day planning, yesterday, though they still hadn’t found the mage headquarters. Lizzie said that Jonathan’s information definitely helped narrow it down, but it would take some time to untangle the web the mages had weaved. Meanwhile, he, Lucas, Daric, and Alynna Westbrooke, the co-leader of the Guardian Initiative, had taken stock of their assets and fighters and tried to put into place a plan of action that they could immediately deploy once the location was found. They would have very little time to strike, so all the preparations now would save them time later.

  The buzz from the vibrations didn’t stop, so he got up and padded quietly over to the chair where he had hung his jeans before going into the shower. “Hello?”

  “Cross, its me.”

  “Gunnar?” he whispered. “What is it?”

  “I need to talk to you,” he said. “Can you come here?”

  “Of course.” Glancing over at Sabrina, he could see that she was still fast asleep. “Give me a minute.”

  His inner wolf wasn’t happy to be away from their pregnant mate, but this was his brother. He slipped his shirt on, hopped into his jeans, then in a split second, he transported himself to the cabin. Gunnar was already seated on the couch. “What is it?” he asked as he strode over and sat next to him. “Did you have more visions?”

  He nodded. “It’s a different one. I think this one’s about the artifacts.”

  “The artifacts?”

  “Yes. I don’t think this was the future either,” he said. “It’s from the past. Everyone’s wearing strange clothes.”

  “The past?” Gunnar had never had visions from the past before. “What was it about?”

  “In the vision, there was a mage. He was wearing the usual red robe, but everyone around him was wearing strange clothes and speaking a foreign language, though I can understand them for some reason. The ring is on his finger.”

  “Magus Aurelius’s ring?”

  He nodded. “Anyway … he had this other man hanging upside down, his blood dripping down into a gold cup. The man was still alive. The mage dipped the ring into blood. Then turns around and there’s a woman. She’s pregnant and she’s crying … begging for her mate’s life. The mage touches her and then … she falls over dead. The man hanging upside down is screaming …” He grabbed handfuls of his hair. “Oh God, oh God!”

  Cross slipped a hand around his shoulders and pulled him close. “It’s okay. Gunnar … shh.” He ran a soothing hand down his brother’s back. “Are you sure it wasn’t just a dream?”

  Gunnar shook his head. “It couldn’t have been. I’ve never told anyone this … but I don’t dream. Not anymore.”

  “But what does your vision mean?”

  His brother stared up at him, his brown eyes glassy. “Don’t you see, Cross? The ring … it has the power of death and life, right? I think … I think when the ring is dipped in double Alpha blood, it can kill anything. Even a True Mate.”

  His heart stopped in his chest. “It can’t—Are you sure?”

  “I can’t be one hundred percent sure, but what else could it be?” he said. “We already know what the dagger can do when infused with double Alpha blood.”

  Indeed, they did. “What if you’re wrong? What if it was only a dream? Is there a way to be certain?”

  “You know I can’t be certain,” Gunnar said. “But that’s the only logical explanation.”

  If that was the case, then that meant no one was safe. Not even Sabrina. “What do we do?”

  “I don’t know.” Gunnar buried his face in his hands. “But you can’t let them win.”

  “We’re going to strike first,” he said. “We spent the whole day yesterday putting a plan together. The only thing we have left to do is to find out where the mages are hiding out. Then, we’re going to put an end to all this.”

  He waited for Gunnar to say something about the plan. When he remained silent, Cross asked the question he’d been dreading to ask. “Has your premonition changed at all?”

  “I haven’t had it again, but as soon as I get one, I’ll call you or Dad.”

  “All right.” He got up, then stopped. “Gunnar, why did you call me just now and not Dad?”

  “I don’t know.” Gunnar lifted his head. “I just felt like … like you needed to know it.”

  Cross searched his brother’s face, trying to see if he was telling the truth. There was something about this whole thing … maybe he should trust Gunnar. He hadn’t led them astray yet. “All right. Is there anything else?”

  “Yes.” Gunnar stood up. “After you do what you need to do, go see your friend.”

  “Which friend?”

  “The Lone Wolf, the one with the wolf tattoo on his hip.” Gunnar said. “Ask him for his help. You’ll need it. And he needs to come back to New York. Do whatever it takes.”

  There was only one Lone Wolf he knew with that kind of tattoo—he’d seen it when he fished the man out of the Hudson. “You mean—” He stopped short. No one in New York knew about Ransom. “How do you know him?” But his brother ignored him and walked toward the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

  A cold feeling crawled over his skin. Hours ago, he had felt so confident that they would get to the mages first. That Sabrina would be protected, if temporarily, by making her invulnerable. But now, even that wasn’t 100 percent certain. He would have to find another way to protect her and make sure no one could get to her. To take her somewhere the mages could never find her.

  An idea popped into his head. He knew of one place far enough away, and the mages would never be able to reach her. Of someone who could keep her safe.

  Of course, Cross felt like a piece of shit asking her for this favor now after avoiding her for over a year, but what choice did he have?

  Mind made up, he transported back to The Alpha’s guest room. Sabrina was still in bed, and hadn’t even moved an inch. Thank goodness she was a really heavy sleeper, and after their exhausting evening, she was surely out like a light. He slid into the bed behind her and embraced her, then waved his hands to create pajamas over her naked body. She stirred and twisted around to face him, nuzzling at his neck before relaxing in his arms again. After a minute or two when her breathing evened, he closed his eyes and concentrated.

  The bed they reappeared in was still made, and his enhanced senses told him this entire wing was empty. Carefully, he slid away from her, placing a pillow in his stead.

  As he moved away from the bed, he wondered about the long explanation he was about to make. Honesty, he said to himself. She’s always appreciated honesty.

  Closing his eyes, he transported himself again, though this time, not very far away, only to the next wing in the Royal Palace of Zhobghadi. He found himself in the spacious living room of the king and queen’s private apartments. His enhanced hearing picked up sounds from a room off to the side, and he carefully walked toward it, peeking inside the open door.

  A woman dressed in a green tunic had her back to him as she hummed softly, cradling a child to her chest as she swayed back and forth. He’d only taken one step inside the room when she froze, her entire body tensing. He stopped in his tracks as she slowly turned around.

  “Cross,” Deedee whispered, her light green eyes shifting colors as a myriad of emotions flashed on her face. “I was told … I spoke to my dad, and he told me you left … but then you came back again.”

  “Deedee, I’m sorry to drop in like this,” he said sheepishly, scratching at his head as he approached her. His wolf recognized hers instantly, yipping happily as he drew closer to his best friend. At one point, he had thought there could have been something between them, at least until he met Sabrina. That maybe Deedee could have meant something more than a friend to him, but by then she had met her True Mate, King Karim of Zhobghadi.

  Her mouth was still open with shock. “You came here, didn’t you?” she asked. “A few days ago.”

  “How did you know?”

  She reached into her pocket and pulled out something gold and shiny—his GI medallion. “I found this on the balcony. I still have the one you gave me. I keep it in my dresser. I had hoped it was you … You haven’t visited or called all this time.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I thought it best to stay away. Your husband isn’t too happy with me.”

  “But I’m not too happy with you being away,” she said with a pout. “You didn’t come for the wedding or when Caspar was born.”

  He glanced down at the sleeping child in her arms. “He’s beautiful.”

  “I know.” Her mouth turned up into a smile as a wistful look passed on her face. “He’s everything to me.” She kissed the top of the child’s forehead.

  “You look happy, Dee.” A total understatement. She was glowing. “Really happy.” He couldn’t help but see the remarkable difference in her as she fussed over her son as she placed him back in his crib.

  “Of course,” she replied. “I—”

  “What in An’s name is going on here?”

  Deedee started at the sound of her husband’s voice, but she recovered in a split second. “Darling, look who’s come for a visit.”

  His Majesty, King Karim of Zhobghadi strode into the room, his cerulean blue eyes trained like daggers on Cross. Dressed in a dark gray tunic with a dozen or so shiny medals on his chest, he looked every bit the imposing royal he was. There was also a great power he kept wrapped up inside him that Cross’s wolf couldn’t ignore—a mighty dragon that could raze lands with its mighty fire breath.

  “What are you doing here?” The king asked. “Do you think you can just come here anytime—”

  “Karim!” Deedee admonished as she marched toward him. “Stop it. Please don’t be angry.”

  He glared at Cross, then looked down at his wife, his expression softening. “I could never be angry at you, habibti.” Then he turned back to Cross. “But you still need to explain your presence. You have avoided my wife for more than a year. She sent you an invitation to our wedding, to Caspar’s welcoming ceremony, her birthday, and yet, you ignored her. What kind of best friend does that?”

  “Karim please—”

  “Habibti, I know how much it hurt you, could always see the disappointment in your face when he failed to turn up each time,” he said. “And now he thinks he can just come back—”

  “Don’t be jealous, darling,” she cooed. “I love only you; you know that.”

  That seemed to mollify him, at least, a little bit. “This … friend of yours still needs to explain and apologize to you.”

  Cross hated to admit it, but the king was correct. Honesty, he reminded himself. “I was ashamed, Deedee.”

  “Ashamed?” she asked.

  “That night I came back … your father told me you had been held against your will here. I was so angry. I blamed myself that I was the reason you left.”

  “I told you, you weren’t,” she reminded him.

  “I know that,” he said. “But I’m still ashamed. About what I did—tried to do—that night. I told you I would have used you to forget.” That earned him another heat-filled glare from Karim, but he continued. “I’m truly sorry.”

  Her brows drew together. “You never did tell me what you found.”

  “I found her, Dee. My True Mate.”

  She sucked in a quick breath and then let out an excited gasp. “You have?” Using her free arm, she grasped him in a side-hug. “I’m so happy for you. When do we get to meet her?”

  “Er, that’s the thing. She’s already here. In the guest bedroom where I stayed that day we defeated the mages here.”

  “You brought her here?” Deedee exclaimed incredulously. “Does she even know where she is?”

  “I’ll explain it to her, but I might have to leave right away. When she finds out, she won’t want to stay here. But she has to.”

  “So, you have spirited a girl into my palace without her knowledge, possibly against her will, and expect us to deal with it?” Karim asked, a dark brow raised.

  “Well that wouldn’t be the first time for you, would it now?” he retorted, unable to resist the jab.

  Karim’s nostrils flared with anger. “You watch what you—”

  “Karim, please!” Deedee put a soothing hand on her husband’s chest. “Cross and his mate obviously need us. Need our protection. It’s why you brought her here, right?”

  “Yes,” Cross said. “The mages, they’re coming for her.”

  “Then we will protect her.” The firm determination on Deedee’s face was enough to quell her husband’s anger. “Right, darling?”

  “Fine,” Karim relented. “Since the mages’ infiltration last year, I’ve shored up our magical defenses. Your father was able to connect me with some witch covens nearby, and thanks to them, we’ve had magical protection spells placed around the palace.”

  “I know,” Cross answered. Several times, Daric had asked him if he wanted to come to Zhobghadi, but he declined. He felt like a bastard, only coming now when he needed something, but he had no choice. If he survived what was coming, he vowed he would be a better friend to Deedee. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “I’m not doing this for you,” he growled back. “You best remember that.”

  “I will, Your Majesty,” he said with a nod. Karim didn’t have to say it, but Cross knew what he was trying to say: If you ever make my wife unhappy again, I will burn you and gobble up your ashes.

  “Do you really have to go soon?” Deedee asked.

  “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Cross said. “So much has happened. You should talk to your father or mother so they can get you up to speed.” He turned to Karim. “You should prepare for the worst, Your Majesty.”

  “What do you mean—” A sharp cry made Deedee start. “Sorry, Caspar’s woken up.” She hurriedly stalked back to the crib and lifted the child, cooing and soothing him.

  “You don’t deserve her,” Cross muttered so only Karim could hear him. Maybe he was a little jealous that the other man had his best friend all to himself now and kept her from living her old life back in New York.

  To his surprise, Karim merely smirked. “Someone once told me, none of us deserve the women who love us,” he said. “And that we can only hope they stick around long enough so we can prove ourselves worthy someday.”

  Cross smirked, guessing it was probably Karim’s father-in-law, Sebastian Creed, who said that. “Sounds like good advice from a wise old man.”

  The king snorted. “Old, yes.”

  Deedee walked toward them, Caspar in her arms. She handed him to Karim. “Come, darling, I want to meet Cross’s mate.”

  They all walked together toward the guest wing of the palace, until they reached the room he had transported into. He crossed the room and kneeled by the bed, shaking Sabrina gently awake.

  “Cross?” Light blonde lashes fluttered open. “Hmmm … good morning. What time is it?” She yawned and stretched her arms out. “Hey, did you make me pajamas again, I don’t remember putting any clothes on—” Her amethyst eyes widened when she looked behind him and realized they weren’t alone. “Cross?” She quickly sat up and glanced around, also now fully aware they were not in the Alpha’s guest bedroom. “Where did you take us?”

 

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